The story wasn't phenomenal, but it served its purpose. With a villain-of-the-week style continuity, you could easily enjoy a few chapters whenever you liked.
Art:
It was awkward to read at first due to the unusual proportions, but once I got used to it, it began to shine. Tite Kubo uses hatching in a way I've never seen before in manga. I could almost feel the bright yet somehow faded colors from its grayscale pages.
Character:
The characters are diverse and well-defined, with enough backstory to earn my sympathy. Their interactions with each other are excellent.
How Tite Kubo Screwed It Up
Story:
Why couldn’t Ichigo have just let Rukia go? The fight scenes become uninteresting after a while, especially in a setting that grows stale after the first 10 chapters. They only introduce the main villain (as a villain) after about 15 volumes. A lot of the time, it feels like it's supposed to be funny, but isn't, or supposed to be dramatic, but isn't. The fights aren’t very engaging.
Art:
I didn't realize how much the art style relied on the setting. Seeing people in the same black (or white) clothes in a setting that looks identical everywhere gets monotonous.
Character:
The personalities you grow to love either change or disappear from the story for long periods. Don’t worry, though; you get introduced to about 50 more characters all at once. And that’s not all; they each have their own backstories that interrupt important plot points.
Now, I'm just going to say it, Bleach is my favorite Manga ever. But I will write this review without bias. I try to evaluate each aspect individually, rather than the Manga as a whole. Tite Kubo is an excellent writer; if he had ventured into writing outside of Manga, he would undoubtedly excel there too. While Bleach's story isn't the greatest, Kubo's skill in character creation is remarkable. He has a vast supporting cast, and with such large casts, characters often get forgotten or become one-dimensional. However, all of Kubo's characters are unique, and he manages to keep his background characters in our minds, each with their own backstory that he masterfully integrates into the storyline without making a fuss about it.
Regarding his art, like most manga, it starts out somewhat poor but improves significantly over time. Towards the end of many series, artists' styles can become odd and almost unrecognizable. In contrast, Kubo's art remains excellent, with incredibly detailed eyes for each character, making his style very distinctive. Yes, there is a lot of fighting, but it's a shounen manga, after all, which focuses on action. If you don't like it, perhaps shoujo manga would be more your style.
I highly recommend taking your time to read this manga. It's funny, and even though the story isn't exceptionally well-developed, I assure you it's worth your time.
I loved reading the final arc of Bleach, but I was frustrated by the lack of emotional depth in the final villain.
The art is fantastic, and the characters are great, though they could use more detail and development. There are just so many characters that it feels like there wasn't enough time to fully explore them all. I might end up buying the character books because I feel like I didn't get enough from the manga or anime.
I want more details on aspects that weren't fully covered, hoping for some closure on certain storylines.
****Spoilers ahead, but not too detailed****
The manga ends very abruptly. You don't get to see the remodeling (those who have read will understand), the healing process, or the burial of the fallen characters. These are moments I would have loved to witness for closure.
Also, where did Nel and Yurichi go? And how did "she" suddenly become the new Kenpachi?
So much happened in such a short period that it felt rushed. The rapid growth and changes left me wishing Kubo had more time instead of rushing to meet deadlines.
I hope someday Kubo provides something additional for Bleach fans. While I love this manga, I can see its potential and feel it deserves better closure. It's almost a disservice to leave it as is.
I don't understand why so many people give Bleach such bad reviews.
Yes, it is true that Bleach has lost its way. It has been taken over by filler episodes, arcs, and movies (but I love the movies anyway). But, that does not make Bleach a bad manga (or anime) overall! Bleach has a great story and great characters. However, it has been pushed too far. Way too far.
Story: 8/10
Bleach starts out with a good story and keeps it good until too many fillers and arcs come in. I really lost the point of Bleach. The story became such a blur. But, I am not going to give it a bad rating because Bleach is truly a great manga (and anime). Just skip the fillers if you like to get right to the gist of things.
