Bleach To Enter Last Arc

Recent news from Anime News Network claims Bleach will be entering its final arc soon. Tite Kubo has declared a three-week break for Bleach since the release of chapter 479, so it's clear he has used this time to come up with great ideas for the upcoming arc. According to Crunchyroll's take on future arcs, here is a translation from unknown sources and comments:

"破面篇よりも長いんだよなぁ…
It's going to be longer than the Arrancar arc.

また人気出たら
ブリーチ２とかタイトル変えて新章突入とかやるからｗｗｗ
When it gets popular again, the title is going to change to Bleach2
and it'll enter a new arc...

最終章って聞くとついにか！
と思うけど破面篇より長くなるってことは 後30巻ぐらい続くんだよな
I thought "So I'm finally hearing it's the last arc" but if it's going to be longer than the Arrancar arc its going to continue for another 30 volumes."

I'm sure those of you that follow several Manga have heard of Rock Lee Spinoff, a special gag of the character from Naruto. According to Anime News Network, this comic relief will be getting its own Anime series starting April 3 on TV Tokyo (replacing Bleach time slots). In other words, no more Bleach Anime until the final arc! Even though filler haters might be pleased, I personally think a Bleach filler would be a much better idea rather than a long break of no episodes.

Since the next Bleach issue is about a week away, here are some teasers from a recent Kubo interview to keep you wondering about the upcoming arc(s):

- Soifon's left hand has been healed.
- Unohana Retsu will finally enter a battle in the upcoming arc as well as do a Zanpakuto release (true form will be revealed).
- Renji's bankai has changed somewhat.
- Grimmjow and Nel might appear.
- Kyoraku Shunsui's haori (captain's cloak) has a history behind it. It will be revealed in the next arc. There is also the possibility that he might go bankai.
- The relationship between Urahara and Yoruichi will be revealed.
- Kuchiki Rukia is a vice captain/lieutenant now (we've already seen that from the ending of the last arc).
- Kurotsuchi Mayuri will have a different look.

Stay tuned for more on Bleach.

One Piece Anime: Time Skip

According to the 2011 Japanese schedule for One Piece, time skip episodes will start airing in October. The Anime spent quite some time during the long Marineford (海軍本部, Marinfōdo) arc (followed by Luffy's past and lament for Ace's death). It's about time Anime fans get to see what's been going on in the New World (新世界, Shinsekai). As the Anime starts off with the regrouping of the Straw Hats, Oda is likely getting ready to finish up the Fishman Island arc in the Manga. This is the beauty of One Piece because unlike Bleach and Naruto Shippuden, the Anime truly makes up for its slow pacing. In other words, it has shown little to no fillers during gaps between arcs.

Many questions, however, have been brought up which have not yet been answered in the Manga:

• Exactly what was in the letter that Buggy received from the World Government (which Mr. 3 also read)?
• Rumored to be a request to join as a Shichibukai (七武海, Shichibukai)
• Rumored to be a request to join as a Yonko (very unlikely)
• When will Big Mom (ビッグ・マム Biggu Mamu?, シャーロット・リンリン, Shārotto Rinrin) make an appearance and on what terms is she protecting Fishman Island (besides the free candy)?
• Big Mom is rumored to be Lola's mother
• How is Blackbeard able to maintain two Devil Fruit abilities when we've been told a person will die if eating more than one Devil Fruit (悪魔の実, Akuma no Mi)?
• He is likely to gain another Devil Fruit ability (As rumors suggested by many fans; especially the Cerberus theory derived from the 3 heads shown in his jolly roger or flag)
• Who will replace Edward Newgate (白ひげ, Shirohige) as the next of the 4 Yonko?

Stay tuned.

Sabo: Dead Or Alive?

Being born a noble, Sabo (サボ) is a character introduced in One Piece after the Marineford arc. Oda decides to take us back to Luffy's past and how the three brothers (Luffy, Ace & Sabo) first met. After the fire erupted at Gray Terminal, a World Noble (天竜人, Celestial Dragon) arrives at Goa as Sabo is shown sailing away from the island. The World Noble shoots a rifle at Sabo's ship, causing a huge explosion. A second shot destroys the ship completely and Sabo's signature hat is shown flying away.

Is Sabo alive or dead? Some fans strongly believe Trafalgar Law (トラファルガー・ロー) is actually Sabo. What about the cover of chapter 596 which shows Ace, Luffy & Sabo (as adults) running from a gorilla? Oda is sure to have something up his sleeve as there is no proof of Sabo's death. Moreover, the appearance of Monkey D. Dragon (モンキー・D・ドラゴン) and the Revolutionary Army in Goa had to have meant something. Who knows? Maybe Sabo is actually a part of the revolutionaries (provided he joined to find the so-called "freedom" he always searched for).

