"Orihime being afraid of Ichigo's hollow power shows she doesn't fully accept him."
I see this take and similar ones pop up from anti fans of Ichigo and Orihime and try to say that Orihime is bad, in the wrong, etc. for being afraid of his hollowfication powers when her first encounter with a hollow was her brother Sora.
I know the anime did a lot of damage to Orihime's character - especially by taking these scenes out and altering them compared to the manga - but when Ichigo begins to undergo the same process as Sora, it only makes sense that she's afraid.
Not because she's afraid of Ichigo but because what he can become.
And just like Sora said, "It would be [her] fault"
Also - this is to counter the whole "Ichigo and Orihime were never close/barely friends/just acquaintances" that I see floating around often too.
But all in all - Orihime was never afraid of Ichigo. She was afraid of what he could have become.
As Acidwire, Sora targeted Orihime because of her growing bonds with Tatsuki and Ichigo. He even says that he attacked them because they tried to tear him and Orihime apart and that she already knew why.
For clarity - what I'm about to say isn't me saying that Sora was abusive in life and I'm going to specifically try to use his name as a hollow "Acidwire" as much as possible to express the slight separation between Sora as he was while he was alive and Sora as he was when he became Acidwire.
Especially since early on, it established that hollows - while they were once former humans - often end up being twisted versions of the people they once were.
Now onto the point -
The "You already know why" isn't dissimilar from how abusers, manipulators, etc. often talk to their victims when they're angry or upset. It's similar to the silent treatment in a way where it implies that the victim intentionally made the abuser upset.
He references her prayers for him every day helped ease his own suffering before she became friends with Tatsuki and entered high school before she stopped praying for him altogether. He then says how it hurt him that when she got home, all she would talk about was Ichigo.
For one - the fact that Acidwire knows this proves that Ichigo and Orihime were at least already friends by the time the manga started. In contrast to the anime where Ichigo outright says to Rukia that they've "never had a real conversation"
Anyways - this here in and of itself proves Ichigo and Orihime at least knew each other beyond just acquaintances - because they were close enough for Acidwire to notice and be hurt by it.
She tries to defend herself but he cuts her off before attacking Ichigo again
Acidwire tells her to come with him back to when it was just the two of them. In the context of the story, this would basically be him killing her.
However, this is also a tactic abusers use known as isolation.
When she questions why she should go with him and why he'd hurt Ichigo and Tatsuki before saying that the brother she loved would have never done anything like this.
I feel like in the anime, it kinda breezed by these moments which are honestly heartbreaking in hindsight and key for the leadup to why Orihime was afraid when Ichigo would use his hollow mask.
but Acidwire's response to her refusal and saying that the brother she loved would never do this is to not just harm her, but blame her and say that he is going to kill her.
In the time that she's become friends with Ichigo and Tatsuki and slowly grew happier, Acidwire blamed her for his own despair and sadness.
The kind, loving older brother that she had always known became a monster that would kill her and everyone close to her, and it would be her fault that he did because she stopped praying for him.
Here, it shows how Acidwire views Orihime not as a person who should live her own fulfilling life, but as an object who should live for him because he gave up his entire life to raise and protect her.
Once again, not to say that Sora was an abuser or abusive person, but this line of logic is the same one that abusive and toxic parents often use when it comes to emotionally abusing their children. Saying how the sacrificed so much for their children to control how their children live their own lives when the child never asked to be born. Similarly, Orihime didn't ask to be born or ask for Sora to raise her.
Sora did because that's the kind of person that he is, but Acidwire turns these loving traits of Sora's into a manifestation of abuse.
And even though she has nothing to be sorry for... She apologizes to Acidwire because that's the kind of person she is.
It also shows how she puts on a smile so that way others don't have to worry about her. She didn't want Sora to think that she was sad and hurting, she didn't want him to worry about her so she buried and hid her own sadness.
She apologizes to Acidwire for making him sad and (in what she thinks are probably her last moments) says that she loves him and that she didn't mean to hurt him.
As he's slowly regaining himself, Sora admits that he already knew that Orihime was just trying to shield her sadness from him but still wanted her to pray for him because it was only in those moments that her heart was his.
Ichigo then tells him that it's the same, those who die and those who survive are just as sad as the other.
It's in this moment Sora had fully regained himself, enough to know that he couldn't stay in a form like this or else he'd come to hurt Orihime again. If he killed the little sister that he raised like a daughter over his own heartache, would he have been any better than their own abusive parents?
And finally, the two get to say goodbye properly.
Also - a side note - a lot of people criticize Orihime's passive nature and how she never seems to fight or argue with anyone but it's because the one time that she did have a fight with someone, they died and became a monster.
This entire sequence emphasizes why Orihime always tries to reach out to others in need and never argues or fights. She doesn't want her friends or even strangers, to become like how Sora became Acidwire.
Now, Rukia had changed/erased Orihime's memories following this event but it likely didn't work as intended since during the Rukia rescue arc, Orihime mentions that she's been able to see hollows and spirits ever since the encounter with Acidwire.
