Quick Look: Bleach – Series 12 Part 1

It’s time for another “quick look” at an upcoming anime release and this time it’s the latest instalment into the long running Bleach franchise, Bleach – Series 12 Part 1. This latest Bleach release, yet again being distributed by Manga UK on behalf of Kaze, is also known as ‘Zanpakut : The Alternate Tale” and provides 12 episodes into that story arc.

The Story Arc itself takes a closer look at the Zanpakut, the sword that Soul Reapers use in battle, as well as the burdens that it can contain. As expected a new enemy threat appears and it’s not long before Ichigo and his friends must team-up to defeat this new foe. It’s the same reoccurring characters (Renji, Rukia etc), but an altenate twist to a repeated story, as the new enemies themselves are actually humanised forms of the Zanpakut.

In regards to the DVDs themselves, Bleach DVD’s have always been rather scarce and this latest instalment is no different with the discs themselves each containing six episodes (in both Stereo English or Japanese audio) and a ‘special’ feature. That special feature itself is a text less opening (Disc 1) and text less ending (Disc 2), however there are some trailers set before the DVD Menu, but nothing that we haven’t seen already.

Bleach – Series 12 Part 1 is as you would expect it to be, a collection of episodes that continue the story of the ‘Bleach’ saga whereby Ichigo must defeat hollows and help his friends when they are in danger. If you haven’t started watching Bleach then there is a lot to be catching up on, as newcomers might just get a bit lost – though this release does have a nice introduction explanation the origins of Souls Reapers and Zanpakuts.

Bleach – Series 12 Part 1 will be available on DVD from the 28th October 2013.