Chapter 359 - "The Frozen Obelisk"

[khyata.livejournal.com]

- Translation by cnet at mangahelpers: here.

- Sleepyfans scan: here.

Personally, I think Tear (Tia?) Harribel is out for the count folks. She might attempt a comeback, but at best, it'll probably be a last ditch effort.

As for Soi Fon, I cant wait. She looks so calm and bad ass while uttering "ban....kai", dammit I want chapter 360 to be out already.

And Oomaeda is now my new favorite lieutenant. I'll probably eat my left toe for saying this at some point of time in the future, but for now? Inconceivable as this may sound, I daresay that I find him to be really sweet and a woobie inside, along with being incredibly funny. Dammit Kubo, you've done it again. Making me care for a character who is the utter antithesis of anything remotely treading the bishie line. Harrumph.

ETA: Here is the cover for volume 39, courtesy of Zangetsu01 from BA.



Allon/ Ayon/ Eon/ insert-suitable-spelling-here looks mighty fine and dashing on the cover doesn't he? He seems almost fluffy. Almost.

Comments

[incandescens]

Considering the current Oomeda-Soi Fong interaction, I'm starting to wonder if the whole bit in the Soul Society arc when she seemed to be threatening to kill him was just her standard early morning reaction.

"Oomeda being irritating again. Threatened to kill him. He grunted. Meeting at 10. Need more coffee."

(Personally, my money's on Harribel, but Hitsugaya has made a decent showing.)

[(Anonymous)]

Oomeda being irritating again. Threatened to kill him. He grunted. Meeting at 10. Need more coffee.

IOU 1 Internet for that comment.

It does kind of change things (retrospectively) from 'Damn that's harsh' to 'Apparently just another day at the office'

[vayshti.livejournal.com]

I'm also thinking Harribel has to pull something else out. This technique looks and acts too much like Yumi's for me to be satisfied with it, and I'd be surprised if it's considered good enough by Kubo for a killing blow.

[kohi-no-tora.livejournal.com]

Actually I think that Captain Grumpy Pants is the one who is out for the count. This attack is way to much like Yumichika's proper shikai. Even though it's a different fight and a different, more powerful character it's one of the underpinning rules of shounen fighting anime/manga that the same tactic never works twice (unless it's a filler arc villain).

Personally my money is on Halibel withstanding this attack and putting Hitsugaya out of the fight with her counter-attack. Which means it's either going to by Yamamoto-soutaicho or Ukitake fighting her, with the later option leaving Shunsui to fight both Stark and Lillinette together. Which may be a viable option with his dual zanpaktou.

Speaking of which is seems that the Shunsui/Stark battle is starting to heat up a bit. That promises to be interesting, especially since we might get to see Shunsui's zanpaktou in action rather than just seeing it's shape (and with a bit of luck his bankai as well).

I have nothing to say about Soi Fon other that 'what's the cloth about?' I'm saving up the fangasming for next week. Given the nature of Suzemebachi's shikai though, I predict that this fight is going to come to a rapid and brutal end. That or Soi Fon is going to be forced to do Shunko/bankai combo which would be crazy awesome.

[karenai.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this is what I want to happen.

[utahimelorelei.livejournal.com]

I'm still praying that Halibel comes out of this alive. I will be more than pissed off if this is it for her. And I will blame it on Hitsugaya Fangirl Inc. ™, because that's where he got his power from. I'm hoping she will hit him when he least expects it; and there will actually be some action in this 'fight'.

She's one of the highest espada, it will be more than unfitting if she dies so easily.

But, I'm excited for Soi Fon's bankai.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Here I am. I'm still kinda sputtering about Naruto but yeah, I enjoyed this chapter. I DID. I DID. I love Omaeda because he's a doofus and oh the words "BAN KAI" do give me thrill bubbles up and down my spine and hey, Stark and Shunsui--that was the best part! Looks like Stark has some zippity doo dah powers that he can just summon a cero like that (Shunsui "What? No fighting pose?" ROTFLMAO).

Tia Harribel: Not dead. Part of me wants the fight to be over but most of me doesn't want her end to be so lame.

[utahimelorelei.livejournal.com]

I'm sputtering over Naruto too, so don't feel bad.

