The main story of the Bleach manga/anime franchise only has room for one leading character, Ichigo Kurosaki himself, but other characters could have taken on that role. Or rather, the best supporting characters in Bleach all have what it takes to be the leading hero in their own side stories. Fans did get to see more of Shuhei Hisagi in Can't Fear Your Own World, but other characters could make even better protagonists than Squad 9's Lieutenant.
Ideally, anyone who leads their own story is proactive, charismatic, powerful, and has worthwhile goals or worldviews in mind. That's why Bleach characters like Hiryoi Sarugaki and Marechiyo Omaeda aren't up for the job, but other Bleach cast members are. Six particular characters would make for cool and worthwhile leads in potential spinoffs, prequels, or other side projects for author Tite Kubo's shonen universe.
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Rukia Kuchiki Was Bleach's Star Before Ichigo Ever Was
Bleach Was Designed With Rukia in Mind
While Bleach fans are used to viewing Ichigo as the core character of the story, Ichigo wasn't always the heart of this franchise. Tite Kubo first designed Rukia Kuchiki as a black-robed death reaper, which inspired the entire Soul Reaper angle for Bleach. That, and Rukia was the first character to appear, showing up even before Ichigo himself did.
Rukia wasn't just first, because she was also one of the best characters to ever appear in Bleach. She is tough, smart, vulnerable, kind, and often funny. These are essential traits for any shonen lead, and what is more, Rukia has ample personal drama and woes to overcome as a heroine. Bleach viewers saw some of that in Rukia's flashbacks, but in a side story, Rukia could fill in the gaps of her remarkable character arc even more.
Uryu Ishida Overcame Prejudice to Become a Quincy Hero
Uryu Also Has a Cuddly Side as a Gentle Friend
Many supporting heroes in shonen anime have the right stuff to lead their own series, and it may even happen for the likes of Kakashi Hatake or Portgas D. Ace. As for Bleach, that supporting character is Uryu Ishida the Quincy. He established himself as Ichigo's shonen -style rival, equaling Ichigo's courage while having superior smarts and even cooler techniques.
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Thus, Uryu is ideal as the leading man of any side project in Bleach, and that's just on the outside. Uryu's personal arc is ripe for a side story where he explores his turbulent emotions while fighting Hollows and other foes. Uryu's personal narrative of grief, revenge, forgiveness, and friendship with the Soul Reapers deserves even more screen time than it already gets. A side project could also help show what a typical day for Uryu is really like.
Kisuke Urahara is Already the Star of Bleach's Best Flashback Sequence
Smart, Funny Characters Like Kisuke Make Great Protagonists
Even a grown-up character like Kisuke Urahara is the right hero for the job when it comes to side stories. Kisuke doesn't have the same growth arc as characters like Ichigo or Chad, but being OP doesn't mean he's flat. Kisuke is the original Satoru Gojo, a goofy yret powerful mentor who is highly compelling even without training someone like Ichigo or Yuji.
In the Arrancar saga, Bleach treated fans to a Kisuke-centric flashback in the Soul Society, one that also heavily involved Sosuke Aizen. Now, it's past time for Bleach to let Kisuke star in his own story, one where he dominates the scene as a smart, funny, and skillful fighter. Kisuke could also show off his underrated talents for making all the right friendships and inventing cool things as a scientist.
Renji Abarai Has the Guts and Power of Friendship Needed to Be a Hero
Renji is One of Ichigo's Best Soul Reaper Friends
Renji Abarai occupies a similar space in Bleach that both Rukia and Uryu do, which is why Renji would make a great star for any side project. Like Uryu, Renji overcame his bitter feelings with Ichigo and redeemed himself as a key ally, while Renji also has Rukia's backstory as an orphan turned Soul Reaper.
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Renji did get some flashback sequences in the Soul Society arc, but that flashback also focused on Rukia and left some gaps in Renji's own narrative. That's why Renji is owed a side project of his own to fill in those gaps and show how he became worthy of standing by Byakuya Kuchiki's side. Or, Bleach might show what post-war Renji is doing as the husband of Rukia and the father of the energetic little Ichika Abarai.
Yoruichi Shihoin Delighted Bleach Fans With Her Cat-Ninja Antics
Yoruichi Needs More Screen Time Than She Got
Just like her scientist friend Kisuke, Yoruichi Shihoin is the right kind of character for a side project purely because she is so cool. Growth and overcoming personal woes were never really a part of Yoruichi's arc, so a side project starring her would lean more heavily into what Yoruichi can already do. That is, Yoruichi is Bleach's #1 ninja and a terrific mentor for both Ichigo and Sui-Feng.
A side story of Yoruichi's would make use of her as a static yet exciting character who tends to change the people around her rather than undergo any serious changes herself. Yoruichi is strong and successful the way she already is, so her side story would deal with her external problems. For example, going rogue in Karakura Town probably wasn't easy for her, though at least she has Kisuke and Tessai for company there. That side project could also show Yoruichi mentoring an all-new character.
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Toshiro is Strong But Still Has More Room to Grow as a Hero
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya of squad 10 did lead his own micro-story, one where he grew up with Momo Hinamori and discovered his latent powers while meeting Rangiku Matsumoto. It was a fun story, but it was also too short to serve as a true narrative arc for Toshiro. By now, Bleach fans are eager to see some serious growth and progress for Toshiro, since his adult form in the manga's later chapters doesn't really count as growth.
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Toshiro, like Rukia, is magnetic as a stern yet lovable character who tries to be serious but also has a soft side. What is more, Toshiro's backstory isn't as well developed as Rukia's, so Toshiro needs a prequel side story even more than she does. Either that, or Bleach ought to show how post-war Toshiro is upping his game as a Soul Reaper commander who is more critical to the Gotei 13's success than ever before.
Bleach
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2004 - 2012-00-00
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
Cast
-
Masakazu MoritaIchigo Kurosaki (voice) -
Fumiko OrikasaRukia Kuchiki
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on Tite Kubo's battle shonen manga, Bleach centers around Ichigo, a high school student who is dragged into the world of Soul Reapers. The original anime ended in 2012, but it was revived in 2022.
- Showrunner
- Tite Kubo
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Number of Episodes
- 366
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.96
