Bleach was an anime that I had truly loved watching with my friends during my growing-up years.

Honestly speaking, it was an absolute delight to finally get my hands on and read the first volume in a manner that paid a wonderful tribute to the original.

The moment I laid eyes on it, I was captivated. The cover was simply gorgeous, with its vibrant colors that immediately caught the eye.

As I delved into the pages, I was further impressed by the detailed art style. Every character and scene was brought to life with such precision and care.

The plotline was equally enjoyable, filled with excitement, mystery, and adventure. It had me hooked from start to finish.

This volume is truly a must-have for any die-hard Bleach fan and OG otaku. It's a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a wonderful addition to any collection.

I can't wait to explore the rest of the series in this new format and relive all the magical moments that Bleach has to offer.

We finally managed to figure out what was truly going on.

It was a revelation to understand what Kuchiki's death sentence was all about.

All this time, there had been so much mystery and speculation surrounding it.

But now, the truth had come to light.

And to our surprise and relief, Kuchiki's brother finally did something good.

He stepped up and took an action that was beneficial for once.

Huzzah for him!

This was a welcome change in the otherwise complex and often tumultuous situation.

It gave us hope that maybe things were starting to turn around for the better.

We could only wait and see what the future held now that this new development had occurred.

But for the moment, we were just glad that there was a glimmer of hope shining through the darkness.

This was an incredibly captivating story arc. It pulled back the curtain on a plethora of mysteries that had been plaguing many of the characters. Tōshirō Hitsugaya, in particular, witnessed it all up close and personal. As the identity of the one behind the gruesome murders within the Soul Society is revealed, a fierce battle of frustration and destruction ensues. This battle starkly highlights the enormous gap in power between the new, menacing faces of evil and the allies of the Soul Society.

I must admit that the James Bond villain-style exposition was taken to the extreme here. However, I would also argue that it led to an entertaining plot twist that effectively sets the stage for the next arc in this remarkable franchise.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer

Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

What an intelligent Villain. Grandmaster Aizen ♟️

Aizen is truly a remarkable and intelligent villain. His schemes and manipulations are both intricate and devious.

From the very beginning, he carefully planned his actions, laying the groundwork for his ultimate goal. He was able to deceive those around him, even the most perceptive of characters.

His intelligence allowed him to anticipate the moves of his opponents and stay one step ahead. He used his charm and charisma to gain the trust of others, only to betray them when it suited his purposes.

Aizen's intelligence was also evident in his ability to create powerful weapons and techniques. His hogyoku was a masterpiece of scientific and spiritual engineering, allowing him to achieve god-like powers.

In conclusion, Grandmaster Aizen is an intelligent villain who will go down in history as one of the most memorable and feared antagonists. His actions and schemes have had a profound impact on the world of Bleach, and his legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in need of a break, a moment to escape. And for me, that escape often comes in the form of reading the books that I was once completely obsessed with during my junior high years.

One series that holds a special place in my heart is the one that I'm currently rereading. What I truly adored about this series, and still consider to be its greatest aspect, is its wonderful sense of humour and the complex and engaging relationships between the characters. The way the author weaves these elements together is simply masterful.

However, as the series progresses, things start to take a bit of a turn. In the later volumes, everything becomes overly focused on ridiculously extensive battles, which for me, was a bit of a let-down. It was at this point that I completely lost interest and gave up. This is a similar experience I had with Naruto and many other Shonen manga out there.

But despite this, there was a time when everything about this series, from the intricate plot to the well-developed characters, was so intense and captivating that I couldn't help but get addicted. I understand exactly why my 13-year-old self spent so much of her day lost in the vivid and imaginative world created by Tite Kubo.

This volume is truly a non-stop action-packed adventure.

It doesn't let up for a moment, not until you reach the very last page. The plot is filled with countless twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have a particular fondness for the parallels drawn between Renji and Ichigo. Their characters and storylines intersect in interesting ways, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Aizen's villainy is simply awesome. He is a master manipulator, and his actions drive the story forward in exciting and unexpected ways.

Byakuya's sudden and unexpected rescue of Rukia is another highlight. It comes at a crucial moment and adds a new layer of drama to the proceedings.

The depiction of the betrayal that "Doggie" feels is also very well done. It helps to humanize the character and makes you empathize with his situation.

The quick flashbacks are a great device to demonstrate the impact of events on certain characters. They provide valuable context and help to flesh out the story.

Overall, every single panel in this volume contributes to the climactic and frenzied feel of the events unfolding. It's a must-read for any fan of the series.

