I’m starting to wonder if there really is some guideline in the shonen
handbook about how at least one of a series’ early episodes must center on a
cute, little pet. That two-parter about the poodle in ONE PIECE won’t be soon
forgotten by I. Now, here’s BLEACH’s version of it... a creepy two-parter
about a cursed cockatiel.
(Maybe this is Japan’s version of ‘Save the Cat?’)
The funny part is that I can picture this basic set-up being handled in
a completely different fashion if this were another show. On
paper, Ichigo isn’t that far removed from Ginko in MUSHI-SHI. They’re both
cantankerous, working class guys who act as middle men between mortals and
spirits (what the mushi pretty much are). Each episode, so far, has been
about him mediating in the troubles of some ghost of the week. I know BLEACH
gradually veers far, far away from that; but at the moment, the format’s a lot
like MUSHI-SHI’s.
And, of course, MUSHI-SHI was basically the anime version of CONSTANTINE,
which in turn got the CW treatment with SUPERNATURAL. All series coming from
more-or-less the same starting point, and a lot of times, the differences only
seem like a matter of degrees. None of the aforementioned shows are going to be
ever be resolved with a shinigimi cleaving giant ghost in half with an
excessively-sized sword...
Actually, to be totally honest, ruminating on BLEACH’s premise like
this kind-of draws attention to how many concepts are just sort-of taken for
granted. The initial set-up of Ichigo being the boy who can talk to ghosts
seems to have no bearing whatsoever on the action we’re seeing, now. Likewise,
this “Chad” fellow seems like he’s just lurched in from a completely different
show, altogether.
I’m sure the show will eventually provide some explanation for him, and
Ichigo’s background, and the reason all this paranormal business is situated in one, random town… but I suspect those will be retcons. Call it a
sixth sense, but I can smell when a series is making things up as it goes along
(with some handy guidelines to follow, sure) and this one is just flaring those hairs, right now.
Watch "Cursed
Parakeet" and decide for yourself, then read my comments about the
previous episode.
About the Author
 | Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk |
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