BLEACH – THE BOUNT VOLUME 16
October 6th 2009 23:44
Category: Videos, Television
Based on the original Bleach manga by: Tite Kubo
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Masahi Sogo et al
Producers: Noriko Kobayashi (TV Tokyo), Yutaka Sugiyama & Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), Stephanie Sheh (Orihime), Wendee Lee (Tatsuki), Jamieson Price (Chad), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Michael Lindsay (Kisuke Uruhara), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu), Terrence Stone (Yoruichi – cat form), Michael Sorich (Tessai), Yuri Lowenthal (Keigo), Liam O’Brien (Captain Ukitake), Steve Kramer (Captain Kyoraku), Kate Higgins (Karin), Michael McConnohie (Kurodo), Julie Ann Talyor (Lirin), Roger Craig Smith (Noba) & Karen Strassman (Soifon)
Produced by: TV Tokyo, Dentsu & Studio Pierrot
English Version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 100 minutes Rating: PG
Whilst whistling the High and Mighty Colour opening theme to this particular series, Ichirinno Hana and doing it badly, I came across this volume in the local outlet of a major music and video chain store. Realising that this was an opportunity not to miss, and briefly considering whether or not whistling the theme song had anything to do with this fortuitous event I swiftly scooped it up and purchased it. After all with a long weekend here in the land down under in the offing some form of entertainment was definitely needed to keep me amused amidst the hours of torrential driving rain. Well perhaps not torrential but constant would be a more accurate claim and looking out of my window even now as I type this it’s still raining, the curse of the Carnival of the Pines has reared its ugly head once again after many years absence.
The last we saw of Ichigo Kurosaki and his comrades they had just returned from the Soul Society after being successful in preventing the execution of their mutual friend and soul reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. Returning via a senkaimon that lead directly back into their home of Karakura Town the four friends return back to their ‘normal’ life and seek to get back into the everyday run of things that they were so used to before deciding to venture forth into the world of the Soul Society and the Seireitei. For the moment it seems as if things are in a very quiet moment not only within the world of the living but also the Soul Society itself, the treachery of Aizen and his minions has shaken the Seireitei but so far nothing catastrophic has occurred. No doubt it is simply the calm before the storm and it seems to be that way within the world of the living as well…
There was something about this particular volume that struck me as being slightly off kilter. Perhaps it was the fact that there were some in jokes regarding the names of zanpakuto that I just couldn’t get, not being able to read Japanese and then references to the museum that didn’t seem to jell with the story unfolding. Granted the museum references could have been made in regards to earlier episodes within the series that I’ve been unable to get onto but the feeling I had was that didn’t seem to be the case. Thankfully though these rather odd glitches whilst introducing some confusion didn’t detract from the overall entertainment value; always a good thing in my book.
So whist getting back into the routine of everyday life, Ichigo, Chad, Uryu and Orihime are feeling their way trying to settle into the rhythm of school whilst balancing this with the changes that have occurred for each of them. At first it looks as if this is the only thing that they have to contend with. After all their time in the Soul Society has irrevocably changed each and every one of them, they’re no longer the wide eyed naïve teenagers they once were before the advent of Rukia’s capture and execution. Interestingly if you read the blurb on the back cover of this DVD you’re told that something has followed Ichigo and friends back from the Soul Society and that there is a sudden rash of mysterious disappearances in their home town with no culprit in sight, reading this after watching the DVD I felt that whoever had written this blurb had not watched it at all.
As I said earlier on, things open with the four friends trying to get back into the usual routine but it all takes a curveball with the appearance of a familiar face outside of Ichigo’s school. Renji Abarai, the lieutenant of Squad 6 shows up demanding in no uncertain terms that Ichigo come out of wherever it is that he’s hiding. Dressed like someone who has only just come down from the whole Woodstock phenomena, something Ichigo’s teacher, Miss Ochi, finds retro and groovy. His presence immediately attracts attention, attention that Ichigo has no desire for, and he swiftly springs into action to initiate damage control.
