Bleach Vol. 65 Review

"Bleach" is the hit manga by Tite Kubo that has taken the comic book and animation world for a thrilling, action-packed, supernatural battle adventure. Fans come from all countries, ages, and even genders. However, the series is mostly popular with girls and young women. "Bleach" follows the fictional events and story of Ichigo Kurosaki who started out as a fifteen year old high-school freshman that could interact with apparitions of "Karakura Town", the suburban town where he lives. Ichigo met Rukia Kuchiki who transferred all of her "Soul Reaper" power to him both at great cost to her reputation and so that he could save her life in that moment. Eventually the story in the manga post-hocs that of the anime and this manga is still running in North America.

In the manga vol. 65 of "Bleach", the reader sees Zaraki passed out without his eyes closed, defeated by the "quincy" opponents he was battling with.

The main opponents in vol. 65 are:
They're happy-go-lucky seeming girlish women (kind of), that actually disposed of Zaraki's "strongest sword" that he finally mastered, for battle. (Get your mind out of you know where lol). Jokes aside, Zaraki's fighting techniques are, or were, slower than Ichigo's from the beginning, so it makes sense that he lost four-on-one with those chicks.

Early on, Ichigo shows up and wants to fight, saying to Zaraki that he, "Came to help...". In review, I think that Ichigo's character hasn't been radically developed by vol. 65 or he would have learned how to talk to Zaraki's character on a more equal level, maybe Ichigo would even address Zaraki's more senior level "Soul Reaper" status than by a friendly kind of patronizing... Either way, Kubo probably decided that it is in the best interest of the manga not to radically change Ichigo's personality.

Not to reveal all of the contents of the volume, Ichigo takes on the four quincy chicks at once also, in a battle which shows the usual "Bleach" style onomatopoeia or sound effect speech graphics. Bleach onomatopoeia are easy to follow probably easier than "Naruto" but not as interesting as "One Piece".

Anyway, Ichigo fights and is caught in an awkward moment where he could have been defeated (not pictured). You'll have to read the volume for yourself. I believe, that's good enough reason to pick up a copy.

Throughout the volume on a few sporadic pages, the story follows the antics of the current antagonist, "His Majesty", who seems to be a quincy male with "untold power". That's while Ichigo is spending his "battle energy" on the four girlish women (kind of) who work for "His Majesty". The antagonist follows Kubo's typical "Bleach" event progression formula where "they" are off-scene from the main sequence and also from the "protagonist. Then that antagonist is advancing in a separate plot that hasn't yet encountered any relevant opposing influence (to the antagonist plot). In other words, Kubo uses a popular anime / animation trope for the antagonist characters. I think, that for Kubo and "Bleach" it works and he hasn't really changed his author approach in terms of that formula. Go Kubo?

The characters and their idiosyncrasies are where Bleach changes or progresses in its story. That's where "Bleach" has made its great success. Then in addition, for vol. 65, there's some funny jokes made by Urahara Kisuke (not pictured).

In review, there's good enough reason to pick up a copy of Bleach vol. 65 wherever and whenever, you want.

Ichigo x Rukia

I c h i g o   x   R u k i a

Couple  Material   ?

Friends  Forever   ?

Red  String  of  Fate   ?

Y o u r   C h o i c e   ! ! !

Grimmjow and Ulquiorra The Lesser of Two Evils

Grimmjow and Ulquiorra

The Lesser of Two Evils

Fans of the anime series, Bleach, wonder which of Ichigo's main rivals, either Ulquiorra or Grimmjow, from Aizen's Espada deserve more of the credit for rivalry. Both Grimmjow and Ulquiorra have managed to defeat Ichigo at different times on his journey through Hueco Mundo or even before he went there by confronting him in KaraKura town which is his home. Since Ichigo was the link between the regular world and the Soul Society, the substitute shinigami, both Grimmjow and Ulquirra wanted to face off against him and get rid of him for Aizen. Both fights were close and Ichigo would've lost both times if it weren't for something unexpected...

Ultimately, the choice is up to you...

Bleach, Espada:  Grimmjow

Grimmjow fought Ichigo to defeat him and prove that his Hollow nature was stronger than Ichigo's. Ichigo seemed enamored with Grimmjow's power and almost perceived that his shinigami power was not enough to protect KaraKura town. Ichigo nearly defeated Grimmjow.

