Bleach Volume 16

Bleach Season 8 Part 1 The Arrancar 2: The Fierce Fight

Episodes 152-159

Ichigo and his companions were forced to split up as they fought their way into Las Noches to set Orihime free from Aizen’s clutches – and we last saw Ichigo engaged in a desperate duel with the flamboyant warrior Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, Arrancar 103, one of the three Privaron Espada sent to stop the rescue party from reaching their goal.

After the disappointing episodes that concluded Season 7 in which the set-up for these confrontations was rolled out in all-too predictable fashion, the ensuing battles prove surprisingly engaging. Dordoni proves a challenging opponent (his elaborate speech and gestures are a little reminiscent of Inigo in ‘The Princess Bride’) and the final confrontation between Ichigo and this honourable knight is well orchestrated, and far more impressive than the fights in Season 7. Uryuu is matched against Cirucci Sanderwicci 105, a gothic lolita babe with a lethal whip – although his attempts to defeat her are constantly scuppered by one of Nel’s comic double-act brothers, Pesche, who has tagged along and is more hindrance than help. (Renji finds himself saddled with Dondochakka, the other ‘brother,’ the one with the huge, grotesque carnival mask-like head and a Pagliacci-style gift for shedding tears to go with it.)

Meanwhile, Sado ‘Chad’ Yasutora has taken on the formidable Gantenbainne Mosqueda, Arrancar 107, who sports a burnt-orange afro and a streetwise attitude to match. It’s great to see Chad centre-stage for once and some surprising developments occur during this exciting and deadly encounter. Chad even speaks! Whole sentences!!

We are only afforded brief glimpses of Lord Aizen, although we witness another uncomfortable encounter between his prisoner, Orihime, and the cold-hearted Ulqiorra, appointed to act as her gaoler.

But the episodes which really lift this box-set above the routine are those involving Rukia. She is confronted by a masked figure, clothed in the white and black of the Espada, who greets her like a long-lost friend. When the mysterious figure removes its mask, she sees Kaien Shiba, her much-loved mentor in the Soul Reapers. The traumatic way in which Rukia was forced to despatch Kaien Shiba was one of the more bleak and affecting character backstories in Bleach and the viewer shares Rukia’s bewilderment at meeting him again in Las Noches. Is it really him – or is this another cruel trick of Aizen’s?

Only eight episodes this time, which is a little disappointing after the more generous allowance in Season 7. And we are left with several nail-biting cliffhangers as Chad and Renji come up against new and more powerful foes, with devastating results. Ah well, we’ll just have to wait till May for Part 2…

The US dub is as entertaining as usual (i.e. not 100% faithful to the original script) and is delivered with panache by the ensemble cast. Even though his name is not in the swiftly-moving credits, I reckon that Jamieson Price is back as Chad, just as the silent giant takes centre stage in an epic confrontation. (If it’s not him, then they’ve found a brilliant impressionist/vocal impersonator!)

The Opening theme hasn’t changed yet, although the background music to the Episodes menu presents a new song, with an up-tempo ska feel, which – I hope – will turn up in box-set 8 part 2, as it’s far more interesting than the existing one. “Kansha” by RSP, a new Ending, arrives in #155 and is an easygoing walking beat number, with animation depicting the four Mod Souls and Yoruichi in cat form (?) against a background of the major characters.

Extras : Production Art, Textless Closing, and Trailers.

In Summary

More tightly put together and better animated than much of Season 7, this first part of Season 8 has much more to offer – especially for Chad fans. (Enough of this shameless Chad worship: Ed.)