BLEACH is back, 10 years after the anime "Death of the Substitute Shinigami" ended in March 2012. At Jump Festa on December 18, 2021, "BLEACH" was streamed, and it was announced that "BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War" will be animated. It was announced that "BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War", which will start in October 2022, will be animated up to the end of the original manga, and the voice actors for the new characters were also announced. Even after the comic ended, it has remained popular around the world, and I'm sure there are many people who were looking forward to the anime adaptation. In this article, before the broadcast, I would like to take a look back at what kind of character the main character, Ichigo Kurosaki, is, and his achievements so far.
First, let's review the world of "BLEACH"
The original author is Tite Kubo, and the series was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2001 to 2016, with a total circulation of over 130 million copies. It is a battle action comic that continues to be popular around the world even after the manga has concluded.
What is the basic setting of "BLEACH"?
Shinigami exist as the world's adjusters, and are active in protecting the present world where humans live. In this world, there are normal spirits called "Sei" Plus and evil spirits called "Hollows" that attack and consume the souls of both the living and the dead. The job of the Shinigami is to bury Sei and lead them to Soul Society, and to exterminate evil spirits by sublimating and destroying Hollows. This is because if the balance is not maintained to keep the amount of souls in the present world and Soul Society equal, both worlds will collapse if the balance is disturbed. With that as a premise, the story unfolds mainly in the present world, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo.
Why did Ichigo Kurosaki become a Shinigami?
Ichigo Kurosaki has had strong spiritual sensitivity since he was a child, and has been able to see and speak to spirits. In order to save his family from Hollows that were after Ichigo's spiritual powers, he inherits the powers of a Shinigami from Kuchiki Rukia, a Shinigami who is injured and unable to fight, and becomes a Shinigami himself to defeat the Hollows. After that, Ichigo fights Hollows as a substitute Shinigami in place of Rukia, who has given most of her spiritual power to Ichigo and lost her powers.
Ichigo Kurosaki! Substitute Shinigami Arc!!
He ends up acting as a substitute Shinigami in place of Rukia and gets caught up in various troubles. In Soul Society, giving the power of a Shinigami to a human is a serious crime, so Rukia is taken back by a Shinigami from Soul Society as a criminal. In the comics, it is from volumes 1 to 8 (episodes 1 to 70)
The battle that led Ichigo to become a substitute Shinigami
When Ichigo first met Rukia at his house, a Hollow attacked Ichigo's father, Isshin, and his sisters, Karin and Yuzu. The Hollow was attracted to Ichigo's strong spiritual power and attacked him. Rukia was injured while protecting Ichigo, who fought recklessly. There was only one way to save everyone: to pass on Rukia's power to Ichigo, who would become a Shinigami. The success rate was low and Ichigo would die if he failed, but Ichigo decided to accept the power to save his family and became a Shinigami. After defeating the Hollow, Ichigo became the substitute Shinigami in place of the powerless Rukia.
Ichigo's Battle with the Enemy of His Mother
When Ichigo was a child, he saw a girl standing by the river that had flooded due to the rain. He went to help her, but when he woke up, it was his mother, Masaki, who had died protecting Ichigo. Since then, he thought that it was his fault that his mother died, but in fact it was a Hollow named Grand Fisher who killed Masaki. Ichigo fights while raging, and though he struggles, he cuts off Grand Fisher's right arm and tries to stop him, but Grand Fisher disguises himself as Masaki and escapes. He tries to chase after him, but he runs out of strength and is unable to defeat his mother.
Quincy who hates Shinigami!
Ishida Uryu, a Quincy who hates Shinigami, unilaterally challenges Ichigo to a fight. He declares to Ichigo that they will see who can defeat the most Hollows in 24 hours, and uses bait to attract Hollows. However, no matter how many Hollows he defeats, the number of Hollows does not decrease, and in fact, the number of strong Hollows continues to increase. At that moment, the Hollows looked up to the sky and began to pray, and a large Hollow appeared from the sky.