[balladbird.livejournal.com]

It's still too early to call the Halibel fight definately yet, though i'd say it's 80% likely she's down and out, and Barragan will proabably follow suit next week. >.<

Strangely, the one thing I disliked about this chapter was that Stark was behaving outside his previously established character this week. Shouting at Shunsui to stop dodging and whatnot.

Up until this point Shunsui has been the one telling Stark to fight seriously, now all of the sudden they reversed roles? It seems like Kubo's setting Stark up for his loss by making him act like more of a traditional villian.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Well, someone had to show some impatience and if I had to pick one of the two, my natural choice would be the Arrancar. Stark does look mildly annoyed sometimes and he IS an Arrancar and we all know they have hurt/loneliness/anger/betrayal/we're bad guy issues.

[lady-leia-solo.livejournal.com]

Okay I'm just exicted for the Soifon action though, so yay for that, she is so kick ass and I hope Halibel wins.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Oooooh, SA--a minimalist Allon on the cover! I don't know what to say except... well, it's not one of my favorite covers but it's definitely one of my favorite choices. Seems like Kubo could've made Allon scarier.

[jdm6845.livejournal.com]

You know... if you don't know what you're looking at at first, it kind of looks like a version of Cousin It wearing a pair of ski goggles.

._.

[moonlightspirit.livejournal.com]

Iam actually really curious now what Sois bankai is...and why the heck she needed to prepare...uh..whatever she was preparing o.O'

I down right refuse to believe that Hitsu could take out Hali like that >,< *in denial* come on we barley saw anything of her, you know attacks, except the few to which Ice-boy that they were weak ones and not even her stronger ones :/

but at least a little Stark and Shunsui xD and Stark starts to get annoyed it seems xD...

[girls-are-weird.livejournal.com]

 
*commenting as i read, as always*

_STARK & SHUNSUI! *loves* funny, their roles have reversed now. i wonder what that means. meanwhile, awesome cero was awesome =P and i like that despite him being the most "laid back" or whatever, we've gotten more emotion from him in four pages than we have from halibel in five chapters.

_TERCERA ESPADA. IT'S TERCERA ESPADA. GODDAMMIT, KUBO. *repeated headdesking*

_i have to say this, and i know i'll probably be the only one to say this, but i just have to say it: FUCK YEAH THAT WAS AWESOME. i still don't care for the flower motif or the fact that there have to be 100 flowers, but the essence of the technique is great-- and i love that it's one of those "i need to have 100% control on this thing or everybody will die" techniques. and the art for it was amazing. the angles and perspectives kubo used, the shading... wow, that was something.

_that said, i still don't think halibel is out for the count, either. she's obviously freaked out by this attack, but i think she's going to pull something from under her (non-existent) sleeve. whenever someone says "this is my strongest technique," it's basically a set-up for the enemy to beat it.

_LOL OMAEDA'S FLAILING. he keeps running! i love it! this is priceless, the guy rocks xD and i love how barragan's all like "*sigh* okay, again..." *LHAO*

_i really, really have no idea what soi fong's bankai is about. but i'm really eager to see it x3 sounds like it's gonna be awesome.
 

[nomoreprinces.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that we're finally seeing this ability that was foreshadowed all the way back in the SS fight both by Hitsugaya which was shown in the chapter and by Kira back in chapter.

[xmurcielagox.livejournal.com]

*pets Allon* Awww he'd be so cute for my bedroom.

Somehow I get this odd feeling that maybe when Stark is the last one left he'll announce who's a VL and who isn't.

I don't think Halibel (yeah I'm still typing her name as Halibel) is done for yet.

[madrona-8.livejournal.com]

I doubt that Harribel/Halibel is going to just sit there and get covered by flowers. But I'd really like that battle to end already. I don't care who wins at this point.

Are you saying that Oomeda is not really a doofus, he's just drawn that way?I've never really liked him so I guess his silliness isn't that appealing to me.

And why did I notice until this chapter that Shunsui doesn't wear tabi socks?

I'm thinking Soifon's bankai with the cloth looks a lot like that cloth that Gin and Tousen used to transport around with. I've forgotten what it's called. I know it has nothing to do with that, it just reminds me of it.

