I’m entering high school this year and I’m probably the only person who has seen Bleach and/or read the manga at my school. That’s just depressing. Though, I’ve watched anime since I was a “wee little tot”**, so maybe it was just because I had parents that watched it. (Quick note: Bleach was my second anime and first manga)
Obviously, I fell in love with the characters and the world and Grimmjow bouncing on his feet as he pounds Ichigo into the ground, but there was something that I loved more than all that. I loved the relationships between characters. When I rewatched Bleach, I was taken aback by the foreshadowing, story, plot, and especially the relationships between characters and how their personalities feel real. Ichigo and Orihime hold special places in my heart and their relationship is something I looked into. Being someone that is the same age as these make believe characters, they were very relatable. I easily have more of an Ichigo personality, but around my friends I’m closer to an Orihime.
It was how Ichigo and Orihime felt so real that even after watching it, and then reading it, I’m still looking at theories and the world of Bleach and the novels. I’m still feeling like the happiest person in the world when I think about how adorable Kazui is or how Ichika obviously has her mom’s personality.
I loved Rukia and Ichigo’s friendship. It felt like many of my own. I loved the love/hate relationship with Ichigo and Ishida (and Renji and Ichigo). It was like some of my friendships. I loved the trust between Ichigo and Chad. Again, it was very similar to some of my friendships. The thing is, I didn’t have to ship them to like their relationship. I never once shipped Ichiruki but I still loved their friendship and personalities.
Ichigo and Orihime’s relationship felt different to me as the series progressed though. Obviously there was the one-sided love from Orihime, but I felt like Ichigo treasured her the same as she treasured him. As Bleach went on, Ichigo was shown being gentle and kind towards Orihime. (Among other things, but for the sake of it, I’m just mentioning this)
One day, I found Ichirukis saying, “Oh she’s a little sister type,” or “She’s just a gentle character,” and I believed them. I kept telling myself it wouldn’t happen. That Ichigo didn’t love Orihime. That it was doomed to fail. But then, I found Tumblr, and with Tumblr came Ichinoue. Their blog completely changed my perspective. They took all my arguments that I told myself and said, “Look here’s the truth. You’re wrong. He’s kind to her because he loves her.” I fell in love with their blog and read probably almost all their essays and posts. All the lies I had told myself were gone. All the lies I believed were gone. I was officially an Ichihime. (Thank you Ichinoue, you’re a wonderful person and every post makes my day!)
Now, I follow a TON of Ichihime blogs. You could say I’m addicted to Ichihime, so instead of JUST Ichihime, I fill my time with Hitsuhina and Renruki and Ginran and whatever other ships catch my eye. I’m definitely NOT interested in Grimhime(?) or Ulquihime as they are abusive ships and I can’t see anything in them. Sorry if you ship them.
Bleach is probably my favorite manga, and I’m an indecisive teenager. (I’m kind of mad about the beginning of the anime still, so Naruto is my favorite anime) Oh yeah, and I’m proudly a “delusional little Origo.” I need a shirt with that written on it.
**I said “wee little tot” in an Irish accent one day to be funny, but my friends turned it into this elaborate joke that centers around me. Yay, I guess...
