Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 190 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Ichigo Kurosaki thought that Soul Reapers were the only ones hunting Hollows, but he was wrong. Enter Uryū Ishida, a Quincy, and possibly the last member of a powerful clan that died out over 200 years ago. Unlike Soul Reapers who strive to cleanse Hollows of their sins and send them to the Soul Society, Quincies adopt a more direct approach - they kill Hollows without hesitation. To demonstrate the supremacy of the Quincies' ways, Uryū challenges Ichigo to a contest - bait is spread around the city, attracting a large number of unstable Hollows. Whoever defeats the most wins, regardless of the danger.

Also, Orihime and Chad, confronted with a host of Hollows terrorizing their friends, awaken to their own psychic abilities.

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

A new reality-show craze is sweeping the nation, garnering legions of screaming fans (the majority of them being teenaged girls). But this program comes with a supernatural twist - the host, a media-savvy spiritualist, travels to local hotspots and performs exorcisms, live on national TV!

Surly Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki has his doubts about this primetime prima donna, and his assumptions are about to be put to the test - the show is heading straight for his neighborhood. what effect will this unprovoked media presence have on the fragile balance between Earth and the spirit world?

Bleach, Vol. 3 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 3 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Ichigo Kurosaki was a little boy when his mother passed away. One rainy day, Ichigo, whose ability top see the undead is a blessing and curse, tried to stop young girl from drowning in a nearby river. His mother, Masaki, ran after them, frantically trying to rescue her only son. Then everything went black, and Ichigo awoke only to discover his mother dead and the little girl gone.

It's the anniversary of Masaki's death, and the entire Kurosaki clan, along with former Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki, head to the cemetary to pay their respects. Sleeping demons rarely ever stay still and pretty soon Ichigo confronts the Grand Fisher, the Hollow that may be responsible for his mother's demise.

Bleach, Vol. 2 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 2 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Immediately after checking into the Kurosaki Clinic with a mysterious scar on his back, the muscle-bound Chad goes AWOL. Accompanying Chad is a talking parakeet imbued with the soul of a young boy named Yūichi. It doesn't take newbie Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki long to surmise that a Hollow must be involved. By far the strongest spirit he's faced to date, Ichigo is about to discover that not every soul is bound for the Soul Society, especially if it's tainted with innocent blood.

Bleach, Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo

Bleach #1, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

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 becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace.

Bleach, v. 72-74 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v. 72 by Tite Kubo - 192 pages
Bleach, v. 73 by Tite Kubo - 208 pages
Bleach, v. 74 by Tite Kubo - 232 pages

This was one of the first manga series I ever picked up.  Over the years I have read the series in spurts -- sometimes going through multiple volumes in a week and other times going a couple years without reading a volume.  The series has now been completed.  These books conclude the final battle between Ichigo and the Soul Reapers against Yhwach and his Quincy followers.  I have really enjoyed reading this series over the years -- and the ending did not disappoint.

Bleach, v.63: Hear, Fear, Here by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.63: Hear, Fear, Here by Tite Kubo - 187 pages

Renji and Rukia enter the fight against the Quincies attacking the Soul Society.  Uryu learns the secret of the Quincy King.

This book revealed a major secret held by the Quincies.  It is why they are confident that there is absolutely no way they can be beat.  And I agree from the set-up that it seems that way.

Bleach, v.62: Heart of Wolf by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.62: Heart of Wolf by Tite Kubo - 189 pages

The fight continues in the Soul Society between the Soul Reapers and the Quincies.  Urahara has a plan for the captains to regain their bankai so it can not be stolen again -- but will it really save them?  Sajin learns the true secret of his clan to gain revenge against those who killed General Yamamoto.  And Ichigo is on his way back to the fight?
This was a good installment in the series.  The action progressed and background information on one of the more mysterious characters in the series was revealed.  Now I just have to wait for the next volume.

Bleach, v.61: The Last 9 Days by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v. 61: The Last 9 Days by Tite Kubo - 189 pages

Ichigo confronts Zangetsu and learns to meld his different powers together.  Uryu has just been named the successor of the Vandereich.  Ichigo's friends are warned to say goodbye to him as he might never return to the world of the living.  And the Soul Society is once again under attack.

There is a lot going on in this volume.  In fact, it is a little disjointed with all the different story lines it is trying to keep up with.  Yet, the story is progressing to the final battle.

Bleach, v. 59-60 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.59: The Battle by Tite Kubo - 192 pages
Bleach, v.60: Everything But the Rain - 192 pages

Ichigo's training to increase his power and restore his zampoktu is not going well.  He sent away from the Soul Society to discover the truth of his past and his mother.
I really enjoyed these two issues in the Bleach series.  It answered the questions about Ichigo's mother and father and their powers.  It also answered the question of exactly where Ichigo's powers came from. 

Bleach, v.55: The Blood Warfare by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.55: The Blood Warfare by Tite Kubo - 192 pages

Even knowing that the Soul Society used him as bait, Ichigo continues to work as a deputy Soul Reaper in order to protect his family and friends.  But there is a new enemy in town.  They've issued notice that they will attack the Soul Society in five days.  They've also attacked and taken over Hueco Mundo.  When Ichigo goes to help his friends in Hueco Mundo, he realizes they an enemy that is very familiar.
This is the final arc in the Bleach storyline.  I can see where the groundwork has been set for it from the very beginning of the series.  I'm very interested to see how it turns out.