Bleach

Bleach (Burīchi) is a Japanese manga, or comic book, that was created by Tite Kubo. Kubo’s real name is Noriaki Kubo, and she is best known for Bleach. The series began in 2001 and is still being published. It has spawned an anime series, two anime films, video games, a rock musical and a few original video animations (OVA’s). the manga has become extremely popular, selling a record number of copies in Japan alone.

Synopsis

Ichigo Kurosaki has the ability to see ghosts. It’s not something that he’s very happy about at first. One day a death god by the name of Rukia Kuchiki, is wounded in front of Ichigo. She has no choice but to give her powers to Ichigo. Thus she becomes human, and he becomes a shinigami, or death god. The series follows the adventures of the two of them as they look for souls that need to be set free.

Characters

• Ichigo Kurosaki – Ichigo has had the ability to see spirits for his entire life. When Rukia crosses his path and is injured, she attempts to transfer half of her power into the mortal. He ends up absorbing all of her power and becoming a shinigami. He uses his ability to see ghosts, the power bestowed onto him, and his martial arts abilities, to defeat the evil spirits. He also sends the good ones onto the Soul Society.

• Rukia Kuchiki – Rukia looks like a teenager but is actually over a hundred years old. She ends up transferring her power to Ichigo and has to live as a human while she waits for her power to return to her. She becomes a normal student, going to Ichigo’s high school. The only abnormality is that she lives in Ichigo’s closet.

• Orihime Inoue – Orihime has been a friend of Ichigo’s for a very long time. She and her brother, Sora, ran away from their home years ago to escape abuse. Her brother ended up dying, leaving her an orphan. Shortly after Ichigo gets his powers, Orihime discovers that she has powers of her own. After a time, she becomes the most powerful healer that any of them have ever seen. She can fix a person no matter how damaged they are.

• Yasutora Sado – Yasutora goes by Chad, and is a good friend of Ichigo’s. Chad is half Japanese and half Mexican, and looks much older than he really is. He never had any powers until after Ichigo received his, and then he suddenly starts being able to see ghosts. He has armor put on his right arm so that he can fight the hollows.

• Kisuke Urahara – Kisuke runs a shop that sells candy, as well as items that are meant to help shinigami. He has created quite a few inventions which are extremely helpful, and always seems to show up right when the action happens, even though he doesn’t fight.

• Renji Abarai – Renji is a shinigami who has reached elite status. He has become the second in command and cares for Rukia because he grew up with her.

Manga created in Japan or by Japanese mangaka.