Anime DVD

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Director Noriyuke Abe ably juggles battles, emotional scenes, and slapstick as the popular comedy-adventure Bleach continues. In a rare, gentle moment, Ichigo’s father tells him he shouldn’t blame himself for his mother’s death, but should honor her memory by living in ways that would make her proud. Although his father’s advice buoys his spirits, Ichigo vows to avenge his mother by slaying the Grand Fisher, the powerful Hollow that killed her. Ichigo and Rukia face a more immediate challenge at school. Uryu Ishida, the top student in their class, is a “Quincy:” a descendant of a clan of Hollow-hunters who despise their rival Soul Reapers. The icy Uryu challenges Ichigo to see who can kill more Hollows, and releases a potion that attracts the hideous creatures.When a Hollow threatens Ichigo’s sister Karin, his muscular friend Chad unleashes his latent monster-fighting powers to save her. It’s everything Bleach fans love and expect. (Rated “Teen,” suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
Ichigo and Rukia continue their work as Soul Reapers, protecting the spirits and the living. But they are not the only ones with the power to defeat the evil Hollows. A rival called a Quincy appears with fearsome powers of his own–and a grudge against all Soul Reapers. When he issues a Hollow-battling challenge to Ichigo, it could spell the destruction of the world of the living!

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Chaos reigns on Earth and in the Seireitei, the stronghold of the Soul Society, as the popular fantasy-adventure Bleach nears the end of its second season. Ichigo’s sisters, Masaki and Yuzu–who haven’t been heard from in many episodes–meet a cat spirit who seems to be a magnet for Hollows. Jinta and Ururu, the kids from the store run by Urahara (”Hat and Clogs Guy”) come to their rescue. The situation in the Seireitei is even messier: the arrival of the teenagers from Earth precipitates latent enmities among the warriors of the Soul Society. While Ohime, Ishida and Master Yoruichi stay out of sight, Chad fights his way toward Rukia’s prison from one direction; Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanataro approach from another. Ichigo faces Kenpachi Zaraki, the most powerful Soul Society Captain he’s seen: Their duel will obviously bring the season to a close. These episodes deliver the supernatural warfare, broad slapstick, and vivid characters Bleach fans love and expect. (Rated “Teen,” suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
In the world of the living Ichigo’s sisters find themselves in the spotlight as “Karakura Superheroes,” while in the Soul Society all-out war is declared against Ichigo and his comrades. But unrest stirs in all corners of the Seireitei, including among the ranks of the Soul Reapers themselves, when a prominent captain meets an untimely fate. Ichigo and the others attempt to ride the waves of chaos straight to the white tower to rescue Rukia, but they’ll have to face a massive outpouring of spiritual energy to get there!

Note: Includes a Sticker sheet

Amazon.com
As the second season of the popular adventure-fantasy Bleach continues, Ichigo and his friends charge through the Seireitei, the stronghold of the Soul Society. They want to rescue Rukia, but none of them knows where she’s imprisoned–or where they are–in the city-sized compound. When Ichigo and Ganju collide while fleeing two groups of pursuers, they seize meek Hanataro Yamada as a hostage. Because he’s worked as a janitor, Hanataro knows how to get around the Seireitei; he also knows where the Soul Society is keeping Rukia. But Lieutenant Renji Abarai, the supernatural assassin who attacked Ichigo in the human world, stands between them and their destination. The rematch between Renji and Ichigo is the focus of these episodes, and director Noriyuke Abe uses rapid cutting and dynamic camera moves to suggest the intensity of their combat. Fortunately, Ichigo remembers the lessons Urahara (”Hat and Clogs Guy”) beat into him about concentration, anticipation, and resolve. (Rated “Teen,” suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
Ichigo and his comrades are chased from one end of the Seireitei to another while fending off the furious attacks of the Soul Reapers that guard the city from intruders. When he and Ganju capture a meek member of Squad 4, they are shown a secret way into the white tower where Rukia is being held prisoner. But at the steps of the fortress, an old nemesis, Renji Abarai, appears, and a rematch pits Ichigo against the spirit energy of a powerful lieutenant.

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Although director Noriyuki Abe pulls out the stops in the spectacular fight scenes inthis installment of Bleach, the internal conflicts prove more compelling than the external ones. Viewers learn why Chad never uses his awesome strength in his own interest, and how he and the irrepressible Ichigo became friends. When Ichigo duels with the sadistic Captain Zaraki of Squad 11, he discovers that he must use his sword as an ally, rather than as a tool. By submitting to Zangetsu, the spirit of the sword, Ichigo acquires the power to defeat Zaraki. While Chad and Ichigo fight, Ganju and Hanataro reach Rukia, who fears the rescue mission will cost her human friends their lives. The struggle grows more up-close and personal when Ichigo squares off against Captain Kuchiki of Squad 6, who is Rukia’s brother. But the biggest surprise is cat-spirit Yoruichi’s true form. The satisfying mixture of comedy, adventure, and well-choreographed battles has made Bleach a hit in both Japan and America. (Rated “Teen,” suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, alcohol use) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
Exclusive collector’s stickers inside!

