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{{Good article}}
| name = Ichigo Kurosaki | series = [[Bleach (manga)|Bleach]]
| image = IchigoKurosakiBleach.jpg
| caption = Ichigo Kurosaki as illustrated by Tite Kubo
| first = ''Bleach'' #1 "Death & Strawberry" (2001)
| creator = [[Tite Kubo]]
| voice = '''Japanese'''<br/>[[Masakazu Morita]]<ref name="japvoice"/><br/>[[Yuki Matsuoka]]<ref name="japchildvoice"/> (child)<br/>'''English'''<br/>[[Johnny Yong Bosch]]<ref name="Engvoice"/> <br/>[[Mona Marshall]]<ref name="EngChildvoice"/> (child)
| portrayer = [[Sota Fukushi]]
<br/> Kaito Takamura (child)
| gender = Male
| family = [[Isshin Kurosaki]] (father)<br/>[[Masaki Kurosaki]] (mother, deceased)<br/>[[List of Bleach characters#Karakura Town|Yuzu Kurosaki]] (sister)<br/>[[List of Bleach characters#Karakura Town|Karin Kurosaki]] (sister)<br/>[[Kūkaku Shiba]] (cousin) <br/> [[Ganju Shiba]] (cousin) <br/> [[Kaien Shiba]] (cousin, deceased)
| spouse = [[Orihime Inoue]]
| relatives = Sora Inoue (brother-in-law, deceased)
| children = [[List of Bleach characters#Kurosaki family|Kazui Kurosaki]] (son)
| nationality = Japanese}}
'''{{Nihongo|Ichigo Kurosaki|黒崎 一護|Kurosaki Ichigo}}''' is a fictional character and the main [[Protagonist|protagonist]] of the ''[[Bleach (manga)|Bleach]]'' [[manga]] and [[anime]] series and its adaptations created by author [[Tite Kubo]]. He is a teenage boy who receives [[Soul Reaper (Bleach)|Soul Reaper]] powers after meeting [[Rukia Kuchiki]], a Soul Reaper assigned to patrol around the fictional city of Karakura Town. These powers come at the cost of her own, and as a result, he concedes to work as her stand-in, fighting to protect people from evil spirits called [[List of Bleach characters#Supporting characters|Hollows]] and sending good spirits, [[Bleach (manga)#Character types|wholes]], to a dimension known as the [[Bleach (manga)#Plot|Soul Society]]. Ichigo appears in other media after the manga series, including the [[Bleach (anime)|anime television series]], four anime films, two [[original video animation]]s, [[Rock opera|rock musicals]], several [[List of Bleach video games|video games]], [[light novel]]s and the [[Bleach (2018 film)|2018 live-action film]].
Ichigo is voiced by [[Masakazu Morita]] in the Japanese anime adaptation;<ref name="japvoice">{{cite episode|title=死神になっちゃった日|number=1|series=Bleach|credits=TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot|network=TV Tokyo|airdate=October 5, 2004}}</ref> [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] in the English [[dubbing]];<ref name="Engvoice">{{cite episode|title=A Soul Reaper is Born! |number=1|series=Bleach|credits=TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot|network=Cartoon Network|airdate=September 8, 2006}}</ref> and played by [[Sota Fukushi]] in the live-action film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/08/18-1/sota-fukushi-to-lead-live-action-bleach-movie|title=Sota Fukushi To Lead Live-Action "Bleach" Movie|website=crunchyroll.com}}</ref>
Ichigo's character has been well received among both readers and reviewers. He featured often in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' character popularity polls, and was consistently ranked as the most popular character in ''Bleach''.<ref name="Popularity2"/> The 2007 Japanese ''[[Newtype]]'' magazine polls ranked Ichigo as one of the top 100 most-loved anime characters. He is also known as one of the big three anime characters, including [[Naruto Uzumaki|Naruto]] and [[Monkey D. Luffy|Luffy]]. Reviewers of the series have praised his personality, though some consider him to be a stereotypical [[anti-hero]]. Critics have expressed dislike, however, for Ichigo's anticlimactic fights in the latter half of the series' due to his lack of memorable scenes at those points. Merchandise based on Ichigo's likeness has also been released, including toys, clothing and action figures.
