The hit shonen series Bleach is well-known for its massive and compelling cast of colorful characters of all sorts, and many of these characters had a huge impact on the lore in their own unique ways. Isshin Kurosaki, for example, helped train Ichigo and taught him the final Getsuga Tensho, while Yoruichi was Ichigo's tour guide during the Soul Society arc. But what about Ryuken Ishida?
Ryuken Ishida ranks among the most prominent and respected characters living in Karakura Town, but for the most part, this Quincy archer kept to himself and actively tried to not affect the events unfolding around him. He did play a minor role in Uryu Ishida's arc, but Ryuken could have done more to affect the series and play up its themes.
10 Ryuken Could Have Had An On-Screen Debate With Soken Ishida
Ryuken Ishida is not the only Quincy in his family. His late father, the kind Soken Ishida, had been one too, and Ryuken's own son Uryu is the most prominent Quincy in the story. However, Ryuken feels very differently about the Quincy tribe than either his father or his son.
Soken has faith in the Quincy way, and he was always ready to fight for justice. Ryuken, meanwhile, felt more pragmatic and gave up the Quincy way in favor of a mundane but lucrative career as a hospital director. Seeing the adult father and son argue over this would have been fascinating and deepened both characters.
9 Ryuken Could Have Been Shown When Uryu Manifested His Powers
It's not entirely clear at what age a Quincy child will first manifest his or her spiritual powers, but it can be presumed that there was a specific day when it became clear that Uryu had inherited his father's spiritual gifts. What did Ryuken think when that happened?
Flashbacks make it clear that Ryuken and Uryu are at odds about Quincy matters, but viewers ought to know what exactly Ryuken thought, said, and did when his son showed the powers that Ryuken was hoping to sweep under the rug. Did he gasp in shock? Narrow his eyes in disapproval? Cry? If only Bleach fans knew.
8 Ryuken Could Be Shown At His Hospital Job More Often
A noteworthy flashback scene in Bleach's first season showed Ryuken in his office while his young son talked to him, and this was one of the few times Ryuken was shown at work. He is the director of the Karakura Town general hospital, but what is his workplace persona in this mundane but stressful environment?
A person may act very differently at work compared to when they're around friends or family, and Bleach fans may want to know if Ryuken is stern and aloof at work, or whether he's a bit warmer and chatty with the doctors and nurses who work under him.
7 Ryuken Could Have Been Better Friends With Kisuke & Yoruichi
Ryuken Ishida isn't terribly concerned about the "Quincy vs Soul Reaper" rivalry, and thus, he is an aloof but peaceful associate of Isshin Kurosaki, who had once been a Soul Reaper Captain. That says something about Ryuken, but what if Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin were involved, too?
Ryuken effectively plays off of the goofy Isshin, and if he did the same with Kisuke and Yoruichi, who are more closely tied to the Soul Society, Ryuken could have given them a better impression of Quincy life, or at least, more insight into how Quincy work. And being around the warm-hearted Yoruichi might have drawn out Ryuken's own warm side.
6 Ryuken Could Have Learned Of Masaki Kurosaki's Death
Ryuken Ishida and Masaki were once fellow Quincy as teenagers, and when they grew up, they went their own separate ways. Ryuken married Kanae Katagiri, while Masaki married her personal savor, Captain Isshin Shiba (now Kurosaki). One day, Masaki and Kanae both died, and Ryuken was heartbroken over Kanae's death.
But did Ryuken know of Masaki's death? He might have, but this was not explored in much detail in the story. Seeing Ryuken's reaction to Masaki's demise could have shown an interesting side of Ryuken's character, and show exactly how much he still cares about his fellow Quincy (even though Masaki had lost her powers by then).
5 Ryuken Could Have Confronted Isshin Over Masaki's Death
On a related note, if Ryuken had taken Masaki Kurosaki's death badly, then he would have reacted explosively to the situation, and done something about it. Ryuken's and Isshin's distant relationship would suffer a blow when Ryuken stormed over to the Kurosaki household to confront Isshin over this.
Ryuken would no doubt blame Isshin for failing to protect Masaki from Grand Fisher, and that would have deepened both characters while proving that despite this tragedy, both men eventually made up and became allies again. That would have been highly compelling.
4 Ryuken Could Have Stepped In When That Menos Grande Appeared
Early in Bleach, Uryu and Ichigo became rivals, and they hunted dozens of Hollows in Karakura Town to see who could rack up a higher body count. But the boys got in over their head when a towering Gillian-class Menos Grande appeared through a garganta. It soon charged up a cero blast, aiming to destroy everything in its path.
It took all Ichigo and Uryu had at the time just to drive this thing away, but what if Ryuken had shown up to save his son's life? Uryu certainly needed the help, and Ryuken would have wowed viewers by blasting away that monstrous Hollow with one shot.
3 Ryuken Could Have Helped Train A Child Of Uryu's
By the end of the Bleach manga, in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Ryuken proved that he really was ready to fight and save the world, and he had disposed of his cynicism at last. He personally helped Uryu take down Yhwach, and if Ryuken can do that, he can keep it up in the future, too.
The ending of Bleach's manga was a rushed one, but given enough time, the story could have shown Uryu with a young Quincy son or daughter, and Ryuken could have helped train and educate his grandchild in the Quincy way. What a lovely family scene that would have been.
2 Ryuken Could Have Killed Grand Fisher Alongside Or Instead Of Isshin
It was deeply satisfying when Isshin Kurosaki donned his Soul Reaper robes and finally took down the brutal Grand Fisher, who had by then become a crude Arrancar. But Ryuken Ishida was up and about that night, and he chatted with Isshin not long after Grand Fisher's demise.
Isshin had every right to avenge Masaki with that act, but so did Ryuken, who had been near and dear to Masaki. Ryuken would have made a wonderful impression by helping to take down Grand Fisher, either by Isshin's side or even all by himself. He was certainly strong enough to do that.
1 Ryuken Could Have Protected Ichigo's Classmates From Hollows & Aizen
Late in the Fake Karakura Town arc, the traitor Sosuke Aizen made his way into the real Karakura Town, where everyone was in an artificially-induced slumber. Ichigo's classmates, such as Keigo Asano and Tatsuki Arisawa, awoke and saw Soul Reapers and Hollows all over the place. At least one Soul Reaper tried to help them, but what if Ryuken did that?
Ryuken isn't terribly interested in Soul Reaper affairs, but as a hospital director, he's got a responsibility to protect lives, and he could have used his power and commanding presence to guide Tatsuki, Keigo, and the others to safety while answering their questions. Ryuken knows Karakura Town well, and he could have easily kept the students out of Aizen's way.