This volume was truly mind blowing!

It was like a whirlwind of excitement and adventure that took my breath away. The moment I opened it, I was immediately transported into the fascinating world of the story. The description of the Holy Sereitei was simply magnificent. It was a place filled with mystery and wonder, with its grand architecture and powerful spiritual energy. As I turned the pages, I couldn't help but be amazed by the vivid characters and their thrilling encounters. Each scene was so well-written that I could almost picture it in my mind's eye. This volume is definitely a must-read for any fan of the series. It will leave you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The battles are truly incredible!

They are filled with intense action and drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The warriors, with their skills and courage, engage in fierce combat, each vying for victory. The clash of weapons, the shouts of the soldiers, and the chaos of the battlefield all combine to create a scene that is both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

You can almost feel the heat of the battle and the determination of the fighters. It is a spectacle that showcases the raw power and human spirit in the face of adversity. Whether it is a small skirmish or a large-scale war, every battle has its own unique story to tell.

These battles are not just events in history; they are a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who came before us. They remind us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in and fighting for a better future.

I don't have a penchant for adding single volumes of manga. Instead, I much prefer to add them in the form of omnibus editions or 3-in-1 editions. However, this particular case is an exception. As in 2024, I'm engaged in the Popsugar Reading challenge, and this was the most straightforward fit I could discover for prompt #49 - The 24th book by an Author. Tite Kubo had previously created a series of 4 volumes titled 'Zombie Powder'. So, when factoring those in, Volume 20 of 'Bleach' indeed becomes his 24th book.

Regarding the plot, Volume 20 encompasses an early crucial point that has a profound influence and molds the remainder of the series. Consequently, it is a volume that I would and have revisited without explicitly stating that I have done so, and it is replete with spoilers. The boldness of the writing and the events that unfold still manage to astonish me, and thus I believe the book merits the 5 stars.

Popsugar Reading Challange 2024 prompt #49: The 24th book of an author. (Advanced)

5/5 stars for the manga itself

1/5 stars for the 20th anniversary edition

So, I'm an enormous fan of Bleach. When I learned that Viz Media was going to release a 20th anniversary edition of the manga, I was extremely excited. However, after reading this volume, I was disappointed to find that the only difference between the original and the 20th anniversary edition is the cover. Generally speaking, I would have anticipated seeing at least a new forward from Tite Kubo or a few color pages. But unfortunately, there was nothing like that. This really let me down.

Nevertheless, the manga itself is still outstanding. Tite Kubo's art remains some of the best in the industry, and the story is still engaging even after 20 years. It's a testament to the quality of the original work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media for providing this advance reader copy!

Just sat at Books-A-Million, and read this around 1/2 an hour ago.

I was trying to close the gap in the *Bleach* mangas that I have read. I still need to read V21-V47 now.

This volume focuses on my fave *Bleach* bishi, Aizen. And, sadly, this is the volume where he kills Momo. As he explains, he has powers of extreme hypnotism, and has been using them to fool everyone.

Aizen killed off the council of 46, and was--along with Gin--sending out orders to everyone in their place. That way, everything went as he wanted, and he was sure that Renji would turn Rukia over to him. But, Ichigo came along and spoiled that plan for him.

Aizen explains that Urahara had perfected a plan for hollow-fied soul reapers, but that it didn't go as planned, so he buried the ingredients--in Rukia. And, Aizen needs Rukia, so he can extract them. After he extracts that from her, I fear she will have served her purpose as well.

But, no need to worry, as several others show up.

What will happen next? Will Ichigo and the others be able to stop Aizen? Or will Aizen succeed in his evil plans? Only time will tell. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next volume of *Bleach*.

I hope that Rukia will be okay, and that Ichigo will be able to defeat Aizen. This is such an exciting part of the story, and I'm really enjoying reading it.

Aizen being insane was not at all what I had in mind would bring together the opposing soul reapers, Ichigo the “ryoka”, and everyone in between. However, here we are now.

It's truly a strange turn of events. The chaos and turmoil that Aizen has caused have somehow led to this unexpected alliance.

I also didn't anticipate the sudden Byakuya redemption arc. But, to be honest, I welcome it wholeheartedly. Byakuya has always been a complex character, and seeing him have this opportunity for redemption is quite interesting.

I'm really hoping that he makes it through this difficult time so that we can witness him and Rukia reconcile his earlier decisions. Their relationship has been strained, and it would be wonderful to see them find a way to move forward and heal.

Only time will tell what the future holds for these characters, but for now, I'm eagerly watching and waiting to see how this story unfolds.