==Creation and conception==
When drawing the manga series, [[Tite Kubo]] commented that [[Rukia Kuchiki]], the first ''Bleach'' character he introduced, was originally intended to be the [[protagonist]]. Through subsequent development of the series, however, Kubo decided to make her a valued ally and instead introduced Ichigo as the central character of the manga series.<ref name="creation">{{cite AV media|people=[[Tite Kubo]], [[Masakazu Morita]] |date=August 2007|title=Tite Kubo Interview, Bleach B-Station 112|publisher=Bleach B-Sation|___location=Japan}}</ref> Initial design sketches show Ichigo wearing glasses, and having dark hair and softer eyes. When designing Rukia, Kubo modified Ichigo's appearance to contrast with hers, giving Ichigo orange hair, a trademark scowl, and removing the glasses.<ref>{{cite book|title=Weekly Shōnen Jump, Number 9 (February)|page=123|year=2008|publisher=[[Shueisha]]}}</ref> During the series' first chapter, Ichigo's wristwatch was based on one Kubo himself wore at the time. In later chapters, his wristwatch was based on [[Naoto Fukasawa]]'s W11K cellphone.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kubo, Tite|title=The Art of Bleach|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-1884-8 |page=104}}</ref> According to Kubo, Ichigo, along with [[Orihime Inoue]], are the most arduous characters to sketch.<ref>Weekly Shōnen Jump interview, year 2004, issue 42</ref> While illustrating one of Ichigo's scenes, Kubo found it awkward to draw him with a cheerful smile.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kubo, Tite|title=The Art of Bleach|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-1884-8|page=103}}</ref>
Kubo has stated that Ichigo's greatest strength is his considerate and thoughtful nature. He always thinks about other's needs. However, he noted it as his greatest weakness, since worrying about his friends tends to put him in danger. When asked in an interview if he had any plans to focus on the [[love triangle]] between Ichigo, Orihime, and Rukia, Kubo chose neither to confirm nor deny it as he did not want to focus on romance.<ref name="About 2">{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo_2.htm|title=Interview: Tite Kubo (page 2)|author=Aoki, Deb|publisher=About.com|access-date=September 16, 2008|archive-date=February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204170016/http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo_2.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kubo attributes Ichigo's popularity among readers to the fact that he "looks cool". He also mentioned that as people read more about him they will discover that he is a warm and kind-hearted person.<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/28/entertainment/etw-kuboweb28|title=Creator Tite Kubo surprised by 'Bleach' success|author=Charles Solomon|date=August 28, 2008|access-date=September 17, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=April 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423115417/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/28/entertainment/etw-kuboweb28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Following over fifty volumes of the manga's released, Kubo believes that Ichigo was the most developed character. He said that Ichigo leads the story and introduces readers to the events in it. When the Arrancar arc ended, Kubo rebooted the series which resulted in Ichigo losing his [[List of Soul Reapers in Bleach|Soul Reaper]] powers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 48|year=2010 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 423|isbn=978-4-08-870144-8}}</ref> In the same way Ichigo became a Soul Reaper during the series' first chapter; he starts searching for methods to recover his original powers.<ref name="alphainterpart2">{{cite journal|journal=Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha|title=Interview with Tite Kubo (Creator of Bleach)|publisher=Viz Media|pages=124–126|issue=2–27–12|date=February 2012|author=Kido, Misaki C.}}</ref> During the story arc, Ichigo wears a new outfit after developing his Fullbring powers. Kubo wanted to bring the readers a feeling of uneasiness when creating this design as it resembles more of a ''[[tokusatsu]]'' character rather than his [[kimono]] counterpart from the Soul Reaper form to the point it would fit Ginjou Shinjo better. As a result, Kubo noted that readers were relieved reobtained his Soul Reaper as he once again wore a kimono despite being sightly different from the original one.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Weekly Shonen Jump|title=第53回JUMPとレジャー新人漫画賞の久保先生のコメント|publisher=Shueisha|issue=53|date=November 2011|quote=A.一護の完現術は特撮ヒーローのようなイメージで、小さい子達にはカッコ良く見え、長らくBLEACHを読んでいる、或はある程度年齢のいった読者には違和感や不満を持ってもらえるものを目指して描きました。「死覇装に戻った時」の爽快感を大きくする為に。そしてそれと同じくらい重要だったのは「衣装のイメージが一護よりも銀城に似合う」という事です}}</ref>
