Series · 2004
Bleach
ブリーチ
Ichigo can see ghosts, but protecting them becomes his job when the Soul Reaper Rukia lends him her powers. Her decision draws them into conflict with Soul Society, the authority governing the afterlife. Battles begin with threats to Ichigo's family and grow into disputes over the rules Rukia must obey.
Hollows are lost souls as well as monsters, so Ichigo's new work involves helping the dead find peace as well as defending the living. That gives the sword fights a second purpose. A threat may come from somebody's unresolved attachment, bringing the supernatural conflict back to families and relationships that began before anyone became a ghost.
Rukia follows Ichigo into school, posing as a transfer student while trying to make him take over her Soul Reaper duties. He initially refuses. His refusal makes their first working arrangement a dispute over responsibility as well as a matter of borrowed power.
Original series · Approx. 146 hours · 366 episodes
Original 2004–2012 television run; excludes Thousand-Year Blood War and the films.