[gully-moe.livejournal.com]

Soi Fon Bankai? ABOUT TIME KUBO.
And come on. Tia's fraccion were able to conjure up a scary beast called, Allon. That thing that had to be defeated by Captain #1. If they can do that, Harri's gotta do something better.

39 cover doesn't impress me. Would have preferred Yamamoto.

[secila80.livejournal.com]

Woah-ho Stark is getting a bit testy. He really needs his nap soon. Lol, Omaeda is win! He and Soi fong seem to have a very special relationship :D Oh! I WANT Soi fong's bankai to be brilliant. Her expression has me both worried and excited. Come on! arrogant Barragan practically screams for a quick demise, and I really don't want his flash of fabulous to be dragged out and diminished. (My apologies to any Barragan lovers.)

The 100 petals requirement has me worried for little Hitsu. It seems Harri has some time to figure a way out of this and some strong incentives, too -- avenging her fraccion and, of course, living.

(Also in Naruto daze -- awesome, sad, and KAKASHIiiiiiii ;_;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

LOL. Stark needs his nap. Oh that's so true. He's acting just like one of my babies when they're ready to go down for beddy bye.

[kaiserkawaii.livejournal.com]

I so LOVE Soi fon righ now...

omg i wanna see her bankai!!!!!!!

i wonder why she needs to wrap a cloth before going bankai???

is she going to make a BEEHIVE??? LOLs...

[darksyx.livejournal.com]

I think Harribel isn't finished yet, but maybe it's what I want to believe XD, I don't exactly care about Hitsugaya winning the fight anymore but I'd love to see something spectacular coming from the "tiburón-espada" :p.

Omaeda's "Captaaaaaaaaain!", oh my isn't he funny XDDD. It's so great to have again some humour in Bleach, every time Omaeda appears he doesn't disappoint me one bit. And Soifon's expression while saying "bankai" *_*, you got me intrigued, girl.

[naviji.livejournal.com]

OOoo, Oomeada has made these last two chapters enjoyable for me. Sometimes you really do need these inserted in between to keep the pace and such at a bearable level lol.

And SOI FON!! ssoooonnn! >3

[karenai.livejournal.com]

Barragan is scary, but I don't know how smart he is. He straight up said that he was using his slowest breath on Oomaeda ("it still got you"), which gives me the impression of someone playing with their food.

No, Barragan, when the small smart one vanishes, kill the one that is wasting your time and FIND HER. I think he's going to lose and I think that fight will be awesome.

[secila80.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, a stupid move but it is so in character for Barragan to play with his food, imo. He has appeared to think himself untouchable from the start. I was really pleased with Kubo showing this side of him (and then following it up with Soi Fong quickly dispatching his arrogant self *hopes*).

[cyanglow]

After this chapter, I no longer believe Soi-Fon doesn't care about Oomaeda. If she truly didn't care, she wouldn't bother planning on beating him up later for his whining. Obviously Yoruichi burned her pretty badly, so she stays distant from everyone. Her attitude is such a front. But I can say now that I LIKE her, and him, and not just because he's hilarious.

Next week is gonna be AMAZING! I'm stocking up on popcorn and lemonade.

[adam-epp.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that cover is hilarious. Did Kubo need to pick the one angle that makes Allon look like a ball of fluff?

[lennan.livejournal.com]

You know what I just realised (halfway through the raw), I think Aizen may be using this to get a gauge on what the extent of the power of the captains are as a back up to the just in case the Espada fail.

While I know it's necessary for all the moves to be explained, I wish they wouldn't do this to the enemy, because you know, if the enemy were clever enough they'd attempt to think of a counter to it. Honestly, I don't want Harribel to come back, not because I have anything against the character, but mostly because I just want to move on to the plot. At least Hitsu-chan is living up to his claim of boy-genius?

Oomaeda. Everyone's favourite punching bag. I feel sort of sorry for him, but I still laugh at him. I love this, "...Such uncouth cries for aid...That fool. Once this battle is over...I'll have to hit him until he becomes even uglier than he is...". Aw, Captain/Lieutenant love at its finest. The other thing that amused me was this at Ju-ni.net: "…Where’d that giant ribbon come from? Seriously, is Soifon just carrying around several bolts of high-quality fabric just in case a quilting bee breaks out? Is it in a bag of holding (Type 4)? Perhaps a portable hole?" Someone's more logical than I am. So Barragan's resorted to mocking an opponent he can obviously beat; I thought we already went over this with Harribel and Hitsugaya? Now we get a refrain? XD Although I want to see Soi Fong's bankai. At least she never vocally underestimates her opponents.

