Throwback #3 (The Death Trilogy Overture: Death & The Strawberry) (Pt 3-Finale)

So Imma try and keep this short for you guys since Ichigo has been through a lot and we're wrapping up the beginning stages of him being a Substitute Soul Reaper. So Orihime & Chad have powers of their own, Uryuu is a Quincy, Kon (nuff said about a Mod Soul), and Rukia is finding it difficult to adjust to a Gigai. Ichigo, on the other hand, is kicking ass & taking names, taking down Hollows as well as discovering what it's like to be a Shinigami. There is, however, one particular moment in Ichigo's becoming a Shinigami that'll change him forever - encountering his mother's killer: Grand Fisher. A monster that took Masaki's life when Ichigo was just a boy, scarring him. With his Dad and two sisters, Ichigo has carry the burden of his family as well as the responsibilities of a Shinigami. Whereas Grand Fisher is content with doing what he does most - tricking and eating people, Ichigo id disgusted by this, falls to tears, and goes all crazy on this Hollow. Not only did this Hollow influence Ichigo to become stronger as a person, but it reminds us of the pain Ichigo has had to endure and meeting the murderer right before his eyes - perfect opportunity for revenge.


Atop of Ichigo's one-man stand against Grand Fisher, Rukia herself is having trouble. She sees that her remaining power is disappearing and she is becoming more human-like by the second, meaning that her body wouldn't be able to return to the Soul Society if she completely turned human in her Gigai body. So what will she do? Running away seems to be the only option as she begs Ichigo & Kon to keep their mouths shut and not do a thing or else. Well that turned out quite unexpected as two Shinigami come to pick up Rukia, sentencing her pretty much for her crimes. This leads Ichigo to encounter these two men: Renji Abarai & Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia's friend and older brother (Nee-Sama). Ichigo terribly loses and thus has to train himself in order to rescue Rukia from execution. Ichigo questions why Byakuya's brother would betray his own sister, but the needs of the Soul Society outweigh Rukia's need to stay alive and live with her crimes. Leaving Ichigo nearly dead and Rukia disappointed w/Ichigo's sudden actions to help her out despite her pleas to not, what can Strawberry do against high-level Shinigami?

This is where we conclude it all with a training montage with Ichigo and Kisuke Urahara, former captain of the 12th Division exiled/banished from Soul Society. Here, we discover Ichigo learning of his own power, Zanpaktou, and his own potential as a Shinigami. He earns his Shikai, has a new sword, and Team Ichigo (Ichigo, Orihime, Uryu, & Chad) - he is now ready to embark on an adventure to save Rukia, haul ass, and return home - without dying of course. Urahara is Ichigo's guide as he trains him and opens a gateway to Soul Society. We then see Benihime, Urahara's Zanpaktou in its Shikai state, and what it's capable of doing compared to Ichigo's bland broadsword w/out a name.

Ichigo now must battle for his life alongside his friends to save Rukia and discover that the world he has come to known about the Shinigami is a mysterious, dangerous, and astonishing place full of strong Shinigami, unique Zanpaktou capabilities, and secrets that'll change Soul Society - for better or worse.

LOOK FOR BLEACH CHAPTER REVIEW BELOW. IT'S PRETTY LONG, BUT IT'S WELL WORTH THE READ!