Art: 8/10
The art in the beginning volumes of Bleach was rather...bad. Not horrendous or anything, but it wasn't great either. But look at Attack on Titan; such an amazing anime/manga, but the art in the manga sucks and still sucks at this point in time. Both have improved amazingly. When a manga has a great story, art doesn't matter. Walk before you can run! Therefore, art gets an 8/10!
Character: 9/10
There are so many enjoyable characters in Bleach...Yoruichi, Rangiku, Urahara, Kenpachi, Renji, TOSHIRO....love 'em all! Some people say Bleach has crappy characters, and I'd like to know where that came from...but whatever. 10/10!
Enjoyment: 9/10
With all the random fillers, I can only give my enjoyment for Bleach a rating of 9/10. I'd like to give a 10/10, but man, those fillers!!!!
Overall: 8/10
Basically, Bleach is a great read (and watch). It loses its way and has been pushed beyond the farthest reaches of the universe, but I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't already read/watched Bleach... (slim pickings there).
Bleach was one of the first shonen series I ever completed. The manga is exceptional, and even though the anime's soundtrack is great, the manga surpasses it by a significant margin. Tite Kubo's art is stunning—simple yet sleek. His character designs are incredibly unique and visually pleasing. He draws inspiration from various parts of the world, such as Spain and Germany. The foreshadowing in this series is top-notch. I adore the extensive cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities. The antagonists are masterfully crafted, evoking genuine fear. There is an abundance of lore to explore, along with fascinating powers and Bankais that make diving into the series a thrilling experience. I guarantee that when you read Bleach, you'll find at least 15 characters who you'll think are unbelievably cool.
TL;DR: Read Bleach—the powers and characters are genuinely awesome.
First, what Bleach did great: Action. The series really has very good fights and the action scenes, even for a manga, are top-notch.
Kubo's art is excellent, although it’s quite noticeable that he doesn’t have much variety. Most of the female characters look too similar, with only differences in hair and breast size.
Now, the worst part: the story. At first, the story starts very well, with plenty of plot twists and mysteries during the initial arcs, culminating in the Arrancar arc which ended perfectly. In my opinion, that was an excellent finale, and I would give it a 6/10... but then they continued with the Fullbring Arc and Quincy Arc.
The Fullbring arc feels like filler. It serves no real purpose other than acting as a MacGuffin for the next arc. The Quincy arc started off strong with a sense of despair and potential since this was supposed to be the final arc. I was hoping for anything to happen... but no! This arc ends with plot holes, unresolved issues, and a lot of Deus ex Machina moments.
And the characters... well, Kubo really likes creating a bunch of characters. The problem? They are just that, a bunch of characters. Many of them have zero characterization or are defined by a quirk or a gag.
The worst offenders are Ichigo’s friends who have no powers at all. They seemed like very interesting characters initially, but because they lack superpowers, they never get any character development and some even disappear "mysteriously" like Ikumi or Ryo. This is a significant issue in a story with so many characters, and sadly, Kubo didn't know how to handle it.
I'd say Bleach is like Transformers; it has cool fight scenes and sexy ladies... and that's about it. The last two arcs really damaged the plot and characters.
Bleach is the second-longest manga I've ever read, and what a journey it was. If I had to define it in one sentence, it would be "style without substance."
The bad: About halfway through, I realized I'd gotten everything I wanted out of the series. I continued reading for the sake of completion, but that was it. Especially after the Soul Society arc, characters became far less interesting, and storylines were replaced with endless, nonsensical fights. With every character and plot change, I saw more wasted opportunities for development, which is a shame.
The good: Bleach is by far the coolest of the big three. It's endlessly stylish, with iconic character designs and slick weapons and outfits. There's plenty to appreciate visually. The Soul Society arc is genuinely one of the best shonen battle arcs I've ever read. The Gotei 13 are and will always be the ultimate anime organization. And yes, I'm prepared to defend this, but Bankai is infinitely cooler than Super Saiyan or Gear transformations.
