Bleach, Vol. 14

Tite Kubo, Bleach: White Tower Rocks (ViZ, 2001) Everyone's still scattered around the city, but Ichigo is closing in on the tower, and Ganju and Hanataro are already there, torn between rescuing an oddly reluctant Rukia and having to fight her brother, the captain of sixth company. We're fourteen volumes into this series, and a pretty fair stretch into a long, long plotline, and usually at this point a series (even a good one, e.g. Yuyu Hakusho towards the end of the Dark Tournament series) would start flagging. Bleach, though, has enough going on to keep it interesting. I keep getting more impressed with this series. Great stuff. ****

Orihime and Uryu have managed to evade capture for quite some time since their battle with the underhanded Jirobo... of course, that might have something to do with their new duds. One wonders just how long the deception will last. Mr.Yuruichi has saved Ichigo time and time again, but he has a secret... two of them... and large ones at that. At the tower, with escape almost within reach, Byakuya is bearing down on Ganju's rescue party and it's highly doubtful that he will show mercy. It's up to the ailing Ukitake to play politics in order to save lives, but will his intervention be enough? Elsewhere, The mad scientist (and captain of the 12th division) Kurotsuchi has his eye on a new subject, Orihime! Can Uryu save them both before they're turned into fresh meat for the 12th's captain to tinker with? Lots and lots of drama in this book, with a minimal of fighting. Many side characters gain prominence and it is through their deeds and words (and inner monologues) that we gain greater insight into our heros and villains. Art is par for the course, and it's wonderful to finally see Mr.Yoruichi's human form in American print. Pacing is brisk, moving from each of the disparate parties as action (and cliffhangers) dictates. Pick it up!