Customer Reviews

Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 1 - The Bount

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

According to Merriam-Webster, filler is "a substance added to a product (as to increase bulk, weight, viscosity, opacity, or strength)."

Well, it's not a precise description, but it does explain the function of anime filler: episodes not based on the manga it springs from. And "Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 1 - The Bount" anime begins an entire arc not based on Tite Kubo's manga, although it still manages to be pretty suspenseful, funny and action-packed.

The day after the gang's return to the living world, Orihime is suddenly sucked into a vast replica of the Hell Gate, by a doppelganger of her brother. Her kidnappers are the mysterious Ririn, Kuroudo and Noba -- and they quickly lure Ichigo, Uryu, Chad and Renji on a series of bizarre games. First it's a chase around town, then a surreal maze in the local museum. Finally, they're brought back to school, where they must uncover who the imposter among them is... or everyone will vanish.

It turns out that these three weirdos are all working for an old friend, to prepare Ichigo and Co. (plus Rukia and Renji) for a massive fight against the immortal soul-sucking Bounts. The Bounts have recently started consuming living human souls, and for some reason they are also allied with a rogue Soul Reaper named Maki Ichinose. What's more, their cruel leader Jin Kariya wants to get his hands on Uryu, for a secret plan to do... something.

Filler episodes in anime are usually pretty bad -- at the very least, they bend the characters into doing and saying odd things. For the most part, "Bleach Season 4 Part 1" avoids that tendency -- there's still plenty of weird individual powers, sword fights and bloody action, as well as duels between floating fire creatures, snakes, living waterspouts, metal spiders and little flying eyeballs with teeth. The Bounts, they have some mean powers.

But the story is hampered by an over-reliance on flashbacks (is this "Bleach" or "Lost"?), and the story sometimes slows to a crawl. The dialogue is still plenty of fun ("You guys are checking each other out!") and there's plenty of comic relief (Ichigo trying to find a toy that satisfies Ririn). And the writers spin up some intriguing backstory for the treacherous Maki Ichinose and the Bounts -- they're not very scary or imposing compared to Hollows or Aizen, but they'll do for a filler arc.

Ichigo and his amazing abs (you could grate cheese on them!) make a good return in this arc, but he seems to have lost some key brain cells -- he's a smart guy, yet he doesn't know that blowing up a fire extinguisher and leaping down an elevator shaft might not be a good idea? Still, our orange-haired hero remains a likable protagonist who emanates hardcore determination to protect his buddies.

Uryu is explored in detail, struggling with his recent loss of powers, and the knowledge that he is now a burden and a danger to his superpowered friends. And the writers do a good job with the supporting characters -- Chad, feisty Renji, strong-willed Rukia and quirky Orihime ("I remember there was tea!"). The Bounts aren't really explored much yet, but the three mod-souls are fun characters: Ririn is a rather shrill little bird-girl, Kuroudo a flamboyant bunny purse (yes, Rukia DOES love him), and Noba is a little ninja turtle who is almost as quiet as Chad.

"Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 1" provides a pretty solid introduction to "Bleach's" first filler arc, and despite some flaws, it's still pretty fun to watch. Just be prepared to fast-forward sometimes.

Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 1-The Bount features episodes starting from the end of the Season 3 of Bleach (The Rescue) which does not continue with the plotline set up at the end of that set. That is too say that people who have followed the manga, have actually passed over these made for tv episodes, and already start off with the plotline of Aizen and such events. Needless to say, depending on how you feel about Bleach and the plot, then this boxset could be a make or break deal. If you have been following the sets then you are probably committed to getting them all over the course of the next few years (episode 79, the final episode on disc, is nearly 150+ episodes behind where the series is at now in Japan). But basically if you like the anime then you probably may want to get this set as it is more episodes to the show. If you like the manga then you will probably only watch this once to see what happens, but in the back of your head crave to see the events with Aizen (which unfortunately wont happen until they finally reach Bleach Season 5 on the DVD, in the Spring).

For the DVD offering it features, the usual that the discs include in terms of extras. English and Japanese Audio, English subtitles, Production Art, Shonen Jump manga preview, sneak peek (updated now to include preview of VIZ Media's release of Naruto Shippuden, Bleach Movie 1 trailer, and Bleach Dark Souls trailer)), Clean Ending (no credits on the screen), and Behind the Scenes featuring more minor characters (well major characters in this season of Bleach, and we get to see the director again (Wendee!) We should commend them on their great job of this behind the scenes feature).

