Vol. 57: Out of Bloom

When Ichigo’s friends are in need, he selflessly charges blade-first into battle. So when Quincy, Quilge Opi “The Jail,” traps Ichigo in an impenetrable floating prison-thingy, you can imagine the mental torture he goes through. Not only is he prevented from aiding his friends in the Soul Society, he is forced to listen as they cry out in pain and anguish, overwhelmed by the Vandenreich invasion. The despair of the slaughtered Soul Reapers flows from the pages into your fingers, making its way down to your gut. Kubo opens this volume up with misery.

We return to the Soul Society just in time to see our favorite Soul Reapers cut down left and right. Byakuya, now Bankai-less, continues his fight with the terrifying As Nodt. And he is in some Bee. Eye. Gee. Trouble. Byakuya finds out the true power of his Senbon-Zakura as it is wielded against him by “The Fear,” and in one of the most captivating and grotesque panels of the volume, we learn what Byakuya fears more than his own death.

While volume 57 rolls on like a champ from start to finish, the real cheese hits the floor once Captain General Genryusai shows up and unleashes his Bankai. And oh what a Bankai it is. You are not going to be disappointed. Holy monkey, pages will be flipping when you get to this fight with Yhwach. Not only do we get a flashback of the origin of Genryusai’s name and “x” shaped scar, the full power of his Bankai is finally revealed- the effects of which are felt throughout the entire Soul Society.

This volume will make you feel things, many things; Ichigo’s frustration, Byakuya’s fear and Genryusai’s desire for vengeance. It’s been a thousand years since Yhwach and Genryusai fought. What will be revealed as the two combatants face off for a second time? Will Genryusai’s Bankai end the Vandenreich invasion, or has Yhwach learned a thing or two? Either way, the battle between the Quincy Kaiser and Captain General is one you won’t want to miss.

Bleach volume 57 is available from VIZ.com!

by Cat Rechsteiner