Bleach, Espada:  Ulquiorra

Ulquiorra acted as Aizen's right-hand power in exchange for numerical increases to his hollow-form number, in the Hueco Mundo hierarchy established by Aizen himself. Before Aizen's control of Hueco Mundo, hollow-forms did not observe hierarchy.

Also there's our past when it comes to our well-loved Hueco Mundo arc...
Ichigo's Youthful Crisis
Ulquiorra - A Case Study

Bleach Philosophy Corner

You (the internet) loved my case study on Ulquiorra (an avoidant psychopath with a heart of gold and a penchence for brain washing) the most popular bad guy of the Aizen saga. So I'm going to keep blogging about Bleach, this time about philosophy and maybe psychology too. Chansu, this is not selling out it's good blogging...

So Ichigo's friend Ishida got shanked by a mysterious bad guy with enormous power. And Ichigo, he's weaker than a wet tissue. It seems like everyone else in the show downgraded Ichigo, like our economy got downgraded by S&P. However, in this case they downgraded Ichigo to something like C. Orihime now feels it's ok to make a move on him (or fail to make a move on him), because he's pathetic.

What kind of hero is Tite Kubo making Ichigo out to be in this arc?

He's Kubo's experiment in the underdog archetype. Kubo went for this vibe during the Soul Society arc and that's why we like Bleach. But for real, in this arc Ichigo experiences being a well endowed person but with no real power at all. A lot like you and me. Ok Chansu, not like you or Luffy but this is about Ichigo and Bleach.

He might as well said "Let's walk away so my now-crappy-son doesn't hear us talking about bad things"

Ichigo for the first time in the series experiences the human dilemma. That we might not be strong enough, that our friends will downgrade us, that our parents and mentors will walk away mysteriously, that strange men will ambush our friends, that the girls that like us don't talk about that stalker guy (Orihime...), that our weaker friends will come to the foreground to flaunt their strength (CHAD...), and the list continues. Ichigo is facing the best human dilemma that shounen anime can offer. And it's the best because it offered too much for a shounen anime. Ichigo is practically that person everyone pretends to be nice to because you don't want to hurt his feelings.

But Ichigo is a shounen hero after all. He is an example of what we should do. Keep trying and keep trying again. Trust strange men... Well not that last part. We should keep trying even when we don't know if we can make it. He never lashed out at his friends for downgrading him, he just kinda stayed chill. We can assume that Kubo instilled such a "theory of mind" to Bleach, I hope. I like to believe Ichigo knows he's been downgraded worse than the S&P though Kubo didn't make this crystal clear (he's got to at least try to tell a story by showing and not by spoonfeeding everything to you).

Ichigo kept trying... Why can't we? Resilience is key...

Never use a calling card given to you by a stranger... Unless you're a shounen hero...

Ichigo's Youthful Crisis!

Ichigo Kurosaki

 What made Ichigo become Karakura town's Hero?

Ichigo Kurosaki, when his story began, was a 15 year old guy who could see ghosts and the spirits of the dearly departed. Already, he has above average capabilities. The average person would go crazy if they could see ghosts. Ichigo is no stranger to death, as a young child he had seen a monster called a hollow murder his mother. Ichigo knew from then on which apparitions were benevolent and which ones, if any like the one he'd seen before, were malevolent. 

Ichigo comforting the ghost of a little girl

Ichigo's family all had the capacity to see ghosts however his father kept most of his capacities from Ichigo. Ichigo grew up familiar to the world of the spirits. But there are some things we can tell about Ichigo as a person. Ichigo is a kind-hearted person. Ichigo is a confrontational person, he even fights his own father. Ichigo is a serious person, unlike other heroes of animation, Ichigo doesn't eat more than he's worth or crack jokes. This is somewhat what one would expect from someone who can see ghosts.

Ichigo having after school sparring with his father

Ichigo is not a normal 15 year old. But I would disagree. Ichigo has a tangled relationship with two girls. One girl, Rukia Kuchiki, almost kicked Ichigo's butt and then later he saves her from execution. The other girl, Orihime, was kidnapped and later rescued by Ichigo. Ichigo had to fight very strong men for the sake of these girls. I would hypothesize that he likes one of them if not both of them. Ask yourself, would Ichigo rescue Ishida if he was kidnapped by Aizen? 

