Shot Through the Heart, and You're To Blame . . . (Bleach 440)

The chase is on as we begin Chapter 440 of Bleach, as Chad and Ichigo are now hot on the trail of Inoue, who is emitting peculiar reiatsu patterns. Ichigo is obviously very concerned, but his is still in a weakened state from the training he just completed. Chad cannot lock onto her precise location, but Ichigo notices that it seems to be coming from the direction of her apartment.

Meanwhile, at the Justice League, Inoue stands between Tsukishima and Shishigawara, vowing to not let the former leave with holding him accountable for injuring Ishida. Tsukishima scoffs at Inoue's assertion as she contemplates her battle strategy. As Tsukishima turns to leave, Inoue seizes the opportunity to activate Santen Kesshun, but is countered instantly by Tsukishima, appearing behind her.

Just then, Ichigo and Chad arrive to find a perplexed, yet unscathed Inoue standing alone by her apartment door. She claims to have just have experienced a stomach ache after her "friend" left. Bewildered by her own response, referring to Tsukishima as "friend," she tells Chad that she will text him later, so as to not get Ichigo involved (as Inoue is unaware of Ichigo's recent exploits), and plays along with the ruse.

Suspecting that there is much more to this that both Inoue and Chad are letting on, Ichigo returns to the Xcution headquarters, where Kuugo reveals to him the true source of the attacks on his friends: Xcution's former ally and fellow Fullbringer, Tsukishima.

After witnessing Inoue's response to Tsukishima's attack, you have to wonder if his Fullbring, Book of the End, has other special properties, such as some sort of mind-manipulating poison or something like that. Possibly poisoned works, or something of that line, to fit with the book theme. Only time will tell I guess. This chapter was quite solid, a good 9/10 with much to look forward to in the chapters to come.

. . . And the Bag is in the River . . . (Bleach 439)

Bleach 439 is live and a go! Looks like we are still dealing with the aftermath of Ichigo's training will finding out a bit more about the newly introduced antagonist, Shūkurō Tsukishima. If you have been keeping up with the manga lately then you know a bit about Tsukishima, in that he is the bastard responsible for the attack on Ishida!He also revealed himself to Inoue, who is now stuck between him and one of his cronies, Shishigawara.

Things start to get a bit more serious in 439, as Mr. Pork starts freaking out over the fact that he was kidnapped; really, he's being a big baby about it, yelling and screaming like a toddler who had his toy stolen from him my a magical puppeteer who locks people in dollhouses. Seriously, grow up dude. Riruka shuts him up quickly, gives him a phone so that she can use him whenever the occasion arises, then orders Ichigo to go home and rest. Kuugo seconds this opinion, adding that a couple more days of powerlessness couldn't hurt lil' Ichi. And then there was Inoue . . .

Kuugo gives Ichigo a steer warning against training to hard.

Oh, Inoue. How do you manage to stumble into some of the worst possible situations possible? Will you never learn? Bah . . .

Right when things start to get awkward, Tsukishima breaks the tension by scolding Shishigawara, ordering to take his proper punishment like a man. What's the sentence? Death. He closes his book, removes the bookmark and initiates his Fullbring, Book of the End, which makes his bookmark take the form of a katana. Inoue says she can't let the attack on Uryu go unavenged, and we cut to Chad and Ichigo heading back to their homes.

Tsukishima unleashing his R.O.D.-esk Fullbring, Book of the End.

Chad's complaining about accepting Inoue's bread baskets and offers Ichigo half of whatever she has left for him today; arriving at this door, though, Chad senses traces of Inoue's reiatsu, but it feels . . . off. In shock, Chad shouts out to Ichigo that something must be happening to Inoue, and we can only assume that Tsukishima is the cause.

This chapter is another nice bridge, with enough suspense and answers to keep you reading throughout. 7.5/10, I guess. Not terrible, but nothing really stuck out really, other than Tsukishima.

'Knuckle Down' and Grit Through it! The Ends Justify the Means! (Bleach 438)

What can possibly follow one of the best chapters of Bleach in resent arcs? Some sneezing, self-punishment and a merchant of death. But enough talk, let's hop right in!

If you have not read 438, then click here.

Bleach is really starting to heat up now that Ichigo isn't just a useless baby anymore. Of course, they still need to tie-up some loose ends before moving along with Ichi's training, while creating even more questions about the true nature of Ichigo's Fullbring. After Riruka breaks her Fullbring, Ichigo notices something odd about his badge: it seems to be talking.

Elsewhere, Inoue has her own problems to deal with, as she is confronted by Moe Shishigawara, a punk who can't beat up girls. After a slip of the tongue, Moe slips that he may have been responsible for Uryu's attack, and Inoue preps for battle. Suddenly, Uryu's real attacker appears, sticking fear into the heart of both Moe and Inoue. OMG NO! After what's been going on with MSPA, I can't take anymore main character deaths!

But he can't strike her! How could you break such a beautiful frame?!?

439-442 should be a blast, depending on exact goes down between Moe, Inoue and (slight spoiler) Tsukishima. Just have to wait and see. 6/10

The Best Hour-and-a-Half That I Have Spent in a Long Time (Death Game Park Review)

So I was trolling through TV-Nihon the other day, looking for the new Kamen Rider movie amoung other things (which I have a review of KR OOO 14 and Chou Den-O Yellow coming soon, it's just been a rough week) when I noticed a new entry entitled "Death Game Park." Interesting title, so I decided to check it out. After a quick Wiki troll, I came back with the knowledge that Death Game Park was essentially Battle Royale with Tokusatsu actors.

Sold.

So after a brief download, I loaded it up, and I was completely amazed by what I saw.

For those of you who are clueless about Battle Royale, here's a primer: An entire Japanese graduating class in shipped to a island where they fight for the right to live and have their entire lives paid for by the state. Sounds badass right? I know.

So Death Game Park is about the same, except swap students with criminals and sub in Kamen Rider Decade and Shinken Red as two of the main characters. The series was actually a string of mini episodes, but the "movie" version is all of those mini-sodes strung together into an hour-and-a-half masterpiece.

The movie opens with Tokunaga Shoudai (Tori Matsutaka [Shinken Red]) about to get his skull crushed by a crazy bastard with a bad hair cut. Right as the metal bar come crashing down a crippled man named Iwai Daigo intervenes and helps Shoudai to his feet. Daigo is played by Masahiro Inoue, of Kamen Rider Decade fame. Erina Mano also starts a young girl hellbent on revenge. REVENGE!!!!!

The game starts off with 13 competitors, all of which are convicted felons condemned to die. Shoudai seems to have no recollection of what he's done to deserve this fate, and periodically experiences flashbacks to a riot of some sort and a mysterious woman dressed in white. The game part consists of five stages with different . . . tests of skill and will to live. The first is a hide-and-seek game with "Oni" doing the seeking. Things only get more intense from that moment.

Without giving too much away, people start dropping off like flies as the games get more and more difficult and merciless.

Matsutaka and Inoue (wow that seems odd that I'm using that name to refer to a guy . . .) both give powerful performances. I can say much about Inoue, but trust me, he's great. Matsutaka proves that ShinKen Red is a badass at whatever he does, no matter the setting or series. He even knows Morse code!



This movie/series is a must see for anyone who is a fan of a well done drama, good acting and fantastic cinematography. Being a fan of Battle Royale helps, as does being a fan of either Decade or Shinkenger, but the real joy of this series is the fantastic storytelling and brilliant writing. 10/10!!! GO SEE IT NOW!