Review by Josh

Covering episodes 21 through 24, this Bleach DVD release is hard to pass up. Ichigo and his quirky group of schoolmates-turned-dimension traveling super-power warriors have made it into the Soul Society to rescue their death-sentenced friend Rukia Kuchiki. Wait, did I say warriors; these high schoolers have a long way to go before they can save anyone. Honestly, I didn’t mean to rip off that line from Avatar. Back on topic!

Ichigo Kurosaki is joined by Yasutora Sado (Chad), Orihime Inoue, Uryū Ishida, and Yoruichi Shihouin. The headstrong attack first ask questions later Ichigo is offset by Chad, the typical quiet and secluded yet “I’ll kill you if you hurt my best friend” 6′6″ high schooler. Orihime is the scatterbrained but lovable girl with mysterious healing powers; she’ll do anything for Ichigo, but is often cast aside for Rukia, reducing Orihime’s purpose to a pleasant large-breasted companion. Ishida has no binding connections to any of his schoolmates or Rukia, yet agrees to join the rescue simply to subside his uppity hatred for Shinigami (Soul Reapers or Death Gods). Yoruichi leads this pack as a transforming cat, her past kept discreet.

In an idiotic attempt to quickly and literally run into Seireitei, the center of Soul Society and the home of nobles and Shinigami, Ichigo triggers an alarm, bringing down a gigantic protective wall and the Gate Keeper Jidanbō. After quickly defeating Jidanbō with his newfound fighting experience, Ichigo again blindly stumbles into a bad spot, Gin Ichimaru, Captain of Squad 3. Lucky to retain their lives, Ichigo and his friends retreat; Yoruichi has foreseen this obstacle and leads them to an acquaintance who can help break them into Seireitei, by blowing them through with a cannon of course! They better hurry though, Rukia’s execution date has just been moved up, only 14 days left!

Bleach DVD #6 is the beginning to one of the best story arcs in anime I have ever seen. Unlike most shounen anime, fights in the Bleach Soul Society arc are fast-paced, loaded with substance and never dull. Important scenes are rarely tarnished by crude and unneeded humor or repetitiveness.

Animation and coloring is modern, pleasant, but nothing to harp about; consistency in proportions on the other hand is nowhere to be found. One moment Orihime is petite and busty, the next her arms are grossly elongated or she looks as tall as Chad. Music in the Bleach series is normally top-notch, unfortunately it just didn’t put me in the mood of the story and action with this release. Episodes 22 and 23 have a rather drawn out filler-esque comedy scene with boar-riding idiots, but it doesn’t detract from the entire release.

Extras included in the Bleach DVD #6 include production art and a clean ending. I recommend this particular release to any Bleach or general shounen anime fan; episode 21 begins the story arc, so this is a great DVD even for those unversed in the series. In general, I recommend the series, both anime and manga, to everyone.