Bleach: Zanpakutō: The Alternate Tale

Series 12 Part 2 Episodes 242-253

Muramasa, a vengeful Zanpakutō, has wreaked havoc in the Soul Society by using his exceptional powers to causing the Soul Reapers’ Zanpakutō to manifest themselves in physical form and turn on their masters. To make matters worse, Byakuya Kuchiki has betrayed the Soul Society and gone over to Muramasa’s side – and Muramasa has imprisoned Head Captain Yamamoto, planning to harness the veteran Soul Reaper’s extraordinary powers. (And imagine the havoc caused by Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s creepy baby-faced poison-breathing Zanpakutō…) 

Just when everything seems to be going wrong for the Soul Reapers, who should return from a distant assignment but bloodthirsty Kenpachi Zaraki, who – as usual – is spoiling for a fight. But when he’s opposed by Byakuya, it’s time for a spectacular showdown between two of the most powerful captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Meanwhile Ichigo – unknowingly – plays right into Muramasa’s hands. The Zanpakutō needs to go to the World of the Living to complete his mission and Ichigo is the very one who can make that possible. Alerted by the arrival of a strong and unfamiliar spiritual pressure in Karakura Town, Orihime, Chad and Uryuu do their best to confront Muramasa – but will they be able to stop him, now that he has gained so much power? And who was Muramasa’s master, and why was he banished forever from the Soul Society? The ensuing events lead to an unexpected (and shameful) revelation of an episode from the Kuchiki family history – and some surprising and unanticipated results.

Like most shounen series, Bleach constantly has to raise the stakes to keep the viewers interested. A constant stream of seemingly invincible antagonists, each with powers even greater than the last, challenge Ichigo and his allies, resulting in an endless sequence of combats that has – all too often – become predictable and repetitive. However (that word so beloved of anime script writers) – however, it has to be said that the Bleach script writers have learned, maybe from experience (after all, we reach Episode 250 here). This Alternate Tale arc fairly bowls along, keeping the action fresh and lively (for the most part) and surprising the viewer most agreeably with some not too predictable plot twists and turns. And it’s solidly built on an attractive idea: bringing all the Zanpakutō to life, allowing us to see how each Soul Reaper has gained a companion/adversary who is almost exactly what he/she deserves. It’s a fun and (in Bleach terms) suspenseful watch. 

The US dub is as much fun as ever, with the Bleach repertory company evidently enjoying themselves. One surprise, though, is Patrick Seitz, a new VA for Bleach’s favourite scenery-chewer, Kenpachi Zaraki, taking over from David Lodge (Jiraiya in Naruto) – and he’s not entirely comfortable in the role yet, needing to roar a little less and go more for the laid back, cool yet hard tones that his predecessor brought to the role. But Jamieson Price as Muramasa still wins the VA prize, displaying his experience and emotional range as a voice actor (and playing Chad as well?) and making the viewer feel sympathy for the character, even when he’s committing the most unforgivable acts imaginable.

The new Opening and Ending are, frankly, a little disappointing and bland after the last two feisty numbers: “Anima Rossa” by Porno Graffitti (eps 243-265) and “Sakurabito” by SunSet Swish (eps 243-255). The animation for the Opening gives another chance to admire the Zanpakutō in their physical manifestations alongside their masters. 

Pay no attention to the blurb on the back of the box set; it refers to the ongoing Hueco Mundo saga (possibly Series 10…). The pictures are from Series 12, the episode numbers are correct, but everything else is wrong. 

In Summary
Another spectacular and watchable set of filler episodes! Yes, the two should be mutually incompatible, but this arc is still proving to be a surprisingly good and involving watch.