Anime: Bleach - wah?

[Beleriphon]

So I'm flipping around late at night and come across YTV (that would be a Canadian channel that airs programming aimed at the 18 and under crowd mostly) and they are running a two hour block of Bleach. Its about 20 minutes into the first half hour episode so I figure I'll watch. Its look okay. By the end of the four episodes I should have some concept of the plot, but no all I get is that I stopped watching at Episode 21 (I guess) and it was something about a guy with orange hair and really stupid looking giant sword, fighting another guy with even bigger axes.

I don't get it, somebody please explain to me what is going on! Please, I implore you, I need closure or my life will never move forward. Not really, but it bugged me that I don't know what is going on after four episodes, or have any deeper understanding of the characters or their relationships.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

"Wah?" is my standard response to practically all anime.

[FdL]

Heh. Anime is like that. Haven't seen/read it yet, I might some day but I'm into other stuff right now.

You know, anime can be addictive. What is it? Its snail-like pace? Colourful characters? Motion lines?

[Nevrmore]

Bleach in one post, yo:

The orange haired kid is Ichigo, who, along with the other members of his family, is attuned to the spirit world. However, he's much more attuned than his siblings - He can see/hear spirits instead of just sensing them. One day, he runs into Rukia (black haired chick), who is a Shinigami/Soul Reaper. A Soul Reaper's job is to find wandering souls and send them to the Soul Society to be purified.

There are two types of souls: Wholes and Hollows. Wholes are your run-of-the-mill spirits, whereas Hollows are souls that have lost the part of themselves that kept them somewhat human, transforming them into hideous skull-faced creatures of all sizes and shapes. A Soul Reapear is supposed to purify a Hollow and send it to the Soul Society.

So back to Ichigo. Well, Rukia comes, then a big Hollow shows up and tries to eat Ichigo's sister, so Rukia donates half of her spirit energy to him, turning Ichigo into a sort of Shinigami pro-tempore. A Soul Reaper's sword is an indication of their power, so Ichigo, with his big old zanbato, has an assload of spirit energy. Pretty much everything after this is Ichigo/Rukia dealing with Hollows, the Soul Society, the Quincies, etc. etc. etc.

[Beleriphon]

Bleach in one post, yo:

The orange haired kid is Ichigo, who, along with the other members of his family, is attuned to the spirit world. However, he's much more attuned than his siblings - He can see/hear spirits instead of just sensing them. One day, he runs into Rukia (black haired chick), who is a Shinigami/Soul Reaper. A Soul Reaper's job is to find wandering souls and send them to the Soul Society to be purified.

There are two types of souls: Wholes and Hollows. Wholes are your run-of-the-mill spirits, whereas Hollows are souls that have lost the part of themselves that kept them somewhat human, transforming them into hideous skull-faced creatures of all sizes and shapes. A Soul Reapear is supposed to purify a Hollow and send it to the Soul Society.

So back to Ichigo. Well, Rukia comes, then a big Hollow shows up and tries to eat Ichigo's sister, so Rukia donates half of her spirit energy to him, turning Ichigo into a sort of Shinigami pro-tempore. A Soul Reaper's sword is an indication of their power, so Ichigo, with his big old zanbato, has an assload of spirit energy. Pretty much everything after this is Ichigo/Rukia dealing with Hollows, the Soul Society, the Quincies, etc. etc. etc.

But there wasn't a dark haired women, there was a poncy fellow in glasses, a tall guy with appeared to be super strength and a red head that seems to be in love with Ichigo. As for the plot summary, that makes sense based on what I saw.

[Quirinus_Obsidian]

But there wasn't a dark haired women, there was a poncy fellow in glasses, a tall guy with appeared to be super strength and a red head that seems to be in love with Ichigo. As for the plot summary, that makes sense based on what I saw.

I thought the first thing that I saw it.. but it grew on me; sorta like "The Class" on CBS. It's what's between "How I Met your Mother" on CBS and "24" on Fox... which sucks because it's on the same time as "Heroes" on NBC... arrrgh. my DVR is well used....

but I digress.


