Introduction to Bleach Episode
Agent of the Shinigami arc (Episode 1 -20)
Main article: List of Bleach Agent of the Shinigami arc episodes
Also known by its English adaptation title, "The Substitute" arc, the first Bleach story arc is twenty episodes in length, and initially aired in Japan from October 2004 through February 2005.
Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old teenager with an unwanted talent for seeing ghosts. This talent allows him to spot the shinigami Rukia Kuchiki, whom he inadvertently interferes with during her duties. When Rukia is injured by a hollow that attacks Ichigo's home, Ichigo is forced to temporarily take her shinigami powers to defeat the hollow. The next day, Rukia shows up at Ichigo's school as a normal human. She tells him that she has lost all of her powers, rather than merely the fraction she intended to give him, and cannot carry out her duties. Ichigo must take her place as Karakura Town's shinigami while she recovers, guiding souls to the afterlife and defending people from attacking hollows.
Ichigo's spiritual power as a shinigami is surprisingly large, attracting hungry hollows and even affecting nearby humans by awakening any spiritual powers they possess. His powers also attract an enemy of another type: Uryū Ishida, one of the few remaining Quincy, a race of spiritually-empowered humans who were butchered by the shinigami long ago. In order to prove the Quincy are better than shinigami, he challenges Ichigo to a hollow hunting contest. This goes horribly awry, as the bait Uryū uses to start the contest is far more effective than intended, summoning legions of hollows. During this contest, Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Orihime Inoue, two of Ichigo's friends, have their own spiritual abilities awakened when they are assaulted by hollows. Uryū and Ichigo eventually ally to drive off the hollows.
As the remainder of the school year passes, Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, and Uryū become close friends. Rukia begins to grow comfortable with life in the living world but realizes that she needs to leave. Having already spent too much time in the living world without permission, she has become a wanted criminal. Her superiors in Soul Society send two elite shinigami, Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki, to arrest her. Ichigo tries to prevent the arrest, but his efforts are in vain. Not only is he defeated, but Byakuya strips him of the shinigami powers Rukia had given him. Rukia is taken to Soul Society, where she is put on death row.
Kisuke Urahara, a mysterious shopkeeper and ex-Soul Society resident, approaches Ichigo with a way to recover his powers and save Rukia: Ichigo must die, and then find the shinigami powers hidden within his own soul before he becomes a hollow. Ichigo narrowly succeeds in this endeavor, but emerges from the training stronger than he ever was before. Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, and Uryū then set off for Soul Society, led by one of Urahara's friends, a seemingly male talking cat named Yoruichi.
Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc (Episode 21-41)
Main article: List of Bleach Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc episodes
This story arc is twenty-one episodes long, and aired in Japan between March 2005 and July 2005.
Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, Uryū, and Yoruichi arrive in Soul Society, but are stopped from entering the gate of the shinigami citadel Seireitei by shinigami captain Gin Ichimaru, and must seek another entrance. Yoruichi takes the group to the home of his old friend Kūkaku Shiba, who owns a giant cannon usually used for fireworks, but capable of launching other objects anywhere. Kūkaku agrees to fire them into Seireitei, and sends an assistant with their group, her brother Ganju Shiba, who has hated the shinigami organization ever since his shinigami elder brother Kaien Shiba was killed by another shinigami during a mission. The cannon is a partial success and the party lands in Seireitei, albeit with its members split up.
Meanwhile, the flashy entrance attracts the attention of the highest shinigami military command, which issues orders mandating the immediate capture of the intruders. Ichigo and company all continue to advance through Seireitei regardless, making short work of the rank-and-file shinigami and lower officers who oppose them. This lasts until Ichigo and Ganju, who landed together, encounter lieutenant Renji Abarai and Ichigo defeats him, alarming the shinigami command enough that the captains themselves are sent out to pursue them. Another captain, Sōsuke Aizen, is found brutally murdered the next morning, sparking an internal conflict among the shinigami, several of whom suspect other shinigami officers of the murder.
Ichigo and Ganju are met by Kenpachi Zaraki, a bloodthirsty captain with the reputation of being undefeatable, as they are approaching Rukia's prison. Ichigo sends Ganju on to break Rukia out of jail, while he duels Kenpachi alone. Kenpachi and Ichigo fight until they are both nearly dead, both ultimately admitting defeat and collapsing. After the fight, Ichigo is healed by Yoruichi who then reveals that he is not a cat but a woman, and that she and Urahara are both actually ex-shinigami.
Ganju reaches Rukia's prison, where he discovers that she is the shinigami who killed his brother, Kaien. A flashback scene ensues, in which it is shown that Rukia killed Kaien only after his body had been completely taken over by a hollow, but that Rukia still feels guilty for his death. They are interrupted by the arrival of captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who noticed the prison being opened. Byakuya defeats Ganju, but Ichigo comes flying to the rescue, and a brief battle takes place. Yoruichi arrives on the scene but knocks Ichigo unconscious to end the fight.
