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The Best Episodes of Bleach Season 1

Every episode of Bleach Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Bleach Season 1!

For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, he finds his life is changed forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil.

Genres:Action & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

Season 1 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Bleach" season 1 is "The Day I Became a Shinigami", rated 7.6/10 from 1342 user votes. It was directed by Noriyuki Abe and written by Masashi Sogo. "The Day I Became a Shinigami" aired on 10/5/2004 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "A Shinigami's Work".

  • The Day I Became a Shinigami
    7.6/10 1,342 votes

    #1 - The Day I Became a Shinigami

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/5/2004

    Fifteen-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki has the uncanny ability to see ghosts, but otherwise lives an ordinary life. However, once a Shinigami named Rukia Kuchiki appears before him, everything changes.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe

    Writer: Masashi Sogo

  • A Shinigami's Work
    7.5/10 992 votes

    #2 - A Shinigami's Work

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/12/2004

    After becoming a Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki refuses to help Rukia Kuchiki with her work as the local Shinigami of Karakura Town.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Junya Koshida

    Writer: Natsuko Takahashi

  • The Older Brother's Wish, the Younger Sister's Wish
    7.6/10 892 votes

    #3 - The Older Brother's Wish, the Younger Sister's Wish

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/19/2004

    When a Hollowfied Sora Inoue attacks his younger sister, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki set out to save her.

    Director: Shigeki Hatakeyama

    Writer: Natsuko Takahashi

  • Cursed Parakeet
    7.5/10 806 votes

    #4 - Cursed Parakeet

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/26/2004

    When Yasutora Sado receives a parakeet that contains the Soul of a young boy, it is up to Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki to protect him from the Hollow that is after them.

    Director: Takushi Kimura

    Writer: Genki Yoshimura

  • Beat the Invisible Enemy!
    7.7/10 797 votes

    #5 - Beat the Invisible Enemy!

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/2/2004

    Rukia Kuchiki and Yasutora Sado team up to take on the Hollow Shrieker.

    Director: Kazunori Mizuno

    Writer: Genki Yoshimura

  • Fight to the Death! Ichigo vs. Ichigo
    7.5/10 740 votes

    #6 - Fight to the Death! Ichigo vs. Ichigo

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2004

    At Rukia Kuchiki's behest, Ichigo Kurosaki puts an artificial soul in his body to take care of it and not arouse suspicion while he carries out his Substitute Shinigami duties, but the artificial soul has its own agenda.

    Director: Junya Koshida

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • Greetings from a Stuffed Lion
    7.5/10 724 votes

    #7 - Greetings from a Stuffed Lion

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2004

    Ichigo Kurosaki becomes friends with the Modified Soul, Kon, and puts him into a plushie.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Akira Shimizu

    Writer: Masashi Sogo, Michiko Yokote

  • June 17, Memories in the Rain
    7.6/10 724 votes

    #8 - June 17, Memories in the Rain

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/2004

    Ichigo Kurosaki goes to his mother's grave with the rest of his family.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Shigeki Hatakeyama

    Writer: Masashi Sogo

  • Unbeatable Enemy
    8.0/10 813 votes

    #9 - Unbeatable Enemy

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/30/2004

    Ichigo Kurosaki battles against Grand Fisher.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Takushi Kimura

    Writer: Masashi Sogo

  • Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground!
    7.1/10 691 votes

    #10 - Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground!

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/7/2004

    While grudgingly attending Don Kanonji's show with the rest of his family, Ichigo Kurosaki is forced to fight a Hollow inadvertently created by Don Kanonji himself.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Kazunori Mizuno

    Writer: Masahiro Okubo

  • The Legendary Quincy
    7.4/10 669 votes

    #11 - The Legendary Quincy

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/14/2004

    Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki meet Uryū Ishida, a Quincy.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Junya Koshida

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • A Gentle Right Arm
    7.6/10 674 votes

    #12 - A Gentle Right Arm

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/21/2004

    As Ichigo Kurosaki begins his duel with Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado gains a new power.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Koji Aritomi

    Writer: Genki Yoshimura

  • Flower and Hollow
    7.4/10 659 votes

    #13 - Flower and Hollow

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 12/28/2004

    Orihime Inoue gains a new power in order to protect Tatsuki Arisawa.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Takushi Kimura

    Writer: Natsuko Takahashi

  • Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!
    8.0/10 750 votes

    #14 - Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/11/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida work together to defeat a Menos Grande.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe

    Writer: Masashi Sogo

  • Kon's Great Plan
    7.1/10 642 votes

    #15 - Kon's Great Plan

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/18/2005

    Kon decides to run away from the Kurosaki Clinic as Soul Society comes after Rukia Kuchiki.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Chiaki Kon

    Writer: Masahiro Okubo

  • The Encounter, Abarai Renji!
    8.1/10 904 votes

    #16 - The Encounter, Abarai Renji!

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/25/2005

    Two Shinigami, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, arrive in the Human World to take Rukia Kuchiki back to the Soul Society.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Junya Koshida

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • Ichigo Dies!
    8.4/10 961 votes

    #17 - Ichigo Dies!

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 2/1/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki loses his Shinigami powers and Rukia Kuchiki is taken back to Soul Society.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Kazunori Mizuno

    Writer: Rika Nakase

  • Reclaim! The Power of the Shinigami!
    7.7/10 679 votes

    #18 - Reclaim! The Power of the Shinigami!

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/8/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki begins his training with Kisuke Urahara to regain his Shinigami powers and save Rukia Kuchiki.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Akira Shimizu

    Writer: Natsuko Takahashi

  • Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!
    8.4/10 969 votes

    #19 - Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/15/2005

    Kisuke Urahara helps Ichigo Kurosaki regain his Shinigami powers.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Takushi Kimura

    Writer: Genki Yoshimura

  • Ichimaru Gin's Shadow
    8.1/10 865 votes

    #20 - Ichimaru Gin's Shadow

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 2/22/2005

    After completing their training, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends depart to Soul Society to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Shigeki Hatakeyama

    Writer: Masashi Sogo

  • Enter! The World of the Shinigami
    7.3/10 3 votes

    #21 - Enter! The World of the Shinigami

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/1/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends enter Soul Society.

    Director: Junya Koshida

    Writer: Rika Nakase

  • The Man who Hates Shinigami
    7.3/10 3 votes

    #22 - The Man who Hates Shinigami

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/8/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends are forced to find another way into Seireitei due to 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru's intervention.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Koji Aritomi

    Writer: Natsuko Takahashi

  • 14 Days Before Rukia's Execution
    7.3/10 3 votes

    #23 - 14 Days Before Rukia's Execution

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/15/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends enter the household of the Shiba Clan.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Kazunori Mizuno

    Writer: Masahiro Okubo

  • Assemble! The 13 Divisions
    7.3/10 3 votes

    #24 - Assemble! The 13 Divisions

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 3/22/2005

    As Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends begin their preparations to get into the Seireitei, the Gotei 13 captains assemble for a meeting.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Akira Iwanaga

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • Penetrate the Center with an Enormous Bombshell?
    7.7/10 3 votes

    #25 - Penetrate the Center with an Enormous Bombshell?

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 3/29/2005

    Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends enter the Seireitei.

    Director: Noriyuki Abe, Akira Shimizu

    Writer: Genki Yoshimura