Ichigo is voiced by [[Masakazu Morita]] as a teenager and [[Yuki Matsuoka]] as a child for the Japanese anime.<ref name="japvoice"/><ref name="japchildvoice">{{cite episode|title=6月17日、雨の記憶|number=8|series=Bleach|credits=TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot|network=TV Tokyo|airdate=November 23, 2004}}</ref> Morita said that Ichigo was one of his favorite characters he ever played, alongside [[Tidus]] in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/w_apa/showarticle.aspx?articleID=17498|title=Anime Expo 2010: Interview with Masakazu Morita|author=Truong, Kei|date=February 10, 2011|publisher=Asia Pacific Arts|access-date=2016-03-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806101007/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/w_apa/showarticle.aspx?articleID=17498&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1|archive-date=August 6, 2017}}</ref> [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] voiced him as a teenager and [[Mona Marshall]] as a child for the English dub.<ref name="Engvoice"/><ref name="EngChildvoice">{{cite episode|title=June 17, a Memory of Rain|number=8|series=Bleach|credits=TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot|network=Cartoon Network|airdate=October 27, 2006}}</ref> While describing Ichigo as one of his best roles, Morita notes that voicing him can be at times difficult.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?anime_expo_2010_interview_with_masakazu_morita_17498.aspx|title=Anime Expo 2010: Interview with Masakazu Morita|author=Truong, Kei|date=February 10, 2011|publisher=Asia Pacific Arts|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126044827/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?anime_expo_2010_interview_with_masakazu_morita_17498.aspx|archive-date=November 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bosch has enjoyed voicing Ichigo's character due to his personal interest in the character's morals. However, he experienced difficulty voicing him in some scenes where Ichigo shouts for a long time.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Bleach Uncut Season 1 Box Set; Behind the scenes of Bleach|medium=DVD|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|date=October 30, 2007}}</ref>
[[Sota Fukushi]] played Ichigo in the live-action adaptation of the series with the storyline's first arc, with Bosch reprising his role in the English dub.
==Appearances==
===In ''Bleach''===
[[File:BleachIchigoCompilation.png|thumb|500px|right|A collection of some of Ichigo's multiple forms by Tite Kubo]]
Ichigo is one of the students attending [[List of Bleach characters|Karakura High School]] and having the ability to see ghosts. He meets a [[List of Bleach characters#Supporting characters|Soul Reaper]] named [[Rukia Kuchiki]] from a secret organization called the [[List of Bleach characters|Soul Society]], who are in charge of sending souls to the afterlife. At the same time, Ichigo's younger sisters are attacked by a [[List of Bleach characters#Supporting characters|Hollow]], a deceased spirit becoming a warped soul-eating monster which Soul Reapers deal with. After being wounded in an attempt to save Ichigo from a Hollow attack, Rukia transfers her Soul Reaper powers to him so he can save his family.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 1|year=2002|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 1|isbn=4-08-873213-8}}</ref> In the following months, Ichigo acts in Rukia's place as the Soul Reaper in protecting Karakura Town from Hollows as their friendship continues to grow.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 11|year=2003|publisher=[[Shueisha]] |chapter=Chapter 94|isbn=4-08-873555-2}}</ref> Ichigo's past is also revealed as he faces the Grand Fisher, a hollow who killed his mother when he was nine years old.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 3|year=2002|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 20|isbn=4-08-873275-8}}</ref> In time, the Soul Society sends two high-seated officers to take Rukia back for committing the crime of transferring her Soul Reaper powers to a human.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 6|year=2002|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 52|isbn=4-08-873366-5}}</ref> In training with [[List of Bleach characters|Kisuke Urahara]] in order to rescue Rukia, Ichigo obtains his own Soul Reaper powers and learns the name of his [[List of Bleach characters|Zanpakutō]], {{nihongo|Zangetsu|斬月||literally “Slaying Moon”}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 8|year=2003|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 66|isbn=4-08-873435-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bleach80000unse}}</ref> He takes his friends with him to the Soul Society: Sado “Chad” Yasutora, Orihime Inoue, and Uryū Ishida. Ichigo is confronted by members of [[List of Bleach characters|Gotei 13]], the main military force in the Soul Society. As he approaches the prison where she is being held captive, Ichigo does battle with, faces and defeats other Soul Reapers, including [[Renji Abarai]], [[Kenpachi Zaraki]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 13|year=2004 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 113|isbn=4-08-873610-9}}</ref> and [[Byakuya Kuchiki]], who adopted Rukia as his sister. For his match against Byakuya, Ichigo learns his ''[[List of Bleach characters|Bankai]]'', {{nihongo|Tensa Zangetsu|天鎖斬月||literally “Heaven Chain Slaying Moon”}}, which highly increases his speed. After a long fight, he defeats Byakuya, who confesses why he tried to kill his sister.