Great Hollow! Battle with Menos Grande!!
Kisuke Urahara and the others joined Ichigo and told him, "We'll take care of the surrounding Hollows, so you can focus on fighting him, Kurosaki-san." Ichigo and Ishida fought Menos Grande, a great Hollow that appeared from the sky, but they were no match for him. Then Menos Grande unleashed a "Hollow Flash", which Ichigo blocked with his Zanpakuto, and the Hollow Flash and Ichigo's spiritual power resonated, releasing Ichigo's dormant power and cutting Menos Grande in half. They drove Menos Grande away.
Ichigo Kurosaki! Soul Society Arc!!
In order to rescue Rukia, Ichigo, along with Inoue Orihime, Chado Yasutora, and Ishida Uryu, who were trained by Yoruichi, enters Soul Society with Yoruichi as a guide. While Ichigo and his friends fight to save Rukia, an incident occurs in which Fifth Division commander Aizen Sousuke is assassinated. Tenth Division Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro believes that Rukia's execution is the result of Ichimaru's plot and heads to stop the execution. As Soul Society falls into chaos, the hidden conspiracy behind the turmoil becomes clear... Will Ichigo be able to save Rukia? In the comics, volumes 9 to 21 (episodes 71 to 181)
Ichigo and Abarai Renji are back!
Ichigo and Abarai Renji face off again for the first time since Rukia was taken away. At first, Ichigo was fighting on equal terms, but after Abarai Renji began using "Snaketailmaru", he was on the defensive. Ichigo takes advantage of the gaps in Snaketailmaru's continuous attacks and attacks, but he dodges them perfectly and is cut down instead. At that moment of desperation, he remembers his training with Kisuke Urahara and puts the "determination to cut down the opponent" into his sword... Ichigo's blow catches and defeats Renji Abarai. And Renji Abarai, who was defeated, asks Ichigo to "save Rukia."
Overwhelming strength! Kenpachi Zaraki!!
After hearing from Ikkaku Madarame, who was defeated by Ichigo, that he is strong and still developing, and that he may be even stronger by the time he meets the captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, the captain of the 11th division, stands in front of Ichigo to fight. Ichigo is overwhelmed by the spiritual pressure that Zaraki Kenpachi unleashes. Ichigo fights Zaraki Kenpachi, but is no match for the overwhelming difference in power. Ichigo's sword is blocked by the spiritual pressure that Zaraki Kenpachi is pouring out, and he cannot even make a scratch.
The one who speaks to Ichigo who is cornered is...
Even though he is cornered, Ichigo manages to fight back, but the difference in power is too great and he is defeated. As he falls, Ichigo does not give up, saying, "I can't die yet. I have to save Rukia." Zangetsu appears in front of him and asks, "Do you want to fight? Do you want to win? Do you want to live?"
What Zangetsu wanted Ichigo to realize
Ichigo wants to win! Zangetsu imposes a test on Ichigo, saying that he is worthy of his own will. During the test, Ichigo realizes that Zangetsu is alive with a name, not a tool, and wishes, "Please tell me about you, and let me fight with you again."
The conclusion! Ichigo fights alongside Zangetsu!!
Once broken, Zangetsu rises again with Ichigo, standing in front of Zaraki Kenpachi. Ichigo, now one with Zangetsu, corners Zaraki Kenpachi. At that moment, Zaraki Kenpachi removes his eyepatch and unleashes his power, and the two engage in a final duel... What decided the final battle was the difference between Ichigo fighting alongside Zangetsu and Zaraki Kenpachi, who fights using his Zanpakuto as a tool. Ichigo wins by a hair's breadth.
Will the third time be a charm against Kuchiki Byakuya?
Kuchiki Byakuya stands in front of Ichigo, who has saved Rukia, and Ichigo, who is fighting head-on, provokes him to use his bankai. In response, Kuchiki Byakuya fires "Senbonzakura", saying that bankai is unnecessary, but Ichigo blows him away with "Getsuga Tensho". After his Senbonzakura is broken, Kuchiki Byakuya uses his bankai to fight back with "Senbonzakura Keigan", and Ichigo, knowing that it will be impossible with his shikai, also uses his bankai and fights with "Tensa Zangetsu".
