Bleach is a smash-hit shonen action series, taking its place in the "big three" of its era alongside Naruto and One Piece as a defining shonen series in the West. The story stars the punkish antihero Ichigo Kurosaki who is always ready to save the day and protect his friends from all kinds of powerful villains.
Ichigo is a proud and confident fighter who usually tries to save the day all alone and not rely on anyone for help. He even tries to run off to Hueco Mundo all by himself to rescue his friend Orihime Inoue. Ichigo needs help in a fight now and then — even if he won't admit it.
10 ICHIGO WON WITH SKILLS: When He Defeated Renji Abarai
Early in the Soul Society story arc, Ichigo crossed blades with a variety of lower-ranked Soul Reaper officers, including Lieutenant Renji Abarai of Squad 6. Ichigo and Renji fought to a draw in Season 1, but this time, there would definitely be a winner.
Ichigo had a tough time using shikai alone to fight Renji, but he managed it, and Renji admitted defeat. Renji changed his mind about Rukia's sentence and urged Ichigo to rescue her no matter what. Renji is now a friend.
9 ICHIGO NEEDED HELP: When He Injured A Menos Grande
One of Bleach Season 1's most impressive fight scenes took place partway through Ichigo and Uryu's Hollow-slaying contest in Karakura Town. Uryu had used Hollow bait to draw out local Hollows and — much to his surprise — a massive Gillian-class Menos Grande arrived.
Neither Ichigo nor Uryu could slay it alone, so the two rivals teamed up and pooled their spirit energy to injure the Menos Grande and drive it off. Ichigo did most of the work, but Uryu certainly helped.
8 ICHIGO WON WITH SKILLS: When He Defeated Girmmjow Jeagerjaques
Ichigo earned himself a new rival in the form of Grimmjow Jaegerjaques, the 6th Espada, and they had three total fights in Bleach. The first time, ex-Captain Kaname Tosen interrupted, and the second time, Rukia and Shinji both took over the fight to help drive Grimmjow away.
The third match was the showdown — both warriors went all out to decide who was stronger. Aside from Ichigo getting a morale boost from Orihime, he defeated Grimmjow all on his own, and he had some serious injuries to show for it.
7 ICHIGO NEEDED HELP: When He Defeated Sosuke Aizen
During the final battle to take down ex-Captain Sosuke Aizen, Ichigo did the lion's share of the work to take down this villain — including his use of the final Getsuga Tensho and a brand-new zanpakuto for the fight. Isshin Kurosaki personally helped Ichigo get ready for this.
Still, Ichigo didn't win this fight entirely alone. His father, Isshin, contributed to the battle and the rogue Kisuke Urahara used tricky kido spells to weaken Aizen and ultimately trap him and end the fight once and for all.
6 ICHIGO WON WITH SKILLS: When He Defeated Ikkaku Madarame
Renji wasn't the only Soul Reaper whom Ichigo fought in the Soul Society arc. He also went up against the ferocious 3rd seat officer of Squad 11, Ikkaku Madarame. Ikkaku counted himself lucky that he could prove his worth against a mighty foe like Ichigo Kurosaki.
Ichigo struggled at first, especially when Ikkaku activated his melee shikai, Hozukimaru. Ichigo turned the tables on him and scored a solid victory over Ikkaku, proving that Ikkaku wasn't so lucky after all. Ikkaku was ultimately impressed.
5 ICHIGO NEEDED HELP: When He Defeated Byakuya Kuchiki
The most impactful battle of the Soul Society pitted Ichigo against his nemesis, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad 6, who was determined to uphold Rukia's unjust sentence. Now armed with his bankai, Ichigo crossed blades with Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill, and Byakuya revealed his own bankai as well.
Ichigo slowly fell behind and he was on the verge of defeat. That was when his inner Hollow made its grand entrance, using Ichigo's body to land a few blows on Byakuya before Ichigo got rid of his inner monster. An injured and bewildered Byakuya agreed to one final exchange with Ichigo, and the fight ended in a draw. In a sense, though, Ichigo won since Byakuya agreed to protect Rukia from then on.
4 ICHIGO WON WITH SKILLS: When He Defeated Jidanbo
One of Ichigo's easiest battles in the Soul Society arc involved a massive gate guardian named Jidanbo, who was sworn to prevent intruders like Ichigo from getting into the Seireitei. Jidanbo felt confident he could win given his size advantage and his twin axes.
Jidanbo underestimated Ichigo and suffered a swift defeat. Ichigo destroyed Jidanbo's cleavers before finishing him off. Ichigo even showed restraint — he saw no need to kill someone who was merely fulfilling his duty as a gatekeeper.
3 ICHIGO NEEDED HELP: When He Defeated King Yhwach
The Thousand-Year Blood War story arc introduced the hidden Quincy empire, the Wandenreich, which was led by the mighty Quincy King Yhwach. Ichigo quickly lost to him in their first fight, but later, Ichigo faced him again — with help.
Sosuke Aizen helped Ichigo fight Yhwach using the illusions of Kyoka Suigetsu to keep Ichigo safe. Uryu Ishida betrayed his king and nullified Yhwach's powers with a special arrowhead for a few precious seconds, giving Ichigo his chance to dethrone Yhwach once and for all.
2 ICHIGO WON WITH SKILLS: When He Defeated Kenpachi Zaraki
Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of Squad 11 was once of Ichigo's toughest foes in the entire Soul Society story arc. Ichigo couldn't score a blow on Kenpachi, even when Kenpachi offered a free strike. Ichigo lacked a warrior's resolve and was on the verge of defeat.
Zangetsu told Ichigo to trust him as a partner and unlock his true power. Ichigo did so, and he got back into the fight as Kenpachi's true equal. Single-handedly, Ichigo faced Kenpachi's strength head-on and claimed a narrow victory.
1 ICHIGO NEEDED HELP: When He Defeated Dordoni
Ichigo and his friends warmed up by fighting a few minor villains in the Hueco Mundo story arc before moving on to the Espadas — including a fallen Espada named Dordoni. Ichigo tried to fight Dordoni with just his shikai, but that turned out badly, and Dordoni pummeled Ichigo.
At one point, the young Arrancar named Nel absorbed and reflected one of Dordoni's cero blasts, scoring a major wound on Dordoni. That gave Ichigo a chance to activate his bankai and finally win the fight for real.