Why Rukia is the Main Character

[maximoose666]

Ichigo appears more than Rukia in Bleach; and Rukia hardly appeared at all in series 2 except for the odd moment in her cell. But I think that Rukia is the main character of Bleach; more so than Ichigo. I have three reasons:
1. That Rukia is the person who changed all the other main characters' lives - Ichigo's obviously - Orrihime even says so in ep 59; she also by extension changed Chad's, Ishida's and Inoue's lives; Renji's obviously was transformed by her as we saw in ep 32; Hanatarou neglected his duty as a Shinigami to try and save her; Ukitake and Shunsui risk their positions to save her (although it's not clear how much this is merely for justice's sake - definitely in the case of Ukitake I think it's out of concern for her) and she even had an affect on Kaien's life, killing him as she did. So basically, Rukia changes the life of anyone she comes into contact with. Now that's a main-character-only trait.

2. As Renji puts it (Lunar Sub) "Even in the darkest depths she still sparkled".
Rukia is always the focus of the action whenever she's on screen, except perhaps when she and Ichigo are together in the same scene in which case they get equal weighting. But whenever Rukia appears, even briefly, she becomes the most memorable part of the episode. Who can forget the flashbacks Ichigo has of Rukia saying "let's go, Nii-sama"; or the look on her face? Who can forget the scene with Renji and Rukia in the tower when he first tells her of "a shinigami with orange hair" come to Soul Society - and she looks round, her face 'alive'? Throughout series 2, her importance is simply enhanced by her absence - it makes the few moments we see her all the more special. This is underlined by episode 32, of which Rukia is obviously the hero (it's the one where she and Renji grow up together).

3. Rukia is the person whom everyone else is trying to save. This surely makes her the most important. She's also the person whom the big bad guy is out to kill. The fact that she can't fight at the moment doesn't matter. She is the key to the storyline - she's also by far the most sympathetic female character. Again in Renji's words (DB sub-ep 61) "who could let go of her?".

So basically - it ain't all about Ichigo, it's all about Rukia in my opinion.
What do you all think?

I didn't put this under 'general bleach talk' simply because I haven't read the manga and would rather not have loads of people coming in with spoilers. If someone's already posted this thread, I'm very sorry - I couldn't find one on search though.

[Jedi28]

I think Rukia is the catalyst but Ichigo is still the main character. It's all about him getting his powers, learning them, getting powers, impacting those around him. Rukia is just the catalyst for the main character, not the main character herself. That's my opinion anyway. :)

[ChronoTrigga]

Why can't anyone understand that there could be more than one main character. Remember Final Fantasy 6 anyone?

[Jedi28]

Actually, it's funny in the preview for episode 61 where Aizen starts talking about a dinner showcase and Ichigo bursts in and says, "We aren't doing that! I'm the star here!" Yeah, I know, it's pointless. I just think it's funny. :)

[Graphite X]

Well without rukia, there wouldnt even be a story, like how she met ichigo and turned him into a death god, and then being executed, BUT because of her ichigo had to go save her, therefore introducing another story.

[Z_Blitz]

*Stretches and snaps fingers* Here I go:

I think that Ichigo still remains to be the main character. In response to your 3 reasons I'll answer you with three different points:

1- Changing a person's life isn't a main character thing only. I've seen several other animes with people who do cause a change in everyone they ever come in contact with and they aren't heroes (Think Maya from Tenjou Tenge)... Besides you said it, she is remotely responsible for changing the lives of Ishida, Chad and Inoue... However she is not primarily responsible.

2- Rukia's absence indeed made her popularity points hit sky high, but absence is something that a main character doesn't do... Even if the main character is absent for a few episodes they are usually not as many as those where Rukia wasn't there... The scenes you talked about were all meant to be dramatic and memorable so you can't really help it... Its like the scene where Renji was kneeling down in front of Byakuya and screams "I made a promise with my soul!" I bet you can't forget that either!

3- What you are talking about is the damsel-in-distress cliched plot. Where Rukia holds power enough to change the world and the villain happens to know about it, then because her friends like her so much they come to her rescue... I doubt that is a part a main character does... Usually the main character is the one who does the saving and does not wait to be saved :)

[animalistic]

*Stretches and snaps fingers* Here I go:

I think that Ichigo still remains to be the main character. In response to your 3 reasons I'll answer you with three different points:

1- Changing a person's life isn't a main character thing only. I've seen several other animes with people who do cause a change in everyone they ever come in contact with and they aren't heroes (Think Maya from Tenjou Tenge)... Besides you said it, she is remotely responsible for changing the lives of Ishida, Chad and Inoue... However she is not primarily responsible.

2- Rukia's absence indeed made her popularity points hit sky high, but absence is something that a main character doesn't do... Even if the main character is absent for a few episodes they are usually not as many as those where Rukia wasn't there... The scenes you talked about were all meant to be dramatic and memorable so you can't really help it... Its like the scene where Renji was kneeling down in front of Byakuya and screams "I made a promise with my soul!" I bet you can't forget that either!

3- What you are talking about is the damsel-in-distress cliched plot. Where Rukia holds power enough to change the world and the villain happens to know about it, then because her friends like her so much they come to her rescue... I doubt that is a part a main character does... Usually the main character is the one who does the saving and does not wait to be saved :)
is this guy makin too much sense or wut :p , its pretty obvious that ichigo is the main character, but if it were split up into main male character and main female character them rukia would be the main female obviously

[AltoK]

It's not that simple, everyone has his role to play. We can't say "without him/her, nothing would have been possible".
In that case, Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Yoruichi, Aizen, Urahara, Zangetsu, Ichimaru and NoName would all be main characters.
The story casually focuses on some characters or some others, but IMO, there's no true "main character".

That's quite the same thing as in FF6, as ChronoTrigga said.

[maximoose666]

3- What you are talking about is the damsel-in-distress cliched plot. Where Rukia holds power enough to change the world and the villain happens to know about it, then because her friends like her so much they come to her rescue... I doubt that is a part a main character does... Usually the main character is the one who does the saving and does not wait to be saved
A fair point. But to be honest, there's no reason why Bleach has to fit in with what a main character "usually" does; I thought it was one of the clever things about it that it didn't.
. We can't say "without him/her, nothing would have been possible".
True. But what I'm saying is that it would make the most difference to the storyline if you changed Rukia for another character; Ichigo's loss, perhaps, would make a lot of difference also, so I'm simply going to have to say that personally I think the story would be more changed without Rukia - I know mot people will disagree and I don't blame them for it.

But I still think she's the main character.
absence is something that a main character doesn't do
Ichigo Eps 41-50ish; he appears little more than Rukia did in her tower while he's training his Bankai.
Even if the main character is absent for a few episodes they are usually not as many as those where Rukia wasn't there
Well, that's true - but even you say 'usually'. That's not really an argument against her being the main character, as you say yourself that
Rukia's absence indeed made her popularity points hit sky high
Isn't it just a clever device - the fact that she's not on for long makes the moments she is on all the more important. Bringing me on to:
The scenes you talked about were all meant to be dramatic and memorable so you can't really help it
Exactly. Rukia is alotted a huge amount of dramatic and memorable scenes - her appearances in series 2 are nearly all such. Now in series 3, she appears both in her own rescue scene - along with Ichigo - and in ep 61 with Renji and Ichigo against Aizen. If I were to go to extreme lengths of technicality, I'd say she spent more time with Renji and Aizen in that scene than Ichigo did - thus giving her more screen time overall. But even ignoring that, it's true to say that the many of most memorable scenes of Bleach (there are others; yours with Renji is one example; Hinamori's with Aizen (both) another) are between Rukia and Ichigo - or between Rukia and someone else.
Ichigo gets memorable fight scenes on his own, but that's more dictated by the storyline and genre of the anime than his actual character. We rarely see him relating to other characters (with the exception of Chad) in an unforgettable way.
Rukia, on the other hand, is memorable when alone in the tower, when talking in a flashback to Hanatarou, in the episode with Kaien, in ep32 with Renji as I've already mentioned, when she calmly prepares to accept her fate in the face of death - and in practically all her other appearances; as well as her brilliant 'on screen chemistry' with Ichigo.
So if instead of measuing raw minutes spent on screen, you count the amount of important or powerful scenes - then Rukia emerges ahead of Ichigo.

But of course, I still agree that Ichigo is the main male character.

[Dounick]

i myseld wouldnt think of rukia as the main character until she is more in the anime then the others

[Kyouka Suigetsu]

Rukia is far too weak to be the main character of the show. Animes of this type always have a powerful induvidual with fearsome potential as the star of the show. Plus, who'd want to watch anything with a pathetic main character? You want to see that person kicking ass and taking names. Rukia is good at getting her ass handed to her though.

[maximoose666]

Rukia is far too weak to be the main character of the show
I haven't read the manga. However, acording to my friend who has,
later on she's actually really powerful and I think has a bankai as well.
edit: apparently no Bankai...
The reason she's not powerful atm anyway is because she's in a weird Gigai made by Urahara that saps her powers; and she's been in a tower made of lethality stone.
Plus, who'd want to watch anything with a pathetic main character?
Everyone who watched Narnia...apparently.
But I agree with you on that one. However, Rukia isn't pathetic. She's strong. Orihime is a weak female character in this - compare Rukia's strength to hers. Rukia is strong as an individual atm, although her combat strength is momentarily diminished. To see her being strong generally, watch ep 32 (where she and Renji are kids).
Animes of this type always have a powerful induvidual with fearsome potential as the star of the show.
What, you mean anime in the Shonen style?
Did someone say Pokemon?
Just be careful when making blanket assertions.
Anyone else who thinks Rukia isn't the main character please read my posts on page one - this one has simply been devoted to refuting the argument that Rukia is 'pathetic'. Shame.

[Jedi28]

I haven't read the manga. However, acording to my friend who has,
later on she's actually really powerful and I think has a bankai as well.
The reason she's not powerful atm anyway is because she's in a weird Gigai made by Urahara that saps her powers; and she's been in a tower made of lethality stone.

Everyone who watched Narnia...apparently.
But I agree with you on that one. However, Rukia isn't pathetic. She's strong. Orihime is a weak female character in this - compare Rukia's strength to hers. Rukia is strong as an individual atm, although her combat strength is momentarily diminished. To see her being strong generally, watch ep 32 (where she and Renji are kids).

What, you mean anime in the Shonen style?
Did someone say Pokemon?
Just be careful when making blanket assertions.
Anyone else who thinks Rukia isn't the main character please read my posts on page one - this one has simply been devoted to refuting the argument that Rukia is 'pathetic'. Shame.

She doesn't have a Bankai that we've seen yet. She does have a shikai that's pretty powerful but immediately after using it (and destroying one reportedly weak bad guy) she gets REALLY owned.

[maximoose666]

@Jedi28 Ok, but still - good at getting her ass handed to her
doesn't quite fit the bill. She's obviously got mega spirit power anyway - compared to Renji at least - look at when she was a kid.
Back on topic, I said earlier that Rukia only indirectly changed the lives of Inoue, Chad and Ishida. Actually, I think the effect on Ishida is pretty direct - he's independent-minded, and certainly doesn't decide to go loking for her to please Ichigo - another example of Rukia's amazing effect on people.

[Jedi28]

Well, Rukia gets beat by the Hollow in the first episode, then by that parakeet chasing hollow, then grandfisher knocks her around a bit, then Renji knocks her around, then an Arrancar stabs her through the stomach...am I forgetting any? I might be. She might have strong spirit power but she does get beat a lot. Not quite as badly as Renji though. :) Comparing her to Renji is iffy, he's lost EVERY fight he's been in.

She does have impacts on other people's lives but I don't think that means she's the main character. The death of Luke Skywalker's aunt and uncle directly caused him to leave with Obi-Wan (he wasn't going to otherwise) but it doesn't mean they were the main characters.
Peter Parker is bitten by a spider that gives him superpowers and it completely changes his life but it doesn't mean the spider is the main character.
There are other examples but I can't think of them right now. I don't think a character is a main character just because they have influence on another character. I think that makes the definition to broad because every character, good and bad, influences someone else in some way. Otherwise, why are they in the show? It doesn't make them main characters though. Personally, I would agree that a main character list for Bleach would include Rukia but I don't think it would be limited to her. As a matter of fact, I heard a rumor that in Japan Renji is the favorite character that everyone wants to see. :)

[koreasamurai]

Why can't anyone understand that there could be more than one main character. Remember Final Fantasy 6 anyone?


i no! i think the teachers in elementary school force ppl to think that there can b only one main character when there can b more than one or 2 or heck even 7

[Amu]

Z_blitz you are trying too hard! Ichigo IS the main character and this thread has become pointless

[ponsy]

Well without rukia, there wouldnt even be a story, like how she met ichigo and turned him into a death god, and then being executed, BUT because of her ichigo had to go save her, therefore introducing another story.

I would counter that with: Without Ichigo there wouldn't be a story either. So there.

And besides, the story focuses about Ichigo's growth as a Shinigami. Where the story begins is a huge indication of who the story will mainly focus on. The starts with Ichigo gaining Shinigami powers for the first time. Think of it as a thesis statement. The story starts off with him getting powers, the story will go on fucusing on him improving and growing on thoes powers. Rukia is definitely A main character, but not THE main character.

But like someone pointed out, a story IS allowed to have multiple main characters afterall.

[thepolia]

I would counter that with: Without Ichigo there wouldn't be a story either. So there.

And besides, the story focuses about Ichigo's growth as a Shinigami. Where the story begins is a huge indication of who the story will mainly focus on. The starts with Ichigo gaining Shinigami powers for the first time. Think of it as a thesis statement. The story starts off with him getting powers, the story will go on fucusing on him improving and growing on thoes powers. Rukia is definitely A main character, but not THE main character.

But like someone pointed out, a story IS allowed to have multiple main characters afterall.

Exactly.

And about Rukia's scenes being the most memorable parts in Bleach---I can't agree with that one. It's true that Rukia's scenes are quite dramatic but you can't say they're THE most memorable scenes. It works differently for different people (eg. for me the scenes with Hitsugaya are the most memorable) Just because you find them the best scenes doesn't mean that everyone does.

[DeaTH_TroT]

Yeap i totally agreed to that. If this is referring that Rukia is a lead character, or the female main character, or one of the main leads, that i will agreed with you. But if this post is referring that the whole manga is all about Rukia, the only lead in this, her story, her influence as a whole to the extent that the rest are just the supporting cast, its totally absurd. I believe that anyone who watches Bleach shld know that they cannot disregard Ichigo as one of the most important characters.
If u were arguing abt Ichigo being the only main one, i think that's more relevant. But even so, I do not think he is THE main character too.
Bleach has got a few of these main characters, just like in most manga.
e.g. Naruto has got Naruto himself, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi.

[maximoose666]

It's true that Rukia's scenes are quite dramatic but you can't say they're THE most memorable scenes. It works differently for different people (eg. for me the scenes with Hitsugaya are the most memorable) Just because you find them the best scenes doesn't mean that everyone does.
Fair enough, I suppose - I was using that against Z Blitz who admitted they were memorable.
no! i think the teachers in elementary school force ppl to think that there can b only one main character when there can b more than one or 2 or heck even 7
Hmmm. You guys have half convinced me.
But from the way Rukia lights up the screen every time she steps on to it; I can't help thinking of her on an equal level to Ichigo.

[Kodoku]

There is a differance between main character and most important one. Ichigo is undoubtedly the main character, the story is about him. However Rukia is more important to the storyline.

Please dont look down on this but ahem... In the dreaded LoTR *shivers* Sauron is the most important character, even though he doesnt really appear in the story. Cant beleive i mentioned that. Sorry.

[maximoose666]

In the dreaded LoTR *shivers* Sauron is the most important character,
By that chain of thought I'd say the ring is the most important 'character', and it appears quite a lot.

[asukasun]

no Rukia isn´t the main character ... it´s Ichigo!!! She influence him but that´s all. Ichigos power is much diffrent from Rukia. There is his Hollow and that isn´t from Rukia! I think even if Rukia didn´t appear Ichigo would have been someday a Shinigami (may be it was a plan of urahara that both meet each other? Who know? Because he knew that she has Hyou Gyoku). But Rukia isn´t the main character!!!! The whole manga is exactly about Ichigo! If you look back all characters got a past story and so also Rukia and that´s normal.

[rukiafan]

i actually agree with the "rukia being the main character" here...but I also think that Ichigo is also a main character. And yes, there can be more than one main character in stories...some stories aren't successful when using this technique, but others (i.e. bleach - well, in my opinion there's more than one main character anywayz) do absolutely well.

[T_Ichigo]

Rukia is not the main character ? maybe the 2nd bit Ichigo is the main ..

[gessie]

I really couldn't care less about main characters, i do know that i liked rukia alot more than ichigo though...

[Neve]

In support of the argument of Rukia being the main character, we are nearly always introduced to the main character first are we not? Rukia is the very first character we see in eposide 1.

[Raku]

In support of the argument of Rukia being the main character, we are nearly always introduced to the main character first are we not? Rukia is the very first character we see in eposide 1.

>.> You see her real quick .. that's all

Ichigo is the main char - You get personal information like you do on evry main char and meet his family - We dont even know Rukia's exact age (if I remembe right)

[Neve]

But couldn't that fleeting glimpse we are given of her be the intention of the people who made bleach to present her as the main character? I can't see much other reason for presenting her so quickly at the beginning of the story.

[Jedi28]

In the opening scene of Star Wars we are introduced to random Rebel officers first or perhaps it was the droids. Does that make them the main characters?

In Lord of the Rings the first character we are introduced to visually is Elrond (whom we just see a fleeting glimpse of) yet he's not the main character.

Main characters usually show change and development in a series. It's part of the reason we watch them. Rukia has shown no change. She is who she is and has always been. Ichigo, on the other hand, has shown dramatic change and growth. So has Ishida, Chad, and Orihame.

[General Cox]

nah, they are both main characters, but ichigo is more so as it mostly follows him around, i suppose you could argue they have done that with rukia, but the main character is the one in which most of the anime is based on whihc is ichigo.

sorry mate, id love rukia to be the centre of the bleach universe, but she aint :( she is the second main character though :)

[demonbane91]

I personally think that Rukia is not the main character. It's not that there is a main character in Bleach. The story just focuses on various characters, so its more like a shared role, rather than one person being the main character. Just saying, I suppose there are no main characters but it only seems that Rukia MAY be the main character is because of the ever popular 'If Rukia hadn't showed up, nothing would have happened.' Who knows? Maybe the creator of Bleach suddenly decided not to make..let's say..Hinamori show up and instead swapped with Rukia? It could have been Hinamori (let's just say..) that passed her powers to Ichigo. *shrugs* Oh, well. I'm just saying. Don't take anything personal... hehe

[Bleach(ed)]

i will say ichigo is the main character in bleach because from day 1 of the anime it has been focused mostly on him and him alone

[choujiwong]

Ichigo would certainly be the main character of this whole series of anime. Just think, the whole anime just focuses on him alone and of course with Rukia-chan as the support character, the anime now becomes a great one. Rukia-chan is just a support character, not really the main character. In short, the strawberry is still the star of the show.

[Evenstar]

I perhaps agree with those people who said that Ichigo IS the main character of the story...Just think about it, the whole anime is named after him (his unique hair somewhat resembles bleached hair, isn't it? And, well, indirect as it may have been, Ichigo said so himself that with that hair color, he stand out most of the time, and he can't help it, practically because it was his natural hair color) But enough about hairs...the point is, the whole story of Bleach won't unfold if it weren't for Ichigo...it revolves around him actually...him becoming a shinigami...him obtaining unexpected powers...him defeating unsurmountable enemies...Rukia won't be able to match that, I suppose...she's merely a supporting character...besides, based from some book that I read not so long ago (a book that contains facts about the Harry Potter books), a hero is "someone who is hurled out from the natural world and is dragged into a new perspective with or without meaning to", direct or indirectly stated/manifested. It also speaks of someone "who practically does not intend to be a hero, but agrees so in the end because of several factors that clearly tells him that if not for him, there is no one who can actually do it". It also tells us that being a main character who wields extraordinary powers, he is also someone "who does not succumb to greed; no matter how much power he has, he will never turn over that kind of power to take control". All of these facts refers strongly to Ichigo because, surely enough, he was called to become a Shinigami without a choice to even decline the offer and was even introduced to Soul Society without meaning to....he knew of his "powers" but he does not entertain it and does not use it for the sake of winning his battles (if you do read the manga, you'll get what I mean about Ichigo's ability and nature)....he was even branded as the strongest ryoka that ever graced Soul Society for heaven's sake! If he isn't the main character, I doubt anyone would be able to fill in the role (and seriously, I'm not convinced it'll be Rukia even if her powers are yet to be revealed...)

[maximoose666]

i will say ichigo is the main character in bleach because from day 1 of the anime it has been focused mostly on him and him alone
That's just a question of perspective. I argued earlier that as the moments when Rukia did appear in series 2 were so important/memorable, the focus was in fact on her.

based from some book that I read not so long ago (a book that contains facts about the Harry Potter books), a hero I take it this wasn't a Japanese book. Their culture is completely different to ours. Your (or this book's) way of talking about a 'hero' simply refers to the stereotypical and to my mind largely unsympathetic hero of western thriller novels and blockbuster films.
The unwilling hero... what a cliche.
Ichigo accepts shinigami powers very readily in episode one.
But supposing that this book applied to Bleach -
you may notice that Rukia also
does not succumb to greed
or at least you will if you've seen her giving away her sweets in episode 32.
She also saves Renji and friends at the beginning of the episode.
She save's Ichigo's family by giving him her powers.
I'd call that pretty heroic, wouldn't you?
f you do read the manga, you'll get what I mean about Ichigo's ability and nature)....he was even branded as the strongest ryoka that ever graced Soul Society for heaven's sake!
I don't read the manga - but I believe that's an incorrect branding, as Ichigo isn't a Ryoka like Orrihime or Chad but a Shinigami.
I doubt anyone would be able to fill in the role
No one would. But just because Ichigo is stronger than Rukia, it doesn't make him more imortant than her. As has already been discussed here, no-one would be able to fill Rukia's role either.

[Evenstar]

I take it this wasn't a Japanese book. Their culture is completely different to ours. Your (or this book's) way of talking about a 'hero' simply refers to the stereotypical and to my mind largely unsympathetic hero of western thriller novels and blockbuster films.
Ichigo accepts shinigami powers very readily in episode one.
But supposing that this book applied to Bleach -
you may notice that Rukia also

Oh, did he? He did it because obviously he had no other option left....he never knew that his reply would trigger the start of him becoming a shinigami nor was he "ready" to fill in the role...he even declined accepting the responsibility after that incident, why? Because mainly he wasn't accustomed to it...he was an unwiling hero....if he readily accepted Rukia's offer, then why did he have second thoughts on saving the souls that are stranger to him? It may be stereotypical, but it just shows how practical yet courageous he is...He never wanted to deal with other people's affairs, but he also knew he can't help himself into not barging into them if they're right there dying in front of him...

or at least you will if you've seen her giving away her sweets in episode 32.
She also saves Renji and friends at the beginning of the episode.
She save's Ichigo's family by giving him her powers.
I'd call that pretty heroic, wouldn't you?

I'm not talking about sweets or anything...what I meant was he did not gave into greed when he knew of his hollow-ish powers....hell, he didn't even agree on the hollow's intentions of taking over his body to defeat Byakuya...so you say Rukia saved his family....big deal....all the more to brand her as a supporting character rather than the main because he was destined to discover his power anyway by Rukia doing what she did! Can't you see that it was for this reason that Ichigo was terribly indebted to Rukia and so he strived harder to wield his extraordinary powers to save Rukia when she was about to be executed in Soul Society? Besides, as I've read from someone who post here, the main character should show at least a development in character whether in his abilities or his personality...Ichigo obviously changed a lot after meeting Rukia and having shinigami powers...

I don't read the manga - but I believe that's an incorrect branding, as Ichigo isn't a Ryoka like Orrihime or Chad but a Shinigami.

Pal, Ryoka literally means an outsider...no one except the 5 of them --Inoue, Ganju, Chad, Ishida and Ichigo was able to penetrate into the Court of Pure Souls....it's not incorrect, it's a FACT.

No one would. But just because Ichigo is stronger than Rukia, it doesn't make him more important than her. As has already been discussed here, no-one would be able to fill Rukia's role either.

It's more like you're insinuating...what would be the sense of the show if Ichigo would share the same importance as Rukia? And, what was Rukia's role anyway? He introduced the whole shinigami concept to Ichigo....big deal...but didn't it ever occur to you that, he would have known anyway because of his strong spiritual power as a human? And then you say that no one could fill Rukia's role...sure....but did you not consider the possibility that there might be other shinigamis who may, in one way or another discover Ichigo's ability and wield it themselves (let's say for example, Urahara?) Yes, Rukia's absence in the story would adamantly spoil the story, but it doesn't mean that there's no one who could actually do what she did because she was the first and she did make a lasting impression on the plot line.

[kraziekid]

Rukia Is The Main Character???

[xekuhz]

i think they are on the same level. kaz rukia is kinda like the heroine and ichigo is the hero. kaz you can't have bleach w/o ichigo and yo can't have bleach w/o rukia. i guess they kind of complete the story together. so i think they are equally important

[Abarai Renji]

considering ichigo is in every episode, the guy who does the prolouge for the show, he is definatly the main character, also he is strongest of his friends and such. the most memerable moments of rukia to me are when she thinks of orange juice as a difficult drink, and when ichigo throws her off the wooden stand were she was supposed to die. you know how rukia always mentioned ichigo to hanataru, another example of how he is the main character.

[Maki Maki]

I agree with the idea that Rukia is the main female character and Ichigo is the main male character, insomuch as their affect on the story. I can't imagine anyone other than Rukia, that Ichigo would go through the immense trouble for. He not only became a captain level shinigami but achieved bankai in less than 3 days, no small feat. Yes you could make the point Ichigo didn't have much choice in ep 1 because he wanted to save his family. He could have just walked away in ep 2 after his family was safe, but his heart is just too good. He even admitted later on to Renji that Rukia changed his destiny and he was thankful for that. So when Ichigo had the opportunity to "walk away" he chose to stay and fight.

I would dare to say Rukia is not only the main female character she is "the prize" and not because of the implications of this "houkyoku" crumbling treasure thing. Why would three of the main male characters (Byakuya, Ichigo and Renji) risk thier lives for her, are we missing something they aren't?

What if Rukia were different, what if she was a shallow, selfish worthless tart of a person with little to no redeeming attributes. Would is seem feasible for these characters to put everything they have on the line to protect her? Rukia is important not just because of who she is or even what her contribution is to the story but how she relates to the other characters, especially the 3 I just mentioned. She is honorable, more concerned with the welfare of others than herself, and possesses an inner strength that accentuates her femininity.

I applaud Kubotite for creating Rukia, she is truly awesome!

[Islaya]

considering ichigo is in every episode, the guy who does the prolouge for the show, he is definatly the main character

The show revolves around Rukia though. There would be no show if Rukia never gave her Shinigami powers to Ichigo. Also, Rukia is the one driving the story right now, she is the focus of everyones attention, which theoreitcally makes her the main character in the show over Ichigo.

[SLVR]

Ichigo is the main character since he is in everything.

[Abarai Renji]

Ichigo is the main character since he is in everything.

so what your saying is if you watch a episode of cops and they have a hostage the cops are minor characters and the hostage is the main character?

[Sunfire249]

Yeah, there are many good points where alot of the eps revolve around Rukia, but many eps revolve around ichigo's development and stuff. I think that Their both just main hero and main heroine.

[princess_rukia]

Rukia and Ichigo are the main characters. Bleach cannot happen without either of them.
Rukia is the main female character though, she rocks!

[iQing]

Rukia and Ichigo are the main couple in Bleach.
Period

[SumDumGai]

I didn't read every single post in this thread, but I believe that it is a fact that it's simply like this: Ichigo is the main male role, and Rukia is the main female role. If you were to pick who is more of the main character out of the two, you would have to lean towards Ichigo, but I do think in the Japanese point of view the genders are seperated more so that this is true.

[AznPoi]

I think we want to see more of Inoue than Rukia. IMO

[Rokusaburo]

I think we want to see more of Inoue than Rukia. IMO


I think not >_>

[Cassie]

at least Rukia can fight lol, Inoue is just a burden. Plus she's a bit over the top with the voice.

[HitsuOri]

Rukia and Ichigo are the main characters. Bleach cannot happen without either of them.
Rukia is the main female character though, she rocks!

So, since she is the main character.....what do you know about her after Soul Society arc??

In my opinion.......she's just two dimensional character as Yumichika or Chad. And Chad is just that bad. There was no longer anything about her that is so interesting.

If she serves only as Ichigo's potential mate.....then I am very sorry for Ichigo.....NOT!!!!

She is so boring.......:whatevah:

Give me Matsumoto, Hitsugaya and Orihime anytime:biggrinlo They made Bleach so entertaining.

And Hitsugaya is certainly much good looking and funnier compared to Rukia.
I just love Hitsugaya!!!!! And Matsumoto!!!!

[HitsuOri]

I personally think that Rukia is not the main character. It's not that there is a main character in Bleach. The story just focuses on various characters, so its more like a shared role, rather than one person being the main character. Just saying, I suppose there are no main characters but it only seems that Rukia MAY be the main character is because of the ever popular 'If Rukia hadn't showed up, nothing would have happened.' Who knows? Maybe the creator of Bleach suddenly decided not to make..let's say..Hinamori show up and instead swapped with Rukia? It could have been Hinamori (let's just say..) that passed her powers to Ichigo. *shrugs* Oh, well. I'm just saying. Don't take anything personal... hehe

I would have liked Renji. Imagine....all the time Renji would be complaining and whinning to Ichigo.

Renji:: "You know, it's because of you I lost my powers. Now shut up and fight in my place for me."

Ichigo:: -_-;;; I really don't want this power anymore, even if my 100 Orihimes were in trouble.

[littie_sta]

I would have liked Renji. Imagine....all the time Renji would be complaining and whinning to Ichigo.

Renji:: "You know, it's because of you I lost my powers. Now shut up and fight in my place for me."

Ichigo:: -_-;;; I really don't want this power anymore, even if my 100 Orihimes were in trouble.

Indeed it would be very funny. And that would make a very much better yaoi manga/anime than the one with Rukia in it. Imagine IchigoxRenji making it out. *Squealed* Watched too much of yaoi animes.

[RukiaYuza]

Hello! :)
I do not go for the male and male couple stories. I would not want Ichigo with any of the guys. That is just me.
Now as to Rukia and why she is an important character. She is character that brings a lot of characters together. She brought Ichigo into the world of being a Shinigami. She had the connection that she has with Renji and Byakuya. It is mainly because of her that Renji wanted to become stronger to take on Byakuya. Then it is because of Rukia that we finally see the real Byakuya. Throughout the story we are led to believe that he is a unfeeling person but then he saves Rukia and tells about her sister that he married. Byakuya risked his family's honor to bring Rukia into the family.
I am not sure what Rukia is doing in the current manga. I have tried to stay away from as much as I can so not to spoil myself. However I have been looking at a few chapters because I want the manga back in the anime. Anyway I feel that Rukia is still going to be character that brings people together in some fashion. I am sure that her story and Renji's is not finished or her story with Byakuya's story.
I don't know who Ichigo will end up with in the end but no matter what Ichigo will care about Rukia. She gave him the power to become a Shinigami and he will never forget that. Their lives are connected.
Rukia does have character. She is a spirited person who can face even death calmly. She does not want people to die for her and has a hard time letting others help her. She can be funny. In a fight she is not afraid to face the enemy. Her affection for Chappy the Bunny makes her like anyone who has a favorite thing. In short there are many different sides to Rukia.
I do not know what exactly Kubo Tite has in store for her but it will more than likely be major. She is the one that Aizen wanted at first who knows if he will want her for another purpose later.

[HitsuOri]

I asked AFTER SOUL SOCIETY arc.....what do you know about Rukia??

Practically nothing. Everything you said about Rukia is only in the Soul Society where she just sits and do nothing but mourns and maybe tells Ichigo to go away and save himself because he can't beat up any shinigami.

And if really Rukia were that useful in the later chapters, to Aizen.......he wouldn't be that stupid (I doubt he is, because he is one of my favourite characters), he wouldn't have asked Gin to kill her. As if her blood was not worth being killed by his hands.

[Riyu]

amen to that.

i think rukia is becoming a sec. char. in this chapter. maybe cuz it's a filler, and when bleach returns to the main storyline, rukia goes back in a main char. role. IMO

[Zanga]

Honestly, I think Rukia is nothing more than a plot device. She was an excuse for Ichigo to go to SS get all Uber and come back for the real bleach (after fillers IMO)...tats just me.

Also, people who call Inoue a burden, and totally useless. Well in the manga, after Rukia proves to be 'just as useless Inoue', itz Orihime who saves her ass :rolleyes:

[ChansteR]

sigh, i think all the people who think the main women of bleach are kinda gay lol...

BUT, Rukia did save Ichigo, even though u may call her a plot device, if it wasnt for her, Ichigo wouldnt have gone to soul society period and he wouldnt have met all them soul society people AND we would have never met Urahara or Yoruichi or even Kon

[Zanga]

if it wasnt for her, Ichigo wouldnt have gone to soul society period and he wouldnt have met all them soul society people AND we would have never met Urahara or Yoruichi or even Kon

I repeat ....plot device...

Why I think this is...well..in the manga when it's actually her time to own some ass, she well gets...rather GJmed let's say >.>

[kebinxp]

ichigo is the main char. i mean, he was the first one to be introduced lol
rukia is second main

[HitsuOri]

sigh, i think all the people who think the main women of bleach are kinda gay lol...

BUT, Rukia did save Ichigo, even though u may call her a plot device, if it wasnt for her, Ichigo wouldnt have gone to soul society period and he wouldnt have met all them soul society people AND we would have never met Urahara or Yoruichi or even Kon

She could be replaceable by Renji. What is the difference between she and Renji, if all the reason Ichigo goes to Soul Society is just to repay debt??

But I would prefer Renji....his chemistry with Ichigo is so wicked:redbiggri . Imagine Renji the damsel/knight in distress, when he's about to be excecuted.

Renji:: OY!! BECAUSE OF YOU @#$^@%$&# I AM LIKE THAT, YOU&%*#^%*#

Ichigo: SHUT UP YOU@#%#%#^#@ I COME TO SAVE YOU UNGRATEFUL^*^#*%# Now get lost while I try to kill off the intention to excecute you. (*gives a kick on Renji's butt and send him flying away, before starting a fight with Byakuya*).

Now I fall in love with RenjixIchigo. Reminds me of another yaoi pairing that I liked........Goyjo and Sanzo (Saiyuki).

[littie_sta]

She could be replaceable by Renji. What is the difference between she and Renji, if all the reason Ichigo goes to Soul Society is just to repay debt??
But I would prefer Renji....his chemistry with Ichigo is so wicked:redbiggri . Imagine Renji the damsel/knight in distress, when he's about to be excecuted.
Renji:: OY!! BECAUSE OF YOU @#$^@%$&# I AM LIKE THAT, YOU&%*#^%*#
Ichigo: SHUT UP YOU@#%#%#^#@ I COME TO SAVE YOU UNGRATEFUL^*^#*%# Now get lost while I try to kill off the intention to excecute you. (*gives a kick on Renji's butt and send him flying away, before starting a fight with Byakuya*).
Now I fall in love with RenjixIchigo. Reminds me of another yaoi pairing that I liked........Goyjo and Sanzo (Saiyuki).

lol.........no offense to IchigoRukia fans, but I really like to see Kubo Tite doing that on Renji. Ichigo kicking a*s is funny.

[grimm_fans]

rukia is like the heroine not the main

[nyuu_chan]

just because rukia triggered the story, that doesn't necesarily make her the main character. she's definitely important, but ichigo is the main character. rukia may trigger the story, but there would be nothing for her to trigger if ichigo didn't exist in the first place. (i hope that made sense :P)

[littie_sta]

just because rukia triggered the story, that doesn't necesarily make her the main character. she's definitely important, but ichigo is the main character. rukia may trigger the story, but there would be nothing for her to trigger if ichigo didn't exist in the first place. (i hope that made sense :P)

Agreed, agreed! Without Rukia, we don't even know what is a shinigami/quincy. She only serves as a teacher and narrator only. And then in Soul Society, all she does is to wait at that tall tower. She wasn't very much active.

[Fariswheel]

As much as I like Rukia, she is not the main character.

If you read the Power of the Myth ( I think thats the name), you can see that the role of rukia is that of a companion and later a damsel in distress.

[Lovekiller93]

Rukia is more of the second main character.. Ichigo is the main.. I think many has already established that fact, but anyways... The main character doesn't necessarily have to be strong/ strongest in the story.

[Undying]

Actually, they do... the main character always has tremendous power/special ability that no one else has. Rukia... is just Rukia.

Now, I heard a lot of people state that Rukia is the main character because a lot of episodes revolve around her. But, if a main character is defined by the episde, then Ganju, Kaien, Ishida, Inoue, Kukkaku, Ikkaku, Byakuya and so on are all mian characters, since each of them has a few episodes focusing on him/her. Yay, Bleach is filled with main characters. The series revolve around Ichigo, and the main character is the character that the series revolve around, not a couple of episodes.

Furthermore, I also noticed that some people are convinced that since "without Rukia there wouldn't be Bleach, since she triggered the story", well, to that I answer, 1. if there wasn't Ichigo, there wouldn't be Bleach either, and 2. who says that it had to be Rukia who triggers the story? It could have been Renji, Shuuhei, Byakuya, whoever they'd choose to send. I agree this wouldn't be the same Bleach we are watching now, but the same applies to many characters. For example, if Inoue wasn't there, it wouldn't be Bleach either. The same applies to Chad, Byakuya, Inoue... they all have a role to play. Just because the existance of one character would change the story, doesn't mean that character is the main one, or else every character in Bleach (or nearly enough) is the main one.

In addition, there was also the reason that the scenes with Rukia were memorable and touching. That already is a matter of perspective, since I personally disliked those scenes. Most of them portrayed her as a weak willed, febble person. Are those memorable? No.

And I will say for the last time, a main character is the character around whom the series revolve. I am sorry to dissapoint all of you, but the series revolve entirely around Ichigo, his growth and his power. Rukia is simply a supporting pillar to him, to allow him more gorwth and development. So are Chad, Ishida, Inoue, Byakuya, Kenpachi...

[Vampyrelord]

Well, although I think Ichigo is the main character, simply because he gets the most screentime and it's his progress we follow, not Rukia's, I think she would be a better main character myself, she's much more deep...

[hamano_amon]

i prefer to take her as a clue of the whole story rather than another main character.
i presume the auther himself like her not just a little,(as well as orihime)so she is arranged to play a important role in ichigo's and others' life ,and it seems that he 'd like to make a love trangle among ichigo , orihime and rukia...= =~~~~~~~u c...after all...rukia is the one girl who changed ichigo's whole life...and that's no wonder ichigo care more about her...moreover it's in a shounen manga...= =~~~~~~~~

[Neve]

As a character, I prefer Rukia to Ichigo. However, while it is Rukia that gives the story purpose, I still feel Ichigo is the main character, because it is he who the story follows, and the fact that he is the main character is highlighted by the profile we get of him at the end of episode 1.

[Lenne]

a story doesnt have to just have one main character. in many stories there are the main male and main female, there's the villain and then there are major characters. i dont think rukia's anymore main than ichigo, and vice versa. all characters seem pretty vital to the storyline.