Ichigo's conviction secures victory!
During the fierce battle, Ichigo's hollow powers awaken, but he stops turning into a hollow of his own volition. After a fierce battle between the two, Ichigo decides that the next blow will decide the outcome, and he goes for the win with "Getsuga Tensho" and "Shukei・Byakuteiken"... It looks like a draw, but in the fight, Byakuya Kuchiki realizes that Ichigo is not fighting against him, but the rules of Soul Society, and he admits defeat.
A different dimension!? Aizen Sousuke!!
The whole Rukia execution incident was the work of Aizen Sousuke, whose goal was to obtain the "Hogyoku" hidden inside Rukia by Urahara Kisuke. Ichigo and Abarai Renji stood in front of Aizen Sousuke who had come to take Rukia, but the two were defeated with one blow.
Ichigo Kurosaki! Arrancar Arc!!
After returning from Soul Society, Ichigo and his friends are attacked by Aizen Sousuke's subordinates, the Arrancars. Ichigo and his friends are astonished by their strength. Soul Society also sends an advance party to the real world, but they are once again forced to fight the Arrancars who attack. And what is the purpose of the masked army (Vizard) that contacts Ichigo? Meanwhile, while Aizen Sousuke's true purpose is revealed and Ichigo is busy dealing with it, Orihime is taken away by Ulquiorra and his friends. Ichigo, Ishida, and Chad head to Hueco Mundo without support from Soul Society. Will they be able to rescue Orihime safely? And what is Aizen Sousuke's true aim?... In the comics, volumes 21 to 48 (chapters 182 to 423)
Confrontation with the 6th Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
Grimmjow has Orihime heal Ichigo, who was defeated by Ulquiorra, in order to settle things on an equal footing with the unharmed Ichigo. As they fight, Grimmjow asks Ichigo if he came here to kill him, but Ichigo says he's not here to destroy him, but to save Orihime. Grimmjow fires the "King Hollow Flash" at Orihime to turn Ichigo into a Hollow, and then he himself transforms into the "Panther King" and challenges Ichigo to defeat him.
A clash of wills
The two fight back and forth, but when Ichigo begins to be pushed back, Orihime's voice says "Don't die," and Ichigo rallies and strikes a blow. But Grimmjow is not to be outdone and strikes Ichigo again. Grimmjow then unleashes his strongest technique, "Death Garon," but Ichigo knocks it down.
The end! A fateful battle!!
In the clash of wills, neither of them can lose, what ultimately decided the outcome was Ichigo's strong desire to defeat Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and Aizen, and bring everyone back. Ichigo's powerful blow pierces Grimmjow.
Can he defeat the powerful Fourth Espada Ulquiorra Cifer?
Ichigo challenges Ulquiorra, who has been defeated many times, to save Orihime. At first, they fight evenly, but the difference in strength gradually becomes apparent. Ichigo fights back after transforming into a hollow, but Ulquiorra also transforms into his "Black Winged Demon" form and corners Ichigo with overwhelming power. Ichigo fires his Getsuga Tensho, but Ulquiorra is unscathed, and instead uses his Black Hollow Flash to blow away Ichigo's hollow form.
Ichigo hears Orihime's voice...
Ichigo still refuses to give up on the fight, so he releases the second level of sword release, Resurreccion Segunda Etapa, and in front of Orihime, he opens a hole in Ichigo's chest and kills him. Ulquiorra stands in front of Orihime, and Orihime cries out from the bottom of her heart, "Help me, Kurosaki!"... Ichigo stands up to Orihime, fully transformed into a hollow.
Complete Hollow Overwhelms Ulquiorra!
