The fourth Bleach movie has been announced, courtesy of the 1/14 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump. The only information we have on it so far is that it will be in theaters sometime during winter 2010, and will deal with “full” or “perfect” Hollow-Ichigo, depending on which translation you favor.

The interesting thing about this is that the topic doesn’t lend itself to becoming a side-story, which is what the Bleach movies have been thus far. Typically, movies in major franchises like this seem to take place in an alternate universe from the television series- and while hard-core fans can generally tell you where in the series’ continuity the movies supposedly fit, it never really matters. Since the nature of Ichigo’s Hollow form is critically important to the overall Bleach storyline, I don’t see how they could develop it in a movie and then fail to acknowledge the events of the movie in the series. I suppose they could have Ichigo do something as a Hollow and then forget all about it by the end of the movie, or use some other cop-out, but I’d like to give the writers the benefit of the doubt. Come to think of it, they have been rather ambitious with the filler storylines in Bleach lately (by which I mean, some of them have a point), so maybe this is just a continuation of that trend.

I haven’t really been interested in the storyline since they were using Ichirin no Hana as the opening theme, but I do find Ichigo’s Hollow form interesting; not just because the character can kick ass more effectively as a Hollow (because you know, clearly what everyone on Bleach needs is to be powered up some more), but because the character seems to hold the answers to how the whole Human/Shinigami/Hollow/etc. system works in Bleach- provided that Kubo actually has an answer. Again, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

~ via Japanator

Fan Made Trailer ~ This is not real!

“Conclusion?! Hisagi vs. Kazeshini”
“Kecchaku!? Hisagi VS Kazeshini” (決着！？檜佐木VS風死)

Original Air Date: March 2, 2010
It take a few hours for the episode to get subbed in English!

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=ONZBM9VB

#1 Mirror

“Final Chapter·Zanpakutō Unknown Tales”
“Shūshō·Zanpakutō Ibun Hen” (終章・斬魄刀異聞篇)

Original Air Date: January 26, 2010

“Byakuya and Renji, the 6th Division Returns”
“Byakuya to Renji, roku ban tai futatabi” (白哉と恋次、六番隊再び)

Original Air Date: January 19, 2010

#1 Mirror

“Muramasa’s True Identity Revealed”
“Akasareta Muramasa no shōtai” (明かされた村正の正体)

Original Air Date: January 12, 2010

“Byakuya, the Truth Behind His Betrayal”
“Byakuya, uragiri ni kakusareta shinjitsu” (白哉、裏切りに隠された真実)

Original Air Date: January 5, 2010