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bleachnessChapter -102 Turn Back the Pendulum 7 Right Here
That's the Binktopia scan on
Spoiler pix under cut.
Oh things are moving so fast and yet Kubo manges to tell an emotional story as well as an action-packed one. My hand actually flew to my heart when Shunsui caught Urahara's gloomy face and then tried to reassure him about Hiyori by offering up Lisa to head into the action in such a cavalier way. I felt for Shunsui's inevitable regret--I felt for Urahara (never seen him so torn up!) and knowing from the spoiler pic what had become of Kensei, I just felt for the girls---ohhh, so this Visored fate wasn't hubris after all. It was just all one big accident!
And as if I wasn't dorking out over these two dimensional characters enough, the chapter has to show me a gallant rescuer!Shinji
This is your first and only warning: I SHIP SHINJI AND HIYORI, HAVE FOR YEARS, DEAL WITH IT! <3 Their repartee is just so awesome and it's so obvious Shinji truly cares for her.
Rescuer!Shinji even overshadowed the entrance of the kidou corps leader and vice in the chapter. Tessai and Hutch looked appropriately demonic with their little Halloween horns. I had to congratulate myself and others for calling that one (Hutch/Hachi--not Tessai--as a kidou expert). Tessai shouldn't have been a surprise but his rank above Hutch was. I was just pleased as punch with myself because my last call (Kenpachi isn't real! He's inside Ichigo's mind!) was so wrong, and even before the clever fanbois had posted their theories noting that Hutch had kidou corps marks on his lovely round head, I just knew that he wasn't fourth division healing material.
And so there are all theories about Orihime's powers being "Visored-like" hereby invalidated. I always thought they were wrong. Hutch told Rukia that his powers were "time restorative" based rather than true healing and that's when I knew that he wasn't really fourth division. That scene happened when Hutch was trying to heal Ichigo after Ichigo's fight with Grimmjow (before Orihime's bedside confession/goodbye scene)
Later, the Visored observe that Orihime and Hutch are similar in powers and Hutch gives Orihime some mentoring when she comes to visit the Visored camp. He tells her that some people are not cut out for battle--I always thought he was talking about himself here, but he was a KIDOU expert all this time. And so is it that Orihime, who has a power that according to Aizen, trespasses the territory of G-D, is actually a prodigy in the demon arts?
Oh yeah, and remember what I said about trusting Urahara implicitly? I still do. He looks SO sorrowful, so innocent, so totally uncalculating in this chapter that I have to wonder ... is Kubo about to pull some twist and does Urahara indeed have some knowledge of what's going on out there at Kensei's campground? I still think he's the well-meaning good guy, and that Aizen's behind the wickedness but I'm starting to wonder about Urahara complicity now.... maybe unintentional complicity ....
Some major guilt laid on Kisuke would be nice at this point. I'd like to see him carry that around for the rest of the manga. Of course, he's already getting his share because of what's going to happen to Hiyori.
Man, Bleach is so good lately. *blows kisses to Kubo-sensei*
Oh one more thing. After weeks of horrible writer's block, I can happily report I've become unstuck. The funny thing is that I used the metaphor of Shinji's phonograph to help me. Ever since LB7 (
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r0ck3tsci3ntist )drew this pic of Shinji and Hiyori (see fanart under cut--warning, mild nudity, rated R).....ever since
r0ck3tsci3ntist drew this I've been grooving on the image of reiatsu making the phonograph player run and what makes debbie's muse go.
My friend Q had a post yesterday that was all this awesomeness about architecture and prophecy and somewhere in there she got to mentioning the artist's intent, and fresh from my Shinji experience, I wrote her:
To use the metaphor of Shinji's phonograph in which my intent is the needle, I merely had to take the intent off one song and put it on another. Only then could I ride that magical groove fits my will but the effort in getting unstuck was huge. It involved getting up and walking across the room to fiddle with the actual phonograph.
That means I can write again! *throws confetti*
AND LB7, YOU SAID YOU WOULD FINISH THIS SKETCH, YOU SO HAVE TO, YOU SO HAVE TO--IT KEEPS INSPIRING ME.
