BLEACH: MEMORIES OF NOBODY
July 24th 2009 00:18
Based on the original Bleach manga by: Tite Kubo
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Masashi Sogo
Producer: Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), G K Bowes (Senna), Michelle Ruff (Rukia Kuchiki), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Troy Baker (Ganryu), Karen Strassman (Soifon), Liam O’Brien (Captain Ukitake), Steve Staley (Toshiro Hitsugaya), Megan Hollingshead (Rangiku Matsumoto), Michael Lindsay (Urahara), Michael Sorich (Tessai), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu), Stephanie Sheh (Orihime), Jamieson Price (Chad), David Lodge (Kenpachi Zaraki), Steve Kramer (Captain Kyoraku), Dan Woren (Byakuya Kuchiki), Terrence Stone (Captain Mayori) Kyle Herbert (Bau), Benin (Wendee Lee) & Kate Higgins (Karin Kurosaki)
Produced by: TV Tokyo, Dentsu & Studio Pierrot
English version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 87 minutes Rating: M
The Concise Oxford Dictionary 5th Edition defines the word poignant as being something that can be moving or touching amongst its various meanings. No doubt you are all wondering what the heck is he doing reaching for such a weighty tome and beginning his review with a dictionary definition for. It’s simply this, I found this movie to be the first movie where I felt poignant was a truly apt word to use in describing it, not many films I have seen down through the years could I ever truly use the word poignant in describing them but this time around with Bleach: Memories of Nobody I felt definitively that it was a term that could be employed without hesitation, don’t get me wrong it isn’t a weepy movie, a chick flick or artsy fartsy kind of affair we are still dealing with high levels of mega carnage and action here people. But at the same time there is a distinct poignant component which gives the drama that added piquancy and this poignancy works so well, it’s so finely crafted that frankly I was awestruck.
If you haven’t already gathered by now I freaking enjoyed this film, and I wouldn’t say that I am a major Bleach fan, but after seeing the trailer for this film and then finally watching I have to say I was impressed. So much so that I bought the company…well no, the Lantern does not have those kinds of financial resources but the film was an enjoyable viewing experience. Let’s face it; the story has all the classical elements that are frankly archetypal, the beautiful girl taking hostage by an evil fallen prince, worlds in danger of imminent destruction, a hero who just will not go back on his word, loyal comrades who are willing to follow the hero into the very mouth of hell and full on in your face combat coupled with classy one liners that would have Arnie cracking a grin along with a few guffaws.
Yeah yeah Green Lantern, that’s all very fine and well but just what the heck is going on in this film? What is the story getting told here? Interestingly the makes behind this particular film have elected to tell as story that involves the characters of the Bleach universe and that said universe in a completely unrelated drama that has no connection to the manga or anime series. Why do that, I hear you ask, simply because it allows the film makers to get creative with what they can do in this particular fiction construct and the characters and locations that make up the key elements in this construct. The big flaw with this production is that it is very much a movie for fans, those who have never delved into either the manga or anime will probably wonder just what the heck is going on …or not as the case may be.
Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute soul reaper and his comrade in arms Rukia Kuchiki are going about business as normal within the world of the living. Said business usually consisting of disposing of any hollows roaming about the world of the living seeking to prey upon others or wholes. Hollows are essentially spirits who have become twisted and corrupted either via negative emotions or the actions of another hollow, wholes are those who have died but have failed to pass onto the afterlife, the world of the Soul Society. The two primary duties of a soul reaper is to perform konso, a simple ritual that allows a whole to pass onto the afterlife and to reap hollows, which in the case of hollows can cleanse them of any negative emotions and allow them to pass on or if they are too far gone it eliminates them and prevents them from continually preying on others.
It’s after disposing of a particular simian hollow and then performing konso on the soul it was seeking to prey upon that Ichigo and Rukia find things suddenly getting rather bizarre if not downright bent. Feeling the sudden presence of an unusual spiritual pressure the two rush to the site where this phenomena seems to be emanating from, there they encounter some rather unusual looking spirits as well as a Soul Reaper of distinctly unusual characteristics and abilities that neither of them knows, although in Ichigo’s case it wouldn’t be too hard for him not to have heard of a particular soul reaper as he’s only been on the gig for a short period of time. This rather spritely girl who goes by the moniker of Senna, is a complete unknown quantity as are the strange spirits that have suddenly manifested in downtown Karakura Town without as a so much as a by your leave.
