Ichigo Was Not Supposed To Be The Main Character Of Bleach

When we think about Bleach, the image that first comes to mind is usually Ichigo’s bright orange hair and his giant sword. But what if that Ichigo was never meant to be the main character? It sounds surprising because now he feels like the heart and soul of the entire series.

The creator, Tite Kubo, had a very different idea for who would take the lead. Ichigo’s journey as the main hero was actually a lucky change that gave Bleach its unique feeling. Let’s dig into how this happened and who was originally supposed to stand in Ichigo’s place.

Check out our YouTube Short to see why Ichigo was not originally the main character of Bleach.

ALSO READ: There’s A Powerful Meaning Behind Why Bleach Is Named “Bleach”

The Original Plan For Bleach’s Main Character

At first, the story of Bleach was not going to be about Ichigo at all. The main focus was meant to be Rukia Kuchiki. In Kubo’s earliest versions, Rukia was a Soul Reaper with a bright spirit who would guide lost souls. She was going to be the person through whom readers saw everything about the Soul Society, the Hollows, and the world of the dead.

The manga’s story was meant to follow Rukia on her own missions. Ichigo’s character did not even exist the way we know him. The publisher, however, was not sure about having a girl as the center of such a big Shonen series. They wanted the story to have a male character for fans to rally behind. That’s when Ichigo started to take shape in Kubo’s mind, slowly moving from a side character to the center of the show.

How Ichigo Became The Main Character Of Bleach

When Kubo finally gave Ichigo the lead role, everything about Bleach started to change. Ichigo was not the usual kind of hero. He was a high school student, a bit of a punk, but also someone who cared deeply about his friends and family. His strong personality brought new feelings and energy into the story that helped Bleach stand out from other series of its time.

Rukia remained a super important character, but now it was Ichigo’s story. He got the power of a Soul Reaper and had to balance his normal life with crazy battles against Hollows and other Soul Reapers. This mix of ordinary life and supernatural action made Bleach feel real and exciting. By making Ichigo the main character, Bleach found the perfect hero for fans to cheer on every week, and the story became the legend we know today.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2004	7.97	Pierrot	Action, Supernatural	Netflix

ALSO READ: Bleach: What If Aizen Absorbed The Soul King?