Another of the big three mangas, Bleach, approaches its end as the final volume is set to be published in August of 2016. Tite Kubo’s Bleach has spanned over 15 years in various platforms including manga, anime, films, and video games. All tell the various stories that the main character Ichigo and his friends are exposed to while dealing with the Soul Society (the world of the afterlife) and the impact it has upon the current living world.
The First Arc Chapters 1-187 (Volumes 1-21)
The first arc of Bleach focuses on Ichigo being exposed to the Soul Society as he meets an injured Soul Reaper named Rukia. Due to her being injured she transfers her powers and responsibilities to Ichigo, thus recruiting him to fight evil sprits, called Hollows, and guide them back to the soul society (afterlife) where they belong. Now due to Rukia’s absence and Ichigo having her power she is arrested and brought back to the Soul Society where she is sentenced to death. As a result of this Ichigo along with several of his friends, who have similar powers as he does, go to stop her execution. While attempting this Ichigo and other members of the Soul Society discover a plan to over throw the society by one of their own, Aizen. He had master minded many of the events so that he could gain power similar to those of hollows. This forced many members of the Soul Society to reevaluate who their true enemy is as Aizen escapes with a new found power.
The Second Arc Chapters 188-423 (Volumes 22-48)
Now the second arc of Bleach builds upon the cliffhanger that the first arc left off on. In particular with the fate of Aizen, who has left with the ability to pocesses hollow like powers. As a result of this he has created an army of Arrancar who are hollows that have removed their masks and now pocesses soul reaper abilities, in particular Aizen has used his hollow ability to strength a select group of them. With the purpose of attacking and destroying the soul society. While this is occurring Ichigo inner hollow appears, which forces him to under go training with the Visoreds a group of failed Soul reaper/ hollow experiments conducted by Aizen. While mastering his new hollow power, Ichigo’s friend, Orihime is kidnapped, resulting in Ichigo and his allies to invade Aizen place of Las Nooches. Upon saving her it is revealed that Orihime’s kidnapping is a diversion, as Aizen goal is to sacrifice everybody in Ichigo’s hometown in order to kill the Soul King. Thus this forces Ichigo, the Vesoreds and the soul reapers to unite with Ichigo ultimately subduing Aizen at the cost of his soul reaper powers, thus ending Aizen’s threat to the soul society.
The Third Arc Chapters 424-680 (volumes 49-74)
Now the final arc of Bleach focuses on two events. The first being Ichigo’s life after losing his soul reaping powers as he is introduced to a group called the Xcution, a gang of Fullbringers, who are supernaturally aware humans. This gang is lead by Ginjo who is manipulating Ichigo and the people around him in order to obtain his Fullbringer abilities. Due to this Ichigo’s soul reaper allies restore his status as a soul reaper allowing him to easily defeat Ginjo and restore his own life. While this is occurring the new threat of Wandenreich and Yhwach leads an army of Quincies who have enslaved the Arrancars with the intention of killing the soul king. And in their first invasion they kill and injure many soul reapers. At the same time this is occurring Ichigo learns that his Visored and Fullbringer abilities come directly from his mother who was a Quincy and was affected by Aizen’s experiments. Ichigo, after coping with this revelation, along with his friends decided to help aid and fight off the Wandenreich and Yhwach invasion of the Soul Society.
Conclusion:
Now after 15 years and 3 arcs Bleach has finally ended. While the manga is not perfect, it has told and wrapped up the story of Ichigo and his friends. Including their experience when the world of the living comes into contact with the afterlife and what unfolds. In telling this story Bleach has provided countless hours of entertainment in various media forms. It will always be remembered as being one of the three big animes/mangas. So thank you Tite Kubo.
