Naruto 588 vs. Bleach 494 *SPOILERS*

I'll get back on the reviews shortly.  I've been absorbed lately, in various things.  I'm almost finished with Kekkaishi!  I only have five more chapters left.  So why am I typing this instead of wrapping up those last five chapters?  Because I have satellite internet, and it's rainy and stormy outside.  My attempts to try to finish the series were foiled by internet outages.  So, here I am, typing at my word processor instead.

I've decided that I wanna discuss the new releases of the manga that I'm reading.  It's not like I have any readers.  I guess it's more just for my own amusement.

I suppose I'll start with yesterday's releases.  It was Shounen Jump day, and unfortunately, the only Jump series that I've read (thus far) are Bleach and Naruto.  So, onto the new chapters!  SPOILERS AHEAD.  LOTS AND LOTS OF SPOILERS.  IF YOU AREN'T UP TO DATE ON THESE TITLES, THEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE A WHOOOOOOOLE LOTTA SHIT THAT YOU AREN'T READY FOR.

Okay, that being said, let's begin with Naruto!

Naruto Ch. 588

I'm glad to see that we're finally ending the Itachi and Sasuke vs. Kabuto battle.  I was interested in it at first because I kinda like Kabuto, and I was glad to see Itachi and Sasuke able to fight side by side.  I liked finally seeing Kabuto's history.  However, the battle was getting a little long.  One side would whip out an ultimate technique, then the other would do the same.  The battle itself just didn't have the magic and intensity of other fights in the series.  Therefore, it's nice to see it end, especially with an ending that leaves it open for a Kabuto redemption.  I am a little disappointed in how it's ending for Itachi and Sasuke though.  I was really looking forward to them finally being able to have a heartfelt talk with no more lies and airs.  But instead Itachi's just like, "Hey, I'm gonna end the Edo-Tensei now, so I'm gonna go back to being dead.  Have a nice life, bro!"  Hey, wait a minute... I feel gipped.  Really, I do understand why Kishimoto-sensei is doing this.  He's setting this up to be a big Naruto vs. Sasuke fight and during that fight, Naruto will finally get through to Sasuke, who will finally redeem himself (hopefully by dying).  I think if Sasuke and Itachi were to actually sit down and talk, Itachi would sway Sasuke a little bit, which would lessen the impact of Naruto's breakthrough later.  Sasuke's already being pretty dumb though.  Can't he see that yet again his brother has proudly given his all to protect Konoha?  Yet he remains unwavering in his desire to destroy the village.  Hmm...I still kinda like him though...

I'm glad that we got back to the Kages vs. Madara.  Oh, Gaara, how I've missed you.  He's one of my favorite characters, and I'm glad to get back to his fight.  Of course, this battle is already going to be fraught with the same problem as the previous battle.  Madara's already bringing out the big guns.  "Oh, Susano'o ain't enough for ya?  Ok, let's try the ULTIMATE Susano'o.  Yeaaaaahh, booooooyyy!"  Ok, I may have dumbed that down a little.  I realize that I can't complain too much.  This is a shounen manga.  Ridiculous strengths and abilities have been a part of the genre for a long time.  So, I can't be too picky.  For the record, I'm ready for the plot to move forward.

Bleach Ch. 494

I'm really not invested in this whole Quincy arc.  C'mon, Kubo-sensei!  This is the FINAL ARC for Bleach!  It needs to be epic and kick the shit out of everything that has happened already!  The substitute shinigami arc was pretty good and seemed to promise that several reveals were in store.  So far, I just don't see how those are gonna be worked in.  What went down with Ginjou back then?  What were the circumstances that led to Isshin losing his powers and leaving the Soul Society?  THOSE are the things I wanna dig into.  I really don't get the whole Quincy thing anyway.  So the Soul Reapers wiped them out two hundred years ago, yet hordes of them managed to survive and build a super-powerful army that is capable of subduing Espada-level arrancars and killing thousands of Soul Reapers within only minutes of the invasion?  I don't have a problem with having to suspend belief a little bit when it comes to manga, but this is starting to get a little ridiculous.  Not to mention that I don't care about these villains at all.  They have no history, no background.  I've always thought that it was vital for a series to have a good villain.  So far, none of these characters are developed at all.

I suppose the highlight of this chapter is the fate of Izuru Kira.

That's a pretty tough blow, and Akon remarks that Izuru's reiatsu can no longer be detected.  Is he dead?  Is he alive?  Part of me hopes he's alive because I really like him.  The other part of me thinks that Bleach needs another good death.  The Division 1 lieutenant's death had little impact.

As ridiculous as I'm claiming it to be, I'm certainly not gonna give up on the series.  Of course, I'll keep reading.  He simply has to work in the whole Isshin thing, and I can't wait to see what will happen there.  Also, I'm eagerly awaiting the return of one of my absolute favorite characters:  Grimmjow.  He's gonna come back.  He has to.  I can feel it!

So for this week's releases, I think Bleach wins the battle.  What edged it out?  Probably Izuru's injury.  It was an interesting read and leaves one wondering what will happen next.  I'm kinda guessing that Orihime will scurry over and fix him, though.  I'll be surprised if that's the end of Izuru.