The Soul Society arc of Bleach helped kicked the series off into its main plot, with the story now spanning over numerous manga volumes and episodes of anime. Add the many more intriguing characters that were introduced, with powers and abilities to challenge Ichigo and his friends, you can see why this is one of the most popular titles out there.
Byakuya Kuchiki: the captain of Squad Six, Byakuya is Rukia’s older brother, who comes to arrest her and take her back to the Soul Society. A firm believer in the law, Byakuya will see them enforced, no matter what, and doesn’t see Ichigo as a challenge.
Renji Abarai: the lieutenant of Squad Six, Renji is Byakuya’s second-in-command. He and Rukia are old friends, having grown up together, and becomes conflicted when the order comes down for her to be executed.
Kisuke Urahara: the mysterious owner of the Urahara Shop, who in Season One supplied Rukia with various tools to help Ichigo. He has plenty of secrets that are revealed over the course of the series.
Yoruichi: first appearing as a black cat, Yoruichi joins Ichigo and the others as a guide in Soul Society. Later revealed to human, and female, she trains Ichigo to fight Byakuya and rescue Rukia.
Ganju Shiba: the tough-talking leader of a gang living in Soul Society’s poor Rukon District, he hates Soul Reapers due to the death of his brother. He reluctantly joins Ichigo and company to help them on the orders of his sister.
Hanataro Yamada: a seated officer in Squad Four, the Soul Reapers’ medical division, Hanataro is a rather timid person but a skilled medic. Initially captured by Ichigo, he agrees to help rescue Rukia after having become close to her during her imprisonment.
Sosuke Aizen: the kindly captain of Squad Five, who is respected and admired within the Soul Reapers. His sudden murder shocks many, leaving to question the identity of the killer in the midst of a possible conspiracy it appeared he was uncovering.
Bleach - Season Two - The storyline:
The Soul Society has come for Rukia, to arrest her for the crime of giving her powers to a human. Though Ichigo tries to defend her, he proves to be no match against her brother Byakuya, the powerful captain of Squad Six. To save Ichigo, Rukia surrenders herself, telling a now-powerless Ichigo not to follow her. But Ichigo’s not the type to abandon a friend, and after regaining his powers with the help of the mysterious Urahara, heads to the Soul Society with Chad, Orihime and Uryu to rescue Rukia, who’s been sentenced to death.
But battling the various, more experienced Soul Reapers, including the powerful captains and lieutenants, and training to master the final released form of a zanpakuto known as bankai, are the least of Ichigo’s worries. It seems that there’s a conspiracy brewing within the Soul Society, with someone plotting to gain power that would allow him or her to take over. But the true identity of the mastermind, as well as his /her goals, are not what anyone is expecting and will only be the start of things to come.
You still have to start from the beginning to really enjoy the story, but the Soul Society Arc of Bleach made things interesting and intense. All the elements needed for a great anime series in a buzzing kids world.
