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{{infobox music festival |
{{Redirect|BLEACH|other uses|Bleach (disambiguation)}}
| music_festival_name = Miramichi Folksong Festival
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image =
| name = Bleach
| caption =
| image = [[Image:Bleach cover 01.jpg|230px]]
| location = [[Miramichi, New Brunswick]]<br>[[Canada]] {{Flagicon|CAN}}
| caption = Cover of ''Bleach'', Volume 1
| years_active= [[1958]] – present
| ja_name = ブリーチ
| founders = [[Louise Manny]]
| ja_name_trans = Burīchi
| dates = August
| genre = <!--Discuss in talk page before adding or removing genres.-->[[Action (genre)|Action]], [[Bangsian fantasy]]<!--Discuss in talk page before adding or removing genres.-->
| genre = [[roots]], [[folk]]
| website = [http://www.miramichifolksongfestival.com/ http://www.miramichifolksongfestival.com]
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Manga
| author = [[Tite Kubo]]
| publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Shueisha]]
| publisher_en = {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Madman Entertainment]]<br />
{{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|United States}} [[Viz Media]]<br />
| publisher_other = {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Panini Comics]]
{{flagicon|France}} [[Glénat (publisher)|Glénat]]<br />
{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Tokyopop]]<br />
{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[CultureCom]]<br />
{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Gramedia Majalah|M&C]]<br />
{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Panini Comics]]<br />
{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Komik Remaja]]<br />
{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Grupo Editorial Vid]]<br />
{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Eksmo]] & [[Comix-ART]]<br />
{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Chuang Yi]] {{zh icon}}<br />
{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Glénat (publisher)|Glénat]]<br />
{{flagicon|Taiwan}} [[Tong Li Comics]] {{zh-tw icon}}<br />
{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Nation comics]]
| demographic = [[Shōnen]]
| magazine = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]
| first = August 2001
| last = ongoing
| volumes = 35<!-- volumes as of October 3, 2008 -->
| chapter_list = List of Bleach chapters
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
| director = [[Noriyuki Abe]]
| studio = [[Studio Pierrot]]
| licensor = {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Madman Entertainment]]<br />
{{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|United States}} [[Viz Media]]<br />
{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Manga Entertainment]], [[AnimeCentral]]
| network = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[TV Tokyo]]
| network_en = {{flagicon|Canada}} [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]]<br />
{{flagicon|United States}} [[Cartoon Network (US)|Cartoon Network]] ([[Adult Swim]])
| network_other = {{flagicon|Brazil}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Animax]]<br />
{{flagicon|France}} [[MCM (French TV)|MCM]]<br />
{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Animax Hungary|Animax]]<br />
{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Arutz Ha-Yeladim (Children's Channel)|Arutz Ha-Yeladim]]<br />
{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[TV3 (Malaysia)|TV3]]<br />
{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[GMA 7]]<br />
{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Hyper Media]]<br />
{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Tooniverse (TV channel)|Tooniverse]]<br />
{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Buzz Media]]<br />
{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[True Visions Ch 51]]
| first = October 5, 2004
| last = ongoing
| episodes = 189 <!-- as of October 7, 2008 -->
| episode_list = List of Bleach episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Related works
| content =
* [[List of Bleach video games|''Bleach''-related video games]]
* ''[[Bleach: Memories of Nobody]]'', ''[[Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion]]'' and ''[[Bleach: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name]]'', animated feature films
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}


The '''Miramichi Folksong Festival''' is a music festival held annually in [[Miramichi, New Brunswick]], Canada. It was established by [[Louise Manny]] in response to a request from [[Lord Beaverbrook]] that she document the traditional songs of his boyhood home, and is the longest continuous event of its kind in Canada and one of the longest in North America. The first festival was held in September 1958 at the Beaverbrook Town Hall and Theatre in [[Newcastle, New Brunswick]]. The festival is still held at this location, now in August of each year.<ref>[http://www.miramichifolksongfestival.com/ Miramichi Folksong Festival]</ref>
{{Nihongo|'''''Bleach'''''|ブリーチ|Burīchi|[[Romanization of Japanese|romanized]] as '''''BLEACH''''' in Japan}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by [[Tite Kubo]]. ''Bleach'' has been continuously serialized in the Japanese manga anthology ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' since August 2001, and in its American counterpart [[Shonen Jump (magazine)|''Shonen Jump'']] since November 2007. The series received the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for the ''[[shōnen]]'' demographic in 2005, and is among the best-selling manga properties in both Japan and America.


Although the festival now is an important draw for local tourism, and features some mainstream talent, the original and primary purpose of the festival is to preserve local culture; thus, highlights of the festival include many amateur, often elderly, local performers.
''Bleach'' follows the adventures of [[Ichigo Kurosaki]] after he accidentally steals the power of a ''[[shinigami]]''<!--Do not change this usage to Soul Reaper. For the sake of accessibility the lead should use the universally applicable term rather than the in-series jargon.-->, a Japanese death personification similar to the [[Grim Reaper]]. Gaining these abilities forces him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife. The early parts of the story focus on Ichigo and his friends in a high school setting, while later portions feature journeys to other [[Plane (metaphysics)|planes of existence]], expand the cast to include numerous powerful beings from the afterlife, and are more action-based.