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Date: 2008-05-16 08:41 pm (UTC)Aizen Sousuke and Szayel Aporro representing the females 8DD
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:24 pm (UTC)Yeah, well sometimes those queens and goddesses are swooping in to save the guy's asses too, turning opponents into columns of ice or just putting the guys in their place the way Yoruichi does Urahara in this whole flashback (I love her yelling at him! <3)
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Date: 2008-05-16 08:58 pm (UTC)As for the chapter itself, I don't know about whether Urahara's guilt equals implicit trust. He still puts the hou gyoku into Rukia without her knowledge. And the whole "you helped make us stronger" that Ichigo spouted off borders on bullshit because Urahara still isn't being forthcoming about what he is doing and why. So just because Urahara does feel guilt and worry and sorrow doesn't mean that he's on the up-and-up either. We already knew that he could feel those things, but we also know that he will lie by omission or otherwise for whatever reason he deems applicable.
I'm less interested in Hachi being Kidou than I am at being pleased that Tessai is the big gun of the Kidou Corp. We know what happens to Hachi, but the question is what part of this accident prompts Tessai to go into exile with Urahara?
And of course, I suppose we can assume that Kensei is battling in the inner world while the hollow-monster battles outside similar to Ichigo's battle way with Hichigo.
We'll see what happens.
The gaiden is quite good. I haven't been as wow'ed as others, but it hasn't been unsatisfying either so I'm enjoying it for what it is.
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:20 pm (UTC)Ah, I checked and it was a Binktopia scan and then I noticed I'd linked Mangashare and not OneManga which is odd, since I usually read OneManga for my quick scan, but yes you're right OneManga has the Sleepy Fans (a good scan--my favorite of the quick scans). I wonder if Mangashare is supposed to have the Binky scan?
The Kidou corps is a part of second division, right? I'm assuming that Urahara knows Tessai from there somehow but still the way Shunsui made it sound it was like the guy doesn't come out from Hell but once every twenty years or something.
I suppose that those who aren't strong enough to defeat that hollow die and Kensei is going to defeat his like Ichigo did... how does Urahara know this if he's not on the scene? Genius leap of foresight? I really can't wait for the next chapter. I'm dying to see Shinji shikai but I just know Kubo's going to cheat us of it.
That, and I have a feeling these flashbacks are going to end on one big super cliffhanger.
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:58 pm (UTC)Then everyone will wish this arc would be longer.
Or else he probably won't show at all though. =/
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 10:55 pm (UTC)Yes, I think you're right. WHERE IS THAT BOOTLEG CHART?
Tessai even got called Taichou in this chapter, didn't he?
I'm all crazy to know more about kidou now--from Yoruichi's involvement in it to Tessai's to Orihime's possible talent in it.
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Date: 2008-05-16 11:00 pm (UTC)That reminds me, in the earlier chapters when Orihime heals Ichigo in SS after the whole 'Aizen went to HM', Unohana glances over at Orihime, and she has this look in her face. She looks a bit surprised, but it's as if she knew what Orihime's power was.
http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/179/07/
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:48 pm (UTC)I could be wrong but I don't believe that the Kidou Corps is part of the 2nd as it had its own section apart from the Gotei 13. If I remember right, there were three arms of the Seireitei: the Gotei 13, the Kidou Corps and then one more.
Kensei has become quite interesting to me. Hiyori as well. As to others, even Shinji, I'm not quite as interested. But it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
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Date: 2008-05-16 11:01 pm (UTC)Binktopia's translations are ... er ... creative I'll give them that. I just don't go for the color they're going for most of the time and sometimes I get downright bothered by it.
I need the Bootleg chart of the divisions now to check these three arms of the seireitei. You got me crazy about this third arm here.
I was interested in the Visoreds right away due to their character design but I'm a pushover for funky art. I just liked they way they looked even before they said anything. Shinji fascinates me--in some ways he's got that mysterious Gin quality, right down to the creepy grin and ben kansai.
