Ichigo Kurosaki

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Ichigo was born to Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki. Liu Ziyun described him as the first child to naturally fuse the powers of a human, Soul Reaper, Hollow, and Quincy; Ichigo inherited most of the Hollow power in Masaki 178 186 191.

As a child, Ichigo attended Liu’s Isshin Dojo with Uryū Ishida. Liu taught them exercises and Tai Chi, as well as martial arts and kendo. Four years into their training, Auswählen struck Karakura Town; Liu rescued an unconscious Ichigo and Masaki from Grand Fisher 188 190 194.

Appearance

Ichigo is an orange-haired youth who wears a black Shihakusho as a Soul Reaper 198 241.

• First Hollowfication: A white half-mask covered part of his face; the exposed eye had a black sclera and golden iris 209 210.
• Training transformation: His complete Hollow form had white keratin-covered limbs, a long tail, and a mask with red markings 232.
• Ulquiorra battle: His horned form had waist-length golden hair and two curved Hollow horns 270.

Personality

Ichigo is protective of his family and friends, and his determination to save Rukia drives him to train despite the short time before her execution. He can also be reckless: when a Hollow attacked his home, he charged it with a folding chair, prompting Isane Kotetsu to describe him as reckless 193 204 205.

He is reluctant to seriously hurt opponents. Liu criticized that hesitation as a danger to the people around him, while Ichigo’s fear of hurting others also led him to suppress his inner Hollow during training 223 247.

Abilities & Skills

Zangetsu and Bankai

Ichigo fights with the Zanpakuto Zangetsu. Its Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, takes the form of a long, slender black sword that condenses its power for high-speed combat 209.

• Getsuga Tenshō: Releases a crescent-shaped slash. Ichigo used a black Getsuga Tenshō against Grimmjow while wearing his Hollow mask 242.
• Swordsmanship: Liu taught him kendo from childhood. His sharp, direct attacks grew more practiced during his fight with Renji 196 198.
• Reiatsu control: Initially, his lack of control made his Zanpakuto enormous. Liu later made him practice creating footholds while crossing the Garganta 193 249.

Hollowfication

Ichigo’s inner Hollow, White, is a manifestation of his power. After fighting White in his Inner World, Ichigo began learning to draw on that power deliberately rather than suppress it 230 235 236.

• Enhanced combat: Hollowfication increases his Reiatsu and can be combined with Bankai 231 242.
• Regeneration: In his complete Hollow form, he regenerated severe wounds and severed body parts during training 232.
• Cero: His Hollowfied form fired a black Cero from its palm during training and charged one from its forehead against Ulquiorra 232 271.
• Limits: His mask shattered from exhaustion during his battle with Grimmjow. He also lost control during his transformation against Ulquiorra, requiring Liu to intervene 242 271.

Relationships

• Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki — Ichigo’s parents. Liu rescued Masaki and Ichigo from Grand Fisher during Auswählen 178 190.
• Karin Kurosaki — His younger sister, whom he protected during a Hollow attack on their home 193.
• Liu Ziyun — His childhood martial arts and kendo teacher. Ichigo trusts him and resolves to become strong enough to help clear his name after learning he was framed 198 201.
• Rukia Kuchiki — Rukia helped awaken his Soul Reaper powers. Ichigo credits her with giving him the power to protect his family and risks his life to save her 193 205 207.
• Uryū Ishida — Fellow student at the Isshin Dojo and companion in the rescue of Rukia 188 203.
• Orihime Inoue — Friend whom Ichigo pursues into Hueco Mundo after Aizen takes her. Her plea for him not to die precedes his transformation against Ulquiorra 247 271.
• Yoruichi Shihōin — Trains Ichigo to achieve Bankai before Rukia’s execution 201 204.
• Shinji Hirako and the Visored — Teach Ichigo about Hollowfication and help him train to control it 214 215 236.
• White Ichigo — Ichigo’s inner Hollow. Initially feared as a threat to his control, White confronts him in his Inner World and acknowledges defeat 230 232 235.
• Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez — Arrancar opponent whom Ichigo fights repeatedly, eventually defeating him in Hueco Mundo 226 242 264.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Substitute Soul Reaper

After Rukia is injured protecting him from a Hollow, Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper. He later returns to Liu for kendo instruction and continues sparring with him while working as a Substitute Soul Reaper 193 194.

Rescue of Rukia

Ichigo enters the Seireitei to save Rukia, fighting Ikkaku Madarame and defeating Renji Abarai. After Yoruichi takes him to a hidden base, he trains for Bankai and reaches the execution ground, where he stops the Kokuto and destroys the execution platform 198 201 207.

He then fights Byakuya, revealing both Bankai and his inner Hollow. When Aizen appears, Ichigo blocks an attack aimed at Renji but is cut down by Aizen in a single exchange 209 210 211.

Arrancar Attacks and Hollow Training

Back in the World of the Living, Ichigo fights Yammy but freezes, prompting Liu to intervene. He subsequently trains with the Visored and confronts White in his Inner World. After accepting his Hollow power, he uses it against Grimmjow, although his mask’s limited duration leaves him vulnerable 213 235 236 242.

Hueco Mundo

Ichigo joins Liu, Rukia, Renji, and Yasutora Sado on a mission to rescue Orihime. In Hueco Mundo, the group encounters Nelliel and later splits up to search for Orihime. Ichigo defeats Grimmjow, then suffers a fatal chest wound fighting Ulquiorra; his Hollow power brings him back in a horned form and begins repairing the wound 247 251 254 264 270 271.

After returning to Karakura Town, Ichigo attacks Aizen with Getsuga Tenshō, but Aizen’s shields stop him. Liu takes over the confrontation 276.

Quincy Threat

Liu tells Yamamoto that, in the future he knows, Ichigo is the only person who can kill Yhwach. A request for the Zero Division to train Ichigo and several others is rejected; while in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo receives Liu’s warning of a possible Quincy invasion and agrees to inform Nelliel 287 295.

Notable Quotes

“Rukia saved my life. Because of her, I gained the power to protect my family. So, whatever the reason, I’ll do everything I can to save her.” 205

“I’ll get stronger. Strong enough to... help clear Teacher’s name.” 201

“Since it’s been moved up to tomorrow, we’ll just master it today!” 204