In the hit anime series Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki goes from an ordinary school student to a sword-slinging hero practically overnight. He wields Zangetsu, a mighty zanpakuto, and he has challenged some of the most powerful Soul Reapers and Arrancars out there. Later, he even faced the Quincy empire, the Wandenreich.
As the hero, Ichigo must save the day, but sometimes, he faces odds that are simply too great. Sometimes, Ichigo got knocked down, and he was forced to admit defeat a few times in his fighting career. But most often, he wins the day, and he will not stop fighting until his friends are safe.
10 Victory: Vs Renji
Renji was an early rival of Ichigo's, and he was determined to uphold his Captain's will when it came to Rukia's execution. He was stronger than Ichigo, but not by a significant margin. So, Ichigo stood a chance every time they fought.
Finally, through sheer force of will, Ichigo bested Renji in the Soul Society, and Renji admitted that Ichigo's way was right. Renji wanted Rukia, his childhood friend, to be saved, and he trusted Ichigo with that mission. A victory all around.
9 Defeat: Vs Sosuke Aizen (First Time)
The climax of the Soul Society arc revolved around Rukia's execution, and the good news was that Ichigo had fought Captain Kuchiki to a draw and earned the right to rescue Rukia without interference. But then Captain Aizen showed up.
Captain Aizen was far more powerful than either Ichigo or Renji, and worse yet, the good guys were injured and exhausted. Aizen effortlessly deflected anything Ichigo and Renji could throw at him, and they could only watch as Aizen extracted the Hogyoku from Rukia's chest.
8 Victory: Vs Kenpachi Zaraki
Ichigo had already fought Renji and Ikkaku in the Soul Society, and next up was his first true challenge: the thuggish Captain Zaraki. Ichigo was so outclassed, he couldn't even cut Kenpachi's skin when given a free strike.
Before long, Ichigo was on the brink of defeat, but then Zanegetsu gave him a pep talk about the desire to win, as well as the bond of trust between a Soul Reaper and their zanpakuto. Kenpachi had no trust with his own zanpakuto, giving Ichigo an edge. He used it to win, and Kenpachi was motivated to become stronger, too.
7 Defeat: Vs Grimmjow (First Time)
The Arrancar arc started with a bang. Ulquiorra and Yammy showed up first, then Grimmjow visited Karakura Town with his cronies in tow. While Shawlong and the others fought the Soul Reapers, Grimmjow challenged Ichigo personally.
What came next was a one-sided beatdown, and Grimmjow didn't even need to draw his zanpakuto to put Ichigo on the back foot. Not even a last-minute Getsuga Tensho could stop Grimmjow, but it did put a scar on his chest. Ichigo was lucky that Kaname Tosen came along to send Grimmjow back to Las Noches.
6 Victory: Vs Grimmjow (Third Time)
Grimmjow considered Ichigo his bitter rival, and the first fight went sideways for Ichigo while the second was more or less a draw. Finally, Ichigo and his team stormed Las Noches to rescue Orihime, and Grimmjow made sure that they had their grudge match first.
Both warriors went all out, mask and bankai vs the full power of Pantera. Ichigo was slowly losing ground, but after hearing Orihime's encouraging words, Ichigo turned things around and delivered the final blow. Grimmjow's release form was dispelled, and he could only lay there on the sand in defeat.
5 Defeat: Vs Ulquiorra (First Time)
Grimmjow isn't the only Arrancar who wants Ichigo dead. Ulquiorra promised Aizen early on that he would dispatch Ichigo if the latter ever became too powerful, and he confronted Ichigo partway through the Las Noches rescue mission.
Ichigo dealt some damage with his mask and bankai, but that wasn't nearly enough. Ulquiorra pummeled him with his fists and a cero blast, and when Ichigo gave him some defiant words, Ulquiorra pierced his chest with a bare hand. Ichigo wasn't just defeated; he was killed, and only Orihime's reality-defying healing powers could save him.
4 Victory: Vs Ulquiorra (Final Time)
Ichigo eventually got a rematch against Grimmjow, and he got one against Ulquiorra, too. Both warriors gave it their all, and Ichigo began to get the upper hand on his enemy. Then Ulquiorra released his zanpakuto, Murcielago.
He temporarily killed Ichigo for a second time, but not so fast. Ichigo had a hidden hollow form deep inside, modeled on the Hollow known as White that Isshin had once defeated. With that incredible power, Ichigo triumphed over Ulquiorra at last.
3 Defeat: Vs Grand Fisher
It's time to rewind to an earlier battle, when Ichigo was still haunted by his mother's death. She wasn't hit by a car or a bus; she was killed at the hands of Grand Fisher, a powerful hollow. Eventually, Ichigo came face to face with him for revenge.
But revenge would have to wait. Ichigo did well against Grand Fisher given his meager training and unnamed sword, but he couldn't finish it, and Grand Fisher got away. Fortunately, Isshin dispatched Grand Fisher for good later on, avenging his wife.
2 Victory: Vs Yhwach (Final Time)
It seemed like nothing could take out Yhwach, the king of the Quincies. His letter was "A" for The Almighty, and he lived up to that name. Even high-caliber characters like Osho and Yoruichi struggled against him. And until the end, Ichigo had struggled, too.
Finally, Yhwach dealt a blow and believed he had destroyed Ichigo's weapon, but surprise: Ichigo had what looked like his original Zangetsu shikai in his hands, and with a final strike, he destroyed Yhwach for all time. Reality itself was saved.
1 Defeat: Vs Nnoitora
The Quinta Espada is Nnoitora (sometimes spelled Nnoitra), a tall and malicious Arrancar who only wants to fight the best. But unlike Grimmjow, he doesn't believe in battlefield honor. Once Ichigo finally defeated Grimmjow, Nnoitora came along and issued a challenge via swordpoint.
Ichigo fought back, but he was already exhausted and injured, and Nnoitora ranked one place higher than Grimmjow among the Espadas. Nnoitora as soon tossing Ichigo around like a toy, disappointed. He then allowed his fraccione, Tesla, to handle things. Ichigo would have been killed if it weren't for Kenpachi saving him at that very moment.