Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War is a continuation of the anime that was a long time in the making. People might have their own criticisms of Bleach and how it was handled, but there's no denying that the advent of this new arc was an exciting one that brought with it its fair share of unique and interesting revelations. It might've ended on a tepid note, but the tension present in the Thousand-Year Blood War was palpable for the majority of its arc.
With Ichigo appearing in the limelight once again, it's only a given that many people would be interested in knowing everything about this hero once again. Of course, this knowledge can venture into the realm of spoilers, so anime-only viewers should try and veer away from this list unless they absolutely need to satiate their curiosity.
7 He Gets A New Dual-Wielding Zanpakuto
Ichigo's first confrontation against Yhwach reveals that his Zanpakuto was a false one all along. Instead, it was actually the Hollowfied version of Ichigo that he repressed in his mind for the longest time that was actually the true form of his Zanpakuto.
After his Bankai is broken, Ichigo goes through a long and arduous process to reforge his sword once again. This leads to him realizing these revelations and accepting the true nature of his Zanpakuto, leading to the creation of a dual-wielding Zanpakuto that embodies both his powers as a Quincy and a Hollow.
6 His Mom Is Revealed To Be A Quincy
Ichigo's connection with the Quincy is explored quite a bit during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. The biggest indicator of this is the fact that the Father of the Quincy himself, Yhwach, looks eerily similar to the Zanpakuto spirit that has been residing in his sword all along.
After talking to both the spirit and his father, it's revealed that Zangetsu is actually a projection of the Quincy blood that Ichigo has within him. It turns out that Ichigo's mother was a Quincy all along, revealing that Ichigo is actually the bridge between Shinigami and Quincy.
5 His Getsuga Tenshou Witnesses A New Transformation
After getting a dual-wielding Bankai, Ichigo decides to use these powers to the fullest by modifying his techniques to make the most of both these blades. Suffice it to say, his Getsuga Tenshou also witnessed a massive upgrade in this regard.
Getsuga Jujishou is an ability that allows Ichigo to power up both his Shikai blades and unleash a powerful cross-shaped version of his Getsuga Tenshou that is immensely destructive in battle. It's these techniques that give Ichigo the confidence to fight against Yhwach, despite the Quincy King being immensely powerful and intimidating in his own right.
4 His Bankai Also Changes Because Of His Altered Zanpakuto
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
After unlocking the true form of his Shikai, it was only a matter of time before Ichigo would show off his new Bankai as well. This new form was showcased during Ichigo's final fight against Yhwach, where he revealed an amazing Bankai that would've been a joy to witness.
Unfortunately, Yhwach realized the threat of this Bankai and used his powers to break the sword before it could cause any serious harm. This was a huge letdown for readers, and fans can only hope that the anime adaptation gives this Bankai the time in the spotlight it deserves before being nuked by Yhwach.
3 He Gains A New Hollowfied Form
During his fight against Yhwach, Ichigo also reveals another form to even the odds against the Quincy King. This comes in the form of a new Hollowfied form, showing that Ichigo has finally accepted the Hollow inside of him as the true spirit of his Zanpakuto.
While this does enhance Ichigo's powers, it also leads to him being humbled by Yhwach when he realizes that the Quincy King is simply way too powerful for him to even think about ending his life. It takes the help of all of his friends to finally open up a weakness that Ichigo can target to defeat this powerful antagonist once and for all.
2 He Ends Up With Orihime At The End Of The Manga
Orihime is Ichigo's romantic interest who plays a major role across the series with her support powers. It's clear that she and Ichigo have feelings for each other, but the circumstances of the series play out in such a manner that they never really get the quality alone time they need to understand the affection they share.
So, fans were glad to see that Ichigo and Orihime ended up together by the end of the manga. While some people felt that Rukia was a better fit, there's no denying that Ichigo shares a deeper history with Orihime, and this pairing simply made more sense.
1 He Has A Son Named Kazui Kurosaki
Not only does Ichigo enjoy a happy married life with Orihime, but it's revealed after the time skip that they even had a young child. This boy is named Kazui Kurosaki and reveals his shinigami powers early on, mocking Rukia and Renji's son in the process.
It's great to see Ichigo finally settle down and live a comfortable family life with Orihime. His fighting days might be past him, but that might not be a bad thing for Ichigo at all given the strife he was put through during the events of Bleach.