A new chapter of Bleach is out, so let's talk about it.
Spoilers and unwelcome comebacks after the cut.
There are times when I think that Kubo is following his own muse, often to his doom since he is a bit...lacking as a writer.
And then there are other times where it looks like he's pandering to the crowd.
Chapter 658 is a definite example of the latter.
First, though, we're treated to a couple of pages of the Super Shihouin Brothers...I mean, Yoruichi and Yuushirou taking on Nakk le Varr.
Blah blah, lethal dosage, down goes Yuushirou; not a whole lot to see here, really. Neither one of them can take down Nakk le Varr since he's absorbed enough of their reiatsu without dying.
How will he get taken out? Not sure. With Ichigo having moved on to another target (*cough* Ishida *cough*), no one else can use a massive amount of reiatsu to take out the bastard.
We are then transferred over to the other ongoing battle against Gerard Valkyrie.
And here we have the first of two unpleasant (and unwelcome) surprises. Yes, the Vizard are back. They gang up on Valkyrie and as usual end up doing nothing of note. Flashy attacks that do nothing seem to be the norm with them. And once they are scattered by Valkyrie waving his arms about, we are treated to the second unpleasant (and entirely unwelcome!) surprise:
HITSUGAYA IS BACK! YAY!
For reasons I don't entirely understand, the arrogant little shrimp is beloved by many readers. I think that accounts for his presence in such a large part of the manga. In fact, I would venture to guess that he's been more involved than Ichigo for the simple fact that Ichigo has been pushed to the side for so much of the "final" arc.
So Hitsugaya is back and freezes Valkyrie's arm as though that will actually stop him and/or do noticeable damage. Great.
And once again we are treated to a display of pandering that is unnecessary and further delays conclusion of two fights that need not last much longer than another two or three chapters.
Then again, maybe Valkyrie will finally finish the job.
Just kidding.
