Ichigo's problem at the SS arc vs HM arc. There are some people that says,it wasn't fair to compare Ichigo's behavior at the SS arc to HM arc,because at the HM arc Ichigo is facing a lot of problems unlike with the SS,which his only problem is,how he will rescue Rukia.When I think about it,is it really something like that?
I'll try to elaborate Ichigo's problems and depressions from those arcs...
Let's begin with...
SS arc
At the SS arc,is rescuing Rukia,is the only problem that Ichigo was carrying inside himself?Is it the only problem that he was facing there?If that's what you think,I guess you are definitely missing a lot of things.
Always keep this in mind...
As much as it is true,that rescuing Rukia is the only visible problem at the SS arc,readers need to understand that,along with her execution,and Ichigo's will to save her,there are lots of problems that was created because of her execution.
Ichigo's problems during the SS arc are...
1. Guilt.The woman/shinigami who risked her life in order to protect him,and lends her powers to him,so he can be able to protect his family,is going to be executed because of violating the law of the SS (which saved him and his family). In other words,the woman whom he was in debt,the woman whom he owes his life,and his family's,is going to die because of saving them.Also,Rukia is powerless,she cannot fight to protect herself,and it is also because of him.Though he didn't intend to do anything like that,still,it was the result of lending her powers to him (he drained almost all of her powers),which add to the weight of his guilt. Naturally,whoever it was in that situation will bear an unparalleled guilt in their hearts.If it wasn't because of him,she will not be executed to die.It's a huge thing actually.It's something that is definitely hard to overcome,especially,when she was taken away right in front of him,and he couldn't do anything to stop it.For what reason do you think Ichigo reacted like this?
Most importantly,he behaved like this...
3. Lack of Battle Experience.Ichigo doesn't have enough battle experience.Logically thinking,he should be bothered by that.Ichigo doesn't know how many strong shinigamis are there in the SS,and how strong they really are (he doesn't know that their strength is 5 times stronger in the SS,compared to the HW).
4. Worry for Rukia's well being.Ichigo is also bothered about what he should do,after rescuing Rukia.Will he take her with him,and bring her back to the HW,so he could protect her?Will he separate her from her family and friends?Apparently,Ichigo is also worried for Rukia's well being,which adds up to the weight of his guilt as well.
5. Fight against the law of the SS.There might be someone,who will say that Ichigo is not under to any kind of laws at the SS,since he isn't an official shinigami,so that argument is irrelevant.However,Ichigo is not actually the problem,it was Rukia,just so you know.Rukia is a shinigami,and is absolutely under the law of the SS.Rukia,violated the law,and she needs to be punished.Since Ichigo wanted to save her,he'll definitely have to shatter the law of the SS.
Based from the given situation at the SS Arc,Ichigo's problems are all centered to Rukia.Perhaps that's the reason why people used to think that rescuing Rukia is his only problem during that time.
HM arc
1. Ichigo's inner hollow.
Actually,Ichigo's problem with his hollow,first appeared during his fight with Byakuya at the Sokyouku hill...
As you can see,the hollow did took over during his fight with Byakuya.However,since Ichigo succeeded in shoving him off,most of the readers used to think,that the hollow during that time,is weaker than the one that showed up at the Dome,but,is it really the reason why he was able to shove him off during that time?
Anyways,because that fight had a positive outcome,most of the readers didn't realized that it brought something horrible to Ichigo as well.What is it?The hollow...readers should also understand that it was the first time that Ichigo was devoured by his hollow.That was the first time that he became aware of the hollow's existence,do you honestly think that he didn't get bothered by it,during his fight with Byakuya?Seriously?Even after seeing what he have done to Byakuya?Logically thinking,he was bothered by the hollow.However,Ichigo is so determined to win that fight in his own way,to be able to change Rukia's fate,that's why he succeeded in shoving him off.He wanted to make Byakuya to realize,that he should be protecting Rukia,no matter what,since he was her brother.You don't believe me?
Look closely...
Judging by his own statement,it's clear that,after seeing him first time during his fight with Byakuya,Ichigo kept on thinking about the hollow.Normally,Ichigo would definitely be scared,knowing that he have a hollow inside him.Hollows are violent creatures,that's why,he thought that he may lose the things that are dear to him,if he didn't do anything about it.During his fight with Byakuya,he doesn't have the time to think about it,because he is more focused on saving Rukia,that's why,he only have the time to think about it,after the rescue mission.
