Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Whether it’s critical acclaim, sales figures, or general popularity, the Big Three anime reign supreme across the board. WhileNarutoandOne Pieceare shonen to their very core, Bleach sets itself apart by being more subtle in that respect. It intentionally avoids many conventional tropes, which makes it enjoyable for fans.
However, the creation of the protagonist is the one aspect where Tite Kubo maybe takes things too far to avoid conforming to the shonen commonalities. Ichigo is somewhat simplistic and evidently worlds apart from other shonen protagonists, especially his contemporaries, Naruto and Luffy.
Tite Kubo Confesses that He Never Thought of Ichigo as a Hero
The setting ofBleachis extremely interesting.Tite Kubodivides his world into three realms, namely, Hueco Mundo, Soul Society, and the Human Society. This division categorized his world based on a complex cycle of life and death but also led to a major conflict later down the line. All these realms have interesting characters to offer and Ichigo Kurosaki clearly stands out among them.
While most of these characters and fans of the series would describe Ichigo as a hero without giving it a second thought, Kubo himself struggles to do so. Duringan interview with Viz Media, Masakazu Morita (Ichigo’s voice actor) asked Kubo about his favourite hero and here’s what he has to say:
GeGeGe no Kitaro and Saint Seiya are my favorites. But they’re not quite heroes… What is a hero? I’ve never thought of Ichigo as a hero, either.
This statement would instantly spark some doubt among fans. Unlike other shonen main characters, Ichigo doesn’t have huge dreams of bringing peace to the world or becoming the best. All he wants is the safety of his loved ones. While there could be a multitude of reasons why Kubo never thought of Ichigo as a hero, the most obvious one is how Ichigo is a human in every sense of the word.
“I think Ichigo is a bland protagonist”: Tite Kubo May Have Gone Too Far to Avoid Shonen Trope But That’s No Excuse for Bleach’s Biggest Flaw
He doesn’t have a high-pitched voice or the enthusiasm to shake the world. His dream is relatable, and so are his struggles to always prioritize the well-being of his loved ones. What makes him resonate deeply with fans is also something that makesBleachsomewhat pale in comparison toOne PieceandNaruto.
Here’s WhyBleachStruggles the Most Among the Big Three
Ichigo’s style and design are effortlessly cool. He is superior to most characters in that respect. However, he’s normal and regular in many ways. Opposed to most Shonen protagonists, his struggles are less loud and out there. His regular personality makes him more relatable and less aspirational. All these character traits make his appeal less immediate and obvious than Naruto or Luffy.
Tite Kubo Outdid Himself in Writing One Bleach Character Who’s Development Even Aizen Couldn’t See Coming
One needs to spend time with Ichigo to understand what his regular self is capable of feeling and accomplishing. And sadly, that adds an additional step to the process through which fans connect with him.
After the Soul Society Arc, there are many points in the story where fans believe thatBleachfell off narratively. The banging return withThousand-Year Blood War animereignited the hype surroundingBleach. Ichigo truly shines in his new form, which adds additional charm to an already great character.
Bleachis available to stream on Netflix, and the manga is available to read on the MangaPlus app and website.
Laveena Joshi
Anime Writer
Articles Published :926
Laveena is an anime content writer at FandomWire. Having written more than 800 articles, she’s an expert in mainstream shonen series, ranging from the bizarre world of JoJo’s to the expansive worldbuilding of One Piece.With her formal education in Journalism and Mass Communication, she explores entertainment journalism through the lens of anime and manga, from mainstream and classic titles to niche and obscure ones.
More from Laveena Joshi
Toei Animation May Have Lost Its Touch After ‘One Piece’s Hiatus
10 Shonen Anime That Treat Their Female Characters Right
‘My Hero Academia’ Releases Trailer for the Final Season and Studio Bones Is Not Holding Back
Recommended
17 Years Later, This Iron Man Scene Was the Darkest MCU Moment No One Realized
When Is Absolute Flash #6 Coming Out? Release Date, Plot Prediction & Everything We Know
‘The Serial Killer’s Apprentice’: How Dean Corll Was Murdered by His Own “Friend”
Is Apple TV+’s Carême Renewed for Season 2? Details Inside
Chris Pratt Thriller Dominates Global Streaming Amid Pro-RFK Jr Stance
“Oh I f**king love her”: Margaret Qualley’s Dad Made an Aubrey Plaza Confession That Stunned Her
Bleachbleach: thousand year blood warNarutoOne PieceTite Kubo
