BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: THE DIAMOND DUST REBELLION
March 10th 2010 18:42
Category: Videos
Based on the original Bleach manga by: Tite Kubo
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Screenplay by: Michiko Yokote & Masahiro Okuba
Producer: Mikihiko Fukazawa, Shunji Aoki & Ken Hagino
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki), Steve Staley (Toshiro Hitsugaya/Shuhei Hisagi), Megan Hollingshead (Rangiku Matsumoto/Nemu Kurotsuchi), Keith Silverstein (Sojiro Kusaka), Michelle Ruff (Rukia Kuchiki), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Vic Mignonga (Ikkaku Madarame), Brian Beacock (Yumichika Ayesagawa), David Lodge (Kenpachi Zaraki), Derek Stephen Price (Uryu Ishida), Jamieson Price (Chad), Stephanie Sheh (Orihime Inoue/Isane Kotetsu), Wendee Lee (Yoruichi Shihoin), Michael Lindsay (Kisuke Urahara), J B Blanc (Sajin Komamura), Dan Woren (Byakuya Kuchiki), Kate Higgins (Retsu Unohana/Nanao Ise/Ying), Tara Platt (Yang), Lex Lang (Marechiro Omaeda), Karen Strassman (Soi Fon), Bob Joles (Captain Commander Yamamoto), Michael McConnohie (Chojiro Sasakibe), Liam O’Brien (Junshiro Ukitake), Terence Stone (Mayuri Kurotsuchi), Grant George (Izuru Kira), Steve Kramer (Shunsui Kyoraku), Richard Epcar (Zangetsu) & Travis Wallingham (Hyorinmaru)
English version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 90 minutes Rating: M
This particular movie literally fell into my hands through what could be seen as a result of pure blind chance, a freaky fluke or the will of the Force so to speak. I was out shopping a few weekends ago and wandering into one of the outlets of a major chain music shop happened to come across this little gem. Before the woman could ask me about what I was going to be doing for the weekend or just generally how I was I said I’ll take this thanks, I had no idea that it was available for sale here in the land down under already. So if you haven’t already gathered when I saw it there in the shop I was ecstatic to say the least, possibly in a state of rapture if you will. Once the transaction had been completed to all and sundries satisfaction I made my way home to put this flick under the scrutiny of the Green Lantern.
The animation in this movie is in moments truly stunning, no it’s not 3D like Avatar, but because it is 2D it is far more impressive in my view. Some of the shots of flowing water, cityscapes, and a spinning pinwheel all alone in a field, look like they’re real life and not animation at all. Perhaps it’s the merging of real shots into an animated scene, regardless when seen it looks impressive and the shots serve to enhance the current mood of a particular poignant scene in the drama. Frankly this kind of animation is to my mind more impressive as it’s taken a great deal of effort to bring to life and when done so well its truly incredible, but like I often say here on the GL great animation is all fine and well buts it’s all just smoke and mirrors if the meat of the film doesn’t give you the goods, and that means a great story and great acting.
In this film the key protagonist is actually Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of Squad Ten and something of a once in a generation child prodigy amongst soul reapers. He has been ordered along with his squad to guard the procession of an artefact known as the Oin, or King’s Seal, an object that is a possession of the Soul Society’s royal family and one of their most prized possessions. According to Lieutenant Matsumoto every now and then the Royal family move the Oin from its current location to a new location where it will reside for however long before they decide to move it once again. Such events are naturally ones requiring a great deal of security on the behalf of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and they are also events of incredible pageantry and solemnity.
Strangely though, this procession of the Oin is not the actual starting point of the story even though it is where the film opens for us the audience. In reality the story beings in the past with an ancient law that has been a key foundation of the Soul Society and Soul Reaper traditions, namely that there cannot be two soul reapers who possess the same zanpakuto. Now the zanpakuto is a the sword carried by every soul reaper and they all have within them a unique entity with whom over time the wielder can communicate with an unlock certain powers and abilities, making them even more formidable in combat against hollows and other hostile entities. Of course not all soul reapers are able to access the spirit of the zanpakuto, but those that can are truly formidable. Usually the zanpakuto is a normal looking katana but those who can access its true name are able to release their zanpakuto into is shikai form, the result of which the actual appearance of the blade changes significantly and it becomes more powerful as a result. Truly in tune soul reapers can progress to the second stage which is bankai, and this means that they have access to the full potential of their zanpakuto’s abilities.
Usually each soul reapers zanpakuto is usually unique, there has never been a case of two different soul reapers bearing the exact same zanpakuto, until when Hitsugaya, child prodigy, is attending the soul reaper academy and is on his way to becoming a fully fledged soul reaper. During his time at the academy he becomes friends with a fellow student, Sojiro Kusaka, a friendly likeable guy whose desire is to become a soul reaper and protect the soul society from the various dangers and menaces. Unfortunately for him he has the bad luck to gain access to the same zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru, at the same time as Hitsugaya. It is an event unheard of, one that will have severe ramifications not only for the two friends but for the entirety of the Soul Society in the future.
From a particular perspective it would seem that these events are ones that have been engineered by forces beyond the comprehension of even the most skilled and wisest of soul reaper captains, as at the end of the day what matters not so much is who comes out on top but that an injustice that was perpetrated by the higher ups of the Soul Society is at last answered, and that the character of Hitsugaya is not poisoned and warped by what has happened. The Oin is said to be able to purify all with its ability, to right what is wrong in the universe and one could say that this particular device is the actual force behind all the events that occur because it can sense through the captain assigned to protect it on its procession that there exists an injustice that needs to be purified. As I said earlier I really enjoyed this film, it was a pleasure to watch.
Bleach the Movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion is a great film filled with moments of action, drama, humour, pathos, tragedy and poignant moments that bring a tear to your eye, that create a sensation of empathy within you for the characters concerned. Its tale emphasises the true value of friendship, that when the chips are down and all seems hopeless in our lives our friends can rejuvenate our trust in life if we let them, that there is true strength in our bonds of friendship. A very uplifting and upbeat thought which we can all learn from. If this particular style of anime is up your alley then go out and get some Bleach the Movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion, don’t dawdle do it, it will definitely be worth your while. And whilst you at it get into the other aspects of Bleach, in all its various guises – manga, anime and the first film.
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