This won't exactly be a review, more like a pure stream of unfiltered consciousness on the Bleach manga. Of course, this will contain spoilers for all of Bleach, and I will talk about many topics relating to Kubo, but not so much the heavy symbolism and sheer amount of motifs present throughout the manga. I suggest anyone reading do look into those though, as they are an interesting topic when thinking on Bleach.

Bleach is a manga I had low expectations for. I started reading it two months ago, and the deepest I ever got was midway through Substitute Shinigami beforehand. Thanks to the Nen Show Podcast, I decided to give Bleach (as well as the rest of the Big 3 and many other Shounen manga) another chance (or a first chance) to wow me. From what I knew of Bleach, I heard it peaked in the second arc (Soul Society), Arrancar was okay, and the final two arcs were some of the worst Shounen arcs ever written. If you can see my review score, you know I don't think that.

Let's start from the beginning. Substitute Shinigami. It is a very strong start to the manga, much like Yu Yu Hakusho's Spirit Detective arc, it is unique, draws you in, all the characters are endearing, but, much like Yu Yu Hakusho, it's not something a story could stand on for that long. I felt a bit drained of the 'day in the life' antics by the time this arc was getting into the spirit medium on TV stuff, thankfully, Kubo probably understood the reader's mentality and after laying all this groundwork, moved onto, what is generally considered to be, the best arc.

I think Soul Society is fine. I like a good chunk of the fights, I quite like the theme regarding how Ichigo couldn't protect his mother, but when he was able to save Rukia, he grew on from the pain of his mother's death, 'the rain stopped' so to say. The mystery aspect is also great, it's Kubo pulling the rug out from under you, thinking this will be a straightforward rescue arc where the good guys dispatch overpowered baddies until they save the girl. Instead, you get insight into so many of these surrounding characters, and the penultimate plot twist regarding Aizen's "death" is iconic for a reason. Kubo isn't writing this on the fly, he is laying down the essential pieces necessary, you can see where the story is going and why all these characters are getting development. But, there are a few drags on it. In particular, I'd like to highlight Ichigo's antagonist, Byakuya, who is sorely lacking in character. I understand him and his motivations, and how they tie into the over reliance on this system nobody questions, but he is very much a drab character. I don't hate him, I don't even dislike him, but all the other captains are just far more captivating as characters.

I'd also like to add that I really love some of the groundwork Kubo lays here regarding Tosen, which won't be coming back for like 300 chapters in the story, and it's just insane to think about, how much care Kubo was putting into this longrunning story, I don't doubt he knew what he wanted to do.

Next up was the Arrancar arc, which highlights Kubo's greatest failing as a mangaka, and it is quite literally too much of a good thing. He gives too much time to the bit players. He has so many characters and you can tell he loves each and every one, but during the final third of this arc, all these characters get their big fights and big moments, and I love some of these characters, but I just want to get back to Ichigo and Ulqiorra's conflict at times.

Speaking of that, the core conflict of the Arrancar arc I find to be far more interesting than Soul Society, and I've seen a lot of complaints about the reuse of a damsel in distress plotline, but it's done completely differently. When Rukia is kidnapped, she has no agency over it and is in denial of her fears. When Orihime is kidnapped, it is of her own volition and she acknowledges those very present fears regarding her friends dying to save her, and this all comes to a head with Ichigo losing control over his desire to protect Orihime, which makes him uncontrollable in his power. The battle between Ichigo and Ulquiorra very much highlights aspects of their characters in ways only possible in this medium and genre. It's a shame about the very much present pacing issues.

I'd also like to add that this is the point where I noticed that the poems at the start of each volume tie into the characters on the cover, and I very much want to reread, despite having just finished it, just to get those poems. Another interesting thing Kubo does with the volumes is the spread showing what characters will be appearing, as unlike a majority of manga, the cast will change to just the most important characters in that volume, and for the Turn Back the Pendulum story, all the characters are blacked out to hide their design. It's these cute little details that make it hard to dislike this manga, it feels very genuine and like Kubo really cares about and knows about what he's writing.

And, despite all the crap I've given this arc, it is genuinely my favourite (though it was almost overtaken by another), as those flaws, when looking back, don't inhibit my view of the arc, as that struggle, those bit player fights, now feel like they added to my understanding. Also, to compliment Kubo's character writing for a moment, Aizen just commands so much presence in his sheer power, I've never felt like this when reading a manga, he just exudes this overwhelming power that commands your attention.

I have so much I could say about Arrancar, but I will move onto an oft lambasted arc, Fullbring. It's fine. I don't have much to say here, I just don't get the hate really. It's a short well paced arc that goes through Ichigo's lowest point in preparation for the final act. It also explains Chad and Orihime's abilities, as well as giving a lot of insight into Ichigo's character, throwing around ideas of trust and doubt. I do think some Captain fights drag, but overall, I'd say it's the third best arc, better than the first two.

Now, obviously, based on that comment, you should know The Thousand Year Blood War is my second favourite arc, and I say second with a heavy heart. This arc, everything in it, was so close to perfect. It was perfectly paced, all the moments were just right, so many returning characters all feeling meaningful, until the last few volumes. It is well known that Kubo's health declined, and he had intended this arc to be far longer than originally intended, and the seeds of that are there, but those flowers never blossomed. Ichigo's dad shows up with Uryu's dad, but they're only around for a few pages to give the final boss killing weapon. One Quincy seems like he's going to rebel, but a few volumes later, he's just another bad guy. Yoruichi's brother shows up but acts mainly as comic relief. Grimmjow, the Fullbringers, Aizen, a lot of the non-Captain Soul Reapers, these guys are there, and they get some moments, but they all feel like they were cut short.

Kubo had a vision, and all the stuff leading up to that conclusion, made me want to see that vision to the end. But, it just wasn't to be, and because of that, I feel bittersweet not just because this manga I enjoyed ended, but also because it basically took the mangaka with it. Kubo is 46 years old now, and I don't see him coming back to give his true vision of the war arc, and I don't see him returning to a longrunning serialization again, as it burned the man out.

Bleach has given me pause. I haven't felt this drained after finishing something in ages. I really want to cry, cry for Kubo's lost vision, cry for this manga's untimely end, cry for Kubo, a man I could see as the next big mangaka, losing that due to health issues. It's insane how much this manga, that I knew barely anything about two months ago, hit me.

So, with a heavy heart, I say to anyone who has made it this far and has not read Bleach. Please, for the love of God, read it. It may feel slow at times, but I believe it is worth it.

To conclude, here's my pipe dream. I hope, somehow, the anime gets Kubo's original vision and gives it to us. I want to see that intended ending.

Godspeed Kubo. Can't wait for Burn the Witch.

FULL SCORES
Story - 8 (Very Good)
Art - 10 (Outstanding)
Character - 10 (Outstanding)
Enjoyment - 10 (Outstanding)
Overall - 9 (Great)