Ichigo Kurosaki, the renowned main character in Tite Kubo’s Bleach, possesses a unique ability to see spirits and was born with bright orange hair. Initially taking on the role of a Substitute Shinigami, Ichigo eventually becomes an unmatched warrior, mastering the combination of Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy powers.
Despite possessing extraordinary abilities and receiving numerous power-ups, Ichigo experienced defeat in multiple battles throughout the series Bleach. This sparked discussions among fans about whether he could be classified as a “jobber,”a term originating from the world of professional wrestling to describe wrestlers who are meant to lose in order to elevate their opponents.
In the world of manga and anime, jobbers are characters who fall victim to the “worf effect.”These characters, who are already known for their strength, are often defeated by newly introduced characters in order to showcase their power and danger. However, if a character continues to lose repeatedly, their reputation for strength can be tarnished. Some fans believe this was the case for Ichigo in Bleach.
Ichigo’s Battles in Bleach: Not Always Victorious
Ichigo’s Fights in Bleach
With the extensive length of the Bleach series and its numerous captivating battles and plot twists, the most effective method of determining whether or not Ichigo Kurosaki is a jobber is to review his entire record from start to finish.
During the initial arc of the show, Ichigo emerged victorious in nearly all of his battles. He was able to defeat numerous Hollows, such as Fishbone D, Acidwire, and Shrieker. Additionally, with the help of Uryu Ishida, Ichigo was able to defeat a Gillian-class Menos Grande.
Among all the battles that Ichigo had fought, there were only two that he did not emerge victorious from. One of them was the intense emotional clash against Grand Fisher, the Hollow who had mercilessly taken his mother’s life almost ten years back. After a long and grueling fight, neither Ichigo nor Grand Fisher could claim victory as the latter was too weakened to continue and the former was too injured to pursue and defeat him.
Despite facing formidable opponents like Renji and Byakuya, Ichigo was no match for them. This was to be expected, as Ichigo had not received proper training in the ways of a Shinigami. However, in the subsequent Soul Society Arc, Ichigo’s performance was nothing short of impressive. He effortlessly defeated Jidanbo, overpowered Ikkaku Madarame, and even managed to defeat Renji.
Following his Bankai training, Ichigo was able to defeat three lieutenants without even drawing his Zanpakuto. While his previous fights against Kenpachi and Byakuya could be seen as somewhat of a tie, both opponents acknowledged Ichigo as the ultimate victor. As such, these battles can be seen as complete triumphs for the protagonist.
Throughout this arc, Ichigo emerged victorious in every battle except for his defeat against Aizen. It goes without saying that this loss was nothing to be embarrassed about, especially considering that nearly any other character would have suffered the same fate against such a formidable villain.
Although it cannot be denied that Ichigo’s record suffered during the Arrancar Arc, it was not without its moments of success. Battling with self-doubt, he was defeated by Yammy Llargo, and his fights with Grimmjow resulted in a somewhat uncertain outcome. However, upon entering the Hueco Mundo, Ichigo emerged victorious against Dordoni, yet continued to face difficulties against the latter.
Despite the lack of excitement, Byakuya was holding his own against an Espada without even using his Shikai or Bankai. Ulquiorra ultimately defeated Ichigo and left him for dead. However, when Grimmjow intervened and brought Orihime to heal Ichigo, the two engaged in their ultimate battle once again.
Despite being initially overpowered by Grimmjow’s physical abilities, Ichigo was able to tap into his Hollow mask and harness the necessary strength to emerge victorious in their confrontation. However, the intense battle left Ichigo weakened, making it easy for Nnoitra and Tesla to dominate him. Later, Ichigo suffered another defeat at the hands of Ulquiorra, who appeared to have killed him.
Despite Ichigo’s inner Hollow taking control of his body, causing him to transform into a fearsome Vasto Lorde, he was still able to defeat Ulquiorra, who was utilizing his Segunda Etapa.
After returning to his normal state, Ichigo engaged in a battle against Yammy. However, the fight was abruptly halted when Byakuya and Kenpachi joined in. Despite this, Ichigo continued to face challenges, including a tough match against Gin Ichimaru. Following his intense training in the Dangai, Ichigo gained the abilities of a transcendent being.
Despite being in this form, Ichigo was still able to surpass a Hogyoku-enhanced Aizen. Although he did not technically win the fight, as his powers were exhausted before Aizen’s, the timely arrival of Kisuke Urahara prevented the situation from becoming dire. While Ichigo’s dominance was clear, the final result of the battle remained a topic of debate.
During the following arc, Ichigo had to reclaim his lost abilities as a Shinigami. He fought against Tsukishima, but was tricked by both him and Ginjo. In the concluding portion of the arc, Ichigo mercilessly defeated Ginjo.
Although Ichigo was able to defeat Asguiaro Ebern in Bleach TYBW, his fight against Quilge Opie ended inconclusively despite having the advantage with his Bankai. Ultimately, Ichigo suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Yhwach and was also humiliated by his right-hand man, Jugram Haschwalth.
After unlocking his true Zanpakuto abilities and undergoing rigorous training with the Royal Guard, Ichigo engaged in battle against the Bambies, namely Liltotto, Meninas, Candice, and Giselle. Despite his casual demeanor, Ichigo showcased his prowess as a fighter on a completely different level than Liltotto and her companions.
Despite his previous defeat at the hands of Askin Nakk Le Vaar in the Royal Palace, Ichigo was determined to continue fighting. He faced Yhwach once again and, with the unexpected help of Uryu and Aizen, managed to emerge victorious in their final confrontation.
The Pros and Cons of Playing the Main Character
Overall, Ichigo’s track record may not be flawless, but it is certainly commendable. While his status as the main character may have given him a few advantages, it has also added complexity to his journey. As the central character of the story, Ichigo is expected to face some defeats, which ultimately allow him to enhance his fighting skills and mentality.
Despite often facing overwhelming challenges, Ichigo persisted and fought against powerful enemies or struggled to fully utilize his own abilities. In accordance with the trope’s definition, a jobber is someone who is already perceived to be at a disadvantage before the battle even begins.
Despite occasionally underperforming, Ichigo only fell into this category when faced with a new and greater threat that needed to be established as a significant menace in the story.
One such instance occurred when Byakuya was introduced into the story, when Aizen’s true intentions were exposed, and when Ulquiorra showcased his Segunda Etapa. These defeats served to highlight the formidable nature of the new enemies, who were on a completely different level than the previous adversaries. Despite this, Ichigo ultimately managed to turn the tide and exact revenge on his foes.
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