You know,if you are thinking too much about something,it can create a hallucination,which is probably the reason,why Ichigo kept on hearing the hollow's voice,he's being paranoid.Ichigo doesn't understand why the hollow kept on appearing (read here),that's why he was so scared,and makes him think about it,over and over,which leads to his lack of wanting to be engaged in a fight.Therefore,it caused him a lot of failures.Because Ichigo is bothered by the hollow,he couldn't concentrate in fighting,he always thought that he might get devoured by the hollow.As a result,his attention is divided in fighting with the enemy,and trying to shove the hollow off his mind.Because of this,Ichigo failed to protect his friends,which caused him an even more lack of wanting to be engaged in a fight,and throws himself into depression,because of his failures to protect his nakamas.In fact,after his failure to protect his nakamas,Ichigo,never went in his shinigami form,ever again,until Rukia gave him her "The man in my heart" speech.
Other than this...Ichigo's problems at the HM arc are...
2. Orihime's rescue.Actually,Orihime's rescue is not the main problem of Ichigo in this particular arc,it is only one of his problems,but his main problem in this arc,is his conflict with his inner hollow.Orihime's rescue only played the part to emphasize Ichigo's conflicts with his hollow.
3. The Karakura invasion.This is the main plan of Aizen,to be able to create a Royal Key.
Based from the given situation for this particular arc,Ichigo's problems are actually centered to his hollow.That's right,Ichigo's hollow is the center of all his problems.Ichigo only have the trouble in solving the other problems (Orihime's rescue,and the Krakura invasion) because of his hollow.
Now,after realizing Ichigo's problems in those arcs,can someone tell me...does Ichigo's problem in the HM,is really something that is way heavier than his problem during the SS arc?You know,if you really tried to see things equally,you will realize,that the number of his problems is not the thing that caused him an even more depression and pressure,which caused all of his failures,and the reason why he behaves differently,during his rescue mission for Rukia,compared to Orihime's.Do you know what it is?It was...
Ichigo's way of reacting with his problems.
SS arc
Rukia was arrested and was sentenced to death because of him,when he thought that there's no way that he can follow her,and save her,Ichigo lose his will to live,because he couldn't bear the feeling of guilt.However,after hearing from Urahara that he can help him with his problem,Ichigo wanted to act immediately,and follow her,though he wasn't even fully healed from his injuries,and is also powerless during that time being.That is Ichigo's way of dealing with the situation.
Ichigo never cared as to how many shinigamis,and how strong the enemies could be,as long as they tried to stop him,he'll beat them all.That statement from Ichigo doesn't actually implies confidence,just like what Renji,and most of the readers thought here...
What his statement actually means,is this...
Ichigo,is not implying that he can definitely save her.He doesn't hold the confidence that everyone thought he have,during his rescue mission for Rukia.For your information,what Ichigo's words actually means when he said..."he doesn't care how many Vice Captains are there,or how many Captains are there,and most importantly,he doesn't care how strong they really are" is because,the only thing that he knew,and cares the most,is the fact the he NEEDS to save her.Ichigo set his mind,that he shouldn't fail.In other words,Ichigo is that desperate to save her.That's right,Ichigo's words showed his desperation to save Rukia,and he's going to do everything to make it happen.
When a person is so desperate to achieve something,they became willing to do anything to reach that goal,even the things that even them,were unable to believe in what they can actually do.Ichigo was in an urge to save Rukia,and no one can stop him from doing so,that's how Ichigo reacted,when he was about to lose Rukia.Because Ichigo is so desperate,and so persistent in saving her,Ichigo,never cared as to how many strong opponents will try to stop him,he doesn't care about his lack of battle experience,he doesn't care whether he was in a unfamiliar world with different kind of rules.The only thing that he kept on thinking is,he needs to save Rukia,no matter what,because of this,Ichigo managed to stand up,no matter how many times he was about to fall.Ichigo,kept on refusing deaths,and defeats,because he's that desperate to save Rukia,which gave him the determination to win the fights,in his own way,so he could change her fate.
On the other hand,how does Ichigo reacted with his problem,concerning his hollow?
HM arc
The main problem that Ichigo had in this particular arc,is the hollow inside him.Ichigo thought that he may lose everything that is so dear to him,because of it.How does Ichigo react with this problem?Ichigo chose to hide it from everyone,he was afraid that he may lose them,once they found out.Ichigo,in this arc,unlike how he reacted to his problem with his guilt,during the SS arc,Ichigo falls in his despair.
Note : Despair,is losing hope,it is different from the word desperate,so do not be confused.Desperate is the kind of state that may come before or after despair.It's like,a person suffered from despair,and he/she becomes desperate,or a person is so desperate to achieve something,but still,that person failed to succeed,so he falls into despair.I wonder if I explained it clear ^.^'>
For the people who will try to down play Ichigo's character from this arc.Don't say that his behavior shows his lack of trust or confidence with his friends,because he thought that he may lose them,if they found out.In fact,that is the main purpose of this scene...
Do you see now?Ichigo's fear comes into reality,the moment that Orihime showed that scared expression to Ichigo.That is the very first time that we saw his sad face (in front of his nakama),after all those times that he was carrying it to himself.At that very moment,Orihime just proved to him,that his fear,can actually become a possibility.Though she did cheered him up,after Nel's statements about Ichigo's suffering,and it somehow,showed that he still have a hope that he'll regain his friendship with everyone,just in case.Still,it wasn't enough to reassure him.