Renji however isn’t interested in getting together and reminiscing fondly over the events that happened whilst Ichigo was in the Soul Society. No he’s actually in Karakura town on official business, it seems that the authorities on the other side have sent him to the world of the living to take charge as there have been instance of spiritual energy leaking in Ichigo’s home town. But who or what is behind it? Things get totally stranger when later that night Orihime is suddenly pulled off into a huge weird gateway that looms out of nowhere in front of her apartment window, a gateway that has distinctly sinister appearance. Is the gate to the realms of the underworld? Does a strange young kimono clad girl exist beyond these dread portals ferrying souls into the depths of Hell where they’re to punished for all eternity? Unlikely, although there is a young girl involved with the gate, the brains behind a trio of unusual characters who for some as yet unknown reason seek to engage Ichigo in a contest, a contest that has the potential to cost the substitute soul reaper not only his life but the life of all those he holds dear…
It’s all very strange and enigmatic, an element of mystery being introduced into the saga which for the moment seems to work quite well. Of course there is the danger that if you keep things mysterious for too long your story begins to pall and people lose interest. The other aspect is the strength of an antagonist and their ability to do things seeming on an almost omnipotent scale, the trio of unusual characters know where Ichigo goes to school, where his friends live and even how to get into the abode of his most powerful ally, Kisuke Urahara, former soul reaper and captain of Squad 12. No doubt there is a rationale behind how they’re able to get away with so much with no one catching on, one that will no doubt be revealed in a late volume. But if you have antagonists in a story that seem nigh invincible that can also pall and lead to audiences turning away.
For the moment though it all seems to be working nicely, just the right mix of mystery and strangeness, along with enough tit bits in the Soul Society to keep everyone in touch with what is the main story line; namely the treachery of Aizen and his grandiose ambitions. Can anyone explain to me though why this particular volume might be rated PG when the content hasn’t drastically changed from that of the previous volume which I reviewed a while back and was given an M rating? One wonders if like the person who wrote the back cover blurb the people at the Office of Film and Literature Classification have actually viewed the contents of this DVD. An interesting view to ponder when you consider that this same office gave the Naruto 3 movie a rating of M, no doubt there is some kind of logic behind it all but I doubt it’s a logic that anyone of a non bureaucratic frame of mind could comprehend. Well not without going irrevocably insane, having their brain turn to mush or both at once…
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Masahi Sogo et al
Producers: Noriko Kobayashi (TV Tokyo), Yutaka Sugiyama & Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), Stephanie Sheh (Orihime), Wendee Lee (Tatsuki), Jamieson Price (Chad), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Michael Lindsay (Kisuke Uruhara), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu), Terrence Stone (Yoruichi – cat form), Michael Sorich (Tessai), Yuri Lowenthal (Keigo), Liam O’Brien (Captain Ukitake), Steve Kramer (Captain Kyoraku), Kate Higgins (Karin), Michael McConnohie (Kurodo), Julie Ann Talyor (Lirin), Roger Craig Smith (Noba) & Karen Strassman (Soifon)
English Version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 100 minutes Rating: PG
Whilst whistling the High and Mighty Colour opening theme to this particular series, Ichirinno Hana and doing it badly, I came across this volume in the local outlet of a major music and video chain store. Realising that this was an opportunity not to miss, and briefly considering whether or not whistling the theme song had anything to do with this fortuitous event I swiftly scooped it up and purchased it. After all with a long weekend here in the land down under in the offing some form of entertainment was definitely needed to keep me amused amidst the hours of torrential driving rain. Well perhaps not torrential but constant would be a more accurate claim and looking out of my window even now as I type this it’s still raining, the curse of the Carnival of the Pines has reared its ugly head once again after many years absence.
