Bleach,
Vol 41
Author: Tite Kubo
Publisher: Viz Media
American
release date: June 5, 2012
Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/192 pages
Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★
Although it appeared as
though Ulquiorra defeated Ichigo, that turns out not to be true. But is the
creature that rises from the proverbial ashes really Ichigo? If so, what is he
now, and how did he arrive there? Neither Orihime nor Ulquiorra can believe
their eyes. While Ulquiorra questions him as to who he is, he receives no
response. But whoever this is knows how to fire a cero! That is something no
mere human can do.
And so the battle continues…
Meanwhile, Rukia’s battle
with Rudbornn is interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Yammy, who is
really angry with Uryu. Chad marvels at Yammy’s size, having fought with him in
the World of the Living. “He was huge back then… but he’s a whole lot bigger
now!”
Orihime realizes that this
is still Ichigo, there to protect her, as he returns to himself. Ulquiorra is
in bad shape. While he can regenerate limbs, that is not true of his organs. He
wants to finish this now, but Ichigo tries to attain an even playing field.
Ulquiorra tells him, “Hmmph. To the very end, you never do what I want you to
do.” He asks Orihime if she is afraid of him and she says, “I’m not.”
Yammy is resolved to avenge
Ulquiorra. The others are initially not concerned, as he is Espada 10, and they’ve
defeated worse. But then Yammy reveals that they are wrong about the Espada
ranks, and he is actually 0… and bigger and badder than they ever imagined!
The other captains’ fights
continue. Shunsui receives the grudging admiration of Starrk, while Hitsugaya
battles Harribel, and Komamura stands guard while Lieutenant Kira heals the
others. Soi Fon and Omaeda face off with the old man, Berrigan, who reveals the
true nature of the Espada’s powers – each governs a different form of death.
His is senescence, or aging. When he touches Soi Fon’s arm, which begins to
rot, she makes an instant decision and demands Omaeda help her immediately!
Harribel thinks she has triumphed over Hitsuygaya, because she can also control
water. But Hitsugaya lets her know she has far underestimated him.
Decisive battles are being
waged here, more enemies defeated. You just know that at some point, Aizen has
to be let back into the fray, or what’s the point of him being there? I enjoy
the strange relationship between Soi Fon and Omaeda, and I don’t think she
really hates or despises him the way she seems to. And he isn’t as weak as he
thinks he is. Shunsui is handsome, as always, always glad to see more of him. I
loved the battle with Hitsugaya and Harribel. People too often overlook him
because he resembles a child, but he is far from that and he is far stronger
than people give him credit for.
The most touching part of
this volume was the scene between Ulquiorra and Orihime, which made me tear up,
and earned Ulquiorra my reluctant admiration. Still loving this series and
looking forward to the next book!