I dont know how to do the spoiler thing so...





The tall strong guy is Chad. He's like Ichigo's pal. He can kind of "sense" the hollows. Every snime needs a wicked strong low speaking character, and that's Chad

The "ample" redhead is Orihime; she does have some kind of a crush on Ichigo.. although I don't remember it coming to fruition.

The poncy fellow with the glasses is Uruhu (sp?). he's a Quincy; another sort that fights the Hollows. He does not like Soul Reapers.

[SDF]

I never found it too confusing, but the key to watching anime is to "just go with it."

[FdL]

Kinda similar premise to Yuu Yuu Hakusho, isn't it?

[Tengu]

Most anime has an episode plot continuity - you have to watch it from the beginning, or else it will be a series of "wahs?" for you.
On a side note, shonen anime tends to have this snaily plot, runs forever, and is usually good only for the first X seasons - when spoilers start to show on en masse, it's basically no longer worth watching. That's why I prefer anime that lasts a set amount of episodes and then ends, like Trigun or FMA.

[Closet_Skeleton]

Kinda similar premise to Yuu Yuu Hakusho, isn't it?

I suppose it has simularities. I'd say they were superficial but I haven't seen enough Yu Yu Hakusho.

I would stress the differance between plot and premise. Yu Yu Hakusho and Bleach both have similar premises in that a teenager who gets into fights gains spiritual powers and becomes some kind of exorcist. The actual directions both stories take as they get going may be quite differant.

Stylistically the two stories are pretty differant. Some differances I can note are:

Bleach seems to have no idea of fate. In Yu Yu Hakusho the god of death collects people when they're fated to die like Death in the Discworld books. In Bleach they just try to make sure everyone that dies goes to Soul Society.

Bleach hasn't done the cliche "tournament" thing yet.

Bleach has a single overarcing story while Yu Yu Hakusho has seperate arcs.

Both have the shonen staples of training scenes and comradeship though.

[Nevrmore]

But there wasn't a dark haired women, there was a poncy fellow in glasses, a tall guy with appeared to be super strength and a red head that seems to be in love with Ichigo. As for the plot summary, that makes sense based on what I saw.
Oh really, Rukia wasn't there? They usually have at least one scene with her in it while she's away from Ichigo.

Anyway, Quirinus is right about all the characters you saw.

[Renegade Paladin]

It's anime, and therefore deserves to be tossed into the nearest volcanic vent. That's pretty much all there is to tell.

[Cubey]

It's anime, and therefore deserves to be tossed into the nearest volcanic vent. That's pretty much all there is to tell.

You're just going to post this on every anime-themed thread, aren't you?

Does this picture look familiar to you?

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG248a.jpg

[The 8th Sin]

I'm on episode 18, so don't ask me.

[B-Man]

...don't ask me... I'm on episode 113 and can't remember much before episode 57...

[Closet_Skeleton]

...don't ask me... I'm on episode 113 and can't remember much before episode 57...

Hey, I'm on episode 113 and wishing these filler characters would disappear.

[averagejoe]

I guess seeing the complete first episode really helps, because that's all of Bleach that I saw, and I pretty much knew a lot of what people are saying here, besides maybe certain characters. So I'd reccomend watching that, if you enjoyed the series. I didn't personally understand the appeal, but whatev.

On another note, I only just noticed how perfect that troll illustration is as per how the word applies to the forums. Look at 'im, with his big ol' not-quite-malicious, kinda goofy lookin' frown. He just looks like he doesn't think the world understands him.

[Beleriphon]

On another note, I only just noticed how perfect that troll illustration is as per how the word applies to the forums. Look at 'im, with his big ol' not-quite-malicious, kinda goofy lookin' frown. He just looks like he doesn't think the world understands him.

Kind of looks like he just needs a hug. Go at it Joe, go at it.

Back of Bleach, thank you all that makes much more sense. I found the poncy fellow immensely entertaining, but thats about as far things travelled for me.

[Teal Kuinshi]

It is a pretty interesting anime, though after a while (for me, when it was in the 80's) it really drags on... But it is worth watching, if only for Ishida, Ganjuu, and Hanatarou.