The first third of this massive story is an easy 10/10 for me. If the hundreds of chapters that followed had something more to offer besides paper-thin characters pulling increasingly ridiculous power-ups out of nowhere, it might have retained that score. Even so, it's not hard to see why Bleach stands proudly as one of the Big Three. The dazzling fights, sick swords, epic drip, and incredible main cast helped push this series to new heights. And let's not forget the S-tier waifus. (I'm convinced Rangiku and Yoruichi have permanently changed my taste in women.)
This is probably the best entry-level shonen manga you could ask for, aside from Naruto. But if you're already familiar with shonen tropes and clichés, this could feel like a slog, especially in the last third.
Before anyone starts criticizing me, let me share my thoughts on Bleach. Please note that this is just my opinion, and I feel justified in expressing it. I don't have to praise a popular series if I don't like it.
Bleach has been a staple manga among the Shonen demographic since its release. Alongside Naruto and One Piece, it's considered one of the "Big 3" mangas and has amassed a considerable fanbase since its debut. Initially, I was a fan, but somewhere along the way, I lost interest.
Story:
Bleach follows a typical arc-based plot structure with an overarching storyline. It centers on Ichigo, a teenager who can see spirits. After meeting a Soul Reaper named Rukia, he becomes a substitute Soul Reaper. The series started strong and had consistent development even into the third major arc, the Arrancar arc. However, the quality of storytelling began to decline. This was especially evident during the first part of the Arrancar arc, where many new characters were introduced without explanation or development. The whole premise felt cliché, revolving around rescuing a princess. Furthermore, the second part recycled the DBZ trope of rapid power-ups within a day. Despite this, the end of the Arrancar arc could have been a perfect conclusion, but Kubo tried to extend the series, leading to a deterioration in story quality with inconsistent and laughable explanations. (SPOILER ALERT!) For instance, turning someone into a hybrid of Hollow, Human, Soul Reaper, and Quincy contradicted previous developments.
Another issue is the overwhelming focus on fighting. While Bleach is a Shonen, it doesn't need to be all about combat. Kubo seems more interested in delivering fight scenes than advancing the plot.
As a caveat, if you want closure, stop reading after the Arrancar arc; otherwise, you might regret it.
Characters:
The character development in Bleach is another weak point. If you're looking for grounded and progressive character growth, Bleach may disappoint. While it has a colorful cast, most fall into Shonen stereotypes. Orihime's character fluctuates and becomes redundant, constantly repeating the clichéd line about not dragging Ichigo down. Rukia's character suffers similarly, and Chad's development is even worse. The situation worsens during the Arrancar arc, where new characters are poorly developed and then disappear. Kubo excels at creating colorful characters but fails to handle them effectively, often ruining them.
Art:
The art in Bleach is one of its strongest points. It's better than both of its "Big 3" competitors. The fights are illustrated neatly and in detail, which is fitting given the series' heavy focus on combat.
Overall:
Bleach exemplifies how not every popular manga needs to be good, but it isn't necessarily bad either. It's readable to some extent unless you're prone to nitpicking. With a large cast and intriguing concept, Bleach had the potential to be the best of the "Big 3," but Kubo's lackluster writing drags it down, making it one of those overlong series without much substance.
From a writer's perspective, Bleach isn't particularly outstanding. However, if you approach it expecting nothing more than exciting fights and likable characters, you'll absolutely love it.
Bleach follows a very formulaic pattern, making it quite predictable. The typical sequence goes like this: Ichigo gets his ass handed to him, then he trains, and finally, he returns to one-shot the opponent with a new power-up that he receives thanks to his extraordinary genetics.
But setting that aside, I don't think there's a single character (except for those you're meant to dislike) that I actually disliked. Each character had qualities that allowed me to sympathize with them or find humor in their actions. This manga isn't profoundly deep, but it is genuinely fun.
I'm not entirely sure why I feel the need to review everything I encounter on this website, but here I am, reviewing yet another thing. Bleach is a classic, right? I finished the manga a while ago, so I'll do my best to review it. The story is tight; not a moment is wasted, which is more than I can say for the anime. The character development is remarkable, and Tite Kubo's attention to detail is impressive. Hints about Ichigo's future are present right from the start, showing that Kubo meticulously planned his narrative.
