4/5 Bount Battles, take two
  by E. A Solinas (MD USA)
Ichigo and his friends have been fighting the Bounts on and off, while trying to keep them from capturing Uryu. Bu the battle becomes a lot more intense in "Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 2" -- this collection brings together the last twelve episodes of the hit anime's first filler arc. It's top-heavy on the action, with loads of freaky dolls, flashy swordfights and enjoyably freaky villains... as well as fewer flashbacks.

The mysterious new dolls -- called "bitto"-- have started sucking the souls from living humans (and yes, I do love that phrase), which increases the Bounts' powers but also acts like a drug to their bodies and minds. When Kariya unleashes them on Karakura's population, Ichigo and his friends charge out to save the day, but quickly find themselves outmatched by the juiced-up Bounts and their dolls. But they have some unexpected allies -- a quartet of Soul Reaper lieutenants have arrived to help them drive back the Bounts.

While Ichigo's little gang recuperates from their fights, Yumichika has discovered the location of the Bounts' hideout, and the four Soul Reaper officers head inside. Obviously things go wrong for them, or this arc would end pretty quickly. Specifically, they run afoul of the bespectacled Ugaki, whose doll turns shadows into deadly weapons, eyeballs and giant hands. When Ichigo and Co. arrive, they are attacked by the same tactics.

In the meantime, Uryu encounters a Soul Reaper from the previous arcs -- Nemu Kurotsuchi, who has come there to give him a very special item that may provide some temporary help in his current trouble. And Ichigo has some shocking discoveries of his own when he finds and attacks the souped-up Kariya -- he learns the true origins of the Bount, and what their ultimate goal is.

While the first half of the Bount Arc was all about introducing the Bounts, the second half is all about the fighting -- our heroes are assaulted by shadow hands, flying eyeballs, dimension-swimming whales, metal spiders, malevolent flowers, ropy tentacles, and occasionally The Pizza Cutter From Hell. It all builds up gradually to a genuinely shocking climax... which is pretty obviously a lead-in for ANOTHER filler arc.

Fortunately this collection doesn't have just action. The writers also wove in some comedy ("FEEL THE POWER OF JUSTICE!" Ichigo bellows when using a magic headband, right before it slams him into a chainlink fence), some mild horror (people turning into dust), and the occasional warm'n'fuzzy moment. And with the advent of the Bounts' soul martinis, they become a LOT more impressive as villains -- now they're not just soul vampires, but crazy hopped-up junkie soul vampires.

The biggest problems: Koga's long, boring flashback about his protege (who is never mentioned again), and one character does something INSANELY contrived at the end of the arc, which is also uncharacteristically selfish, stupid and short-sighted. Even more bizarre, all the characters instantly forgive him.

And Ichigo and his amazing abs has some new problems to struggle with -- his handicapped bankai and his bloodthirsty hollow side. What's more, his devotion to his friends is illustrated when Keigo is attacked by a bitto. Uryu's feelings of helplessness reach a peak when he returns to the place where he previously trained, and we see just how strong the friendship between Rukia and Orihime is.... even if it is a bit too Saved By The Warm'n'Fuzzy Powers of Love.

The Bount arc may be over, but the story of their fight with the Soul Reapers obviously isn't. "Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 4, Part 2" is a solid filler collection with some flaws, but plenty of slam-bang action and solid writing.

5/5 Long time Bleach Fan
  by Marcris Tyrell (Coatesville, PA)
I have been watch Bleach since it first premired on Adult Swim about 6 to 7 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. The last person who wrote a review i agree with him. You must watch it from the start to understand it all. Heck I even got my girlfriend into bleach and she is almost as big of a fan than i am. I may not have any of the figures but I do own a few costumes as well as a few Zanpaktu's. If you have the other bleach box sets why are you reading this, Pick it up and enjoy it. NO MORE READING IT'S BUYING TIME. Unles you wanna see my.......BANKAI..... GGEETTSSUUGGAA TTEENNSSSHHHOOOOO

5/5 awsome
  by My Gift Crd (mobile alabama)
i think it is cool that they are making the box sets so early i love bleach 10/10 i watch it every saterday on adult swim at 11:00 and i have all the box set and figures try bleach out you will love it but buy season one first to understand it the series. this box set only comes with 4 disc because season 4 is so long recommand it to any anime fan