Traditional lyrics and music highlighted by the festival have been preserved in Louise Manny's book, ''Songs of the Miramichi'', and in several recordings including a 1962 [[Folkways Records]] recording [https://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/containerdetail.aspx?itemid=656 ''Folksongs of the Miramichi: Lumber and River Songs from the Miramichi Folk Fest, Newcastle, New Brunswick''].
Since its publication, ''Bleach'' has spawned a substantial [[media franchise]]. The manga has been adapted into an [[Anime|animated]] [[Television program|television series]], two [[Original video animation|OVAs]], three animated feature films, seven [[Rock opera|rock musicals]], and [[List of Bleach video games|numerous video games]], as well as prompted the issue of many types of ''Bleach''-related [[Merchandising|merchandise]]. Compilation volumes of the manga have sold over 50 million copies in Japan<!-- as of June 2008 --> and reached the top of manga sales charts in the United States. The anime adaptation has been similarly received, rating as the 7th most popular tv anime in Japan in 2006, and in the top ten anime for America from 2006 to 2008.

==Synopsis==
<!-- Note to editors: Please discuss before making additions to this section, as it is not meant to be kept up to date with the latest plot developments, rather providing a basic overview of the plot as a whole. It is intentionally left open-ended so that it will require rare updates. (See the guideline [[Wikipedia:Avoid statements that will date quickly]]) -->
The story opens with the sudden appearance of [[Soul Reaper (Bleach)|Soul Reaper]] [[Rukia Kuchiki]] in Ichigo Kurosaki's bedroom. She is surprised at his ability to see her, but their resulting conversation is interrupted by the appearance of a "[[Hollow (Bleach)|hollow]]", an evil spirit. After Rukia is severely wounded while trying to protect Ichigo, she attempts to transfer half her powers to Ichigo in order to let him face the hollow on equal footing. Ichigo instead unintentionally absorbs almost all her energy, allowing him to defeat the hollow with ease. The next day Rukia appears in Ichigo's classroom as a seemingly normal human, and informs Ichigo that his absorption of her powers has left her stranded in the human world until she recovers her strength. In the meantime Ichigo shelters Rukia in his home and takes over her job as a Soul Reaper, battling hollows and guiding lost souls to Soul Society.

After a few months of this arrangement, in the sixth volume of the series, Rukia's Soul Reaper superiors interpret her disappearance as [[desertion]], send a detachment to arrest her, and sentence her to death. Ichigo is unable to stop Rukia's capture, but with the help of several of his classmates who also possess spiritual abilities and ex-Soul Reaper [[Urahara Kisuke]], he sets off for the Soul Reaper base, located in the afterlife realm known as Soul Society. Once there, Ichigo and company battle against the elites of the Soul Reaper military, and are ultimately successful in halting Rukia's execution.

It is then revealed that Rukia's execution and Ichigo's rescue attempt were both manipulated by [[Sōsuke Aizen]], a high ranking Soul Reaper previously believed to be murdered, as part of a far-reaching plot to take control of Soul Society. Aizen betrays his fellow Soul Reapers and allies himself with the hollows, becoming the primary antagonist of the series, and Ichigo teams up with his former enemies in Soul Society after learning that the next step in Aizen's plan involves the destruction of his hometown. After this point, ''Bleach'' chronicles the war between Aizen and Soul Society, a plotline which has not yet been resolved. According to Tite Kubo, the ending of the series is not yet planned out or written.<ref name="About 3">{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo_3.htm|title=Interview: Tite Kubo (page 3)|author=Deb Aoki|publisher=About.com|accessed=2008-09-16}}</ref><!-- Note to editors: Please discuss before making additions to this section, as it is not meant to be kept up to date with the latest plot developments, rather providing a basic overview of the plot as a whole. It is intentionally left open-ended so that it will require rare updates. (See the guideline [[Wikipedia:Avoid statements that will date quickly]]) -->

==Characters==
{{See also|List of Bleach characters}}

''Bleach'' contains a massive cast of characters designed by series creator Tite Kubo, which are divided into various factions and [[fictional race]]s with distinct themes, and described using large amounts of invented [[jargon]] specific to the series.<ref name="WSJ 12" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/013008bldicd.html|title=Bleach: Dictionary of Death|author=Angela Hanson|date=2008-01-30|publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]|accessed=2008-09-17}}</ref><ref name="ANN 8">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bleach-gn-8|title=Bleach GN 8 - Review|author=Zac Bertschy|date=2005-09-30|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessed=2008-09-17}}</ref> Within the story, characters are thought of primarily in terms of their [[soul]]s: living humans contain souls within their bodies, while "spirits" are disembodied souls with a form composed of [[ectoplasm]], referred to in the series as {{nihongo|"spiritrons"|霊子|''reishi''}} and treated as a type of [[matter]]. All significant characters in the series possess some degree of [[paranormal]] and [[superhuman]] abilities, and these are explained by their souls generating higher than usual levels of a paranormal [[Energy (esotericism)|energy]] called {{nihongo|''reiatsu''|霊圧||lit. "spirit pressure"}}. The three predominant character types in ''Bleach'' are humans, Soul Reapers, and hollows, and each of these types has certain variants.

