The first season is the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, who is a young teen that has the ability to communicate with ghosts. After one such occurance, when a ghost was being attacked by a monster, Ichigo runs into Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper from the spirit "realm" of Sereitai, or Soul Society. After learning of Soul Reapers, saving his family, and even "stealing" Rukia's soul reaper powers, Ichigo and Rukia are confronted by the Soul Society's Gotei 13, or 13 Protection Squads. Rukia is sentanced to death, Ichigo doesn't like it, and so he goes to save Rukia from her fate.
Pretty simple storyline, but the characters are so well done that you can actually feel the emotion dripping off them (well, if you watch the sub anyways...the dub gets kinda dry towards the middle of the series)
