Bleach 555 Review - "The Hero"

Bleach 555 Review - "The Hero"

Written by: ClayDragon

In which nothing much actually happens.

Firstly, it turns out that Ichigo's time with Squad Zero has come to an end, as he appears at the exit wearing a new outfit. Apparently, he isn't going back the way he came, as the pillar he arrived in has disappeared. Instead, Senjumaru summons a huge spiral staircase, and Tenjirō tells Ichigo that it will take him a week to reach the bottom. Instead of Ichigo getting mad about the time the journey would take, he instead accepts it, and states that it'll take him half a day if he hurries.  

Ichibei appears behind him and notes that Ichigo stopped overreacting, and says that he doesn't have to worry about the Quincies, as the invasion started three hours ago. Slightly annoyed, Ichigo dashes down the stairs, leaving the rest of Squad Zero behind. Kirio appears, and throws Ichigo a rice ball for him to eat. As they watch him leave, the members of Squad Zero discuss how Ichigo has matured since he arrived, and how he's become a proper Soul Reaper.

"Where is my fashion advisor?"

As Ichigo heads to the Soul Society, he contacts Urahara, whom he tells to resist until he arrives,  as Ichigo intends to do something about the invasion. He hangs up, and notices that Urahara didn't say anything about the condition of the Soul Society, and resolves to get there even quicker. 

Meanwhile, Shinji and Komamura are confronting Bambietta, who has activated her Vollständig. Shinji just has time to ask what happened before an energy blast fires towards him. As for Bambietta's subordinates, wings have appeared on them, and they realise that Bambietta has activated her Vollständig. They then say that Bambietta's the last person who should use it, and that the fight will only last one second.

"Yeah, maybe I should have mentioned that earlier. Oh well."

To be honest, I was disappointed with this chapter. Nothing much happened, and although some questions were raised, it just didn't interest me. We never saw Ichigo meet the Spirit King, and it seems like his exit from the Squad Zero barracks was rushed. The remaining bit of his adventures there will probably be shown through flashback, but that robs the moment of some of its excitement and urgency.

"Is your refrigerator running?"

What did interest me was that Ōetsu was nowhere to be seen as Ichigo left. Maybe he'll appear later doing something interesting, or maybe he's training Renji. Speaking of which, I would have thought Ichigo would have left Squad Zero at the same time as Rukia, Renji and Byakuya, but apparently that won't be the case. Seeing more of those three would be interesting, as Rukia and Byakuya haven't really been seen since they recovered.

Also, the fact that Bambietta's subordinates got Vollständig-like wings as well was interesting, and it hints to me that they're maybe connected to her somehow. Seeing as they reacted with surprise at the appearance of their wings, it implies that they're very rarely used, and maybe their powers are linked to those of their boss.

Wings just sprouted from your back, you could act a little more surprised.

Finally, it's become apparent that most people see the theft of the Bankais as a waste of time, seeing as how they were recovered so easily. On one hand, it's easy to think that. However, there is one thing that happened: Yhwach still has Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi. And, due to Yamamoto being deader than dead, it seems very unlikely that Urahara and co will find a way to prevent Yhwach from using it. In fact, it may very well be that the Quincies stole the Bankais in the first place as a distraction so Yhwach could steal Yamamoto's.

Good Things: Ichigo is heading to the battlefield.

                         Shinji and Komamura vs Bambietta is shaping up.

Bad Things:    Lack of momentum.

                         No Rukia, Renji or Byakuya.

                         Major possibility of flashback later.

Manta Rating: 2/5

ClayDragon:









ClayDragon is currently studying Physics at university, and is constantly bewildered by it. The main method of contacting him is his Gmail account at kyleroulston1993@gmail.com. The alternative is his Skype account at kyleroulston1993. When not playing games or reading, he can be found with his head in his hands whilst trying in vain to understand quantum physics. His apathy knows no limits.