This was good. But I gotta say, I'm biased with the anime because it really expands on character backstories and makes them more emotional. I've always heard the passing of the manga was better than the anime, but so far, everything in the manga happens very fast. Either way, I love reading this. It's very nostalgic.

Ta ocena to wcale nie przez to, że był w tym tomie Renji, okey?

The determination Ichigo has!

Ichigo is getting closer to saving Rukia, defeating each boss one by one. We're also getting glimpses into Ûryu's change after all his secret training.

The battle between Renji and Ichigo tore at my heartstrings, especially after getting the backstory of how Renji and Rukia met and why she means so much to him.

I feel like the next volume is going to be an emotional rollercoaster.

HOTTIES FIGHTING and a lil throwback, love 2 see it.

Renji is just awesome!!!

Fucking amazing

This arc is also a rock musical, you can find on YouTube. And I am enjoying catching up

The best volume so far for sure

Ichigo was great in this. So much bravery, growth and sass.

i hope that reiji is okay

Ooo, Renji Abarai is the cover model now! He’s actually made his first appearance back then in the sixth book, and I thought he and his pineapple hair would grace the cover of the seventh book, only to found that the space that should be his was taken by Byakuya Kuchiki instead. Not that I’m complaining for such arrangement. This guy has been an enigma since then. At first he was so determined to kill Rukia, but over chapters, he grew more and more reluctant. There’s definitely something BIG here, but both Rukia and Renji do not elaborate. Yet. Well, I’ll tell you what. Buckle up, everyone! Renji is ready to spill everything out now! And get ready to be emotional!

n  A STAR AND A STRAY DOGn

After defeating Ikkaku Madarame, Ichigo manages to gain the information of where Rukia is detained before her execution. But knowing her location alone is not enough. It is an unknown territory for him and there are many much stronger enemies around. What’s more, he’s still separated from the rest of the team, and they must be in a dire predicament, too. Can he trust them to handle their own? Will he be able to win against those of Lieutenant and Captain level when he survives a battle against 3rd seat level Shinigami not unscathed? One way or another, one thing is sure: it is time for them to prove to everyone (and themselves) that their 10-day training is not for nothing.

n  

“We all hated that place and hated everyone in there… We had been together ever since then… always together…”

n

This book, though still packed with action, is a bit lighter than the previous one, thanks to Ganju and Ichigo and their idiocy and those goons from 11th Division. Then it takes a dramatic change when Ichigo faces his most formidable opponent this far, Renji Abarai himself. This might be the last battle for him if he’s not an attentive student and Renji is not scared and desperate and harbouring deep sadness inside him.

Romance is never the main theme in Bleach. It’s so subtle it’s almost non-existent. But any hopeless romantic out there might shed their tears listening to Rukia and Renji’s story. A boy and a girl, blessed with spiritual power yet condemned to live in the hardest part of Rukongai, destined to meet and grow up together. They aspire to live a better life and go to become Shinigami. They do well together until the girl catches the attention of a noble family and is offered to be the part of the family. Then suddenly there’s a wide bridge separating them and the boy realizes he is only a stray dog trying to reach a star. It will make a good love story if Bleach is about romance. But it’s not, and yet the hint is there. Interpret it as you like. But, this heart-wrecking story reveals yet another dark side of Soul Society: that it has places which are hard and difficult to live in. That for anyone in those places able to escape is go to a school to study to be a Shinigami, but only if that individual has spiritual power. Which mean, if they don’t, bye bye the chance to live a better life.

I guess his story will not end that tragic if he made it about her and not about him. It is clear that Rukia was NOT that happy when Kuchiki family came offering her things that will make any pauper happy: to be a member of the noble family, to be graduated right away, to be placed in Gotei 13 immediately. But instead, Rukia told Renji about it like someone just kicked her out from the school. Maybe she actually didn’t want it. Maybe she wanted to stay with the man she was struggling together. Maybe she wanted Renji to tell him to refuse Kuchiki family. But no. Renji must make it about himself. He’s blinded by jealousy that his fellow fighter got better arrangements. He made it as if Kuchiki is the one taking her away from him, while in truth he was the one to push her away. Well, my romantic side may pity him, but my rational side tells me to yell at his face that he just reap what he sow.

n  MEET THE MAIN CHARACTERSn

n  Ichigo Kurosakin

n  

“I didn’t say I want to save her. I said I have to save her!”

n

I don’t really understand where he gets his overconfidence from. He’s outnumbered. There are many stronger Shinigami than him, but he keeps fighting anyway. I’m not really sure what makes him keep winning until now: idiocy, tough luck, will power and determination, or strength. Or maybe because he really pays attention to the lessons/madness Urahara Kisuke drill into him for ten days. Or maybe because he is the main character and this series surely will end if he meets his end too soon. Anyway, I love how Ichigo still being fair and generous even in the enemy territory. He could kill Ikkaku, but he didn’t. He could take his sword away, but he didn’t. He even healed the enemy he just cut down. Well, one thing to scold him about: he’s a really bad strategist. What kind of warrior telling his enemy, though he’s only just defeated the said enemy, about his plan and the number of his army?

n  Rukia Kuchikin

n  

“Renji, let’s become Shinigami. If we become Shinigami we can live in Seireitei. I heard it’s pretty good in there.”

n

Who ever thought that this small girl holds a big dark past? Who ever thought that the girl who sucks at drawing is unlucky to be born poor but lucky to be adopted into nobility? Well, since she is not actually born with a royal blood, it’s no wonder that she is humble and modest. It must be hard for someone with her background to adapt to the ways of life of the royalty…

n  Orihime Inouen

n  

“What have I been doing in those ten days? I don’t feel stronger at all.”

n

If I were her fan, or at least not dislike her so much, I might telling her not to be discouraged and that she’s not completely useless. After all, without her power, the group might not be able to escape the Dangai. And without her, Jidanbou might lost an arm forever. But I’m not her fan nor do I like her, so I will tell her how she’s only a burden there in Soul Society. The enemy targets her because she looks like the weakest, and he is not wrong! Imagine what will happen if she gets separated all alone from the others…

n  Uryū Ishidan

n  

“You want an attack full of ‘killing intent’? Then come get me!”

n

Okay, he’s like a completely different person here in his first fight with a Shinigami who claims to be the strongest expert at an airborne weapons. He’s totally cool with the new bow and that expression and that definitely teaches the Shinigami he fights that he is much better at fighting with an airborne weapon! Oh Uryū, if only you are cool like this every time…

n  Sado Yasutoran

n  

“I will end this in two minutes.”

n

Well, up to this book, we cannot really tell the extent of his power. I find his power a bit doubtful from his last fight along with Karin, and though ten-day practice can change everything, I’m actually still doubtful. But it seems the power is not to be underestimated, because some Shinigami reports how a division is totally wiped out, and we know that half of it is not only Ichigo’s victims…

n  Kisuke Uraharan

n  

“When you’re dodging, you’re “afraid of getting hit.” When you’re attacking, you’re “afraid of hitting me.” When you’re protecting someone, you’re “afraid of them dying.” It’s pathetic! You can’t give into fear in a fight! When you’re dodging, think “I won’t let you hit me!” When you’re protecting someone, think “I won’t let you die!” When you’re attacking, think “I will cut you!”

n

He’s not literally in Soul Society, but here and there we see short flashbacks of him training Ichigo… brutally. I still cannot fathom how the enormous cave does not cave in on top of them at all, with such destructions. And it tells us not to mess around with Urahara. It makes me truly expecting the day he tells us his story back then when he was still a Shinigami in Soul Society.

n  Ganju Shiban

It seems I truly underestimate him back then, or is it simply because his opponent is much worse than him that he looks ‘better’? Anyway, he’s not stupid as he seems. He knows he’s weak and despite Yumichika says he uses little tricks — and yeah, he’s stupid enough to get hurt by his own trick, but anyway — he manages to win with those little tricks and a little strategy! Good job, Ganju! And do not worry about being ugly, at least you’re not stupid! Just a bit. But that’s okay, too, anyway :p.

n  Renji Abarain

n  

I am really a tramp, down to my bones. I hate myself. I bark at the star, but I don’t have the courage to jump and grab it.

n

Hopeless romantic girls, give a hug to this man! I believe he fits your description of a knight in a shining armour. He tries hard and harder to earn his place as the vice-captain to the man who takes his childhood friend away from him. And when he cannot win against the said man, he even shamelessly begs to another man who seems to hold the same girl dear in his heart to save her.

