I'm getting some of the Soul Society characters mixed up at this point, and the captain from the last book needed to go ahead and die... Books where people don't die are fine, but if no one ever gets killed maybe don't make them that evil.

While I’m still enjoying the series as a whole, I found myself getting a bit lost amid the flood of new faces and the intricate web of relationships between the various Soul Reapers. With so many captains, lieutenants, and squad members appearing in rapid succession, it felt overwhelming at times to keep track of who’s who and what their motives are.

This volume also focuses heavily on training and preparation, which, while necessary for the story’s progression, did slow down the pace a bit. I felt somewhat disconnected as the narrative shifted its focus away from the core group of characters we’ve grown attached to and more toward the inner workings of the Soul Society. It’s clear that Tite Kubo is laying a lot of groundwork here, building up to something bigger, but this particular volume didn’t quite grip me as much as some of the previous ones.

However, despite these points, there’s still plenty to enjoy in Volume 15. The world-building is rich, and Kubo’s artwork remains dynamic and engaging. The tension is building, and there are enough hints of intrigue and mystery to keep me turning the pages. I’m hoping that the next few volumes will pay off this setup and bring the story back into sharper focus, especially as Ichigo and his friends push deeper into the heart of the Soul Society.

I just keep practicing saying goodbye to you

This volume was chef's kiss. The battle between Uryū and the 12th caption was spectacular and we are reunited with Chad! And Ganju turned out to be okay which definitely made me happy.

Ichigo just completed his first day of Bankai training and that last scene with Hinamori and Hitsugaya had my jaw on the floor. Definitely need to get to the next volume ASAP.

Okay Uryu is definitely a contender for top husbando position. The depictions of his fighting and shit OOF. SURELY there'll be a magical plot loop hole where he retains his powers? Hello? Please!!!!!

I hope Nemu gets a future plot ting, I feel she'll pop off and get revenge on her maker. It's only right. And Kisuke and Yoriuchi definitely have a ting, bro you can't look at that one panel on p 136 and tell me they don't. I'd ship.

Can we get more Shuhei, he was a zaddy, nothing says zaddy more than having a 69 tattoo on your face lmao.

"WHO ARE YOU!?? A BURGLAR??!!"
"What would I steal from an invalid in a jail cell"

Ichigos training continues with Zangetsu and we learn more about Bankai and what it exactly is, the training is quite brutal and you can see Ichigo use so many swords to fight Zangetsu but he keeps getting an upper hand on him, we learn about who previously Urahara was and see a good fight between Ishida and Mayuri and then he meets up with his other friends. Now, Inoue is with Kenpachi and seems more interesting stuff might happen there. Good volume with great art, questions answered but more questions created and Ichigo's quest to become a great Shingiami begins!

This volume follows Ichigo's training to attain his bankai, while also concluding Ishida's battle and following the shinigami who are caught up in the Aizen conspiracy. Towards the end is an interesting flashback with those same shinigami. Man, Soul Society time is very strange.

I thought this volume was kind of forgettable, except for the flashback and Ishida's cool explosion of power against the psycho.

Kira and Hisagi are so underrated, they are one of the best vice captains out there

Ishida is facing down the Captain of the 12th Company, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and is doing very well for himself, despite Kurotsuchi’s immense spiritual pressure and his paralyzing tactics. The captain is so impressed he decides not to kill Ishida, so that he can capture and study him. But Ishida will have none of that, especially after learning the part the Soul Reaper played in the death of his beloved Grandfather. He calls upon a power that amazes Kurotsuchi, who warns him of the devastating side effect of such a move. Will Ishida throw caution to the wind in order to avenge his mentor?

Meanwhile, Yoruichi is determined to teach Ichigo what often takes soul reapers ten years to master—namely, how to bankai—in only three days! In order to do this, she manifests Zangetsu in his physical form and Ichigo must defeat him. But that’s easier said than done, as Ichigo finds himself surrounded by a number of swords and must choose the right one in order to cut Zangetsu down!
Renji, Kira, and Hinamoi are being held in cells until they find themselves unexpectedly released by one of the captains! Meanwhile, a baffled ishida awakens to find himself in the Soul Reaper infirmary, along with Ganju and Chad. Chad feels that all they can do is to stay there and heal and wait for Ichigo to come for them, which he is confident Ichigo will do. Orihime, who was rescued against her will by a random member of the 11th Company, finds herself with members of the 12th Company, namely Yachiru, Kenpachi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. Kenpachi decides to watch over the girl, confident that where she is, there will Ichigo end up, and he wants to have another battle with Ichigo!

Matsumoto is with Captain Hitsugaya, after she fell asleep in his office, when he learns of the prisoner escape. He knows just where to go, and hopes to arrive there before Hinamori. He knows she blames Gin for Captain Aizen’s death and is determined to avenge him! In the meantime, taking a break from his bankai traning, Ichigo learns some things about Uruhara that he never knew before!

We see more of Ishida than we ever have before, including some backstory, and the last Quincy really shines. If you ever wonder what he’s doing with the others, this volume shows that he definitely belongs among their company. He may be irritating at times, and often insufferable, but he is more talented that I gave him credit for, and loyal to a fault. When he has a difficult decision to make, he doesn’t hesitate to do what’s best for everyone, whether or not it’s best for him personally.

Ichigo’s bankai training is absolutely essential to his growth and development. It’s imperative that he master it, as will become even more evident as the story continues. Watching him train with Zangetsu is great. Ichigo pushes himself constantly, doesn’t know the meaning of defeat, and would never give up. He still has a lot to learn, but he’s definitely on his way to bigger and better things.

The untold story at the end concerns Renji, Kira, and Hinamori as young soul reapers who encounter something beyond their skill level while on a training mission and who decide to handle it as best they can.

Knowing what’s coming, since I already watched the anime, allows me to look for things I missed in that, or things that were missing. It also keeps me from missing the anime too much, since I am revisiting everything. I’ve also started to watch the movies. There is no such thing as boredom when you’re reading these books! Can’t wait to read the next one!

I love this manga so much!!! It is the best manga I've read in ages! I feel so sorry for Rukia and her love. It's sad how it all ends. I truly believe that she deserves to be rescued! And I was so shocked that there is only one day before her execution!!! I can't believe how sad it is!!! Also it might sound stupid but I kind of like Gin. He is mysterious and I am eager to find out what he is up to! Loved it!

Im Glad this book was almost only about Urgy

This volume was just as good as the last. I loved seeing more of Uryū’s family through flashbacks and getting deeper into Quincy lore. I loved the ending to the fight with Mayuri, and the plot line with Uryū’s powers will be interesting. I loved the little flashback concerning Momo, Renji and Kira, and I love the present day storyline about the mystery of Aizen’s murder, even if I already know how it’s going to end. I loved the Bankai training and learning more about Kisuke and Yoruichi, and I loved the small insight we got about how powerful Bankai really is.

I like volume fifteen because in this volume we are introduced to Zangetsu, who is the spirit in Ichigo's Zonpakuto and get to meet white Ichigo who right now is just a training partner for Ichigo, but turns into a pretty important character later on and leads to my favorite scene in the entire series.