Now let's go ahead and jump ahead to VL Ichigo -
Going to Hueco Mundo - Ichigo already knew without having to be told or convinced by anyone that Orihime was in danger. Aizen did his best to make it look like Orihime was a traitor to the Soul Society and Ichigo never bought it
It's being put in plainer and plainer terms that Ichigo transformed as a response to Orihime's call for help.
Even if you want to argue that there was a mistranslation or that Ichigo doesn't directly reference Orihime, even if you remove all of the text the sequence of events goes
Orihime's cries
Ichigo began to move and get up - functionally coming back from being dead
Once again, even if you want to remove the text avoid arguing about whether or not it was properly translated - nevermind the fact that in Japanese pronouns are often omitted and there is a big assumption to just know who/what you are talking about -
Even without text, the images show Orihime crying, and Ichigo beginning to come back to life.
Both she and Ulquiorra question whether that is Ichigo
Now that said, I think that Ichigo vs Ulquiorra is one of the most brutal and best fights in the series. Both Uryu and Orihime know that this isn't Ichigo.
Yet remember how it is established that hollows often become twisted versions of the people they once were? This is a power that Ichigo can't control and yet uses it to protect the person who called out to him.
While I don't disagree with the notion that this is also White protecting Ichigo, it doesn't change the fact that Kubo intentionally drew Orihime and Ichigo rising side by side multiple times. Even without text, Kubo places emphasis on her and her cries for help against VL Ichigo - not White or Zangetsu.
And when Uryu tries to bring him back to his senses what does Ichigo do? Put a sword through him.
Once again, even if you want to remove any and all text, Kubo puts VL Ichigo paneled side by side with Orihime, and when Ichigo comes back to his senses
The first person that he sees is Orihime.
As much as I want, I'll save my yapping about Ulquiorra for a separate time.
But for a moment, even if only briefly, his desires to protect were twisted in a way that hurt those around him, and once again - Orihime was the catalyst.
Ichigo says that he didn't want to win like this - showing that he views fights as something more honorable than what White/VL Ichigo had done. His last memory being that he had a hole put in his chest, also shows that he more or less "blacked out" and had no control over his actions.
What is one of the things established when people become hollows?
That they lose control of themselves and their desires are twisted.
The difference between Ichigo and Acidwire is that Ichigo wants to protect Orihime while Acidwire wanted to own her - which is why Ichigo never directly harms Orihime even as he loses control of himself.
But - all of this yapping is to show how from Orihime's perspective, hollowfication and hollow powers aren't good. They turn people into monsters that hurt their friends and loved ones.
It's also established that Orihime is the type of person who will internalize her own thoughts and feelings (it isn't ""hubris"" as some people call it).
Whether or not you want to argue that it was an assumption that Ichigo became a VL because she cried for help, it doesn't change the fact that she still cried for help and that Ichigo became a hollow/VL.
From her own perspective, she blames herself regardless of whether or not you think that it is an assumption on her part that Ichigo became a VL to protect her.
And after all - why wouldn't she blame herself when her first encounter with a hollow - Acidwire - blamed her for the monster that he became?
I know I skipped over him using his mask in the fight with Grimmjow, but I already yap too much and wanted to try to keep an already long post short(er).
Anyway - all of this illustrates the trauma that Orihime has regarding hollows and hollowfication. It's not truly her fault - yet in both instances she blames herself.
And not just Kubo, but Ichigo himself is fully aware of this.
Which is why when he tells her not to worry and that he's still himself is so important - because it shows that Ichigo has learned to control that side of himself while at the same time, being aware that Orihime is someone who has been traumatized by hollows and hollowfication.
Ultimately - she doesn't want Ichigo to become a monster like Sora. For Ichigo, it's growth in his own ability while for Orihime it's comfort in knowing that Ichigo won't lose himself fighting to protect those he cares about.
In short, she isn't afraid of Ichigo - she was scared of him becoming a monster like Sora had.
Unpopular opinion but Orihime from Bleach was the real MVP compared with what we had with Hinata in Naruto.
If Hinata in Naruto would’ve done half the things Orihime did in Bleach, maybe things would’ve looked waay different in Naruto and we wouldn’t have this mess.
Now the question stands: how do I tag this so I won’t get people inflamed?
Alternative Universe: Tite Kubo treats his other daughter Orihime Inoue, with love and respect and develops her character to her full potential all the while allowing her to be confident, empowered, be the quirky but empathetic character she once was and allowing her to mature and grow as a person.
In Which If You Think Ch.589, The “Boob-Window” Dress, and Ichigo & Orihime Having “A Sexual Awakening” is Positive, You’re Trash.
First - and most importantly - if you coin what is nothing more than a moment of breached consent, a sexual awakening, a mutually-enforced realization of physical attraction, or if your descriptions fall into similar pretenses of positivity: fuck you.
Secondly, if you, in shallow attempts to defend Orihime, diminish her intelligence with cry’s of “she’s been manipulated!”, rob her the awareness of her sexuality because she’s “supposed” to be pure with her intentions only innocent and her desire amorous-free, brush over where she’s robbed agency over her own body, excuse her of personal responsibility, and sanitize her mistakes by delegating all the blame to Kisuke: get bent.
