Tite Kubo

The execution of Ichigo's friend Rukia has begun, yet Ichigo himself is nowhere in sight. In a matter of seconds, the power of one million zanpaku-tô will slice through Rukia as punishment for sharing her Soul Reaper powers with Ichigo. Is this really how things are going to end?! -- VIZ Media

The Deathberry Returns

Bleach, Vol. 18

Geoffrey Froggatt

This volume opens with Rukia’s execution being interrupted by Ichigo, which I loved, but it also brings up a constant gripe that I have with this series. Despite being a substitute Soul Reaper (with latent Soul Reaper powers of his own) and only training a couple of times, Ichigo manages to stop a sword that has the power of a million Zanpakutō. As epic as that should have been, it didn’t feel earned to me, and while the idea of Ichigo’s heart being able to give him strength enough to defeat Captain class Soul Reapers multiple times is sweet, moments like this make me question some of the writing and narrative choices surrounding this character. I love the character, I just wish his powers and strength was explained and expanded upon more in a way that felt earned narratively. Despite this gripe, I loved this volume as it features the start of one of my favourite fights in this series, Yoruichi vs. Soi Fon. I love their backstory and rivalry, and I love how these characters interact with one another. They are easily one of my favourite dynamics in Bleach. Overall, I loved how this volume portrayed the intervention of Rukia’s execution and I loved how it transitioned into several different fight scenes as Renji helps Rukia escape.

Bleach, Vol. 18 The Deathberry Returns

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