The humans of ''Bleach'' are much like the residents of modern Japan. A normal human cannot see or sense spirits in any way unless that spirit [[spirit possession|possesses]] an artificial human body called a ''gigai'', so humanity remains unaware of the existence of the spirit world. Very rarely a human like Ichigo Kurosaki is born who is able to see, interact, or fight with spirits, and others can gain these abilities by exposure to large amounts of spiritual energy, which happens to a number of Ichigo's friends during the course of the series.<ref>Kubo, Tite (2002). ''Bleach'', Volume 1. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 1, 9. ISBN 4-08-873213-8</ref><ref>Kubo, Tite (2002). ''Bleach'', Volume 6. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 44, 19. ISBN 4-08-873366-5</ref> There are three subdivisions of human in the series: the [[Quincy (Bleach)|Quincies]], a nearly extinct order of hollow-hunting archers, the [[List of Bleach characters#Modified souls|artificial souls]], a race created by Soul Reaper scientists for utilitarian purposes, and the [[Bounts]], a group of soul-sucking [[energy vampire]]s which appear only in the anime.

The {{nihongo|[[Soul Reapers]]|死神|shinigami|lit. "death god"}} are a military order of [[psychopomp]]s based in Soul Society and with members assigned throughout the material world. They have a traditional Japanese theme. Soul Reapers escort the souls of the dead to Soul Society through the ritual of {{nihongo|soul burial|魂葬|konsō}}. Their other major duties are protecting humans from hollows, and maintaining order in Soul Society. Soul Reapers all possess supernatural powers, which manifest through their ''[[zanpakutō]]'', living swords that are part of the Soul Reaper's soul, and magic known as ''[[kidō]]''. Several factions of ex-Soul Reapers are featured in ''Bleach''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s story, most prominent among them the members of Sōsuke Aizen's rebellion and the [[Visoreds]], former Soul Society elites who were exiled after obtaining hollow powers.

The [[Hollow (Bleach)|hollows]] are a race of evil spirits who feed on the souls of humans, both living and dead, and act as enemies to the Soul Reapers. They are designed with a Spanish motif. Hollows are created when the soul of a dead human is neglected by the Soul Reapers until it is overcome by loneliness, at which point it changes form into a monster with a white mask, a hole through the chest representing its heartlessness, a low intelligence level, and a hunger for human souls. While the majority of hollows can be overcome by the average Soul Reaper, there are some which surpass even the most elite Soul Reapers in strength. A small group of hollows exist who have broken their masks, and are known as [[Hollow (Bleach)#Arrancar|arrancar]]. By becoming an arrancar, a hollow regains the ability to reason, obtains a more humanoid form, and can gain access to Soul Reaper abilities such as the ''zanpakutō''. As a group, the arrancar are the primary antagonists of the ''Bleach'' series.

===Main characters===
<!-- NOTE TO EDITORS --!
The ordering and names in this section are the result of a
consensus reached among editors on the Talk:Bleach page.
Please DO NOT EDIT this section without prior discussion.
Main characters are listed here in the ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.
-->
;{{Nihongo|[[Ichigo Kurosaki]]|黒崎 一護|Kurosaki Ichigo}} <small>{{anime voices|Masakazu Morita|Johnny Yong Bosch}}</small>
:The primary protagonist of ''Bleach'', orange-haired high school junior Ichigo Kurosaki is forced to become a substitute Soul Reaper after unintentionally absorbing most of Rukia's powers. His cynical nature at first makes him ill-disposed towards the duty, but with the passage of time he comes to accept and welcome the strength his Soul Reaper powers give him, as it allows him to protect those close to him.

;{{Nihongo|[[Rukia Kuchiki]]|朽木 ルキア|Kuchiki Rukia}} <small>{{anime voices|Fumiko Orikasa|Michelle Ruff}}</small>
:Rukia Kuchiki is a sarcastic Soul Reaper who is assigned hollow extermination duties in Ichigo's hometown. Though her physical appearance is that of a teenage girl, in reality she is around 150 years old. At the opening of the story, Rukia is forced to transfer her powers to Ichigo and assume a temporary lifestyle as a regular human. She registers at the local high school and takes up residence in Ichigo's closet, while teaching him how to be a substitute Soul Reaper in her place.

;{{Nihongo|[[Orihime Inoue]]|井上 織姫|Inoue Orihime}} <small>{{anime voices|Yuki Matsuoka|Stephanie Sheh}}</small>
:Orihime Inoue is a long-time classmate of Ichigo, closely linked to him by mutual friend [[List of Bleach characters#Karakura High School|Tatsuki Arisawa]]. She is effectively an orphan, as she and her elder brother Sora ran away from their abusive home at a young age, and her brother later died. Though initially devoid of spiritual powers, she develops spiritual awareness early in the plot and later obtains one of the strongest powers in the ''Bleach'' universe, a god-like ability to [[reality warping|reject fate]].

