Orihime Inoue

Orihime Inoue (Japanese: 井上 織姫, Hepburn: Inoue Orihime) is a fictional character and in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo. She is one of Ichigo Kurosaki's best friends. Like many other friends, she quickly develops spiritual powers of her own after Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper. Throughout the series, Orihime learns about Ichigo's duty as a Soul Reaper and decides to accompany him when he goes to Soul Society to save Rukia Kuchiki.

Orihime Inoue
Bleach character
Orihime Inoue as depicted in the anime
First appearanceBleach manga chapter 2
Created byTite Kubo
Portrayed byErina Mano
Voiced byJapanese
Yuki Matsuoka[1]
English
Stephanie Sheh[2]
In-universe information
RelativesIsshin Kurosaki (father-in-law)
Masaki Kurosaki (mother-in-law, deceased)
Yuzu Kurosaki (sister-in-law)
Karin Kurosaki (sister-in-law)
Sora Inoue (brother, deceased)
Ichigo Kurosaki (husband)
Kazui Kurosaki (son)

Besides the manga series, Orihime has also appeared in other media from Bleach franchise, including the anime series, animated films, video games and rock musicals. She has been fairly popular among readers of the manga since her introduction, having ranked within the top 10 or the top 20 in all of the characters popularity polls of the series. Additionally, various pieces of merchandising have been developed based on her appearance such as figurines and key chains. Publications from manga, anime and other media have also commented on her character with most praising her traits and development. In the animated adaptations of Bleach, Orihime is voiced by Yuki Matsuoka in Japanese. In the English adaptations, she is voiced by Stephanie Sheh.

Creation and conception

Along with Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime has the hardest face to draw according to Tite Kubo. Due to her importance in the manga, Kubo wanted more practice drawing her so that it would be easier to do so.[3] When Kubo was asked to make a cover with a female character during Christmas, Kubo initially thought of using Rukia Kuchiki; However, he later changed to use Orihime as he thought she was more suitable for such a role.[4] She becomes the true female lead for the rest of the Bleach franchise after the second anime season/manga arc, which was recognized when her character depth and importance raised drastically after she came back from the Soul Society and started to become a prominent plot device for Ichigo's character development and for the story itself, consequently Orihime was featured along with female leads from other Weekly Shonen Jump series on a special Shonen Jump cover.[5] Stephanie Sheh, Orihime's English voice actress, found Orihime to be a "tricky" character as she noted a challenge to find a balance with her voice as although she sometimes seems ditzy, in other times she is very strong.[6]

Character outline

Orihime is friendly, humorous, sensitive and kind. She comes off as naïve and rather clueless, which is at odds with her exceptionally high marks in school.[7][8] Her cooking style can be described as very bad, disgusting, or more often strange to the point that aside from Rangiku Matsumoto, no one would think it delectable, and is one of the running jokes in the series.[9][10] Orihime has a tendency to rush into situations without thinking, sometimes leading to embarrassing or even dangerous consequences. She tends to have an overactive imagination and gets carried away thinking of implausible scenarios, such as initially fantasizing a date with Ichigo, later ending into her becoming a boxing champion prior to being shot.[11] Her hair is worn long in honor of the promise Tatsuki Arisawa once made to protect her.[12]

Orihime experiences most feelings,[13][14] which leads her to be jealous of the relationship that Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki share despite her friendship and admiration of both of them.[15] Through her expanding role in the manga, Orihime was happier and goofier at the start of the series, but later arcs deal with her feelings of inadequacy and inner turmoils.[15] Orihime lives by herself in Karakura Town, where the story takes place, and is supported by her distant aunt provided that she continuously obtain good marks in school, which she does. She and her brother Sora were raised by parents who treated them poorly. When Sora turned eighteen, he ran away with Orihime, who was three years old, and raised her since. For nine years, the siblings lived in harmony, until Sora died in a car accident.[16]

Appearances

In Bleach

Orihime first appears in Bleach pilot chapter that Tite Kubo submitted to Weekly Shōnen Jump.[17] She is a teenager who attends Karakura High School and Ichigo's friend. After Ichigo gains the powers of a Soul Reaper, his interactions with Orihime begin to have unforeseen side effects. Orihime become spiritually aware after being saved by Ichigo from Acidwire, her late brother turned into a hollow.[18][19] The hollow attacks Karakura High School, but Orihime uses her own power Shun Shun Rikka to save Tatsuki Arisawa. After Rukia Kuchiki is taken back to Soul Society to be executed, Orihime joins Ichigo with Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado and Yoruichi Shihoin, in an effort to save her.[20] Upon arriving in Soul Society, their group is split up, and Orihime wanders the city with Uryū.[21] Later on, Orihime is captured by Makizō Aramaki, a Soul Reaper of the 11th division, but is later freed by the captain Kenpachi Zaraki.[22][23] After Rukia is saved by Ichigo, the group returns to the human world.[24]