The art is also excellently executed. Usually, I don't get a sense of movement in comics or manga, but Bleach managed to convey that effectively. Character development aside, the personalities and diversity of the characters were brilliantly crafted. Each character felt unique and well-rounded. The ending, one of the most debated in manga history, has its flaws, but the overall story more than makes up for it.
It's a fantastic read that will make you laugh, cry, and bite your nails. Whether you're looking to finish the story you started with the anime or just exploring new manga, Bleach is a great choice for everyone, especially newcomers.
Bleach has always been one of the most frustrating mangas for me. The first 20 volumes are a solid 10/10. The art style starts out rough but very beautiful. I think early Bleach is easily one of the most stunning mangas I have ever read, especially the color pages. The story is simple yet good, and the characters are interesting and unique. Combined with the beauty of the art, it is emotionally moving.
Then, there are another 20 volumes where the quality gradually declines. The story becomes repetitive, and the characters start to degrade. For example, Orihime goes from being an enthusiastic fighter who wants to grow up to be a killer robot, to an idiotic healer who heals enemies in the middle of attacking her, without any coercion or logical reason other than "I feel bad for them." I'm not exaggerating.
After that, Bleach loses its soul. The art becomes very polished, and while it is still gorgeous at times, it feels more manufactured and mass-produced. It devolves into endless fighting. There are still some fantastic moments, but they are much more spread out. I continued reading out of loyalty to the series, and honestly, other than Orihime (who by this point is just a pair of massive breasts), it was okay.
I'd probably give the last 30 volumes a 6, but the first 20 volumes of sheer glory make it hard for me to decide how to rate it overall.
Bleach was one of those rare series that drove me to seek out the manga after the anime reached a stopping point. I've been following the manga for years, starting near the end of the Aizen arc and just as the Fullbring arc began. It's far from perfect, but if I had to grade it, I'd still say it's pretty damn good overall. The art is fantastic, and there's a wide array of interesting and varied characters, making it a fun series with both action and humor.
The plot wasn't always top-notch; there were definitely some stumbling points that can't be ignored. Conclusions were sometimes awkward and confusing, often seeming like cop-outs. Despite these flaws, I still thoroughly enjoyed the series. Did it have the best ending? No. Did everything I wanted to happen actually come to pass? Not exactly.
But considering the journey from Ichigo's first fight against a gigantic Hollow in the first chapter to the very end, it's a series I'm glad I discovered. I still revisit it from time to time and will likely continue to do so for years after the series has concluded.
Popular Reviews
I love the first arc.
Story:
The story wasn't phenomenal, but it served its purpose. With a villain-of-the-week style continuity, you could easily enjoy a few chapters whenever you liked.
Art:
It was awkward to read at first due to the unusual proportions, but once I got used to it, it began to shine. Tite Kubo uses hatching in a way I've never seen before in manga. I could almost feel the bright yet somehow faded colors from its grayscale pages.
Character:
The characters are diverse and well-defined, with enough backstory to earn my sympathy. Their interactions with each other are excellent.
How Tite Kubo Screwed It Up
Story:
Why couldn’t Ichigo have just let Rukia go? The fight scenes become uninteresting after a while, especially in a setting that grows stale after the first 10 chapters. They only introduce the main villain (as a villain) after about 15 volumes. A lot of the time, it feels like it's supposed to be funny, but isn't, or supposed to be dramatic, but isn't. The fights aren’t very engaging.
Art:
I didn't realize how much the art style relied on the setting. Seeing people in the same black (or white) clothes in a setting that looks identical everywhere gets monotonous.
Character:
The personalities you grow to love either change or disappear from the story for long periods. Don’t worry, though; you get introduced to about 50 more characters all at once. And that’s not all; they each have their own backstories that interrupt important plot points.