When he asks Ichigo about how he plans to save Rukia, he mentions that there are 13 captains and 11 other lieutenants. Why only 12? Shouldn’t be there 13 lieutenants as well? Is it just a slip of the tongue? Or something else?

n  Kenpachi Zarakin

According to Ishida, he might be like Ichigo: extremely strong but stupid. And I agree with him anyway. I mean Ishida. This supposed-to-be-terrifying captain looks stupid with tiny bells in his hair and a small girl perching on his shoulder, ordering him around like a plaything. Well, she’s a vice captain, anyway, and tell me you’re not wondering what kind of crazy power she has to earn that title in her age. But another thing to learn from Bleach universe: appearance can be deceiving!

n  Ikkaku Madaramen

n  

“You better watch out for my captain.”

n

This bald monk, er, Shinigami, suddenly turns from enemy to a sparring partner. Not only he tells Ichigo where they might be able to find Rukia, he also warns Ichigo about his captain. And he is supposed to be the third strongest Shinigami from the strongest division. Something is definitely wrong here. It’s as if he doesn’t really care than an intruder he failed to destroy tries to break a prisoner free. His being stubborn to tell a captain about Ichigo and the gang also confirms one yet important thing: Soul Society may have 13 divisions to protect it, but alas, each doesn’t want to cooperate with other Shinigami from other divisions! His division even condemns another division! Anyway, what’s wrong with the members of his division? They are mostly ugly brutes! It definitely makes him the most handsome Shinigami of the 11th division!

n  Yumichika Ayasegawan

n  

“Ugly people are always jealous of pretty people. It’s only natural.”

n

He must be the reincarnation of Narcissus. Or just someone too obsessed with beauty. Or in his mind everything falls into only two categories: ugly and pretty. I admit that Ganju is indeed ugly, but to say it again and again at his face is impolite! I wonder what will happen if he fights someone more beautiful than him.

n  Hanatarō Yamadan

n  

“We are weak, so we always end up doing all the chores…”

n

This character is, I should admit, one of the most pathetic characters in the series. Timid, nervous, clumsy, no wonder he is easily duped by others. It must be a sheer luck that sets him to cross path with Ichigo and Ganju, since he is one among the few who actually cares for Rukia and hopes to save her from execution. His existence reveals yet another shocking truth in the Seireitei: injustice among their ranks. Sooo there are stronger Shinigami who like to bully the weaker Shinigami and force them to do the least desirable chores. Helloooo. Paramedic is really important, big ugly brutes!

n  THE MORAL VALUES OF THE STORYn

Nobody is perfect. So never judge people because they’re lacking something you are not.

Ganju said, “Just because you dislike him, you don’t care if he dies? That’s horrible!” My comment? Well, the same as Ichigo’s: “Well said.”

Bleach, Vol. 11 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (89–98) of the on-going manga series.

Ganju Shiba regroups with Ichigo Kurosaki after defeating Yumichika Ayasegawa with exploding fireworks in the Soul Reaper's face. As Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka, the 4th seat of Squad Seven whom Uryū easily defeats.

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Ganju manage to elude their pursuers by using the clumsy Squad Four officer Hanatarō Yamada as a distraction. Hanatarō informs them of a shortcut to the cell where Rukia Kuchiki is being held and promises to guide the two there.

However, Renji Abarai, revealed to be lieutenant of Squad Six, confronts them and engages Ichigo in a vicious fight. However, in the end, remembering his training under Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo defeats Renji. Before falling to the ground, Renji recalls his long-time friendship with Rukia and pleas Ichigo to save her.

This tankobon is written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. Ichigo Kurosaki and his team continue the incursion into the Seireitei. Being separated each team manages to fight rather low ranking Soul Reapers. An interesting history about Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki being friends in the past makes a poignant connection – especially that he was a part of the arresting party to bring her in, along with her older brother.

All in all, Bleach, Vol. 11 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems intriguing and I cannot wait to read more.