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Series: Bleach – Series 06: Part 02
UK Release date: 13th June 2011
Distributor: Manga
Certificate: 15
Running time: 100 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Genre: Anime
Format: DVD
Country of Production: Japan
Language: Japanese
Review by: Kevin Ilett
The sixth series of the epic action fantasy anime series Bleach is named “The Arrancar”. Directed by Noriyuko Abe and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu and Studio Pierrot, the series’ twenty-two episodes are based on Tite Kubo’s Bleach manga series. The series covers chapters 183-229 of the original manga. Bleach is known as Shonen anime, aimed at young males between 10 and 18 years, with an emphasis on action-oriented male camaraderie and battle. This volume, Series 06: Part 2, covers the second half of series 6, episodes #121 (‘Clash! The Protector vs. The Bearer’) through to episode #131 (‘Rangiku's Tears, The Sorrowful Parting Of Brother And Sister’). Series 6 originally aired in Japan all the way back in 2007, and the UK is gradually catching up with this new release through Manga Entertainment.
In the highly developed and complex mythology of Bleach, there is the real world and there is the Soul Society, an afterlife world where departed souls dwell. Within this world lies the Shinigami, or Soul Reapers, enforcers of the Soul Society with special powers. The Shinigami’s arch-enemies are the Hollow, corrupted and evil spirits borne from deceased human souls. For one reason or another, these souls have not passed over to Soul Society and they devour the souls of living and deceased humans. Bleach’s long-term hero protagonist is Ichigo Kurosaki (voiced by Masakazu Morita), a human teenager gifted with the ability to see spirits. Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, and an important individual in the Shinigami’s struggle against the Hollow.
The second half of series 6 involves the ongoing development of a war between the Soul Reapers and the Arrancar. This group are Hollows who have removed their masks and gained Shinigami-like powers. They are led by the sinister and brilliant Sōsuke Aizen (Shō Hayami).
After a close battle with the Arrancar, Ichigo tracks down another faction called the Visored, ex-Shinigami who have acquired Hollow powers. The Visored help Ichigo control his inner Hollow, through a series of battles, whilst his companions start spiritual and physical training for the war ahead.
The final four episodes focus on a somewhat irrelevant subplot involving the Soul Reapers Rangiku and Hitsugaya, a mysterious singing Arrancar and a puzzling lost child, Shōta Toyokawa…
This release will please fans of the series, but would certainly not be recommended for those uninitiated into the dense and fantastical world of Bleach. Over the years, the franchise has developed a giant, sprawling and wildly complex storyline, creating an entire universe of different characters, traditions, histories, wars, politics and peoples. Manga creator Tite Kubo and anime director Noriyuko Abe have created an entire mythology, with its own language, its own codes and its own hardcore followers. The action found in this volume is fast, loud and intense, but is intermixed with surreal asides, wacky humour and inventive, involving animation which should appeal to all audiences.
The initial story arc of Series 06: Part 02, involving Ichigo’s dealings with the Visored, is undoubtedly the set’s most interesting and absorbing feature. Whilst aimed at boys and teenagers, Bleach should be praised for its complexities and its shades of grey regarding the morals and intentions of its various groups of characters. The Visored are a perfect example of this ambiguity. Supposedly outlawed traitors to the Shinigami and denizens of Soul Society, the Visored initially come across as untrustworthy, possibly in league with the bad guys, but the story eschews such a simple formulation. Led by the powerful yet quite dandyish Shinji (Masaya Onosaka), the colourful gang have different motivations.
The Visored’s character design is great fun, with each member of the gang distinct and intriguing visually, and the characterisation dripping with humour – both dry and madcap – and pathos. Over the course of five or so episodes, the dynamic between Ichigo (a rather bland and self-indulgent protagonist) and the mysterious group shifts entertainingly. At first, Ichigo tries to force the knowledge of how to control his inner-Hollow out of the group through battle, but soon realises his mistake. Shinji, along with the feisty and hilarious Hiyori (Reiko Takagi) agree to help Ichigo their way, by forcing him to ride an exercise bike for days on end in order to see how much spiritual energy he holds. Ichigo must then enter his subconscious and battle his inner demons, whilst the Visored, in a dazzling sequence of action scenes, must fight the deranged and powerful version of Ichigo in the real world.
This arc aside, Series 6 Part 2 feels somewhat stop-gap. Great battles and storylines have passed, and a great war is building between the Soul Reapers, the Visored and the Arrancar, but one must wait to have his fill. This series of episodes helps to build the scene, and gradually develop the already convoluted storyline further. Bleach’s greatest flaw, however, is its overuse of internal jargon and terminology, with each fighting technique and special power holding many special names and being referred to constantly with little explanation.