Soul Society: The Rescue arc (Episode 42-63)
Main article: List of Bleach Soul Society: The Rescue arc episodes
The third Bleach story arc is presented in a series of twenty-two episodes, and ran from July 2005 to January 2006 in Japan.
Yoruichi knocks Ichigo unconscious when he refuses to leave, and manages to escape Byakuya with Ichigo. After Ichigo regains consciousness, Yoruichi begins to train him to use his bankai, the most powerful form of zanpakutō. Renji later joins to train with them as well, bringing news that Rukia's execution date has again changed. Meanwhile, Uryū and Orihime are confronted by shinigami captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Uryū battles him but is quickly disabled by the shikai of Mayuri's zanpakutō. Even after Uryū overcomes this with the Quincy technique ransōtengai, Mayuri is still too much for Uryū, who is forced to remove his sanrei glove. Uryū then completely overwhelms Mayuri, even after Mayuri uses his bankai, but is unable to finish him, as Mayuri escapes by turning himself into a liquid.
Meanwhile, shinigami officers are fighting throughout Seireitei. Shinigami captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronts fellow captain Gin Ichimaru, whom Hitsugaya believes killed Aizen, and battles him. Ichimaru retreats after lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto arrives. The next day, Kenpachi rescues Ichigo's comrades, but is stopped by shinigami captains Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen. Kenpachi manages to defeat Tōsen, even after Tōsen uses his bankai. Elsewhere, Renji attempts to rescue Rukia, but is stopped by Byakuya. Renji, despite using his newly acquired bankai, is defeated by Byakuya. Finally, Rukia's execution begins, but she is saved by Ichigo and sympathetic captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake.
While Rukia is spirited away by Renji, numerous shinigami officers start to battle each other. Ichigo defeats three lieutenants that were pursuing Renji and is then engaged by Byakuya. Ichigo was about to die in the battle but his hollow self takes control of him and attacks Byakuya with more powerful attacks. Ichigo then manages to retake control of himself in the battle. Using his bankai, Ichigo manages to battle Byakuya on even footing, and narrowly defeats him. Kyōraku and Ukitake flee the execution area for a more secluded place to battle General Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai. Yamamoto incinerates the surrounding area with his shikai, and begins to battle his former students. Captain Soifon is similarly accosted by Yoruichi, her former mentor. In a tearful encounter, Yoruichi defeats her using the flash cry technique, but was underestimated earlier because of her avoidance of battle for many years.
Hitsugaya, while searching the Central 46 Chambers, discovers that Aizen is alive, and is the mastermind behind the events that have transpired in Soul Society. Aizen then effortlessly defeats Hitsugaya and travels to the execution area. As Rukia has been sent there by Tōsen, Aizen's accomplice, Aizen extracts the Orb of Distortion from her, despite the efforts of Renji, Ichigo and Captain Komamura. However, before Aizen can flee, the entire officers corps of the Gotei 13 stops him. The arrival of several Menos Grande enable Aizen and his accomplices to escape to Hueco Mundo. Ichigo and his friends then return to the real world, leaving Rukia behind on her request.
The Bount arc (Episode 64-91)
Main article: List of Bleach The Bount arc episodes
The Bount arc is an arc made as filler to allow Tite Kubo to publish more material. It contains twenty-eight episodes, and aired in Japan from January 2006 to August 2006.
Ichigo and his friends (without Rukia) return to the real world, where they resume their daily lives. Renji then arrives, and Orihime and Chad are spirited away by three mysterious figures. They lure Ichigo and his friends into a game, with the lives of his friends in jeopardy. After a series of escapades, the three figures are revealed to be modified souls made by Urahara. Urahara tells Ichigo and his friends of the Bount, a group of empowered humans that can live forever via absorbing souls. Shortly afterwards, Ichigo fights the Bount Yoshino Sōma. Yoshino manages to defeat Ichigo, and nearly kills him until Rukia arrives just in time.
The reunion is short lived since Ichigo and his group then encounter another Bount, Ryō Udagawa. Udagawa fights Ichigo and his friends, and manages to capture Uryū and escape. However, Yoshino rescues Uryū and reveals that the Bount require a Quincy for their plans. She then drops Uryū at a hospital, where he is attacked by the Bount twins Hō and Ban. The arrival of Ganju and Hanataro results in the death of both Bounts. In Soul Society, the presence of the Bount has alarmed the higher echelons of the Gotei 13, who begin to research the Bount threat. Meanwhile, Ichigo and his friends have located the Bount's base. Ichigo fights Udagawa, but their fight is halted when Udagawa attempts to betray Jin Kariya, the Bount leader. Maki Ichinose, a shinigami deserter from the 11th Division, kills Udagawa and begins to fight Ichigo.
Ichinose's fight with Ichigo is quickly halted by Kariya, who fights Ichigo and easily defeats him. Ichigo is depressed after this fight, but Renji and Ganju fight him to raise his spirits. Meanwhile, Yoshino desperately attempts to kill Kariya, but is killed in turn, enabling Kariya to create the bitto. The bitto capture and concentrate living human souls for the Bount, enabling them to increase their power. Bounts engage Ichigo, his friends, and shinigami reinforcements all over Karakura Town. After a series of difficult battles, the Bounts retreat to a cave, where they have constructed a gate to enter Soul Society. The Bount Ugaki slows down the shinigami pursuers, but he is defeated by Renji's bankai.
