When,How,and Why does Hollow Ichigo show up?

            Among all the characters from the BLEACH manga,Ichigo's Hollow is the most interesting character to analyze (based from my own perspective of interesting ^.^'>). I've seen a lot of speculations regarding his true nature and personality,most especially,the way he behaved at the Dome.However,most of their speculations doesn't matched with the event that took place,in that particular scene.

For example...

Hollow Ichigo showed up as a response to Orihime's cry for help.

If this thing is true,then why did this thing happened in the first place?

           Seriously,don't you think it's kinda awkward to believe that he really showed up,in order to protect her?Well,I have seen someone mentioned that,Hollow Ichigo might not see Orihime O.o> Can we take a look at their distance from each other,please?

          Well,as far as I can here,Orihime was definitely occupying  a space that is absolutely within his viewing range ( a perfect spot,actually,where he can see her without a doubt). Orhime was there,just a few steps right in front of him,how come he wouldn't be able to see her,huh?Yet,he still released his reiatsu,not bothering that the person he came to protect,was sitting just a few steps away from him.Not only that,it seems that Hollow Ichigo didn't know the meaning of protect,since what he have done,is to bring her even more harm,after flying backwards and face bouncing on the ground,he never even made an effort to catch her at the very least.So much for someone who came to protect the girl...ヽ（´ー｀）┌

The hollow knows Ichigo's relationships, because it is HIM. darker, violent and sadistic part of him (although tamed, will find any chance he gets to take over)

           Does this thing was truly relevant?So what,that he knew Ichigo's relationships?Does that mean that they might felt the same?In any case,I suppose it's best,if we asked him directly...

           Zangetsu san (Hollow Ichigo is a part of Zangetsu,and I know that everyone already knew this,right?),what can you say about this?

          There you go,he said it bluntly,he doesn't care or give a damn to anything that Ichigo wanted to protect.From his very own words,one can easily tell that he definitely didn't showed up in order to protect Orihime (because Ichigo wanted to protect her so badly). This also shows that Hollow Ichigo is not running from Ichigo's raw instinct either,which is...to protect,because Hollow Ichigo have his own intellectual capability unlike the other normal hollows,he's a completely different case.

          Well,somehow it really makes sense why he didn't care to what happened to Orihime,after flying backwards and face planting,don't you think?(*ゝ_●・)σ

           Now,if Ichigo's hollow doesn't care about the things that he wanted to protect,then what is he exactly?Is he an enemy (something that is definitely bad for Ichigo)?Does he really wanted to devour Ichigo (like what most of the readers seem to think about him)?

           In  order to be able to understand Hollow Ichigo's character/behavior,I chose to begin with answering this questions...When,How and Why does Hollow Ichigo shows up?

Let's start with...

When does Hollow Ichigo usually shows up?

Let's begin with these scene....



             Did you remember that scene?That is the first time that his hollow mask appeared (minus the time during his training with Urahara in the RW), it's after his fight with Renji during the rescue mission at the SS.Hanataro was so surprised to see that the wound on his left torso that was supposed to be a fatal one,just appeared to be shallow.Why?Because these thing saved him....



Hanataro said that he found that hollow mask inside Ichigo's robe....



              Hanataro said that the mask is the thing that blocked Renji's fatal attack.Did you know that these isn't the time that things like that have happened?In fact it happened once again here....





                These scene was after his fight with Kenpachi.Yoruichi also found a hollow mask with him,she thought that Ichigo brought it along with him,she said that he was saved by that mask.but look at his reaction,he was surprised.why?



               He said that it saved him too during his fight with Renji earlier,but Hanataro asked throw it away,that's why he threw it away at the sewer.That means that the hollow mask that Yoruichi found was a new one.Come to think of it,Did you noticed these part during his fight with Kenpachi?





              Zangetsu said that he was stopping Ichigo's wound from bleeding,so that means he's the one who brought the hollow's mask to protect Ichigo?Didn't hollow Ichigo said that Zangetsu and him are just one?If you're updated at the manga,you would have know the answer to these.

Now let's take a look at his fight with Byakuya...



These time the hollow tried to take over the fight.....

              Have you noticed?The more Ichigo's life was being threatened,the more his hollow interfere.What do I mean?When he was fighting with Renji a mask appeared to protect him from a fatal attack that Renji gave to him.When he was fighting with Kenpachi,a mask appeared to protect him once again,but during his fight with Byakuya,the hollow literally tried to take over the fight from him.In other words,Hollow Ichigo usually appears,when Ichigo's life was being threatened.

* * * * *

              After seeing the times that Hollow Ichigo usually shows up,let's now start to find out the reason....

Why does Hollow Ichigo shows up?

              We have already seen that Hollow Ichigo usually shows up,when Ichigo's life was being threatened.Why is he doing that?It was because of this...



                Do you understand now?Hollow Ichigo is taking over the fight,because he didn't want Ichigo to die.He said it clearly,if Ichigo dies,he will suffer as well,meaning...he needs Ichigo to win,and to stay alive.The reason why he was scolding him here...



                  He's angry,because Ichigo got scared of Byakuya's bankai,and become unable to move.Because of Ichigo's fear after witnessing the power of Byakuya's bankai,he became weak,and unable to defeat Byakuya.In fact,he have scolded him as well here...

