The Day I Became a Shinigami

is the first episode of the Bleach anime.

Fifteen-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki has the uncanny ability to see ghosts, but that seems pretty run-of-the-mill once a Shinigami named Rukia Kuchiki enters his life.

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 telephone pole, a young woman dressed in a black kimono senses a strong pulse and proceeds to jump forward. A message then appears, saying: "And so the sword of fate had fallen".

Elsewhere, an orange-haired high school student fights with a couple of skateboarders after they knock down a bottle containing a flower, which was placed at a young girl's death place. After he scares 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 that she should hurry up and go to heaven.

On his way home, the student identifies himself as Ichigo Kurosaki, admitting that he has had the ability to see spirits for as long as he could remember. Upon entering his home, he is greeted by his father with a kick to his face, who tells him that he is late and that dinner is served at seven o'clock every night. Ichigo argues if that's "any way [he] should welcome [his] own son after he just risked his life to help a spirit find peace" on his way home. While the argument continues, Ichigo's twin sisters are seated at the table having dinner. One of Ichigo's sisters tells him that he has a new friend, a spirit, to which Ichigo says that no matter how much he exorcises them, they just keep coming back. Yuzu Kurosaki, the other sister, expresses her jealousy of Ichigo and Karin's ability to see spirits, while she only can sense them. Karin tells her that she doesn't believe in ghosts, saying, "Just seeing them doesn't make [her] believe in them." After his fight with his father, Ichigo decides to go to his room rather than having dinner.

The following morning, Ichigo notices a news report of an accident that occurred close to where he lives. While delivering flowers to the spirit, he suddenly hears her scream and rushes to find her being chased by a large monster that resembles a giant mantis. Just as the two are about to be devoured by the Mantis Hollow, a woman in a black kimono and wielding a katana appears and vanquishes the Hollow, then promptly disappears.

Later that night, as Ichigo is reflecting on the events of the day, he finds himself wondering who that woman was. All of a sudden, a black butterfly and the woman from before appear in Ichigo's room. Ichigo attempts to speak to her, but she does not seem to notice him, until in frustration, he kicks her in the back of the head. After her initial surprise at his ability to see and even kick her, she proceeds to introduce herself as a Shinigami. Meanwhile, the girl's spirit is once again being chased by a Hollow. 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, also calling her a little kid. The Shinigami uses a Kidō spell to bind Ichigo in order to prove who she says she is and performs Konsō on a Plus, letting him know that he is being sent on to 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 (called Fishbone D) goes after the spirit of the dead girl, but stops short of attacking her, saying that he senses an extraordinary soul along with a Shinigami. Moments later, the Shinigami notices its presence and is amazed at how she was unable to sense something with that much 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 under and begins to attack Fishbone to no avail. After rescuing his younger sister and finding out that the attacks on the spirit girl and his sisters are his fault, Ichigo tells Fishbone that if he wants his soul, he should 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 tells 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. She tells him that her name is not Shinigami, but it is Rukia Kuchiki, to which he responds by telling her his name in return, before she impales him with her Zanpakutō.

Having become a Shinigami himself, Ichigo defeats Fishbone D, leaving Rukia astonished at how Ichigo took almost all of her power (when she only intended to give him half), how he broke a Kidō on his own, and how he, as a Shinigami, is able to wield such a large Zanpakutō.

Ichigo's stats:

Name: Ichigo Kurosaki

Age: 15 years old

Hair color: Orange

Eye color: Brown

Occupation: High school Student and also Substitute 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.

Fights

 * Rukia Kuchiki & Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Fishbone D (concluded)

Kidō used

 * Bakudō #1 Sai (塞, Restrain)

Other powers

 * Konsō