In the anime and manga series “Bleach,” one of the most iconic moments is when protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki defeats his ultimate enemy, Sosuke Aizen. Aizen was a seemingly invincible villain who had attained god-like power and was considered unbeatable by many.
So how did ichigo beat aizen? In this discussion, we will dive into the various factors that contributed to Ichigo’s victory over Aizen, including his unique abilities, his determination, and the support of his allies.
We’ll also explore the symbolism and themes behind the battle and what it represents for Ichigo’s character development. If you’re a fan of Bleach or just interested in epic anime battles, this post is for you!
Who is Ichigo
Ichigo Kurosaki is a teenage high school student who has the ability to see ghosts, a power he inherited from his mother. After encountering the Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo gains her powers and becomes a substitute Soul Reaper, tasked with protecting the living world from evil spirits and guiding lost souls to the afterlife.
Ichigo is known for his determination, bravery, and strong sense of justice, often putting himself in danger to protect those he cares about. He possesses incredible physical and spiritual strength, which he uses in his battles against powerful enemies such as Sosuke Aizen and the Hollows.
Throughout the series, Ichigo undergoes significant character development, learning the true meaning of strength and the importance of relying on his friends and allies.
Training with Kisuke Urahara
One of the key moments in Ichigo Kurosaki’s development as a Soul Reaper in the “Bleach” anime and manga series is his training with Kisuke Urahara. Urahara is a former captain of the 12th Division in the Soul Society and a master inventor, creating a wide variety of gadgets and technologies to aid Soul Reapers in their duties.
During his training with Urahara, Ichigo learns to harness his spiritual energy and develop his combat skills. Urahara teaches Ichigo various techniques, including the use of “Shunpo” (flash step), a technique that allows Soul Reapers to move at incredible speeds, and “Hakuda” (hand-to-hand combat), a form of martial arts used by Soul Reapers.
Perhaps most importantly, Urahara helps Ichigo to unlock his Zanpakuto’s true power through a process known as “Asauchi forging.” By forging his own Asauchi, Ichigo is able to fully manifest the power of his Zanpakuto and achieve its true potential.
Throughout his training with Urahara, Ichigo also gains a deeper understanding of the world of spirits and the nature of his powers. He learns to trust in himself and his abilities, as well as in his friends and allies.
Overall, Ichigo’s training with Kisuke Urahara is a crucial moment in his development as a Soul Reaper, allowing him to unlock his true potential and become a more powerful and skilled warrior in his fight against the Hollows and other enemies of the Soul Society.
Developing His Own Powers
One of the most important aspects of Ichigo Kurosaki’s character development in the “Bleach” anime and manga series is his journey to develop and master his own powers. Throughout the series, Ichigo is constantly pushing the boundaries of his abilities, seeking to unlock new levels of strength and control.
At the beginning of the series, Ichigo is a relatively inexperienced Soul Reaper, relying primarily on his natural instincts and brute strength in battle. However, as he faces increasingly difficult challenges and battles, he begins to develop a deeper understanding of his powers and their true potential.
One of the key moments in Ichigo’s journey to develop his own powers comes during his battle with Ulquiorra Cifer, an Arrancar and one of the most powerful enemies he has faced. During this battle, Ichigo is pushed to his limits and forced to confront the true nature of his powers.
In order to defeat Ulquiorra, Ichigo undergoes a transformation that unlocks new levels of strength and control, granting him access to new techniques and abilities. This transformation, known as his “Fullbring,” allows Ichigo to manipulate the spiritual energy within physical objects, granting him incredible strength and durability.
Throughout the series, Ichigo continues to develop and refine his powers, experimenting with new techniques and pushing the limits of his abilities. He learns to control and manipulate his spiritual energy with greater precision, allowing him to achieve new levels of strength and skill.
Overall, Ichigo’s journey to develop and master his own powers is a central theme of the “Bleach” series, highlighting the importance of personal growth, perseverance, and the pursuit of one’s true potential. It is through this journey that Ichigo becomes one of the most powerful and skilled Soul Reapers in the world of the series.
Who is Aizen
Aizen was the captain of the 5th Division in the Soul Society, but he secretly plotted to overthrow the Soul King and become the ruler of all worlds. Through his cunning and manipulation, he created an army of powerful Arrancars and acquired god-like powers through the Hogyoku, a powerful artifact.
He was initially portrayed as a calm and collected leader with a kind demeanor, but it was later revealed that this was all a facade to hide his true intentions. Aizen’s ultimate goal was to create a world where he was the supreme ruler and all others served under him. He was known for his intellect, immense spiritual power, and mastery of the swordsmanship technique, “Kido.”