Shun Shun Rikka

Orihime joins the others when they deal with the Bount in anime-only episodes. Afterwards, arrancar begin to invade Karakura Town. During a battle with the Espada Yammy, the attack component of Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka is destroyed, making her unable to help in the oncoming battles. After sitting on the sidelines for the second arrancar invasion, Orihime has Tsubaki restored by Hachigen Ushōda, and Orihime goes to Soul Society to train for the next attack.[25] While traveling between the two realms, she meets Ulquiorra Cifer, who threatens to kill Ichigo and her friends, unless she agrees to go to Hueco Mundo.[26] Orihime leaves and heads to Hueco Mundo.[14]

There, Orihime is introduced to Sōsuke Aizen, a former Soul Reaper and current leader of the Arrancar. Aizen explains that he intends to use Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka to restore the Hōgyoku (崩玉, "breakdown sphere"), though she decides to use her powers to destroy the Orb instead. Before she can act on her plans, Ichigo and a group of others arrive in Hueco Mundo to save her.[27] When Ichigo is defeated while facing Ulquiorra, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, wanting to battle Ichigo at full strength, frees Orihime from her confinements so that she can heal him.[28] Ichigo battles with Grimmjow and ultimately claims victory.[28] They are then attacked by Nnoitora Jiruga, but after Nnoitora's death at the hands of Kenpachi, Orihime is captured once again.[29] Ichigo rushes to her location, and engages Ulquiorra in battle, but is once again defeated.[30] During the aftermath, she discovers that Ichigo is transformed into a new hollow and he mortally hurts Ulquiorra.[31] Ulquiorra starts to turn into ashes as he asks Orihime if she is afraid of him.[32] Orihime, after saying that he is not frightening, tries to reach his hand but Ulquiorra finally disappears.[32] As Ichigo returns to the world of the living, Orihime remains behind to heal an injured Uryū.[33]

After Aizen is defeated, Orihime returns to living a normal life until Uryū is attacked and badly injured by a human with supernatural powers.[34] She is later confronted by Tsukishima, the one who attacked Uryū, and his subordinate Shishigawara, and Tsukishima stabs her with his Fullbring before leaving.[35] Later it is revealed that Tsukishima's power has altered her memories.[36] Later, Orihime and her friends went to Hueco Mundo to fight off the Wandenreich, a group of Quincys seeking to destroy Soul Society led by an all powerful leader named Yhwach.[37] Orihime and the others fight them off and liberate Hueco Mundo from one of the Wandenreich's high-ranked officers Quilge Opie. After dealing with Opie, Ichigo finds out that the Wandenreich are attacking the Soul Society. When Ichigo is defeated by Yhwach, Orihime fixes Ichigo's weapon allowing him to face him again. Ten years after Ichigo's victory, she marries Ichigo and has a son with him named Kazui.

In other media

Her character has gained additional popularity even among non-fans thanks to a short looped animation of Orihime twirling a leek (specifically, a negi, or Welsh onion) played to "Ievan Polkka". Known as the Loituma Girl, the five frames used in the flash cartoon were taken from the second episode in the anime.[38] Orihime appears in the Bleach: Memories of Nobody, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion and Bleach: Hell Verse, albeit in a minor role.[39][40] She also appears in the Bleach video games such as Heat the Soul as a playable character.[41] Orihime also stars alongside Rukia Kuchiki in the Bleach Beat Collection Season 2 with solo song "La La La" and duet song "Holy Fight."[42]

Reception
Stephanie Sheh provides the voice of Orihime Inoue in English dub.

At the first Seiyu Awards in March 2007, Yuki Matsuoka was one of the winners in the category "Best Actresses in supporting roles" for her role as Orihime.[43] The character of Orihime has been well received by readers from the manga, appearing at No. 5 in the first characters popularity poll.[44] She did not appear in the top ten from the second (having ranked 12th), but returned in the two followings; in the 3rd poll she ranked 10th, and was 8th in the most recent, surpassing Izuru Kira by 123 votes.[45][46][47] Various types of merchandising have been released based on Orihime's character such as plush, key chains and figurines.[48][49][50] Pins based on her hair clips have also been released for cosplaying.[51]

Various publications for manga, anime and other media have commented on Orihime's character, adding praise to her traits and development. Mania Entertainment writer Jarred Pine liked Orihime's development in the first volume of the manga as her encounter with the hollow from her brother added "more dimension" to her character rather than her portray of a "big-breasted bimbo" in which she was initially introduced.[52] Although Carlo Santos from Anime News Network (ANN) found her character to be stereotypical due to the way she uses her powers, he noted that (like each character) she was very interesting due to the personality she has.[53] D. F. Smith from IGN complained on Orihime's appearances when she joins her friends to rescue Rukia Kuchiki since most of them were only comical and they were very repetitive.[54] Stephanie Sheh was praised as one of the best voice actors from Viz Media's dub by Carl Kimlinger from ANN.[55] Carlos Alexandre from popcultureshock.com also praised Sheh's work, noting that she makes a good interpretation from Orihime's character.[56] In an Anime News Network poll, Orihime was voted as the fourth worst cook in anime.[57]

