In the latest Bleach Western release we tackle the Bounts anime only arc. Following episodes 84-111 the filler arc of the Soul Reapers & Bounts continues Rukia, Orihime, Chad, Ururu, Kurodo, and Noba take on the Bounts Yoshi & Sawatari in an attempt to keep them at bay from the Seireitei, but the battle becomes a huge struggle with multiple threats.

Bleach is a 2006 shounen anime series, it is produced by Studio Pierrot and licensed by Viz Media. It is currently available on DVD & Blu-Ray in English.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Bleach Set 4 was provided by Viz Media in support of this review. 

The Bounts attack Soul Society in Bleach Set 4.

In what may be the most favorite filler arc of Bleach among fans, the Bounts arc has a lot going for it to be anime only content. Tons of action, likable new villains, and a lot of Bleach’s more obscure cast gets some very solid screen time and memorable moments. While it is annoying having these breaks in canon content as far as non-canon goes this is a pretty fun time.

Bounts leader Jin Kariya.

THE GOOD: In the Bounts Invasion arc we get the introduction into the titular Bounts. The last remnants of a group of humanoid beings which have the ability to live indefinitely so long as they continue to consume souls and they attack by summoning dolls which they can also use to power up and possess others. The leader Jin Kariya bands together the final survivors of the race to in order to invade Soul Society & destroy it as well as the Soul Reapers who inhabit it. Set 4 continues the with Rukia, Orihime, Chad, Ururu, and others taking on two powerful Bounts. The battle gets even more intense when Rukia is possessed by the doll of a Bount named Mabashi who interferes with their previous fight with the Bount named Yoshi.

Rukia possessed.

THE BAD: While entertaining like most filler with long form anime it does distract from the canonical production of the series.  And the episodes for this arc included within Set 4 lasted from episodes 84-111, which is nearly 30 episodes and incredibly long for filler. Not mention season 5 is a continuation of the arc.

The Bounts arc is fun filler that’s just a bit too long.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Even with the Bounts arc being as quality as it is for filler the longevity of it puts a huge distance between the previous canonical arc and the follow up arc which is the highly regarded Arrancar arc. Outside of the length issues however it’s story, characters, and content are still rather superior compared to most filler. Otaku Dome gives Bleach Set 4 a 77 out of 100.