Bleach Volume 40: The Lust

Written and Illustrated by Tite Kubo

A manga for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

This book takes place during Bleach's Arrancar Arc, during which the main villain, Aizen, is planning on destroying Karakura Town. The squad captains of the Soul Society try to stop Aizen’s plan.

 

While the captains handle Aizen, Ichigo goes up against one of the strongest Espada, one of Aizen's strongest Arrancars (or Hollows who gained "soul reaper" like powers by ripping off their masks). Ichigo will have to defeat the Espada to protect those he cares for, as well as to leave Hueco Mundo and go back to save Karakura Town.

 

I picked this book up because I watched the Bleach anime adaptation and wanted to see how the story is depicted in the original manga. This book was very hard to put down due to the very intense and shocking fight between Ichigo and Ulquiorra, which was both emotional and jaw-dropping. I felt the manga made me emotional in all aspects because it shows the determination of the characters. It also shows Ichigo's morals, as well as his reason for fighting (which is to protect those he cares for the most).

 

I would highly recommend this book to those who watch the Bleach anime and/or are interested in reading the Bleach manga before watching the anime. I would also recommend this book to those who like more intense, emotional, and action filled manga.