Monday 21 September 2015

ANIME BOX SET REVIEW: BLEACH COMPLETE SERIES 14


Bleach Complete Series 14
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 582 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 2.0
Aspect Ratio: 16.9
Release Date: Out Now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes


Synopsis: While other squad members are being healed in a barrier, the rest of the captains and lieutenants are left to take Aizen down. Though Ichigo is strong, he has to get much strongeer if he wants to face Aizen. Gin makes an appearance to try and undermine Ichigo's resolve, but can Ichigo and the remaining squad members defeat the evil coming their way?

Review: As Ichigo has been training with his father, Isshin to open his new power via Tensa Zangetsu, the Soul Reaper captains and lieutenants all feel they have an equal stake in the fight against Aizen, even the Vizards, Shinji being the one who felt most betrayed by him back in the Pendulum Arc. Captain Komamura and Lieutenant Hisagi go up against former Captain Tosen, convinced they might have a chance of winning him around to their side again, Captain Hitsugaya; distressed and angry about Momo being there in the thick of battle wants to kill Aizen most of all as Aizen knows his weakness - that Hitsugaya has fallen in love with her. Momo, however is still in love with Aizen, despite all he has done to her. Such is the power of his Kyoka Suigetsu (Complete Hypnosis.)

In the earlier arc, viewers have gone from seeing the Soul Reapers fighting the minor Arrancars, then the mighty Espadas and now the kingpin, Aizen being one of the only ones left, and as Hitsugaya realises is more powerful than they first thought. His flash step is far superior to anyone else, he has a protection jewel on his back so sneak attacks don't work on him and he has a lot more up his sleeve than even viewers could have known. He has an over inflated sense of ego, but a need to fight someone as capable and powerful as he. Ichigo's friends are also in great danger, as Karakura Town is being slowly destroyed. Their only faith is that Ichigo can end the war between them and Aizen. Just about everyone has their own reason for hating Aizen. Hitsugaya hatees him for wounding and nearly killing Momo, Shinji for turning him into a Vizard and Captain Komamura for him encouraging Captain Tosen to leave the Soul Society.

The addition of characters such as Isshin, Urahara and Don Kanonji creats an arc that many will be sorry it has come to an end, but I am sure it won't be the last we will see of Aizen as he's such a strong character we have come to love as a baddie.


Episodes: 292 - 316

Number of Discs: 5.

Packaging/Box Quality: Strong box cover with three separate boxes inside. The front cover features Captain Hitsugaya cut down by a mysterious attacker while his bankai shatters before him. The image is colourful with a mix of contrasting blues, whites and yellows, while the back cover has movie film strip style images of the various characters from the anime above. On the bottom left, another mysterious character wields his zanpakuto. On the bottom right, is the info on the box set along with the tag line: 'Revelations: Victory or Betrayal?'

Animation Quality: As I have read the manga of this as well, I can say with confidence that the animators have successfully captured the likenesses of the characters from the anime, especially Aizen, Gin, Momo and Hitsugaya. This is mainly animation coupled occasionally with CGI. The flames from the ring of fire that was around Aizen, Gin and Tosen looks real as does the heat that comes from it.

Sound Quality: Great on both the Japanese Subtitles and English Dubbing.


Collectors' Cards/ Episode Booklet: Episode Booklet for all episodes in this series.



Bonus Material: Clean Opening and Closing Animations, Mini Episodes and Trailers for other anime series.


Verdict: The survival of the Soul Society is in Ichigo's hands - this is the final part of the Fall of the Arrancar Arc - enjoy, it's going to be a fierce fight!

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