Bleach, Vol. 7: The Broken Coda (Bleach (Graphic Novels)) [ペーパーバック]

Tite Kubo, Bleach: The Broken Coda (ViZ, 2002)

The beginning of Bleach's mini story arc involving Ichigo's training with hat-and-clogs (which extends into The Blade and Me, the next volume). Ichigo is, for all intents and purposes, cut off from the outside world during his training, but the outside world isn't standing still waiting for him. As usual, Kubo has created a fine piece of work here, well worthy of wearing the Bleach name. ****

Although it was a new product as the description said, the product I received was old (old, not used) compared with the volumes of the same book I ordered from the Amazon store, for a little higher value. The cover and pages were yellowish compared to the amazon product, demonstrating that it was an old product that had much time being in the store. My recommendation is to buy directly from Amazon if you can, as the product of the seller is not the best quality.

The Soul Reapers have finally come for Rukia -- and they aren't happy, at all. "Bleach Volume 7" introduces a long-ranging story arc, which shifts the action suddenly from a series of Hollow-of-the-week standalone arcs and episodes to something that is obviously much larger than just Ichigo Kurosaki. And it starts giving Ichigo's buddies some much-needed training too.

Uryu's efforts to rescue Rukia end in bloodshed for him, but it provides enough time for Ichigo to discover Rukia's absence (via Kon, duct-taped to a toilet) and come to the rescue.

Unfortunately Ichigo gets a nasty surprise when he clashes with Renji, and discovers that the Soul Reaper lieutenant has a power and ability that Ichigo hasn't gained yet. But he's starting to gain the upper hand when the aloof Byakuya Kuchiki steps in -- and first slices Ichigo's blade off, then slashes his chest, destroys his Soul Reaper powers, and leaves him to die in the rain. Only Rukia's intervention keeps Ichigo from being murdered on the spot.

But he's unexpectedly rescued by Urahara, who offers to help him regain his powers so he can save Rukia. Unfortunately the training turns out to be far worse than Ichigo expected -- he's chased by the freaky little girl Ururu, and then thrown into a vast pit with his Soul Chain severed (meaning he'll turn into a Hollow unless he becomes a Soul Reaper). In the meantime, the talking cat Yoruichi starts training Chad and Orihime in their newfound powers, so they can accompany Ichigo.

"Bleach Volume 7" is basically about our Designated Shonen Hero powering up for the next phase of the series, and the other characters preparing to unite in a little gang of friends (or temporary allies) to help him. It's pretty clear that Tite Kubo is preparing to handle a big story arc in the Soul Society -- which turns out to be a matter of life and death for Rukia. Man, the Soul Reapers have some stiff penalties.

Fortunately Ichigo's training is fairly interesting, even if our hero gets put through the grinder --the guy almost died, and a day later he's dueling with a timid killing-machine and being thrown into a vast empty shaft. The last in particular is a horrific affair, with Ichigo's soul chain being severed and turning into dozens of little toothy mouths that are eating him to Hollowdom. And the whole fight with Byakuya is pretty horrendous, especially when our seemingly unstoppable hero is almost effortlessly cut down.

Sadly there aren't many glimpses of Orihime and Chad's training, except a brief trip to see Uryu. But we do get some comedy (Ichigo waking up in bed under Tessai -- cue bloodcurdling shrieks) and some fun moments with the the perkily eccentric Urahara ("We painted the sky blue to make it cheery!" "Great, like a prison").

It's kind of painful to see poor Ichigo going through such a nasty ordeal, trying so hard to rescue Rukia, and being so horribly defeated by Byakuya Kuchiki. But it's pretty clear that he'll come out on top somehow. Urahara is clearly more than he pretends to be, since he has a vast elaborate training room hidden deep under his shop; and in the Soul Society, we see a little more about Renji (and his flowered kimono), as well as a chilling revelation about Rukia's relationship with her icy brother.

"Bleach Volume 7" is a harrowing, grueling ending to the Designated Shonen Hero's training, and it ends on a pretty grim note -- things can only improve from here. Except for Rukia, of course....