#bleach chapter 538

It was a good chapter to say the least. I couldn't stop laughing at Ichigo's face when Isshin asked him how he was going to the Soul King Palace and that super vice captain thing with Mashiro was funny as hell. Personally, I thought it was really anti-climactic when Ichigo picked his asauchi but at least he's finally getting his zanpakuto back. I can't believe Shuhei had the balls to stand against Kensei for what he said about Tousen. And his bankai better be as badass as Ikkau's because Kazeshini is already cool as shit with those scythe blades so i'm gonna expect a lot from this. And we end it with Komamora talking to something that looks like a giant dog version of Yamamoto. 

Ichigo, Hisagi, Hitsugaya and Komamura all got their own spotlights which is great for the story to move forward.

In the beginning, Isshin acts as a representation of the readers "It's great you look so determined Ichigo....but where exactly are you going?" It's also funny to see him whispering because Ikumi is near even though she can't even see him! Isshin you da best.

One of Nimaiya's assistants pops out of the sky to bring Ichigo back to the Soul Palace and Asauchi Pit. She reveals that Nimaiya planned to give Ichigo a second chance all along, what a troll master.

Nimaiya sicks some more Asauchi on Ichigo, only for every single one of them to bow down to him in less than 5 seconds, new record?

Ichigo picks one and it begins to transform very symbolically. It's black armor is slowly pierced as it reveals a pure white being with a hollow mask...I wonder where I've seen something like that before. Looks like Ichigo will be more accepting of his hollow side as well as his quincy roots in order to prepare for the next battle.

I'm still curious if Zangetsu will remain his zanpakuto or this new White-esque being will become his sword, Nimaiya just says "I'll forge it again" so it could mean a reforging of Tensa Zangetsu or a completely new forged sword. I'll be looking forward to it.

We switch to what seems to be the Gotei Academy to some novice shinigami training in order to prepare for the next invasion. Toshiro also goes there to ask for training due to the fact he cannot rely on his Bankai anymore. It shows some great humility from a captain to go back down to a novice training level in order to prepare thoroughly, so I can really get behind Toshiro as a character more.

We go to Kensei and Hisagi talking, and then Kensei demands that Hisagi use his bankai. Now, I honestly believe Hisagi isn't "hiding" his bankai, Kensei is simply saying this a means to state "achieve bankai right now". Mashiro returns as the "super" vice captain of the 9th division and engages Hisagi in combat. Kensei tells Hisagi he isn't as kind as Tousen, to which Hisagi tells him to stop talking down on his former captain.

This part was seriously great, the look on Hisagi's face as he talks back to his childhood hero and the fact he still calls Tousen "captain" and respects him after all this time is touching. Kensei purposely talked down on Tousen in order to get Hisagi "fired up", and it sure did work.

I noticed some kind of hidden joke next, Iba is doing 999 push ups leading to his 1000th, similar to Juha Bach taking 999 years to regain his powers then commencing war on the 1000th? Well Played Kubo.

Komamura goes into a dark cave and meets his uncle, who is a giant dog/wolf like creature. I'm not sure why this part got me so excited. I accepted a long time ago Komamura being a dog would never get an explanation and it was just done out of fun, but now it looks like we WILL be getting an explanation, sweet. 

If these talking, mystic, dog-like creatures become explored more, it adds another dimension into Bleach, as well as another reason to like it.

Overall a lot was explored in this chapter, and I simply can't wait until next week (I say this every week though)!

Pros:

Ichigo getting a new Asauchi who resembles White.

Hitsugaya going back to Step 1 in order to prepare appropriately.

Hisagi commencing Bankai Training and standing up for his former captain.

Mashiro is back!

Komamura's origins are finally being explored.

Cons:

I hope Kubo isn't planning to throw around Bankai's to just about everyone, it wouldn't make sense story wise or context wise.

If Hisagi has actually known Bankai this entire time and he was pulling an Ikkaku, that'd be kind of lame.

Dialogue makes it confusing to understand what exactly is going on with the Asauchi and the reforging of Ichigo's sword.

Final Verdict : 8/10 Great

White, I Choose You! - Pokemon Master Ichigo