Elsewhere, Uryū is confronted by shinigami lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi, who gives Uryū a battle accessory to restore his lost powers. Ichigo then comes upon the Bount and fights Kariya once more. He is easily defeated, but after activating his bankai, he is able to fight Kariya evenly. Finally, Uryū arrives and shoots an arrow into a gate the Bount have created, allowing them to enter Soul Society, but for a good reason.
Bount Assault on Soul Society arc (Episode 92 - 109)
Main article: List of Bleach Bount Assault on Soul Society arc episodes
This story arc was created to allow Tite Kubo to publish more material. It has eighteen episodes, and aired from August 2006 to January 2007.
This arc goes through the numerous attacks on Soul Society, all centered around the Bount. They are not easily defeated though, because of their ability to absorb the spirit particles Soul Society is made up of to heal their wounds. In the end, a fierce battle between Kariya and Ichigo takes place. Kariya loses the battle and disintegrates. But he is not the last Bount alive. Koga apologizes for the Bount's actions and remains with Rantao. The last episode focuses on the groups reminiscing of their lives before they met each other.
The Arrancar arc (Episode 110 - 143)
Main article: List of Bleach The Arrancar arc episodes
The 34 episode arc was aired from January 2007 to October 2007.
This arc starts off with Shinji Hirako introduced as a transfer student in Ichigo's school, but his true motive is to recruit Ichigo into the vizard, a group of shinigami who have gained hollow powers. Meanwhile, Kon (inhabiting Ichigo's body) is attacked by Grand Fisher and Uryū is attacked by another imperfect arrancar. Uryū is saved by his father, Ryūken Ishida, while Kon is saved by Isshin Kurosaki, who has regained his shinigami powers. Soon after that, two arrancar (Yammy and Ulquiorra) appear at Karakura Town. Yammy begins draining all of the surrounding souls. Only Tatsuki Arisawa survives. When Chad and Orihime interfere, Yammy injures them gravely, but Ichigo arrives in time to protect them. Upon confronting the arrancar, his inner hollow demands that Ichigo switches with him, sinisterly stating that he would be able to finish them off with ease. Ichigo however, denies his request, causing his inner hollow to interfere. His inner hollow prevents him from being able to fight and he is severely beaten until Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin arrive to rescue them.
Hitsugaya's team is later dispatched to patrol Karakura Town. The team consists of Renji Abarai, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa and Rukia Kuchiki, all of whom are posing as new students at Ichigo's school. When Grimmjow Jeagerjaques and his arrancar attack, they each fight their own separate battles. Hitsugaya and the others are having difficulty battling the arrancar and are on the verge of defeat before Soul Society allows them to remove their limiters. While this occurs, Ichigo is fighting a losing battle against Grimmjow. After being severely beaten, he manages to launch a devastating Getsuga Tenshou blast that scars Grimmjow. The battle is then abruptly ended by Kaname Tōsen who orders Grimmjow to return to Hueco Mundo for violating orders. After this, Ichigo realizes he can no longer fight adequately with his inner hollow constantly seeking to take control of him and he goes to train with the vizard. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya's team fend off various arrancar and hollows, while Rukia and Orihime go to Soul Society to train.
After defeating his inner hollow, Ichigo continues to train with the vizard to increase his mask usage time. Yumichika and Rangiku attempt to learn their bankai, but are interrupted by four arrancar (Yammy, Luppi, Grimmjow and Wonderweiss Margera) who are ordered to distract the shinigami team. In Soul Society, Rukia decides to go back first, while Orihime requires a special gate. Ichigo fights Grimmjow with his newly acquired hollow mask transformation, but when his mask breaks, Grimmjow gains the upper hand; however, he is subsequently fended off by Rukia and Shinji. When Orihime goes through the gate, her guards are attacked by Ulquiorra and he demands that she follows him back to Hueco Mundo. She agrees, as Ulquiorra threatened to kill her friends if she responded otherwise. The battle is ended by Ulquiorra, and Orihime is brought to Hueco Mundo after she bids Ichigo goodbye.
The Hueco Mundo arc (Episodes 144 - 162)
Main article: List of Bleach The Hueco Mundo arc episodes
The first three episodes cover Ichigo and his friends' entry into Hueco Mundo, followed by a three-episode anime-only arc - "Forest of the Menos" - then their entry to Las Noches
Kurosaki, Ichigo – Main Character
Kuchiki, Rukia – Secondary Main Character
Kurosaki Family – Consists of Isshin (Father), Karin (Younger Sister), Yuzu (Youngest Sister)
Sado, Yasutora – Ichigo’s large muscular friend though very gentle and kind hearted.
Inoue, Orihime – Classmate of Ichigo who has a secret crush on him.
Ishida, Uryu – A spiritual human much like Ichigo. He is the last of the Quincy’s (race).
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