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Plot Synopsis

The series begins in the human world, with the sudden entry of a stranger into Ichigo's bedroom. This stranger is Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper (in the Japanese version, a shinigami, literally God of Death). After an ensuing conversation, Ichigo and Rukia are forced into combat against a hollow (evil spirit). Rukia is disabled, and forced to transfer her power into Ichigo, transforming him into a Soul Reaver. As it turns out, Ichigo is very powerful, and even has a semi-unique zanpukat�? (sword that is his primary weapon, it is much larger than most). Ichigo makes quick work of the hollow, and Rukia leaves.

The next day, she shows up in his classroom, apparently a normal human student. It turns out that Ichigo has completely absorbed her abilities, and she must recover them by using a temporary human form, Gigai. It is later revealed that the Gigai she entered was specially designed by Urahara and given to her. In the mean-time, Ichigo must take over her job, cleansing the hollows in the region.

As Ichigo get involved in a closer friendship level to Rukia, Ichigo got more to know about Shinigami life and its issues.

Credits: niomea

Story & Characters

In our world, there exists two types of ghosts; the normal ghosts who are tied down to the world of living and the ones who devour them, also known as hollows. In order to maintain equilibrium, shinigami, or the god of death, vanquish lost souls and defeat hollows.

Kurosaki Ichigo, age 15, is about to have his life turned upside down. True, he has the inate, unusual ability to touch, see, and talk to ghosts, but fate throws him another twist when he encounters a hollow chasing a ghost. Before the moment of his demise, he is rescued by a shinigami who leaves withot saying another word. The same shinigami pays Ichigo a visit after detecting a strong spiritual power at his house. She introduces herself is Rukia Kuchiki after a surprisng realization that Ichigo has the ability to see and touch her. Rukia decides to place a demon art restraint on Ichigo after she finds him annoying, and their conversation is interupted by a hair-raising yell. When Rukia opens the door, she feels an immense spiritual power and Ichigo's sister on the floor. Ichigo breaks the restraint, much to Rukia's surpise, and lashes wildly at the hollow that is attacking his other sister and is saved by Rukia. Rukia transfers her shinigami powers to Ichigo in order to help save everyone. Thus, a new shinigami is born.

Rating

10 (excellent)

Art

Character design in Bleach is perhaps my favorite part of the series. Their are many facial expression in the series that help carry out the emotions that the characters are supposedly feeling. The CGing technique is somewhat unusual, kind of like a oil painting method (for all Photoshop junkies...It resembles the method of duplicating a layer, gussian blurring it,a nd setting the layer in overlay) although it's not like that 100% of the episode - just around fighting sequenec.

The character movement is also nice and fluid, especially the fighting sequences. One of my favorite part is how it shows the streaks of the shinigami sword, or soul cutter. The apparation and the disparation of the hollows when they are damaged also looks pretty cool, and the whole anime series carries a refreshing sense people who have kept up with the manga series.

Rating

10 (excellent)

Sound

In terms of the quality of the sound in Bleach, I cannot say much because the origional sound track has yet to come out. The opening. "Asterisk", is done by Orange Range while the ending, "Life is like a Boat" is done by Rie Fu, which may or may not interest some of you.

From what little I can gather from the two episodes that was released in the first two weeks of airing, the sound department does a good job of doing what it's suppose to do. Explosion, sword slashes, and soul burial magic - all works fine. The background music is quite creative in that it has hint of punk rock in it, although most of them are your average OST with not much special feel to it.

Voice acting is also well done, to an extent where it would please most of the devoted manga readers in that the characters sound like what they look like. Lots of emotion, and pleasant to the ear.

Rating

8 (good)

Presentation

All in all, Bleach is a very origional series that one can definitely look forward to as this year's top anime series. The story is very origional as it employs a relationship with a shinigami, which can be compared to the grim reaper in the European society and United States culture. As the series goes on, it discusses the real truth behind hollows and the society in which the ghosts are vanquished to, the Soul Society. Although the jokes in the manga are not carried well to the anime, many people will find the series funny with plenty of places to laugh at. With many plot twist coming toward to viewers, it is sure to please those who look for genre that include comedy, super power, school kids, and fighting.

All in all, presentation of Bleach is very promising. It is with no doubt one of the year's best series, and is recommend for anyone who is currently looking for a new worthy series to watch after finishing Fullmetal Alchemist or anything of sort.

Questions? Let me know. Find out more information at http://bleachtalk.com or http://bleachportal.com.

Rating

10 (excellent)

Final Verdict

9.67 (excellent)

Reviewed by sammo, 3y 46wk ago