The anime Bleach is known for its intense battles, memorable characters, and, like many long-running shonen series, its fair share of filler arcs. Among these, the Bount Arc often draws the most ire from fans. However, beneath the surface of its lengthy run and deviations from the manga, there lies a compelling story with interesting characters and unique concepts. It’s time to reconsider this often-maligned arc and acknowledge that it might be better than its reputation suggests.
What is the Bount Arc?
The Bount Arc is the first major filler arc in Bleach, spanning from episode 64 to 109, a total of 46 episodes. It was created by Studio Pierrot, the animation studio behind Bleach, to allow the manga creator, Tite Kubo, time to get ahead with the source material. It introduces a new group of villains called the Bount, who are humans with the power to absorb souls for sustenance and longevity. This arc follows Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends as they face this new threat, ultimately leading to a battle in the Soul Society.
The Bount’s Origins
The Bount were created by a scientific experiment in the past. They are essentially immortal humans that consume souls to survive. This gives them abilities that are reminiscent of both Hollows and Soul Reapers, making them a unique challenge for Ichigo and his allies. The Bounts use “Dolls”, which are similar to Soul Reaper’s Zanpakuto, to fight. The leader of the Bount, Jin Kariya, seeks revenge against the Soul Society for past transgressions against the Bounts. He believes that the Soul Society committed genocide against his people and seeks retribution.
Why the Bount Arc is So Divisive
The Bount Arc often gets a bad rap for a few reasons:
- Placement After the Soul Society Arc: It immediately follows the highly praised and intense Soul Society arc. This makes the Bount arc feel like a major shift in tone and a letdown for some viewers. The transition from a canon story to a filler one made the arc feel like an unnecessary detour.
- Length: At 46 episodes, it’s one of the longest filler arcs in Bleach. This length can make it feel dragged out, especially when the plot isn’t moving at the same pace as a canon arc. Many viewers who were eager to see the story progress found the filler a test of their patience.
- Canon Inconsistencies: As filler, the Bount arc introduces elements and concepts that clash with the established rules of the Bleach universe. Some fans found the lack of consistency to be distracting and damaging to the integrity of the story.
- Forgettable Villains: Many viewers found the Bount villains, excluding Jin Kariya, to be uninteresting and forgettable. This lack of compelling antagonists made the arc less engaging.
Why the Bount Arc Deserves a Second Chance
Despite its flaws, the Bount Arc has some redeeming qualities:
- Unique Concepts: The Bount themselves are an interesting concept. They are not quite Hollows and not quite Soul Reapers, making them a unique addition to the Bleach universe. Their vampire-like nature and the concept of “Dolls” provided a fresh spin on the series’ established power systems.
- Compelling Antagonist: Jin Kariya is a well-developed antagonist with a clear motivation. His backstory and the history of the Bount add depth to the arc. He is not a simple villain, but one with a tragic history who seeks to avenge his people.
- Exploration of Soul Society’s Darker Side: The Bount arc touches on the idea that the Soul Society isn’t perfect and has a dark history. This adds a layer of moral complexity to the story. The arc explores the concept of the Soul Society’s past wrongdoings and the impact it has on others.
- Character Development: While not as significant as in canon arcs, some characters experience growth during this arc. Specifically, characters like Uryu Ishida are given more focus, allowing for some character exploration.
- Action-Packed Fights: The Bount arc has some fantastic fight scenes that are well-animated. These fights showcase the powers of the Bount and the resilience of the Soul Reapers, providing entertainment for fans of action.
- Humor: The arc maintains the series’ trademark humor. There are many moments of levity amidst the serious battles that keep the arc from becoming too dark and brooding. From Renji’s bizarre outfits to Kon’s antics, the series never forgets to lighten the mood.
The Bounts’ Unique Powers
The Bounts possess unique abilities that set them apart:
- Soul Absorption: They can absorb souls from humans and Hollows, which extends their lifespan and gives them power. This unique ability sets them apart from both Soul Reapers and Hollows, making them a unique threat.
- Dolls: The Bounts use Dolls as their primary weapons. These dolls have different abilities and forms, making each Bount a unique challenge. The variety of Dolls keeps the battles fresh and engaging.
- German Motif: Like the Arrancars with their Spanish motif, the Bounts draw heavily from a German aesthetic, adding visual interest and depth to their character design.
The Bount Arc’s Impact on the Series
While the Bount arc is not considered canon, it does provide some interesting additions to the Bleach universe:
- Introduction of Mod Souls: The arc introduces the concept of Mod Souls, which are artificial souls created by Kisuke Urahara. These characters, initially introduced as enemies, later become important in the series. The Mod Souls add humor and interesting dynamics to the story.
- Focus on Uryu: Uryu’s story arc is compelling as he struggles with the loss of his powers. His character arc is a highlight of the filler, showcasing his determination and resourcefulness.
The Verdict
The Bount Arc is not perfect, and its flaws are clear. However, it’s important to approach it with an open mind. It’s a well-intentioned attempt to expand the world of Bleach, and it offers enough unique concepts, entertaining action, and character moments to be worth watching. Rather than being skipped entirely, it can be viewed as a “what if” scenario, offering a different perspective on the story without contradicting the main canon. While it may not reach the heights of the canon arcs, it provides a solid, if flawed, viewing experience.
So, if you’re a Bleach fan who has avoided the Bount Arc, it might be time to give it another look. You might be surprised by what you find. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s far from the disaster that some make it out to be. It’s a fun, albeit lengthy, detour in the Bleach universe that deserves a second chance.
