User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 554 - Desperate Lights/@comment-2211792-20131023154055

This chapter was a sweet relief from the neverending repetitive Toshiro fight. We got to see many other characters again, both good and bad, but let's keep it tidy, shall we?

As I predicted a week ago, Bazz-B just walks away without even thinking to finish Rangiku or Toshiro. He's disappointed that Cang lost so easily... Early assumptions are bad, Bazz. Toshiro collapses from his wounds again and doesn't look like he can continue fighting. Praise the Lord!

No sign of Soifon and Omaeda, which was also good. Instead, we saw BG9's skewered helmet with a gaping hole and blackness inside. I thought we'd see the glowing eye at least, but no. Ah, whatever. On the same page we have Bambi and As Nodt losing the bankai they stole. Did Urahara manage to sneak one of his pills into the Soul King's realm, or is Byakuya in SS already? Only time will show. Also, contrary to a very compelling prediction, Komamura didn't detest the idea of temporarily Hollowfying himself in order to get his bankai back.

Then we have black comedy from Bambi. Expected black, unexpected comedy. Casually setting off explosions out of thin air and nuking Gotei redshirts ("the Explosion"?), she rages because her friends ventured off to somewhere. Then Komamura appears. He's wearing armor and helmet - didn't his ancestor berate him for hiding his face in the past? But what's even more weird, "it's a gift." I think Komamura was talking about a secret family technique, not a relic, when he went to meet with his gramps.

Shinji is also there and begins to troll Bambi with Sakanade's shikai. tahw ro, won hceeps sih fo dnuos eht esrever osla nac eH? I hope they animate this, I'd love to hear it someday.

Yhwach is chilling in his Ice Palace, watching the show. For some reason, he isn't wearing his signature black cloak. Uryu is also there - but didn't Yhwach say before that the Ritters will see Uryu's power in upcoming battles? Shouldn't he be out there, fighting? Or maybe Yhwach is waiting for some very special enemies to appear... Royal Guard, or maybe Ichigo? Regardless, Yhwach expected that the bankai theft would be dealt with, which should imply there are no special medallions that can capture Hollowfied bankai. He doesn't care; his Ritters are enjoying the fight. And in fact, having bankai stopped them from using Vollstandig! It must have something to do with Soul Reapers and Quincies being opposites of each other, so stolen bankai dampen their powers. Also, will we never see Yhwach's Vollstandig, since Zanka no Tachi can't be returned to its rightful owner? Or is he strong enough to use both at the same time, or will he somehow lose his hold over it? Maybe a pill can be dropped on Ryujin Jakka's shards... no?

It's not clear whether Yhwach activates 7 Vollstandigs remotely, or 7 Ritters do it themselves, but either way, their emperor's speech is badass. Bambi and Cang Du are among the seven (meaning Cang is stronger than Harribel, who needed Wonderweiss' help to break out), maybe BG9 is, too. Who are the other four? Bambi's friends? Or maybe As Nodt, Bazz-B, Askin and Haschwalth? I didn't expect them to use Vollstandig so soon, but it means now is the time for everyone to go bankai.

And in the end, Urahara receives a phone call from Ichigo. What could it be about?