The last we saw of Ichigo Kurosaki and his comrades they had just returned from the Soul Society after being successful in preventing the execution of their mutual friend and soul reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. Returning via a senkaimon that lead directly back into their home of Karakura Town the four friends return back to their ‘normal’ life and seek to get back into the everyday run of things that they were so used to before deciding to venture forth into the world of the Soul Society and the Seireitei. For the moment it seems as if things are in a very quiet moment not only within the world of the living but also the Soul Society itself, the treachery of Aizen and his minions has shaken the Seireitei but so far nothing catastrophic has occurred. No doubt it is simply the calm before the storm and it seems to be that way within the world of the living as well…
So whist getting back into the routine of everyday life, Ichigo, Chad, Uryu and Orihime are feeling their way trying to settle into the rhythm of school whilst balancing this with the changes that have occurred for each of them. At first it looks as if this is the only thing that they have to contend with. After all their time in the Soul Society has irrevocably changed each and every one of them, they’re no longer the wide eyed naïve teenagers they once were before the advent of Rukia’s capture and execution. Interestingly if you read the blurb on the back cover of this DVD you’re told that something has followed Ichigo and friends back from the Soul Society and that there is a sudden rash of mysterious disappearances in their home town with no culprit in sight, reading this after watching the DVD I felt that whoever had written this blurb had not watched it at all.
As I said earlier on, things open with the four friends trying to get back into the usual routine but it all takes a curveball with the appearance of a familiar face outside of Ichigo’s school. Renji Abarai, the lieutenant of Squad 6 shows up demanding in no uncertain terms that Ichigo come out of wherever it is that he’s hiding. Dressed like someone who has only just come down from the whole Woodstock phenomena, something Ichigo’s teacher, Miss Ochi, finds retro and groovy. His presence immediately attracts attention, attention that Ichigo has no desire for, and he swiftly springs into action to initiate damage control.
Renji however isn’t interested in getting together and reminiscing fondly over the events that happened whilst Ichigo was in the Soul Society. No he’s actually in Karakura town on official business, it seems that the authorities on the other side have sent him to the world of the living to take charge as there have been instance of spiritual energy leaking in Ichigo’s home town. But who or what is behind it? Things get totally stranger when later that night Orihime is suddenly pulled off into a huge weird gateway that looms out of nowhere in front of her apartment window, a gateway that has distinctly sinister appearance. Is the gate to the realms of the underworld? Does a strange young kimono clad girl exist beyond these dread portals ferrying souls into the depths of Hell where they’re to punished for all eternity? Unlikely, although there is a young girl involved with the gate, the brains behind a trio of unusual characters who for some as yet unknown reason seek to engage Ichigo in a contest, a contest that has the potential to cost the substitute soul reaper not only his life but the life of all those he holds dear…
It’s all very strange and enigmatic, an element of mystery being introduced into the saga which for the moment seems to work quite well. Of course there is the danger that if you keep things mysterious for too long your story begins to pall and people lose interest. The other aspect is the strength of an antagonist and their ability to do things seeming on an almost omnipotent scale, the trio of unusual characters know where Ichigo goes to school, where his friends live and even how to get into the abode of his most powerful ally, Kisuke Urahara, former soul reaper and captain of Squad 12. No doubt there is a rationale behind how they’re able to get away with so much with no one catching on, one that will no doubt be revealed in a late volume. But if you have antagonists in a story that seem nigh invincible that can also pall and lead to audiences turning away.
For the moment though it all seems to be working nicely, just the right mix of mystery and strangeness, along with enough tit bits in the Soul Society to keep everyone in touch with what is the main story line; namely the treachery of Aizen and his grandiose ambitions. Can anyone explain to me though why this particular volume might be rated PG when the content hasn’t drastically changed from that of the previous volume which I reviewed a while back and was given an M rating? One wonders if like the person who wrote the back cover blurb the people at the Office of Film and Literature Classification have actually viewed the contents of this DVD. An interesting view to ponder when you consider that this same office gave the Naruto 3 movie a rating of M, no doubt there is some kind of logic behind it all but I doubt it’s a logic that anyone of a non bureaucratic frame of mind could comprehend. Well not without going irrevocably insane, having their brain turn to mush or both at once…
| 14 |
| Vote |