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 19|year=2005 |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |chapter=Chapter 162|isbn=4-08-873862-4}}</ref> Captain [[Sousuke Aizen]], who faked his death prior, have been behind Rukia's sentencing and the chaos that plagued the Soul Society. He leaves the Soul Society and flees to the realm of Hollows, [[List of Bleach characters|Hueco Mundo]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 20|year=2005|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 176|isbn=4-08-873883-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 21|year=2006|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 181|isbn=4-08-874027-0}}</ref>
In time, Aizen targets Karakura Town with an army of [[List of Bleach characters|Arrancars]], Hollows that assumed human form with Soul Reaper powers, after subjecting them to the Hōgyoku.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 22|year=2008 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 195|isbn=978-1-4215-1179-5}}</ref> In order to defeat the Arrancars and to control his Hollow powers, Ichigo begins to train with the group of Soul Reaper outcasts known as the [[List of Bleach characters|Vizard]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 25|year=2006|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 215|isbn=4-08-874289-3}}</ref> During the invasion of Karakura Town, Ichigo's friend Orihime Inoue has been abducted by [[List of Bleach characters|Ulquiorra Cifer]], one of Aizen's strongest Arrancars: The Espadas.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 27|year=2007 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 237|isbn=978-4-08-874339-4}}</ref> Ichigo and his friends independently head to Hueco Mundo to find Orihime.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 27|year=2007|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 240|isbn=978-4-08-874339-4}}</ref> After defeating the Espada [[List of Bleach characters|Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]], Ichigo manages to save Orihime and defeat Ulquiorra using his internal power of hollow.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 37|year=2009|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 318|isbn=978-4-08-874628-9}}</ref> Soon after, Ichigo returns from Hueco Mundo to Karakura Town, and confront Aizen. During the battle interim, Ichigo learns a technique called the {{nihongo|Final Getsuga Tenshō|最後の月牙天衝|Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō|literally “The Final Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer”}} that weakens and defeats Aizen, allowing Urahara to seal him within a kidō barrier, at the cost of Ichigo's power.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 48|year=2010|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 420|isbn=978-4-08-870144-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 48|year=2010|publisher=[[Shueisha]] |chapter=Chapter 421|isbn=978-4-08-870144-8}}</ref>
Seventeen months later, Ichigo becomes a senior in high school. The start of the [[Bleach (manga)#Plot|Lost Agent arc]] describes his life after losing his power.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 49|year=2011|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 424|isbn=978-4-08-870186-8}}</ref> One day, he meets [[List of Bleach characters#Kūgo Ginjō|Kūgo Ginjō]], a [[List of Bleach characters|Fullbringer]] from the group Xcution. Ginjo offers to replenish Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers in return for helping him and his group to become ordinary humans.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 50|year=2011|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 433|isbn=978-4-08-870219-3}}</ref> With their help, Ichigo unlocks his own Fullbring powers through his Substitute Soul Reaper Badge.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 51|year=2011 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 444|isbn=978-4-08-870272-8}}</ref> However, Ichigo later learns that Ginjo and his ally [[List of Bleach characters#Shūkurō Tsukishima|Shūkurō Tsukishima]], a Fullbringer with ability to change people's memories, used him to take Fullbring powers for Xcution's use.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 52|year=2011|publisher=[[Shueisha]] |chapter=Chapter 459|isbn=978-4-08-870291-9}}</ref> Rukia transfers the Reiatsu of the Gotei 13's senior officers and other Soul Reapers through a special sword and restores Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers. Ichigo fights Ginjo with his improved Shinigami powers and during their duel, it is revealed that Ginjo was the first Substitute Soul Reaper. Despite learning the truth, Ichigo resolves to protect everyone and help other Soul Reapers defeat Ginjo.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 53|year=2011 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 460|isbn=978-4-08-870313-8}}</ref> Though learning from Ginjō that the Soul Society monitor and limit their powers, Ichigo promises the Soul Reapers to continue fighting by their side.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 54|year=2012|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 476|isbn=978-4-08-870386-2}}</ref>
