BLEACH – THE ASSAULT (VOLUME 25)
August 26th 2010 06:57
Based on the original Bleach manga by: Tite Kubo
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Masahi Sogo et al
Producers: Shunji Aoki (TV Tokyo), Yukio Yoshimura & Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), Troy Baker (Jin Kariya), Jamieson Price (Chad), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu Ishida), Brian Beacock (Yumichika Ayesagawa), Steve Kramer (Shunsui Kyoraku), Kate Higgins (Retsu Unohana), Stephanie Sheh (Isane Kotetsu/Yoshi), Megan Hollingshead (Rangiku Matsumoto/Nemu Kurotsuchi), Terrence Stone (Mayuri Kurotsuchi), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Richard Epcar (Koga), Julie Ann Taylor (Lirin), Roger Craig Smith (Noba), Michael McConnohie (Kurodo), Bob Joles (Genryusai Yamamoto), Liam O’Brien (Junshiro Ukitake), Steve Staley (Toshiro Hitsugaya/Shuhei Hisagi), Keith Silverstein (Mabashi), Kirsten Potter (Ran’tao), J B Blanc (Sajin Komamura), Vic Mignonga (Ikkaku Madarame), David Lodge (Kenpachi Zaraki), Stevie Bloch (Yachiru Kusajishi), Karen Strassman (Soi Fon/Dalk), Grant George (Izuru Kira), Quinton Flynn (Kon) & Joe J Thomas (Sawatari)
English Version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 100 minutes Rating: PG
Well the Seireitei has been breached by the Bounts, they are now well and truly in the seat of power that is the heart of Soul Society and seems there is very little that the Soul Reapers can do against these strange ryoka. Does this mean the end for the Soul Society? Does this mean defeat for Ichigo and his friends who have taken great efforts and suffered much pain in order to try and stop the Bounts and their urbane, sinister leader Jin Kariya? You I came across this particular DVD volume as a matter of one of those lucky coincidences, or as Qui-Gon Jinn would say, vergences in the force perhaps. I wandered into the local outlet of a major music chain store, went to the anime section and low and behold here was this volume sitting there on the shelf as it was waiting for me. Without hesitation I purchased it, but I didn’t watch it straight away – alas no, it was a Tuesday afternoon when this occurred and once I’d made my purchase I made my way to the club, girding myself for a tough night of ticket selling as well as helping set and open up...
Jin Kariya, the suave, urbane and sophisticated leader of the Bount has brought his followers into the Seireitei driven by a desire for vengeance. It is a desire that has consumed for countless centuries, one that he has constantly worked towards fulfilling. The specific nature of this vengeance though is somewhat drastic and downright terrifying in its scope, we’re not looking at regime change here instead Kariya is focused on annihilation pure and simple. How then is he going to be able to carry this out though? Granted he has managed to increase his powers considerably but even so he doesn’t have that much power. Or does he...
Throughout the course of this story arc much has been made about the origins of the Bount, the fact that they were originally created due to experiments conducted by the Seireitei. What hasn’t been made clear up until now is just where did the Soul Reapers find the means to create the Bounts, how were they able to carry out these experiments that if you believe Kariya’s version were a perversion of the very natural order. In episode 102 we discover the missing pieces as Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, head of the Department of Research and Development illuminates us on the fact that it was an ancient yet powerful technology that allowed the Soul Reapers the means to conduct their ‘blasphemous’ experiments.
Kariya goes on to fill in the final pieces later on down the track. The device that powered these experiments, the Jokai Crest, was sealed away to prevent its misuse. Unfortunately for all concerned the Jokai Crest is what is embedded in the focus a Bount uses to summon his doll, and in Kariya’s case this means its physically embedded within him. He has become one with his doll, which means the crest resonates when it is near the original. If he manages to find the original and taps into its power then he will be able to bring about his catastrophic, cataclysmic conclusion to his desire for vengeance. There will be no stopping him...
Sounds good on paper, sadly though, he might have some trouble in attempting to bring about this grand conclusion, this Gotterdammerung that he so ardently desires and has worked tirelessly towards. The substitute soul reaper, Ichigo, isn’t going to give up without a fight and neither are his friends Chad, Uryu and Renji. Still even though their enemy has the upper hand, the whole thing is balanced on the thinnest of edges, the wrong move can tip things either way. And at the end of the day Kariya is made more dangerous not by the fact that he has ultimate or at least near ultimate power it’s the fact that he doesn’t care about his own life. Everything and everyone has been simply a pawn in his grand strategy, including himself. I have to say its gripping stuff, so gripping that I’m eager for the next volume...if Bleach is your thing then I advise you to get your hands on this DVD...
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