Has potential, just too much of an unlikeable protagonist.

Bleach itself is a fantastic series, all forms and styles. Whether you're reading the manga or watching the anime, you'll take great enjoyment in doing so. The story follows 15-year-old high school student, Ichigo Kurosaki, who has the strange ability to see the spirits of those who haven't passed on to the afterlife. One day after school, a mysterious girl appears in his room by the name of Rukia. She is what's known as a Soul Reaper, or shinigami, if you want to get technical. After a fight with a dreadful spirit known as a Hollow, Rukia bestows her powers unto Ichigo in which he rightfully hands the Hollow a solid whooping and eventually destroys it. For however long it takes, Ichigo will learn from Rukia about how to be a proper Soul Reaper and protect the town and those he loves.

In terms of the manga, it has a very solid stream about it. The stories and ideals remain consistent with each other, almost never branching off. In this sense, the story is rather easy to follow, but at the same time, it also allows for great plot twists to occur. This formula is presented in a win-win manner for the manga.

In terms of the anime, it has some inconsistency, but mostly keeps the masses entertained. With the occasional filler episode (and in some rare cases: filler arcs), they are usually (in the earlier episodes, anyway) somewhat consistent and fairly well-written. However, Bleach eventually gets milked for all its worth and the quality suffers for it. By the end of these escapades, the series has dulled unlike Ichigo's Zanpakuto. However, if it's before episode 168, you'll most likely find yourself to enjoy it.

By the end of it all, like Naruto, the quality drops. However, unlike Naruto, Bleach is able to maintain watchability and readability regardless of set money-milking. Overall, if you're a fan of anime, I highly recommend this series as a whole.

Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old (why are they always 15???) student that has the ability to see, hear, and touch spirits. His ability leads soul reaper, Rukia, to him. When she is injured in battle she unknowingly transfers her soul reaping powers to him and thus begins his adventure.

This has such an interesting story and seeing as it is amazingly popular I'm hoping/assuming the author does great things with it. In this first volume I was a little confused by what felt like silly and senseless violence (like when Ichigo's father beats him for being late for dinner) but maybe this manga just isn't aimed at me as an audience, I don't know. It gets better as it goes along. The story is excellent, as I said, and each chapter builds up the world in tantalizing tidbits. I very much disliked Ichigo's whining and selfish act (it felt very cardboard and fake to me) but I'm guessing he gets over that as he turns into super awesome badass Soul Reaper Man. I hope.

Very much enjoyed. Onto the next.

Placeholder for reading the entire series back in 2016.

I hate this manga so much. I think it had a lot of promise during the first big arc, but it loses it almost immediately by being bloated, repetitive, almost zero character growth, and just plain badly drawn at times. The only noteworthy thing about this series is the swords' powers, but is looking at cool powers and nothing more worth it? For some, the answer is yes, but I want a stronger story rather than Ichigo stumbling from one disaster to another without little else.

"Ichigo Kurosaki: I see dead people."

Tite Kubo has made some errors in the pacing, but the first volume of Bleach is still a fun and interesting read.

I picked up a copy of Bleach after watching a couple of episodes of the anime. Although a fun read, for me this is one of those cases where I prefer the anime versus the book version (or manga if you want to be specific). For me, it all comes down to pacing and what you prefer. If you're into a crazy over the top and try to keep up pace, the manga is for you. I think the anime paces things out a bit better and I think it's basically the difference between manga and anime in terms of delivering the story. The artwork was pretty stellar though some panels were a bit tricky to follow and found myself double checking just to make sure I'd gotten the sequence right (and no, it wasn't the manga format, it was down to again, pacing).

The story is pretty interesting, an entire family has the ability to perceive ghosts to different degrees and Ichigo, a ginger haired teen has the most honed ability... an understatement since he can full on interact with ghosts. This gift is the type that keeps giving, especially when referring to trouble, of which he receives a plenty. Having come into contact with countless ghosts, he was a bit surprised to discover the existence of Soul Reapers by meeting Rukia, a member of the Soul Society and herself a Soul Reaper. Long story short (so as not to offer spoilers), Ichigo becomes himself a soul reaper and this first volume deals with him coming to terms with his responsibilities and the complications that come about from being a soul reaper.