Often watching Bleach feels like being smacked over the head by a hyperactive child with a very developed imagination. Despite these reservations, the voice talent is enthusiastic, the artwork varied and impressive and the tone, whilst lurching rather oddly from serious action to bizarre humour, is dark and distinct. This set plays its part in an epic story, but greater treasures lie ahead. KI
Series: Bleach - Series 06: Part 01
Release date: 11th April 2011
Certificate: 12
Running time: 250 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Fumiko Orikasa, Masakazu Morita, Hiroki Yasumoto, Kentarou Itou, Noriaki Sugiyama
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Series 06: Part 01 of the highly successful Bleach anime arrives on DVD. Among the collection of hugely popular Shonen Jump magazine anime adaptations (which also includes Dragon Ball, Naruto, Death Note and One Piece), this set of Bleach episodes (110 through to 120) continues the story of Ichigo Kurosaki and his role as a Soul Reaper.
Beginning the Arrancar story arc, Ichigo and his friends have returned to a relatively normal life. But when the mysterious Shinji Hirako enrols at Ichigo’s school, Ichigo is offered to join a group known as the Visoreds, who can produce Hollow masks willingly like Ichigo has done in the past.
Ichigo declines, but this isn’t the only problem he has to face. The Arrancars – a group with the powers of both Soul Reapers and Hollows - have set their sights on Ichigo. Reunited with his friend and fellow Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki, along with a whole team of Soul Reapers, Ichigo begins his fight against the Arrancars and their leader – the former Soul Society captain Sōsuke Aizen...
For an anime that’s so popular, it’s incredibly difficult to determine just exactly what Bleach is – one minute it’s attempting to be a semi-series supernatural fighting anime, the next it’s a school-life comedy. It’s like two completely different sides to the same coin, and the two just don’t seem to integrate at all, making it seem like two completely different things spliced together into one incoherent mess. The change between them is so sudden that’s it’s impossible to fully appreciate either, and worse still the comedy side of Bleach always returns to spoil the more serious aspect of the series. Initially, it doesn’t seem like there are any sombre moments, where at least one character isn’t providing some sort of comedy relief, and this is very distracting from any build up that these episodes are trying to achieve.
As the Arrancars are properly introduced and the reapers from the Soul Society are brought back into the story, the plot does improve, but even then it is still riddled with faults. Towards the end of the set, when reaper Ikkaku Madarame enters a climatic face off against Arrancar Edorad, the season has its first epic fight sequence, and for the first time it’s clear why Bleach has achieved the popularity it has. The weapons and power ups are outlandish, the dialogue loud, and the fight itself well and imaginatively done. Despite these elements being a staple in a lot of similar anime series’, Bleach still manages to keep its own unique spin on these things. But as episode 118 draws to a close, after a highly satisfying beginning to the fight and leaving the audience with a cliff hanger that’ll certainly leave you wanting more, the following episode chooses to ignore the conclusion almost entirely. Instead, we’re treated to Ikkaku’s back-story, which at any other time may have been interesting, but at this stage in the story only serves to ruin any tension the previous episode built up. When the fight is finally concluded, it is given a mere five minutes focus – just to make sure that not only have you lost interest in it by that stage, but it’s also anticlimactic.
The dialogue is equally as difficult to get to grips with – chock-full of confusing terms and complicated attack names (which are shouted out in the traditional anime style). There are many times where the exposition that precedes the following episode makes more sense than the episodes themselves. Despite this, there are a few notable performances, particularly from popular seiyū Nobuyuki Hiyama (Gurren Lagann, The King Of Braves GaoGaiGar) in his role as Soul Society reaper Ikkaku Madarame and Daisuke Namikawa as antagonist and Arrancar Ulquiorra Schiffer.
The music is one of Bleach’s saving graces. The opening track – ‘Rolling Star’ by J-pop singer/songwriter Yui (who is also responsible for the first opening theme to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) - is an excellent song, which is followed by many strong pieces of background music (particularly in episodes 114 and 116). Its closing theme – ‘Cherry Blossom Weather’ by Mai Hoshimura - is a more sombre piece, which, on many occasions, unintentionally fits the disappointing aura of the episode that has preceded it.
Already at over 300 episodes in Japan, Series 06: Part 01 only serves to show that Bleach passed its sell by date long ago. Bland, generic and ultimately boring, this set will only appease the biggest of Bleach fans and entice them into buying the following set – which may or may not deliver the action that this one failed to deliver. AJ
It's back to high school and Hollow slaying for Ichigo Kurosaki, who is now officially recognized as a Substitute Soul Reaper by the Soul Society.
