Bleach:

The Beginning:

Bleach is a new anime series that follows the life of a 15 year old boy by the name of Kurosaki Ichigo. Ichigo is not any average boy; he has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. This stems from his other unusual trait: awesome, untapped Spiritual energy. Ichigo does what he can for the spirits he meets, until a Hollow (evil soul spirit) attacks him and his family. To the rescue comes a female Shinigami (Death God) named Kuchiki Rukia. Rukia chases the Hollow off, and is astounded by the fact that Ichigo can see her and the Hollow, which most mortals cannot. She explains that Shinigami have two duties: to lead the “Pluses” (good souls) to their rest in Soul Society, and to exterminate Hollows, who endanger them. All Shinigami carry a Zanpakutou, or Soul Slayer, with which they can release the Pluses and kill the Hollows. These Zanpakutou resemble katanas in their shape and size. The Hollow comes back at this point to menace the pair again, and Rukia is badly wounded. She thrusts her Zanpakutou into Ichigo’s body, intending to transfer enough of her power into him to enable him to destroy the Hollow….except his soul takes all her power, and combines it with his own, which enables him to dispatch the Hollow with ease. Thus begins Ichigo’s journey, as high-school student and part-time Death God!

Rescue of Rukia:

Rukia was charged of crime for giving her powers to a human.  Renji Abari and Captain Kuchiki (Rukia's brother) are ordered to go to the human world and take her back by force if nessacary and bring her back to Soul Society so she can abide for her sins.  15 year old Ichigo Kurosaki disaproves of Kuchiki and Abari taking away Rukia and stands to the fight with Abari.  Ichigo is defeating Abari when Kuchiki uses "Shunpo" (flash step) and destroys Ichigo's zampactou while stabbing Ichigo in the back.  Unable to continue fighting Ichigo does not have the strength to protect Rukia.  Kisuke Urahara stumbles by Ichigo and heals him in his shop.  Later on Ichigo vows to go to Soul Society and save Rukia from DEATH.  He is accompanied by Sado, Uryuu, Inoue, and Yurouichi.

Bontou Arc:

This is basically one giant episode filler within the whole Bleach series.  Bontou(soul suckers) show themselves to overcome Soul Society.  Ichigo and the others vow to stop them at all costs.

The Noble Espada:

After the war with the Bontou Ichigo and the others come into some trouble when Espada #10, Yami and Espada #4, Ulquiorra are looking for Ichigo to test his strength.  Ichigo is having trouble controlling his inner hollow during this fight and loses because of the major conflict in his body.  Ichigo continues to have trouble when Grimmjow Jaggerjack(Espada #6)tries to kill him.  Ichigo shows Grimmjow that he's not to be taken lightly when he uses a Black Getsuga Tenshou(this is only used by Ichigo's hollow form).  Once again having trouble Ichigo decides to ask for the assistance of the Vaizards(shinigami that can control their hollows) for help learning how to control his hollow.  During this period Oriheme is kidnapped by Espada #4 Ulquiorra and Ichgio vows to save her by going to Las Naches and taking her back by force.