While patrolling Karakura Town, Ichigo is informed about the invasion of Hueco Mundo by [[List of Bleach characters#Wandenreich|Wandenreich]], a group of Quincies.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 55|year=2012 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 485|isbn=978-4-08-870418-0}}</ref> He goes to Hueco Mundo with his friends to liberate it from one of the Wandenreich's high-ranked officers [[List of Bleach characters#Wandenreich|Quilge Opie]]. Later, Ichigo finds out that the Quincies are attacking the Soul Society. Arriving just after Captain Commander [[List of Soul Reapers in Bleach|Yamamoto]]'s death, Ichigo encounters the Wandenreich's leader [[List of Bleach characters#Wandenreich|Yhwach]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 58|year=2013|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 513|isbn=978-4-08-870551-4}}</ref> During the fight against Yhwach that ends with a draw, Ichigo's ''Zanpakutō'' is shattered and Yhwach leaves the Soul Society.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 58|year=2013|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 514|isbn=978-4-08-870551-4}}</ref> Ichigo returns to the World of the Living, where he learns the truth that his mother was a pure-blood Quincy who was on a verge of hollowification after she was infected by White, Aizen's experimental Hollow. She was saved by Isshin at the cost of his Soul Reaper powers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 60|year=2013|publisher=[[Shueisha]] |chapter=Chapter 537|isbn=978-4-08-870782-2}}</ref> Ichigo later learns that entity he believed to be Zangetsu is actually the embodiment of his Quincy powers while his inner Hollow is the True Zangetsu. Despite this, Ichigo still accepts him as he gains his reforged true Zanpakutō in its new split true ''Shikai'' form.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 61|year=2013 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 542|isbn=978-4-08-870818-8}}</ref> During the second invasion by the Wandenreich, Ichigo and his friends confront Yhwach at the Soul King's Palace. Ichigo gets overwhelmed, but Tsukishima and Orihime's combined efforts fixed his broken True Tensa Zangetsu. Together with Uryū, Renji and Aizen, Ichigo defeats Yhwach.
As revealed in the light novel ''Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World'', Ichigo was a potential heir of the Soul King due to the nature of his origins and was spared the burden when a new Soul King was created from Yhwach's remains. In the manga's epilogue, taking place ten years after Yhwach's defeat, Ichigo and Orihime had a son named [[List of Bleach characters#Karakura Town|Kazui]] who destroys the remnants of Yhwach's power.
===In other media===
Ichigo appears in four films for the series, including ''[[Bleach: Memories of Nobody|Memories of Nobody]]'',<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2008|title=Bleach: Memories of Nobody|medium=DVD|publisher=Viz Media}}</ref> ''[[Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion|The DiamondDust Rebellion]]'',<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2008|title=劇場版BLEACH The DiamondDust Rebellion もう一つの氷輪丸|medium=DVD|publisher=TV Tokyo}}</ref> ''[[Bleach: Fade to Black|Fade to Black]]''<ref name="Bleach3">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-15/third-bleach-film-first-major-film-have-titles-dates|title=Third Bleach Film, First Major Film Have Titles, Dates|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 15, 2008|access-date=March 24, 2009}}</ref> and ''[[Bleach: Hell Verse|Hell Verse]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2012|title=Bleach: Hell Verse|medium=DVD|publisher=Viz Media}}</ref> He also appears in both of the [[original video animation]]s; fighting against a Hollow called the Grand Fisher in the first one and combating the rogue Soul Reaper [[List of Bleach characters|Baishin]] in the second.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2006|title =Bleach: Memories in the Rain|medium=DVD|publisher=TV Tokyo}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|date=2006|title =Bleach - The Sealed Sword Frenzy|medium=DVD|publisher=TV Tokyo}}</ref> In the [[List of Bleach video games|''Bleach'' video games]], Ichigo is a playable character, including the [[Bleach: Heat the Soul (series)|''Heat the Soul'']] and [[Bleach: Blade Battlers (series)|''Blade Battlers'']] series. In some games, his Hollow form and ''Bankai'' state are available as separate characters.<ref name="SonySoul">{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/bleach/heat/chara.html|title=''Bleach: Heat the Soul'' official site|publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment|SCEI]]|language=ja|access-date=March 17, 2008|archive-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415114816/http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/bleach/heat/chara.