WBCR - The Departure (Grade B)

So much is happening in this week's chapter and many are probably asking themselves comically, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!? For me, I have a general idea on what's going on, but that still doesn't answer all my questions. I mean, this week's chapter featured no Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, or Uryu, and instead - we get the behind-the-scenes of some characters that we haven't seen in awhile. We also get the reveal (sort of) of two of the Zero Division's members (aside from the other 3 Ichigo met). "Eyeball Monk" Ichibei Hyosube and the woman, named Senjumaru Shutara, who is fond of the Shinigami wardrobe as her palace consists of fabrics and cloths, fabrics and clothes everywhere! So let's start off this week's chapter summary in the most simplistic way I can:

1) Yuzu calls everyone to eat, but everyone is busy doing something else. Yuzu worries about her brother and wonders when she'll return from "training camp."

2) Rukia & Renji are training in the Royal Palace and comically are too coward to stare each other down while pointing fake swords as each other's faces, are in awe of their ability to withstand the concentration of reishi in the Royal Palace, accounts of meeting Senjumaru in her palace, Byakuya is alive and well, Rukia & Renji join Ichibei Hyosube to train in the inner sanctum. 

3) Shinji and Hiyori comically engage in a conversation, Hiyori receives a package w/the names Shinji Hirako and Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Hiyori blurts out hilariously "Team Repair the Distortion Between The Human World & Soul Society!" alongside Love and Lisa, who deny that they are a part of it. 

4) Keigo, Mizuiro, and Tatsuki talk about the MIA's of Ichigo (along with Orihime, Uryu, & Chad) until Captain Shunsui Kyoraku engages the 3 w/Mizuiro already aware of who he is (heard about him during Aizen's attack). Kyoraku jokes about wishing Mizuiro to be a woman and Kyoraku goes on to state that eventually Ichigo will depart way with them. 

Overall, this week's chapter has so many people wondering why and what and huh. I mean, it's no surprise that much has happened in each week, but this one seems to be all over the place. Again, it's buildup that doesn't much to answer for in the form of questions. Such questions I want to know are:

a) The Departure, is Ichigo's newfound power and knowledge as a Quincy prevent him from spending time in the human world or does the Soul Society plan to make Ichigo a permanent member of the Gotei 13 as a Captain. Or is it something completely different? This could be tackled in lotta ways. 

b) Why are Hiyori and group the ones solely responsible for repairing the distortion between the human world and the Soul Society - does this entail that they are closing the gap of spiritual consciousness so people are unaware of Soul Society's existence with the exception of some people or just cleaning up from the previous mess?

c) Senjumaru Shutara and Ichibei Hyosube, what exactly does their contribution entail in the Zero Division?

d) Byakuya marinating in the bath, will he be okay in the upcoming battle or is it a ruse to reassure everyone just so he can fight once more? 

It's a good chapter overall with buildup after buildup and buildup, but with no answers to this week's questions or previously. It's slow paced for a lot, but I wouldn't be lying if I said it could pick up some more. I found Rukia and Renji's comedy in this chapter to be funny and I like how Yuzu and Ichigo's friends are completely unaware of where Ichigo has gone (although Tatsuki & Mizuiro have a pretty idea that it has to do with the Soul Society). For me, I want to see some badass Ichigo. I want to see the people behind Chad in last week's chapter. I want to know who'll ally alongside the Shinigami in the war against the Vandenreich - perhaps the Arrancar? What contraption does Kisuke Urahara have that will ensure that it could take awhile - is it his own Hogyoku and what does it entail for both the allies and the enemies? Kenpachi Zaraki and his talking Zanpaktou? You see, there's a lot to cover and I surely hope Tite Kubo can pick up the pace, answer the questions, and provide entertainment in the future Bleach chapters to come. Check out this week's chapter: http://mangastream.com/read/bleach/545/1978/1. Til then, stay classy ladies and gentlemen. Overall Grade: