Bleach anime ruined Orihime and there's no denying this

Bleach has several iconic characters, but Inoue Orihime might be the most divisive in the entire franchise, mainly because of her archetype and how Studio Pierrot handled her characterization in the original 2004 anime. All of this resulted in a character who was often maligned for not being able to fight and was continuously perceived as Ichigo Kurosaki's love interest, rather than anything else.

However, as time went on and new fans started with author Tite Kubo's manga rather than the anime, the perception of Orihime has improved in the Bleach community. This highlights how the 2004 anime did a poor job adapting her tragic family background, her relationship with Ichigo and others, and, according to some fans, doing so while pushing a romantic angle between the protagonist and Rukia Kuchiki.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the manga/anime and reflects the opinions of the writer.

Explaining how the original Bleach anime damaged Orihime's legacy among viewers

Orihime's character deserves more appreciation (Image via Shueisha).

It is fair to say that Studio Pierrot mishandled Orihime's character from the moment she was introduced, as her tragic backstory was severely reduced. The 2004 anime doesn't mention how her parents physically mistreated her so she could stop crying as a baby, and doesn't emphasize the hardships she went through, such as carrying her brother Sora's dying body to the Kurosaki Clinic as a kid.

Moreover, the anime focused heavily on highlighting her shortcomings rather than her strengths, with author Tite Kubo showing a much better and well-rounded version of her character. This has led some fans to claim that the studio was pushing for Rukia Kuchiki to be Ichigo Kurosaki's love interest, which is a forced love triangle that has become infamous in the anime community.

It is telling that Kubo has had more influence on the Thousand-Year Blood War anime as the director of the original adaptation, Noriyuki Abe, was replaced by Tomohisa Taguchi. That could highlight the legendary mangaka's dissatisfaction with the way the anime handled things, and Orihime's characterization likely played a role in that regard.

The legacy of the character over the years

Adult Orihime illustration made by Kubo (Image via Shueisha).

Orihime is criticized for being one of the few main Bleach characters who doesn't fight, but that is the point of her arc in the sense that she learns she can't be like Ichigo, Rukia, or the others. She wants to be involved in the battle and help, thus becoming a support. It is perfectly exemplified when she and the protagonist go up against Yhwach in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

She serves as an exploration of what happens when a character doesn't have that fighter's instinct in a battle shonen manga, and Kubo constantly emphasizes that, especially during the Arrancar arc. Moreover, she is often criticized for not being able to help Ichigo against Ulquiorra in Hueco Mundo, but that is meant to represent her lowest point as well as the protagonist's, with her even stating that she shouldn't have expected him to save the day on his own, which leads to her growth.

Orihime's development is not measured by how hard she can hit an opponent but rather by growing stronger mentally and spiritually while still being herself. This is something that the anime failed to grasp and is something that the manga nailed, hence why her legacy has improved in recent years.

Final thoughts

Inoue Orihime might be the most divisive character in Bleach, but also one who embodies the story's themes about protection and bonds. Moreover, her role in the series shows how a person can grow stronger without having to fight, which is a rarity in the medium.

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About the author

Kevin is an expert anime writer at Sportskeeda who endeavors to keep readers apprised with the latest news and trends in the genre via his content. The groundbreaking Dragon Ball series captured a young Kevin's imagination, introducing him to the entrancing world of Japanese animation. Since then, he has been a staunch follower of the works of many artists, including Berserk's creator, Kentaro Miura, who he admires greatly for his unparalleled work quality.

With a BA in Public Accounting, Kevin’s dip into the world of content began 7 years ago when he took up writing. Since then, he has written for numerous websites, including Nerdgenic, Stretty News, MusikHolics, and BookNerdection.

He maintains very high ethical standards in his content by placing a strong emphasis on transparency, and obtaining comprehensive information off the web to fully capture nuances.

Kevin has has had the privilege of interviewing several musicians, including metal band Stryper’s Michael Sweet, Bobby Blitz of Overkill, and Saxon’s Biff Byford.

When not immersed in the anime world, Kevin writes comic book scripts and books for his own projects. He also enjoys reading and watching football.

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Edited by Niharika Dabral