Bleach-Box 1: Agent of the Soul Reaper (2004) |
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BUY IT |
Bleach is one of the most addictive anime series currently in production. Blending action, melodrama and a touch of humour, this samurai psychopomp series should appeal most fans of offbeat supernatural drama, such as Dead Like Me, as well as most anime fans.
The complete first season of Bleach is captured in this box set.
An excellent value package, despite the dearth of decent extras. Certainly the best way to purchase the series at present - one volume is unlikely to be enough to satisfy most viewers!
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bleach-Volume 01 (2004) |
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BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Anime |
Main Menu Audio Gallery-Production Art Featurette-Clean Closing Credits |
|
Rating |
![]() |
||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 91:52 (Case: 100) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (45:55) | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
Studio
Distributor |
Viz Media Madman Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | ? | Music |
Shirô Sagisu Junichi Uematsu Natsuko Suzuki |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame |
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | Yes |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | Yes, Trailer for following episode |
Bleach: Agent of the Soul Reaper comes from the pages of Shonen Jump, the same variety manga that spawned Naruto. It tells the ongoing saga of Ichigo Kurosaki, a fifteen year old high school student in present day Japan (more or less) who has been able to see ghosts since he was a child. Ichigo assumes the role of a soul reaper (hence the subtitle of the show), a sort of samurai psychopomp, when he comes across a young female soul reaper named Rukia Kuchiki who is wounded in battle. In this world, soul reapers have two roles, one being to guide souls that have failed to cross over, called Wholes, to the "Soul Society" on their way and the other being to battle "hollows", souls that have lost their humanity and run around eating other souls (both of the living and the dead).
Unsurprisingly, Bleach is similar to Naruto in many ways, particularly the animation style and formula to its plotting, though it is aimed at more mature viewers than Naruto and features both more mature concepts and a bit more violence (though it is still fairly tame stuff). In many ways, Bleach is the anime equivalent to a soap opera - a reasonably steady ongoing plot (though whole story arcs generally run 2-3 episodes) and no firm end in sight at any point (in fact, the show has run for more than 200 episodes in a weekly format since it premiered in Japan in 2004). The concepts in the show are frequently involved, but rarely over-complicated. Most similarly, Bleach is addictive stuff.
This disc features four episodes. They are:
The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and is, rightfully, not 16x9 enhanced. The video generally looks very good.
The image is sharp and clear throughout. The animation is reasonably basic, maintaining generally maintaining static or simple backgrounds with limited character animation, but its simplicity evokes a good feel for the manga upon which the series is based. There is no noticeable grain or low-level noise in the image.
The colour in the transfer is bright and appropriately cartoonish. Colour levels are consistent throughout the show.
Interlacing artefacts are present every third or fourth frame, but they are never really noticeable due to the fairly basic animation style of the show. No compression-related artefacts or film artefacts are noticeable at any point in the transfer.
Bright Yellow English subtitles are present for the show. The subtitles are a direct translation of the Japanese audio and occasionally present a slightly different emphasis to the English dialogue, however the story is fundamentally the same despite these minor differences.
This is a RSDL disc. The layer break occurs between the second and third episodes at 45:55 and was not noticeable on my equipment.
Sharpness | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shadow Detail | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Colour | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Grain/Pixelization | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track and an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track are present for the film.
Both tracks sound crisp and clear. The audio is generally well enough synchronised to the video, less so the English than the Japanese.
The series features a great opening theme from J-Rock band Orange Range and fairly stock orchestral stabs throughout the show itself.
There is no noticeable surround or subwoofer usage.
Dialogue | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio Sync | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Surround Channel Use | ![]() |
Subwoofer | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The closing credits without credits. More or less a dull music video for the closing credits song Life is Like a Boat by Rie Fu.
A so-so collection of character sketches and background art images.
Identical to the regular cover, minus the classification warning that many see as an eyesore.
Following a skippable anti-piracy trailer, there are trailers for spectobes, Elemental Gelade and Eureka Seven.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The US Region 1 release of Bleach is identical to the Region 4 edition, save for PAL/NTSC formatting and a handful of trailers for other anime releases that are featured on the Region 4 edition.
A box set is available in both regions that collects the first 5 discs in the series, including this one, which is the most economical way to purchase the series.
A highly addictive anime series that strikes a good balance between action, melodrama and weird afterworld-related storyline.
The video and audio are very good, though not the sort of stuff you would look at as demo material. The extras are negligible.
