Bleach Episode 1: Ichigo and the Soul Reapers

Written by Hikaru no Michiru

First Aired: October 4^th, 2004

Corresponds with “Bleach” Vol. 1, Chapter

Opening: Asterisk, by Orange Range

Ending: Life is Like a Boat, by Rie Fu

     We find our orange-haired hero Ichigo “Strawberry” Kurosaki interrogating a group of punks about a desecrated memorial. After a thorough beating and threats to send them to the afterlife, the punks run off, leaving Ichigo alone with the girl to whom the memorial was established. Having been thanked, Ichigo heads home and reveals to us that he has the ability to interact with those departed from this life.

     At home, his dad runs the local clinic, aided by his little sisters Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki. His little sisters Yuzu and Karin can see ghosts, though they can't interact with them like their older brother. Also, a nerdy new ghost latches on to Ichigo looking for help. Fed up with the day, Ichigo retires to his room.

     The next day, Ichigo leaves the house with the intention of finding the girl from yesterday. His search leads him to find the girl being hunted by a giant praying-mantis monster. Before it eats the both of them, a strange girl in a kimono jumps in, slays the beast, and walks off.

      That night, the kimono girl enters Ichigo’s room, where Ichigo quickly subdues her. Astonished that Ichigo can see her, the girl reveals herself to be a Soul Reaper, a soldier from Soul Society (the afterlife), whose purpose is to vanquish all evil spirits and send lingering ghosts back to Soul Society. Insulted that Ichigo doesn’t believe her story, she binds him using magic and proceeds to send the geeky ghost from before to the afterlife. The Soul Reaper continues to explain there are two kinds of souls in the world – the good ones, and the bad ones, known as Hollows, who feed on good souls.

      The lecture is interrupted by a beaten Yuzu stumbling into the room, telling Ichigo that Karin is in trouble and needs help. Ichigo and the Soul Reaper dash downstairs to find Karin in the grasp of a large, fish-faced monster the Soul Reaper identifies as a Hollow. In desperation to save his sister, Ichigo breaks the binding spell (which the Soul Reaper comments no human can do), and rushes in to save Karin.
 

     A battle ensues with the Hollow. During a break in the fight, the Soul Reaper tells Ichigo his high amounts of spirit energy have been locked up, and now that it’s been opened Hollows everywhere are coming to feast on him. Feeling guilty for Karin and Yuzu getting harmed by the Hollow, Ichigo opens himself up to be eaten, hoping to no longer make his home a target. The Soul Reaper throws herself in the path of the Hollow to save Ichigo. Coming around for a second attack, the Soul Reaper offers Ichigo a chance to save his family - he must become a Soul Reaper. Ichigo accepts the offer, and the Soul Reaper reveals her name to be Rukia Kuchiki. With a stab through the heart and a burst of light, Ichigo dawns the black kimono and sword of a Soul Reaper, and makes quick work of the fish-faced Hollow. Watching from the sidelines, Rukia comments that the size of a Soul Reaper’s sword reflects his spiritual strength, and Ichigo wields the largest sword she has ever seen.

Screen Shots

 

Ichigo gives a ghost peace.	Ichigo breaks Rukia's binding spell.
Karin in the clutch of the Hollow.	Ichigo decides to be a Soul Reaper.
A new Soul Reaper - Ichigo Kurosaki.

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