Bleach: v. 7: The Broken Coda: Volume 7

Very good book

In this seventh volume of the Bleach manga the Soul Society finally catches up with Rukia in attempt to return her home so that she can answer for her actions. The following confrontation forces the main characters to recognise that they are not as powerful as they thought and they must enter training so that they can save Rukia.This is a great improvement on the previous volume with some interesting new characters introduced and a fascinating new direction for the series. Previous to this volume the series was rather unfocused but this episode introduces a plot arc that focuses the story nicely. I would probably give this volume around four and a half stars and the series is only getting better.

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....

This is probably one of my favourite Bleach covers and the story picks up in this volume so definitely worth picking up if you have up to volume 6.

Good book like all the others and would tell anyone to buy, one of the best manga series i have ever read