While Bleach is well known for its sensational fights and intimidating characters, that certainly does not mean the series has no wholesome or kind characters. There are many characters that could be considered as such, but arguably one of the kindest characters in the series is the Shun Shun Rikka user Orihime Inoue.
Being compassionate and occasionally air-headed in nature, it may seem that Orihime may not have the most essential or wisest words to impart to inquiring ears. However, what she lacks in wisdom she more than makes up for in terms of empathy and kindness, as shown by Orihime's many memorable quotes from the Bleach anime.
8 "I... wanted you to hear... all the fun things that happened at school. The things I like. The people I like. In the beginning, all I did was pray every day... but I thought that that wasn't good."
Behind her cheery disposition, Orihime hides a surprisingly dark past full of abuse and loneliness. After her older brother Sora rescued her from their abusive parents, he cared for Orihime as her guardian until he was killed in a car accident nine years later, resulting in Orihime taking up prayer for a time.
Upon being attacked by her now-Hollowfied brother, Sora expressed extreme jealousy toward Ichigo and Tatsuki for seemingly replacing him in Orihime's heart before declaring that Orihime belongs to him. However, after taking one of Sora's ferocious attacks, Orihime explained the real reason why she kept talking about Ichigo and Tatsuki: because she wanted to show her brother that she was happy.
7 "I will not forgive those who hurt Tatsuki!"
As pacifistic as she may be, Orihime has shown time and time again that she is willing to risk her well-being in order to protect her friends and loved ones. The best example of that can be seen during the attack of Numb Chandelier, who had previously used her Bulb Scatter to possess Orihime's best friend Tatsuki's body.
After being attacked by a possessed Tatsuki, Orihime recalls the times in which Tatsuki protected her before resolving to return the favor. It was at that moment that Orihime activated her Shun Shun Rikka abilities before confronting Numb Chandelier, resulting in Orihime's very first victory against a Hollow.
6 "There's nothing 'mere' about it. She means a lot to Kurosaki-kun. That's because Rukia changed Kurosaki-kun's whole world."
Since the appearance of Rukia Kuchiki in his life, Orihime has noticed the strong bond between Ichigo and Rukia, resulting in Orihime becoming one of the few non-spiritual entities to be able to see Ichigo as a Soul Reaper. Upon Rukia's subsequent capture, Orihime was one of the first people to ask Ichigo what he would do in response.
Orihime would later explain Ichigo's reasoning to the Eleventh Squad member Makizo Aramaki when their group headed for the Sokyoku, where Ichigo was fighting Byakuya at the time. Though Makizo remarked that rescuing Rukia simply because she was the group's friend was a flimsy reason, Orihime countered by saying Rukia had changed Ichigo's world, and he regarded her as someone dear to him.
5 "I'd live five different times with five different occupations... and then, for those five times... I'd fall in love with the same person..."
On the topic of Ichigo, it is common knowledge that Orihime holds strong romantic feelings toward Ichigo and is quite sensitive to his changes in disposition. These feelings are what ultimately drove Orihime to say goodbye to Ichigo when she was forced to leave for Hueco Mundo in the Arrancar arc.
Upon arriving in Ichigo's room, Orihime wastes no time confessing her feelings to a sleeping Ichigo, even trying to kiss him. Ultimately, she instead settles on telling Ichigo that she would love to fall for him five times over, before thanking him for everything he has done for her.
4 "I've figured out what it is I have to do here. It's something only I can do. The phenomenon I have to destroy is the Hogyoku!"
Although Orihime was spirited away to Hueco Mundo, to say that she was completely helpless would be denying her credit where credit is due. In particular, it was during her second meeting with Aizen that Orihime found a sense of purpose during her captivity in Las Noches.
After Aizen showed her the Hogyoku as a sign of his trust in her, Orihime takes it upon herself in order to erase the Hogyoku with her powers. Although her plan is surprisingly cunning, especially when taking her personality into account, the subsequent defeats of her friends dampen Orihime's resolve, leaving her unable to carry it out.
3 "Don't die, Kurosaki-kun! You don't have to win. You don't have to try. Just don't get hurt anymore"
The climactic battle between Ichigo and Grimmjow during the Hueco Mundo arc proved to be physically taxing on Ichigo and emotionally taxing on Orihime. The fight also marked the first time Orihime had seen Ichigo wearing his Hollow mask, which frightened her due to the resemblance of that of her Hollowfied brother.
At first, an apprehensive Orihime could only watch as Ichigo began to lose ground against Grimmjow, sustaining grievous injuries. But with some encouragement from Nel Tu, Orihime could cry out for Ichigo not to die and get hurt anymore, which renewed Ichigo's spirit and allowed him to defeat Grimmjow finally.
2 "I was just thinking how nice it is that you're getting along so well with Kurosaki-kun lately!"
Much like she has with Ichigo and Rukia, Orihime has shown herself to be very attentive to the bonds between her other friends, especially if said friends have conflicting personalities. This naturally extends to the bond between Ichigo and Uryu, which has noticeably gotten less volatile throughout the series.
Upon mentioning how friendly Uryu has gotten with Ichigo lately, however, Uryu gets flustered and tells Orihime to stop teasing him. But even though Orihime could sense the growing camaraderie between Ichigo and Uryu, her empathy and attention failed to foresee Uryu's departure and subsequent integration into the Wandenreich.
1 "I kind of wish things could stay like this forever. All of us together, helping each other out, trying to do what's best for everyone's worlds. And one day, we look back and realize the start of the war just never came."
Being a kind and pacifistic soul, it comes as no surprise that Orihime wishes for peace for each and every person, regardless of whichever world they may hail from. While this may make her a poor warrior, she more than makes up for it when it comes to her drive to help others.
After arriving in Hueco Mundo in order to save Dondochakka, Orihime and the rest of Urahara's group end up saving a myriad of Arrancar that have been injured by the Wandenreich, bringing about a surprising period of respite in Hueco Mundo. It is here where Orihime shares with Sado her wish to simply keep helping others of different worlds without any blood being shed in the process.