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Date: 2008-05-17 09:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 11:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 04:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 03:43 pm (UTC)THAT'S what I was thinking of! Talk about short term memory loss! That was only explained a few chapters ago and already I forgot and messed it up. Thanks!
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:07 pm (UTC)-102 was way too short! Everything happened so fast I got to the end and went "Whut?" Gah! Shinji is just heart-stopping in rescue-mode, and OMG I am LOVING Emo!Urahara!
Now I'm wondering how Kubo is going to resolve this within the flashback arc, and I'm biting my nails that he won't! That he'll stop it and go back to HM right before we find out the truth of just how everyone became Vaizards, and what Urahara did (as I'm pretty sure Urahara did *something*.)
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:22 pm (UTC)Oh I totally expect Kubo-sensei to be a naughty boy and to pull the rug out from everyone just when things are getting good and we'll end the gaiden on a cliffie.
URAHARA ALWAYS DOES SOMETHING. XD
OH and RenIshi if you must know. ^________________^
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 09:31 pm (UTC)I agree that Urahara did something... maybe it wasn't something entirely bad, and it turned on him... or maybe it was quite gray (as I imagine him to be anyway...) and his love of secrecy came to bite him in the ass.
I'm not generally a big Shinji fan.. but... he was pretty freaking great in this chapter. My little fangirl heart went pit-a-pat. :D
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 09:46 pm (UTC)We get tidbits of questions answered, only to have more. Le sigh...
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:31 pm (UTC)And Kubo's still keeping the Captains of 10th and 11th offstage - pointing out their absence when Yama-jii gives everyone their orders - he must have something really big planned for them. Another point in favour of Isshin's being one or the other, I suppose.
(Also: hi! I've only just joined the comm - I enjoy reading what you have to say.)
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Date: 2008-05-17 04:23 pm (UTC)Hmmm, according the chart I was looking for and tht Grassy provided above (http://www.bleachexile.com/information/bleach-hierarchy/), there's no reason for Yama-ji to have authority over Tessai it seems, but maybe he's just got old man senior long mustache rights.
Man, no sight of the current Kenpachi or the new 10th, I know. Kubo could just be avoiding them because they're not important or because they're HUGE. I'm starting to think we won't see Isshin in this flashback, though. The untraceable gigai is what's going to keep the Visored all out of that Maggot's Nest once they can no longer serve as officers... but yeah, why do they still resent Urahara?
And you're welcome! I'm always glad to hear that someone enjoys my crazy babblings!
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Date: 2008-05-17 07:23 pm (UTC)I'm sure we'll see 10th and 11th. Kubo's deliberately pointed their absence out twice now. If they were just spear-carriers, why would he do this? We haven't even seen a lieutenant, which would be a dead giveaway if it was Yachiru.
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Date: 2008-05-16 09:45 pm (UTC)I also wonder exactly what Shunsui will say/do if and when it comes out that Urahara's involved after what's going to happen to Lisa. I don't think it'll be particularly laid back. :)
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:27 pm (UTC)That'd certainly explain why we've never seen Urahara and the Visored appearing to work together--if they have good reason to blame him for why they are the way they are now. On top of that, the Visored who all used to be high-ranking officers and not disgruntled proletarians from Rukongai (lol), and yet they all now hate shinigami, so this would imply that something about this secret project was being run by people within the Gotei 13, people whom some or all of them used to trust.
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:35 pm (UTC)We don't actually know that _all_ the Visored hate shinigami. We know that Hiyori does, and that Shinji sympathises or at least understands, but Hiyori seems to be one of the least adult, emotionally speaking. But I agree that the general attitude seems to be one of estrangement from Soul Society.
I have a nasty feeling that the Visored are going to do a lot of damage before regaining (or being helped to regain) control of themselves. I would not bet money on the survival of the current Captain of Sixth Division.
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Date: 2008-05-17 12:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 10:06 pm (UTC)And I can not wait to see your RenIshi :D. May you be inspsired and unblocked for many years, Debbie :D.
