Bleach,
Vol 12
Author: Tite Kubo
Publisher: Viz Media
American
release date: April 4, 2006
Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/208 pages
Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★
Renji Abarai,
assistant captain to 6th squad’s Captain Kuchiki, after being defeated by Ichigo
has only one thing to say to him—“Save Rukia!” Kira and Hinamori come upon Renji and are amazed
that he has been defeated, but they are too late to fight Ichigo, as he and
Ganju and Hanatoro have already gone. Kira and Hinamori intend to send Renji to
be healed by the 4th Company but are prevented from doing so by
Byakuya Kuchiki, who instructs them to dump him in a cell! Gin Ichimaru assures
Kira and Hinamori that he will send word to 4th Company anyway.
Toshiro Hitsugaya appears after Gin leaves and warns Hinamori not to trust the
Third Company, especially….
Head-Captain
Yamamoto overlooks Gin’s
previous actions and declares all-out war on the Ryoka.
Ichigo awakens
to find himself being healed by Hanataro of the wounds he suffered fighting
Renji. When he insists he’s ready to go, Ganju knocks him out again, proving
how weak he really is. Hanataro tells Ganju that Ichigo’s life was saved
by a mask in his pocket, one which resembles a Hollow. How did he acquire such
an object, though?
Disturbed by the
idea of fighting, the peaceful Hinamori, assistant captain of the 6th
Company, seeks out her captain, Aizen, to speak with him. His soothing voice
and words, his calm smile, relax her so much she falls asleep. When she wakens,
she finds Aizen gone and she is going to be late for assembly if she doesn’t hurry.
Luckily, she knows a short-cut, but in taking this route, she comes upon a
horrific sight!
Hinamori finds
herself in hot water when she tries to attack Gin for what she believes he has
done, only to be confronted by Kira. Hitsugaya steps in between them and has
both arrested, then warns Gin not to ever make Hinamori bleed. Rangiku
Matsumoto visits Hinamori in her cell and brings her a letter addressed to her
that was found in Captain Aizen’s room, revealing what he has discovered.
Ichigo, Ganju,
and Hanatoro approach the high tower where Rukia is being held, which seems
surprisingly empty of people, only to feel a frightfully enormous spiritual
pressure. The pressure turns out to belong to the soul reaper who Ikkaku spoke
of to Ichigo, Kenpachi Zaraki, captain of the 11th Company. He
anticipates an interesting fight against Ichigo and is excited to get started.
Ichigo tells Ganju and Hanataro to go ahead and continue with their mission
while he stays behind to engage in battle with Kenpachi.
Meanwhile, Chad
has run into the captain of the 8th Company, Shunsui Kyoraku, a very
laid-back fellow in a pink flowered kimono. Shunsui attempts to get Chad to have
a drink with him, not wishing to fight,
but to no avail. Chad is giving him no choice in the matter.
I love this
volume of Bleach for many reasons, but I have to mention first and foremost
that I adore Shunsui Kyoraku, and these is his first real scenes in the series,
which is exciting. Also the first real scenes with Kenpachi and Yachiru. I was
upset over the unexpected and tragic death that occurred in this volume, but you’ll find that
happens in Bleach, like it or not. It’s exciting to
watch Ichigo work his way through the various captains and lieutenants of the
13 Court Guard Squads in order to reach Rukia. He is far stronger than they
gave him credit for being. Uryu and Orihime were absent in this volume, but I’m sure we’ll see them
soon.
I just finished
watching the anime and am excited that I am still living the Bleach story
through the manga. I understand that the manga goes beyond what I saw in the
anime, so I look forward to seeing where it takes me. Another great volume of
Bleach, looking forward to the next one!
No comments:
Post a Comment