BLEACH: Why Was the Soul Society Arc so Special?

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The first few arcs of BLEACH have gone down as some of the best arcs in Shounen anime and manga. At its peak, the series came to be known as the final in a trio of golden titles that helped Jump maintain its position despite a predicted slump foreseen in the mass exodus of various hit titles that were responsible for the magazine's aptly named «Golden Age».

Shounen Jump continues to be the most popular, best-selling magazine in Japan, and what we call «The Big Three» are major titles of influence, that BLEACH emerged alongside as the major saviors of Jump. For BLEACH, the period between its serialization in 2001 and 2007 yielded some of its best arcs, with the Soul Society Arc being considered one of the best arcs from the Big Three. But why was the Soul Society Arc so special?

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The Soul Society Arc, also called the Ryoka Invasion Arc, is the first major story line in BLEACH, and part of what makes the arc so significant is the build-up to the events that occur in the arc. The series begins by setting up the premise.

Rukia Kuchiki is the first Soul Reaper Ichigo meets in the story, and it is from the relationship that is fostered between these two that the groundwork for the Soul Society Arc is done. The first chapter and first episode of BLEACH are both titled «Death and the Strawberry», a quirky phrase that outlines what the beginning of BLEACH is really about: Ichigo Kurosaki and his intimate relationship with the supernatural.

When a stubborn Ichigo ends up getting in Rukia's way during their first fight with a huge Hollow, Rukia ends up paying dearly for it with very serious injuries. Rukia commits a taboo by offering her powers to Ichigo so that he could deal