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Ichigo gets a lot of shit (typically from outside of the Bleach fandom) for being a character whose wants/goals never change from beginning to end of his series. He always wants to protect people (and even though I could argue that he went from only wanting to protect those close to him to wanting to protect everyone he can, that's not the point I'm making with this post).
I think a lot of people who only give Bleach a passing glance fail to see Ichigo's true character growth. It's not about what his goals are or who he's trying to protect, but rather, it's about how he achieves it.
Ichigo is very self-sacrificing in the first third of Bleach. He believes that if the mission is successful, then it doesn't matter how broken or close to death he gets. The mission, saving Rukia (and hurting/killing as few people in the process), is all that matters.
Then, when a part of himself (his inner hollow) emerges, and says "hey yeah no, I'm not letting you get yourself killed and I'm also not letting you hold back against your enemy", Ichigo immediately rejects it.
It's not until he defeats his inner Hollow that we see Ichigo really dive into a fight with the intent to kill. The problem is, once his Hollow is defeated, he thinks that's it. He's freed himself of that part of him and he can go back to being self-sacrificing.
We see this throughout the Hueco Mundo arc. It's why saving Orihime parallels saving Rukia. Ichigo naively thinks he can suppress a part of himself. He bottles it up until it explodes, coming back to haunt him in his fight with Ulquiorra, etc. He learns that side of himself isn't so easily tucked away, and if he recklessly endangers himself, he could end up endangering his friends too. At his own hand, no less.
Then Ichigo discovers he can commit the ultimate sacrifice. Final Getsuga Tenshou. He can throw away these powers and the parts of himself that he doesn't like, and he can get rid of Aizen all in one go. He's lucky that it worked, but only because Kisuke was there.
Then, once Ichigo is powerless, he learns that's not what he really wants. Life doesn't "go back to normal". The can is open, and there's danger out there beyond just Aizen. And Ichigo can't do anything to stop it unless he gets his powers back.
So he does. Then he cuts down the threat to his friends and family. And he doesn't hesitate this time. Yes, he still has compassion for his enemies (he even goes to the Soul Society to ask for Ginjo's body so he can give him a proper burial), but he's learned not to hold back and he's learned that new threats will appear and he'd rather have the power to face them head on.
So then comes TYBW, and Ichigo is facing battles head-on without hesitation. He goes straight to the "bad guys" with the intention of cutting them down. He learns the truth about who his Inner Hollow is, and he accepts it. He's even willing to accept whatever consequences may come from training in the Royal Palace and becoming stronger. He accepts his power and potential fully, and learns that he has what it takes to protect his loved ones with his strength, and not with a sacrifice.
Ultimately, he heals the part of himself that thinks his life is worth less than other people's. He heals the part of himself that blames himself for not protecting his mother (when he was 9!! Like come on Isshin, put the kid in therapy!! Anyway...) He grows into someone who knows his self worth. And I think, for me at least, that makes him one of my favourite protagonists of all time. Because can't most of us relate to feeling worthless at times? And don't we also wanna overcome that?
Thanks for reading my ramble lmao, I'm sure this could have been more elegantly written but I'm very sleepy and just wanted to get my thoughts out there.
honestly
hate it when people are hating on an objectively poorly written female character for stupid reasons & treating her as if she's a real person. like no, this character ISN'T the devil for this perfectly fine action, you guys are just misogynists. which sucks because the writers are also misogynists and thats why she's got no personality or acts stupid or whatever. we could be having a 10x more productive conversation if we talked about how the writers had flaws in how they wrote her but whatever 🙄
me seeing some GOODASS art that only has like 9 notes and hitting that reblog button like baby I’m getting you some NOTES. eat up
beef club beef club (Rangiku bullied Hisagi into taking pictures of Kensei and Kenpachi for them, and Rukia went to take a photo of the captain commander <3)Â
Ulquihime Halloween by Suiseiusagi Please support the original artist!
old ichigo x black!y/n excerpt … unfinished.
once again, there she was. sitting by the river. skipping rocks with every jarring throw.
ichigo just didn't understand. how could she be so comftorable near this river.
why this one?
what was so haunting about this area that drew everyone near it, including him?
he tried not to think about it every time walked home from school. but it was impossible not to when he saw y/n there.
the worry in him wanted to pull her from that area. to save her from an impending doom. to keep her from ending up as another tragic soul being washed aside.
just like his mom.
but he continued to mind his business and push back his worries. no use in fighting if there was no hollows in that area anymore... but it still didn't guarantee that she was safe.
one day...
his curiosity got the best of him.
"hey!" he yelled out.
the girl turned around and looked at him. ichigo and y/n continued to stare at each other. ichigo was confused. she was just gazing at him.
not a word left her mouth.
even her facial expression was blank.
ichigo slowly walked down the concrete steps and made his way to her. y/n watched his every step.
ichigo couldn't understand why he was so worried about her. this girl in particular wasn't extremely special. she wasn't a hollow. she didn't have any prominent spiritual energy.
she was normal. so why was she so intriguing?
ichigo stared at the river’s current right beside her. they both stared in silence.
"so...what brings you here, ichigo?" y/n started out. she wanted to make conversation.
she didn't want to be awkward with him.
"how do you know my name...?" ichigo replied.
"we go to school together, wise one.”
ichigo looked at her perplexedly.
he was terrible at names and faces.
but she didn't look familiar. she was different.
"sorry... i've never seen you around. my fault."
"it's fine. wasn't expecting anyone to know me." she sighed.
"i'm new to town as a foreigner, but i've already been outcasted. go figure." she explained.
y/n chucked another pebble.
"i'm y/n. nice to meet you, ichigo."
ichigo awkwardly smirked.
"so... why do you think you're outcasted y/n? you seem like you'd be real popular." ichigo snarked.
y/n shrugged her shoulders.
"well my hair seems to bring alot of enemies for some reason." y/n said while pointing at her tight curls.
y/n pointed at her face.
"and i think my looks do too. i don't get it. it's just my appearance. i think i look normal, but i guess people think otherwise."
she started chuckling lightly.
"i wasn't admanant in looking like everyone else. i just wish people wouldn't avoid me for shit i can't control, you know? but i've learned that i don't need these people's opinions plauging my psy-"
"god you talk alot. woe is me, type of stuff." ichigo laughed.
she glared at him.
"don't get me wrong, i understand how you feel about looking different. have you ever seen a natural ginger in JAPAN?"
y/n looked at his hair and started laughing.
(to be continued… unfinished)
bleach is a ghost story. it's about grief, rebirth, survival, friendships that are lost to distance, the marks that strangers have left on your soul, the hauntings of your past sins. but most importantly it's about a boy living with ghosts—and learning to live with himself
what’s everyone’s favorite manga artstyle of all time i’ll go first demon slayer and haikyuu are freakishly exaggerated and I LOVE it
Happy Birthday, catking!
31.07.22