Bleach: Zanpakutō: The Alternate Tale

Bleach Season 12 Part 1 Episodes 230 -241 (2009–2010)

A sinister stranger appears without warning in the Soul Society. His name is Muramasa and he has come to separate the Zanpakutō from their Soul Reapers, giving them their physical independence. Now the powerful spirits that live within the Soul Reapers’ blades and give them the power of bankai* are out to revenge themselves on their masters, the ones who have kept them – as they see it – imprisoned, forced to serve them. Head Captain Yamamoto has disappeared and the Zanpakutō are on the rampage, wreaking havoc as they challenge their Soul Reapers to duel – with potentially disastrous effects. And it’s not long before Rukia’s brother Byakuya Kuchiki disappears too and Rukia finds herself fighting for her life against the ice-wielding, coldly beautiful Shirayuki, her beloved Zanpakutō.

Ichigo, the Substitute Soul Reaper, hurries back to the Soul Society to try to help – but once there, is forced to battle Zangetsu, his own Zanpakutō. Muramasa, realizing that Ichigo is very different from the other Soul Reapers, takes an interest in this unusual duel – and it’s not long – after a terrifying transformation – before Ichigo’s dangerous ‘other’ Hollow self makes an appearance. And once Muramasa has revealed that he, also, is a Zapakutō, we’re left wondering what his true agenda might be.

It’s Bleach filler. Again. But it’s also a good, well-paced, entertaining watch – thus far.

How can that be? I hear you ask. Well, there’s a tight script, an intriguing concept, and some attractive visuals (the ‘new’ character designs which have been in place now for three-four seasons are very easy on the eye). Sometimes I even hear myself asking the heretical question: Is this better than what’s coming next in the Arrancar arc? The fights are exciting to watch, yet they are not extended into tedious never-ending marathons interspersed with trash-talking, the repetitive pattern that the Arrancar arc has tended to fall back on.

I’m a fan of the Soul Reapers and I’m always happy to watch episodes that give us the chance to get to know them better. The idea of setting their Zanpakutō against them is a particularly effective one, as it shows us new facets of their personalities – and the ways that their Zanpakutō complement or enhance their skills. In the case of Renji Abarai, this results in a comedy-caper collision as his fearsome Zabimaru bankai manifests as a snaggle-toothed, mouthy snake-child chained to a curvaceous, world-weary pink-haired broad (her furry skin-tight outfit marks her out as the ‘monkey’ of the partnership). Momo gets some welcome screen time, alongside her friend and fellow Lieutenant Rangiku, as they clash with their vindictive Zanpakutō.

A few niggles? Well, maybe it’s time for poor Rukia to get a break. She always ends up hospitalized. The script writers (and Tito Kube) have played the ‘Rukia’s been badly wounded’ card once too often.

Muramasa is played with softly spoken, chilling menace by the ever-versatile Jamieson Price in the US dub (taking a break from voicing Chad, who doesn’t appear in these episodes) which adds to the undoubted pleasures of following the English version.

The Opening Song is still “Shōjo S” by SCANDAL (eps 215-242) and the Ending is “Mad Surfer” by Kenichi Asai (eps 230-242). And we have…almost the same feisty guitar riff in both songs – is this on purpose? There’s a different key and a slight chromatic tweak in ‘Mad Surfer’ but otherwise… the same riff. Fun animations accompany both songs, showcasing Ichigo’s gang, Soul Reapers and their Zapakutō.

In Summary

Good shōnen fare, amusingly and excitingly conveyed, leaving the viewer eager to know what happens next.