User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 631 - friend/@comment-24531362-20150618222339

ANALYSIS MODE ENGAGE!

Bazz-Backstory!

With one technique that I love Kubo for using, we get to see flashbacks interspersed with a modern-day fight seen (more on this later).

So Bazz-B was once a kind little Quincy kid, who happened to be THE BEST QUINCY EVER. Meanwhile, Jugram McFancyHair lived somewhere nearby, hunted in the same forest, and was THE WORST QUINCY EVER. Okay, maybe not, but he's no Ryuken at this point, that's for sure. Oh, and also, he gets the crap beaten out of him for not being Bazz, basically.

Also, I think it's worth pointing out that Haschwalth can't summon a Heilig Pfeil yet. Perhaps more notably, he cannot summon Heilig Bogen yet. As it stands to reason that arrows are easier to make than an entire bow, we can see that Jugo is significantly lagging compared to Bazz.

Anyway, Bazz decides to befriend the quiet, introverted Jugo, even saving him from a beating by surrendering a taken rabbit. This shows that Bazz was a bright child in more than just Quincy stuff, as he figured out Jugo's abuse on his own; it also shows off his kindness, as he gives up his previously claimed rabbit to protect his new buddy. The two decide to train in the woods together and become the BEST QUINCY TEAM EVER (No more all-caps for this one, I promise).

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation Yhwach attacked. (I couldn't not say it. Forgive the plagiarism just this once, Xil.) There village burned to cinders, the Bazz and Jugo swear to exact revenge, training for five years to accomplish this feat. In closing, we are teased with Kubo promising to reveal the beginning of the Sternritter and Yhwach's first attack on Soul Society, which is apparently motivated by sheer ego.

All in all, a great flashback chapter. It seemed short, but we really did learn a lot about everyone. Heck, even Zeidritz popped up all alive and stuff.

The best part of this chapter, though, is the way the juxtaposed flashback created a nice dichotomy with present day Bazz and Jugo. With the flashback we see the foundation of a kick-arse friendship, forged in fire and made strong through adversity. With the present day fight, we can see the last remnants of that bond go up in flames. Well done, Kubo, well done.

And that's a wrap!