Kubo Tite - Bleach, ch. 215-250

[oyceter]

And now, I am neck-deep in the Arrankar or however it's spelled arc. I am still bored by said non-Hollows (much easier to spell), and also, Grimmjow not only has an insane name, he is just plain insane.

I cannot tell any of the non-Hollows apart, despite their distinctive design, largely because I can't for the life of me figure out which has which power and what their names are, and the bizarre spellings and numbering system really isn't helping. I've only started figuring out the shinigami, for goodness sake! rachelmanija's post on managing large casts of characters is even more relevant in this arc.

(the addendum being, I actually had an easier time id-ing the shinigami visually because I seem to operate by hairstyle, not outfit. Kubo Tite does some VERY distinctive hairstyles. However, as recent bouts of fic reading have illustrated, my memory for names remains horrific.)

Also, I totally giggled and fell off the bed when Byakuya and Kenpachi showed up, not because of them, but because I had just read sophiap's Defining Normal. I am so easily amused.

Nell, his brothers and their giant worm totally amuse me as well. So cute!

I am once again irritated that the plot arc is going into another rescue-someone-who-is-potentially-Ichigo's-love-interest direction. Argh! And while Orihime's healing power is cool, it would be nice to have some non-female healers and more female fighters. Also, I was extremely, extremely, extremely irritated when Ichigo wouldn't let Tatsuki helped but didn't mind Ishida and Chad coming at all. Granted, on a story-level note, they have more experience. But on a narrative-choice-note, Kubo could have so easily given Tatsuki awesome spiritual powers and let her into the Soul Society arc as well, or have her train with Urahara or Yoruichi. Instead, here's another awesome, grumpy, practical female character who ends up sitting out of the action.

Of course, since she's just shown up at Urahara's, I doubt she'll sit out for long. But I am still mad.

On the other hand, Rukia and Renji showing up and Rukia scolding Ichigo again for not trusting her was awesome! As was Byakuya letting them go, in his own stuffy fashion.

Plot-wise, I have totally forgotten what a Hyougaku (or whatever it's called) is and what it does, except that Urahara made it and wants it destroyed. Tousen's motivations continue to confuse me. And I can't even ask people if the future plot gets cleared up or what, because I'm actually caught up for once!

Comments

[rilina.livejournal.com]

Am writing a paper, so can't comment at length right now. But have I pointed you towards Cue the Heroic Rescue (http://community.livejournal.com/kurosaki_clinic/1036376.html)?

[oyceter]

No! You haven't! That is excellent fic!

Also, I wish Kubo would actually do something like that.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I would like a boy to play the part of Plot Token next time, please. He can be Ichigo's love interest, that's fine.

According to Bleach Exile (http://www.bleachexile.com/bleach%20encyclopedia.html), the hyougoku is the thing that allows the Shinigami-to-Hollow transformation. I guess Aizen is planning to use it on himself, Ichimaru, and Tousen? Because they need to be more scary powerful. Why he can't just do it now is unclear to me (and I think consists mostly of handwaving).

[jinian.livejournal.com]

(Also, how did the Vaizaado do it, then?)

[oyceter]

Ahhhh. Huh. How did Ichigo do it too? I am confused.....

Also, I think Ishida needs to be the next damsel in distress, so to speak. Or it should be like the fic rilina linked to in an above comment!