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Episode 90: Abarai Renji, Bankai of the Soul!

Impressions:

Damn, the quality went down again. The episode wasn’t as good as last week’s in terms of the animation, but the fact that it was able to squeeze in heaps of action with quick plot movement makes it better overall. I had thought the filler arc was almost at its end, with Ichigo fighting Kariya, but it seems there’s still more to go – the ‘Soul Society arc within the Bounto arc’. Sigh… I hope it doesn’t take too long. I’m really looking forward to Ichhigo’s Bankai next episode, as well as Ishida regaining his power. But Kariya is so strong! He seems as strong as Aizen at the moment, but this is in fact false. Both were able to stop Ichigo unarmed, but when Ichigo was thwarted by Aizen, he was in his Bankai form. When he fought Kariya, he only had his shikai. But then again, Kariya hasn’t even released his Doll yet (wait, does he even have one? Of course he does! Or, maybe not… Hmm…) Wait a minute, I haven’t even taken into the fact that Aizen never even released his shikai, nor his Bankai. Aargh!!! Such power! But the 1st Squad leader, thought to be the strongest of them all, is there protecting Soul Society, so everything should be fine right? Maybe so, but I sure wouldn’t want to watch some old dude beat up Kariya. I just wanna see Ichigo kick his arse.

Summary:

Renji and Ichigo continue ahead and encounter an unconscious Ayasegawa, lying on the ground. Just as they are about to help him, the strange eyes return, this time in force. It seems Ugaki has decided to release Geselle in its true form. As Ichigo and Renji desperately try to fend off the eyes, a giant beast comes forth from a large shadow cast by numerous eyes. The monster towers over Ichigo and Renji, making them think twice about their next move. The beast grabs Ayasegawa in its huge hand, making Renji scream in exasperation. The beast tosses his captive through the emptiness, but he is saved by Renji by breaking his fall. Ayasegawa comes to, saying that those in Zaraki’s 11th Squad see losing as death. He says he can no longer look his squad members in the eye.

Ugaki provokes them further, aggravating Ichigo, who calls for him to come out. Ugaki simply laughs evilly, so Ichigo resolves to destroy his Doll. Renji asks him to let him fight it as he wants revenge. He says some honourable(?) things about the Shinigami way of fighting, how to lose is to die. Regardless of what Urahara had said about fighting with teamwork and brains, he decides to go one on one with the Doll. He believes he has lost his fighting spirit since coming to the real world. He feels guilty for not being able to protect a single child, and wants to prove himself. Renji reuns up to the Doll and draws his Zanpakuto, who is rearing to strike. Ugaki sneers at his challenge and orders Geselle to destroy him. Geselle swings its mighty fists down, but Renji is easily able to avoid it. He jumps onto a broken pillar, concentrates his reiatsu and utters “Bankai!” Making its second appearance, Zabimaru in its Bankai form springs forth. Geselle manages to get a hit with its axe, but its far too weak to break Zabimaru’s joints. Renji explains the strength of Zabimaru’s joints is directly related to his reiatsu.

Predicting his own demise, Ugaki decides to resort to his last and most powerful card. Turning it over, Geselle suddenly disappears. It seems he has resorted to stealth, as Geselle’s arm appears behind Renji, turns into three spears and slashes him across the chest. Without the protecting of his bankai, Renji becomes susceptible to Geselle’s attacks. However, he manages to get back to Zabimaru, forcing Geselle to return to the shadows. Ichigo attempts to help Renji, but is stopped by Ayasegawa, who tells him the Zaraki’s Squad only fight one on one. Ichigo counters by saying Renji isn’t in the 11th Squad, which is true, but Ayasegawa informs him that Renji had in fact once been in the 11th Squad. He says that those who had once been in Zaraki’s Squad will remember this rule, even if they leave. Overhearing their rather loud argument, Renji tells Ichigo to shut up and watch the fight. It seems he has regained his composure. Ugaki laughs at his confidence, but suddenly sees something he had been neglecting for the duration of the fight. He was supposed to be monitoring Ishida and did not notice Nemu’s arrival. Seeing this, he quickly informs Kariya. The head Bounto tells Ugaki that the situation has changed and to finish off Renji quickly. Obeying Kariya’s orders, Ugaki sends Geselle back out into the open. Geselle lunges for a finishing blow. Renji decides to use his special technique, Higa Zekkou (Baboon Fang’s Disconnected Bite). The joints of Zabimaru break off and rain down on Geselle in the form of spears of reiatsu, piercing the beast many times. Geselle lashes out on the surroundings, screaming in agony and disorientated. Just as Ugaki decides to withdraw, the chamber he is in starts to collapse. Geselle had loosened one of the walls of the chamber. The wall dividing Ugaki’s command post and the battlefield crumbles. The Shinigami finally discover where the Bounto had been hiding the whole time. Ugaki can only watch in horror as his Doll continues to rage and his cards flutter away in the wind. Kariya says he has done a good job, but also says farewell, meaning Ugaki is no longer any use for him now. He screams out at Kariya, just as Geselle grabs him and crushes him, destroying itself in the process.

Ayasegawa tells Ichigo to go on ahead, leaving Renji to him. The walls crumble and a accessway is created, connecting Ichigo’s location to Kariya’s. Before him stands the remaining Bounto. Ichigo approaches them with a resolve. Kariya steps down from the platform, deciding to take care of Ichigo himself this time. The other Bounto look on with glee in their eyes (except Ichinose, who always puts on a stern face). Kariya says he needs a bit more time to complete his objective. This makes Ichigo think that Ugaki’s demise for planned. Kariya says that a new urgency has arisen (Ishida regaining his powers) and must leave the real world as soon as possible. Ichigo accuses the Bounto of planning to connect the real world and hollows together. Withou responding to Ichigo’s accusation, he tells the other Bounto to make the preparations, and to allow him to deal with Ichigo alone. Gowa mutters a few words in German, a kind of incantation to open the portal out of the real world. A large, stone archway appears on the platform. Kariya explains that Bounto are able to manipulate the dimensions after absorbing a great number of souls. Ichinose announces that he will perform the ceremony. Kariya says to get the fight started, as he is anxious to test his power. Accepting the challenge, Ichigo charges forward. He swings his blade up, but Kariya stops it with his arm. Kariya brings him forward then jabs him with his finger, sending him tumbling backwards. This time it is Kariya who charges. Ichigo tries to stab with his Zanpakuto, but the Bounto once again stops it unarmed. He thrust his hand into Ichigo’s abdomen, spurting blood everywhere. From then on, Ichigo is kicked like a soccer ball into the side of the stone platform, losing his Zanpakuto at the same time. Kariya picks him up and tosses him aside, saying that if this is all he has then it is no test of power. He inquires Ichigo about his bankai, revealing his knowledge about the Shinigami. Ichigo reaches for his Zanpakuto but Kariya kicks it away, saying that this is the end. He decides to reveal the Bounto’s true plans. The goal: to head to Soul Society and exact revenge on the Shinigami for bringing them life.

Preview:

Awesome! Ichigo uses his Bankai next episode (after another chat with Zangetsu, it seems). Kariya doesn’t seem so tough now does he?! Also, Ishida returns to power and goes to save Rukia and the others (I think). Not too long a wait until next episode… Hey, I’m actually eager to watch the next episode in the fillers! That’s never happened before. I didn’t really enjoy the fillers, up until now. I hope the show keeps up its enjoyability (now, I know that’s not a word, but I can’t think of the right word to use! No, not ‘enjoyment’, that’s not it. If I had to use that word, I’d have to rephrase the sentence to make me the subject.)

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