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Bleach #16

Bleach, Volume 16

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Night of Wijnruit
The scheduled execution of former Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki has been moved up and is now just hours away. Meanwhile, the Soul Society is in chaos, with Soul Reapers drawing swords against one another. Something is rotting at the core of the Soul Society, but who, or what, could be behind it?

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2005

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About the author

Tite Kubo

1,281 books2,032 followers
Noriaki Kubo, known professionally as Tite Kubo ( 久保帯人), is a Japanese manga artist and character designer. His manga series Bleach (2001–2016) had over 130 million copies in circulation as of 2022.

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5 stars
4,415 (54%)
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2,408 (29%)
3 stars
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36 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
Profile Image for Sana⁷ (Sawamura Version).
402 reviews189 followers
June 8, 2024
"What did... you say?"
"Oh, didn't you hear me? Then I'll say it again. Rukia Kuchiki, the day of your execution has been changed once again. The execution will be tomorrow."


The clock is ticking, Rukia's execution day comes faster and faster. Ichigo is training like crazy to gain the power needed to save her, but, despite making progress, he still didn't achieve Bankai. Since most of his friends are locked in a cell, it seems like there is no one available to come and rescue Rukia.

And the Soul Society is having its own problem. Captain Aizen has been found dead and everyone are trying to find the culprit. Hitsugaya suspects Gin and involves himself in a fight with him. But then Hinamori comes in - Hitsugaya thoughts that she's here to get revenge on Gin, but, to his surprise, she attacks him instead.

If he will not back down, I am prepared to cross swords with him. But if I die, Hinamori, please carry on for me and kill him. That is my last wish. I ask this of you not as a captain of 5th company, but as a man.

Okay, guys. Okay. I understand Hinamori's emotions, she was very close with Aizen and she wants revenge. She got his letter with his last wish and wants to carry on his will. I get it. What I don't understand is the fact that she decided to attack Hitsugaya. I know that Aizen named him as the culprit, but how the heck did Hinamori agreed with it? It's like everything she knew about Hitsugaya, their shared moments from childhood, suddenly didn't matter anymore. It's not a stranger, it's her best friend! How did she thought that he could plan to destroy the Soul Society? That he could kill another captain? Why would he want to do so?

And the most important thing of all: WHERE WAS THE EVIDENCE?? All Aizen did was write that he suspects Hitsugaya, there was absolutely no evidence added to it! I understand Hinamori's emotions, but girl, do not shut off your brain!

"Knowing you, you probably won't tell me what's bothering you. But don't forget - as long as you're in this company, I'm your friend for life."

We finally get to see Rukia's past, which means - Kaien Shiba had shown up! It's not only important for Rukia's character development, but also because of how big of an impact Kaien had on Rukia, and, let's be real, how much alike Kaien and Ichigo are. I LOVE Kaien. I can easily name him one of the best Bleach characters, despite how little time we got to spend with him. With his easygoing and caring personality, you cannot help, but like him instantly. He had shown up the moment Rukia needed a friend the most and it truly seems like fate, especially if you consider the fact that Kaien is from the Shiba clan. Their dynamic is very fun and adorable and it's a pleasure to see them together in both the anime and the manga. The way Kaien's life ended will always be upsetting for me. He not only died in a tragic way, he couldn't find any peace in the afterlife (if you know, you know). I wish we could spend more time with him. I wish that he survived. I wonder what kind of dynamic he would have with other characters, especially with Ichigo :(

P.S. IT RAINED AGAIN. I NEVER NOTICED IT, OMG!


The clock is ticking. Rukia's execution's tomorrow. Will Ichigo achieve Bankai? Will Zaraki win against the captains? What about the end scene with Renji running to save Rukia - will he succeed? What about Hitsugaya and his plan to stop the execution? Will he really become a rebel, like Zaraki, and decide to fight on the side of the Ryoka? We will see in the next volume! ;)


Some other things I need to talk about:

~ the cover is GORGEOUS 😍
~ HYÔRINMARU!! 🐲
~ I love Byakuya, but him being completely heartless (with Rukia) and cruel (with Ukitake) was uncalled for. Where is an apology, huh? I cannot wait for Ichigo to teach him a lesson! 😤
~ Hollow Kaien is terrifying 😨
~ Rukia's thoughts of her being pathetic and not worth fighting over killed me. No one, absolutely no one should feel this way.
~ did I said already that I love Kyoraku's and Nanao's dynamic? Because I love Kyoraku's and Nanao's dynamic.
~ "Was that bluster or were you serious? Either way, you're not only lost your honor, but your sanity as well, Zaraki."
"Heh... Sanity? Sorry, I don't recall ever having anything like that."
Zaraki's truly a crazy beast and we love to see it!!
Profile Image for Lauren Lanz.
913 reviews316 followers
June 9, 2023
Rukia and Shiba’s backstory together? Oh my god I’m in pain. I didn’t even know Shiba before this volume, so I’m impressed at how much Kubo made me care for him in such little time.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,217 followers
September 16, 2020
Bleach continues with fast paced fights and stakes feeling super high. The training with ichigo to master bankei before Rukia execution is well done. The fight between Gin and Icy dragon is great. All of this volume worked.
Profile Image for Jeremiah.
93 reviews8 followers
June 8, 2023
Let’s go Ichigo, time is running out! Also we got Captains fighting Captains now. Kenpachi is about to take them down.
Profile Image for Jacky Yu.
12 reviews
May 12, 2010
This book is about soul reapers and the captain Tootsee Roll is mad at a traitor captain Gin Because he hurt his friend HinDoMaru. They fight for a really long unnecessary time and finally, in the end A girl comes to save the day. Gin walks away because of the girls big breasts. Also there are some flashbacks of Rookya memories. Rookya is a criminal who is very bad and naughty and is going to be excuted. Rookya shared a closet with ItsyGo when she was in the human realm. Also RenJay likes Rookya so shes a player. Most of Rookya memories are about murdering her jr. captain because jr. got controlled. Then Rookya selfishly killed jr. Then KenPocki rescued YourYu , Chad, and a guy with a mustache that i forgot his name. RenJay and ItsyGo are training to resuce Rookya even though her death day is today. ItsyoGo is doing training that takes 3 days. Is he stupid or what? Then KenPocki fights 2 captains at once. They are a black blind guy and a doggy. WHO WILL WIN? Do you really think that doggy and the guy will win..... "Continued In Bleach 17"
Profile Image for Lashaan Balasingam.
1,536 reviews4,619 followers
February 1, 2020
A civil war begins as Rukia's sentence draws closer and closer. With the mysterious death of a captain unveiling a potential conspiracy on one side and the tragic origin story behind Kaien Shiba that is finally unveiled on the other side, this remained relatively calm but teases destructive confrontations for the following arc.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
Profile Image for Blake the Book Eater.
1,294 reviews413 followers
October 16, 2022
While Ichigo trains, some of the other captains decide that Rukia is not worth executing. The ranks are beginning to crumble and it’s extremely entertaining to see these high powered Soul Reapers engage each other in battle!
Profile Image for Agnese Rosengren.
431 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2023
KENPACHI IDOLO DELLA MIA VITA.
(Tanto love per Hitsugaya in copertina 🫶🏻)
Profile Image for ‎⋆˖ ࣪kasiut ݁₊⊹.
41 reviews
May 16, 2026
#reread 2, albo 3

Zalążki i eskalacje konfliktów, walki - akcja, high stakes, race against the clock, Ukitake, EMOCJE !!! Flashback Kaiena breaks me everytime 😭 Wyraźnie widać w jak kiepskim stanie psychicznym jest Rukia (i Momo xd). 😭 Aż tak nie tęskniłam za Ichigo, ale trzymam kciuki za jego Bankai 🤞😉
Peak 5⭐ tom

PS jakim cudem, nieplanowanie czytałam ten tom 16 maja - tak samo jak w 2021 (#°Д°)
Profile Image for William Bainbridge.
274 reviews
March 13, 2025
Renjis bankai reveal was awesome I can't even lie to you. The rest was pretty good too, Kenny aura farming by fighting two captain's at once was cold as hell. Not been too much ichigo lately but my favourite moment in this arc is about to happen in the next few volumes so fingers crossed for the 5.
Profile Image for Colin Mcclusick.
391 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2021
Manga Monday?? Pretty good the action has started. There is a schism and ichego is almost ready. Really enjoyed it

Summary: PLOT TWIST

Captain Aizen's letter said that there is a plan to steal the execution sword (which is why Rukia was getting the sentence and why its been moved up) to wipe out all of the soul society. In the letter it tells Hinamaori that it is was captain Toshiro who had the whole plan and that if Aizen dies she'll have to kill him. Toshiro easily knocks her aside and blames Gin for this deceit and they start to fight. Toshiro uses his swords true form, an ice dragon, gin tries to kill Hinamaori but its stopped by matsumoto. Rukia's execution is moved up a to tomorrow. Renji shows up to where Ichego is training and decides he is going to work on Bankai too.

Rukia's old captain confronts Byakuya about not caring about Rukia. Rukia has a flashback to what happened with Gangu's brother, Kaien. He was the assistant captain of the 13th company and always treated her like an equal. She looked up to his wife but one day his wife was murdered by a hollow. Kiaen goes to take on that hallow alone, it has speacial abilities and takes control of his body. Rukia had to kill him to stop the hallow.

It's execution day. Kenpachi with his squad and Orihime break the others out of prison. Ichego still hasn't mastered bankai. Renji says hes going to go and asks Yoruichi if she thinks he can learn it in time... She basically says yes. Kenpachi, his squad, and the original crew (execept for Ichego and Yoruichi) get stopped by Captain Tosen Captain Komaura and their assistant captains. Kenpachi challenges them all to a fight at the same time. His 2 assistant captains challenge the other assistant captains and they run off to fight, now its 2 on one. The 2 captains attack using special moves on Kenpachi... the rubble clears he laughs and says is that the best you got?
Profile Image for marialena_ios.
144 reviews28 followers
December 1, 2017
Best scene for me was the fight between my favourite character Ichimaru Gin and Toshiro!
5,870 reviews144 followers
June 28, 2019
Bleach, Vol. 16 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (131–139) of the on-going manga series.