[Ramza00]

If you don't mind spoilers to catch you up.

First part of Arc 1

You are on Episode 21 which is the first episode of the "second arc" (aka season).

The first arc deals with Ichigo becoming a soul reaper but not a soul reaper (orange hair kid). He is a normal human that actually has spiritual powers where he can feel the prescence and see ghosts (odds of how common this is is listed in one of the episodes, its about 1 in 100,000, besides ichigo one of his sisters can see ghosts while the other can feel there prescence. Soul Reapers/Hollows/and Pluses are all forms of ghosts)

He is given his soul reaper powers by the soul reaper, Ruckia Kuchiki after she injured herself fighting a hollow to save Ichigo's family. Ruckia meant to only gave half her soul reaper powers to Ichigo but due to how strong he is naturally with spirit force he took them all. Currently she is depowered but in theory her powers should regenerate given enough time.

Red hair girl is Ichigo's classmate Orihime Inoue. Human. She has two big episodes in Arc 1, episode 3 and 14. 14 is especially important and explains why she can do certain things in Arc 2.

Chad is Ichigo's friend from Mexico. Human. He has three big episodes in Arc 1, episode 4, 5 and 13. 13 is especially important and explains why he can do certain things in Arc 2.

Guy in the white outfit with blue hair is Uryu Ishida. He is a human but he has some innate spirit powers due to him being a member of a clan called the quincy which also hunts hollows but hate soul reapers. Really important for the end of the first part of the Arc 1 episodes 11-14.

From Episode 1-14 it is typical clean up the town from the invading ghosts/Hollows formula


Second part of Arc 1. Note spoilers but is needed to know to understand Arc 2.
Episode 16 is when things really begin to change. In episode 15 we learn that Rukia commited a major crime by giving her powers to a human. In episode 16 we learn it is punishible by death, and that a captain and a vice captain (captain is 1 of the 13 most powerful people in Soul Society, vice captain is the captains underlying and there are 13 of those, thus in the top 26) have been dispatched from soul society to capture her.

They find her in Episode 16 and Episode 16 and 17 is about Ichigo fighting the vice captain. He gets his ass handed to him and loses his spirit powers due to his "spirit organ" being penetrated by a zanpakutō (soul reaper sword), he is left to die after the battle.

Kisuke Urahara (the hat guy who owns a shop) quickly arrives after the battle and heals Ichigo's fatal wounds. He then tells Ichigo that they won't execute Rukia for 1 month, and he begins to train Ichigo/recover his spirit powers. Kisuke teaches Ichigo that all soul reapers swords are also spirit beings and have multiple forms due to the owner's mastery/skill of spirit energy. Ichigo learns his sword's first form, its name, and meets its "spirit presence"

During this time of training by Kisuke, the talking cat Yoruichi trains Chad and Orihime. Yourichi then escorts Ichigo, Chad , Orihime, and Ishida into soul society to rescue Rukia at the end of episode 20.


More info

To give you an idea on Bleach and the "arcs"
Arc 1 focuses on Ichigo becoming a Shinigami (soul reaper)
Arc 2 focuses on rescuing Rukia
Arc 3 focuses on more developments of Soul Society.
Arc 4 is the "filler arc" (aka anime only designed to give the magna more time so the anime does not suprass the magna) It is about a new creature called the Bount/Bounto
Arc 5 is the Arrancar arc (related to the ending events of Arc 3)
Arc 6 (which just started in the Manga) is the Hueco Mundo arc (Hollow World) relating to the ending events of Arc 5

The dub version of Bleach is like on Episode 21/22 which is the start of Arc 2
The sub version of Bleach is like on Episode 114. Arc 4 started with episode 110 (Arc 3 end at manga chapters 179 which is Episode 63, or about 3 chapters per episode)

The manga version of Bleach is like on Chapters 280 which is the start/mid of Arc 6

Note the Sub and Manga version of Bleach is free avaliable over the internet at various download/fansub places.

[Ramza00]

It is a pretty interesting anime, though after a while (for me, when it was in the 80's) it really drags on... But it is worth watching, if only for Ishida, Ganjuu, and Hanatarou.
Fillers are over, Hooray *woot* Skip to episode 110 you haven't missed much :smallwink:

[kamikasei]

Heh. Anime is like that. Haven't seen/read it yet, I might some day but I'm into other stuff right now.

You know, anime can be addictive. What is it? Its snail-like pace? Colourful characters? Motion lines?

Like Tengu says, certain shows have long arcs that will make no sense to you if you jump in the middle. Think of it like a D&D game! You get introduced to an unusual setting in the first arc, then each arc has some change to the setting or development for the characters at its core. If the show has a fixed duration, you can have a nice experience of seeing things set up, altered, settle back, the characters introduced, altered, resolved. If it keeps going indefinitely, then you can be stuck with crazy escalations of power and threat, like in Dragonball Z where every character could destroy the planet with one punch by the third season (note: exaggeration. I hope.)

For a lot of shows it depends on the manga they're adapted from. If it's a popular manga that gets licensed soon after it starts (Naruto, or Bleach) the anime can be disjointed and deliberately slow so as not to outpace its source. If it's a limited-run manga or the anime adaptation is cut off a certain way into the story, like, say, Elfen Lied, you get a smaller, leaner show with more narrative techniques available. If it's a wholly original anime (like, I think, Cowboy Bebop) you get something with a clear vision driving it that can be very, very good. At the extreme end of this you find FLCL, which is six episodes of highly compressed crazy mad fun love joy.

A lot of the best anime reminds me of my experience reading Dune: thrown in at the deep end, having to race to piece together what the hell is going on, only to have basic facts of the universe altering over the course of the story. It's a great experience if done right.

Please, don't judge all anime by experience with one single show, especially a long-running one aimed at young-ish kids (as many of the well-known ones are). That's a mistake like judging all television based on Married with Children. It's not a genre, it's a medium.

[Nevrmore]

Fillers are over, Hooray *woot* Skip to episode 110 you haven't missed much :smallwink:
What episode is the start of the fillers? I'm on episode 66 right now and I'm pretty sure I just waded neck-deep into anime-only territory, but I'm not positive.

[kuja.girl]

All I know is that the comic (manga) was good until it went from "exorcism/killing monsters" to a "samurai showdown" theme.

The first 5-6 books are really good and then... there's like 10 books that have very little plot and lots of fights. I lost interest and stopped reading.

I watched like 4 eps of the anime and was disgusted by the crap job they did. I'm guessing they started production with a very low budget.
The animation may get better but since I know the plot doesn't it hardly matters :|

[Dariendel]

I really don't consider the Bounto Arc as Filler Arc, as I enjoyed some of it.

With the Vaizard/Arrancar arc now on, I'm quite sure you'll enjoy the series. Provided that you know what happened in previous episodes.

[Ramza00]

What episode is the start of the fillers? I'm on episode 66 right now and I'm pretty sure I just waded neck-deep into anime-only territory, but I'm not positive.
Fillers are 64-109

Note its a self contain arc that did have its moments. It should have been 28-32 episodes though instead of 45 (it was that long for it was design to "fill")

[storybookknight]

Sadly, a lot of these anime tend to lose steam once they get more popular, and legions of new and vaguely uninteresting characters are added to fill time.

As an example, with Bleach, there were 13 (or 26, counting vice-captains) "persons of extreme note" who more or less all got addressed, plus a few extra who were bumped into along the way.

The filler arc had about 1/4 as many useless characters as it did episodes, and introduced more plushies to sell. Now, there are 20 Arrancar, + the three Soul Society defectors, and if you've been reading the manga, "failed Espadas", and Nell and her brothers for comic relief. Half of these characters, in addition to being poorly designed, don't even make any sense. The "failed Espadas", in particular, act just like people, rather than Hollows.

Series in my opinion live and die on their effective characters, particularly upon their effective villains. As far as I'm concerned, 80% of the recent episodes are still 'filler'. The only two new people who are actually worth anything are Ulquiorra and Grimmjow.

Even then, they're not worth much.