MANILA, Philippines - The fascination with the afterlife has given rise to Bleach, a classic hit anime series that premiered last night on Animax.
Airing weeknights at 7:30, the popular animé is also ongoing in Japan, in Europe, as well as North and South America. Airing in Asia on Animax.
It follows the story of 15-year-old student Ichigo whose chance meeting with “Soul Reaper“ Rukia sends him on a journey to protect friends and loved ones as a “Soul Reaper“ in his own right.
Able to see souls, young orange-haired Ichigo regards spirits around him as minor annoyances. One fateful day, a mysterious woman in black kimono with a katana (Japanese sword) appears in his room. Named Rukia, she identifies herself as a “Soul Reaper,“ one of many spirit guardians responsible for leading souls to the afterlife or “Soul Society”. As they get acquainted, Ichigo‘s family is attacked by monstrous “Hollow“ spirits which consume other souls. With Rukia injured, Ichigo takes up responsibilities and powers of a “Soul Reaper“ to protect his loved ones.
Bleach has been brought to the big screen in three theatrical animé movies over the last three years and made some $15-M in the Japanese box-office alone. The immense popularity of Bleach also saw more than 20 Bleach video game titles released for Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance consoles since 2005. Two collectible card games have been launched, and even a live-action rock musical was staged at Space Zero Tokyo theater in August 2005.
Bleach is built on friendship, sacrifice, coming-of-age and the determination to succeed to inspire youth and young adult viewers everywhere.