Reviews

Ikkaku is weird. Well, at least I'm putting faces to the names I keep seeing and are being referred to. I'm now actually getting into this series, but I probably have at least 20 more volumes until I get to Hueco Mundo + Espada, right? T__T

And isn't Gin supposed to have an accent? I see it referred to in fanfiction and other manga translations. Is it one of those "Japanese regional" accents that seem to have no bearing in English? Aaah I hate it when they do that. Does it appear in the English dub? It'd be cool if it did... Merf.

tiamariatamera's review against another edition

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What happens when you ask Siri to translate sentences
"This is my own invention"
"The special, hard, spiritual, partition, penetration device!!!"

"The fate of the three sparrows, the fate of the four dragons, enclosed on five sides, unable to return, six ri!!"
"Winds of heaven, orangutan, spoon, elm, cane...!!!"

Essential sword business
"I don't know how, but he survived a fight with a Gin!!"
"I can't wait to cross swords with him"
"This fight isn't over... I haven't shown you what MY sword can do yet"
"You talk BIG... boy"

Ichigo being complimented on his name... for once... this being mid killing each other adds dimension too
"Ichigo eh? That's a good name"
"It is? Nobody has told me that before"
"Men whose names start with 'I' are usually good-looking and talented"
"I am third seat, assistant adjutant of Eleventh Company, Ikkaku Madarame!"
"Since our names begin with the same letter, we should be friends!!!"

THE INSULTS
"You Soul Reapers have a twisted idea of fun"
"Twisted as your face"
"This fight isn't over yet, captain no-hair"

Ikkaku is new daddy - the fight scene with Ichigo was AMAZING when his sword snapped (an actual sword dw) I died. That panel was so gorgeous.

theoryoftheafro's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

terhill's review

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

antananarywa's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

theautumnalreader's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Overall: Seeing the beginning of Ichigo's rescue mission to save Rukia is really compelling. The foil between Ganju and Ichigo as they aproach confrontation with those that may be stronger is engaging and so telling of their differences. Ichigo's refusal to budge where Ganju flees really showcases their fighting styles and I was intruged by who they paired with.

Notes:
- Watching Ganju resolve to learn about soul reapers despite his older brother's death and being willing to work with Ichigo showed such growth! I felt like his lackies by thinking he'd grown!
- Seeing Ganju and Yumichika quarrel above the old execution pit adds dimension to the depth of the soul society. Yumichika comments how it's an "outdated" and "ugly" practice where old hollows were caught and criminals were sent down to fight to the death as a spectacle while Ganju mentions that it's disgusting and twisted. Reading this, I'm wondering how different the soul society was and if it's now considered progressive (what with Rukia's execution, Jidanbo's mutilation, and the abuse of bodies by research and development) what does that even mean?
- It was mentioned by Tatsuki in a previous volume, Orihime is like a bloodhound in identifying Ichigo because she always can find and identify his presence. I thought the scenes with the pair were compelling as they were just out of reach of one another once the canon ball broke.
- Watching the dynamics of the captains, particularly Aizen and Ichimaru, was fascinating as it seemed purposeful for Aizen to tell us, and Captain Histugaya, that Gin wouldn't get away. What is it that Aizen knows or doesn't know?
- Uryu and Orihime's relationship is interesting to me as he seems far less prickly to her than anyone else. I'm wondering how they will progress as a duo in the soul society.
- Watching Ichigo and Ikkaku's fight was compelling as his growth as a character and fighter really shined, but his base of empathy when encouraging Ikkaku to retreat shows the best of him is still whole and resonant.

Questions:
- Who was the initial intruder alert? It appeared to go off the day before Ichigo's group reached the barrier via the cannon.
- What is Yoruichi doing since they entered alone and said it might "be more convenient?"
- Why does Ikkaku have so much respect for Kisuke Urahara? Why does this change how he fights Ichigo?

geofroggatt's review against another edition

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3.0

A basic volume that initiated the beginning of the Soul Society arc. This entry was quick and to the point and I liked how the stakes were instantly raised by the main cast being separated in such hostile and unknown territory. We immediately learn how dangerous this place is in the previous volume, so to see such high numbers of Soul Reapers running around and knowing our protagonists are cut off from each other in an environment they don’t know, with powerful and dangerous Captains lurking around every corner, is an interesting and exciting way to initiate this arc and move the story forward. We get our first battle within the Soul Society but it’s with a lower ranked character and ends pretty quick.

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