Now, I'm just going to say it, Bleach is my favorite Manga ever. But I will write this review without bias. I try to evaluate each aspect individually, rather than the Manga as a whole. Tite Kubo is an excellent writer; if he had ventured into writing outside of Manga, he would undoubtedly excel there too. While Bleach's story isn't the greatest, Kubo's skill in character creation is remarkable. He has a vast supporting cast, and with such large casts, characters often get forgotten or become one-dimensional. However, all of Kubo's characters are unique, and he manages to keep his background characters in our minds, each with their own backstory that he masterfully integrates into the storyline without making a fuss about it.
Regarding his art, like most manga, it starts out somewhat poor but improves significantly over time. Towards the end of many series, artists' styles can become odd and almost unrecognizable. In contrast, Kubo's art remains excellent, with incredibly detailed eyes for each character, making his style very distinctive. Yes, there is a lot of fighting, but it's a shounen manga, after all, which focuses on action. If you don't like it, perhaps shoujo manga would be more your style.
I highly recommend taking your time to read this manga. It's funny, and even though the story isn't exceptionally well-developed, I assure you it's worth your time.
I loved reading the final arc of Bleach, but I was frustrated by the lack of emotional depth in the final villain.
The art is fantastic, and the characters are great, though they could use more detail and development. There are just so many characters that it feels like there wasn't enough time to fully explore them all. I might end up buying the character books because I feel like I didn't get enough from the manga or anime.
I want more details on aspects that weren't fully covered, hoping for some closure on certain storylines.
****Spoilers ahead, but not too detailed****
The manga ends very abruptly. You don't get to see the remodeling (those who have read will understand), the healing process, or the burial of the fallen characters. These are moments I would have loved to witness for closure.
Also, where did Nel and Yurichi go? And how did "she" suddenly become the new Kenpachi?
So much happened in such a short period that it felt rushed. The rapid growth and changes left me wishing Kubo had more time instead of rushing to meet deadlines.
I hope someday Kubo provides something additional for Bleach fans. While I love this manga, I can see its potential and feel it deserves better closure. It's almost a disservice to leave it as is.
I don't understand why so many people give Bleach such bad reviews.
Yes, it is true that Bleach has lost its way. It has been taken over by filler episodes, arcs, and movies (but I love the movies anyway). But, that does not make Bleach a bad manga (or anime) overall! Bleach has a great story and great characters. However, it has been pushed too far. Way too far.
Story: 8/10
Bleach starts out with a good story and keeps it good until too many fillers and arcs come in. I really lost the point of Bleach. The story became such a blur. But, I am not going to give it a bad rating because Bleach is truly a great manga (and anime). Just skip the fillers if you like to get right to the gist of things.
Art: 8/10
The art in the beginning volumes of Bleach was rather...bad. Not horrendous or anything, but it wasn't great either. But look at Attack on Titan; such an amazing anime/manga, but the art in the manga sucks and still sucks at this point in time. Both have improved amazingly. When a manga has a great story, art doesn't matter. Walk before you can run! Therefore, art gets an 8/10!
Character: 9/10
There are so many enjoyable characters in Bleach...Yoruichi, Rangiku, Urahara, Kenpachi, Renji, TOSHIRO....love 'em all! Some people say Bleach has crappy characters, and I'd like to know where that came from...but whatever. 10/10!
Enjoyment: 9/10
With all the random fillers, I can only give my enjoyment for Bleach a rating of 9/10. I'd like to give a 10/10, but man, those fillers!!!!
Overall: 8/10
Basically, Bleach is a great read (and watch). It loses its way and has been pushed beyond the farthest reaches of the universe, but I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't already read/watched Bleach... (slim pickings there).
Bleach was one of the first shonen series I ever completed. The manga is exceptional, and even though the anime's soundtrack is great, the manga surpasses it by a significant margin. Tite Kubo's art is stunning—simple yet sleek. His character designs are incredibly unique and visually pleasing. He draws inspiration from various parts of the world, such as Spain and Germany. The foreshadowing in this series is top-notch. I adore the extensive cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities. The antagonists are masterfully crafted, evoking genuine fear. There is an abundance of lore to explore, along with fascinating powers and Bankais that make diving into the series a thrilling experience. I guarantee that when you read Bleach, you'll find at least 15 characters who you'll think are unbelievably cool.