Aizen’s Strength
Aizen possesses incredible spiritual power and mastery of various techniques, making him a formidable opponent for even the most skilled Soul Reapers.
One of Aizen’s most notable abilities is his mastery of the “Hogyoku,” a powerful artifact that grants him god-like powers and the ability to manipulate reality itself. With the Hogyoku, Aizen can effortlessly overpower even the strongest of opponents and bend the world around him to his will.
Aizen is also a master swordsman and skilled in the use of “Kido,” a form of Soul Reaper magic. He possesses incredible speed and agility, able to move faster than the eye can see and evade even the most skilled attacks.
Furthermore, Aizen’s intelligence and cunning are perhaps his greatest strengths. He is a master manipulator, able to deceive and control those around him with ease. Aizen’s charisma and charm make him a natural leader, capable of inspiring loyalty and devotion in his subordinates.
Overall, Aizen’s strength lies not only in his immense power and skill, but also in his intelligence, charisma, and ability to manipulate others to his advantage. It is these qualities that make him such a formidable opponent for Ichigo and the other Soul Reapers throughout the series.
Ichigo vs. Aizen: Who Won?
The resolution to the initial inquiry was quick and straightforward. Every Bleach enthusiast is aware by this point that Ichigo was able to overcome Aizen and thus keep Soul Society from annihilation. Aizen’s megalomania was ultimately put to a stop and, despite the price Ichigo paid, he managed to vanquish Aizen, ultimately allowing Urahara to imprison him with his Kidō.
How and Why Did Ichigo Defeat Aizen?
Following a grueling battle with Isshin, Aizen begins to undergo a transformation triggered by the Hōgyoku. However, Kisuke suddenly appears on the scene and launches an attack on Aizen. Aizen and Kisuke engage in a conversation about the Hōgyoku, with Kisuke attempting to defeat Aizen using various Kidō spells and attempts to seal his powers and Reiatsu. Despite Kisuke’s efforts, Aizen manages to unleash the full extent of his newfound powers, which he had gained through merging with the Hōgyoku.
As a result of his transformation, Aizen’s appearance undergoes a complete and dramatic change, leaving no trace of his former self except for his characteristic cold and arrogant demeanor. With his newfound strength, Aizen re-enters the fray against his two opponents. During the battle, Yoruichi suddenly enters the scene, launching an attack on Aizen from above. However, Aizen proves to be too powerful for the attack to have any real effect and he manages to destroy a portion of Yoruichi’s armor instead.
Isshin, Kisuke, and Yoruichi launch a coordinated attack against Aizen, but even Isshin’s powerful Getsuga Tenshō barely leaves a scratch on him. Aizen quickly overpowers and defeats all three of his opponents. As his body begins to crumble, Aizen orders Gin to open a Senkaimon, signaling that his union with the Hōgyoku is now complete. Together, Aizen and Gin enter the Dangai, the realm between the Soul Society and the human world.
Upon arrival in the Soul Society, Aizen makes quick work of destroying the Kōtotsu. He later encounters Tatsuki Arisawa and Keigo Asano, whom he identifies as Ichigo Kurosaki’s friends. Aizen decides to target Ichigo’s friends in order to increase his power, leading him to attempt to kill them. Although Keigo manages to escape, Tatsuki is left helpless. Shortly after, Don Kanonji launches an attack on Aizen, but Rangiku Matsumoto intervenes and stops him at the last moment.
Afterwards, Gin disappears with his old acquaintance in order to speak with her and calm her down. Once he returns to Aizen’s side, he intervenes just as Aizen is about to kill Tatsuki and Ichigo’s other friends. Standing in front of Aizen, Gin touches Kyōka Suigetsu’s blade with his hand and reveals that this is the only way to break free from Kanzen Saimin, the total hypnosis.
Gin proceeds to activate his Shinsō and swiftly strikes Aizen with it, piercing him in the chest. Initially caught off guard, Aizen claims that the attack could not possibly kill him and that Gin knows this as well. However, Gin proceeds to reveal the true nature of his Zanpakutō’s ability, which he had previously lied to Ichigo about. Instead of being exceptionally fast or long, Gin’s blade actually injects a potent toxin that dissolves the cells of its target’s body.
Next, Gin activates his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, causing everything surrounding the Hōgyoku in Aizen’s chest to dissolve and reveal the Hōgyoku. With a firm grip on the Hōgyoku, Gin causes Aizen to collapse to the ground and emit a deafening scream, as if about to explode. Suddenly, a dazzling pillar of light emerges from the heart of Karakura City and Aizen emerges in his third form, adorned with three pairs of wings and completely encased in his body armor.
