Bleach Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo
ISBN: 1-59116-441-9
Kubo, T. (2004). Bleach Vol. 1. (L. Caselman, Trans.). San Fransicso, CA: NIZ, LLC. (Original work published 2001)
Plot Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki sees ghosts. His father runs a health clinic, and his sisters can sense spirits, but cannot communicate with them like Ichigo. When Ichigo is fifteen, his family is attacked by an evil ghost spirit that he is able to attack and end its spirit life. Ichigo then turns to Rukia Kuchikia, a girl who appeared with the evil spirit, and finds out she is a Soul Reaper. Unlike Ichigo who has only spoken with good spirits, Rukia deals with evil spirits called Hollows. As a soul reaper she attacks Hollows and kills them a second time, sending them to the spirit world. Unfortunately, while attacking a Hollow, Rukia transferred her ability to Ichigo because she was injured. Now, while Rukia recovers, Ichigo is the new soul reaper. He is reluctant to risk his life attacking Hollows, but Rukia tells him this is his responsibility. Orihime, a girl from school with a crush on Ichigo, shows up with Rukia and Ichigo are speaking. She has many bruises on her arms and legs, and Rukia suspects a Hollow is hurting her. They follow Orihime home and realize her older brother is seeking her soul and wants Orihime to join him. Orihime tries speaking with her brother, but he is jealous of her life on Earth and attacks the three. Ichigo is able to defeat the Hollow, and is now willing to help Rukia. As they are speaking, Rukia receives a new message telling her where a new Hollow is lurking.
Critical Evaluation
New manga readers will find Bleach is read in the traditional way, from right to left. Directions in the book are helpful to learn how reading within frames is determined. Most of Bleach is dialogue between characters, with not much exposition. The characters themselves share any background information usually by interacting with other characters. Interactions take the form of either direct dialogue, or actions. There are a few instances where one of the characters will suddenly interject some kind of information to the reader. There is no clear reason for this, and may just be an accepted form of information providing. It is a kind of internal monologue that is written down. Each new chapter or serial has a drawing and title. The drawing seems to be unrelated to the new chapter, but the title does have some relation. One of the characters appears to be a teenager living on her own. Perhaps this is something more common in Japan, but is rather unusual in the United States. It is unclear if she is actually in a foster home, or how she is able to support herself. Though an interesting premise, how the series has spread to over 50 volumes is surprising. It seems a great deal of repetition would come into play after the first couple dozen installments.
Reader’s Annotation
When Ichigo gets in the way of Rukia, he becomes a Soul Reaper, responsible for killing Hollow souls. Reluctantly he decides to follow Rukia and help for a while.
About the Author
Tite Kubo’s first manga was ZOMBIEPOWDER, a short-lived series for Weekly Shonen Jump. Bleach is only Kubo’s second title, but he has found great success with this series. It has been translated into many languages, has been an anime series in Japan since 2004, and has been made into four Japanese language movies. In 2005, Bleach was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award.
Tite Kubo born Noriaki Kubo in Hiroshima, Japan. At 17, Kubo decided to become a manga artist after reading Saint Seiya. He was unsure of his writing and while working on ZOMBIEPOWER, often acquiesced to his editor instead of using his own ideas. In 2008, Kubo attended the San Diego Comic Convention for the first time. Kubo is married and lives with his wife in Japan.
Genre
Manga/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Ichigo already sees ghosts, now he has to kill them? How is he going to go to high school?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the killing of bad souls, an abusive father, and the ‘simple’ comic form.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Manga is very popular and felt I should include some in this assignment. I had heard of Bleach before and the library had many of the installments.
Others in the Series
There are 57 Bleach titles in this series, with more to be published.