On the day he returns to Karakura First High School, Ichigo meets an unusual new student named Shinji Hirako. Meanwhile, Uryu is attacked by a Menos Grande and is saved by his father, Ryuken. Ryuken defeats the Menos with a single attack. He tells Uryu that he can help him regain his powers but only under Ryuken's conditions.
This release marks the beginning of the unbelieveable ‘Arrancar’ story arc and the burgeoning war between the Soul Reapers and the titular Arrancar led by the former Soul Reaper captain.
Series: Bleach - Series 06: Part 01
Release date: 11th April 2011
Certificate: 12
Running time: 250 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Fumiko Orikasa, Masakazu Morita, Hiroki Yasumoto, Kentarou Itou, Noriaki Sugiyama
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
The complete fifth season of the Japanese anime following the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts who finds himself locked in battle with the evil spirits known as Bounts.
After Ichigo has been officially recognized as a Substitute Soul Reaper, Karakura Town finds itself under threat from Visoreds, a group of ex-Soul Reapers that have crossed over into the realm of the Hollows.
Series: Bleach: Complete Series 5
Release date: 20th December 2010
Certificate: 15
Running time: 445 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Masakazu Morita, Fumiko Orikasa, Yuki Matsuoka, Hiroki Yasumoto
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Series: Bleach: Series 05: Part 02
Release date: 1st November 2010
Certificate: 15
Running time: 199 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Masakazu Morita, Fumiko Orikasa, Yuki Matsuoka
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Bleach has long been considered a huge success in manga entertainment. The franchise which grew out of a publication in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2001 has now expanded to encompassing volumes of graphic novels, an animated series, video games, seven rock musicals, three films and two video animations. The series of Bleach is now on its 47th volume and has produced 293 episodes over fourteen seasons. Cartoon Network’s airing of Bleach brought the show to a whole new audience around the world.
Bleach chronicles the adventures of teenage boy Ichigo Kurosaki who accidentally obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper, which are similar to that of the grim reaper. His new role means, along with being an average teenager, he must now save humans from evil spirits (hollows) and help the deceased pass through to the afterlife. He joins the ranks of other Soul Reapers who regularly fight evil spirits that put humankind in danger.
Series 5, subtitled ‘The Assault’, focuses on the invasion of the Soul Society - home of the Soul Reapers - by the Bount, vampire-like soul sucking humans that consume souls to extend their lives. The powerful Bount have arrived at the gates ready to destroy the Soul Reapers. Armed with their fearsome ‘dolls’, and powerful from gorging on souls, they present a worrying challenge. The battle must commence between the two groups, and the duels will last for the whole season. The question is will the Soul Reapers’ Zanpakuto swords give them the power to overcome these fearsome foes, or will the Bounts be victorious and destroy the Soul Society?
Bleach utilises many different influences, from classical literature to architecture and rock music. The world of the Soul Reapers becomes a battleground in this series, and the staging of each of these duels is a juxtaposition of classic and modern Japanese architecture. With so much of the action being focused around these individual battles, the visual landscape which surrounds them often pales in comparison to the action. But the landscape proves an important part of creating the atmosphere of the show.
The characters of Bounts and Soul Reapers create an interesting dynamic. The Bounts as vampiric soul eating humans speaks to the current media trends. The prevalence toward vampire narratives in entertainment like Twilight, Vampire Diaries, etc., is illustrative of the resurgence in popularity of this idea. The inclusion of a vampiric element in these episodes will no doubt quench the thirst of any monster lovers in the audience.
The characters are quite formulaic for anime, with the season firmly focused on battles and less on character development or an overarching narrative - the show has a good pace but there is nothing new brought to the characters. The character of Ichigo again has to deal with the constant pressure of taking on the role of Soul Reaper as a teenage boy. As his acquiring of the skills was accidental, the pressure upon him to protect the Soul Society and try and live up to his role as a Soul Reaper is dealt with again - although rather unsuccessfully - here.
The comedic escape is brought through the modified souls. The modified souls were created by the Soul Society in an experiment to reanimate dead bodies. With the moral ramifications of this being so pertinent they were destroyed - apart from four, who were housed in plushies along with their powers. The plushies are literally odd looking plush toys which are able to talk and move. The modified souls can move outside of these forms. The most prevalent of them is Kon the lion. As a character, its role is a welcome distraction from the sometimes overbearing fight scenes. Kon and the other modified souls are often found in their plushie form on the soul reapers shoulders. They are the voices of humour. They often criticise their soul reapers and make jokes at their expense, adding a welcome sense of humour to the seriousness of the reapers and the drama of the season.
