Unfathomable, I really cannot utilise the English language in a way that properly elaborates on what this chapter did for me. _I am **thunderstruck, seriously.
Kubo has really done justice for the flamboyance of Ryuken's character, and every panel he was depicted in was completely impacting on what I originally thought of his character. Kisuke's elaboration on the treatment to Hollowfication was an effective insight into the research he did carry out against the Vizards and what's more is, Isshin's intentions to rescue Masaki were completely selfless act of his character.
These concepts were some of **the most effective developments in Chapter 535, that surfaced the atmosphere, urgency, emotiveness and characterisation in away that sheds great insight into the story told.
Firstly, the concept of Masaki falling into a "deep dark hole" was quite reflective of the circumstance she has been placed in which metaphorically represents her Hollowfication. The interesting element here is that Masaki doesn't feel scared because she knows that somehow, she is going to be rescued.
Kubo also fosters an ominous atmosphere of Masaki's degradation where we witness the ethereal manifesto of White, inside the void Masaki fills.
The simplicity of this panel really captures the aphotic effect Kubo is trying to convey and adds a ghastly edge to the atmosphere of the situation afoot.
Then we make a continuation of where Chapter 534 concluded, both Ryuken and Isshin arrive at Urahara Shoten to discuss their options of saving Masaki. Kisuke informs us that he has been researching the condition of Masaki and in effect Hollowfication for about 100 years. This creates a nice round off for **exactlywhen Kisuke started delving into the forbidden realm of Shinigami and Hollow hybrids, this also leads Isshin to question who Kisuke really is.
The interesting aspect of this is that Isshin instantly reacts to the name "Kisuke Urahara".
It truly reaffirms the once Squad 12 Captain's status as an infamous celebrity within the Soul Society, based on the crimes he was wrongfully accused for. Despite all of this, Isshin is bewildered by hearing his name and despite the potential knowledge Isshin may have of Kisuke's crimes, he does not let this stand between the situation at hand.
Ryuken's outburst was another impact on his characterisation, this hot headed portrayal effectively reaffirms his true feelings for Masaki in a way where he **genuinely cares for her safety. The reiteration of Ryuken's concern really shatters the foundations of my original opinion on his character, that truly shows the diverse lengths Kubo has gone to, when constructing Ryuken in Everything but the Rain.
Kisuke then drops the bombshell on both Ryuken and Isshin - regarding the fate of Masaki. She will **neverrecover from her mutation into a Hollow - the stark and utter prostration on the faces of Ryuken and Isshin, convey the bond they both share with Masaki. She is apparently the light to their darkness in a way that emphasises the friendship and connection that is shared between the three.
There is also a concise elaboration on the **true science behind Hollowfication. It is a really neat insight into what exactly Kisuke and Aizen were trying to do when mangling with the Souls of Shinigami and Hollows. One interesting point I picked up on was that Kisuke seems to have keen knowledge of what exactly Aizen was trying to do, and also realised that targeting a Quincy was **not within his plans.
This really addresses Urahara's intelligence in a way that reaffirms his intelligence being that above Aizen's own. Though, after one hundred years of study - Kisuke seemed to have readied himself in a way where he was prepared for any further break throughs in the research of Hollowfication.
A sense of urgency is also fostered amongst the context where Ryuken's incessant pleas to save Masaki continue Kisuke's explanation of how exactly Masaki is going to be saved. This branches onto the new concept of **Soul Suicide; the interesting development behind this is that Kisuke elaborates on how exactly Hollowfication is unstable and tells that the imbalance of a soul being exposed to a foreign one, rips apart the natural balance of the soul - thus creating Soul Suicide.
Kubo then creates a notion of opposition amongst the vitality of power within Bleach; we learn that Humans and Hollows are **natural opposites in a way that Quincy and Shinigami are **lateral opposites of each other as well. Kisuke then delves into the conclusion of how he saved the Vizards, by creating a vaccination that contradicts the imbalance of their mutation in a way that prevents this imbalance from occurring.
The scientific construction Kubo conveys for Kisuke here emphasises the master mind representation of his character in a way that shows how this process of preventing Soul Suicide, was developed by Kisuke.
Then we have the moment of truth, Ryuken and Isshin are bought to light on the **only option in saving Masaki. This seems to set Ryuken off in a way that really grasps the devotion he has to Masaki, where that hot headedness of his character is another contrast to the level headedness of his character in this situation, that allows him to be understanding of what is to be done - but at the same time unaccepting. **There is no choice in the matter for Ryuken.
The one aspect of this chapter I really enjoyed, is the metaphoric and scientific value behind Isshin evolving into a bridge between Shinigami and Human to contradict and vaccinate the progression of Masaki's Quincy and Hollowfication in a way where Isshin becomes her **defender.
We also gain insight into why exactly Isshin was rendered powerless twenty years ago that reflects even Ryuken's knowledge as he was a first hand witness in the transgression of these events. Not only that, Ryuken is in disbelief that a Shinigami, let a lone a stranger would ever adopt the role of protecting his future wife to be in a way that makes Isshin more closer than he would become.
There is also an effective symbolic theme of Isshin and Masaki's relationship created where Kubo references the companionship between the two as a "Reishi String" which is highly reflective of the "threads of fate" that have already bound the two together.
Isshin's actions are also conveyed in a way the is chivalrous and noble of his character which reflects his internal desire to repay the woman who saved him. Not only that, but it is highly reflective of a Shinigami's duty to protect the Souls of humans and I can see a reflection of this concept here based on how Isshin feels indebted to Masaki for doing **his job as a Shinigami.
Humour is also incorporated in a way that reflects the mortification on Kisuke and Ryuken's face where Isshin simply accepts the task at hand of saving Masaki which he justifies as "wasting" time in urgency of Masaki's situation.
Ryuken's character really takes a knife to the heart where he realises that he has truly been enfeebled in a way that casts his relationship with Masaki, into the shadows.
I really have a sense of sympathy for Ryuken as his compassion for Masaki is ruptured by the selfless actions of a Shinigami that does have regrets for the choice he made, only to spend the majority of his life protecting the one Ryuken holds dear to him.
The hero aspect of Isshin character above, is also represented in a way the emotively captures the essence of not only his character, but Ichigo's motif of protection in a way that ties into the origins behind Ichigo's birth.
What's more is, Kubo effectively portrays Ryuken in a way that does show his dire need to protect Masaki and contrasts this with flamboyant characterisation he demonstrates where Isshin becomes Masaki's **defenderdue to Ryuken's useless role as a Quincy.
The urgency of Masaki's situation is also reaffirmed by Ryuken where all that's on his mind is the means of actually rescuing Masaki and both his an Isshin's emotiveness does capture the bond they share to one girl that has seemed to change both their lives.
I really applaud another chapter in the Everything but the Rain saga, where the atmosphere, urgency, emotiveness and characterisation of what was depicted in Chapter 535; really emphasises the summary and conclusion on the mystery surrounding: how the Vizards were saved by Kisuke, why Isshin was powerless during the years he spent with Masaki, how Masaki and Isshin were bound by a **thread of fate and how Ryuken knows that Isshin lost his powers.
Such a concise and amazing job in reflection to the handful of unanswered questioned we had and I am tantalised in a way that leaves me wanting more.********************************_
Well, hopefully that sums up what I think in an intelligible way. This was another great chapter for me, 10/10 Kubo.