Bleach Complete Series 11
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 293 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 5.1
Release Date: 2/9/2013
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Aizen Sousuke, the former captain of squad five and now the enemy of the Soul Society has come to the world of the living to destroy Karakura Town in order to create the Ogen, the King's Key. He also seeks to destroy the whole of the Soul Society, but first they have to deal with him out in the open where Kisuke Urahara creates a false Karakura Town so that the real one doesn't get destroyed in the coming battle. He hopes Aizen won't notice, but he underestimates his intelligence and powers if he thinks that as Aizen has his own plan in mind.


On seeing Aizen and his men, the captain general unleashes the power of his Ryujin Jakka and forms a burning ring of fire around him Gin and Tosen, but Aizen sends King Barragan's fraciones to take care of the captains and lieutenants. The captain general has also had four lieutentants posted to protect the four pillars around the false town barrier; Isuru Kira, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Ikkaku Madarame and Shuhei Hisagi. They each have to deal with one of Barragan's army of Findor, Charlotte Culhorne, Po and Abirama. As four of Barragan's army are defeated, he sends three in for Matsumoto, Sun-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apache, while Captain Hitsugaya has to deal with their master Halibel.

The menu screen varies with every DVD and features a different character at the right hand side of the menu options. The first one features a grinning Aizen with his eyes closed while the various thirteen court guard logos flip around. The first episode opens to the latest song, "Velonica" performed by Aqua Times while the characters fly onto the screen. The second opening theme song is "Shojo S" by Scandal, starring Orihime, Rukia and Matsumoto dancing provocatively in high school costumes. It's not all doom and gloom either as Aizen and the Soul Society prepare for battle, former captain Urahara knocks out Kon's mod soul and puts it into Ichigo's gigai, so though Ichigo is away, the Hollows still need culling, so he gives Kon the Konzo ka Karakuraizer Transformation Wristwatch. This means there are a few episodes of watching Kon, or Konso has Urahara calls him now, sending him off to the human world to kill any Hollow who rears their ugly heads.

This is the opportunity for the animation team to have fun as they get to see some of the most bizarre Hollows attack the citizens of Karakura Town. Kon's transformation with the Karakuraizer, a superhero that resembles a character from Battle of the Planets, probably Mark or Jason. This is obviously intentional as this is a break from the action in Karakura Town. Konso doesn't have to think he's alone, though as Don Kanonji, Totsuki, Keigo, Jinta and Ururu make up the team Urahara sends in to take the Hollows down. He, as usual makes a big show of things, giving each of them new outfits, and strange names that don't go with their personalities. It comes out that it's Uryu who has made their costumes, and it also makes you wonder if he's also made the Arrancar outfits too.

If you are twelve to fourteen you will love this mini arc as there are no pesky Arrancars in it. Overall it is entertaining, but there's nothing like going back to the main arc later. In these four discs, the lieutenants and captains go through the Arrancars and Espadas who stand in their way, and after each one, they steadily get harder to defeat. Bleach is an entertaining anime series that has expanded on the Soul Society’s enemies who aren't just Aizen, Gin and Tosen, but the threat of Barragan's army too. There is enough action and comedy to keep the most demanding shonen fan happy and it still has the capacity for giving Naruto a run for its money.



Bonus Material: Clean Opening and Closing Animations, Trailers for other Anime Series and Art Gallery.

Verdict:  Hollows, Arrancars and Lord Aizen are some of the deadliest foes ever - don't miss out on the fun - get Bleach!