Bleach (ブリーチ) is a manga and anime series by Tite Kubo (Taito Kubo), mangaka of Zombie Powder. It is currently at 16 volumes in length (as of March 2005), and new chapters are featured weekly in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.

It follows the life of Ichigo Kurosaki (黒崎 一護 Kurosaki Ichigo), a 15 year old high school student with the ability to see ghosts. A female Shinigami (God of Death) runs into him one day while searching for an evil spirit. During an ensuing confrontation with the spirit, she is forced to transfer her powers into Ichigo. Thusly the adventures of Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki (朽木 ルキア Kuchiki Rukia) begin, and together they search out Hollows (fallen spirits) and perform soul burials.

Ichigo Kurosaki

The early parts of the story focus mainly on the relationships between the characters, rather than the actual occupation of the Shinigami. However, as events unfold, the story begins to delve more deeply into the world of these Gods of Death on the "other side".

This manga is being translated into English by Viz Communications. As with many other popular manga series, an animated version is currently in production. The "Bleach" animated TV series is broadcast at 6:30pm on Tuesdays on TV Tokyo and affiliated stations in Japan, with the first episode broadcasted on October 5, 2004. Studio Pierrot is doing the animation work.

Released volumes

1. The Death and the Strawberry
2. Goodbye Parakeet, Goodnite My Sister
3. Memories in the Rain
4. Quincy Archer Hates You
5. Rightarm of the Giant
6. The Death Trilogy Overture
7. The Broken Coda
8. The Blade and Me
9. Fourteen Days of Conspiracy
10. Tattoo on the Sky
11. A star and a stray dog
12. Flowers on the precipice
13. The Undead
14. White Tower Rocks
15. Beginning of the Death of Tomorrow
16. Night of Wijnruit

Openings and Closings

Openings

1. "Asterisk" by Orange Range (Episodes #1-25)
2. "D-tecnolife" by UVERworld (Episodes #26-?)

Closings

1. "Life is Like a Boat" by Rei Fu (Episodes #1-12)
2. "Thank You!" by Home Made Kazoku (Episodes #13-25)
3. "Houki Hoshi (Abandoned Star)" by YunnaYounha (Episodes #26-?)

External links

• Offical Bleach website
• Shonen Jump Bleach website
• TV Tokyo Bleach website
• Studio Pierrot Bleach website
• AniDB Listing
• AnimeNetwork's Encyclopedia
• About Bleach @ Czarism
• Bleach 7 (Anime/Manga)
• Bleach Portal