That's right, the latest Bleach episodes from Japan are now on VIZ Anime following the same "Quick-cast" program that started with Naruto Shippuden & One Piece and which is now continuing with Bleach & Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan. And like all the videos on VIZ Anime, the new Bleach episodes will be available totally FREE to all visitors! Keep watching this space for more announcements in the coming weeks!

We launched another update of the vizanime.com site over this past weekend, with improvements in user comment displays, and a new poll function. Stay tuned because we're going to have fun with this new poll system over the next few months. And if you haven't caught up with the One Piece anime, our most recent addition to the site, now's the perfect time as episodes 1-114 are now up, and we continue with the current Impel Down storyline with episode 448 this week. This month also brings some exciting series into the fold, so stay tuned for those as well...

Retsu Unohana may be in the background some of the time, but she's a steadying presence, a maternal figure, and handy with the healing powers -- just what every action-packed anime needs! In Bleach, patient and unfailingly polite Retsu is the captain (and Florence Nightingale) of squad 4, and also happens to be one of the most spiritually powerful folks in the the Soul Society, inspiring the respect and devotion even of well-established Soul Reapers like Shunsui and Jushiro. Just one thing: never try to sneak away before she finishes healing you of your injuries... We haven't seen her Bankai yet, but we're sure that it should be quite impressive when/if it turns up!

Be sure to send Retsu wishes for a happy birthday, and peruse some of her highlights from Bleach thus far:

Episode 55
While Byakuya and Ichigo fight it out and different factions clash, Retsu cares for the wounded on both sides.

Episode 60
In a stunning turn of events, Retsu puts the pieces of the puzzle together to determine that a traitor is in the Soul Society's midst.

Episode 62
While healing Byakuya, Retsu brings his sister Rukia over and helps the two siblings reconcile.

Character Info: Retsu Unohana
squad #: 4
Rank: Captain
Birthday: 21-Apr
Height: 159 kg
Weight: 45 kg
Zanpaku-to: Minazuki
Description: The captain of Squad 4, she specializes in giving aid to wounded Court Guard members. Even though she doesn't participate in battle, she is a daring and talented woman who is always remains calm and composed in difficult situations.

There's nothing quite like a big showdown between Soul Reapers and baddies, but when Ichigo and his human buddies are caught in the fray, you can bet that the sparks will fly, and fly they do in the latest episodes of Bleach released today. Plus we get some interesting back story on Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Kenpachi in the process (ah, the good old days of Squad 13), and when the Soul Reapers' full spiritual pressures are released, well, it's quite a sight. Check out these episodes (and everything up to now) in the Bleach section.

Episode 118
Ikkaku and the Arrancar, Edrad, have a fierce battle in the streets of Karakura Town. Yumichika stands aside and watches because he knows that Ikkaku will be furious if he interferes.

Episode 119
Ikkaku releases his Bankai, Ryumon Hozukimaru, which he has kept a secret for some time. He clashes with Edrad, who shows his true power by releasing his zanpakuto.

Episode 120
The Soul Reapers struggle against the might of the Arrancars. Despite the Arrancar Shawlong’s overwhelming strength, Captain Hitsugaya continues his attacks.

Episode 121
The Soul Reapers receive permission from the Soul Society to use Gentei Kaijo, a spiritual pressure restriction release. Soul Reaper Captains and Lieutenants have their spiritual pressure limited when they leave the Soul Society so as not to affect the spirits of the World of the Living unnecessarily.

How do you pay tribute to the man…or more accurately, the enigma from Bleach known as Mayuri Kurotsuchi? There's a real danger when he takes an interest in anyone, so be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice if you wish him a happy birthday today!

As head of the Department of Research and Development Captain Kurotsuchi shows a ruthless dedication to his calling that might be unequaled in all the Soul Society. His quest to satisfy his scientific curiosity is so powerful that he sees everyone as a potential research subject, even himself. In fact, he owes his striking looks to the many body modifications he has made to himself, as well as daily applications of makeup that he removes each night.

Captain Kurotsuchi's flair for drama is hard to miss during his heated battle with the intruder Uryû Ishida. (episodes 43 and 44) Once you see the captain's bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizô, you aren’t likely forget it! The sight of a massive slug topped with something like an infant’s head really is that disturbing. Just be sure to steer clear of the bankai’s lethal spray, which the captain created from his own blood!

To see Mayuri really shine, check out the Bount saga – starting from episode 71, it’s Mayuri’s investigation of the Bount that reveals the presence of a traitor in the Soul Society, and he gets the spotlight all to himself in episode 101 with a no-holds-barred showdown against the Bount Sawatari. Mayuri shows he’s a tough customer, with or without his arm! (Of course it helps that he can regenerate his limbs.)

On a side note: The young girl Nemu, whom he calls “his daughter,” is actually one of his own creations. The captain may be terribly cruel to her, but she’s loyal to him nonetheless. Perhaps she’ll prepare a birthday treat for him if no one else has the courage!

[whispering] Psst! Happy birthday, Captain Kurotsuchi!

-- Yuki Takagaki (Editor, VIZ Media)

Character Data: Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Squad #: 12
Rank: Captain
Birthday: March 30
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 54 kg
Zanpaku-to: Ashisogijizo
Description: Captain of the Twelfth Squad as well as the head of the Soul Society's Department of Research and Development, he is a mad scientist with an inquiring mind. He thinks nothing of others in his pursuit to satisfy his intellectual curiosity, and has even modified his own body.