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GUIDE">{{cite book|editor=SCEI|title=Bleach: Heat the Soul 4 Japanese instruction manual|year=2007|publisher=SCEI|language=ja}}</ref> In ''[[Bleach (manga)#Musical|Rock Musical Bleach]]'', a musical based on the ''Bleach'' series, Ichigo is played by [[Tatsuya Isaka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rmbleach.com/|title=Bleach Rock Musical Official|publisher=[[Studio Pierrot]]|access-date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> His character is featured in two volumes from the ''Bleach Beat Collection'' CD soundtrack series which features themes composed by his Japanese voice actor, [[Masakazu Morita]]. These include the first of them, in which he is the only character and the fourth season's fourth volume along with Rukia.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|last=Morita|first=Masakazu|year=2005|title=Bleach Beat Collection Ichigo Kurosaki|publisher=Sony|id=SVWC-7264}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|last1=Orikasa|first1=Fumiko|last2=Morita|first2=Masakazu|year=2008|title=Bleach Beat Collection 4th Session 04 Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki|publisher=Sony|id=SVWC-7594}}</ref> Ichigo also appears in the first volume of ''Bleach Breathless Collection'' CD soundtrack series together with the embodiment of his Quincy powers that posed as the Zanpakutō spirit Zangetsu.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|author=Masakazu Morita, Takayuki Sugo|year=2009|title=Bleach Breathless Collection 01 Ichigo Kurosaki & Zangetsu| publisher=Sony|id=SVWC-7653}}</ref>
Ichigo appears as a playable character in ''[[Jump Force]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ressler |first=Karen |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Jump Force Game Video Highlights Bleach Characters |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-30/jump-force-game-video-highlights-bleach-characters/.134884 |access-date=June 19, 2025 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |language=en}}</ref>
==
===Popularity===
{{multiple image
| footer = [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] (left) voiced Ichigo in the English version of the anime and [[Sota Fukushi]] (right) portrays the character in the live-action film.
| image1 = Johnny Yong Bosch.jpg
| alt1 = Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices the character in the English dub, has received praise.
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| image2 = 福士蒼汰@髑髏城の七人season月.jpg
| alt2 = Sota Fukushi, who portrays Ichigo in the live-action film
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| width2 = 150
}}
Amongst the ''Bleach'' reader base, Ichigo has been always highly ranked in the ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' popularity polls for the series. He has usually taken first place, though in early 2008 he dropped to third.<ref name="Popularity">''Bleach'' manga; chapter 209, pages 2 and 3.</ref><ref name="Popularity2">''Bleach'' manga Character Poll; chapter 307, pages 1 and 2.</ref> His sword, Zangetsu, also ranked third in the ''Zanpakutō'' popularity polls.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kubo, Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 40|chapter=Chapter 348|year=2009|publisher=Shueisha|isbn=978-4-08-874712-5}}</ref> In the 2007 Japanese ''[[Newtype]]'' magazine poll, Ichigo was ranked one of the best male anime characters.<ref name="Newtype">{{cite journal |journal=[[Newtype]] |issue=6|date=May 2007|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|title=NT Research}}</ref> In the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), Ichigo was elected for the best anime male character in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comipress.com/press-release/2008/03/27/3442|title=Society For The Promotion Of Japanese Animation Announces SPJA Industry Award Finalists At Tokyo International Anime Fair|publisher=Comipress.com|date=March 27, 2008|access-date=September 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://giapet.net/2008/07/06/spja-industry-award-winners-are-up/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802023439/http://giapet.net/2008/07/06/spja-industry-award-winners-are-up/ | archive-date=August 2, 2008 | title=SPJA Industry Award Winners are Up | date=July 6, 2008 | publisher=Giapet | access-date=May 7, 2014}}</ref><!-- If someone asks about Giapet's reability: http://www.comipress.com/news/2008/07/04/3608 --> The Japanese music distributor ''Recochoku'' has made two annual survey of which anime characters that people would like to marry. Ichigo ranked tenth in the category "The Character I Want to Be My Groom" from the 2008 survey and eight in the 2009 poll.