Shonen Beam

[chapter link]

Oh good, the Hougyoku is even more broken than anticipated. It’s not just a linear power-up anymore, but a wish-fulfilling Wonder Ball. That’s all Aizen, and consequently this series, needed.

Talking.

More talking.

Hey, there’s that long sword again.

Some more talking.

There we go. It wouldn’t be a Bleach chapter without a “shocking” appearance/revelation/power-up on the last page. (You might notice quotation marks around the word “shocking” in that last sentence.) Now taking bets on who shows up/dies/unleashes a heretofore-concealed power next.

Final Flash: This series is entirely without hope of being salvaged. Absolute rubbish that continues to decompose by the page.

[chapter link]

First panel, a roof and no background. Really setting the stage, aren’t you?

I am finding very little to say. I’m not saying shonen must always have recognizable moves with names, but fights must at least be able to be followed. There’s no flow to this fight whatsoever.

Gin’s Bankai isn’t the longest zanpakutou? That’s depressing knowledge. For the record, Kubo, we don’t need or want to see the longest.

Speed lines, white backgrounds, and sword slash cutaways. This chapter is yet another primer on how not to draw manga.

Oh, good. All we needed was for Aizen to power up. How about you write some character development, Kubo?

I suppose it’s appropriate that a milestone chapter was such rubbish.

Final Flash: Horrid. Also, what was the point of showing Matsumoto if she wasn’t going to do anything?

These covers make me think Kubo has become disinterested with his own series. While Bleach has obviously gone in a poor direction, I would be fair enough to give his next manga a chance. The interaction between the classmates early in Bleach wasn’t bad, and Kubo seems to have an eye for fashion, so perhaps he could pull off a schoolkids/comedy series.

I just want to point out that the text at the top of the first proper page says “Finally, the Last Battle!!” I’m holding him to that. Not necessarily the final battle of the series (though I’d love that), but at least the final battle of this arc.

In the first few pages of the fight, Isshin is clearly outmatched. Hasn’t landed a hit yet.

Ichigo’s explanation is way too long. You’re in the middle of a fight. Fight.

Yeah, I’m going to have to agree with Gin on this one. Ichigo is creepy.

Broken. Gin’s Bankai is completely broken. Silly, overpowered, yet completely useless in a direct fight if he actually had credible opposition. Broken.

(Incidentally, I can’t wait for doujins to start parodying this. Do you know how long my… “bankai”… is?)

The frustrating thing about Gin’s power, in exactly the same way Aizen’s reappearance was frustrating (when he killed his own men for being weak), is that it completely nullifies everything we’ve read until this point. If Aizen and Gin are this strong, there’s absolutely no reason they couldn’t have achieved their goals long ago. I don’t feel as though as I’m reading a sensibly paced conflict; I feel I’m reading conflict written for the express purpose of racking up chapter and volume numbers.

Ichigo, performing his one move. The entire fighting style and structure is completely counterproductive to shonen storytelling. The Shikai/Bankai concept is fine, and it’s guaranteed to provide at least one memorable (though not necessarily quality) moment each time someone first reveals their Bankai, but Kubo didn’t establish any underlying powers or fighting styles innately associated with Bankai, so each time someone powers up, that’s it. They have a couple attacks at most. Yes, the Soul Society folks have Kidou, and Hollows have Cero, but their power has been explicitly limited.

Final Flash: Not great, and Gin’s Bankai was completely disappointing, but there was more action and progress in this chapter than in many recent chapters, at least.

[chapter link]

Human and frog! No, that’s the other series. Shouldn’t be another living thing, anyway, that’s done to death. Human and … the internet! Wait, that’s Freakazoid. … man, how much would I rather be watching Freakazoid right now? That was a fun series.

I should really do the same panel background study I did for the last chapter of Lock On!, but telling you that the backgrounds of Bleach are horrid wouldn’t exactly be breaking news, would it?

Oh. It’s Gin. I remember that guy. … yep.

Come to think of it, there’s another study: I wonder how many chapters of Bleach in the last year have had a “shocking” character appearance. Two years, even. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if there was a streak going.

I bet Ichigo’s dad is going to win, guys! Did you see that attack?! That’s gotta be it!

Final Flash: It’s no Freakazoid.

How do you follow the worst manga chapter in a year? Let’s find out.

Don’t do extreme closeups of body parts when you can’t draw them properly.

You’re right, Aizen; it does seem strange that Ichigo encountered a Hollow for the first time mere moments after meeting Rukia. I was chalking that up to awful writing, but now you’re telling me that it’s all according to keika– er, plan. Great. That reflects well on the author.

As I continue reading, it seems the entirety of page six is a testament to Kubo’s pitiful writing. Not only can he not write, but now he’s even trying to take my job! Well, we’ll see about that.

… apparently he can’t draw, either. At least, not in a fashion that produces character designs that are pleasing to the eye. Proof positive: page 7, center panel.

I hate those ugly melting backgrounds as in the last panel of page 13. If I wanted to know what your manga looked like when set on fire, I’d light it up myself, thanks.

Right on cue, without a hint of surprise, Isshin appears.

Final Flash: Bleach is cementing its position as the embarrassment to shonen manga.

Page 2 and its white space are a prime example of how not to draw manga.

I doubt Kubo could make Yamamoto/Aizen dialogue more boring if he tried.

I don’t care how massive they are; explosions aren’t pure white.

Who is that character on the last page, again? He doesn’t do enough for me to remember him.

Final Flash: This is all one big joke, right? Kubo is a superstar mangaka who barely draws or writes.

Extinguir is still a stupid name, and it still just looks like a stand.

White backgrounds! Speed lines!

Hmm, Sokotsu Domination looks familiar. Compare Bleach 394 (March 2010):

… with One Piece 427 (September 2006):

Final Flash: Yet another irrelevant non-Ichigo fight. Boring.