DVD Review: ‘Bleach’ Volume 19

“Bleach” Volume 19 collects episodes 76-79 of the series. If you’ve been watching the previous DVD Volumes, you can breath a sigh of relief. Finally, the confrontation with the Bounts has begun.

At the Bounts stronghold, Ichigo and Rukia separate: Ichigo stays to face off against Udogawa and his snake, Frida, while Rukia leads her team to find Uryu. Ichigo and Udogawa’s battle is cut short when Udogawa tries to stage a coup on the Bounts by facing off against their leader, Jin Kariya. When Udogawa’s plan fails, Ichigo tries vainly to take down Kariya. Unfortunately, Ichigo isn’t use to losing and coming face-to-face with an opponent as threatening as Kariya has left him in a state of fear. Ichigo tries not to show it, but the other Soul Reapers literally “smell” the fear on him.

Volume 19 is filled with intense battles that are intercut between present day and flashbacks. We learn more about the history of the Bounts. But, there is also a lot of attention in focusing on the former Soul Reaper Maki Ichinose. We learn why Ichinose decided to leave the Soul Reapers and how he inevitably became a follower of Kariya. Unfortunately, the reason for his Kariya worship is almost misguided and foolish. Without getting into details, Ichinose is one of those people who is just way to needy for his own good.

Though filled with flashbacks, “Bleach” Volume 19 sets the stage for a larger more poignant plot with our favorite Soul Reapers. If you have yet to check out “Bleach,” this is one action-filled volume you won’t regret jumping in on.