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony Playstation 3, using HDMI output |
Display | Samsung 116cm LA46M81BD. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL). |
Audio Decoder | Pioneer VSX2016AVS. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX2016AVS |
Speakers | 150W DTX front speakers, 100W centre and 4 surround/rear speakers, 12 inch PSB Image 6i powered sub |
Bleach-Volume 02 (2004) |
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BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Anime |
Main Menu Audio Gallery-Production Art Featurette-Clean Closing Credits Trailer-Madman Trailers |
|
Rating |
![]() |
||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 91:44 (Case: 100) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (56:54) | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
Studio
Distributor |
Viz Media Madman Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | ? | Music |
Shirô Sagisu Junichi Uematsu Natsuko Suzuki |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame |
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | Yes |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | Yes, Trailer for following episode |
Bleach: Agent of the Soul Reaper, the first volume of which is reviewed here, continues. The story picks up immediately where the episodes on the first disc left off.
The episodes on this disc present episodes that are still very much setting up the world and introducing significant side characters to the story. Most notably in this lot is the hat and clog wearing Kisuke Urahara, who runs a magical shop, and a Hollow that may have been involved in the death of Ichigo's mother.
This disc features four episodes. They are:
The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and is, rightfully, not 16x9 enhanced. The video generally looks very good.
The image is sharp and clear throughout. The animation is reasonably basic, maintaining generally maintaining static or simple backgrounds with limited character animation, but its simplicity evokes a good feel for the manga upon which the series is based. There is no noticeable grain or low-level noise in the image.
The colour in the transfer is bright and appropriately cartoonish. Colour levels are consistent throughout the show.
Interlacing artefacts are present every third or fourth frame, but they are never really noticeable due to the fairly basic animation style of the show. No compression-related artefacts or film artefacts are noticeable at any point in the transfer.
Bright Yellow English subtitles are present for the show. The subtitles are a direct translation of the Japanese audio and occasionally present a slightly different emphasis to the English dialogue, however the story is fundamentally the same despite these minor differences.
This is a RSDL disc. The layer break occurs mid-way through the third episode at 56:54 but was not noticeable on my equipment.
Sharpness | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shadow Detail | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Colour | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Grain/Pixelization | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track and an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track are present for the film.
Both tracks sound crisp and clear. The audio is generally well enough synchronised to the video, less so the English than the Japanese.
The series features a great opening theme from J-Rock band Orange Range and fairly stock orchestral stabs throughout the show itself.
There is no noticeable surround or subwoofer usage.
Dialogue | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio Sync | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Surround Channel Use | ![]() |
Subwoofer | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The closing credits without credits. More or less a dull music video for the closing credits song Life is Like a Boat by Rie Fu. Identical to the featurette of the same title on the first volume of Bleach.
A so-so collection of character sketches and background art images. This gallery is similar to that found on the first volume, but the images themselves are different.
Identical to the regular cover, minus the classification warning that many see as an eyesore.
Following a skippable anti-piracy trailer, there are trailers for Spectobes, Full Metal Panic and Eureka Seven.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The US Region 1 release of Bleach (this volume, at any rate) is identical to the Region 4 edition, save for PAL/NTSC formatting and a handful of trailers for other anime releases that are featured on the Region 4 edition.
A box set is available in both regions that collects the first 5 discs in the series, including this one, which is the most economical way to purchase the series.
A highly addictive anime series that strikes a good balance between action, melodrama and weird afterworld-related storyline. This second volume sees the series still very much in the introductory stage.
The video and audio are very good, though not the sort of stuff you would look at as demo material. The extras are negligible.
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony Playstation 3, using HDMI output |
Display | Samsung 116cm LA46M81BD. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL). |
Audio Decoder | Pioneer VSX2016AVS. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX2016AVS |
Speakers | 150W DTX front speakers, 100W centre and 4 surround/rear speakers, 12 inch PSB Image 6i powered sub |
Bleach-Volume 03 (2004) |
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BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Anime |
Main Menu Audio Gallery-Production Art Featurette-Clean Closing Credits Trailer-Madman Trailers |
|
Rating |
![]() |
||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 91:52 (Case: 100) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (45:55) | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
Studio
Distributor |
Viz Media Madman Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | ? | Music |
Shirô Sagisu Junichi Uematsu Natsuko Suzuki |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame |
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
Bleach: Agent of the Soul Reaper, the first volume of which is reviewed here, continues. The story picks up immediately where the last episodes on the second volume left off.
This third volume features a little more ongoing plot than the first couple of volumes, though the show is still in the process of introducing significant characters. The most notable addition in this volume is Uryu Ishida, a rival Hollow-hunter who calls himself a Quincy - a brotherhood of human Hollow hunters long thought to have died out.
This disc features four episodes. They are:
The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and is, rightfully, not 16x9 enhanced. The video generally looks very good.
The image is sharp and clear throughout. The animation is reasonably basic, maintaining generally maintaining static or simple backgrounds with limited character animation, but its simplicity evokes a good feel for the manga upon which the series is based. There is no noticeable grain or low-level noise in the image.