At the top of the great staircase of the White Tower where Rukia is being held, Ichigo faces down fearsome Captain Zaraki of Squad 11. The desperate battle pushes Ichigo to the point that the spirit of his sword comes to him to help him gain access to the depths of his spiritual pressure. If he can do that, he might just survive another day in the Soul Society. Meanwhile, Chad has run into a wall in the form of Captain Kyoraku of Squad 8, whose laid-back style masks the extraordinary power of an elite Soul Reaper captain!

FEATURES
* Original and uncut anime
* Bilingual (English & Japanese with optional subtitles)
* Features original music
* Scene Access Menu
* Color, Stereo
* Contains Episode 37-41

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The second season of the popular fantasy-adventure Bleach shifts into high gear as Ichigo and his friends storm the Seireitei, the stronghold of the Soul Society, to rescue Rukia. The officers of the Soul Society are a weird-looking cadre who may remind otaku of Shishio’s lieutenants in Rurouni Kenshin: Legend of Kyoto. Ishida demonstrates new powers as an archer as he defends Orihime against a grotesque giant. The loutish Ganju faces off against a preening popinjay, while Chad and Yoruichi await the opportunity to strike. Not surprisingly, Ichigo faces the toughest opponent, the arrogant swordsman Ikkaku: director Noriyuke Abe skillfully mixes overlapping movements, slow-motion, unusual camera angles, reverse colors, and black-and-white to heighten the drama of their duel. But Bleach never stays too serious for too long: Ichigo and Ganju squabble, even in the most dire straits, and an overhead shot of Ichigo fleeing a squad of Soul Reapers looks like a tabletop Pac-Man game. (Rated “Teen,” suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
As seen on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block.

Exclusive collectors stickers inside!

Ichigo and company succeed in breaching the walls of the Seireitei, the Soul Reapers’ compound, where they find themselves split up and in serious danger. Alerted to the intruders’ presence, the Soul Reapers mobilize their forces to attack. Meanwhile, Rukia is transferred to the Shishinro, the Repentance Cell, to await her execution. Will the rescuers save her in time, or die trying

FEATURES
* Original and uncut anime
* Bilingual (English & Japanese with optional subtitles)
* Features original music
* Scene Access Menu
* Color, Stereo
* Contains Episode 25-28

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The Chunin Exams enter their final round as the popular fantasy-adventure Naruto continues. The arrival of Jiraiya, the lecherous arch-ninja known as The Sage of Toad-Mountain interrupts Naruto’s intensive training regimen. Jiraiya wants to ogle the local girls, but Naruto wheedles and fusses until the Sage agrees to teach him the powerful jutsu used to summon a monster toad. His first efforts are unimpressive: All he can conjure is a tadpole. But Jiraiya’s instruction enables Naruto to tap into the extraordinary spiritual power of the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon imprisoned within his body. Drawing on this energy, Naruto defeats Neiji, avenging his cruel treatment of the gentle Hinata. But more serious matters overshadow Naruto’s match: Sasuke vanishes from the hospital and everyone fears Orochimaru may be involved. Or is Sasuke’s disappearance linked to a plot by the leaders of the Sand and Wind Villages to break the peace treaty among ninja and destroy the Hidden Leaf Village? At the center of this intrigue is the highly anticipated face-off between Sasuke and Gaara, the murderous psychotic who fights with enchanted sand. Sasuke arrives just as the match is slated to begin, and the collection ends on a cliff-hanger. The filmmakers also provide plenty of slapstick, ramen dinners, jutsu, and cartoony tantrums that Naruto fans expect. (Rated T+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, toilet humor, brief nudity, alcohol and tobacco use) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
*3 DVD box set with 14 episodes. Featuring original and uncut episodes.

*Includes original audio tracks and original series soundtrack.

*English dubbed / Japanese (with optional English subtitles).

*Collectible Naruto storyboards booklet

From sketch to screen – Storyboard to animation comparison

*Volume 6 Sneak Preview.

With the final round of the Chunin Exam only a month away, Naruto receives some special training from Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, to summon and master the chakra of the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit within him. Can Naruto turn this dangerous force into a strength and overcome the odds, against the formidable Neji?! Meanwhile, a dark plan that affects the fate of the Hidden Leaf Village begins to reveal itself as the much-anticipated match between Sasuke and Gaara draws near!