Forced to knock Momo Hinamori out when she tries to kill him, Tōshirō Hitsugaya furiously attacks Gin Ichimaru. Eventually, Hitsugaya's lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto intervenes when Gin was about to attack the unconscious Momo, the captain withdrawing rather than go against her.

Meanwhile, everyone learns that Rukia Kuchiki's execution date has been moved to the following day with Renji Abarai decides to train with Ichigo Kurosaki to obtain his Bankai while Jūshirō Ukitake decides to save his subordinate. However, Rukia believes her fate is deserved while reminiscing of her time with Kaien Shiba, Squad Thirteen's lieutenant who she was forced to kill when his body is invaded by the parasitic Hollow Metastica.

On the day of the execution, now aiding the intruders, Squad Eleven faces Kaname Tōsen's Squad Nine subordinates and Squad Seven under Sajin Komamura.

This tankobon is written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. The incursion into the Seireitei to save Rukia Kuchiki continues. With her execution date moved up, Ichigo Kurosaki's infiltration team adds more allies as they continue to go deeper into the Seireitei to find her. The back story of Rukia and how she killed Kaien Shiba is finally revealed.

All in all, Bleach, Vol. 16 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems intriguing and I cannot wait to read more.
Profile Image for Megan.
381 reviews35 followers
January 13, 2020
Eternally salty over the fact that this series ended without any definitive move in the relationship between Hitsugaya and Hinamori. My twelve year-old little shipper heart is still waiting because who can say no to that angst?! That yearning? I mean, really.
Profile Image for Kieran Antoniuk-Davies.
65 reviews
January 22, 2026
Some balmer level shit, here’s 100 new characters, they all have know each other and they’re all dressed the same, hope you like military structure that’s the only way to keep track of them. Fuck heavy with it
Profile Image for K.
1,411 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2024
I need to go to sleep but how can I when it’s getting really good!!
Profile Image for Grace Hennessey.
485 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2024
This really felt like filler to me. The backstory was nice but come on ichigo.
Profile Image for Mel.
894 reviews33 followers
March 18, 2025
Rukia + Shiba = pain 😭
Profile Image for Chery.
329 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2025
¿La poca unidad que tienen los escuadrones? No han dudado ni 5 minutos a la hora de empezar una guerra civil. Y al viejo Yamamoto se la suda 😂😂😂😂😂😂 imagino que percibirá que se andan madreando sus subordinados, pero se la suda!!!!!
Profile Image for elif sinem.
896 reviews81 followers
March 18, 2026
i just kinda don't care about these soul society guys in any kind of way, i do however endorse gin, who just seems to do shit just to do shit
Profile Image for DonutKnow.
3,564 reviews48 followers
March 16, 2019
So epic! I’m looking forward to seeing the fight between Renji and Byakuya! ✊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for lana.
218 reviews43 followers
December 26, 2025
It's instinct that makes us strive to gain power.

This volume had so many good stories! The build up is also insane and I’m so excited to see what happens next!
Profile Image for Subham.
3,080 reviews105 followers
December 4, 2020
Its a good volume, focusing on Ichigos training with Zangetsu as they advance to the next level, here the focus is less on Ichigo and more on others, we have an interesting fight between Hitsugaya and Hinamori after she gets that letter from Aizen and its heartbreaking and a good knock off between the former and Ichimaru Gin as he suspects something fishy is there We check on with Ichigo and Renji comes there to train too to kinda motivate Ichigo or so it seems. But when the execution moves upward they have to do it fast, meanwhile Kenpachi fights the other captains specifically Tousen and Komamura aka animal man and its an interesting face off. Good volume, with stakes getting higher and next volume will be even more big!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for MajesticalLion.
681 reviews62 followers
October 2, 2022
It hurts to see Hinamori fight Hitsugaya, especially with the hindsight of the rest of the series. Hinamori is one of the most tragic characters in the whole series. Meanwhile Zaraki gets to flex his ego a bit, which is always fun. And we get to see a little bit more of Ichigo's Bankai training. OH. I almost forgot about the Kaien Shiba flashback. That's what makes this volume as good as it is. This really is just a banger volume all around.
Profile Image for Vendea.
1,643 reviews167 followers
March 12, 2015
Gin a jeho velký meč... Sice by mohli vyhodit Kaiena, ale dobře... že je to pan Kubo, tak to přežiju. A konečně se objevil můj drahý Komamura ♥
Profile Image for Vojtěch.
867 reviews141 followers
December 24, 2017
Co na to říct? Je to Bleach. A dokonce ve velmi dobré podobě. Je tu zrada, akce, vtip i překvapivé zvraty. A já se už sakra nemůžu dočkat sedmnáctého dílu!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews