Bleach Vol. 24 introduces a very important turn in the Bounts saga – the end of filler episodes. Episodes 96 through 99 finally reveal the long awaited truth about the origin of the Bounts and their sordid past with the Soul Society. Most of the prior Bount episodes were either prolonged fights or trivial filler episodes. You could skip several episodes without ever feeling like you missed out on the story. This DVD is very different in that each episode actually matters. Volume 24 is an excellent balance of story, fighting and drama.
Episode 96 continues the fight between Jin Kariya and Byakuya. Now that Ichigo is on the scene, he tries to help Byakuya win the fight. However, Byakuya accuses him of simply getting in the way. The battle eventually comes to a halt when Ran’Tao, the creator of the Bounts, appears. Ichigo and Urya go with Ran’Tao and learn the true origin of the Bounts. The story Ran’Tao tells seems to be without the biased opinion of the Bounts or the Soul Society. We also learn that Maki Ichinose infiltrated the Seireitei and manipulated their data systems. It was because of this that Uryu was manipulated into letting the Bounts enter the Shinigami World.
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is commissioned with protecting the Soul Society from invasion. Hitsugaya is met by Ichinose, who unleashes his special control of light against Hitsugaya’s team. The group is discombobulated by Ichinose’s power. Kenpachi Zaraki shows up to face Ichinose. It was revealed several episodes ago that Ichinose blamed Hitsugaya for the failings of the Soul Society. As such, Ichinose decides to abandon stopping Captain Hitsugaya to instead face his long time enemy, Zaraki. Episodes 97 through 98 focus primarily on the showdown between Zaraki and Ichinose. Throughout the fight we see glimpses into Kariya’s newly mobilized army.
The final episode focuses on the Bounts’ inevitable invasion of the Soul Society. Once again dissention is seen between several squad captains. Hitsugaya once again becomes a target because of his youth. The final scenes involve several flying foxes and a few predictable betrayals.
If you considered the Bounts saga to be nothing more than a prolonged fight, then Bleach Vol. 24 will definitely capture your attention and bring you back into the story. Unlike prior volumes, each moment in Volume 24 is satisfying to watch and thoroughly entertaining.
Episodes Included:
96. “Ichigo·Byakuya·Kariya, The Battle of the Three Extremes!”
97. “Hitsugaya Strikes! Slice the Enemy in the Middle of the Forest”
98. “Clash! Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Maki Ichinose”
99. “Shinigami vs. Shinigami! The Uncontrollable Power”
