1st set shipping on July 19 includes art gallery, clean ending, bonus video

Viz Media announced at its panel at Anime Central on Saturday that it will release the first set of the Bleach television anime series on Blu-ray Disc this summer. The first 27-episode set will ship on July 19 and will retail for US$54.97 and CAD$63.99, before discounts.

Viz Media describes the set as follows:

For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, his life is changed forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling—to protect the world of the living and the dead as a Substitute Soul Reaper. When Rukia is taken away to face the ruthless justice of the Soul Society, Ichigo and his friends must cross over and do battle in the spirit world...

The first set will include an art gallery, textless ending videos, and a behind-the-scenes video featuring interviews with the English cast.

The Bleach television anime series adapts Tite Kubo's manga of the same name, and it premiered in 2004 and aired for 366 episodes before ending in March 2012.

Viz Media has released the entire series on DVD, shipping the final set (cover pictured above right) in September. The company is also releasing the original manga in North America.