Throwback #1 (The Death Trilogy Overture: Death & The Strawberry) (Pt. I)

With any franchise, there is always a beginning and though that beginning unfolds, unlocks, and unveils something wonderful. That, my friends, is the beginning of a journey you will take alongside any franchise you follow. So I'm here to give my insight on the very first Bleach episode of the series. This premiered on Adult Swim long ago and to this day, still continues every Saturday. I don't think I need to give much of a backstory on the series, but for those of you new to Bleach - I'll give you a quick little summary, insight on its origins, and points from the first arc throughout that'll lead up to what it'll be about later on. The chance encounter with Ichigo & Rukia (or Ichiruki).

Ichigo Kurosaki is your everyday teen who can see spirits, lives with a hyperactive and ecstatic Dad, and has two younger sisters. He helps spirits pass on and be at peace (shown when he beats up a bunch of thugs for knocking over a flower vase meant for a dead little girl). Everything changed once he met Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper (or Shinigami) designated in watching over Karakura Town. However, Rukia's powers were stolen when Ichigo agreed to help her out against a Hollow. And there's the first episode - Ichigo went from seeing spirits to a full-fledged Substitute Soul Reaper. 

So I'll say that the setup of this is pretty interesting because you see Ichigo's life go from normal to being all badass and whatnot. He not only took Rukia's powers, but now Rukia has to train him to fight off Hollows and other threats to Karakura Town while balancing his family's shenanigans, his high school life, & his own personal life as a teenager. Things take a turn for the better when Ichiruki are together, but with Hollows coming about left and right, will Ichigo be able to balance everything and save the day? Well as the series progresses he does just that and even ends up meeting the very Hollow who took his mother's life (Spoiler for those who haven't gone that far). 

It shows Ichigo's determination to help someone as strange as Rukia and do whatever it takes to ensure the safety and protection of his town. Ichigo, who can see ghosts, isn't the only one in the family who can see em'. Ichigo's sister, Karin, can seem them, Yuzu, has some sort of feel that they're there, and Ichigo's dad, Isshin, can see em' (but it doesn't heavily hint at it until WAY later). Ichigo, at first, was taken back when Rukia just appeared in his room without the slightest thought if Ichigo could see her or not since normal human beings can't see/sense Shinigami/Hollows.

The comedic relief between the two and the chemistry that began with Ichiruki is a strong one as they would grow closer as partners and even perhaps in the future Captain + Lieutenant partnership. The first season is Ichigo's baby steps into this whole new world that he is sorta familiar with and how he tends to balance out everything - shouldering everything on his own, not looking back, and living day by day w/Rukia, his teacher and friend, and his everyday friends (with some even being influenced by Ichigo's spiritual awareness). The start of it all it started to sound like a everyday normal teen life changed into a badass mothafu*ka who fights monsters and protects his home from threats all alike. This is the beginning of a wonderful life for Ichigo thanks to meeting Rukia Kuchiki. Bwahahahaha look for Pt. II Throwback tomorrow.