See also

References
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  2. TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot (September 15, 2006). "A Shinigami's Work". Bleach. Episode 2. Cartoon Network.
  3. Weekly Shonen Jump interview, year 2004, issue 42
  4. Kubo, Tite (2008). The Art of Bleach. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1884-8.
  5. "Gathering of Heroines". Weekly Shonen Jump 2006-36+37: Cover.
  6. Bleach Uncut Season 1 Box Set; Behind the scenes of Bleach (DVD). Viz Media. October 30, 2007.
  7. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 35". Bleach, Volume 5. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-445-1.
  8. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 119". Bleach, Volume 14. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0612-2.
  9. Kubo, Tite (2004). "Chapter 3". Bleach, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-441-9.
  10. Kubo, Tite (2008). "Chapter 200". Bleach, Volume 23. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1541-5.
  11. Kubo, Tite (2004). "Chapter 4". Bleach, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-441-9.
  12. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 41". Bleach, Volume 5. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-445-1.
  13. Kubo, Tite (2004). "Chapter 2". Bleach, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-441-9.
  14. Kubo, Tite (2009). "Chapter 235". Bleach, Volume 27. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-2385-X.
  15. Kubo, Tite (2008). "Chapter 199". Bleach, Volume 23. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1541-5.
  16. Kubo, Tite (2004). "Chapter 6". Bleach, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-441-9.
  17. Kubo, Tite (2006). Bleach: Official Character Book SOULs. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874079-3.
  18. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 44". Bleach, Volume 6. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-728-0.
  19. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 42". Bleach, Volume 5. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-445-1.
  20. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 70". Bleach, Volume 8. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-872-4.
  21. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 86". Bleach, Volume 10. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0081-7.
  22. Kubo, Tite (2006). "Chapter 137". Bleach, Volume 16. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0614-9.
  23. Kubo, Tite (2005). "Chapter 122". Bleach, Volume 14. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0612-2.
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  27. Kubo, Tite (2009). "Chapter 247". Bleach, Volume 28. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-2386-8.
  28. Kubo, Tite (2007). "Chapter 278". Bleach, Volume 31. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874444-5.
  29. Kubo, Tite (2008). "Chapter 313". Bleach, Volume 35. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874575-6.
  30. Kubo, Tite (2009). "Chapter 348". Bleach, Volume 40. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874712-5.
  31. Kubo, Tite (2009). "Chapter 352". Bleach, Volume 41. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874734-7.
  32. Kubo, Tite (2009). "Chapter 353". Bleach, Volume 41. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874734-7.
  33. Kubo, Tite (2010). "Chapter 378". Bleach, Volume 44. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870020-5.
  34. Kubo, Tite (2011). "Chapter 430". Bleach, Volume 49. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870186-8.
  35. Kubo, Tite (2011). "Chapter 440". Bleach, Volume 50. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870219-3.
  36. Kubo, Tite (2011). "Chapter 456". Bleach, Volume 52. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870291-9.
  37. Kubo, Tite (2012). "Chapter 487". Bleach, Volume 55. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870418-0.
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  39. Bleach: Memories of Nobody (DVD). Viz Media. 2008.
  40. 劇場版BLEACH The DiamondDust Rebellion もう一つの氷輪丸 (DVD). TV Tokyo. 2008.
  41. SCEI, ed. (2007). Bleach: Heat the Soul 4 Japanese instruction manual (in Japanese). SCEI.
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  45. Kubo, Tite (2008). "Chapter 307". Bleach, Volume 35. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874575-6.
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  47. Kubo, Tite (2008). Bleach, Volume 24. Viz Media. p. 186. ISBN 1-4215-1603-9.
  48. "Bleach DX Rangiku Matsumoto & Orihime Inoue figure set". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  49. "Bleach Orihime PVC Sd Keychain Ge-3797". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  50. "Bleach Orihime Plush". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  51. "Bleach Orihime Cosplay Hair Pins". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  52. Pine, Jarred (2005-02-24). "Bleach Vol. 1 Review". Mania Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  53. Santos, Carlo (2005-08-21). "Bleach Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  54. Smith, D. F. (2008-09-02). "Bleach Volume 11 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  55. Kimlinger, Carl (2007-02-17). "Bleach DVD 2 Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  56. Alexandre, Carlos (2007-07-30). "Anime Review: Bleach, Vol. 1". popcultureshock.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  57. Manry, Gia (2011-09-03). "Gia's List: 8 Awesome Americans in Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
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