+ | N o v a s t o r m | +

Bleach 88: ‘Annihilation of the Vice-Captains!? Trap in the Underground Cave’

Impressions:

How boring. The quality of the animation is deteriorating and it’s getting repetitive. I don’t like seeing Ichigo and the other’s sitting around in Urahara’s shop when they are discussing. Of course, sitting down like would be the normal thing to do, but a variety of settings would be nice. The budget for the fillers is quite low I assume, so I guess that can’t be helped. The Bounto don’t make very interesting enemies. Sure, their dolls are unique and each one presents a different battle, but Bleach is meant to be about the awesome swordfights. Also, watching Ichigo get owned is not my idea of a good episode (referring to a few eps back), and watching the vice-captains – who are only at a fraction of their full strength – defeat the Bountos that Ichigo could not is even worse. However, the show does continue to present new ideas that keep the show interesting – such as the traitor among the Shinigami and Ichigo learning to control his Hollow side. The constant action also helps keep the show alive, even though it’s incomparable to the good ol’ Soul Society arc. (I wish Ichigo would use Bankai again soon!!)

Summary:

When it is still dark, Ririn charges into the Urahara shop on Kon’s back, screaming for someone to help Ichigo, who she thinks is still fighting. She starts crying before being interjected by Ichigo’s voice. He is undoubtedly safe and in good health. At the sight of him, Ririn rushes up to him and embraces him, angry and relieved at the same time. Chad, Inoue, Rukia, Nova and Cloud return from battle. Rukia is on Chad’s back, prompting a confused reaction from Ichigo when he sees them. Cloud apologises for letting it happen and Inoue plans to heal Rukia, but she says Inoue should take care of her own injuries instead. Getting impatient, Urahara urges them inside.

Just for those who have a tough time remembering names, Hisagi is the blue-haired vice-captain of the 9th Squad, who has three scars own the right side of his face and a blue streak across the bridge of his nose. He is the one who saved Inoue, Rukia and Cloud. Matsumoto is the orange-haired female vice-captain of the 10th Squad, usually remembered as the one with a large chest. She is the one who saved Nova and Chad. Kira is the blonde vice-captain of the 3rd Squad. He is the one who saved Ichigo. Ayasegawa Yumichika is ranked five in the 11th Squad; the one with dark purple hair with the strange eyelash-like things on his right eye. He has yet to be involved in combat since he came to the real world.

The next day, Hisagi and Matsumoto are leaping across the roof tops, ready for a counterattack against the Bounto. They meet Kira at the top of a hill. Kira informs them that Ayasegawa has discovered the Bounto’s hideout. The three proceed to where the Bounto are. Meanwhile, Koga Gowa (the Bounto who attacked Ichigo with Daruku) is apologising to Kariya for failing to kill Ichigo. Kariya says he doesn’t care, and that one loss means nothing. He says it was just a demonstrative exercise to see the amount of power the Bounto received from such a small amount of living souls. Mabashi (the orange-haired young Bounto who captures and controls Rukia) complains of not getting enough souls, which gets him a scolding by Koga. Kariya says it’s alright that he lost. Mabashi denies this, saying if he wasn’t interrupted, he would’ve won. Ichinose cuts in and says that if he had continued fighting, he would have been shredded to dust. Kariya informs the group that the Shinigami have arrived. He tells them not to worry as all they have to do is absorb more souls. He then calls for Ugaki (the Bounto who looks like – and probably is – a scientist). He emerges from the shadows and is asked about Ishida’s condition. Ugaki apparently has the ability to see Ishida from his glasses. Ugaki says he hasn’t regained his Quincy abilities yet. Kariya signals for him to go and take care of the Shinigami intruders. Ugaki retreats back from whence he came, saying that ‘it’ will be a spectacular show. Kariya summons Ichinose and asks him about the issue they discussed earlier. Ichinose believes ‘they’ are about to move. Kariya smiles.

Both Keigo and Renji are in good condition; Renji already capable of moving around. The boy that he saved, however, is in a bad situation. Hanatarou has done all he can to heal him, but can’t help the boy any further. Chad offers to use his soul to save him, but Hanatarou it is already too late for that, and the only thing they can do is hope is will to live is strong enough to pull him through. Renji blames himself for not protecting him well enough, and like anyone would say, Rukai tells him it’s not his fault. Renji is instantly ready for a shouting match, but Rukia has other things on her mind and informs him the other vice-captains are on their way to the Bounto’s hideout. Renji lowers his head in depression. Ichigo tries to comfort him, which results in Renji making a remark about how sad it is to be lectured by Ichigo. This obviously gets him mad, but Renji avoids further conflict.

