Continuing on our arc-by-arc breakdowns of our personal favourite battle shonen, we’re onto Samu’s all-timer: Bleach by Tite Kubo. Much like with Rurouni Kenshin we’re focusing on the first arc (Agent of the Shinigami) for this episode. Check it out to get a glimpse into Enzo’s first proper experience with any of the Big 3!

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction - Samu’s journey with his favourite manga

6:27 Enzo’s experience with the Big 3 and expectations for Bleach specifically

8:32 Comparing the first arcs of the Big 3

9:05 Ichigo as a main character - not having an obvious goal, a more human motivation

14:35 Bleach’s ‘cool factor’

15:17 Tite Kubo’s efficient artwork, critiques of the lack of backgrounds, prioritising panel flow

20:49 Bleach has the best chapter title pages in manga, period

21:34 A series that feels like it’s made to be in black and white - it’s meant to be a manga?

23:51 The volume poem’s - Orihime’s being the highlight of this arc

24:46 Spoiler discussion begins

24:58 Orihime’s character - Samu’s love for her, her mistreatment by fans, her tragic backstory

29:21 June 17th, Grand Fisher/Masaki Storyline and Ichigo’s guilt and white knight complex

33:30 Rukia’s character, her dynamic with Ichigo + a fight to protect life or to preserve honour

36:49 Isshin Kurosaki - Enzo’s least favourite character so far

39:52 The hit-or-miss humour (Kon and Don Kanoji), exceptions that are actually funny

41:10 Chad - Enzo’s favourite character so far

45:56 Uryu Ishida, the Quinces - the rival to Ichigo and the Shinigami

48:09 Byakuya and Renji’s arrival - when Bleach truly ‘begins’; set-up for Soul Society arc

52:36 Kisuke Urahara as a mentor/training figure

55:48 What currently running Jump series is the most direct descendent of Bleach?

1:01:02 Samu’s Recommendation: Yu Yu Hakusho (Spirit Detective arc) by Yoshihiro Togashi

1:02:26 Enzo’s Recommendation: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Kyoharu Gotougehi

1:05:18 Overview and final scores