The show has four pieces of theme music which change as the season progresses. The music is extremely catchy, and changes from very upbeat pop music to Japanese punk rock. The idea of this is unsurprising as the show has spawned many soundtrack albums and seven musicals. The show has also been used previously as a vehicle to showcase new music and bands. The use of such a wide variety of upbeat catchy music instantly draws the audience in by allowing them to sing-along with riotously upbeat music, often in direct juxtaposition to the action of the show.
This second instalment of series five sees Bleach move into a different direction. The formulaic coming of age narrative has been replaced by a duel orientated war between the Soul Reapers and Bounts. Occasionally, this becomes too overbearing, and often the rest of the story comes second to the duels. This is a shame because there is a lot of very interesting plot devices used in the show. Many of the character’s dolls and zanpakuto swords draw on Japanese history and myths which goes unaddressed often at the expense of any real cohesive narrative.
Bleach - Series 5: Part 2 continues to chronicle the long battle. Those with a penchant for Dragonball Z and other fight based anime won’t be disappointed, but it’s pretty hard going for newcomers and those looking for a decent story. DHA
Series: Bleach: Series 05: Part 01
Release date: 30th August 2010
Certificate: 12
Running time: 199 mins
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Masakazu Morita, Fumiko Orikasa, Yuki Matsuoka
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
The first part of Bleach season five arrives on DVD, bringing with it more of the animated chaos, pseudo-spiritualism and complex mythology that has gained it an eager and ever-growing fan base.
Ichigo continues his role of Soul Reaper, but this time an evil pack of renegades have broken into the Soul Societies’ inner sanctum, bringing with them a tidal-wave of violence . The ability of the group to hide their own ‘Soul-pressure’ renders them invisible to the high-ranking reapers detection making their presence all the more dangerous.
Soon after the initial breach of the cities walls, the renegades seriously injure one of our main protagonists. As the battle between good and evil mounts, vengeance becomes involved in the mix. But it soon becomes clear that the seemingly endless battles are actually a distraction for an impending terrorist attack.
Amongst all the ancient feuding and political friction, there is a magical race of stuffed animals who are used to detect ‘Soul Pressure’. As well as providing some of the comic relief of the series in season five, they start to become fully-fleshed characters of their own, with the protective bird creature, perverted lion and sarcastic green faced man each taking it in turns to help, distract and amuse our main group of heroes…
It is important whilst watching Bleach to note just how astonishingly popular the series is. In the United States, it is rated as one of the top ten most popular anime series’, and, in its native Japan, the manga, on which this is based, sold over sixty-one-million copies.
In the original season, Ichigo was thrown into battle with a horde of demons, giving its audience a new demented enemy every week. The popularity of the show was simple; it worked on the same level as a freak-show. People would tune in looking for the latest unsettling monstrosity and sit back as it was punished and contained by the forces of good. But that simple structure has now been replaced with an ever more complicated series of narrative arcs, which stem from the characters and their placing in the imagined hierarchy of the afterlife. This would be welcome if the characters provided were as fascinating as the demonic entities they faced. But the simple truth of the matter is they are not.
The plot is too familiar, too clichéd to engage. As the endless dialogue clunks on, it leaves you rolling your eyes and sighing loudly, wishing the writers had been brave enough to bestow us with something resembling originality.
But in fairness maybe what a crowd are really looking for here is kinetic battle sequences rather than a cerebral, or indeed comprehendible, plot. Baring in mind just how popular this show is, it still manages to looks amazingly cheap, visually unappealing and hugely uninteresting. The fight sequences consist of large light orbs firing randomly, characters moving very quickly, and not a lot else. They contain none of the spark or energy needed to keep you on the edge of your seat - it is, most of the time, difficult to figure out who you are meant to be rooting for, and when you do, it is even harder to care. In a seeming attempt to make sure the audience gain as little enjoyment from these events as is possible, they will grind to halt for some more clunky dialogue and failed attempts at wit. Which leads us to the subject of comic relief.
In a blatant attempt to create more merchandise, the heroes are all teamed with a set of annoying stuffed animal creations that, we are left to presume, are meant to be funny. But this attempt at humour is nothing more than an increasingly offensive assault. If the idea of a sexually-aggressive lion stalking woman and ogling their breasts is funny then so be it, but the rest of this ‘cute’ mob spend the rest of the show squawking loudly or just getting in the way. When they appear on the screen, usually in scenes that are quite separate from the larger storyline, they stop all plot-progression and just make for a show that is tonally messy, part ineffective drama, part un-amusing farce
This is for the converts only. Its huge cult-following masks a show that overindulges in cliché, leaving no space for originality, interesting characters or a drop of humanity. Cold, ineffective and wildly incomprehensible. AC