Rukia, trying to get Ichigo to talk about his mother

Orihime and Aizen

This brings me to my conclusion. Ichigo is a young man with a mother complex. He is irresistably attracted to saving helpless young women from being taken from strange men. First Rukia, by her brother, the captains, and Aizen. Then Orihime, from Ulquiorra and Aizen. Ichigo wants to be a protector of people, of Karakura town, not the best fighter there ever was. Not once has Ichigo said he wanted to be the strongest Soul Reaper in the soul society, not once. Wanting to be the best is something related to a man complex or father complex. 

Ichigo versus Grimmjow on the defensive

One of Ichigo's signature fights, against Grimmjow shows his personality clearly. The first battle with Grimmjow, Ichigo thought he would win but was defeated tragically. After that fight Ichigo went into a depression. Put a person with a man complex in that situation and you'll see that he'll want to become stronger at any cost to defeat the opponent, not Ichigo though. Ichigo went into failed protector mode and mulled about how he's not in any shape to protect the people around him. At one point he woke up and hit his mattress with his fist in a pseudo anger that gave way to depression. Ichigo later won the fight, but ONLY because Orihime was there to say "Don't die Ichigo!". Unconsciously Ichigo compared Orihime to his mother and the words "Don't die Ichigo!" became a ultimatum to avoid death at all costs. If it were Chad up on that pillar screaming "Don't die Ichigo", I doubt Ichigo would have won the fight without mortal injury. Later during his fight with Ulquiorra, Orihime was crying over Ichigo which caused him to become a true hollow. Showing that Ichigo really couldn't let Orihime down.

Will Ichigo actually get with one of the girls that inspire him? Or will he be subject to seeing them as his mother forever????

If you like my "fan-nonfiction" let me know!

-RPGhero

Bleach is POPPIN!!!

Hey there! RPGHero here with an anime in review post!

This is all about:

Bleach

The news is that it's getting kinda crazy and whatnot with the final events taking place in this VERY successful anime.

For all you who don't know Bleach is about a freshman or sophomore in high school (depending on if you're talking Japan or America, younger in Japan). He can see ghosts! He uses his talent to help ghosts find comfort. Until he finds out that there are very strong negative ghosts called Hollows! A soul reaper, Rukia, gives him her powers in a last ditch effort to save his life. And he finds that his new powers are really something that he's had all along! Especially since he's super strong as a soul reaper!


Why is Gin embracing Rangiku in Opening 5? (57 seconds into the video)

Ichigo is training to beat Aizen (that powerful wierdo) and we are finally getting to see why in like many openings Rangiku is bloody and damaged... And why Gin is always embracing her like they had a relationship! I won't spoil this one for those that haven't caught up!

"Please smile" he says O.o

"What you mean me? I'm not a powerful wierdo."

But if Aizen did what I think he did to Rangiku. Someone's gotta kick his small rear end. And Ichigo is just the man, I mean boy!


Don't you just want to be Ichigo's best friend?? After watching this ending?


But really that ending really got fangirls in a mood to make youtube videos!
Click here if you like that

But really I want to be his friend too! Stay tuned friends Bleach is heading for the finale! I think...

Rant by RPGHero

It's been a while guys! I haven't ranted in a long time about nothing in particular... So it's time.

It's been snowing for way too long in New York. I'm waiting patiently for Spring and more importantly the Sakura blossoms of Spring. Better known as Sakura Biyori/Sakura Weather.

But this is where I want to go:

Isn't it beautiful, It's Sakura Park in NYC. It's on the west side of Manhattan.

But imagine what that place must look like now man... Like three feet of snow, I hope that little building doesn't break, I'd like to see the Sakura trees from inside it haha.

I've been having alot of fun shoveling, since I quit my trucker job I'm having all the physical activity I miss. So that's my day basically. I get up watch some anime, go outside and shovel, then go to class. And don't forget coming home and watching something like MM!

Yes! I watch MM! Deretsun. 

You think I was some shounen loving otaku pretending to be a hero? Well that's correct. But I love watching Sado get beat by his sadistic classmate, and since he's a "hardcore masochist" he's in love but he also likes his crush... I want this guy to choose someone haha. He better not just walk away without confessing his love to one of them...

But yeah that's my day. This rant... isn't like the others you say?? 

Well see for yourself... Here's an archive or RPGHero's epic rants they're much longer actually...