Orihime is book smart and situationally perceptive. Evidenced by her high-class rank (#3), her brain power being compared to that of Uryu’s, her understanding of the significance of dismantling the Hōgyoku, her realizing the tension that the visored and the full-bringers brought (at different points in time), etc.
Orihime also isn’t ignorant to promiscuous topics or sexually-charged comments about her body.
Tatsuki regularly calls her a “big-breasted beauty”, tells her to use her breasts for a seductive-edge (to which, ironically enough, Orihime quickly defends herself by saying “How rude. I’m not stupid.” when called such for not capitalizing on a chance to make sexual advances on Ichigo), shouts ‘your underwear is showing!’ in public, tells her if she ‘flaunts her stuff’ (i.e. breasts and legs) the men she’s trying to ensnare will be ‘the aggressive ones’ (in their sexual initiative), and teases Orihime’s romantic inclinations for Ichigo constantly. Orihime is never uncomfortable. (X) (X) (X)
Uryu, out of respect to Orihime, her awareness, and her personal body-ownership, tells her to be conscious as she’s about to strip in front of him. As in “maybe you’re okay with it, but being a good man, I need to make sure.” Orihime is never uncomfortable. (Certain fans like to, in insecurity-driven, willful misunderstanding, pretend Uryu was a literal woman, but instances where Ichigo is (A) a prince, (B) a suave S.O.B, (C.) with ears, whiskers, and a kitty snout, it’s nothing more than manifested creativity with her feelings and imagination. A plot device for comedy. F u c k y o u. With our archer-boy, she feels very comfortable (at level with Tatsuki, her most precious person), at ease, and not judged, but yeah, put down Uryu some more). (X)
Chizuru! Any idea why Orihime keeps Chizuru around despite the sexual advances and unwanted contact?
Because Chizuru knows well enough about consent, feelings, and what Orihime is and is not okay with. Orihime is “a nice girl who wouldn’t show displeasure on her face easily.”
Pre-Ichigo’s opinion:
Post-Ichigo’s opinion:
That face is pretty damn displeased.
Even someone, who is unseasoned in the mannerisms of Orihime, had this to say:
What happened?
Don’t get me wrong, Ichigo hasn’t and won’t ever objectify, degrade, judge, or make feel little a woman (especially on clothing choices, aesthetics, or looks), but it’s interesting to note that Orihime was perfectly calm, perfectly happy, and perfectly comfortable until Ichigo’s opinion was asked for. Sado brought up the topic that flustered her, but until Ichigo’s opinion, she wasn’t actively putting herself down. She put herself down because of someone else’s opinions. She thought herself gross and felt herself be sexualized.
“He thinks I’m a pervert…”
“He thinks I’m gross and look like an exhibitionist…”
“Don’t get me wrong, Kurosaki-kun.”
He thinks, He says, He doesn’t like.
It’s a very Ichigo-centric way of defense. Surely, Orihime has her own personal opinion about the outfit on her body. She seemed okay with going out in it, she seemed okay with it in the presence of Urahara, Yoruichi, and Sado, and she seemed fine before Ichigo’s opinion.
That’s why IchiRuki fans say it’s not healthy. We don’t care about this in the name of IchiRuki, we care about this in the name of Orihime. I could so easily make this a conjunction for pro-IchiRuki points, but this moment is so filthy, so morally-corrupted and the support for it so complacent, so disgusting that it’s in poor taste to do anything but fight for proper Orihime treatment.
All this to say: a woman who organizes her life to maximize the potential of getting in between Orihime’s legs and a man who fingered a woman without warning have better grasps of consent, respect, and decency than your entire fandom. Fuck you.
And what’s more? Yoruichi and Urahara don’t give two shits about consent.
Urahara put the Hōgyoku in Rukia’s body against her knowledge and will, sold Rukia an artificial body that would inhibit her strength, atrophy her muscles, and halt her recovery, disabled Rukia’s body movement to prevent her from going Ichigo, forced Yoruichi’s transformation, trained Ichigo while purposefully not disclosing the life-threatening details or preconditions. made Orihime an outfit manufactured to bust open if she was no longer comfortable and chose to cover up, etc.
Yoruichi showed an underage Ichigo her naked body despite his lack of consent and visible embarrassment, shoved her fist through Ichigo’s stomach to directly inject a drug, groped Orihime without consent, etc.
Do you see a pattern? They’re a little more complex than plot devices intended to mature Ichigo and Orihime’s physical relationship. They don’t care. Pushing the IH agenda is not in their job description or their preferences.
Leave the defense against perverts and sewing of custom made clothes to her one true love.
Hater: “Why is Orihime so afraid of Ichigo’s mask tho?! I though she loved him?!”
Orihime: *Went through the trauma of her beloved brother being turned into a hollow and attacking her.*
Then she saw the man she loved like this:
(It even flashed to Sora’s hollowfied face for a sec.)
