Title: Bleach #19
Author: Tite Kubo
Publisher: Viz
ISBN: 9781421510439
May Contain Spoilers
It’s showdown time for Byakuya and Ichigo! As the two face off, Ichigo vows to make the proud Byakuya beg Rukia for forgiveness. Unleashing attack after attack, will Ichigo have the strength to defeat Byakuya? And why has Ichigo developed a multiple personality complex??
My favorite part of this volume was actually the meager coverage of Yoruichi and Soi Fon. I love the flashbacks in this series; they’re all so full of emotion, you’d think this was a girl’s manga. Heartbreak, betrayal, the stinging pain of being left behind – all that’s good and emo, packed into a fleeting memory of the past. Abandoned by her idol, left behind with no word, Soi Fon allowed the pain from her rejection to mutate into something ugly, something that was easier for her to accept emotionally. When Yoruichi fled the Soul Society, with not even a word to her subordinate, Soi Fon’s world came crashing down around her. Her perception that Yoruichi thought so little of her that she couldn’t even spare a word of farewell was a bitter pill, indeed. With no closure and made to feel so insignificant, is it any wonder she longed to become stronger than her former mentor?
I was disappointed that the color pages were not included in the English release of volume 19. There’s a simple solution for this; just have a copy of the May issue of Shonen Jump on hand, and have it ready for chapter 162. Then you’ll get to see a bloodied Ichigo, with all of those spectacular shades of red, call on his Bankai. Byakuya, greeted with the puny looking Tensa Zangetsu, thinks that Ichigo is mocking the sacred tradition of the Bankai. No wonder Byakuya is so uptight! Has this guy ever even cracked a smile? Believing that upholding traditions and honor is more important that trying to save the life of his sister, his priorities are definitely messed up! Will Ichigo be able to help him get a new perspective on life?
Meanwhile, Hitsugaya and Matsumoto are drawn into the sinister plot threatening to destroy the entire Soul Society. Will they be able to piece together the plan in time to stop its execution? I love Hitsugaya! He’s a fierce fighter and a loyal friend, and his Bankai is awesome! If only Hinamori wasn’t so gullible and easy to manipulate! I think part of the reason Hitsugaya is so short is because worry for his naïve friend has stunted his growth!
Bleach Volume 19 will be able June 5, 2007
Grade: B+
Rated for Teen
Review copy provided by Viz
May 6, 2007 at 1:14 pm
[...] post by AnimeNation News and software by Elliott [...]
May 7, 2007 at 6:41 am
[...] 8 of Golgo 13 and vol. 10 of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Back at the Mangamaniaccafe, Julie checks out vol. 19 of Bleach and vol. 2 of Inubaka—Crazy for Dogs. David Welsh reviews yet another Chika Shiomi title, vol. 1 [...]