A fun whacky read, give it a browse to make sure you like how the story flows and if you feel it a bit too jumpy, definitely check out the anime, which I highly recommend.

I might get some hate for this but whatever. I don't get the appeal of this manga at all. It felt boring and generic. And, I did not like the characters. For me, to get invested in a story I have to like the characters. If not, you can forget it.

The plot itself is very basic. Teenager sees this monster and a soul reaper and then when the soul reaper is in danger the teen replaces her. A soul reaper is someone who destroys these ghost monsters called hollows. These monsters were once human but then died and their soul became bad or something idk.

Usually, I'm fine with simple plots, as long as there done well. But, for some reason this just didn't work for me. I think the characters are a problem for me, but I don't think that's the whole problem. Or maybe, I'm just in a bad mood this week, because this is the second time this week I haven't liked a book that practically everyone else did. (cough cough Batman: Hush) I feel left out lol.

Not for me.

We fear that which we cannot see.

With the series ending this year and having most of the books already I decided I wanted to look back at earlier stuff and maybe read all the way to the end by time 2019 is over. So time to go back to the beginning of one of the most popular books in the franchise and get my Soul Samurai on. :)

Ichigo (Japanese for Strawberry) Kurosaki is not your typical Japanese kid. His hair is an unusual color, He is a tough guy that doesn't mind trouble, and he can interact with ghosts. Right from the beginning of the story he is helping a ghost movie on after some punks knocked a condolence offering to her after dying nearby. Little would he know that a whole world outside of his normal life would be opening up soon as he eventually meets Rukia Kuchiki and becomes a soul reaper himself to save his family and Rukia.

As an introductory volume we get to meet Ichigo's friends each with some sort of spirit related issues and his family who are not exactly typical either but I feel it was handled really well even slipping a little of the feels between the action. :)

My favorite part would have to be Orihime day dreaming about Ichigo and her at the park alone slowly turning into a sport related assassination. It is so random I laughed when a race to the teeter totter turned into a mad dash with another racer trying to pass them. :)

This manga series is absolutely amazing! Anyone considering whether or not to read this manga, read it now! And for those of you currently reading the series but not yet finished with all the books, you will be blown away by Tite Kubo's advancement in skill! The beginning of bleach has amazing artwork, and at the end there's such an incredible improvement in the way he draws the characters... Even when I thought (after reading the first book) there was no room for Tite Kubo to improve, since he was already such an amazing mangaka. The storyline is truly amazing (and still ongoing, might I add) and blew me away! And, even though I don't usually dwell on things like clothes, the clothes are absolutely amazing! All the different designs he's thought up... In all previous mangas I've read, the mangaka will stick to a few sets of outfits for his characters to wear, but Tite Kubo goes all out! Especially in the filler sketches... I feel as if I am rambling, but the point is, this is a truly amazing manga, and that it should be read right away!

{3.8}

Still the best Shonen of the big five!



RTC

Read up to Volume 570+

Right. So it's been years since I've watched Bleach and let me tell you, THIS IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST ANIME/MANGA EVAH EVAH EVAH

I can't post too much spoilers because that would be unfair to the others but here are some of my favorites characters in the new arc:

Kuchiki Byakuya

I have such an intensive crush on this bastard and he has wonderful scenes on this ARC. I also love how he gives insults to people like diz,



And damn if that didn't tingle the things that should tingle in me.

Ichigo Kurosaki

What I really like about Ichigo is that he really grew up in this series. He used to be brash and cocky (he still is) but he lost that idiocy stuff that most main characters have.Unlike Naruto whom I never liked (the character, not the anime) because I find him annoying even in Shippuden, Ichigo became more cool and thoughtful and I'm like having orgasm when he fights with some bad guys in the latest Arc.

Kisuke Uruhara

100 out of 100. He's the weirdest yet most amazing thing ever.

Other things:

There are some mind-blowing secrets in this one and major major major changes happened in the latest ARC. I don't know how Kubo would fix it or how the series would go on, but DAMN, I can't wait for the series to continue.