Ichigo, fully transformed into a hollow, overwhelms Ulquiorra, corners him, and tries to finish him off. Ishida stops Ichigo, saying that if he does that, he will never be able to return to being human, but Ichigo, who has lost his sense of self, points his blade at Ishida. At that moment, Ulquiorra knocks Ichigo down with a surprise attack, which removes his Hollow form and heals his wounds with super-fast regeneration.
.....And the fight is over.
Ichigo has regained his sense of self, and Ulquiorra tries to settle things with him, but he has already turned to ash and is no longer in a state to fight. Ulquiorra tells Ichigo to "kill him," but he is refused, saying, "There's no way I can win like this." Ulquiorra, who has begun to take an interest in people, asks Orihime, "Are you scared of me, girl?" to which Orihime replies, "I'm not scared." With those words, he understands the "heart" and disappears.
Ichigo confronts Aizen Sousuke who has fused with the Hougyoku
Aizen Sousuke who has fused with the Hougyoku invades Karakura Town, which is isolated in order to create the King's Key in Soul Society. Aizen aims to kill Ichigo's classmates, but Ichigo, who has finished his training in the Dangai, stands in his way. Aizen completely looks down on Ichigo, but his sword is blocked, and the 90th Hadou "Black Coffin" is also broken, allowing Aizen to land a blow on Ichigo.
Aizen to his final form
Enraged, Aizen transforms into a hollow-like figure with countless tentacle necks and attacks. However, Ichigo continues to receive it calmly, saying, "Is that all?", and uses the "Final Getsuga Tensho" that he learned during his training in the Dangai.
Final Getsuga Tensho.....
The Final Getsuga Tensho is when Ichigo himself becomes a Getsuga, and when he uses this technique, he loses all of his Shinigami powers. Ichigo fires his final technique, "Mugetsu", at Aizen, and his Shinigami powers disappear.
Finally, the battle with Aizen is over!
Aizen is triumphant at the sight of this, but at that moment, the kido that Urahara was shooting at him is activated, and the power of the Hogyoku disappears, and he is sealed away by Urahara's "Kujurokkyo Kakaku Fuumetsu". Ichigo's final attack weakened Aizen's power, which triggered the activation of Kidō.
Ichigo Kurosaki! The Disappearance of the Substitute Shinigami!!
After using the "Final Getsuga Tenshō" in a deadly battle with Aizen Sousuke, Ichigo lost his Shinigami and spiritual power and was living a peaceful life. Then, Kuugo Ginjō appears in front of Ichigo, holding a substitute certificate, and his goal is to help Ichigo regain his Shinigami powers.
The meaning of the substitute certificate! What will Ichigo decide to do?!
Ginjou Kuugo's true aim was to take away Ichigo's Shinigami powers that Ichigo had regained. Ichigo's powers were taken away and he hung his head, and at that moment a sword was pierced into his body. He looked behind him and saw Rukia. Then the sword glowed and Ichigo, who had returned to being a Shinigami, was there.
For Ichigo.....
The sword contained the spiritual pressure of the Commander-in-Chief and all the Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13, and he transferred it to Ichigo. Ginjo asks Ichigo if he knows the meaning of having the proxy certificate. The purpose is to monitor and control us, to use us as pawns for Soul Society, and to eliminate us if we rebel. Ginjo presses him, asking if that's okay.
A battle between a former substitute Shinigami and a substitute Shinigami!
Ichigo replies to Ginjo, "I chose my own path to protect, I'm going to protect everyone and fight you." Hearing this, Ginjo uses his bankai and comes face to face with Ichigo. During the battle, Ginjo realizes, "You understand me, but you deny everything about me, Ichigo?" Ichigo then withstands Ginjo's power and defeats him.
Summary
We have carefully selected and introduced Ichigo Kurosaki's battles. BLEACH features many attractive characters, including Ichigo, regardless of whether they are friends or enemies. The battles between characters other than Ichigo are also one of the reasons why this work is so loved. Many new characters will also appear in the "Thousand-Year Blood War Arc" which will be broadcast on anime from October 2022. I am looking forward to the heated battles with Ichigo and his friends. Thank you for reading to the end.
