Bleach
From Adult Swim Headquarters Wiki
Bleach is a supernatural anime series based on the best-selling Shonen Jump manga by Tite Kubo.
The series is licensed by VIZ Media. It premiered on [adult swim] in September 2006.
Contents |
Story
Ichigo Kurosaki is a Japanese high school boy who has the ability to see ghosts, but rather than react with surprise he merely sees it as an annoyance. One night a strange girl, a shinigami (Soul Reaper) named Rukia Kuchiki, shows up in his bedroom in pursuit of a hollow, a race of soul-devouring ghosts, and is surprised when he can actually see her. When the hollow she is after comes after Ichigo's family and she is too wounded to fight, Rukia transfers part of her powers to Ichigo, but he ends up taking too much. Ichigo must now take the role of "Substitute Soul Reaper" and fight hollows in the world of the living in her place, while she is forced to assume a gigai (an artificial human body) and become a student at his school until she gets her powers back.
Agent of the Shinigami Arc
"Agent of the Shinigami", also known as "Substitute Shinigami", is the first story arc of Bleach and spans the first twenty episodes (obviously, Episodes 1-20). These episodes outline the basic mechanics of the world of Bleach, such as Hollows (and, by extention, Wholes), Soul Society, Shinigami and other individuals with interests in the paranormal. Also within this arc is a four episode mini-arc called "Quincey Archer Hates You" (Episodes 11-14) which shows the development of some of the human members of the cast who would follow Ichigo into Soul Society in the next arc.
Soul Society Arc
The Soul Society Arc is the second story arc. It has 42 episodes and spans over two parts; "Sneak Entry" (Episodes 21-41) and "The Rescue" (Episodes 42 - 63). Where the first arc focused on the Human world and the Mechanics of Bleach, The Soul Society arc is a more action-orientated arc that is focused on the Soul Society and its inner politics. For instance, viewers learn that the Shinigami that make up its Guard are placed in thirteen divisions, with each of them having a captain and vice captain (lieutenant in the dub translation). It is also the first arc in which Bankai, the ability to unleash a Zanpakuto (the sword all Shinigami wield)'s true form is mentioned and used.
This arc is currently airing on [Adult Swim] in the United States.
Bount Arc
The Bount Arc is a filler arc (that is to say that it did not appear in the manga and was created to fill a gap between the anime and the manga) that spans 45 episodes and, like Soul Society has two parts, "Bount" (Episodes 64 - 91) and "Bount Assault on Soul Society" (Episodes 92 - 109). As this arc is a filler arc, almost no new information is given and instead, the story focuses on a new threat, a race of soul-eating vampires that seeks to destroy both Earth and Soul Society called the Bount.
Arrancar Arc
Arrancar is the fourth and the current story arc of Bleach that began in episode 110. This arc delves deaper into the ideas presented in the 'Agent of the Shinigami' and 'Soul Society' and introduces two types of beings, the Arrancar and the Vizard (both of which are linked to Hollows and Shinigami). Along with an old enemy, they work towards a currently-undisclosed goal that involves wiping out Karakura Town and harvesting its spritual energies.
This arc is currently airing in Japan.
Characters
Ichigo Kurosaki
A 15-year-old boy with the power to see the souls of the dead and after running in with Rukia Kuchiki is granted the powers of a Soul Reaper (Shinigami) in exchange for hers. He then becomes a substitute Soul Reaper until Rukia’s powers return, and must help protect the world from hollows (evil spirits) and send wholes (good spirits) back to the Soul Society (heaven).
Rukia Kuchiki
A Soul Reaper who loses her powers when she gives them to Ichigo Kurosaki to protect himself and his family. She is somewhat clueless about the ways of the human world, but teaches Ichigo all he needs to know about being a Soul Reaper.
Orihime Inoue
A classmate and friend of Ichigo Kurosaki who develops spirt-related powers after Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper.
Uryu Ishida
Ishida is another classmate of Ichigo Kurosaki who claims to be the last Quincy, a group of human hollow-killers. He tends to hold resentment towards Ichigo and other Soul Reapers because of their role in the Quincy’s extinction.
Yasutora “Chad” Sado
A stoic and powerfully strong classmate and friend of Ichigo Kurosaki who also was endowed with spirit-related powers when Ichigo became a Soul Reaper. He is tall and is often mistaken as being much stronger than he really is.
Credits
| Original Story | Tite Kubo | English Voice Cast | |
| Director | Noriyuki Abe | Johnny Yong Bosch | Ichigo Kurosaki |
| Planning Manager | Ryo Oyama | Michelle Ruff | Rukia Kuchiki |
| Series Composition |
Masashi Sogo | Stephanie Sheh | Orihime Inoue |
| Character Design |
Masashi Kudoh | Jamieson Price | Yasutora "Chad" Sado |
| Color Design |
Hiromi Anzai Hideo Kamiya |
Derek Stephen Prince | Uryu Ishida |
| Quinton Flynn | Kon | ||
| Art Direction | Natsuko Suzuki Sawako Takagi |
Michael Lindsay | Kisuke Urahara |
| Michael Sorich | Tessai | ||
| Director of Photography | Toshiyuki Fukushima | Jeannie Elias | Jinta |
| Music | Shiro Sagisu | Wendee Lee | Ururu |
| Music Producer | Ryo Oyama | Yoruichi Shihoin (human) | |
| Animation Production | Studio Pierrot | Terrence Stone | Yoruichi Shihoin (cat) |
| Production | Dentsu Inc. Studio Pierrot TV TOKYO |
Wally Wingert | Renji Abarai |
| US Licensor | Viz Media | ||
| ADR Production | STUDIOPOLIS, Inc. | ||
| Voice Direction | Kirk Thornton Wendee Lee Michael Sorich |
||
| English Adaptation | Carl Macek Liam O'Brien Mark Ryan Michael Sorich |
Episodes
See under Bleach: list of episodes.
Media
Opening Themes
- Episodes 1-25: "*~Asterisk~" by Orange Range
- Episodes 26-51: "D-tecnolife" by UVERworld
- Episodes 52-74: "Ichirin no Hana" by HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
- Episodes 75-97: "TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT" by BEAT CRUSADERS
- Episodes 98-120: "Rolling Star" by YUI
- Episodes 121-143: "ALONES" by Aqua Timez
- Episodes 144+: "After Dark" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Ending Themes
- Episodes 1-13: "Life is Like a Boat" by Rie Fu
- Episodes 14-25: "Thank You!!" by HOME MADE Kazoku
- Episodes 26-38: "Houkiboshi (Shooting Star)" by Younha
- Episodes 39-51: "happy people" by Skoop On Somebody
- Episodes 52-63: "LIFE" by YUI
- Episodes 64-74: "My Pace" by SunSet Switch
- Episodes 75-86: "Fireworks" by Ikimono-gakari
- Episodes 87-97: "MOVIN!!" by Takacha
- Episodes 98-109: "Baby It’s You" by JUNE
- Episodes 110-120: "Sakura Biyori" by Hoshimura Mai
- Episodes 121-131: "Tsumasaki" by Ore Ska Band
- Episodes 121-131: "Tane wo Maku Hibi (Day Seeds are Scattered)" by Atari Kousuke
- Episodes 132+: "Daidai" by Chatmonchy
