Ichigo Kurosaki can see ghosts. So he thought it was no big deal when he met a woman no one else could see. But Kuchiki Rukia wasn't a ghost. She was a 'soul reaper' (shingami), a supernatural being who conducts wholesome souls to the next world, and defeats corrupted 'hollow' souls with her zanpakutou ('ghost-cutter' or 'soul-slayer') sword. Before Ichigo can fully absorb this information, the hollow that Rukia has been following shows its ugly face (and teeth) right in Ichigo's home. Unexpectedly overmatched, Rukia is about to be slain so she offers Ichigo the chance to absorb some of her powers. With his family in danger Ichigo accepts with no thought of the consequences and his new life as a 'soul reaper' begins.
Data
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Book - Bleach (Manga 2001) 300 chapters+
DVD - Bleach (TV 2004) 160 episodes+
DVD - Memories of Nobody (Movie 2006)
DVD - The Diamond Dust Rebellion (Movie 2007)
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Bleach first appeared in Shonen Jump magazine (Japan) in 2001 and made the jump to TV in 2004 (Fall 2006 in North America). Ichigo's world has grown continuously since he first became aware of the soul reaper's existence. At first Ichigo assisted Rukia in banishing Hollows while she tried to regain her powers. Later Ichigo discovered other humans with spirit powers - as well as some who weren't quite human at all. The biggest step in Ichigo's adventures came when more soul reapers appeared and arrested Rukia for giving away her powers. Ichigo isn't the type to meekly follow rules. He'll do what he thinks is right, he'll never abandandon a friend, and he'll travel to the world between this life and the next in order to do it!
Bleach is a superb shonen action-drama series, stylish and hard-edged. The Bleach story is like opening a set of nested matroska dolls from the inside, every time you break through a layer you realize you're actually inside an even bigger and more detailed layer. As of January 2007 the Japanese TV version has reached 110 episodes, the Japanese manga is over 250 chapters, and the English edition of the manga is up to volume 20.
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Cultural Note: The shape of the hand guard of Ichigo's sword, Zangetsu (Slicing Moon), in its Bankai mode is the manji - a Buddhist symbol of spirituality that should not be confused with the Nazi swastika which looks similar but has an opposite, clockwise, pattern.
Music: The first Japanese opening theme of the anime ('Asterix') was performed by the group Orange Range and the first end theme ('Life is like a Boat') was sung by Rie Fu. Bleach author Tite Kubo has revealed that the design and characters in Bleach are been heavily influenced by Western and Japanese rock and alternative music, and there are different references to music that can be found in the manga.
Publisher's Description: "Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family; but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world is full of dangerous spirits and, along with Rukia - who is slowly regaining her powers - it's Ichigo's job to protect the innocent from Hollows and help the spirits themselves find peace." (from Shonen Jump Graphic Novel Volume 1)