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-12/survey/k-on-mio-reborn-hibari-are-no.1-bride-and-groom|title= Survey: K-ON's Mio, Reborn's Hibari are #1 Bride, Groom|date=October 14, 2008|access-date=June 12, 2009 |publisher= [[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> [[Wizard Entertainment]] considered Ichigo the best hero from 2007, commenting that he does not try to be a typical hero but he fights in order to protect his friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/013008blhero.html|title=BEST OF 2007: BEST HERO—ICHIGO KUROSAKI|publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]|date=June 30, 2008|access-date=September 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418141439/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/013008blhero.html|archive-date=April 18, 2008}}</ref> He was also 20th in [[IGN]]'s "Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time" with comments focused on his design and personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/21/top-25-anime-characters-of-all-time?page=2|title= Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time|date=October 20, 2009|author=Mackenzie, Chris |publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=October 21, 2009}}</ref> Ichigo has also appeared twice in the [[Anime Grand Prix]] polls, ranking as one of the most popular male anime characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp_new/gpx_2006.html |script-title=ja:第28回アニメグランプリ [2006年6月号](現在位置) |language=ja |publisher=[[Animage]] |access-date=April 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818165729/http://animage.jp/gp_new/gpx_2006.html |archive-date=August 18, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2005.html |script-title=ja:第27回アニメグランプリ [2005年6月号](現在位置) |language=ja |publisher=[[Animage]] |access-date=April 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627174422/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2005.html |archive-date=June 27, 2009 }}</ref> At the first [[Seiyu Awards]] in March 2007, [[Masakazu Morita]] won in the category "Best Rookie Actor" for his role as Ichigo Kurosaki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seiyuawards.jp/winning/|script-title=ja:声優アワード|language=ja|publisher=[[Seiyu Awards]]|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> Ichigo's voice actor in the English adaptation, [[Johnny Yong Bosch]], has also been praised for his voice work on Ichigo's character by [[Anime News Network]] (ANN), which favorably compared Bosch and Morita's work.<ref name="ANNDVD1Review"/> Various merchandise based on Ichigo's appearance has been created, including action figures, plush toys and key-chains.<ref name="merchandise">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGY95Y|title=Bleach 5" PVC 2-pack - Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki|website=Amazon|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="merchandise2">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R93N44|title=Bleach Ichigo Kurosaki Plush BL-007a|website=Amazon|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SN9I9S|title=Bleach Chibi Ichigo Key Chain|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> Since the series was released, replica models of Ichigo's ''Zanpakutō'' and ''Bankai'' have been produced for purchase by collectors and fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GD8X0U|title=Ichigo-Cutting Moon Replica Sword|website=Amazon|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trueswords.com/ichigo-bankai-sword-inspired-anime-tensa-zangetsu-p-2556.html |title=Ichigo BANKAI Sword Inspired by Anime, Tensa Zangetsu |publisher=True Swords |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-date=December 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204083858/http://www.trueswords.com/ichigo-bankai-sword-inspired-anime-tensa-zangetsu-p-2556.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Critical response===
Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other related media have provided praise and criticism on Ichigo's character. ANN's Melissa Harper commented that Ichigo's initial rebellious actions make him almost a stereotypical anti-hero, but note that he is soon revealed to be a more complex character with a sad past.<ref name="ANNDVD1Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bleach-01/the-substitute|title=Bleach DVD 1 - Review|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Harper, Melissa|date=January 22, 2007|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}}s Charles Solomon comments Ichigo's character has little in common with protagonists from other series due to his bad temper and how he tends to fight. However, he added that readers from the series still "love" Ichigo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-28-et-book28-story.html|title='Bleach,' a manga series by Tite Kubo (page 1)|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Solomon, Charles|date=August 28, 2008|access-date=September 4, 2009}}</ref> The way Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper was found to be relatively common by Carlos Alexandre. He noted that Ichigo's character of a "tough guy with a heart of gold" had already been done in several series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.popcultureshock.com/review-bleach-vol-1/42354/|title=Anime Review: Bleach, Vol. 1|author=Alexandre Carlos|date=July 30, 2007|access-date=May 19, 2014|work=popcultureshock.com|archive-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702164815/http://www.popcultureshock.com/review-bleach-vol-1/42354/}}</ref> Charles