Bleach

I first saw the Bleach manga, and I was absolutely trapped by the story, mixture of Saint Seiya, Dragon Ball, Samurai 7; even though Bleach has a signature of its own.

Usually, when I watch an anime AFTER I read the manga, I get a little bit disappointed, because of poor animation, misplaced character voice acting, etc. But Bleach, far from letting me down, got me even more hooked to the story.

Kurosaki Ichigo, a middle-schooler from Karakura Town, has a very rare ability: he can see dead people. This ability will find itself enhanced one night that Ichigo accidentally meets Kuchiki Rukia, a Shinigami (Death God). Rukia, as all other Shinigamis, dedicates her time to slay Hollows, monsters that devour human souls. Just watch the first chapter... you'll get hooked right away.

Here's a little thing you should know. Bleach manga writer, Kubo Tite, is still drawing Bleach. So the story is not over. So, how does this affect the anime? Bleach, starting in chapter 63 or so, begins what is commonly known as a "filler": chapters on the anime that are not drawn in the manga, created with the sole purpose of giving the author time to finish the manga.

Bleach's filler is... um... not so good. At least, not as good as the non-filler anime. You can watch it, but it will not add much to the real story. The real "second season" of Bleach comes around the 105th episode or so. And it absolutely, definitely, seriously, no-kidding-around-on-this-one, ROCKS!!

The only thing I have against Bleach, and so I put a 9 Vote to it, is that I don't like long series, such as Naruto or One Piece. In fact, I don't watch either, but Bleach, I'll watch it until it ends, because it is seriously worth it. Trust me, it's great.

For anyone who enjoys action anime, this is the stuff to watch. Bleach revolves around Kurosaki Ichigo, a regular always-grouchy high-schooler who for some strange reason is able to see the souls of the dead around him. Although they are not usually dangerous, there are some called 'hollows' that aim to eat the regular ones, and on one fateful night, his entire family is put in danger by them. A death god, Kuchiki Rukia, happens to be there to battle these creatures, and after a dangerous mistake she is forced to give her powers to Ichigo in order to defeat the monster.

Henceforth, Ichigo has to take over her duties as a death god, protecting good spirits and other humans from hollows. The action in this series is stylish and fast paced, and the story line has you wanting more almost every episode. Ichigo is funny because of his ever-grouchy personality, and his friends are just as hilarious in their own way.

If you watch any anime at all this year, make Bleach number 1 on that list.

I can't remember when I started watching Bleach, I was suddenly hooked. I started at like, episode 30 and had no clue what was going on. After about two episodes, I decided to watch them online in a English sub-titled version. I'm not a fan of English dubs, either. I watch Bleach all the time, it's really addicting Bleach is about this kid, Ichigo. 15, currently in High-School. He's been able to see ghosts ever since he could remember. Rukia, a death-god suddenly appears one day. She gets wounded trying to protect Ichigo and transfers most of her power to him.

It has a lot of action, comedy, and a bit of drama. Great show for teenagers, or even older than that.

If you are looking to enjoy anime you should watch it without Filler.

So it's finally hit the US shores. Bleach. What is Bleach exactly? In simple turns it's Yu Yu Hakusho meets 7 Samurai, except substitute the 7 for a much much larger number. The story revolves around 15 year old Ichigo Kurosaki who seems to able to see dead people, except he's not as emo as that 6th Sense Kid. By a chance encounter he meets Rukia who is a Soul Reaper, or to the old fans "shinigami". She cannot be seen by humans, but strangely enough Ichigo and can see her and even touch her. After being completely knocked to the ground she strangely stares at Ichigo surprised and bewildered. Her job is to send souls that are worthy to the "Soul Society" which is a much much less divine heaven. She must also battle and defeat Hollows which are evil souls that have gone astray. A bit much? Not really, this is just the basis of the series but after episode 14 or 15 I guarantee you the excitement factor will jump through the roof. I am glad to say that Cartoon Network kept the original intro Asterisk by Orange Range, same with the ending credits. Bleach has always had the great music w/ the fashionable intros. Overall it's a mystic story with a modern day twist and am sure it'll appeal to anyone any age. The voice acting is on par and decided to use Johnny Yong Bosch, you may remember him as the Black Power Ranger or as Vash the Stampede's voice. Overall I don't see any major problems, good clean fun and clear skies ahead. Let's just hope they don't dumb down Bleach like they did Naruto. So here's to Bleach and it's successful first run on US soil..

ps I'm surprised they kept in the word "Zanpakutou", that's a very good sign.