Aizen quickly teleports to Gin and informs him that his efforts are in vain since he is still linked to the Hōgyoku despite it being removed from his body. Aizen then launches an attack, but Gin manages to defend himself. However, Aizen grabs Gin’s arm and tears it off, then stabs him once again and hurls him through a nearby wall. As the onlookers Tatsuki and Don Kanonji fall to the ground under the intense spiritual pressure, Keigo is the only one left standing.
After Gin is left motionless in the rubble, Rangiku Matsumoto appears to mourn her dying childhood friend. Unaware of Aizen’s presence, she doesn’t notice him standing behind her. Suddenly, Ichigo appears behind Aizen with the unconscious Isshin on his shoulder. As Aizen can’t feel Ichigo’s Reiatsu, he believes that his development has failed. However, Ichigo surprises him by grabbing his face and throwing him to a secluded spot.
Even after realizing that Ichigo has thrown off his Reiatsu and gained enhanced physical abilities, Aizen remains confident of his victory. When their swords clash, a mountain is swept away, and Aizen believes it to be his doing. However, Ichigo reveals that it was his own power that caused the destruction. This leads to an unprecedented reaction from Aizen – he becomes very angry and transforms for the fourth time.
Aizen’s appearance has undergone a complete transformation. His face has changed completely, and his right hand has fused with his Zanpakutō. Additionally, Aizen’s wings now have hollow masks that shoot ceros. Despite his newfound strength, Ichigo remains unfazed and uses his ultimate technique, the Final Getsuga Tenshō. This causes him to transform into a new form called Mugetsu, where he becomes one with Getsuga itself.
Aizen is left frustrated that despite exceeding the limits of a Shinigami, Ichigo was able to become one with his Zanpakutō. He is immediately attacked and the final blow has devastating consequences. Though Aizen survives thanks to his high-speed regeneration, he gradually transforms back into his second form.
After using the Final Getsuga Tenshō, Ichigo loses his powers and is unable to continue the fight. Sōsuke Aizen sees an opportunity and attempts to end it, but his Kyōka Suigetsu begins to disappear, indicating that the Hōgyoku no longer deems it necessary. However, before Aizen can strike the final blow, Kisuke Urahara arrives and begins to cast a sealing Kidō on him, saving Ichigo.
Urahara uses a spell that he had previously used in the fight against Aizen in Fake Karakura Town to seal him. Aizen, however, thinks that a Kidō spell cannot seal him, so he transforms back into a Shinigami. Urahara then tells Aizen that the Hōgyoku no longer recognizes him as its master. Aizen becomes angry that someone as intelligent as Urahara is working for the King.
Aizen disregards the notion of a loser’s logic and believes that a winner must envision how the world ought to be, not how it currently is. With the sealing Kidō complete, Ichigo turns his gaze away. Kisuke explains that Aizen’s fate will be determined by the Central 46. Additionally, Ichigo confides in Urahara that during the clash between Zangetsu and Kyōka Suigetsu, he sensed that Aizen had been immensely powerful since his birth and that he had longed for someone of equal strength to stand beside him, but eventually relinquished that hope.
After being tied to a chair and presented in front of the Central 46, Aizen receives a verdict of banishment to the eighth level (Muken) of the underground prison for 18,800 years. Despite the severity of the sentence, Aizen reacts calmly and cheekily, causing them to cover his mouth and the other eye and increase the sentence to 20,000 years. Ichigo suspects that Aizen wished to lose his powers from the bottom of his heart, and that the Hōgyoku granted that wish.
FAQ About How Did Ichigo Beat Aizen
Who Is Stronger Ichigo or Aizen?
In a regular battle, ex-Captain Sosuke Aizen would easily overpower Ichigo due to his superior speed, agility, and technique. Even if the fight were limited to sword combat, Ichigo would be at a disadvantage, as Aizen’s skill is undeniable.
What Episode Does Ichigo Defeat Aizen?
In Episode 309 of the Bleach anime, titled “Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tenshō!”, the final moments of the battle described above were depicted. This episode showed Aizen’s downfall and the impact of Urahara’s Kidō. It was adapted from Chapter 421, entitled “DEICIDE23”.
What Did Ichigo Do to Defeat Aizen?
Ichigo’s attack proved to be too much for Aizen, causing him to revert to his human form and be sealed away with a special kidō created by Urahara. The Hōgyoku no longer recognized him, rendering him powerless.
Conclusion
Ichigo was able to defeat Aizen by relying on his inner strength and courage and by unlocking the power of his Bankai. He was also able to tap into his inner Hollow and use it to his advantage. By combining his spiritual and physical powers, Ichigo was able to overpower Aizen and become the victor in this epic battle.
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