Bleach: Fall of the Arrancar Part 1

“The only reason I have to fight is because I have to win!” Ichigo to Ulquiorra

Series 13 Episodes 266-278

Things don’t look too good for Orihime. Left a prisoner in Las Noches in the care of Ulquiorra – the cold Espada with the face of a beautiful but  unfeeling pierrot – she knows now that Lord Aizen no longer has any use for her; she is expendable. But when Ichigo – at long last! – reaches her and challenges Ulquiorra he is pushed to his limits and beyond. For Ulquiorra reveals that not only does he possess a First Resureccion, he has what no other Espada possesses: a Second Resurreccion which is so unimaginably powerful that he has to go above the canopy of Las Noches to release it so as not to cause utter devastation.

The narrative switches from Ichigo’s life-or-death duel to save Orihime in Las Noches (interspersed with glimpses of the struggles of Rukia, Chad, Uryuu and Renji against a never-ending stream of Hollow adversaries) to the ongoing battle in the world of the living. It’s up to the Soul Reapers to try to defeat the remaining Espadas – and they’re having trouble holding their own against such powerful opponents. Young Captain Hitsugaya is struggling as he faces the redoutable Halibel, the only female espada. Even the redoutable Soi Fon is in desperate straits. Just when it seems as if they might have a chance against Aizen’s formidable Arrancars, another rift opens up in the sky and an unexpected figure appears: Wonderweiss, the childlike and strange Arrancar created by Aizen using the Hogyoku. What does this mean? 

Bleach is back on track! There’s some truly striking imagery to be found here in Ichigo’s desperate battle against Ulquiorra to save Orihime; the combatants’ figures silhouetted against the stark landscape of Las Noches or the white curve of the crescent moon, only to be irradiated by the bolts of deadly green fire that Ulquiorra utilizes as his Cero – or the red fury of Ichigo’s response? After countless episodes of predictable fights in Bleach, the pacing of this grim duel to the death is so much tighter and, as a result, genuinely exciting. There’s even some new music from Shiro Sagisu – yes, some new music! – which helps to darken and intensify the mood.

It’s not all about Ichigo, either. The encounter between Captain Shunsui Kyoraku (Akio Ootsuki/Steve Kramer)  and Coyote Stark (Rikiya Koyama /Keith Silverstein), the most laid-back Espada of them all, provides a different kind of suspense as two of the coolest dudes in the Bleach universe cross swords.

Bleach has spent so much time joking around  that it’s quite exhilarating to find these episodes taking a darker tone. Not that humour is a bad thing in shounen series and the little gag series at the end of each episode such as the Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers are irreverent fun but, let’s face it, Kon can be incredibly irritating.

The actors in both Japanese and US voice casts are so at home now in their roles that –whichever version you opt for – you’ll be assured of convincing performances and an entertaining experience. Tony Oliver stands out as the cold and unfeeling Ulquiorra who is constantly seeking to understand what it means to have a heart.  Stephanie Sheh is particularly affecting as Orihime, who, forced to endure an impossible ordeal, has somehow managed to retain her poise, compassion and dignity – until the moment when Ichigo is struck down by Ulquiorra. Neither Orihime nor Ichigo can possibly hope to come away from this nightmare unscathed – or unchanged. Could it be that Tite Kubo is offering something that’s rare but greatly prized in shounen manga/anime: genuine character development?

The new and lively Opening is “chAngE” by miwa (eps 266-291) with visual hints in the animation of future developments. The fun Ending is “Stay Beautiful” by DIGGY-MO’ which plays over a series of drawings re-imagining the cast, Espadas, Visored and all, in the USA. Karaoke versions of these songs are the only extras.

Bleach fans will welcome a return to form – and to the main story. And for casual viewers, it’s worth pointing out that the first episode in this set provides a handy summary of all that’s led up to this moment in the story. Which should make everyone happy.

8 / 10

Sarah

Sarah's been writing about her love of manga and anime since Whenever - and first started watching via Le Club Dorothée in France...

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