User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 684 - The Blade/@comment-24531362-20160728210520

Analysis mode ENGAGE:

Okay then:

Ichigo kerslices Yhwach in half.

He then gets complimented by Aizen, who commends his adaptation to Kyōka Suigetsu even though he cannot see the illusions himself. Ichigo says that he can vaguely sense when the hypnosis is active, and he went off that impression.

Yhwach then reforms into a new, sorta demonic form, saying that The Almighty allows him to negate futures where he dies. He knocks Tensa Zangetsu out of Ichigo's hand and immobilizes both combatants.

At this point, Yhwach gets shot by Uryū's Deus Ex Machina Still Silver arrow. As it happens, shooting Yhwach with this arrow turns off his OP-ness. This gives Ichigo the opening he needs to kill his foe. Ichigo grabs Tensa Zangetsu and goes in for the FINISHING BLOW. Yhwach attempts to counter by shattering the blade FOR THE TRILLIONTH TIME, but only removes the white bits, revealing an OG, pre-Fullbring Shikai Zangetsu.

I actually liked this chapter a lot. The action, dialogue, and pacing of THIS SPECIFIC CHAPTER seemed pretty nice, and we might have finally seen the end of Yhwach. The OG-getsu twist is surprising and makes very little sense but I hope we get something to explain it.

Now, regarding the ending news. I am saddened by the demise of this manga, though I do feel the series has run its course; if not next week, the time of the ending would still have been nigh. Yes, the last few chapters have been very rushed, and yes, I think even Kubo has been a bit shocked by Shueisha's decision to pull the plug. Even so, the ending is likely to be leagues better than the cancer that was Naruto's death-and-revival, and probably beats out it's fellow terminal manga Nisekoi for me (RIP Team Onodera). So, while I do wish we got more of a look into the Bleachverse, I can accept this ending point. I really can.

P.S. Xil, please make the song next week 'One More Time' by Daft Punk. Seems a good sendoff.

That's a wrap!