"Is there any justice for Soul Reapers in this battle?"
"If there is justice on one side or the other, it will either be called self-defense or subjugation. But this is war. Wars take place because both sides are just."
I didn't thought that I will give the highest rating to a volume with Quilge Opie on the cover, but here I am.
THIS WAS ONE CRAZY VOLUME! I did watch all of the available TYBW episodes (I do not count currently airing Cour 3) so technically, I should've been ready for what will happen, but what I remember from the episodes are only a couple of scenes (the shock I have experiences was a little bit too big for me to handle). For example, I did remember Quilge and his battle with Ichigo, but I hadn't remembered how monstrous his full transformation was. I kid you not, the guy looked like he was taken straight up from the Attack on Titan universe! Anyways, as I said, this volume was truly a crazy one and IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING OF TYBW, guys!
An imperial order from His Majesty to the Sternritter. One of the special threats, Ichigo Kurosaki, is engaging our forces in Hueco Mundo. To all Sternritter. Equip yourselves and assemble at the Gate of the Sun immediately. The Wandenreich will now invade the Soul Society.
THE WAR IS STARTING. The organization of Wandenreich, after declaring a war, made his move, which means that the Soul Society is currently under attack. It's an incredibly bloody attack. According to Akon's informations, a thousand men died in seven minutes. Their bodies were sliced through so easily like they were butter, not humans. They were dropping like flies, one after another. A couple of them were introduced for the very first time and immediately died after. Is it still BLEACH or maybe Game of Thrones? It was a truly gruesome show of power coming from the clearly stronger enemy. It was a horrifying experience in just the manga so you can imagine it happen in the anime, where not just all the sounds are available, but also all the killing happens so fast that you don't have time to properly process it. The Soul Reapers are falling, desperately fighting for their lives despite clearly not standing a chance, while the Wandenreich members are flying here and there will smiles on their faces and talking about purge. For them, it looks like a game. A game they cannot lose.
"I don't feel a thing... Say something... Say anything...! Hyourinmaru!"
My heart broke not only for Hitsugaya, but his reaction was most emotional one. The captains were under an impression that the enemy can seal their Bankai, but the situation ended up being much more dangerous. Can you imagine losing a thing you are attached to the most? Can you imagine losing a part of your soul? This is what happened to the captains in the first minutes of the battle - and the enemies didn't show their powers yet. Our heroes have to shake up quickly after their loss and face their opponents, but can they stand a chance without their strongest weapons?
"No need to take stock. Renji. There's no need to show them pity. These people are trying to annihilate the Soul Society without mercy. They are unequivocally the enemy. Slice them down with everything you have."
It looks like every player had found their match, either named or not named yet. Byakuya and Renji are against a creepy Sternritter named Äs Nödt. Komamura is facing a bloodthirsty woman named Bambietta. And Rose, after finding out that a couple of his subordinates are fallen, has to fight against a guy who looks like a mix of Tousen's Soul Reaper version and his Arrancar transformation (I refuse to believe that his name is NaNaNa Najahkoop, it's just can't be possible). Kyoraku seem to have the toughest battle to win - a battle of swords against guns, where he already had experienced a tremendous loss. I wish I could not see this. I wish I could not see all of my favorite characters going through these fights. These people are so important to me and it pains me to see their pain and desperation and loss. All this had to happen because a thousand years ago Yamamoto didn't do what he was supposed to do :(
"Every time I see a struggle such as this, I ask myself 'Is the sight of the weak dying always so unsightly?' I cannot bear to watch. Die."
The highlight of Volume 56 is definitely the battle happening in Hueco Mundo between Ichigo and Quilge. At first sight it looked like Ichigo had no chance. At first sight it looked like Quilge was superior. But then Ichigo went into a Bankai mode and the power balance started to shift. It kind of amazes me how careless Quilge was through this fight. He was so convinced of his invincibility that he had not only underestimated his opponent, but, what strikes me the most, he completely ignored the fact that the organization he was a part of was considering Ichigo a special threat. A SPECIAL THREAT, AND HE POINT BLANK IGNORED IT. He did pay a price for it, but not before he had unleashed his last attack. An attack that could've predestined the Soul Society's fate.
"You lose, Ichigo Kurosaki! All you can do now is sit inside that cage and watch as the Soul Society falls!"
To be honest, I am afraid to pick up the next volume, because I know what will happen next. One of the my worst Bleach scenes is incoming. The first one was the scene in Ichigo's home when everyone were cut by Tsukishima. The second one is the upcoming one and I truly don't want to see it. It could've been easier to get through it in the manga since there will be no sounds, but Ichigo's desperate face might bring me to my knees. We will see.
Some thing I need to talk about: (as always ;)) - BE AWARE OF THE SPOILERS OF THE WHOLE TYBW ARC!
~ "I have received orders from His Majesty to take you down right here. In other words, you are going to die." - it was really funny to see this now knowing that Yhwach had to already know that his subordinate will inevitably lose this fight.
~ How awfully convenient for the Quincy that they had found a way to use their Vollständig power without losing it.
~ "To the eyes of you atrocious Soul Reapers, the form of us divine executors must certainly appear creepy and horrific!" - it pisses me off how the Wandenreich are acting like they are the good guys while happily killing people left and right.
~ I saw the anime, but I completely forgot that Ayon had showed up in here! Such a shame that he didn't beat the crap out of Quilge :(
~ RIP Kajoumaru Hidemoto
RIP Togakushi Rikuu
RIP Gori Taketsuna
RIP Katakura Asuka
You will be remembered (maybe)
~ The moment where Kira lost is arm is as horrifying in the manga as I remember it from the anime. I genuinely was convinced that it's the end.
~ "I get inspired wherever I look at Izuru. Melodies come flowing out like tears just holding a guitar near him. If Izuru's gone, my flying v and I will be sad." - I honestly don't know how to interpret it, Rose 😂
~ Why the hell did the WWE Sternritter attack Renji from behind?? Dude, have some shame!
~ I'm surprised that Soi Fon of all people decided to use her Bankai so soon in the battle.
~ Why didn't Ichigo took his badge with him while going to Hueco Mundo?? My boy, how could you 😂
~ Akon's offended face expression when he found out that Ichigo was fighting a Quincy in Hueco Mundo was one of the rare moments in this volume that made me laugh.
~ Urahara's trying to find out why Ichigo's Bankai cannot be stolen. I also like to find out - the things I heard confuse me very much. It cannot be true, right? How could it be possible? 🤔
~ Rin's pure believe that everything will be alright now that Ichigo's coming to Soul Society... It pains me that it will be shattered because Ichigo got caged 😢