100th blog post rant

A rant about realistic battle shounen and battle shounen for children

200th blog post rant

And look we're well past 300 posts, you thought you weren't going to get another... Well until 400, Stay cool and keep going in your Hokage dream or your Pirate King dream. Whichever you like.

Then there's Ichigo, just trying to survive against powerful wierdos. Doesn't even have a dream haha. I had to make fun of Bleach at least once.

Ulquiorra -- A Case Study

Ulquiorra, a high ranking Espada member in the Bleach Universe.
Ulquiorra is also a highly skilled psychological manipulator.
If you aren't afraid of spoilers of the Ulquiorra arc then click below to view the case study.

»Read Case Study«

Ulquoirra was given the task of bringing Inoue Orihime back to Hueco Mundo by Aizen. However, Ulquiorra had two goals that made his task different from a regular kidnapping. He had to bring her back unharmed and he wanted to make her obey Aizen later.

To accomplish this Ulquiorra used expert psychological means. When talking to Orihime, Ulquiorra figured out that she thought she was the weakest link among the good guys. He used this to get her to agree to leave Karakura town. She thought that if she went with him that the good guys would be better off without the extra weight. Ulquiorra was skilled enough to learn this about her through only observation and conversation. He then used the way he framed the outcomes of her going to Hueco Mundo to convey that her life would be a good sacrifice for the people she was close to. If he had not convinced her this, she would have struggled and asked Ichigo for help. Which was also easy because that was when Ichigo lost to Grimjow a weaker opponent than Ulquiorra.

Next, Ulquiorra used actual psychology terms. Ulquiorra had to fool everyone in Karakura town, including Ichigo that Orihime ran away of her own free will. This is not easy but Ulquiorra is a psychological mastermind.

According to a theory called "Correspondent Inference"... Wait too many big words. Well this IS an anime case study. So I'll just say what he did. Ulquiorra made it so that Orihime's actions seemed like they were:
1) Freely Chosen
 Ulquiorra told Orihime to say goodbye to her friends, Ichigo being the best friend. Orihime went and said goodbye to Ichigo. So when they traced her trail they would find that she wanted to leave, and didn't struggle.
2) Not common/Not like Orihime's personality
 Orihime was just training beforehand and she was serious. But her quick run away from Karakura Town seemed wierd. Psychology states that actions like these make others think that the person decided of their own free will. Especially if number one is already in effect.
3) Not desirable
 Since Orihime ran away, at the very least the others would assume that if she did something that dumb of her own free will then she was not forced.

The most important fact is that Ulquiorra planned everything to make it look like she chose to leave on her own free will. That is what threw EVERYONE off. Even Orihime, because when a person starts to think they did it of their own free will then they will be more compliant. That's why she obeyed Aizen. That and Aizen's a powerful wierdo.

Moral of the story:
Don't trust that guy cosplaying as Ulquiorra with your kids?
Tite Kubo took a psychology class?

No, Ulquiorra is a psychological mastermind.
Which was important when we found out he had something like feelings later on...

Cosplaying for the Dark Skinned

Alright I, RPGHero, am going to bring us back to wholesome and informative programming for those who peruse our blog.

Anybody who likes anime as much as we do have at least thought seriously about cosplaying as their favorite anime character. It's irresistable, the urge to look and feel like your favorite hero or villian. Some of the people reading this may have actually even been lucky to cosplay at a concert or convention proudly.

There are others of us of a darker skinned variety who yearn to cosplay like our lighter skinned otaku nakama. But the question is how? Can a dark skinned person pull off their favorite lighter skinned character? Do you think Soulja Boy could cosplay as Goku? The answer is not known.

I have seen dark skinned people try to cosplay as people like Rock Lee, Sasuke Uchiha, Zoro, etc. Have they FAILED or have they brought honor to the character? The answer is in 1) Their physique 2) Their attitude 3) Their judges. If all three work in their favor, maybe, just maybe people can be convinced that a black kid could be Luffy.

For those of us dark skinned otaku who don't have the guts to dress as any character they want, what is there to choose from?

Off the top of my head I could name some characters.

Aokiji from One Piece


Usopp from One Piece


Uub from DragonballZ


Ryu from Mobile Suit Gundam


Yoroichi from Bleach


and recently Sazh Katsroy from Final Fantasy XIII


There are a few more that I don't have the knowledge to name but they are scarce. The pickings are slim for us dark skinned people. But don't give up hope!

And remember being black is not a factor.. It's those three qualities I described before...