is the second animated film adaptation of the
anime
is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
and
manga
are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...
series ''
Bleach
Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially or domestically to remove color from (i.e. to whiten) fabric or fiber (in a process called bleaching) or to disinfect after cleaning. It often refers specifically t ...
''. The film is directed by
Noriyuki Abe
is a Japanese anime storyboard artist, sound director and director. He worked at Pierrot on anime series, such as '' Yu Yu Hakusho'', '' Ninku'', '' Flame of Recca'', '' Great Teacher Onizuka'', ''Bleach'' and '' Boruto''. He won the ''Animage'' ...
, and co-written by
Michiko Yokote
is a Japanese screenwriter.
Screenwriting
• Head writer/series composition denoted in bold
Anime television series
*'' Patlabor: The TV Series'' (1990)
*'' Ranma ½'' (1990–1992)
*''Rurouni Kenshin'' (1996)
*'' Magical Project S '' (1996– ...
and Masahiro Ōkubo, and the theatrical release was on December 22, 2007 in between episodes 153 and 154. The theme music for the film is by
Sambomaster
is a Japanese rock band signed by Sony Music Japan. The band's name, Sambomaster, refers to the Russian martial art called Sambo.
History
Lead vocalist and guitarist Takashi Yamaguchi first met drummer Yasufumi Kiuchi at a university music club ...
. The DVD of the film was released on September 6, 2008.
To promote the film, the opening and closing credits of the ''Bleach'' anime from episode 151-154 use footage from the film. Kubo also published a special manga chapter focusing on Hitsugaya's past to further promote the film. The English release of the DVD was on September 8, 2009, and it was aired on
Adult Swim
Adult Swim (stylized as dult swim
Dult is a village in Batala in Gurdaspur district of Punjab State, India. It is located from sub district headquarter, from district headquarter and from Sri Hargobindpur. The village is administrated by Sarpanch an elected representativ ...
and s is an American adult-oriented television programming block that airs on Cartoon Network which broadcasts during the evening, prime time, and Late-night television, late-night Dayparting, dayparts. T ...
on December 5. The official European release of the film was on September 6, 2010 and in the United Kingdom on Blu-ray on May 7, 2012.
Plot
Soul Reapers of the 10th Division—led by its captain
Tōshirō Hitsugaya
is a fictional character in the manga and anime series ''Bleach'', created by Tite Kubo. In the series, Hitsugaya is a captain of the 10th division or squad of the Gotei 13, a group of Soul Reapers who govern the flow of souls and protect Soul ...
and vice-captain
Rangiku Matsumoto
This is a list of featured in the manga and anime series ''Bleach (manga), Bleach'', created by Tite Kubo. Soul Reapers are a fictional race of spirits who govern the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife realm called the ''Sou ...
—are sent to escort the "King's Seal". The rare artifact is stolen during transport by the deviated Soul Reaper Sōjirō Kusaka, and two girls known as Ying and Yang. Hitsugaya apparently recognized the Soul Reaper, who wounds him and leaves, and abandons his post to pursue the man while leaving his squad behind to fend for themselves. Later, Soul Society suspects Hitsugaya of treason, orders his immediate capture, and puts his whole squad under house arrest.
In the human world, Substitute Soul Reaper
Ichigo Kurosaki
is a fictional character in the ''Bleach'' manga and anime series and its adaptations created by author Tite Kubo. He is the main protagonist of the series, who receives Soul Reaper powers after meeting Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper assigned to ...
is informed about the events happening in the Soul Society, and finds Hitsugaya, who passes out. Hitsugaya wakes up in Ichigo's house, and they are attacked by Ying and Yang. Ichigo fights, while Hitsugaya escapes and continues to avoid an attempt of capture by Soul Society. The suspect on him increases when Kusaka attacks a Soul Society's captain using Hyōrinmaru, a ''
zanpakutō
This is a list of featured in the manga and anime series ''Bleach (manga), Bleach'', created by Tite Kubo. Soul Reapers are a fictional race of spirits who govern the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife realm called the ''Sou ...
''—special swords used by Soul Reapers—with identical powers to Hitsugaya's. Hitsugaya's capture is then made top priority and his execution is approved.
Through his wandering to avoid capture, Hitsugaya eventually manages to track Kusaka down, and it is revealed that the two managed to manifest the same ''zanpakutō''. Because Soul Society does not allow the same ''zanpakutō'' to be wielded by different people, the two were forced to fight to the death. Hitsugaya did not wish to fight, but had no other option as Kusaka attacked, claiming that he was the only one worthy of Hyōrinmaru. The authorities concluded that Hitsugaya was the true owner of Hyōrinmaru and carried out Kusaka's execution. Kusaka died and was reborn as a Hollow in their world, Hueco Mundo. Once he learned of the King's Seal and its powers—which allows the user to freely manipulate time, space and matter—he started his plan of revenge against Soul Society.
Using the King's Seal, Kusaka teleports Hitsugaya and himself to Soul Society, needing Hitsugaya's power to break the seal. The Soul Reapers find and attack Hitsugaya and Kusaka, but are thrown back when Ichigo intervenes. As Hitsugaya refuses, Kusaka breaks the seal himself, after which he transforms into a giant dragon-like creature made of ice. However, because he lacks the control which Hitsugaya possesses, the power goes berserk and threatens to destroy Soul Society. A hoard of Hollows appears out of Kusaka's castle, which he had generated out of the Kings' Seal. While several Soul Reapers face the Hollows, Ichigo and Hitsugaya storm up to the central tower. After they destroy Kusaka's dragon-like form, Hitsugaya impales Kusaka. Hitsugaya is cleared of all charges and the King's Seal is restored. After the credits, he and Rangiku visit Kusaka's grave.
Production
Tite Kubo
, known professionally as , is a Japanese manga artist and character designer. His manga series ''Bleach'' (2001–2016) had over 130 million copies in circulation as of 2022.
Life and career
Kubo was born on June 26, 1977, in Hiroshima Prefec ...
, author from the ''Bleach'' manga, authored a one-shot based on Tōshirō, prior to the film's premier in order to promote it. He was also allowed to participate in the making of the film, to design the character of Kusaka. However, Kubo could not add Kusaka to his one-shot due to the fact the original concept came from the manga. In order to promote the second film of ''Bleach'', the trailer had the line "Execute Hitsugaya!". Kubo admitted that it was his own idea to make everybody be surprised, but he and
Masakazu Morita
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer. He previously worked for Aoni Production. He is also the host of the radio show ''Bleach B-Station''. He played Ichigo Kurosaki in ''Bleach'', Maeda Keiji in ''Sengoku Basara'', Marco the Phoenix in ...
, the voice actor of Ichigo Kurosaki, received a lot of letters from worried fans, causing Kubo to apologize in response.
Cast
Reception
The film opened in 4th place at the Japanese box office, and held a top ten location until its 5th week.
The DVD release of the film was the first best selling anime DVD released that week, and is now released in many different languages.
Other media
A light novel adaptation of movie was released on December 22, 2007.
Sōjirō Kusaka in the
PSP video game ''
Bleach: Heat the Soul 5'', ''
Bleach: Heat the Soul 6'' and ''
Bleach: Heat the Soul 7'' as a playable character. The story and characters also made an appearance in the game ''
Bleach: Brave Souls''.
Notes
References
External links
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bleach: DiamondDust Rebellion, The
2007 anime films
2007 films
Anime films composed by Shirō Sagisu
DiamondDust Rebellion, The
Films directed by Noriyuki Abe
2000s Japanese-language films
Toho animated films
Viz Media anime