The Day I Became a Shinigami

The Day I Became a Shinigami is the first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old boy who can see spirits. In order to save his family, Ichigo becomes a Shinigami.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: October 5, 2004
 * English Airdate: September 8, 2006
 * Opening Song: *~Asterisk~
 * Ending Song: Life is Like a Boat
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 1.
 * English Name: A Shinigami is Born
 * Kanji: 死神になっちゃった日
 * Romanji: "Shinigami ni natchatta hi"
 * Arc: Agent of the Shinigami arc

Summary


"We have no form, therefore we fear it, and because we are formless, we revere it. Thus we are slain."

The series begins with a look at a world of darkness, and several figures in the dark. Atop a pillar a young woman dressed in a black kimono senses a strong pulse and proceeds to jump forward. The words then appear: "And so the sword of fate had fallen".

Elsewhere, an orange haired high school sutdent, is fighting a couple of skateborders, after they have knocked down a bottle containing a flower placed for a child that had died there. Having scared off the skateboarders, he proceeds to pick up the bottle while telling the spirit of the young girl who had died that he'll bring more flowers tomorrow and she should hurry up and go to heaven.



On his way home, the young man identifies himself as Ichigo Kurosaki, saying that for as long as he can remember he has been able to see ghosts. Upon entering his home, he is greeted by his Father with a kick to the face, who tells him that he is late, and dinner is served at seven o'clock every night. Ichigo argues if that is the way he should greet your someone who has gone our of their way to help a ghost, on their way home. While the argument continues Ichigo's younger sisters are seated at the table having dinner. All of a sudden one of Ichigo's sisters, tells him the he has a new friend, a spirit to which Ichigo says that no matter how much he exorcises them, they keep coming back. Yuzu, one of his sisters, expresses how jealous she is that both Ichigo, and her twin sister Karin, are able to see spirits, while she is only able to sense them. Karin tells her that she doesn't believe in ghosts and regardless of whether you can see them or not, if you don't believe in them, it is the same as if they didn't exist. After his fight with his father Ichigo decides to go to bed.

The following morning, Ichigo notices a news report of an accident, and comments on it being close to where he lives. While delivering flowers to the spirit of the dead girl, he suddenly hears her scream and rushes to find her being chased by a large monster that looks like a giant mantis. While running away the woman shown earlier appears again wielding a katana and vanquishing the monster before disappearing again.

Later that night, Ichigo is reflecting on the events of the day, and finds himself wondering who the woman was. A black butterfly flies into Ichigo's room, and the same woman appears. Ichigo attempts to speak to her, but she does not seem to be noticing him, until he kicks her in the back of the head. After her initial reaction of being surprised the he can see her and even kick her she proceeds to introduce herself as a Shinigami. While Ichigo and the Shinigami speak the spirit of the dead girl is once again being chased by another monster like the one before. Ichigo having not believed a word from the Shinigami tells her that he admits that she is not a human but he does not believe in Shinigami because he has never seen one and calls her a little kid. The Shinigami uses a Kidō spell to bind Ichigo in order to prove who she says she is and proceeds on sending the ghost that was at his house letting him know that he is being sent onto Soul Society.



The Shinigami explains to Ichigo about Soul Society, Pluses, and Hollows by drawing pictures for him. Upon seeing her drawings Ichigo comments on why are they so bad. Having explained that there is a hollow in the area that she hasn't been able to locate, Ichigo asks why she cannot hear it, in return she claims that something has been hampering her senses. Meanwhile, another Hollow named, Fishbone D, goes after the spirit of the dead girl, but stops short of attacking her saying that there is an extraordinary soul along with that of a Shinigami. Moments later the Shinigami notices the presence of it and is amazed at how she was unable to sense something with that much spirit pressure (reiatsu).



Having reached Ichigo's home, Fishbone D, proceeds to attack his sisters and the Shinigami tells him to stay still while she deals with it. Seeing his sister Karin in danger Ichigo breaks free from the binding spell he was put upon and begins to attack Fishbone to no avail. After rescuing his younger sister and finding out that both the attack on the spirit girl and both his sisters are his fault, he tells Fishbone, that if he wants his soul to come and get it.



Fishbone attacks Ichigo, but he is saved by the Shinigami who manages to injure Fishbone, but is injured herself in return. With no way to fight she asks Ichigo that if he wants to save his family, he must become a Shinigami himself by impaling her Zanpakutō through his chest. Having accepted this Ichigo tells the Shinigami to give him the sword and she tells him that her name is not Shinigami but is Rukia Kuchiki to which he responds by telling her his name in return.

Having become a Shinigami himself Ichigo defeats Fishbone D leaving Rukia astonished as how she only intended to give him half of her power, but he took it all and how she has never seen a human who could Break a kidō spell on their own or a Shinigami with such a large Zanpakutō.

The episode concludes with Ichigo's stats:
 * Ichigo Kurosaki/15 years old
 * Hair color/Orange
 * Eye color/Brown
 * Occupation/High school student and also
 * Shinigami

Next Episode Preview
Kon introduces himself as the #1 Bleach popular idol Kon. He claims that this is the beginning of a story of a Shinigami that's bittersweet and a bit salty. Ichigo yells at him telling him that is not his time and that they are out of time.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Yama-Bro
 * Toshi-Bro
 * Mit-Bro
 * Dead Girl
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Isshin Kurosaki
 * Karin Kurosaki
 * Yuzu Kurosaki
 * Masaki Kurosaki (Picture only)
 * Glasses-Wearing Ghost
 * Fishbone D

Kidō used
Bakudō #1