Ichigo in this arc,is so desperate to maintain the things that are dear to him.When he failed to protect his nakamas after his fight with Yammy,Ichigo falls into deeper loss of hope.However,Rukia came back,and gave him his resolve,then Ichigo finally decided to do something about it,and went to the Vizaards to train.However,the moment that he came to the HM,and saw Orihime's scared expression,Ichigo's fear becomes stronger,because he realized,that it can actually happen.
Now,after realizing the main problems of Ichigo from those arcs,I want to ask something.Does Ichigo's problem during the SS arc,is really something that is not as heavy as his problem at the HM?Does Ichigo's guilt,should be taken lightly,compared to his problem with his hollow?Although,I can see why people used to think,that is was something that cannot be anything heavier,than his problems with the HM.I thought that way,because there are people who are using the number of his problems at the HM,as an argument,that it wasn't fair to compare the two.Probably,one of those reasons why it's weight just suddenly diminished from the readers POV,is the fact that the SS arc have a positive outcome,or rather should I say...Ichigo is mentally stronger at the SS,compared to the HM.However,is this actually true?
Look closely....
Ichigo : It's my fault that Rukia is going to die...I know that already.THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO SAVE HER!
Apparently,Ichigo is definitely suffering.People should have seen that from his words,and his behavior from that scene.Ichigo's determination to win,comes from his desperate will to save Rukia.Ichigo is so desperate,because he didn't know what else to do,if Rukia died because of saving him and his family.
Let's make things simple...
Why does Ichigo is so bothered by the hollow inside him?What is he scared of?...Ichigo is scared of losing everything that is dear to him,because of the hollow.That is what Ichigo kept on thinking during the Arrancar to HM arc.On the other hand...Ichigo almost lost his family,if it weren't because of Rukia,during the pre SS arc,it's the other way round,right?Because of his hollow,he might lose everything that is dear to him,whereas,because of Rukia,he was able to protect those people who are dear to him.Both problems,are rooted from his will to protect those that are dear to him,so technically,they are just equal.I am talking about the weight of the problem.
To make things a lot easier to understand...
This is how Ichigo behaved when facing his problems...
SS arc
Guilt.If Rukia is going to be executed,then he'll come and save her,and won't let her die.He'll do everything,to make sure that she will be saved.
Inadequacy.If the problem is his powerlessness,then he'll do anything to have that power,so he could save Rukia...
even this...
Isn't he cute? (*ゝ_●・)σ
And this...
I suppose,everyone already knew how Ichigo suffered a lot,in order to have his shinigami powers,to be able to save Rukia,right?
Byakuya's PRIDE.If the problem is Byakuya's PRIDE,that's why he was supporting Rukia's execution,then he'll step on it,and destroy it,for him to realize,that he should protect Rukia,instead of killing her...
The Law of the SS.If the problem is the Law of the SS,then he'll do everything to shatter that Law,just like what he have said here...
Does everyone sees it now?Ichigo is always aiming to eliminate anything that might be the reason,why Rukia is going to be killed.Ichigo is always doing everything to shatter the source of all the problems,that may hinder his mission to save Rukia.
On the other hand,how did Ichigo deals with his problem with his hollow?
HM arc
Ichigo in this arc,never acted the same as he does during the SS arc.Even after hearing from Hirako that he can help him with his problem concerning his hollow,Ichigo didn't do anything about it.Even after failing to protect his nakamas,Ichigo only falls in his despair,and still not doing anything about his problem,unlike how he acted immediately to have his shinigami powers to be able to save Rukia at the SS.In fact,Ichigo still didn't do anything about it,even after this...
Ichigo,have only decided to act,after this thing have happened...
Ichigo isn't doing anything,even though he already knew that he can come to Hirako for a help,not even when he failed to protect Chad,Tatsuki,and Orihime,against Yamy.But when GJ hurts Rukia,that is the only time that he felt the need to do something.
Based from the given situations in the manga,it seems that Ichigo's reaction is always different,when the subject is Rukia.It's true that he cared for all his nakamas,hence he was so depressed fro not being able to protect them,to the point that he gets afraid of turning into his shinigami form ever again.Despite the fact that his feelings for both situations are the same (nakamas,and Rukia getting hurt),his actions/resolve differ,when it was about Rukia,or rather should I say,she always plays as the last straw for Ichigo,that will push him to do something about the problem.
Judging by the given circumstances and situations,the argument about the number of problems is actually irrelevant.The reason why Ichigo behaved completely different during Orihime's rescue,compared to Rukia's,is definitely not because of the number of problems that he was facing during that time.Ichigo behaved differently,according to the subject of his problems,not by the numbers.