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:23 pm (UTC)I can't wait for next week! I'm dying to see how Shinji and company handle this situation and how they get 'infected' so to speak.
I'm excited about your writing!
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:28 pm (UTC)*crazy Kisuke Love Power*
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:34 pm (UTC)And that panel made me all warm and fuzzy, too. He may be that laaaaaaid back and cool 99 percent of the time, but somehow Shinji's still the first one there whenever Hiyori's in trouble (same went with the end of the fight with Hollow Ichigo, with him at the head of the epic Visoredpile.).
And that glimpse of Kensei's monster form was pretty neat, too--makes me eager to see what all the Visored look like fighting in their masks. Gosh, though, I don't know quite how this flashback arc will resolve itself in just one? two? more chapters?
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Date: 2008-05-16 10:57 pm (UTC)Urahara, of course, was already feeling guilty because of sending Hiyori, and Tessai may feel guilty for "abandoning" Hachi when Lisa was sent in his stead. So now the problem is, Where does Isshin and the Untrackable Gigai fit into all this? I suppose the Gigai might have stabilized the Visoreds... There's probably one more piece of information that will make this all fit together, and it will seem so OBVIOUS when Kubo reveals it.
...So now I'm wondering. When the Visored show up back in the present for the fight against Aizen, How will Shunsui choose between Lisa-chan and Nanao-chan? Now THAT'S a delimma.
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Date: 2008-05-17 06:50 am (UTC)Someone wrote a great drabble where Shunsui is reflecting on how he sent Nanao into something that was way over her head (the battle with Yama-ji) and how he almost repeated the mistake he made with Lisa. You really have to wonder what his thoughts are since he basically sent Lisa to her doom.
I've always thought that SS gave the Vizards the boot when they became Vizards. If that's the case, then what was Shunsui's thoughts on the situation with Lisa? He volunteered her for it and basically sealed her fate there. We know the Vizards don't like shinigami, but does Lisa blame/hate him for it?
Since it was noted that the Vizards' location was unknown to SS, hard to believe they couldn't be tracked, I'm thinking, the untraceable gigai were given to the Vizard to help stabalize them AND escape SS. Since, ya know, the Vizard are clearly seen as outlaws to SS. As a result Urahara was exiled and Tessai left with him out of guilt for allowing his second in command and the Vice Captain of the 8th to go while he remained safely behind.
But why did Yoruichi follow Urahara into exile?
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Date: 2008-05-17 05:16 pm (UTC)Of course, these days the SS seems content to let Urahara be, so maybe it was something else, which should make the Yoruichi/Urahara shippers happy.
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Date: 2008-05-16 11:13 pm (UTC)I expect Shunsui's immediate thought would be "THREESOME! Woooo!" ;-)
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Date: 2008-05-17 12:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 11:41 pm (UTC)Tessai being revealed as the former head of the Kidou Corps was a big surprise though, but it does explain a few things like the Level 99 binding spell he used on Ichigo way back before the SS arc. Which makes the way Ichigo busted out of it even more jaw-dropping.
And Shunsui and Lisa's interaction confirmed Lisa's spot as my favourite Vizard. If she and Nanao meet it will be... interesting.
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Date: 2008-05-17 04:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 06:54 am (UTC)Since the first chapter in this arc I have been dying for Lisa and Nanao to meet up. I kind of have to wonder if Lisa blames Shunsui at all for what happened since he volunteered her for it essentially. If she does blame him, what would she say upon seeing her successor?
If she doesn't blame him, which I'm kind of leaning towards myself...then methinks Nanao might have to watch out. She might have to perverts flirting with her. ^_^
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Date: 2008-05-17 11:33 am (UTC)I'm not a fan of the pairing, but this pic is just too good to pass. Yeah I know, the background sucks. I'm only good at colouring characters. XD
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Date: 2008-05-17 05:05 pm (UTC)oH WOW, Syn, thanks! I love the dark background and Shinji's PINK AWESOME ZANPAKUTOU. You color beautifully. This panel definitely deserves love.