Wednesday 24 April 2024

GRIMMY AND ULQUI. PERFECT ENEMIES



Grimmy and Ulqui: Perfect Enemies
By SandraReviewer

In Bleach there are a few characters who rank as enemies, but not in the way Grimmjow and Ulquiorra are. While Ulquiorra is all about order, Grimmjow as if it's not obvious is chaos itself.

Due to the seniority of Ulquiorra over Grimmjow, the two are always at odds with each other, and who can blame Grimmjow for feeling this way. 

I remember the way Ulquiorra prevented him from continuing a fight with Ichigo he was enjoying, but got his own back when he used a device to push Ulquiorra into another dimension, a device which higher up Espada used as a form of punishment.

What made me want to continue my appreciation of Grimmjow as a character was when I discovered he's going to have a more prominent role in the new TYBW series where Quincies are planning to destroy the Soul Society, human world and Hueco Mundo. Grimmjow is recruited to take on the Quincy threat by Urahara, so I can't wait to see how it goes.

Thursday 7 April 2022

BLEACH: CAN'T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD 1 BY TITE KUBO AND RYOHGO NARITA

Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World 1
Author: Tite Kubo
Writer: Ryohgo Narita
Interior Design: Jimmy Presler
Publisher: Viz Media LLC
Pages: 248
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1326-4
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

I had been noticing standalone novels from the Naruto universe with Sasuke's Story being a popular one. Now Bleach has its chance with Can't Fear Your Own World. 

This novel picks up where the Quincie's Thousand Year Blood War left off. Now finally over, there is another antagonist to take over from where Ywach left off in Tokinada Tsunayashiro. He is secretly plotting to create a new Soul King. 

As volume 1 in a series, the story can flit from one time period to another, yet mainly concentrates on Squad Nine's Lieutenant Shuhei Hisagi and it's Captain Kaname Tosen. Back several centuries ago, before Tosen was a Soul Reaper, he discovers his friend, Kakyo has been murdered and no one seems interested in capturing and sentencing the killer. 

This for us who have read the manga and watched the anime is all we are aware of, now we have the chance to find out the full story. Tosen finds out her killer was from one of the five great noble clans and as such, untouchable by someone like him who isn't a Soul Reaper and can't get an audience with Central 46. Tosen can only think of revenge, but even that could prove almost impossible for a man who has no combat ability or standing. 

This killer is already aware of his standing, having an over inflated sense of his own self importance, thinking nothing of killing his wife,  leaves Tosen's blood boiling which didn't surprise me. 
Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World 1 is a thick paperback with a well drawn cover of a handsome Shuhei Hisagi, an interior Fold-out Poster of him in full, while on the reverse, there is a more mangaesque version of him at leisure, which fans will love! The interior illustrations of various characters are sketchy and interesting pencil versions of characters we recognise and serve to add to the quality of the writing. 


AIZEN'S BACKSTORY: BLEACH REVEALS

Aizen's BACKSTORY: Bleach Reveals

I remember reading a magazine with a feature and an interview with Bleach creator, Tite Kubo about his creation. Sadly the magazine is no longer in print, but at least I knew what he had planned for fans.
Here he mentions how he's developed the characters and one character in particular, antagonist, Aizen Sosuke will later have his backstory revealed, but to be honest, I don't think this has been revealed yet.
If someone could correct me about this I would be very interested and grateful for the information. Maybe there's a novel I've missed reading, or something I've missed when I've watched an episode. 

Friday 1 October 2021

CREATE YOUR OWN HAPPY BY PENNY ALEXANDER AND BECKY GODDARD-HILL

Create Your Own Happy
Author: Penny Alexander and Becky Goddard-Hill
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-830121-7
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

There are self-help and wellness books around for adults at the moment, then there is this one. Designed with young children in mind, 7+ to be exact, Create Your Own Happy is part colouring book, part wellness, part inspiring yourself and helping others whose lives may not be as happy as yours. Then there's the chance to have a crack at helping the planet too.

ANIME MERCHANDISE REVIEW: FAIRY TAIL PENDANT


Fairy Tail Logo Necklace (Black)
Size: 3.5cm x 2.2cm
Material: Metal

The reason I went for this colour Fairy Tail logo necklace is that it's the same colour black as the one Gray Fullbuster has as a tattoo on his chest

He's most noticed for wearing no shirt and being generally sexy, so he's my fave character and this is the perfect way to appreciate him as a character!

What I couldn't get over was how shiny it is and how it looked the same as the anime representation of the wizard guild. The pendant is heavy-ish with a black rope cord that fastens. The cord is quite long without being a choker, though it is made for slender necks being from China.

If you hold Fairy Tail fan club meetings, or cosplay I would advise fans to get this as it looks cool, fun and accurate to the series art, plus, you can't help thinking about Gray shirtless!


As a pendant, it looks so cool and sophisticated. The sort of jewellery that is sure to impress fans of the series with its curved design and simplicity.


The silver and black colours tended to remind me of the artwork from the manga novels that have become so popular.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: KNOW MY PLACE BY EVE AINSWORTH



Know my Place
Author: Eve Ainsworth
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
ISBN: 978-1-78112-980-7
Pages: 117
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Just one look at the cover should be enough to give you an idea of what to expect from this book, then again maybe not. 

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: THE CLIMBERS BY KEITH GRAY


The Climbers
Author: Keith Gray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
ISBN: 978-1-78112-999-9
Pages: 120
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Sully's been used to being the top dog around his friends. The new kid, Nottingham threatens his position as best climber in the village and wonders how well his friends will think of him if he loses against him in the final climb.