Review: Bleach Episode 1

During a golden period of Shounen anime, Bleach was widely considered one of the three kings alongside One Piece and Naruto. The manga Bleach, however, was canceled years ago due to pacing problems and creative drought. After many long-time fans left the series, many assumed it would never return again.

While improving upon canonical lore, the first episode of Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War showcases gorgeous action animation while maneuvering around problems that plagued the manga.

As Ichigo and his super-powered friends rush to save two random Shinigamis or Soul Reapers, they are once again introduced to each other. Following a short but flashy power showcase, Chad, Orihime, and Uryu are introduced by name.

Fans new to the series will quickly grasp who the main characters are with this short but effective introduction. These impressive displays of power are reassuring to older fans that the characters are still at the top of their game.