VIZ Media has made the announcement that Tite Kubo’s Bleach is now available to own on Blu-ray for the first time. The first set of the Bleach Blu-Ray features the first 27 episodes uncut. The 27 episodes are packed onto four Blu-ray discs and is set to retail for $54.97 USD / $63.99 CAN. Language options include English and Japanese with English Subtitles and will be presented in their original 4:3 format.
“Fans have eagerly anticipated the release of Bleach on Blu-ray, and this summer we invite them to expand their personal anime collections with the release of the first set of this riveting series,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation.
VIZ Media describes the story as follows:
In the Bleach anime series, for as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, his life is changed forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling – to protect the world of the living and the dead as a Substitute Soul Reaper. When Rukia is taken away to face the ruthless justice of the Soul Society, Ichigo and his friends must cross over and do battle in the spirit world…
Bleach was first published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shounen JUMP magazine in August 2007. As of the time of this writing, it was stated that the climax of the Bleach manga will be reached in two more chapters, which will bring the total number of chapters up to 685 at the time of the manga’s conclusion. The Bleach television anime spanned 366 episodes and aired from October 2004 to March 2012, ending right before the manga’s final story arc. The series also aired on Toonami here in the United States and has been licensed by VIZ for Manga, DVD and now Blu-Ray distribution.