;{{Nihongo|[[Yasutora Sado|Yasutora "Chad" Sado]]|茶渡 泰虎|Sado Yasutora}} <small>{{anime voices|Hiroki Yasumoto|Jamieson Price}}</small>
:Yasutora Sado, better known as Chad, is one of Ichigo's friends at school. He is a biracial [[Japanese people|Japanese]]/[[Demographics of Mexico|Mexican]] student who towers over his classmates.<ref name="Chad background">Kubo, Tite (2002). ''Bleach'', Volume 12. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 107. ISBN 4-08-873576-5''</ref> Despite his imposing appearance he is quite meek, and refuses to fight unless it is for the sake of another. Chad does not have awareness of ghosts at first, but this changes when he witnesses a group of children being attacked by a hollow. He discovers a unique ability that strengthens and armors one of his arms, enabling him to fight hollows. He later develops the ability to shoot energy from his armored arm.

;{{Nihongo|[[Uryū Ishida]]|石田 雨竜|Ishida Uryū}} <small>{{anime voices|Noriaki Sugiyama|Derek Stephen Prince}}</small>
:Though on the surface he is nothing more than the solitary class genius, Uryū Ishida is actually a [[Quincy (Bleach)|Quincy]], descendant of a line of priest-like hollow-hunting archers who were historical enemies of the Soul Reapers. He bears a deep grudge against all Soul Reapers, including Ichigo, and is an early antagonist in the series. He comes to view Ichigo differently over time, however, eventually becoming a valuable ally and friendly rival.
<!-- NOTE TO EDITORS --!
The ordering and names in this section are the result of a
consensus reached among editors on the Talk:Bleach page.
Please DO NOT EDIT this section without prior discussion.
Main characters are listed here in the ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.
-->

==Setting==
[[Image:Soul Society.jpg|right|thumb|A view of ''Seireitei'' in Soul Society, the home of the Soul Reapers.]][[Image:Huecomundoopening.JPG|right|thumb|Hueco Mundo is a sparse, white-sanded desert inhabited by hollows.]]
''Bleach'' is set in a [[fictional universe]] centered on a fictional area of [[Western Tokyo]] called Karakura Town, in which most of the main characters live.<ref name="Karakura">Kubo, Tite (2006). ''Bleach Official Character Book SOULs''. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, 31. ISBN 4-08-874079-3</ref> It resembles the real world on the surface, and the everyday humans in ''Bleach'' are unaware of the ghosts and spiritual forces with which the plot concerns itself. In addition to the primary setting in modern Japan, the ''Bleach'' universe contains several [[Plane (metaphysics)|planes of existence]] which broadly correspond to the [[afterlife|afterlives]] of [[religion|human belief systems]], and journeys into these spirit realms make up a major part of the later series plot. ''Bleach'' characters move from plane to plane by several means: Soul Reapers can move between worlds using their ''zanpakutō'' and magical butterflies called {{nihongo|hell butterflies|地獄蝶|jigoku-chō}}, human souls cross between the material and spirit worlds through death and reincarnation, living humans can use special portals to move between worlds, and hollows are able to move between planes at will by tearing rifts in space.

The first of these other planes to be introduced in the story is {{nihongo|Soul Society|尸魂界（ソウル・ソサエティ）|Sōru Sosaeti}}, a sort of [[heaven]]. Soul Society resembles [[History of Japan#Feudal Japan|feudal Japan]], and consists of two major portions: eighty residential districts called the {{nihongo|''Rukongai''|流魂街|Town of Wandering Spirits}}.<ref>Kubo, Tite (2003). ''Bleach'', Volume 9. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 71, 18. ISBN 4-08-873495-5</ref>, which are inhabited by the souls of the dead, and the walled city {{nihongo|''Seireitei''|瀞霊廷|Court of Pure Souls}}, the home and military base of the Soul Reapers. The ''Rukongai'' districts are [[Ordinal number (linguistics)|ordinally ranked]], with the lower-numbered districts being more peaceful.<ref name="Renji flashback">Kubo, Tite (2003). ''Bleach'', Volume 11. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 98, 5. ISBN 4-08-873555-2</ref> Soul Society is nominally ruled by a king, who resides in another realm within Soul Society, but in practice is controlled by the Soul Reapers.<ref>Kubo, Tite (2006). ''Bleach'', Volume 25. Tokyo, Japan: Shueisha, chapter 223, 07. ISBN 4-08-874289-3</ref> The dead who reside in the ''Rukongai'' are much like normal humans, but age at an extremely slowed rate, such that lifespans of several centuries are commonplace. When a spirit dies in Soul Society, its soul is sent back to the living world and reborn as a new human.<ref>''Bleach'' Official Character Book SOULs;{{page number}}</ref>

The second major otherworldly setting is {{nihongo|Hueco Mundo|虚圏（ウェコムンド）|Ueko Mundo}}, a dimension between the human world and Soul Society which is inhabited by the lost souls known as hollows. It is where hollows reside when not hunting humans, and they are undetectable as long as they remain inside. Hueco Mundo is a bleak desert realm of white sand, covered in perpetual night. Hueco Mundo's vegetation is actually formed from crystal; and while the sky has clouds, there is no water to be found anywhere. Few hollows reside in the desert, instead living in the slightly more hospitable Forest of Menos. The desert landscape is dominated by the imposing [[Hollow (Bleach)#Arrancar|Las Noches]] palace, home of Aizen and the arrancar army. Other spirit realms have also featured in the series, such as a [[hell]] to which the souls of particularly evil criminals are banished, and the dangerous void dimension that fills the space between planes, but the details of these areas have not been delved into.

