Are you one of the few souls who didn’t start reading Bleach way back when? Do you care to join the ranks of shinigami hepcats? Then way to pick out a great steal-of-a-deal with three jam-packed volumes in one! My only complaint is that this volume had to end, because holy jeff is it a gem, containing one of my fave arcs in Bleach, with enough suspense, action, drama and melancholy flashbacks to keep you on the tip of your buns. Just re-reading these volumes in chunky form brought back all the excitement of the early days of Bleach. For returning fans or new ones, you can’t go wrong with the sixth installment of the Bleach 3-in-1s.

Dang-a-lang: There’s trouble in the Soul Society. It's Reaper-on-Reaper violence as Rukia’s imminent execution draws lines in the Soul Society. A bulk of the first third of this volume covers Rukia’s memories of her time with Assistant Captain Kaien Shiba. Her ever-approaching death sentence allows her to reminisce on her early days as a Soul Reaper, to a time when she followed Kaien around in the Thirteenth Court Guard Company.

Ichigo and friends scramble against the laws of the Soul Society to save Rukia, yet her painful memories of the past convince her that she is not worth being saved…

Bankai is the word. While Ichigo trains with Yoruichi to release his bankai, Renji finally unleashes his in his battle against Byakuya. It is no exaggeration to say that Renji’s Zabimaru has the force to level the Soul Society.

The BIG she-bang means there are plenty of battles afoot. Bankai are revealed as Captains and Soul Reapers fight for and against Rukia’s execution. We lucky readers not only get to view these grand battles, we also get to peek into the motivations behind those waging war. Notable mentions for most-explosive fights are Zaraki’s brutal battle against Tosen and Yoruichi’s ninj-tastic bout with Soi Fon. Probably also good to mention that the Captain General has a pretty awesome fight in this volume as well…

With the Sokyoku about to fall, Rukia does not have much time left. Whether or not Ichigo can master his bankai in time will determine her fate.

Volumes 16-18 chronicle a simpler time in the Bleach-verse—back when the Soul Society and Hollows filled the pages of Bleach. Kubo Sensei has always managed to keep us excited for Ichigo and friends, no matter who they come up against. But I’m sure both old and new fans can appreciate this arc. 

The plot gets thicker as we discover the true reasons behind Rukia’s execution. Explosions, damsels-in-distress, and plenty of Bankai await you in this 3-in-1 volume. Find out why Ichigo is one of our favorite heroes!

Bleach 3-in-1 volume 6 is available from VIZ.com!

by Cat Rechsteiner