A couple of days ago, a friend who watches Anime introduced me to a show called "Bleach" that's been out in Japan for a couple of months, about "Death Gods" and souls and "Hollows" and mortals, etc, and I instantly became hooked, as the show is just well done.

It starts out with this seemingly ordinary guy called "Ichigo" wandering around some nameless city, beating people up who defaced the memorial flowers for a spirit that he visits...oh, Ichigo can see ghosts, by the way...and then, some giant monsters called "Hollows" start following the ghost (and then him). Then, the local Death God (a kind of spirit police force that uses swords and spells to wage a war that most humans will never see) named "Rukia" tries to kill said "Hollow" and ends up getting seriously injured in the attempt to protect Ichigo.

She asks that he take up the sword of the Death God and fight for his (and her) life, and he does, gaining all the power (and responsibility) of a Death God.

There've been 14 episodes of the series so far, and I just found out about the Manga today...but this stuff looks REALLY cool...it has great fight scenes, some funny/witty banter in off moments, and a completely addicting atmosphere.

Check it out! Though be warned that the show IS airing in Japan, so you'll have to find some translated material if you don't speak Japanese.