It's nice to see Stark and Shunsui's fight heating up a bit, though. But obviously, we won't get to that until Barragan is beaten. It's interesting to see that Stark "freaks out" about Hitsugaya's power.

[karenai.livejournal.com]

My conclusion after the ease of the fall of many of the Espada - at least their little minions - is that they were meant to. * shrugs * Aizen and his master planning.

My problem with these fights is that I know where we're eventually going - unless Kubo truly surprises me and we don't take a field trip to the Royal Realm - so no matter who wins or who loses, that's happening. Eh. That said, of course I want to see people like Ukitake actually fight..

I imagine her sword can generate the ribbon, at least if it's part of her bankai. Or just.. hammerspace!

[elycien-xiii.livejournal.com]

Tia Halibel... Aunt Halibel?

Yeah, that's about all I got this chapter. And it amuses me way more than it should. Srsly AUNTIE HALIBEL. XD Or "Auntie Harribel," which is somehow even worse.

I'm gonna call her that forever now.

[karenai.livejournal.com]

I know, I want to call her Auntie Harribel too * sweat *

[mshepnj.livejournal.com]

Apparently I am immune to the Omaeda woobiness, and I'm usual a total sucker for the woobies. I find him unfunny. *shrug* Still, Soifon is SO cold when it comes to him, I do feel a wee bit of sympathy prying the crust off my hardened heart.

I am really looking forward to what Soifon's bankai does. I'm puzzled as to why she acted like she had exhausted all her tricks a couple chapters ago when she still has her bankai. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I understand why some fans over a BA are WTF about how seemingly easy Tres Espada was beaten by Hitsugaya in view of fits and starts in the past, but I'm not really surprised. Toshiro is a still a kid who is supposed to get better as he gets older, and he even admitted he's still a pup this chapter. I still think Harribel will get one last swipe (maybe sacrificial) before she goes, but I won't be surprised or disappointed if it doesn't happen. I'm bored with the fight.

Now Stark! And Shunsui! More, moar, MOAR!

[kaiserkawaii.livejournal.com]

i think her bankai is a beehive. LOL...

[spatulacastle.livejournal.com]

I don't think Halibel/Harribel/Halle Barry is done for just yet. It seems like if she was, there would have been a more definitive sign that she was killed in this chapter instead of saving it for the next one. I am kinda wanting this fight to end, but I'd like to at least see Tia do something other than shoot water. *crosses fingers*

What I'm most looking forward to though is Soi Fong's Bankai, and I'm really curious to see why she's lassoed a building. I kinda wonder at her apparent hesitance to use her bankai, too. Maybe it has some kind of severe side effect?

Also, I had this thought the other day and now it's something I really want to see: Bankai!Unohana vs. Yammy

[arcadiasilver.livejournal.com]

I'm so very, very conflicted about Halibel. I want her to survive, break out of Hitsu's flower arrangement and whoop his ass and actually score a blow against Soul Society. I want the top three Espada to be more than sub-par Midbosses in this whole ordeal.

I also want this whole damn arc to be over with. I want to go back to Hueco Mundo, see Unohana beat the fried Hollow chicken out of Yammi, have the Nakama reunion, watch Ichigo wangst and Orihime finally heal Ishida and give him the thank you he's had coming for this entire arc.

Hell, getting out of this arc will let Kubo hit the reset button on his current shitty pacing. I really hope that he takes away some serious lessons from these past three years worth of storyline.

[karenai.livejournal.com]

I can stalk you back! RAWR.

I have the same conflicts about Harribel. If she were just done, we could cut to finishing Stark and Barragan's battles even faster. Yet SS hasn't taken substantial damage. Ehhhh.

"fried Hollow chicken" yes please.

Hm, do you really think Orihime is going to heal and thank Ishida? I feel like her head is going to explode if she tries to restore Ulquiorra and fails. Seriously, this girl needs to process some stuff.