TL;DR: Read Bleach—the powers and characters are genuinely awesome.
Bleach is the second-longest manga I've ever read, and what a journey it was. If I had to define it in one sentence, it would be "style without substance."
The bad: About halfway through, I realized I'd gotten everything I wanted out of the series. I continued reading for the sake of completion, but that was it. Especially after the Soul Society arc, characters became far less interesting, and storylines were replaced with endless, nonsensical fights. With every character and plot change, I saw more wasted opportunities for development, which is a shame.
The good: Bleach is by far the coolest of the big three. It's endlessly stylish, with iconic character designs and slick weapons and outfits. There's plenty to appreciate visually. The Soul Society arc is genuinely one of the best shonen battle arcs I've ever read. The Gotei 13 are and will always be the ultimate anime organization. And yes, I'm prepared to defend this, but Bankai is infinitely cooler than Super Saiyan or Gear transformations.
The first third of this massive story is an easy 10/10 for me. If the hundreds of chapters that followed had something more to offer besides paper-thin characters pulling increasingly ridiculous power-ups out of nowhere, it might have retained that score. Even so, it's not hard to see why Bleach stands proudly as one of the Big Three. The dazzling fights, sick swords, epic drip, and incredible main cast helped push this series to new heights. And let's not forget the S-tier waifus. (I'm convinced Rangiku and Yoruichi have permanently changed my taste in women.)
This is probably the best entry-level shonen manga you could ask for, aside from Naruto. But if you're already familiar with shonen tropes and clichés, this could feel like a slog, especially in the last third.
Before anyone starts criticizing me, let me share my thoughts on Bleach. Please note that this is just my opinion, and I feel justified in expressing it. I don't have to praise a popular series if I don't like it.
Bleach has been a staple manga among the Shonen demographic since its release. Alongside Naruto and One Piece, it's considered one of the "Big 3" mangas and has amassed a considerable fanbase since its debut. Initially, I was a fan, but somewhere along the way, I lost interest.
Story:
Bleach follows a typical arc-based plot structure with an overarching storyline. It centers on Ichigo, a teenager who can see spirits. After meeting a Soul Reaper named Rukia, he becomes a substitute Soul Reaper. The series started strong and had consistent development even into the third major arc, the Arrancar arc. However, the quality of storytelling began to decline. This was especially evident during the first part of the Arrancar arc, where many new characters were introduced without explanation or development. The whole premise felt cliché, revolving around rescuing a princess. Furthermore, the second part recycled the DBZ trope of rapid power-ups within a day. Despite this, the end of the Arrancar arc could have been a perfect conclusion, but Kubo tried to extend the series, leading to a deterioration in story quality with inconsistent and laughable explanations. (SPOILER ALERT!) For instance, turning someone into a hybrid of Hollow, Human, Soul Reaper, and Quincy contradicted previous developments.
Another issue is the overwhelming focus on fighting. While Bleach is a Shonen, it doesn't need to be all about combat. Kubo seems more interested in delivering fight scenes than advancing the plot.
As a caveat, if you want closure, stop reading after the Arrancar arc; otherwise, you might regret it.
Characters:
The character development in Bleach is another weak point. If you're looking for grounded and progressive character growth, Bleach may disappoint. While it has a colorful cast, most fall into Shonen stereotypes. Orihime's character fluctuates and becomes redundant, constantly repeating the clichéd line about not dragging Ichigo down. Rukia's character suffers similarly, and Chad's development is even worse. The situation worsens during the Arrancar arc, where new characters are poorly developed and then disappear. Kubo excels at creating colorful characters but fails to handle them effectively, often ruining them.
