Yoruichi Shihoin (Photo : Twitter)
Bleach Chapter 656 "God Of Thunder" features Askin and his interesting powers. As Gerard continues to rampage in his "miracle" form aka God size, Askin broods over Ichigo who has fallen into his trap.
As Chad and Orihime also fall in the Poison Pool, Yoruichi emerges to fight Askin. She catches Askin's Quincy Reishi projectiles bare-handed (one of only four Shinigami to do it). She uses the God of Thunder's War Form to finish off Askin as the Chapter ends.
In the Reddit forum, user "Brainiac_Outcast" noted: "It's nice to see Kubo writing in Ichigo taking a break for this one so the characters with him have a chance to shine. It wouldn't be super interesting to see Ichigo godstomp all the small fry he runs into. Gotta save energy for the big bad, and more importantly it gives us a chance to hopefully see Yoriuchi's Zanpakuto Soon."
Placing Ichigo as the "hero in distress" was a welcome development for most readers and gives a chance to reveal their abilities.
User "Aethos" is conscious of Askin's probable transformation. "I really hope Askin's transformation is something subtle and more human or perhaps vanilla angel (person with wing). Not only would it suit him more, but it would set him apart from the other SS who are anomalies and therefore have 'true forms.' Whereas Askin is just a regular ritter that was strong and deadly enough to be alongside them (although prob weaker than them by a little)."
Manga Helpers user "kkck" also noted the anatomical references: "So gerard is the heart of the soul king? This is just arbitrary at this point, how many more limbs are we going to see doing stuff? Are we going to go through every organ and limb? Next time we are going to find out askin is the soul king's left testicle and he will poison the whole world with his inherent grossness."
Did Yoruichi kill off Askin? Most readers don't think so although the strong reception for her has led to some speculation that is should be high time she becomes the protagonist --at least in Chapter 657
