Bleach (manga)

Bleach is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. It follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper (a death god) from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. His newly acquired abilities force him to take on the duty of defending humans from evil spirits called Hollows and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.

The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from August 2001 to August 2016. Its chapters have been collected into 74 tankōbon volumes. The series has spawned a large media franchise that includes an anime television series adaptation produced by Pierrot from 2004 to 2012, as well as several films, video games, novels, and stage plays.

The story is initially focused on Ichigo and his friends as they navigate the world of Soul Reapers and Hollows. As the story progresses, the scope expands to encompass the Soul Society, the home of the Soul Reapers, and the various conflicts that arise within and between different factions. Key characters include Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo's classmates Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado (Chad), and the Quincy Uryū Ishida. The main antagonists evolve throughout the series, ranging from rogue Soul Reapers to powerful Hollows and ultimately, the Quincy Yhwach.

Bleach is known for its distinctive art style, characterized by clean lines, stylish character designs, and dynamic action sequences. The series also features a complex and intricate plot, exploring themes of identity, duty, friendship, and the balance between life and death. The use of unique weapon designs and special abilities, known as Zanpakutō, is also a prominent feature.

The manga achieved significant commercial success, both in Japan and internationally, contributing significantly to the popularity of manga and anime globally.