There is no other antagonist in Bleach whose appearance contrasts with Ichigo quite like Grimmjow. It’s already well known that their hair colours express this, since orange and blue are complementary colours – meaning they are opposites in the colour spectrum.

But that is only more obvious when they stand next to each other, one clad in black, the other in white.

It’s a visual contrast that expands to their clothing, and even in the paneling.

One is seen from above, the other from under, with Grimmjow naturally being the one putting himself in the higher position. The one Ichigo has to reach.

It’s something that stays with them even when they take on the same side later on. The opposition between them is obvious.

But in a sweet, sort of subtle way, after Grimmjow returns to the manga to fight alongside Ichigo, that contrast of ideologies eases out a little. They’re at the same side, fighting for the same thing. And once you remove that of the equation and realize they’re both similar in their headstrong ways, that opposition isn’t as punctuated.

And of course, Kubo had that reflect on their appearance once again, by dressing Grimmjow in black, and adding a large bit of white to Ichigo, drawing them just a bit closer to each other.

“ Whether you’re a Human, or a Shinigami or an Arrancar, anyone who looks at me like they’re underestimating my power, I’ll smash every one of ‘em into oblivion! ”