Bleach: The Substitute, Vol. 1

Teenager Ichigo sees dead people. His two sisters are also ghost-sensitive, but Ichigo can actually converse with spirits and encounters quite a few since his family runs a small medical practice. However, nothing prepares him for the day he meets Rukia the Soul Reaper, who is injured while saving Ichigo's life from a large, malignant ghost called a Hollow, after which Ichigo takes Rukia's power and, temporarily, her job. At Rukia's urging, nice-guy Ichigo overcomes his initial reluctance to become the newest Soul Reaper on the block, wielding his sword in defense of hapless spirits of the dead on their way towards a final repose—but Ichigo's unusually large amount of spirit power makes him a tempting target for Hollows, as well. Ichigo's combination of cool and compassion makes him an interesting protagonist, and since his new job doesn't negate his real life, the supporting cast here includes more than the usual group of fighters. Bleach—a huge hit in Japan, spawning manga, films, and video games—boasts attractive character design and solid animation. Compiling the first four episodes on a dual-language disc, rated “Teen,” DVD extras include production sketches. Highly recommended. [Note: Bleach, Vols. 2-5 are also available, with Bleach, Vol. 6 slated for release on Sept. 25.] Aud: P. (L. Martincik)