Art:
The art in Bleach is one of its strongest points. It's better than both of its "Big 3" competitors. The fights are illustrated neatly and in detail, which is fitting given the series' heavy focus on combat.
Overall:
Bleach exemplifies how not every popular manga needs to be good, but it isn't necessarily bad either. It's readable to some extent unless you're prone to nitpicking. With a large cast and intriguing concept, Bleach had the potential to be the best of the "Big 3," but Kubo's lackluster writing drags it down, making it one of those overlong series without much substance.
From a writer's perspective, Bleach isn't particularly outstanding. However, if you approach it expecting nothing more than exciting fights and likable characters, you'll absolutely love it.
Bleach follows a very formulaic pattern, making it quite predictable. The typical sequence goes like this: Ichigo gets his ass handed to him, then he trains, and finally, he returns to one-shot the opponent with a new power-up that he receives thanks to his extraordinary genetics.
But setting that aside, I don't think there's a single character (except for those you're meant to dislike) that I actually disliked. Each character had qualities that allowed me to sympathize with them or find humor in their actions. This manga isn't profoundly deep, but it is genuinely fun.
I'm not entirely sure why I feel the need to review everything I encounter on this website, but here I am, reviewing yet another thing. Bleach is a classic, right? I finished the manga a while ago, so I'll do my best to review it. The story is tight; not a moment is wasted, which is more than I can say for the anime. The character development is remarkable, and Tite Kubo's attention to detail is impressive. Hints about Ichigo's future are present right from the start, showing that Kubo meticulously planned his narrative.
The art is also excellently executed. Usually, I don't get a sense of movement in comics or manga, but Bleach managed to convey that effectively. Character development aside, the personalities and diversity of the characters were brilliantly crafted. Each character felt unique and well-rounded. The ending, one of the most debated in manga history, has its flaws, but the overall story more than makes up for it.
It's a fantastic read that will make you laugh, cry, and bite your nails. Whether you're looking to finish the story you started with the anime or just exploring new manga, Bleach is a great choice for everyone, especially newcomers.
Bleach has always been one of the most frustrating mangas for me. The first 20 volumes are a solid 10/10. The art style starts out rough but very beautiful. I think early Bleach is easily one of the most stunning mangas I have ever read, especially the color pages. The story is simple yet good, and the characters are interesting and unique. Combined with the beauty of the art, it is emotionally moving.
Then, there are another 20 volumes where the quality gradually declines. The story becomes repetitive, and the characters start to degrade. For example, Orihime goes from being an enthusiastic fighter who wants to grow up to be a killer robot, to an idiotic healer who heals enemies in the middle of attacking her, without any coercion or logical reason other than "I feel bad for them." I'm not exaggerating.
After that, Bleach loses its soul. The art becomes very polished, and while it is still gorgeous at times, it feels more manufactured and mass-produced. It devolves into endless fighting. There are still some fantastic moments, but they are much more spread out. I continued reading out of loyalty to the series, and honestly, other than Orihime (who by this point is just a pair of massive breasts), it was okay.
I'd probably give the last 30 volumes a 6, but the first 20 volumes of sheer glory make it hard for me to decide how to rate it overall.
Bleach was one of those rare series that drove me to seek out the manga after the anime reached a stopping point. I've been following the manga for years, starting near the end of the Aizen arc and just as the Fullbring arc began. It's far from perfect, but if I had to grade it, I'd still say it's pretty damn good overall. The art is fantastic, and there's a wide array of interesting and varied characters, making it a fun series with both action and humor.
The plot wasn't always top-notch; there were definitely some stumbling points that can't be ignored. Conclusions were sometimes awkward and confusing, often seeming like cop-outs. Despite these flaws, I still thoroughly enjoyed the series. Did it have the best ending? No. Did everything I wanted to happen actually come to pass? Not exactly.
But considering the journey from Ichigo's first fight against a gigantic Hollow in the first chapter to the very end, it's a series I'm glad I discovered. I still revisit it from time to time and will likely continue to do so for years after the series has concluded.
Leave a Review