Sabo: Dead Or Alive?

Being born a noble, Sabo (サボ) is a character introduced in One Piece after the Marineford arc. Oda decides to take us back to Luffy's past and how the three brothers (Luffy, Ace & Sabo) first met. After the fire erupted at Gray Terminal, a World Noble (天竜人, Celestial Dragon) arrives at Goa as Sabo is shown sailing away from the island. The World Noble shoots a rifle at Sabo's ship, causing a huge explosion. A second shot destroys the ship completely and Sabo's signature hat is shown flying away.

Is Sabo alive or dead? Some fans strongly believe Trafalgar Law (トラファルガー・ロー) is actually Sabo. What about the cover of chapter 596 which shows Ace, Luffy & Sabo (as adults) running from a gorilla? Oda is sure to have something up his sleeve as there is no proof of Sabo's death. Moreover, the appearance of Monkey D. Dragon (モンキー・D・ドラゴン) and the Revolutionary Army in Goa had to have meant something. Who knows? Maybe Sabo is actually a part of the revolutionaries (provided he joined to find the so-called "freedom" he always searched for).

Bleach Manga: Kubo's New Direction

After the battle with Aizen ended, Tite Kubo has added a new twist to the Manga. Instead of uncovering the back-stories of mysterious characters like Isshin Kurosaki (黒崎 一心) and Kenpachi Zaraki (更木 剣八), Kubo has decided to throw in new characters instead. Kugo Ginjo (Ginjō Kūgo, 銀城 空吾) is part of an organization called Xcution in which its members use an ability called Fullbring. Similar to the dolls used by the Bounts (バウント, Baunto) during the longest Bleach filler arc, Fullbring is a new kind of power where an object can be used as a weapon if the user has a "natural liking" to it. Being newly wrapped up in Xcution, Ichigo Kurosaki (黒崎 一護) intends to get his Shinigami powers back by undergoing special training.

Many fans following Bleach Manga seem disappointed in Kubo's new approach, but unexplained secrets and plot holes can't be hidden forever. For starters, the conversation between Isshin Kurosaki (黒崎 一心) and Kisuke Urahara (浦原 喜助) is sure to set off a spark as if they are preparing a new shinigami (Bleach, chapter 448). Many believe it is Karin Kurosaki (黒崎 夏梨), since she has been visiting Urahara's candy store quite often recently. Anyway, let's just count on Kubo to bring back Bleach to where it needs to be soon (provided he does not plan to stall any further). It would be great if he can take us back to the TBTP arc after Urahara's exile.

Bleach fans: stay tuned.