Bleach

Overview

Tite Kubo’s supernatural manga about Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see ghosts and becomes a Substitute Soul Reaper after meeting Rukia Kuchiki.

At a glance

First publication / release: 2001

Synopsis

Ichigo Kurosaki can see ghosts, but his life changes when a Hollow attacks his family and he meets Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki. After receiving her powers, he becomes a Substitute Soul Reaper and fights to protect people and spirits. The story expands beyond the human world into Soul Society and other realms.

Publication history

Tite Kubo’s manga began in the combined issue 36–37 of Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001 and ended serialization in 2016. Shueisha collected the series in 74 volumes, and VIZ Media publishes the licensed English edition as Bleach.

Creators

The series was created by Tite Kubo, also the author of ZOMBIEPOWDER. In a VIZ Media interview, Kubo described the Lost Agent arc as a way to rebuild the story after Ichigo loses his Soul Reaper powers and must regain them.

Media expansion

The first TV anime began airing in October 2004; its run through March 2012 produced more than 360 episodes. Four feature-length animated films were also made. The adaptation of the final Thousand-Year Blood War arc began in October 2022, and its final cour, The Calamity, began airing in July 2026.

Behind the scenes

According to VIZ Media, Bleach received the 2005 Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category. Kubo described the Lost Agent arc as a fresh start that leads into the final Thousand-Year Blood War storyline.