The colour in the transfer is bright and appropriately cartoonish. Colour levels are consistent throughout the show.
Interlacing artefacts are present every third or fourth frame, but they are never really noticeable due to the fairly basic animation style of the show. No compression-related artefacts or film artefacts are noticeable at any point in the transfer.
Bright Yellow English subtitles are present for the show. The subtitles are a direct translation of the Japanese audio and occasionally present a slightly different emphasis to the English dialogue, however the story is fundamentally the same despite these minor differences.
This is a RSDL disc. The layer break occurs between the second and third episodes at 45:55 and was not noticeable on my equipment.
Sharpness | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shadow Detail | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Colour | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Grain/Pixelization | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track and an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track are present for the film.
Both tracks sound crisp and clear. The audio is generally well enough synchronised to the video, less so the English than the Japanese.
The series features a great opening theme from J-Rock band Orange Range and fairly stock orchestral stabs throughout the show itself.
There is no noticeable surround or subwoofer usage.
Dialogue | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio Sync | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Surround Channel Use | ![]() |
Subwoofer | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The closing credits without credits. More or less a dull music video for the closing credits song Life is Like a Boat by Rie Fu. Identical to the featurette that appears on the first two volumes of the series.
A so-so collection of character sketches and background art images. The images themselves are similar, but different, to the ones on the first two volumes of the series.
Identical to the regular cover, minus the classification warning that many see as an eyesore.
Following a skippable anti-piracy trailer, there are trailers for Fate/Stay Night, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Le Chevalier D'Eon.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The US Region 1 release of Bleach (this volume, at any rate) is identical to the Region 4 edition, save for PAL/NTSC formatting and a handful of trailers for other anime releases that are featured on the Region 4 edition.
A box set is available in both regions that collects the first 5 discs in the series, including this one, which is the most economical way to purchase the series.
A highly addictive anime series that strikes a good balance between action, melodrama and weird afterworld-related storyline. This third volume progresses the story substantially, but is still busy introducing the surrounding world.
The video and audio are very good, though not the sort of stuff you would look at as demo material. The extras are negligible.
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony Playstation 3, using HDMI output |
Display | Samsung 116cm LA46M81BD. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL). |
Audio Decoder | Pioneer VSX2016AVS. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX2016AVS |
Speakers | 150W DTX front speakers, 100W centre and 4 surround/rear speakers, 12 inch PSB Image 6i powered sub |
Bleach-Volume 04 (2004) |
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![]() |
BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Anime |
Main Menu Audio Gallery-Production Art Featurette-Clean Closing Credits Trailer-Madman Trailers |
|
Rating |
![]() |
||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 91:36 (Case: 100) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (45:50) | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
Studio
Distributor |
Viz Media Madman Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | ? | Music |
Shirô Sagisu Junichi Uematsu Natsuko Suzuki |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame |
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | Yes |
Bleach: Agent of the Soul Reaper, the first volume of which is reviewed here, continues. The story picks up immediately where the last episodes on the third volume left off.
This fourth volume sees the show well into an ongoing storyline that explores the mythology of the series.
This disc features four episodes. They are:
The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and is, rightfully, not 16x9 enhanced. The video generally looks very good.
The image is sharp and clear throughout. The animation is reasonably basic, maintaining generally maintaining static or simple backgrounds with limited character animation, but its simplicity evokes a good feel for the manga upon which the series is based. There is no noticeable grain or low-level noise in the image.
The colour in the transfer is bright and appropriately cartoonish. Colour levels are consistent throughout the show.
Interlacing artefacts are present every third or fourth frame, but they are never really noticeable due to the fairly basic animation style of the show. No compression-related artefacts or film artefacts are noticeable at any point in the transfer.
Bright Yellow English subtitles are present for the show. The subtitles are a direct translation of the Japanese audio and occasionally present a slightly different emphasis to the English dialogue, however the story is fundamentally the same despite these minor differences.
This is a RSDL disc. The layer break occurs between the second and third episodes at 45:50 and was not noticeable on my equipment.
Sharpness | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shadow Detail | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Colour | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Grain/Pixelization | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track and an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track are present for the film.
Both tracks sound crisp and clear. The audio is generally well enough synchronised to the video, less so the English than the Japanese.
The series features a great opening theme from J-Rock band Orange Range and fairly stock orchestral stabs throughout the show itself.
There is no noticeable surround or subwoofer usage.
Dialogue | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio Sync | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Surround Channel Use | ![]() |
Subwoofer | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The closing credits without credits. More or less a dull music video for the closing credits song Thank You! by Home Made Kazoku, which plays on the closing credits from the 14th episode onwards.
A so-so collection of character sketches and background art images. The images themselves are similar, but different, to the ones on the first two volumes of the series.