As Sherlock Holmes would say “Watson the game’s afoot,” and certainly Rukia and Ichigo realise that they have gotten into something that stinks of potential crisis, especially when Rukia is unable to make contact with the Soul Society. What can possibly be happening? Well it seems like a scheme of revenge, years in the making is finally coming to fruition, one that will not only see the end of the Soul Society but the world of the living as well. The main antagonist, Ganryu, a former noble within the Soul Society who attempted millennia ago to stage a coup d’état, is playing for keeps and has decided to engage in a distinctly nihilistic plan. For some reason the mysterious young Soul Reaper Senna is somehow pivotal to his villainous machinations.
Of course Ganryu is a consummate swordsman and has loads of power to call upon along with various loyal minions who make up the Clan of Darkness, the exiled noble house who aided him all those years ago in his coup d’état, what he seems to be lacking in is the ability to realise that there just might be someone who can thwart his ambition, that someone being Ichigo. Regardless of whether it’s in anime, manga, comics, live action films or televisions all villains seem to have the flaw of believing their schemes are full proof and their enemies are dunces. Ganryu is no different; perhaps he has let his hatred blind him who knows? Still he wouldn’t be the first villain to let this happen and no doubt he won’t be the last. Certainly the story that makes the foundation of Bleach: Memories of Nobody is a true masterpiece, filled with the action. humour and drama any fan would expect from Bleach coupled with the elements of romance and pathos that just ratchet up the quality of storytelling that extra level.
Frankly as the final credits rolled on this feature I didn’t know whether to cry, cheer, laugh or do all three at the same time and this wasn’t because I was an a unfeeling sod but purely due to the fact that frankly I was blown away by the sheer scope and quality of the story. It touched me and I loved every single moment that unfolded, sitting before my laptop coming to empathise with the key protagonists, Ichigo, Rukia and Senna and even the antagonists which was unusual, as well as cheering when favourite supporting cast members showed up to wreak some carnage on the bad guys – have to say I am a fan of Kenpachi Zaraki, he’s cool. It’s always nice when you expect good things from a film and after watching it you find that your expectations were more than lived up to – such was the case with Bleach: Memories of Nobody. My advice, go out and track this flick down to watch, I believe it will be worth the effort if you enjoy this kind of drama.
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Masashi Sogo
Producer: Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), G K Bowes (Senna), Michelle Ruff (Rukia Kuchiki), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Troy Baker (Ganryu), Karen Strassman (Soifon), Liam O’Brien (Captain Ukitake), Steve Staley (Toshiro Hitsugaya), Megan Hollingshead (Rangiku Matsumoto), Michael Lindsay (Urahara), Michael Sorich (Tessai), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu), Stephanie Sheh (Orihime), Jamieson Price (Chad), David Lodge (Kenpachi Zaraki), Steve Kramer (Captain Kyoraku), Dan Woren (Byakuya Kuchiki), Terrence Stone (Captain Mayori) Kyle Herbert (Bau), Benin (Wendee Lee) & Kate Higgins (Karin Kurosaki)
English version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 87 minutes Rating: M
The Concise Oxford Dictionary 5th Edition defines the word poignant as being something that can be moving or touching amongst its various meanings. No doubt you are all wondering what the heck is he doing reaching for such a weighty tome and beginning his review with a dictionary definition for. It’s simply this, I found this movie to be the first movie where I felt poignant was a truly apt word to use in describing it, not many films I have seen down through the years could I ever truly use the word poignant in describing them but this time around with Bleach: Memories of Nobody I felt definitively that it was a term that could be employed without hesitation, don’t get me wrong it isn’t a weepy movie, a chick flick or artsy fartsy kind of affair we are still dealing with high levels of mega carnage and action here people. But at the same time there is a distinct poignant component which gives the drama that added piquancy and this poignancy works so well, it’s so finely crafted that frankly I was awestruck.
