Movie: Bleach the Movie: The DiamondDust Rebellion (Movie 2)
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Masakazu Morita, Fumiko Orikasa, Romi Paku, Akira Ishida. (Japan)
Genre: Anime, action, supernatural
Release Date: December 22, 2007 (Japan-Theater), September 3, 2008 (Japan-DVD)
Buy: Amazon.jp (Japan only)
Rating by Viki: *****
Review Date: September 13, 2008
Spoiler?: Minor spoilers

Review:
Let me start this by saying that I have watched quite a few anime-movies. Anime-movies always disappoints me because they are never as good as the anime series and simply doesn't have a strong plot. This applies to my favorite anime, Naruto, and it also applies to Fullmetal Alchemist, Inu Yasha, and such. The movies that is made based upon the anime series is never as good as the anime itself and seem to be a rip-off in the theaterical release (although I have to admint I still haven't seem the first Naruto Shippuden movie...so that doesn't apply to the list). However, I really enjoy the first Bleach movie, entitled "Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody." The characters and plots in the first movie was very strong and I enjoyed the movie as much as I enjoy any live action movies. So I had this thought that kept saying, "All anime-movies are okay or sucks, but that one Bleach movie is fantastic." I was hoping that this statement would apply to the second Bleach movie as well. When I found out last year that they are going to release a second Bleach movie, I was already planning to see it asap, however, I live in the U.S. so that's kind of impossible; besides, I don't understand Japanese that well. Anyway, seeing all the promos and stuff and even seeing that my favorite Bleach character, Hitsugaya Toushirou in the promos and posters got my hyped up for the release. I did not read any spoilers but I had an idea from the description from Wiki that the story is going to center around Toushirou...or rather, Hitsugaya-taichou. Well you can only imagine how I was jumping up and down and wanna fly to Japan on December 22nd so I can watch the movie. Anyway, I practice taichi and learn to be patient (okay, I really don't know taichi)...and finally, the movie came out on DVD in Japan this month! Not that I can buy it now 'cause it would be pointless to buy a sub-less version. I am just anticipating for the DVD to be release in the U.S. where they will include the original Japanese dub versions as well as English dub. And thankgoodness, the Japanese dub versions comes with English subtitles. Can't wait until that comes out but that won't be for another year or so. Sad.

The DiamondDust Rebellion is a very good movie. The film has all the elements that a good film needs. Characters (well, they are developed in the anime series...), setting, plot, conflicts, actions, etc. The story line to start out the story is not cheesy at all (meaning the the stolen King's Seal plotline). Although I have to admit that there are at least two confusing things that happened in the movie that gets the movie going but then the explanation is too short but then the movie is so good that we ignore that flaw.

Any Toushirou fans (and I happen to know there are a lot) will enjoy this movie. Besides the good storyline, the story centered around Toushirou is very well developed as well. We, for the first time, get to look at Toushirou's past and his past is not a disappointing story; it just makes you want to know more.

What makes this movie exciting is the fact that we get to see a lot of the Taichous (captains) from the Soul Society. There are plenty of action for most of the main characters from the Soul Society. Ishia, Chad, and Inoue gets a little screentime during the action sequences but then I don't really mind, since I am more of a fan of shinigamis than of whiny Inoue (sorry guys, I just don't like her). Although I am once again surprised that the movie haven't given that much of a role to Rukia although you can see her all over the movie whenever they show Ichigo. She just didn't have that much to do (well, yeah, she gets to fight...but something's missing dude). It's just that her character haven't develop that much in the anime or this movie. Hopefully the third movie will do her some justice. Anyway, the movie kind of reminds us of the personalities of each captain and the known squad members of each team. Come on now, we Bleach-freaks love to see that.

I think the setting of this movie adds in a few kudos. The time period in which this movie happens is between the time Ichigo becomes a vizard and I guess, before the arrancar shows up. This makes Ichigo stronger and cooler. I just love Vizard-Ichigo. Smexy eyes. Umm. No. Just kidding.

The action that goes on in this movie is short but long enough. There are action right in the beginning of the movie, middle, and the end. However, I felt like the movie is focused more on the story than of action. But don't worry, you wouldn't feel like Ichigo and Toushirou didn't get enough ass-kicking time.

Well, this movie is fantastic and I recommend any anime/Bleach-lovers to watch it! I will buy it as soon as it comes out in the U.S.! Gotta support our Bleach, peeps. Can't wait for the third movie, "Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name" which is coming out on December 13, 2008 in Japan. I hope that the third Bleach movie will be as good as the first two. It just keeps getting better and better!

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