Bleach Manga 288 “The Bad Joke”
I guess I’ll start reviewing the bleach manga at chapter 288. Chapter 288 slows down the action a bit, focusing more on the one sided dialog between Espada and the various main characters. Introducing eighth Espada Szyel Grantz’s released form, this chapter does a good job of building suspense before the continuation of Renji’s and Ishada’s fight with the manipulative Szayel.
This chapter starts off right where chapter 287 left off. After finding themselves face to face with Szayel yet again, Ishida and Renji stand before the eighth Espada as he smugly informs them that the corridors they had been frantically running through were implanted with cameras and he rearrange them at will, bringing them back to the very room they were running from. Annoyed that he will have to use his full power, Szayel then releases his zanpakutō, Fornicarás, by saying the release command “Sip” and swallowing the blade.
The following is the most disturbing release AND released form of any Arrancar so far. After swallowing his zanpakutō, Szayel’s body swells to an enormous size and then explodes, revealing his released form. His new body has four long “wings” spreading from his shoulders along with tentacle leg…things. His glasses (last part of his mask) also change into a strange tattoo. Szayel seems to bask in himself for a second before lazily turning back to face his opponents.
The Espada member then shoots a thick, blood like substance out of his back at Renji, Ishida, Dondo Chakker, and Pesshe. Ishida and Renji immediately try dodging the substance, but Dondo and Pesshe are unable to move fast enough. After being hit by the thick gooey substance, a clone replica emerges from the original Dondo. Distracted by the sight, both Ishida and Renji are hit by the substance and clones of them appear also. The clones, Szayel explains, have to same abilities as the originals and are identical except for the X shaped tattoos across their eyes.
Sitting back, Szayel explains that he destroyed the seal that was negating most of their powers so that they could hold nothing back.
The manga then switches to Ichigo’s perspective, and is the only action in the entire chapter. Ichigo is still on the receiving end of the damage, and the fifth Espada Nnoitra continues his relentless attack on the already exhausted Ichigo, insisting that all is fair in battle. He then comments that he already knows all of Ichigo’s techniques from watching the previous battle with Grimmjow.
Thoughts: A pretty well done chapter, more preparation for the next chapter more than anything, but does a good of it. Szayel’s released form is another example on the more original concepts of this series; rather than just recycling old enemies, they create new ones that are pretty sweet. Still hoping Ulquiorra will make his appearance soon though :(