Yeah yeah Green Lantern, that’s all very fine and well but just what the heck is going on in this film? What is the story getting told here? Interestingly the makes behind this particular film have elected to tell as story that involves the characters of the Bleach universe and that said universe in a completely unrelated drama that has no connection to the manga or anime series. Why do that, I hear you ask, simply because it allows the film makers to get creative with what they can do in this particular fiction construct and the characters and locations that make up the key elements in this construct. The big flaw with this production is that it is very much a movie for fans, those who have never delved into either the manga or anime will probably wonder just what the heck is going on …or not as the case may be.
Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute soul reaper and his comrade in arms Rukia Kuchiki are going about business as normal within the world of the living. Said business usually consisting of disposing of any hollows roaming about the world of the living seeking to prey upon others or wholes. Hollows are essentially spirits who have become twisted and corrupted either via negative emotions or the actions of another hollow, wholes are those who have died but have failed to pass onto the afterlife, the world of the Soul Society. The two primary duties of a soul reaper is to perform konso, a simple ritual that allows a whole to pass onto the afterlife and to reap hollows, which in the case of hollows can cleanse them of any negative emotions and allow them to pass on or if they are too far gone it eliminates them and prevents them from continually preying on others.
It’s after disposing of a particular simian hollow and then performing konso on the soul it was seeking to prey upon that Ichigo and Rukia find things suddenly getting rather bizarre if not downright bent. Feeling the sudden presence of an unusual spiritual pressure the two rush to the site where this phenomena seems to be emanating from, there they encounter some rather unusual looking spirits as well as a Soul Reaper of distinctly unusual characteristics and abilities that neither of them knows, although in Ichigo’s case it wouldn’t be too hard for him not to have heard of a particular soul reaper as he’s only been on the gig for a short period of time. This rather spritely girl who goes by the moniker of Senna, is a complete unknown quantity as are the strange spirits that have suddenly manifested in downtown Karakura Town without as a so much as a by your leave.
As Sherlock Holmes would say “Watson the game’s afoot,” and certainly Rukia and Ichigo realise that they have gotten into something that stinks of potential crisis, especially when Rukia is unable to make contact with the Soul Society. What can possibly be happening? Well it seems like a scheme of revenge, years in the making is finally coming to fruition, one that will not only see the end of the Soul Society but the world of the living as well. The main antagonist, Ganryu, a former noble within the Soul Society who attempted millennia ago to stage a coup d’état, is playing for keeps and has decided to engage in a distinctly nihilistic plan. For some reason the mysterious young Soul Reaper Senna is somehow pivotal to his villainous machinations.
Of course Ganryu is a consummate swordsman and has loads of power to call upon along with various loyal minions who make up the Clan of Darkness, the exiled noble house who aided him all those years ago in his coup d’état, what he seems to be lacking in is the ability to realise that there just might be someone who can thwart his ambition, that someone being Ichigo. Regardless of whether it’s in anime, manga, comics, live action films or televisions all villains seem to have the flaw of believing their schemes are full proof and their enemies are dunces. Ganryu is no different; perhaps he has let his hatred blind him who knows? Still he wouldn’t be the first villain to let this happen and no doubt he won’t be the last. Certainly the story that makes the foundation of Bleach: Memories of Nobody is a true masterpiece, filled with the action. humour and drama any fan would expect from Bleach coupled with the elements of romance and pathos that just ratchet up the quality of storytelling that extra level.
Frankly as the final credits rolled on this feature I didn’t know whether to cry, cheer, laugh or do all three at the same time and this wasn’t because I was an a unfeeling sod but purely due to the fact that frankly I was blown away by the sheer scope and quality of the story. It touched me and I loved every single moment that unfolded, sitting before my laptop coming to empathise with the key protagonists, Ichigo, Rukia and Senna and even the antagonists which was unusual, as well as cheering when favourite supporting cast members showed up to wreak some carnage on the bad guys – have to say I am a fan of Kenpachi Zaraki, he’s cool. It’s always nice when you expect good things from a film and after watching it you find that your expectations were more than lived up to – such was the case with Bleach: Memories of Nobody. My advice, go out and track this flick down to watch, I believe it will be worth the effort if you enjoy this kind of drama.
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