The Darkness Which Moves!
Kibune’s True Colors

Amagai goes alone with Ichigo and Rukia so that his man won’t be involved. Some one spots them and gives word to the Protection Squads Commander. Now, all of Seireitei is searching for them. Probably, only Renji trying to help them. Some quads start invading other squad’s territories and some fights start.

This seems to me like a lame imitation of Soul’s Society arc. I just hope the fights have better animation than this episode.

The Commander continues to forbid the Kasumi-Ooji family from being investigated. Madarame seems to also have noticed that Ichigo is doing this for a good cause. Still, Madarame and Renji are too few allies against all of Soul Society.

Kira finds out where Kifune could be hidding and goes to find Lurichiyo instead. After he defeats the assassins, Kifune appears.

Well, I guess Kifune and Kira are probably going to be at the same level but, Kifune is for now a pretty week villain. If he meets Amagai or Ichigo, he’ll surely be defeated.

More people in Soul Society seem to trust Ichigo but, they got to apprehend him anyway. Let’s see how thing turn out.

Amagai’s True Strength
Zanpakutō Is Released!

Suifon believes that there must be some reason for Ichigo and Rukia’s acts but, for now, she has to capture them. Only after is she going to try to find out what’s happening.

A flashback shows how Komui fooled everyone and secretly put Lurichiyo in a prison. Kifune is the taking care of her. He seems pretty week psychologically, almost breaking down because of Lurichiyo’s tauting.

Kifune kills one of his friends who saw him in a strange place. I think this is really stupid. He only attracts more attention to himself. Any kind of excuse to be there would be better and it didn’t even seem like the guy was going to tell. Also, there was nothing telling us that he was in place close to Kasumi-Ooji family grounds.

Byakugan is also entering the search. He leaves things in the hands of Renji. I think he did this, because he believes Renji will do good and believe Ichigo. It’s good to see that fillers are not turning his past development into something that didn’t happen.

Ichigo ends up being confronted with Amagai. They fight but, Kannogi interrupts, telling him the truth. After hearing it from Kannogi, Amagai decides to listen to their story now.

I didn’t really like Amagai’s shikai. The look isn’t very cool and the only power he showed for now is just a burst of energy, just like Ichigo and Urahara’s, not very original. The art and animation were good. I hope the story improves to some exciting situations.

The Silently Approaching Threat

This is my favorite Akatsuki duo. They are really funny together. I like the way they seem worried about each others actions but, they have absolute confidence they will win.

This episode still had some fillers, most related to the previous arc. Asuma also had some more filler development. It was cool, although I’m not fond of the different fashion styles that the anime creators have been experimenting with Asuma over this fillers.

I don’t like Hidan’s voice for now. I guess I was expecting something different because of reading the manga. The animation also didn’t help, it wasn’t bad but, I think they could have done something better for this return to the original storyline. I’m happy that they didn’t decide to make up the bijuu battle like they did when team guy fought the clones. 

After they finish the Nibi, the Akatsuki duo plan on going to the fire country. Konoha already knows of their movements and are going to take action soon, while Naruto will continue his training.

The next episode’s preview didn’t seem to have very good animation but, the fights looked ok. I hope they don’t screw this one up and make up battle parts, since the manga left it to our imagination and the anime creators don’t seem to be very good with it.

Oath Under The Rose

This chapter was still about Yumichika. His determination to not show his zanpakutou’s ability is absolute. He wouldn’t mind dying in order to preserve his honor, because of his division’s philosophy, just like it had already been explained a long time ago when he fought Hisagi.

He uses some of the energy his zanpakutou collected on him self. I think this means that he and the others who win, are still going to fight. Maybe, it won’t just be one-on-one battles like in the other arcs.

The fracion fighting Hisagi is constantly growing his attack level to test Hisagi. Neither Hisagi nor Kira have started to fight seriously. I can’t wait to see Hisagi’s chikai.

The arc is going to well and I expect it to get better as it goes on. I’m guessing Kira is going to be the focus of the next chapter.

Crash

The jinchuriki starts gathering his bijuu’s chakra. I’m not sure but, I think he puts out four of the tails. It seems he has complete control over his bijuu. He attacks before Sasuke reaches him. Sasuke uses his sharingan to dodge the attack in mid air. IN comparison to a while ago, the jinchuriki’s movements have much more power but, are much more linear. Sasuke has no problem predicting them now.

The jinchuriki is surprised with Sasuke’s ability. He remembers how only his brother was able to dodge that. Does this mean he has a brother? If he’s still alive and nearby. Then, he must be a very strong shinobi. Maybe things won’t go as planned for the Hawk.