References
Tite Kubo. (2013, April 20). Retrieved April 20, 2013 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tite_Kubo
Simon & Schuster. (2013). Tite kubo. Retrieved from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Tite-Kubo/47022034
ISBN: 1-59116-441-9
Kubo, T. (2004). Bleach Vol. 1. (L. Caselman, Trans.). San Fransicso, CA: NIZ, LLC. (Original work published 2001)
Plot Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki sees ghosts. His father runs a health clinic, and his sisters can sense spirits, but cannot communicate with them like Ichigo. When Ichigo is fifteen, his family is attacked by an evil ghost spirit that he is able to attack and end its spirit life. Ichigo then turns to Rukia Kuchikia, a girl who appeared with the evil spirit, and finds out she is a Soul Reaper. Unlike Ichigo who has only spoken with good spirits, Rukia deals with evil spirits called Hollows. As a soul reaper she attacks Hollows and kills them a second time, sending them to the spirit world. Unfortunately, while attacking a Hollow, Rukia transferred her ability to Ichigo because she was injured. Now, while Rukia recovers, Ichigo is the new soul reaper. He is reluctant to risk his life attacking Hollows, but Rukia tells him this is his responsibility. Orihime, a girl from school with a crush on Ichigo, shows up with Rukia and Ichigo are speaking. She has many bruises on her arms and legs, and Rukia suspects a Hollow is hurting her. They follow Orihime home and realize her older brother is seeking her soul and wants Orihime to join him. Orihime tries speaking with her brother, but he is jealous of her life on Earth and attacks the three. Ichigo is able to defeat the Hollow, and is now willing to help Rukia. As they are speaking, Rukia receives a new message telling her where a new Hollow is lurking.
Critical Evaluation
New manga readers will find Bleach is read in the traditional way, from right to left. Directions in the book are helpful to learn how reading within frames is determined. Most of Bleach is dialogue between characters, with not much exposition. The characters themselves share any background information usually by interacting with other characters. Interactions take the form of either direct dialogue, or actions. There are a few instances where one of the characters will suddenly interject some kind of information to the reader. There is no clear reason for this, and may just be an accepted form of information providing. It is a kind of internal monologue that is written down. Each new chapter or serial has a drawing and title. The drawing seems to be unrelated to the new chapter, but the title does have some relation. One of the characters appears to be a teenager living on her own. Perhaps this is something more common in Japan, but is rather unusual in the United States. It is unclear if she is actually in a foster home, or how she is able to support herself. Though an interesting premise, how the series has spread to over 50 volumes is surprising. It seems a great deal of repetition would come into play after the first couple dozen installments.
Reader’s Annotation
When Ichigo gets in the way of Rukia, he becomes a Soul Reaper, responsible for killing Hollow souls. Reluctantly he decides to follow Rukia and help for a while.
About the Author
Tite Kubo’s first manga was ZOMBIEPOWDER, a short-lived series for Weekly Shonen Jump. Bleach is only Kubo’s second title, but he has found great success with this series. It has been translated into many languages, has been an anime series in Japan since 2004, and has been made into four Japanese language movies. In 2005, Bleach was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award.
Tite Kubo born Noriaki Kubo in Hiroshima, Japan. At 17, Kubo decided to become a manga artist after reading Saint Seiya. He was unsure of his writing and while working on ZOMBIEPOWER, often acquiesced to his editor instead of using his own ideas. In 2008, Kubo attended the San Diego Comic Convention for the first time. Kubo is married and lives with his wife in Japan.
Genre
Manga/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Ichigo already sees ghosts, now he has to kill them? How is he going to go to high school?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the killing of bad souls, an abusive father, and the ‘simple’ comic form.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Manga is very popular and felt I should include some in this assignment. I had heard of Bleach before and the library had many of the installments.
Others in the Series
There are 57 Bleach titles in this series, with more to be published.
References
Tite Kubo. (2013, April 20). Retrieved April 20, 2013 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tite_Kubo
Simon & Schuster. (2013). Tite kubo. Retrieved from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Tite-Kubo/47022034
RSS Feed