Bleach

Reviewed by Angie Quidim
June 2005

Studio: Perriot Original Work: Kazunori Mizuno/Noriyuki Abe

Kurosaki Ichigo is not a regular 15 year old because he has always had the ability to see spirits and ghosts. One day, a female Shinigami (God of Death) named Kuchiki Rukia appears before him who is hunting for an evil spirit. Ichigo dismisses her as a nusiance but then something happens to make him start realizing that Rukia is no ordinary being. The evil spirits she hunts for are referred to as "Hollows;" monsters created from the remnants of souls. One chases Ichigo for his spirit energy that allows him to see the undead. Rukia tries to prevent the Hollow's attack but is injured in doing so.

But during the confrontation, Rukia transferred the Shinigami's powers to Ichigo who transforms into a death god or “shinigami”. Thus begins the adventures of Ichigo and Rukia and their mission to herd Hollows. Ichigo meets many colorful earthly and non-earthly characters, including his friends Sado, Orihime, Ishida, and the strange man in the bucket hat, Urahara Kisuke. Further on you will meet the backbone of the death gods, the governing captains, and find out how they work their bureaucracy in the other world (referred to as “soul society”). Rukia is taken away and tried as a traitor for making an illegal death god of Ichigo. It is now Ichigo's turn to save his friend, but more obstacles come in the way including the feared captain of the 11th squad.

The series is also available in manga format with excellent illustrations and dialog.