`Kurosaki Ichigo is a teenager gifted with the ability to see spirits. His life is drastically changed by the sudden appearance <br></br>of a Shinigami (literally, Death god) - one who governs the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife - named Kuchiki Rukia, <br></br>who arrives in search of a Hollow, a dangerous lost soul. When Rukia is severely wounded while trying to defeat the Hollow, she attempts <br></br>to transfer half of her Reiatsu (literally, Spiritual pressure) energy to Ichigo so that he can defeat the Hollow. However, Ichigo takes almost all <br></br>of her energy, transforming into a Shinigami and allowing him to defeat the Hollow with ease. With her powers diminished, Rukia is left <br></br>stranded in the human world until she can recover her strength. In the meantime, Ichigo must take over Rukia's role as a Shinigami, <br></br>battling Hollows and guiding souls to the afterlife realm known as the Soul Society.`