==Production==
''Bleach'' was first conceived from a desire on Tite Kubo's part to draw ''shinigami'' in [[kimono]], which formed the basis for the design of the Soul Reapers in the series, and the conception of character Rukia Kuchiki.<ref name="About 1">{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo.htm|title=Interview: Tite Kubo (page 1)|author=Deb Aoki|publisher=About.com|accessed=2008-09-16}}</ref><ref name="LA Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-etw-kuboweb28-2008aug28,0,3099871.story|title=Creator Tite Kubo surprised by 'Bleach' success|author=Charles Solomon|date=2008-08-28|accessed=2008-09-17}}</ref> The original story concept was submitted to ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' shortly after the cancellation of Tite Kubo's previous manga ''[[Zombie Powder]]'', but was rejected. [[Akira Toriyama]], the mangaka of ''[[Dragon Ball (manga)|Dragon Ball]]'', saw the story and wrote a letter of encouragement to Kubo.<ref name="LA Times" /> ''Bleach'' was accepted for publication a short time later, in 2001, and was initially intended to be a shorter series, with a maximum serialization length of five years.<ref name="LA Times" /> Early plans for the story did not include the hierarchical structure of Soul Society, but did include some characters and elements which did not come into the plot until [[List of Bleach episodes (season 6)|the Arrancar arc]], such as Ichigo's Soul Reaper heritage.<ref name="About 1" />

Tite Kubo has cited influences for elements of ''Bleach'' ranging from other manga series to music, foreign language, architecture, and film. He attributes his interest in drawing the supernatural and monsters to [[Shigeru Mizuki]]'s ''[[Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro]]'' and ''Bleach''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s focus on interesting weaponry and battle scenes to [[Masami Kurumada]]'s ''[[Saint Seiya]]'', both manga Kubo enjoyed as a boy.<ref name="About 1" /> The action style and storytelling found in ''Bleach'' is inspired by cinema, though Kubo has not revealed any specific movie as being an influence for fight scenes. When pressed, he told interviewers that he liked ''[[Snatch]]'' but did not use it as a model.<ref name="SJ 51">''[[Shonen Jump]]'' #51. Volume 5, Issue 3. March 2007. [[VIZ Media]]. 328.</ref> Kubo has also stated that he wishes to make ''Bleach'' an experience that can only be found by reading manga, and dismissed ideas of creating any live-action film adaptations of the series.<ref name="LA Times" />

''Bleach''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s creative process is focused around [[characterization|character design]]. When writing plotlines or having difficulties generating new material, Kubo begins by thinking of new characters, often ''en masse'', and rereading previous volumes of ''Bleach''.<ref name="About 1" /><ref name="PW">{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6584260.htmlTiteKubo.htm|title=Kubo Comes to Comic-Con|author=Kai-ming Cha|publisher=[[Publishers Weekly]]|date=2008-08-4|accessed=2008-09-17}}</ref> Kubo has said that he likes creating characters that have outward appearances that do not match their true nature, an element that can be found in many ''Bleach'' characters, as he is "attracted to people with that seeming contradiction" and finds an "urge to draw people like that when I work."<ref name="WSJ 12" /> The terminology used in ''Bleach'' has a variety of inspirations, with each category of character bearing a different linguistic theme. Many of the names for swords and spells used by Soul Reapers were inspired by ancient [[Japanese literature]]. Hollows and arrancar instead use Spanish terms, while the names of powers used by the human-derived Quincy and Bount are taken from German. Kubo became interested in Spanish because, to him, the language sounded "bewitching" and "mellow".<ref name="WSJ 12">''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]''. Volume 6, Issue 6. June 2008. [[Viz Media]]. 12.</ref>

==Media==
===Manga===
{{main|List of Bleach chapters}}
The series is written and illustrated by [[Tite Kubo]] and was published in the [[Japanese language|Japanese-language]] magazine ''[[Weekly Shonen Jump]]''. The individual chapters are collected by [[Shueisha]] in series of ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes, which also include a poem by the character of the cover.<ref name="ANNBleachManga">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=2468|title=Bleach (manga) - Anime News Network|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref> The first volume was released on January 5, 2002<ref name="JP1">{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873213-8&mode=1|title=BLEACH―ブリーチ―／1｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-01-08|language=Japanese}}</ref> while as of July 4, 2008, thirty-four volumes have been released.<ref name="JP34">{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874541-1&mode=1|title=BLEACH―ブリーチ―／34｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-07-01|language=Japanese}}</ref> The distributing company [[Viz Media]] has been releasing the ''Bleach'' manga volumes in English in the [[United States]]. Viz releases the chapters in their [[Shonen Jump (magazine)|''Shonen Jump'']] magazine as well as in ''tankōbon'' format; the first volume was released on June 1, 2004<ref name="US1">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=1351|title=VIZ Media . products - Bleach, Vol. 1|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|accessdate=2008-01-08}}</ref>, while the volume twenty-three was released on June 3, 2008.<ref name="US23">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6811|title=VIZ Media . products - Bleach, Vol. 23|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref>
<!-- PLEASE NOTE: The number of volumes released should not be changed until the official release date. Some retailers ignore the release dates on some titles, and send or sell them early. This does NOT change the official release date. !-->

