In the fifth season of Bleach, the Bount have breached into the Soul Society. Ichigo and everyone follow them into the outskirts and poorer neighborhoods. Rukia gets injured in a battle with a Bount and her brother Byakuya. There is something afoot and Ichigo and Byakuya end up in a battle that just might make the difference.

Highlights

The start of a new season typically brings some big action and plot twist. This volume offers plenty of each. First the real twist is that the Bount were created by Shinigami and banished to the human world because of their ability to survive off of resihi, and Soul Society has a never ending supply of it to keep them going. 

The last episode is the most exciting of the 4 that are served up in this volume. Kariya, the leader of the Bount, is up to something. He is trying to unite the lower classes in the Soul Society. Byakuya goes looking for a fight with Kariya, and he finds it. They start their battle and begin to test each other's strength. As the battle turns into something deadly for Byakuya, Ichigo shows up and gets involved. Byakuya is not please with Ichigo's involvement and there seem to be a Mexican standoff.

Overall

Of course I am an avid fan of Bleach and am always happy to see the start of a new season, but in this case I was happy to see a break in the story of the Bount arc. There are some long standing questions that are starting to come to life. Such as, were did the Bount come from and also a burning question as to why do the Quincy have a long standing dislike for the Shinigami? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that the Shinigami created the mortal enemy, the Bount. Of course the Bount have a real bone to pick with the Soul Reapers. This is where my love/hate relationship with the Soul Society is brought to the forefront. There has always been a superiority complex that Tite Kubo has created and it almost a jab at Japanese society or at least the past class system. Although, he also has given them a strange, sympathetic quality that make you want to root for them. Tite Kubo does enjoy bringing pain down on them and it becomes a circular story line that keeps coming back for more. 

For all of you true Bleach fans, this is an important part of the story and a must. For those who may not be overly familiar with Bleach this may not be the place to start. It is very entertaining and would be fun for everyone.

ComicsOnline gives Bleach, Volume 23, 4 out of 5 silly little mod souls.