In terms of the music, this set features two openings. "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color which continues off from the episodes of Bleach Season 3, and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" by Beat Crusaders", both of which sound awesome. For the ending it uses, "My Pace" by SunSet Swish and "Hanabi" by Ikimonogakari. I feel that the series has excellent openings but the endings are always hit or miss.

Finally for the episodes, the set includes episodes 64 to 79.

One final thing to note about the set is that the manufacturer has chosen to now put each disc of the DVD in its own thinline DVD case and place that into a cardboard case containing all of them. I like the old style better but it is alright since each slim case features a different characters portrait. There were also no bonuses in this one like the others, that is no poster or postcards :( . The discs are blue to match the set.

This is one of the side stories (filler) of the anime series Bleach. Though it is not in the main story, it is one of the best side stories in the series (I prefer the Zanpakutou Tales best). The bounts don't appear at the beginning: there is a part where Kisuke tests the individual powers of main characters (since they lost some of their powers when returning from Soul Society). However, that part is also funny and introduces the mod souls (which will have a lot of effect on the fight with the bounts).

Here are the episodes included with this set:
Disc 1: Episodes 64-67
Disc 2: Episodes 88-71
Disc 3: Episodes 72-75
Disc 4: Episodes 76-79

All of the disc also include the production art (which seems nice) and the last disc also includes a 'behind of scenes' which is basically an interview with the voice actors (for dubbing in English). Highly recommended for the people who love anime or the Bleach series. In addition, I don't think you can beat the price Amazon.com offers, so better buy it here!

I hate to call them fillers, and to the negative reviews, whatever. Either you like them, or hate them. A collection wouldn't be complete without this box set. What? Season 3, then 5? I find it nice to have a little break from a story line, not that the series hasn't been wonderful so far. So, if you dislike character development episodes, don't spend your money on this, save it for season 5 and have a gap in your collection. As for me, even though a solid story line is nice, and true to the original script, I'm happy I spent my money on this. Recommended.

Listen, if you love Bleach, you'll like this series. The Bounts are pretty lame enemies in my opinion when you put the up against the likes of the entire Soul Society. But it's still Bleach. You still get the awesome fight music ("If you want to see some action, you've got to be the center of attraction!" hahaha, so lame, but great). You still get the good fight scenes.

Things that bother me about it: Ichigo is a weak, whinny little b***h in these episodes. I know they explain that his spirit energy is less in the real world than in the Soul Society, but seriously, we are talking about a kid who attacked an entire civilization of soul reapers and he can't manage to defeat a few Bounts? Bleh, the explanation didn't wash that feeling of disappointment away.

Really, that's it. If you have made it this far in the series then you understand Bleach, and if you understand Bleach then surely you understand anime in general. Ichigo will train for a fraction of the amount of time that everyone else in the world has to train and come out 10 times stronger! Yes! That's why I like anime. If only real life worked liked that! haha

The fourth box set starts off with Ichigo and his friends Chad , Orihime, and Uryu returning from the Soul Society after rescuing Rukia and helping the other soul reapers after the betrayal by Aizen and his followers, thinking that they can take some leisure time the friends soon find themselves in another dilemma as seemingly a group of powerful unknown people are going after Ichigo and his friends. After a few episodes though you'll find out the truth and the reason as Ichigo and the others find out that they have a new threat called the bounts, bounts are humans who can live forever as long as they feed on the souls of humans and now the bounts have gotten a new and incredibly powerful leader with a dark and devious plans for his bount followers. I've just started reading the manga series so I don't know if this story saga is really part of the Bleach manga series or not but regardless the series are very addictive and entertaining to watch. This first box set gives you the episodes 64 through 79 so it looks like that they're going to make this bount saga a two box set piece which for the price is very agreeable. Like always the video is clear and sharp and the voice cast for the Japanese and English crew were great as well though the extras aren't much to really shout about, the set comes with four dvds put into four thinpack cases and put in a paper sleeve which I regret since I feel that the way they did the first three sets was much better. So if you're a fan of the Bleach series here's the fourth set ready to buy and if you've never seen the show or read the manga try checking it online I'm sure you'll be a fan of the series after that...

Lucky for me, I'm not the poor sap wasting my money on this awful monstrosity that somehow managed to take a good anime series and run it into a brick wall at mach speed. I'm really hoping you fine people will take my words into consideration and buy something substantial with your money. Please, skip this set or if you really have the urge to own it, wait until it goes down in price considerably.

