Sheesh

I loved this volume because we get to see so much from the Captains’ perspectives and the inner workings of the Soul Reapers within the Soul Society. Despite knowing how this arc plays out, I loved the major death in this volume and how it sets the rest of the story into motion. I liked seeing the captains and assistant captains interact and react to their circumstances and I loved seeing Ichigo encounter a captain level Soul Reaper. I liked learning more about captains and seeing how dangerous they can be, and I liked seeing more from Chad’s perspective and how it highlighted his friendship with Ichigo.

The plot of the Soul Society arc really kicks into high gear with new trials and complications. One of the strongest volumes of the series so far packs a serious punch combo of a dramatic and shocking departure (still effective to this day), and two memorable introductions.

I won’t spoil the departure, but suffice to say it throws an entire toolbox into the gears, and raises a bunch of new questions about what is happening and where this is all going.

As to the introductions, the two characters may have appeared in the story previously, but not like this. Kyoraku Shunsui and Zaraki Kenpachi are probably my two favorite active captains from the series, and their scenes in Volume 12 do an amazing job hyping up their involvement and conveying very effectively exactly who these characters are.

It also has a really sweet short story at the end of the volume that I loved.

Good, good stuff overall.

Actual Rating: 3.75

I love seeing the crumbling of the Soul society from within between battles. And the last chapters, with seeing how Chad and Ichigo formed their friendship and why Chad agreed to go along.

I more excited to get onto reading more of the Kenpachi/Ichigo fight.

at This moment Ichigo is about to fight squad 11 cap. this go has some bad spirite power because it is slowing Ichigo down and when he turns the guy he gets stabs but it is only the guys murderous intent. At the same time Chad starts to fight a cap. himself and loses. Cap. Aizen fakes his death to make the matter worse because he betrayes the soul reapers.

2nd Read

Don't worry the guy murdered and staked to the building is fine he is on the cover of future volumes alive and well. Soul Society drama, and more drama, OMG drama - how is this Soul Society still a thing standing it is so calcified and stuck in ritual and prescient. No wonder the quinces kick the Soul Society ass so thoroughly in the soon future. Speaking of the savior of the Soul Society we get more backstory about Ichigo and the gang.

Then thankfully enter Kenny and things are looking up. At least there is a fight. His sidekick is such a foil and contrast to Captain Kenny who should never ever be in charge of anything but a jail cell because all he ever does is murder people and things. But I guess as long as he kills the right things and or people it is all good? Another sign the Soul Society needs shaking up.

But even better enter a hero (my favorite Captain) and reluctant amazing fighter Shunsui Kyōraku. Never has there been a more fun, smart, lazy and wanting to avoid violence super murder samurai. I enjoy this captain a lot.

Well, this looks bad, I’m fairly certain Kenny is about to murder kill Ichigo and end the series early.

toit

Noooooooooo! Chad!!!!!

Captain Aizen's killed. We get some background on Chad. Ichigo fights a Captain. Chad is struck down.

Lots to unpack...anyways protect Chad AT ALL COSTS BECAUSE THAT CLIFF HANGER MESSED ME UP!!

AAAAAAH POR FAVOR QUE NO LE HAYA PASADO NADA GRAVE A MI CHAD :(
Que hermoso personaje Chad y que hermosa amistad con Ichi.
Sorprendida con lo intensas que son las luchas, no tengo ni idea como Ichigo le va a ganar a esa tremenda bestia.
Tambien sorprendida con lo mal que huelen los de la sociedad de almas, ahí pasan cosas raras.

Something I loved about this volume was what it gave us about the past. The Chad and Ichigo relationship is so wonderful and to see how they really became a duo and the promise they made to each other is quite touching; this is only magnified by Chad's reasons for saving Rukia, which don't have to really do with her at all. Not everyone has that tie to Rukia, I'd say a good portion of the group don't, but that just gives a great depth to each character as they each have their own histories and reasons for fighting.
This volume also gave a little bonus chapter at the end involving Mizuiro and Keigo, two of Ichigo and Chad's friends. They've always kind of just been there since the beginning, but it's nice to see how that group came to be, giving more depth to characters that are mostly just side/background characters.