Bleach The Movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion Independent Film Review

All right anime fans! the time has finally come. Yes that’s right Ichigo and the gang have decided to come back with a powerhouse of a movie. Bleach the Movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion gives you everything you’ve come to expect from one of our favorite Shonnen Jump mangas. Now I’m not exactly sure whether this movie takes place in between the Arrancar story arc or after but it seperates itself enough to not make you question. Those following the anime will take pleasure in knowing that the filler arc animation is definitely not used for this one either (as we all have been complaining about in the community).

The scene starts as Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya and his vice captain are escorting a relic called the “King’s Seal” across the real world when suddenly they are assualted by a masked soul reaper and two viazards ( viazards are soul reapers who are able to maifest their hollow energy into physical form thus increasing their power). Hitsugaya takes on the masked Soul Reaper and is fatally wounded by his sword. He is suddenly reminded of his past. As the masked Reaper runs away Hitsugaya abandons his transport to chase after this person whom he believes is a diseased friend from his early days named Kusaka. The entire 10th division (his squad of soul reapers) is placed under arrest until Hitsugaya is found. It is Ichigo who finds him and seeks answers to the strange behavior that Hitsugaya is showing.

Toshiro leaves Ichigo to find the truth. Meanwhile, the entire Soul Society is in pursuit with some for truth others for capture. Kusaka is revealed to be the devious Soul Reaper who has taken the “King’s Seal” and has a dangerous plot to not only Toshiro but the entire Soul Society in a whole. Will Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya be able to see the reason for this whole sordid affair? Will Soul Society ever begin to understand that duty is two fold? And will Ichigo ever hook up with one of his many admirers? Well the first two can be answered, unfortunately the third will have to wait!

The animation is crisp in this movie. Noriyuki Abe really put a lot of work into displaying all the emotion and raw feeling of battle and honor that has made Bleach fans fall in love with the series. Michiko Yokote and Masahiro Ōkubo wrote a very deep and in depth plot line that is not cut up and flows very well. Fans of Shonen Jump and mangas alike will enjoy the cleverness and deep rooted themes. Those who enjoy the visual art will not be disappointed either with the gorgeous display of colors, no choppiness, and emotional actions that is sometimes left out inside full length features (Naruto can sometimes be called on for this).

So in closing definitely see this movie. It is a nice display of all the Bleach animators and their capabilities, as well as ingrain you into a story that if you haven’t been following you will want to. A 5/5