ANIME REVIEW: BLEACH SERIES 16 PART 1

Bleach Series 16 Part 1
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 300 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 20/7/2015
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

As Ichigo has lost his Soul Reaper powers, he must learn from the beginning how to get them back - but how? There could be someone around who can help him, but this means him joining another organisation and leaving the Soul Society behind for good. But as his powers are gone, he can be a normal high school kid in his last year, but is that really what he wants?

Everything is back to normal for the rest of Karakura Town, Aizen has been imprisoned and the Soul Society is getting back to its old self, but Ichigo's sister, Karin has taken up the task of looking after the family while Ichigo gets over his problems, his dear friend Rukia - he misses her and the rest of the Soul Reapers he got to know and he can't seem to adjust to the changes.

While Ichigo is busy moping around, he spots a man chasing a thief who's just stolen something and pursues him and later the mystery man comes looking for him at his workplace, handing him a card. Ichigo thinks he might be making fun of him, but there are several hidden people who are members of his club and they have been watching Ichigo and his friends. Kugo Ginto is the mystery man, and he insists on thanking Ichigo with a bowl of ramen, but he can see through him, his intention is to get to what Kugo really wants. Kugo needs him to join an organisation called Xcution, but Ichigo has his doubts.

Ryuken Ishida makes an appearance when his son, Uryu gets assaulted by another mystery kid, Ryuken is convinced that Ichigo's friends are being targeted for some reason and the ones doing the hunting have no spiritual pressure he knows of, so they are doubly dangerous. Once Keigo and Mizuhiro are attacked as well, Ichigo gets frustrated that he can't do anthing about it when Kugo gives him the break he's been waiting for - if he joins his club, he'll restore his powers.

There are parts of this series that I do like, some in jokes like Ichigo's friends trying to stop him from being too moody, Kugo trying to ply Ichigo with ramen (which seasoned viewers will notice is what you'd ply Naruto with), the realization that Ururu has grown up, and is getting some male attention at school. Something else to point out in this series is that Ichigo's friends; Orihime, Chad, Keigo, Ururu, Jinta have all grown up, but compared to the others, Ichigo has changed the least. Must be something to do with Hueco Mundo air. There had to be something that replaced Aizen as the main antagonist, and this time the character keeps his nature under wraps, disguising himself until he's ready to reveal his true intentions. Most of Ichigo's friends have got jobs even though they haven't finished school yet, but Ichigo is too busy trying to get his powers back to care about earning cash (he misses Rukia too much). there are also funny mini episodes at the end of each episode that consist of Quincy Encyclopaedia and a comical look at Keigo's various hairstyles throughout the previous few seasons which are truly hysterical. The previous arc was a decent build up to this one and puts a lot of doubt onto where Ichigo's life is going - though I don't think it will be like that for long.

Bonus Material: Clean Opening and Closing animations.

Verdict: Ichigo is evolving in this latest series - go get it for the action, humour and fun!