Product Description
Includes Special Limited Edition Collectible: Summoning Creatures Manda, hand-sculpted and painted figurine!

Naruto returns to the Hidden Leaf Village to find Sasuke, frustrated with Naruto’s sudden growth, thirsting to fight to decide who’s the better ninja once and for all. Kakashi stops the fight before the worst can happen, but soon Orochimaru’s henchmen arrive in the village to lure Sasuke to Orochimaru with the promise of greater power, a promise Sasuke can’t refuse. In order to retrieve Sasuke, newly appointed chunin Shikamaru forms a squad of genin, including Naruto, to pursue the terrifying Sound Ninja Four. Will they catch up before Orochimaru gets his hands on Sasuke? Let the chase begin!

English dubbed / Japanese (with optional English subtitles)

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As Bleach continues, the tone careens from farcical to surprsingly poignant, and director Noriyuke Abe makes it all work. Chad, Ichigo’s musclebound ox of a pal, parts with his cockatiel, as Ichigo helps the soul of small boy pass over. Rukia gives Ichigo a magic pill (from a PEZ-like dispenser) that should create a place-holder soul to manage his body while Ichigo’s real spirit battles soul-devouring Hollows. But the pill contains one of the last surviving “Mod Souls”–and Ichigo ends up fighting himself to get his body back. He sticks the pill into a plush lion toy, and inadvertently creates the pesky sidekick Kon. The mood darkens when Ichigo faces the anniversary of his mother’s death, which he believes he caused. While he grieves, Rukia confronts a stealth agent from the Soul Society and a Hollow attacks Ichigo’s sisters. This singular mixture of pathos and slapstick has made Bleach a hit in Japan and America.(Unrated, suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
With her Soul Reaper powers transferred to Ichigo, Rukia Kuchiki, disguised as a transfer student, must assist Ichigo in learning to use his newly acquired powers to destroy soul-devouring Hollows. But more trouble arrives in the form of a modified soul who takes over Ichigo’s body and starts running amok all over town, literally!

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The fantasy-adventure Bleach enters a new phase as Ichigo, Chad, Ohime, Ishida, and Master Yoruichi the talking cat, pass through the interdimensional portal linking Earth to the world of the Soul Society. Although the Soul Reapers perform merciful acts, their realm is hierarchical and segregated: lost souls are consigned to rundown buildings in Rukon (”Drifting Spirit Town”), while the members of the Soul Society dwell within a guarded preserve. Ichigo, who possesses enormous spiritual power but little discipline, wants to fight everyone who crosses his path. Fortunately, the cooler and wiser Yoruichi prevails. He’s well known in Rukon, and obtains help from hot-tempered pyrotechnician Kukaku. Her brother Ganju and Ichigo immediately establish a feuding friendship reminiscent of Kazuma and Ryuho in S-cry-Ed. Director Noriyuki Abe plays their comic battles against the threat to Rukia’s life and the icy menace of Captain Gin Ichimaru. (Rated Teen, suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
Guided by the mysterious talking cat Yoruichi, Ichigo and school friends Orihime, Chad and Uryu make the dangerous crossing over to the Soul Society. They land on the outskirts of the Seireitei, the place where the Soul Reapers live. To succeed in their mission to save Rukia from execution, they must defeat the giant gatekeeper and find some way into the walled city. But it’s not going to be easy!

Note: Includes a Sticker sheet

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Orange-haired high school student Ichigo Kurosaki, the hero of the fantasy-adventure Bleach (2004) has the unsettling ability to see the spirits of the dead, at least the ones who are unable to rest in peace. Mysterious explosions in his neighborhood lead Ichigo to Rukia, a Soul Reaper whose job consists of destroying Hollows (soul-eating monsters) and ensuring the deceased find safe repose with the Soul Society. When she’s injured in a battle with one of the mask-faced Hollows, Rukia transfers her sword and much of her power to Ichigo. The spiritual energy that enabled him to see spirits makes him a formidable substitute Soul Reaper, but he’s not sure he wants the job: too many risks and moral dilemmas. A winning combination of supernatural adventure, well-executed sword fights, and fractious comedy (Ichigo and Rukia bicker constantly), Bleach scored a big hit in Japan: the series ran for more than 100 episodes, and was followed by two OVAs and a theatrical feature. It should find an equally enthusiastic audience in the U.S. (Unrated, suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon

Product Description
Taking On the Afterlife, One Soul at a Time!

Fifteen-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts?he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow?a malevolent lost soul?Ichigo encounters a Soul Reaper and absorbs her powers. Now, he?s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

Bleach anime premiers on the Cartoon Network?s Adult Swim time block September 9th!

Bleach Manga also available from Amazon and Viz Media.