After Sasuke dodges, the jinchuriki doesn’t stop and continues to attack his friends. Jugo gets Karin and Suigetsu and uses his cursed abilities to escape.

Sasuke gets to the scene immediately and uses his Mangekyou. The jinchuriki is put on a torture illusion but, nothing as powerful as Tsukuyomi. Sasuke seems exhausted after just a few seconds of using it. But, he has no time to rest. The bijuu acts as a partner and infuses his chakra into the jinchuriki to stop the illusion. He attacks Sasuke who is caught by the surprise attack.

Sasuke’s chest and neck get torn apart. The bijuu’s chakra causes great wounds. Jugo is going to transfuse some of his flesh and blood into Sasuke to heal him. In the meantime, the jinchuriki completely releases his bijuu. His skin starts peeling off, just like Naruto’s. If Naruto trains enough, he will probably be able to do the same and stop the Kyuubi from breaking loose.

An image of the monstrous bijuu appears in front of Jugo, Karin and Suigetsu. They don’t seem confident anymore. I don’t know if this is just some kind of mental image of if they are really going to fight that monster, like the cat bijuu and Gaara’s awakening of his bijuu.

Can’t wait so see more.

The 2nd Division Sorties!
Ichigo is Surrounded

Ichigo gets in a trap. Suifon and her squad were waiting for them. Lurichiyo acts like she doesn’t know Ichigo and they have to fight and run. Enryuu releases his zanpakutou for the first time.

Ichigo finds that Lurichiyo was a fake assassin. He and Rukia run away with Lurichiyo’s fiance, after Ichigo takes a beating from Suifon. He’s trying to help them, because he also saw that it was a fake and that Komui is up to something. Enryuu and Kenryuu are taken prisoners by the 2nd squad.

Ichigo pretends to have taken Kannogi hostage in order to get out of the manor.

Suifon asks for others squads to help. I though Zaraki was going to offer himself right away, since it would be another chance for him to fight Ichigo. Amagai is the one who accepts it, knowing that it may be hard for the others, because they are Ichigo’s friends.

Kiba, being apprehensive with Kifune’s connection to the Kasumi-Ooji family, tells Amagai what he knows. Amagai can’t believe it but, he trusts Kiba.

So, the searches begin. This episode was not bad but, not very good too. I hope the next episodes are more interesting and exciting.

Fear Like They Have Never Known Before

Sasuke is down, it really seems like he was going to die if it wasn’t for his friends. Suigetsu blocks the finishing blow with his sword but, the jinchuriki runs his chakra through the blade and it cuts through Suigetsu’s. Sasuke infuses is own chakra in the sword to counter the Jinchuriki. His blade stops. Jugo uses the chance to hit him from behind. His punch packs enormous power and as everybody backs off, he unleashes his cursed seal powers. Still, the jinchuriki gets away.

Sasukes drinks Kirin’s blood and heals himself right away. She has more abilities than we were expecting. The jinchuriki doesn’t acknowledge them as powerful oponents, yet.

Naruto continues his training. He wants to try the same strategy that he used with Kakashi but, that way it will be easier to turn into a frog and harder for the frog to it him in time. He uses just for bushins, it’s very good already.

He talks with the frog and gets all worked up and jumps strait into the fountain lol.

Meanwhile, Team Hawk attacks the jinchuriki at the same time. They manage to get one hit but, the jinchuriki still gets away and doesn’t look injured. He plans to run away but, Kirin’s ability gets his location instantly and Sasuke prepares to attack. Realizing this the jinchuriki gets prepared to use a new technique. It’s name sounds like this one will use his bijuu’s power. Can’t wait to see.

The battle is going to get serious now. As for Naruto, I wonder if jumping in the lake was just for comical purposes or if he’s really going to try to master the technique instantly.

The Princess’ Decision
The Sorrowful Bride

Komui is thinking of using a fake Lurichiyo. They are also taking advantage of the wedding being in public to avoid having Ichigo and the others interfere.

Lurichiyo blames herself for Sado and Ishida’s injuries and tries to help in taking care of them. Ichigo helps her understanding things. The scene was well done, taking aside the fact that Lurichiyo was able to kick Ichigo out of the roof and run away.

Lurichiyo decides to solve things herself and goes back to Soul Society alone.

Ichigo follows her and plans to get her back after her wedding, where she will have authority over the family. But, when they get there, Lurichiyo doesn’t answer them and hidden shinigami appear. It was really a trap.

The episode wasn’t anything special but, at least move the story forward. The ending created an interesting situation. I wonder what Ichigo and the others will do now.

The new ED’s art is cool.