===Anime===
{{main|List of Bleach episodes}}
The anime version of ''Bleach'' is produced by [[Studio Pierrot]] and directed by [[Noriyuki Abe]]. It began broadcasting in Japan on October 5, 2004, on [[TV Tokyo]]. Episodes 1-167 were made and broadcast in 4:3, with episodes 168+ made and broadcast in 16:9 wide screen.

On March 15, 2006, Viz Media obtained foreign television, home video, and merchandising rights to the ''Bleach'' anime from the TV Tokyo Corporation and Shueisha.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/2006/03_bleach.php |title=Viz Media named master licensor for hit Japanese action manga Shōnen Jump's Bleach |publisher=Viz Media |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> Subsequently, Viz Media contracted [[Studiopolis]] to create the English dub of the anime,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=3931 |title=Studiopolis publisher=Anime News Network |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> and has licensed its individual ''Bleach'' merchandising rights to several different companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-02/viz-announces-bleach-merchandise-licenses |title=Viz Announces Bleach Merchandise Licenses |publisher=Anime News Network |accessdate=2007-03-24}}</ref> The English version of the ''Bleach'' anime premiered on Canada's [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] channel in the [[Bionix]] program block on September 8, 2006. Cartoon Network began airing ''Bleach'' the following evening as part of its [[Adult Swim]] block. The show went on hiatus on October 20, 2007 after airing the first 52 episodes of the series. It was replaced with another Viz series, ''[[Death Note]]'', while additional episodes of ''Bleach'' were being dubbed. On March 2, 2008, Cartoon Network began airing new episodes of Bleach and is still airing. YTV began showing reruns of the anime after episode 26. On March 2, 2008 at 1:00 a.m. EST, the series returned from hiatus and began the next 52 episodes.<ref name="ANNNews">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-28/adult-swim-to-run-52-more-episodes-of-bleach |publisher=Anime News Network |title=Adult Swim to Run 52 More Episodes of Bleach |date=2008-01-28 |accessdate=2008-01-28 }}</ref> In the UK, ''Bleach'' premiered on [[AnimeCentral]] on September 13, 2007, with new episodes airing daily, but is currently on hiatus after airing the first 52 episodes.

===CDs===
Eight [[Compact Disc|CD]] [[soundtrack]]s, produced by [[Shirō Sagisu]], have been released for the ''Bleach'' anime series and movies. ''Bleach Original Soundtrack 1'' was released on May 18, 2005 and contains twenty-five tracks, including the first opening and ending themes in their original television lengths. ''Bleach Original Soundtrack 2 '' followed on August 2, 2006 with an additional twenty-three instrumental tracks. On December 16, 2006, ''Bleach: Memories of Nobody Original Soundtrack'' was released with twenty-five tracks from the ''[[Bleach: Memories of Nobody]]'' anime film. A soundtrack was also released for the ''[[Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion]]'' film, with nearly thirty tracks from the movie. ''Bleach: The Best'' contains twelve of the opening and ending themes from the series in their full length versions.

''The Bleach Beat Collections'', an eighteen volume CD set, was gradually released from June 22, 2005 to March 5, 2008. The ''Beat Collections'' albums feature recordings by the [[seiyū|original Japanese voice actors]] that provide a look at the personalities of the characters they play, as well as the voice actors themselves.

Two "Radio DJCD Bleach 'B' Station" CD season sets, each containing six volumes, have been released in Japan. Five [[Radio drama in Japan|drama CDs]] have been produced for the series as well, featuring the original voice actors from the series. These drama CDs have only been included as part of the DVD releases.

===Films===
There are three feature films based on the ''Bleach'' series, all directed by [[Noriyuki Abe]], director of the ''Bleach'' anime series. The films have been released in December of each year starting in 2006. Each movie features an original plotline, rather than being an adaptation of the manga's story. They also feature original characters designed by Tite Kubo, which is contrary to the normal practice for anime-based films, as the original author usually has little creative involvement.<ref>{{cite DVD-notes |title=Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion |titlelink=Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion |titleyear=2007 |director=[[Noriyuki Abe]] |format=Promotional booklet |publisher=[[Toho]] |location=Japan |year=2008 |language=Japanese }}</ref>

