Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 94 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: Out 25/2/2013
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

The introduction shows Ichigo in his vasto lorde form fighting Ulquiorra to the death. This gives viewers an insight into the last series and where this movie links in with the series. The music combined with the fast, dynamic fight scenes show how chaotic this movie is compared with the previous three.

All the ingredients that are usually in the Bleach series are in this movie. Ichigo reprimands three youths for knocking over a memorial vase, his run in with his goofy dad, and humorous antics back at Karakura High with Keigo Asano and friends. It all looks like a normal life for Ichigo back home but that soon changes when part of the school gets destroyed by an unknown force. No one else can see them, but Ichigo, Chad, Uryu and Orihime. Uryu is the first to sense something is wrong when he analyses the reishi on some of the rubble, but until they meet their enemies, they are no closer to discovering who it is. The first enemy they encounter knows Ichigo's name, and he isn't alone either, there are two others who wear similar outfits. Ichigo and his friends all take one on each, but no matter what they throw at them; they are capable of turning their powers back on them.

What they think is a minor troublesome gang of mystery villains turns out to be much more - as one of them takes one of Ichigo's sisters to Hell in the hope that he might follow. When Ichigo does, he finds he has an ally in Kokuto even though he is another sinner who has escaped from the very depths of Hell. He doesn't like the enemies who have entered Karakura Town and had a sister who he wants to avenge for her murder. Kokuto seems an endearing character who has fallen on hard times after being sent to Hell, but, like many of Bleach's incidental characters, there is more to him than you think.

Even if Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse is one of the darkest movies in Bleach history, ther are some light hearted parts to  it like Rukia explaining how Hell works by using her bad drawings as an example, Ichigo says "dammit!" and Renji constantly tells him off about his motives for going to Hell to save his sister.

Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse spends quite a lot of time explaining the basic Bleach story at first. This you could interpret as giving those who haven't been watching the series up to series ten a chance to catch up. Thankfully this does not detract from the basic story of the movie, as this is the darkest one since the third. Ichigo by this time has already fought Ulquiorra in his vasto lorde form and got new powers such as Zangetsu becoming Tensa Zangetsu. It does seem though that Ichigo still doesn’t have enough power against the new enemies until later on. Maybe he wasn’t strong enough, or he’s still got issues with the Hollow side of his personality. It is a good thing he is a team player as he needs all the help he can get if he wants to bring his sister back. Orihime still spends so little time in the movie, even Chad has more screen time now, but Renji, and Rukia don’t do too bad getting their point across of Ichigo not going it alone when he could use the help. They do regret it in a way, when they find themselves trapped in Hell, their bodies rotting after being hung on a tree. You are led to believe they will probably never leave there, but as we have all come to know, Ichigo is unlikely to leave his best Soul Reaper friends in a place like that.

Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse contains the same characters as the series, and is one that could fuel a beginner’s interest in the anime if they haven’t seen the series at all. One thing can be said for it – Ichigo has the potential to gain even more power, and more fans as a result.

Bonus Material: On the Blu-ray release there is a Production Art Gallery, Illustration Gallery and Japanese Trailers.

Verdict: Bleach The Movie 4: Hell Verse is one of the best movies in the series, and one that will be thoroughly enjoyed.