Bleach

## Introduction

**Bleach** (ブリーチ) is a Japanese Manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. It tells us the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student that has the power to see ghosts. The story of bleach is told over the course of Ichigo's mid to late teenage years. Bleach was influenced by popular manga **YuYu Hakusho** (幽☆遊☆白書). Bleach started its run in August 2001, and later down the line became one of the 3 most dominant manga of 2004. These 3 manga where given the title of "**The Big 3**" in a Shonen jump promotional material in 2004.

## Bleach

### Language

Japanese/English

**Synopsis:** Ichigo Kurosaki is an ordinary high schooler—until his family is attacked by a Hollow, a corrupt spirit that seeks to devour human souls. It is then that he meets a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, who gets injured while protecting Ichigo's family from the assailant. To save his family, Ichigo accepts Rukia's offer of taking her powers and becomes a Soul Reaper as a result.

However, as Rukia is unable to regain her powers, Ichigo is given the daunting task of hunting down the Hollows that plague their town. However, he is not alone in his fight, as he is later joined by his friends—classmates Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Uryuu Ishida—who each have their own unique abilities. As Ichigo and his comrades get used to their new duties and support each other on and off the battlefield, the young Soul Reaper soon learns that the Hollows are not the only real threat to the human world.

## Terminology

**Reiatsu:** Reiatsu is the physical force/pressure that a person's Reiryoku/Spiritual Power creates when released. There is different types of Reiatsu, the most common being just a unique feeling. Most Hollows and Shinigami have this type. Another type is one that feels like different beings, an example of this is Visored's. Depending on which power they are using, they could feel more Shinigami than Hollow, and vise versa. Another type is one that is elemental. An example of this is Yamamoto's, his Reiatsu is so overwhelming, that his Reiryoku appear to be flames when his is in Bankai. Reiatsu can be used both offensively and defensively. When used to attack, it can cause a variety of pain, physically and psychological. When used in defense, you can collide with other reiatsu, with the side with weaker reiatsu, getting injured. Reiatsu in Bleach is very important for it's inverse scaling. In order to even injure someone, your reiatsu has to be on par with theirs's, otherwise you won't be able to even scratch them.

**Reiryoku:** Reiryoku or Spiritual Power, is the power aligned with the spiritual sensitivity and willpower of the user. It is also used by Shinigami and other being's to power their abilities. Every Human and Spiritual Being has a certain amount of reiryoku, is this amount is higher than a certain degree, the person will be granted supernatural abilities. Some of the basic abilties of a human with higher level of reiryoku is the ability to see souls like Shinigami's, Hollows and Pluses.

Shinigami and Visoreds can use their reiryoku to:

* Cast Kido Spells
* Increase their speed
* Use the special abilities of their Zanpakutō
* Increase their physical strength and power

**Zanpakutō:** The Zanpakutō is the main weapon used by a Shinigami, Arrancar and the Visoreds. The art of wielding a Zanpakutō is called Zanjutsu (斬術, Swordsmanship). The Zanpakutō of low ranking Shinigami are called Asauchi and do not have names. One of the main abilities of a Zanpakutō is to be able to cut spiritual beings. In it's sealed form, most Zanpakutō have the form of a Japenese sword. Every Zanpakutō has it's own name. Zanpakutō can not be replaced, and the only way to repair one is through force of will and reiatsu. Arrancar's Zanpakutō are much different than Shinigami and Visoreds. Their Zanpakutō is the embodiment of their Hollow powers. A Shinigami/Visored Zanpakutō has 2 release which will be explained below

* **Shikai** (始解, *Initial Release*) is the first release of a Zanpakutō. In order for it to be released, the wielder must know the name of their Zanpakutō. For this to happen, they must be able to communicate with the spirit inside of its world. The commands for releasing a Zanpakutō usually hints at what abilities it has. A Shikai is what is usually required for someone to be a lieutenant.
* **Bankai** (卍解, *Final Release*) is the second and final release of a Zanpakutō. In order for it to be released, the user must summon their Zanpakutō into their world, which is the complete opposite of the release of a Shikai. Even though its the final release, this doesn't mean that It can be evolved further through training. The more a Shinigami or Visored becomes powerful, the more their Bankai's do as well. Once someone learns to release their Bankai, they can release their Shikai without having to call for its name. The difference in power between a Shikai and Bankai is around 5 to 10 times greater.

## Power of The Verse

* Attack Potency and Durability
* Speed
* Locations and Distances

## Characters

### Shinigami

* The Royal Guard
* 1st Division
* 2nd Division
* 3rd Division
* 4th Division
* 5th Division
* 6th Division
* 7th Division
* 8th Division
* 9th Division
* 10th Division
* 11th Division
* 12th Division
* 13th Division