The first film, ''[[Bleach: Memories of Nobody]]'', was released in Japan on December 16, 2006 and had a limited release in American theaters in June 2008. The movie is centered around the activities of a group called the "Dark Ones," who are trying to destroy both Soul Society and the material world. ''Memories of Nobody'' is scheduled for [[Region 1]] [[DVD]] release in [[North America]] by [[Viz Media]] on October 14, 2008.<ref name="Bleach3" />

The second film, ''[[Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion]]'', was released to Japanese theaters on December 22, 2007. Its plot focuses on an artifact belonging to Soul Society's King, and 10th Division captain [[Tōshirō Hitsugaya]]'s efforts to clear his name after it is stolen while under his care.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8369|title=Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion - Mō Hitotsu no Hyōrinmaru (movie) |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |accessdate=2008-09-21 }}</ref>

{{nihongo|''Bleach: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name''|BLEACH Fade to Black 君の名を呼ぶ|Burichi: Fade to Black - Kimi no Na o Yobu}}, the third film, is scheduled to be released in Japan on December 13, 2008. This film's screenplay was written by Natsuko Takahashi, who is a screenwriter for the anime series. The official film website gives the tagline of "Sayonara, Rukia". According to the official website, the plot involves Soul Society members being struck with [[amnesia]], causing them to be hostile towards Ichigo and Rukia.<ref name="Bleach3">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-15/third-bleach-film-first-major-film-have-titles-dates |title=Third Bleach Film, First Major Film Have Titles, Dates |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2008-07-15 |accessdate=2008-07-15 }}</ref>

===Musical===
''Bleach'' has been adapted into a series of [[Rock opera|rock musicals]], jointly produced by [[Studio Pierrot]] and [[Nelke Planning]]. There have been five musicals produced which covered portions of the [[List of Bleach episodes (season 1)|Substitute]] and [[List of Bleach episodes (season 2)|Soul Society]] arcs, as well as two additional performances known as "Live Bankai Shows" which did not follow the ''Bleach'' plotline. The initial performance run of the ''Bleach'' musical was from August 17 to August 28, 2005 at the Space Zero Tokyo center in [[Shinjuku, Tokyo|Shinjuku]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pierrot.jp/title/bleach/musical/|title=Studio Pierrot's official Bleach musical site|accessed=2008-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nelke.co.jp/flier/BLEACH/musical.html|title=Nelke Planning's official site (Through [[Internet Archive]]'s Wayback Machine)|accessed=2008-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-04-11/bleach-rock-musical|title=Bleach Rock Musical|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2005-04-11|accessed=2008-09-16}}</ref>

The musicals are directed by Takuya Hiramitsu, with a script adaptation by Naoshi Okumura and music composed by playwright Shoichi Tama. The songs are completely original and not taken from the anime soundtrack. Key actors in the series include [[Tatsuya Isaka]], who plays [[Ichigo Kurosaki]], [[Miki Satō]], who plays [[Rukia Kuchiki]], and [[Eiji Moriyama]], who plays [[Renji Abarai]].

===Other===
A single ''Bleach'' artbook, ''All Colour But The Black'', has been released in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874173-0&mode=1 |title=BLEACHイラスト集　All　Colour　But　The　Black｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社:|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-04-27|language=Japanese}}</ref>
Three databooks have also been released, ''SOULs: Official Character Guide Book'', ''VIBEs: Official Animation Book'', and ''Bleach Official Bootleg'', a character guide book which also contained a compilation of short gag comics featuring the ''Bleach'' cast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874079-3&mode=1 |title=BLEACH―ブリーチ―　OFFICIAL　CHARACTER　BOOK　SOULs．｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社:|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-04-27|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874080-7&mode=1 |title=BLEACH―ブリーチ―　OFFICIAL　ANIMATION　BOOK　VIBEs．｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社:|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-04-27|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874199-4&mode=1 |title=BLEACH　OFFICIAL　BOOTLEG　カラブリ＋｜ 久保　帯人｜ ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社:|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|accessdate=2008-04-27|language=Japanese}}</ref>

[[Tite Kubo]] and Makoto Matsubara have co-authored two novelizations of the ''Bleach'' series, which were published by [[Shueisha]] under their ''Jump Books'' label. The first volume, ''BLEACH-letters from the other side: The Death and The Strawberry'' was published in 2004, and the second, ''BLEACH: The Honey Dish Rhapsody'', was published in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703149-7# |title=Bleach novel series |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |accessdate=2008-04-15 }}</ref>

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==Reception==
The first volume of the manga has sold over 1.25 million copies in Japan, and the original [[Japanese language|Japanese]] version of the manga series as a whole has sold over 50 million copies.<ref>[http://www.geocities.jp/wj_log/rank 2ch Jump Log] {{ja icon}}, accessed [[2008-03-28]]; [http://www.toho.co.jp/movienews/0712/16bleach2_sb.html Toho Co. coverage of December 2007 film opening] {{ja icon}}, accessed [[2008-03-28]].</ref> In 2005, ''Bleach'' was awarded the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in the ''shōnen'' category.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web | url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | title=小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 | publisher=Shogakukan | language=Japanese | accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref><ref>[http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html Shogakukan Manga Award] {{ja icon}}. Accessed [[2006-12-14]].</ref>