As someone said earlier, this series is nothing but filler, plain and simple...and the tragic thing is, it's not even good or entertaining filler to keep you interested in the arc. You're introduced against your will to three new mod souls like the obnoxious Kon named Lirin, Kurodo, and Nova at the beginning of the season. They force our carrot topped protagonist and his usual set of friends into an insipid chase through a long series of goofy puzzles. Nova is tolerable, chosing not to remove all doubt by keeping his mouth shut most of the time, while Lirin and Kurodo display their foolish stupidity like a piece of art.
The Bounts are, plainly put, vampires who feast on the souls of humans instead of blood. It might have been something worth watching if the Bounts were even remotely compelling, which they aren't. The characters themselves are unappealing, their costume designs are simply dreadful and their "special powers" are laughable, at best. Some of the Bounts are formidable opponents, yes, but they engage Ichigo, his crew and the Soul Reapers in dull, drawn-out battles that make you wish you were spending your time doing something more interesting, like watching paint dry.
Then there's Maki Ichinose, the insufferable ex-Squad Eleven member who had a meltdown because Kenpachi killed the previous captain and he couldn't deal with it.
His sword makes rainbows. I shouldn't have to elaborate any further.

Ichigo's inner hollow only makes one brief appearance (and I mean VERY brief, maybe four minutes TOPS) and though this emergence was very exciting...sadly, it was just too little, too late. As soon as he appears, he disappears and then it's back to the same old grind that compels you to keep your finger hovering over the fast-forward button.

It's really a shame I have to give the Bount Arc such a bad review, because if you are a fan of action anime, then Bleach is your shonen cup of tea. The series as a whole does have its moments where corny humor and lethargic storyline development reign supreme, but most of the time, it saves itself from its own destruction at the last minute but throwing something out there that grasps your attention JUST enough to keep yourself watching.
The Bount Arc does not do this.
However, in spite of the fact that I couldn't careless about Kariya (the boring Bount leader) and his struggles, I will see this arc through until the end, no matter how painful the process may be. I'd suggest skipping the Bount Arc entirely and just going right to the Arrancar/Vizard arc, but unfortunately, that can't be done without creating some moderate confusion later on if you're only watching the anime.

Please ignore totally the snide jabs at this fine continuation of an amazing series in both the "official" review at the top of the page and in some of the followoing comments. They are wrong, dead wrong, to critize this addition to the series in any way. Bleach continues to be one of the finest animated series in any genre, with a full range of action, wit, character, and artistry in every aspect of its creation and production. I am not sure why some people are impatient with the whimsy and humor that is part of the series and the different nature of Japanese artistry and humour but that has always been part of the Occidental problem with seeing and accepting Oriental culture as being something totaly different and equally worthy to the Western approach.

There is nothing wrong with Bleach as it continues on its arc of story and I totally disagree that this is filler of any kind. It is part of the flow of the story, as it is evolving and if you stick with it, you will see the purpose of it all. I am way ahead of this in terms of watching the series but I won't spoil the surprises, just trust and buy this and enjoy it. It is worth every Yen - Penny or Pound spent.

Bleach is one of my favorite anime of all time, though that list is a long one let me tell you.
Anyway the animation was fantastic as usual, the music wasn't as great as usual but still good, and the characters still grow and change in both informative and humorous ways. However I found the plot in this season a bit lacking and to be blunt got bored with part it way through. I liked the focus being on Ishida for once and liked seeing more of him, but past that I think that while the writers had a good idea here it lacked any kind of real feeling.

The most disappointing thing about this 'season' however is the fact that it was cut in two the way it was. Honestly Funimation what were you thinking with this???
Everything on Amazon's end was spectacular as always and I received my anime in record time without any damage whatsoever.

In regards to the anime: good but not great

Okay, so if you're a Bleach fan and have been watching since the first season, expect some disappointment (if not a LOT). The 3rd season was full of excitement, good plot twists, amazing fights etc. To finish the 3rd with a certain feeling of quality, and then to start this season has been difficult for me.

The annoying entry of new characters and very boring feeling the episodes have been barely keeping my attention, but I stick through it because I don't want to miss anything important. The story seems to be filled with so many, well, filler episodes. the second disc is when you get the first actual fight in the season, and that seemed to be poorly illustrated (does the whole season seem of lesser quality visually?).

Another fault is that this season is split in to two parts, which you have to buy both individually. Cmon' now... Safe to say I'm blowing through this season (fast forwarding when needed) to get to season 5.

I could go on for a bit about the negative, but on the good side it is still entertaining. I mean, it's Bleach, right?