Things are beginning to heat up in Bleach. OK that’s not entirely true, things are beginning to boil up and out of the saucepan that is Karakura Town, that’s how hot it’s getting!

At the end of the previous chapter we saw Kensei step in to protect Mashiro against  Wonderweiss’ surprising strength that caught Mashiro a little off guard, leaving her severely injured.

Kensei Bankai (Fan Art)

This chapter is important because, as far as I can remember, this is the first time we have seen a Vizard Bankai. In case we were unsure whether they had a Bankai at all or if their Hollowfication was as far as their powers extended. While maybe not a complete surprise as many of the Vizard where originally Captains of the Gotei-13 many years ago, it should be expected that they would have a Bankai, albeit my original thoughts that it would be something a little different to the normal Bankai that we’ve seen so far.

Once Kensei goes Bankai he turns his full attention on dealing with the unruly Wonderweiss who, for his lack of respect, will be taught a lesson for getting “above himself” .

As Kensei and Wonderweiss collide headlong into battle with one another, we return to the eerie calm of Aizen facing the Gotei-13 and remaining Vizards who are well and truly riled up and ready to go.

Hiyori sees red! (Fan Art)

Shinji Hirako, appearing to be leading the collation of Captains and Vizard, warns everyone of Aizen’s abilities demanding caution.

It’s uncertain if he directed this at Hiyori Sarugaki or just to everyone around him, yet Hiyori responds indignantly with “I know!”, seemingly because she felt patronised by Shinji. Granted this is just Hiyori’s small-person complex speaking.

As Aizen begins taunting the group gathered before him, we see Shinji tell Hiyori to relax her grip on her katana. It appears as though the very voice of Aizen is enough for Hiyori to become extremely angry.

Aizen continues to taunt and bait the group in making the first move. The quote of the Chapter is from Aizen:

“Whether you approach with caution or without, or even if you do not approach me at all, the result will be the same. I do not speak of the future. Your demise is an already inescapable fact of the past.”

Aizen tries to show them the futility of their situation, suggesting that their fates have already been sealed before they have even moved. Recognising the blatant attempt by Aizen to provoke a reaction, Shinji once more warns the group to not react. To which Aizen responds.

“What are you afraid of? You already died that night a hundred years ago.”

Gin takes out Hiyori (Fan Art)

This is direct reference to when the Vizards, standing before him, became Hollowfied during the Pendulum arc which retells of the catastrophe by jumping a 100 years into the past while the Vizards were still Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei-13.

At hearing this, Hiyori, unable to restrain herself any longer, attacks Aizen, despite Shinji calling for her to stop. Just as she raises her blade, Hiyori is cut down by Gin Ichimaru, but not just cut – Hiyori is cut in two!

Gin, with his weird smile breathes out, “One down”  as Shinji shouts Hiyori’s name rushing to catch her.

What the heck just happened?! What did Gin do? His Zanpakutō, Shinsō, still in it’s Shikai form, seemed to stretch and split Hiyori in two with minimal effort.  Upon first reading these pages,  it wasn’t immediately clear that Hiyori had been cleanly cut in two/bifurcated by Gin, but it is clearer when we see Shinji holding just the top half of Hiyori’s body in the distance and at the same time we see her feet and the lower part of her body lying on the floor in the foreground.

Ichigo is coming! (Fan Art)

Shinji then calls out to Hacchi but then realises that after his fight with Barragan he is unable to assist in restoring Hiyori’s body as he still only has one hand. At that moment he remembers Ichigo and the others, in particular Orihime Inoue and her healing/time reversing ability that would undoubtedly be able to help save the dying Hiyori. Shinji then shouts towards the sky, calling Ichigo’s name.

Anyone notice how Shinji’s main contribution to this Chapter was just to shout people’s names? Let’s hope his contribution is greater in the next Chapter.

The chapter ends with our long absent hero, Ichigo flying through the sky with a look of urgency and determination upon his face, flying to save his comrades and flying towards Aizen.

What’s going to happen next? Is that the end of Hiyori Sarugaki? Will Inoue make it in time? What will Ichigo do when he arrives? So many questions. Drop your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.