As everyone is leaving the room, Urahara recalls Ichigo for a private talk. The former Squad captain says the Bounto are stronger than he had thought. Ichigo agrees. Urahara asks him whether or not he can defeat them without being able to use Bankai yet. Ichigo says he definitely cannot use Bankai yet, but as he says this, he thinks back to when he had been overcome by his Hollow side, and believes he may be able to do something. Perhaps a planned summoning of his Hollow half which allows him to get a boost in power as well as the ability to control it? Urahara ends the conversation by letting Ichigo know he’ll leave it to him.

Ayasegawa is standing outside the Bounto hideout, looking at himself in the mirror (and at a time like this!) He sees the three ice-captains arrive behind him and they all proceed into the cave.

In Soul Society, 1st Squad Captain, Yamamoto Shigekuni, has summoned 6th Squad Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya, for a brief talk. Yamamoto has discovered a secret about the mad-scientist Kurotsuchi Mayuri, captain of the 12th Squad. He believes that after considering last night’s intrusion, they should consider the possibility that ‘they’ are setting up some sort of sabotage. Among the Shinigami lurks a traitor. Byakuya suggests that Aizen might be behind all of it. Yamamoto does not rule out this possibility, but says he does not think he would help the Bounto. The 1st Squad Captain asks Byakuya to try and find any historical record of the Bounto, as the Kuchiki family organises all historical records.

Outside Urahara’s shop, the usual taskforce consisting of Ichigo, Rukia, Inoue, Chad and the three modified souls prepare to go to the Bounto’s base. Kon decides to go along as well to protect Rukia, which prompts her to say he will be good for stopping a few bullets. Kon is crushed. Before they leave, Jinta (the red-haired boy who works for Urahara) gives Renji a rice ball to eat before fighting. Ururu (the girl who works for Urahara) says Jinta made it personally as he felt bad for never giving Renji seconds (as in, during meals). Renji thanks him and reminds Hanatarou to take care of the kid. After the preparations, the group set off.

In an isolated room within the depths of the Bounto hideout, Ugaki lays out a deck of peculiar cards in a circular fashion. He calls upon his doll, Geselle, and places a card in the mile of his setup. In an unknown location, several small creatures come alive. The three vice-captains and lone 5th seater stop inside the Bounto’s cave, sensing that something isn’t right. They continue onwards and come across pillars erected in front of them. One large pillar has what look like masks protruding from the top, which captures Kira’s attention. (Ugaki places another card in the middle.) As the Shinigami are assessing the pillars, they suddenly find themselves surrounded by what look like torches. Blades begin discharging from the ground. The Shinigami decide to split up, which is exactly what Ugaki was expecting. (He puts down another card). Matsumoto releases her Zanpakutou to clear the way in front of her, but finds nothing there. She foolishly sheathes her sword and ends up in a grave situation. Although the scene is not shown, we see Ugaki say that it’s one down. All the while, the strange little torches had been shining on Matsumoto, as if they’re a requirement for Ugaki’s doll to attack… Kira and Hisagi find themselves trapped by the torches. As Hisagi is swinging his sword at them, a dark shadow creature arises from the ground and slams Kira in the stomach. Torches shine on Hisagi as he is distracted, which results in tentacles binding him from behind. He uses his kidou to destroy one of the torches, causing the tentacles to disappear. Ugaki places another card down, resulting in the materialisation of a giant hand, which smashes the ceiling, causing it to crumble and crush the two remaining vice-captains. Ayasegawa comments on how ugly the torches are, before releasing his Zanpakutou, looking serious. Ugaki allows Geselle to show a bit more of its true form. Four torches bathe the lone Shinigami in their white light, allowing a giant hand to arise from the earth. It grabs Ayasegawa and slams him against the rocky wall. Ugaki laughs evilly.

Outside, Ichigo’s team has gathered and prepare to enter the hideout.

Elsewhere, Ishida is still trying to regain his Quincy powers, but to no avail. He gets a pleasant surprise when he receives a visit from Nemu, 12th Squad’s vice-captain.

Popularity: 4% [?]