BLEACH (2018) is a Japanese fantasy adventure film based on the manga series of the same title. It’s utterly ridiculous but strangely fun and compelling, checking all the right storytelling boxes.
High schooler Ichigo has the ability to see ghosts, which draws the attention of Rukia, a katana-wielding soul reaper, whose job is to both guide the dead to heaven while fighting souls that remain as “Hollows” to devour other souls. While fighting a Hollow together, she is forced to transfer her powers to him, which results in the ire of other soul reapers. Ichigo must fight and destroy the most powerful Hollow of all to avenge his mother and give Rukia her powers back, while surviving the angry soul reapers.
As I said, the movie is ridiculous and makes little sense, particularly the soul reapers, who want to kill Rukia and Ichigo and then don’t and then do until I couldn’t remember what they wanted. But the Hollows are cool, the storytelling is classic over-the-top manga, there’s plenty of crazy action, the protagonists are likeable, and in the end, it was a fun if somewhat forgettable ride. Catch it on Netflix.
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