Back when Isshin was the Captain of the 10th Squadron. Not a lot of plot, but all sorts of fun hijinks ensued.
The Good
The revelations are piling up within this single chapter. Ichigo is the first Soul Reaper in history to manifest his zanpakuto from his soul, and he's related to Kukaku Shiba's clan. That would certainly explain why Rukia always saw Kaien in Ichigo. The family resemblance sure is strong.
The chemistry of the 10th Squadron has to be some of the most entertaining reading in BLEACH I've had in a while. Kubo hasn't shown a lot of technique in mixing comedy with exposition, but he pulls it off masterfully here. The interaction between Matsumoto and Hitsugaya is like watching bickering siblings. I don't know why, but among all the various breast jokes that's been forced into this final arc. I actually enjoyed the one this week.
The Bad
I was enjoying the almost sitcom-ish pace of this week up until the last few pages. Are we seriously expected to deal with having Aizenbeing the baddie in this flashback? He's like that DUCK HUNT dog after you miss your shots. He just keeps popping up to mock us, and you can't take him out.
Verdict 4/5
I could actually read an entire flashback arc about a young Matsumoto and Hitsugaya. If I could elect any of the BLEACH cast to get some ROCK LEE-esque spin-off. They would be my choice. Sadly, as with Ikumi's appearance last week. This is only a taste of enjoyable characters that wont appear again for a long while. My high of this chapter was only dragged down by the appearance of Aizen.
-Kristoffer Remmell ( FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek.- Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers/ @ FoxxFireArt
How come Rukia never realize that Isshin look a lot like the old captain of 10th Division? (I guess it like a Superman thing)
Anyway, it was a nice chapter
@Destinyheroknight:
in that regard, why didn't Hitsugaya and Matsumoto not recognize him the dozens of times they've been to ichigo's house?
@Destinyheroknight:
Rukia wasn't always the lieutenant. During this time, she may have never even seen who the captain was. That's one explanation. It's not like Rukia ever attended Captain meetings.
@dtolson:
As far as Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. Other than filler episodes. I don't think they ever came through the door. They were just in Ichigo's room.
@FoxxFireArt:
I would think SS would give info to their lower members about who the other captains are
@dtolson:
Hitsugaya and Matsumoto never saw Isshin in the human world, they sneak in Ichigo's house
aizen loves to troll
@Destinyheroknight:
Rukia would have likely heard the name Isshin Shiba, but it's possible she never met him while a captain. She already avoided the Shiba family after the death of Kaien. Also, she knew Ichigo's dad by the family name Kurosaki.
I think it's far more interesting how the Soul Society hadn't figured it out. If Ichigo was so unique as a Soul Reaper, why is it the Soul Society never investigated his lineage?
@FoxxFireArt:
That a very good point
SS isn't the smartness