This is probably the best volume so far.

Yoruichi and Soi Fon starts the volume and we get a little background on both. It's actually handled fairly well and the fight is intense and well done. Quick, which sums up both characters really well. Then we have Ichigo vs Byakuya, and this is the battle we've been waiting for. When Byakuya unleashes one of his best attacks and Ichigo just slaps it away we get the battle reaching a all time high when both characters must unlock their ultimate forms...BANKAI!

The fights are fast paced, brutal, epic, and fantastical. This is purely a action volume but it also has a lot of heart because there is stakes and Rukia life is still in danger. The sheer determination of ichigo pushing himself to his very limits to protect someone he loves is great. It helps the art is on point and the fight is actually pretty easy to follow yet looks great.

Overall, this is what the entire arc was building towards and payed off. Then the next arc begins to form at the very end with a big cliffhanger here. A 4.5 out of 5.