A mysterious man has given physical form to the Zanpakuto of all captains and lieutenants of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Newly liberated?? the Zanpakuto wreak havoc upon the Soul Society and their former masters. Can Ichigo and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads rein them in before it's too late? More importantly?? are they ready to uncover the truth?? lies and deceit that await them?
]]>Amazon.comThe 16th set of Bleach comprises the first half of the "pakuto Unknown Tales Arc" (episodes 230 to 265)?? an anime-only storyline that made up the 13th season of Tite Kubo's hit fantasy-adv"ture. The Zanpakuto is both the weapon of a Soul Reaper and a mirror of his personality and strength; the two seem irrevocably joined. So chaos reigns in the Seireitei when mysterious warriors appear?? shattering buildings and defeating Soul Reapers who can't summon their accustomed weapons. The murderous warriors prove to be physical manifestations of the Zanpakutos?? who have risen in revolt at the urging of the reptilian Maramasa. But as he discovers to his chagrin?? Maramasa's control is not absolute: Ichigo wins back his Zanpakuto?? Zangetsu?? using the formidable strength of his Hollow alter ego. Hitsugaya draws on memories to restore ice dragon-like Hyorinmaru's loyalty?? and Renji regains control of the monkey and serpent spirits of his Zanpakuto through sheer stubbornness. Perhaps the greatest threat to the warriors of the Soul Society is Rukia's brother?? Captain Byakuya?? who joins the revolt to prove his inflated image of himself. For all its battles?? duels?? and jazzy effects?? the "ales" story begins rather slowly; it takes the filmmakers several episodes to find their footing.