Identical to the regular cover, minus the classification warning that many see as an eyesore.
Following a skippable anti-piracy trailer, there are trailers for Solty Rei, Highlander: Search For Vengeance and Le Chevalier D'Eon.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The US Region 1 release of Bleach (this volume, at any rate) is identical to the Region 4 edition, save for PAL/NTSC formatting and a handful of trailers for other anime releases that are featured on the Region 4 edition.
A box set is available in both regions that collects the first 5 discs in the series, including this one, which is the most economical way to purchase the series.
A highly addictive anime series that strikes a good balance between action, melodrama and weird afterworld-related storyline. This fourth volume sees the show's ongoing story arc in full swing.
The video and audio are very good, though not the sort of stuff you would look at as demo material. The extras are negligible.
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony Playstation 3, using HDMI output |
Display | Samsung 116cm LA46M81BD. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL). |
Audio Decoder | Pioneer VSX2016AVS. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX2016AVS |
Speakers | 150W DTX front speakers, 100W centre and 4 surround/rear speakers, 12 inch PSB Image 6i powered sub |
Bleach-Volume 05 (2004) |
![]() |
![]() |
BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Anime |
Main Menu Audio Gallery-Production Art Featurette-Clean Closing Credits Trailer-Madman Trailers |
|
Rating |
![]() |
||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 91:31 (Case: 100) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (68:37) | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
Studio
Distributor |
Viz Media Madman Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | ? | Music |
Shirô Sagisu Junichi Uematsu Natsuko Suzuki |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame |
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | Yes |
Bleach: Agent of the Soul Reaper, the first volume of which is reviewed here, continues. The story picks up immediately where the last episodes on the fourth volume left off.
This fifth volume rounds out the first season of the show. The story sees a significant shift in the show's dynamic, bringing the feudal Soul Society into the mix a lot more than previous episodes, and leads to a major cliffhanger to cap the series off.
This disc features four episodes. They are:
The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and is, rightfully, not 16x9 enhanced. The video generally looks very good.
The image is sharp and clear throughout. The animation is reasonably basic, maintaining generally maintaining static or simple backgrounds with limited character animation, but its simplicity evokes a good feel for the manga upon which the series is based. There is no noticeable grain or low-level noise in the image.
The colour in the transfer is bright and appropriately cartoonish. Colour levels are consistent throughout the show.
Interlacing artefacts are present every third or fourth frame, but they are never really noticeable due to the fairly basic animation style of the show. No compression-related artefacts or film artefacts are noticeable at any point in the transfer.
Bright Yellow English subtitles are present for the show. The subtitles are a direct translation of the Japanese audio and occasionally present a slightly different emphasis to the English dialogue, however the story is fundamentally the same despite these minor differences.
This is a RSDL disc. The layer break occurs between the third and fourth episodes at 68:37 but was not noticeable on my equipment.
Sharpness | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shadow Detail | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Colour | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Grain/Pixelization | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Film Artefacts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track and an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 Kbps) audio track are present for the film.
Both tracks sound crisp and clear. The audio is generally well enough synchronised to the video, less so the English than the Japanese.
The series features a great opening theme from J-Rock band Orange Range and fairly stock orchestral stabs throughout the show itself.
There is no noticeable surround or subwoofer usage.
Dialogue | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio Sync | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Surround Channel Use | ![]() |
Subwoofer | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The closing credits without credits. More or less a dull music video for the closing credits song Thank You! by Home Made Kazoku. This is identical to the featurette of the same title on the fourth volume.
A so-so collection of character sketches and background art images. The images themselves are similar, but different, to the ones on the first two volumes of the series.
Identical to the regular cover, minus the classification warning that many see as an eyesore.
Following a skippable anti-piracy trailer, there are trailers for Solty Rei, Highlander: Search For Vengeance and Le Chevalier D'Eon.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The US Region 1 release of Bleach (this volume, at any rate) is identical to the Region 4 edition, save for PAL/NTSC formatting and a handful of trailers for other anime releases that are featured on the Region 4 edition.
A box set is available in both regions that collects the first 5 discs in the series, including this one, which is the most economical way to purchase the series.
A highly addictive anime series that strikes a good balance between action, melodrama and weird afterworld-related storyline. This fifth volume brings the first season plot-arc to a close with a tense cliffhanger.
The video and audio are very good, though not the sort of stuff you would look at as demo material. The extras are negligible.
Video | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Audio | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Extras | ![]() |
Plot | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overall | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony Playstation 3, using HDMI output |
Display | Samsung 116cm LA46M81BD. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL). |
Audio Decoder | Pioneer VSX2016AVS. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX2016AVS |
Speakers | 150W DTX front speakers, 100W centre and 4 surround/rear speakers, 12 inch PSB Image 6i powered sub |