Bleach Manga: Kubo's New Direction

After the battle with Aizen ended, Tite Kubo has added a new twist to the Manga. Instead of uncovering the back-stories of mysterious characters like Isshin Kurosaki (黒崎 一心) and Kenpachi Zaraki (更木 剣八), Kubo has decided to throw in new characters instead. Kugo Ginjo (Ginjō Kūgo, 銀城 空吾) is part of an organization called Xcution in which its members use an ability called Fullbring. Similar to the dolls used by the Bounts (バウント, Baunto) during the longest Bleach filler arc, Fullbring is a new kind of power where an object can be used as a weapon if the user has a "natural liking" to it. Being newly wrapped up in Xcution, Ichigo Kurosaki (黒崎 一護) intends to get his Shinigami powers back by undergoing special training.

Many fans following Bleach Manga seem disappointed in Kubo's new approach, but unexplained secrets and plot holes can't be hidden forever. For starters, the conversation between Isshin Kurosaki (黒崎 一心) and Kisuke Urahara (浦原 喜助) is sure to set off a spark as if they are preparing a new shinigami (Bleach, chapter 448). Many believe it is Karin Kurosaki (黒崎 夏梨), since she has been visiting Urahara's candy store quite often recently. Anyway, let's just count on Kubo to bring back Bleach to where it needs to be soon (provided he does not plan to stall any further). It would be great if he can take us back to the TBTP arc after Urahara's exile.

Bleach fans: stay tuned.

Naruto Shippuden: Never-Ending Fillers

Although it is unconfirmed, it is said that Naruto Shippuden fillers will end anywhere from the end of December to mid January. The Five Kage Summit Arc should initiate shortly after, putting Anime fans in a more calm mood. I suppose Tenten fans were relieved to see she got dedicated airtime in episode 184, even though it was among a series of pointless fillers. While fillers might be the only means to separate Anime from the Manga, having an episode dedicated to a talking Ostrich is where they should draw the line.

It's likely Bleach will enter fillers as Naruto Shippuden exits the phase (possibly in late January). As it's getting extremely close to the Manga, it's clear that the Anime team wants to finish the arc up quickly. After all, the fact that Isshin has already appeared is considered old news now (not to mention the cliffhanger with Urahara Appearing at the end of episode 297).

Stay tuned for more updates on Naruto Shippuden fillers.

Bleach Forthcoming: Episode Titles Updated

Take a glance at the next four upcoming Bleach episode titles:

297.) "The Extending Blade?! Ichigo vs. Gin!"
"Nobiru ha!? Ichigo VS Gin!" (映画だ！祭りだ！死神映画祭！)
298.) "Film! Festival! Shinigami Film Festival!"
(映画だ！祭りだ！死神映画祭！)
299.) "Theatre Opening Commemoration! Hell Chapter・Prologue"
(劇場公開記念！地獄編・序章)
300.) "Urahara Appears! Stop Aizen!"
(浦原登場！藍染を阻止せよ！)

After next week's episode, the next two will be fillers. However, episode 299 seems to be a promotional one in that it features the new Bleach Movie 4: "Hell Chapter" (scheduled for release in Japan on December 4, 2010). It's possible that 298 might be similar to the promo, and if not, a filler.

The 300th episode of Bleach should be a memorable one, since Kisuke Urahara will finally make his entrance in the battle against Aizen. Anime fans who are not following the Manga will certainly get their hopes met, as they have been wondering what the former captain of squad 12 has been up to. Isshin has already appeared in the preview for Tomorrow's episode, which is amazing as it is!

Bleach Episode 295: Ichigo's Past Battles

It's not surprising that today's episode of Bleach was mostly a flashback. It was expected sooner or later since the Anime's pacing lately has been 2 to 3 manga chapters per episode. Aizen's famous "x was a part of my plan" speech was delivered and flashbacks from Ichigo's past battles were shown. Interestingly, footage of Aizen & Gin watching Ichigo's progress was shown as well (similar to the Dr. Gero scenario from Dragon Ball Z).

More importantly, Isshin will be making his appearance next week! Round 2 will start off between Ichigo & Gin as well. Today's episode only showed flashbacks up to the end of Soul Society, so let's hope they don't attempt to show the remaining ones from Hueco Mundo next week (i.e., battles with Grimmjow and Ulquiorra). Stay tuned!