New Bleach chapter out.

[rii_no_ame]

I said I wasn't going to post about this chapter.  But now I am...confused?  Startled by the turn the arc has taken?  In denial, still?

Jesus.  Help me figure this out, people.

Comments

[neurotoxia]

I'm considering hiding under a blanket until we see a living, breathing Byakuya again. Oh God, the feels. Senbozakura's hinted dissolving gives me the biggest concern's too, but I haven't completely abandoned hope.

Many similarities to Gin's death but I'd be surprised if Kubo chose to send Byakuya off this way. Gin was in need of redemption which he achieved through his death. Byakuya was redeemed a long time ago, he acknowledged Ichigo's powers long ago, it feels useless having him hopelessly crushed by a Quincy just to ask Ichigo to protect Soul Society. There's nothing 'new' to be gained by that kind of death.

Up until now, Byakuya was always the perfect embodiment of bushido. If he went down fighting proudly, or while protecting Rukia and/or Renji, I'd find it believable and fitting. Here, Byakuya only got one hell of a beatdown. I'm still holding out hope Kubo is only underlining that the Quincies are so powerful, they can reduce one of the proudest and strongest captains to a near corpse within a heartbeat.

And I'm finding it hard to believe that Kubo would miss out on the additional heartbreak of letting Renji and/or Rukia witness his death. It would be textbook heartbreak any author could only wish for. Why not use it?

Maybe I'm grasping at straws here, but I think I'm not the only one <<;

Ichigo having Quincy powers doesn't surprise me with the rumors that Masaki might have been one and that he generally goes beyong the borders of all Shinigami. I just don't think that it was necessary adding Quincy to the mix as well and pulling it off all of a sudden gives you the deus ex machina feeling.

[rii_no_ame]

You're not the only one who feels that way, believe me.

I'm with you, inasmuch as it doesn't fit Byakuya's character arc for him to go out this way; it doesn't make sense to me. His relationships with Rukia and Renji are so important that I can't believe we'd get no closure on them. I always assumed he'd go out that way - sacrificing himself for Rukia or Renji, which is on par with his nature - so this makes zero sense. I can't believe this is how it will end. And you're right - Ichigo's indebted enough to SS alone that of COURSE he'd protect it, so he's not gaining anything new via Byakuya's request.

And where is Unohana? Yoruichi?

Bingo on the Quincy thing. It makes narrative sense, but reeks of unnecessary power-up.