In a 2006 internet poll by [[TV Asahi]], ''Bleach'' was ranked as Japan's seventh-favorite anime program.<ref name="Asashi 2006">[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime "Japan's Favorite TV Anime"] on Anime News Network. Accessed [[2006-12-14]].</ref> The previous year, it was ranked as the twenty-seventh favorite program.<ref>{{cite web|organization = Anime News Network| title = TV Asahi Top 100 Anime Part 2 |date = 2005-09-23| url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2 | accessdate = 2007-01-18 }} </ref>

North American sales of the manga have been high, with Volume 16 placing in the top 10 graphic novel sales in December 2006<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/9908.html Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--December 2006] on ICv2. Accessed [[2007-03-28]].</ref> and Volume 17 being the best-selling manga volume for the month of February 2007.<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10271.html Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--February 2007] on ICv2. Accessed [[2007-03-28]].</ref><ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10272.html 'Civil War' Finale Tops the Charts] on ICv2. Accessed [[2007-03-28]].</ref>

The English version of ''Bleach'' was nominated for the "best manga" and "best theme" awards at the 2006 American Anime Awards, but did not win either category. It was nominated again in 2007 in the fields of "best manga", "best actor", "best DVD package design", and "best theme", but failed to win any awards.<ref name="AAA">[http://www.americananimeawards.com/news/pr_finalist.asp NYCC 07: The top five finalists for the first American Anime Awards] on American Anime Awards. Accessed [[2007-07-04]].</ref>

''Anime News Network'' describes the series as "..one incredibly entertaining anime that will grab you and refuse to let go. For classic adventure with a slick, modern attitude, go no further than Bleach..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bleach|title=Anime News Network - Bleach Review}}</ref> ''MiniTokyo'' praised the series as being "very original" and the presentation "..is very promising.."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reviews.minitokyo.net/34/bleach/|title=MiniTokyo - Bleach review}}</ref> The reviewer for ''Pop Culture Shock'' gave his views on the series. He first said that the series' storyline "sets others apart" and the characters are "well crafted, animated and voiced", but later added saying that some scenes "were not balanced out" and that some characters "could have been more developed". Nonetheless, he gave the series an "A" grade for Volume 1, and then "A-" for Volumes 2-6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popcultureshock.com/index.php?p=42354|title=Pop Culture Shock - Bleach Volume 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popcultureshock.com/index.php?p=42686|title=Pop Culture Shock - Bleach Volumes 2-6}}</ref>


Allan Kelly (September 23, 1903- October 1, 2008) was one of the most popular singers and ardent supporters of the Festival.
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
<!--Please no fansites-->
*[http://www.j-bleach.com Official Dentsu ''Bleach'' website] {{ja icon}}
*[http://www.shonenjump.com/mangatitles/b/manga_b.php Official US Shonen Jump ''Bleach'' website]
*[http://pierrot.jp/title/bleach/index.html Official Studio Pierrot ''Bleach'' website] {{ja icon}}
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/bleach/index.html Official TV Tokyo ''Bleach'' website] {{ja icon}}
*[http://bleach.viz.com/ Official Viz Media ''Bleach'' website]
*[http://www.adultswim.com/shows/bleach/index.html Official Adult Swim ''Bleach'' website]
*{{ann manga|id=2468|title=Bleach}}
*{{ann anime|id=4240|title=Bleach}}
<!--Please no fansites-->

{{Bleach}}
{{Series in Weekly Shonen Jump}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Jump - 2000-2009}}


{{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Supernatural anime and manga]]


[[Category:Miramichi, New Brunswick|*]]
[[Category:Festivals in New Brunswick]]
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[[Category:Folk festivals in Canada]]
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[[Category:Music festivals in Canada]]


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Revision as of 19:33, 11 October 2008

Miramichi Folksong Festival
Genreroots, folk
DatesAugust
Location(s)Miramichi, New Brunswick
Canada Canada
Years active1958 – present
Founded byLouise Manny
Websitehttp://www.miramichifolksongfestival.com

The Miramichi Folksong Festival is a music festival held annually in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. It was established by Louise Manny in response to a request from Lord Beaverbrook that she document the traditional songs of his boyhood home, and is the longest continuous event of its kind in Canada and one of the longest in North America. The first festival was held in September 1958 at the Beaverbrook Town Hall and Theatre in Newcastle, New Brunswick. The festival is still held at this location, now in August of each year.[1]

Although the festival now is an important draw for local tourism, and features some mainstream talent, the original and primary purpose of the festival is to preserve local culture; thus, highlights of the festival include many amateur, often elderly, local performers.

Traditional lyrics and music highlighted by the festival have been preserved in Louise Manny's book, Songs of the Miramichi, and in several recordings including a 1962 Folkways Records recording Folksongs of the Miramichi: Lumber and River Songs from the Miramichi Folk Fest, Newcastle, New Brunswick.

Allan Kelly (September 23, 1903- October 1, 2008) was one of the most popular singers and ardent supporters of the Festival.

References

  1. ^ Miramichi Folksong Festival
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