White from IGN praised Ichigo's climactic fight against [[Byakuya Kuchiki]] as one of the best fights in the ''Bleach'' series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/867/867020p1.html|title=Bleach: "Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire" Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=White, Charles|date=April 16, 2008|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> and later Ramsey Isler gave additional praise to both the design and voice acting for Ichigo's inner Hollow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/916/916375p1.html|title=Bleach: "Ichigo vs. Dalk! Appearance of the Faded Darkness" Review" Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=Isler, Ramsey|date=April 16, 2008|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref>
Ichigo's development during the [[Bleach (manga)#Plot|Rescue arc]] in which he sets to save [[Rukia Kuchiki]] from being executed have been praised by ANN's Theron Martin. He praised the scenes in which Ichigo manages to stop Rukia's execution and his subsequent demonstration of his ''Bankai'' as one of the "eminently satisfying landmark moments in the series".<ref name="ANNDVDBox3">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bleach/dvd-season-3|title=Bleach DVD - Season 3 Uncut Box Set|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Martin, Theron|date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2009}}</ref> [[Wired News]]'s Corrina Lawson stated that she liked Ichigo's strong sense of responsibility, and commented it was one of the reasons of the series' popularity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/comics-spotlight-on-bleach/|title=Comics Spotlight on: Bleach|publisher=[[Wired News]]|author=Lawson, Corrina|date=March 24, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref> However, the early dynamic between Ichigo and Rukia was the subject of criticism as [[Film School Rejects]] was disappointed that the latter was reduced from a strong Soul Reaper into a weak supporting character as the former becomes the lead character with her powers.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2, 2018 |last=Hunter |first=Rob |title='Bleach' Review: As Live-Action Manga Adaptations Go, This Is Definitely One (Fantasia 2018) |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/bleach-review/ |publisher=[[Film School Rejects]] |access-date=August 11, 2018 }}</ref> ''Anime News Network'' criticized the handling of how Ichigo faced off his biggest nemesis in the following arcs, Aizen and Ginjou. While the former was seen as anticlimactic and might have given the series a proper ending, the latter instead made no impact to his character despite their misrelationship caused by Ginjou's plans.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 6, 2015 |last=Freeman|first=Nik|title=Whatever Happened to Bleach? |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2015-11-06/whatever-happened-to-bleach/.95031|publisher=[[Film School Rejects]] |access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref> Similarly, for the final fight in the manga between Ichigo and his allies against Yhwach for lacking any entertainment, giving a rushed feeling due to all characters assisting him briefly and how Ichigo became able to wield powers of every type of character in the process.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 13, 2018 |title=Bleach – Volume 74 Review |url=https://animeuknews.net/2018/11/bleach-volume-74-review/|publisher=Anime UK News|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref> [[Comic Book Resources]] noted a common complaint the fandom has had about Ichigo is that he is overpowered, constantly gaining new powers with ease. With the final story arc, it was revealed that two of the biggest villains were behind his birth, which divided the fandom in regards to whether or not Ichigo being overpowered was rewarding or just.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 25, 2025 |title=10 Controversial Anime Plot Twists That Divided the Fandom Forever |url=https://www.cbr.com/controversial-anime-plot-twists-split-fandom-forever/|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=April 4, 2025}}</ref>
During the serialization of the manga, Tite Kubo said he received a letter from a reader who decided to name his son Ichigo. This brought joy as well as fear to the manga artist due to how his work influenced other people. While feeling that he also made a good manga during this comment, Kubo decided to work more on the character in hopes that once the real Ichigo grows up, he would feel proud with his name.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubo|first=Tite|title=Bleach, Volume 8|year=2003|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/bleach80000unse/page/1 1]|isbn=4-08-873435-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bleach80000unse/page/1}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Anime and manga}}
* [[List of Bleach characters|List of ''Bleach'' characters]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons-inline}}
{{Bleach}}
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