Sega showcased a bit more of the next Bleach DS fighting game, Bleach: Dark Souls at E3. The title, which is scheduled for a Q3 2008 release, is once again a fighting game by Treasure. It features an original storyline, 44 playable fighters, 30 new cards and a brand new, branching story mode.

The new storyline, which is used to unlock new characters and earn points to unlock other items, is set between the Save Rukia Arc and the Bount arc. In it strange things are happening in Soul Society before Ichigo, Orihime, Chad and Uryu return to the human world. Hollows are showing up, and they stay to train and help fight them.

Title: Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku RequiemPrice: JP: $48.90 NA: $29.99?System(s): Nintendo DSRelease Date: JP: 2/15/07 NA: Summer 2008Publisher (Developer): Sega (Treasure)ESRB Rating: US Rating PendingPros: Lots more fighters, new story mode layout, two on two battles are better (if you pick the right pair), better Wi-Fi battles experiencesCons: Some fighters were tweaked more than necessary, spirit cards aren’t really necessary, difficult to unlock certain items without a guide

Originally I was going to do a fantastic preview of Soma Bringer, a Japanese action/role-playing game that a friend of mine is considering importing. However this week marked Sega’s update that, yes, the second Bleach DS game is going to be released in the US. In the wake of such an announcement, it seems only fitting that today’s column preview this really cool sequel…

Clearly all the video game companies had a secret meeting to arrange for 2008 to be the best year for portable gamers, as the latest news from Sega almost seems too good to be true. Sega has just announced that Bleach: Dark Souls, the sequel to Bleach: The Blade of Fate, will be released in North America in Q2 2008. The sequel, known in Japan as Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku Requiem, features an all new exclusive storyline, 44 characters and many other improvements.