                   That was the first time he saw Hollow Ichigo in his inner world,it was during his fight with Kenpachi.He's telling Ichigo that he have a very powerful sword,he shouldn't end up half dead and was there bleeding like crazy,he was so annoyed.Plus,notice that he was telling an important information to Ichigo (concerning his power,his sword,Zangetsu),every time he shows up in his inner world.Why is he doing that?If you look closely at what he was doing,obviously,he was teaching him how to control/use his power.In that case,don't you think,if he really wanted to devour Ichigo (like most of the readers usually think),he would actually do that?Seriously,Hollow Ichigo is teaching him how to control his power,how to use his sword,how to use Zangetsu,isn't he a part of Zangetsu?Apparently,he was teaching the person that he wanted to devour,as to how he can control him? O.o>

                    No matter when he showed up to Ichigo in his inner world,he was giving him a hint,as to how he can use Zangetsu (and his a part of Zangetsu). Be it during his fight with Kenpachi,even during his fight with Byakuya,and during his training with the Vizaards,all he does,is to explain things about his power,about Zangetsu,and what are the things he need to do,to be able to use him.Based from that series of events,it's clear that he wanted Ichigo to be able to use/control his power,because he needs him to win,so he could stay alive,because if Ichigo dies,he'll definitely die as well,since he's just getting all his powers from him,and he's the only reason why he exists.He even said that bluntly...



                     See the difference in his aura compared to when he was talking to Ichigo?Every time he was facing Ichigo,he seemed to like mocking him a lot,but here we can see his peaceful appearance.And what is he saying here?He's simply saying that he wants Ichigo to win,that's why how ever he was unwilling to help,he'll still help if needed.It seems like he was just impatient every time Ichigo was being scared,and weak (because his life depends on him). The reason why he said this...



                     See that?....that's the reason why he kept on interfering his fights.....when Ichigo was forgetting his determination (to read more explanation about,how can his determination affect his chance of winning the fights,please read here ),he will definitely be distracted and scared of being defeated by the enemy,which would only lead to his death (their deaths)....He's telling Ichigo,that the reason why he didn't want him to become the King,is because he was weak,simply means that,as long as he was strong and determined to win,he won't complain being the horse,he just didn't want to be controlled by someone that is weaker than him,how could he entrust his life with someone that is weaker than him?

That's why he also said these,after seeing a little bit of wanting to fight and to win from him (Ichigo).....

 

                        He's telling Ichigo,that if he shows the slightest bit of being lazy (means lacking determination/will to win),he'll definitely take over.He is just telling him to be stronger,and take care of himself.

Emphasizing this part...(*ゝ_●・)σ




                       Hallow Ichigo wants to devour him (like most of the readers used to think)?then why did he wanted Ichigo to win?wouldn't it be more favorable for him,if he loses a fight?In that case,he can finally take over,but no....he needs him to live....that's why he said,no matter how unwilling he is to help,he's still going to help,he's just annoyed that Ichigo is so weak.Then why did he said this?....



                         From my own POV...and I mean,just from my own POV,I didn't mean that this is the exact thing,okay? ^m^

I think what he meant there,was this...



                  He means,it (Ichigo's power)will become his,because they will become one.Also,look closely at his expression when he said that....



                  Is he grinning evily?Nope right?And so as Zangetsu's reaction to his words,is he worried?Nope,right?Apparently,he doesn't mean any harm towards Ichigo when he said those words.

                  Didn't he said that he is the owner of their world?if he died,he'll suffer as well.This simply means that he really needed Ichigo to live,since he's the owner of their world,their powers actually comes from him.Ichigo is the source of their powers,and their lives,that's why they needed him to live.If you think about it,he really didn't mean to devour him,he just needed to take control,in order to be able to protect him (Ichigo). This is why I believe,he's not just waiting for him to let his guard down,so he can take over,he's just telling Ichigo to take care of himself,and when he couldn't fight any longer,that is when he will show up,because he didn't want to die.Hallow Ichigo is just using Ichigo's fear of him,to do his best.If he didn't really wanted his hallow to take over,then become stronger,so he can take the throne of the King (domination to his soul).He's just trying to give Ichigo a reason to get stronger,win,and not to die.He was simply provoking Ichigo to defeat him (Hollow),and win the fight.Unfortunately,what happened is the opposite.Ichigo just become weaker,the reason why TZ was so sad and angry here...



                    Ichigo didn't understand his own power.He thought it will devour him,the reason why he kept on failing to protect his friends during the Arrancars,up until the HM.

                    See? Hollow Ichigo is not actually an enemy,or something that is actually bad for Ichigo.All he wants for him is to be stronger and take care of himself.This theory was proven to be true,after his blatant revelation here...



                   Well,his revelation definitely matched up with his previous actions,don't you think?Teaching Ichigo how to use his sword,his power,which is Zangetsu and him,as a part of it.Like I was saying,if he really wanted to devour him,he will never teach Ichigo how to control Zangetsu (him as a part of it). Showing up every time he was about to be killed by the enemy.All those incidents proves that he really is protecting Ichigo.Most importantly,this revelation explains his behavior at the Dome.Not caring that Orihime flew backwards and face planting on the ground,and stabbing Ishida,because he doesn't care about them (people that Ichigo wanted to protect),because the only one that he wanted to protect,was Ichigo,and only Ichigo.

Before I leave this part of the topic,I wanted to address this part...

                     Someone asked me,Hollow Ichigo comes up when Ichigo's life was being threatened,but why he didn't show up after Ichigo was stabbed by Ulquiora (with his hand) in this particular scene?During his fight with Byakuya,he showed up when he couldn't move any longer.

                     After taking my time to think about it,I came to analyze the difference between the two situation.What is their difference?Look closely please?

                     That is what happened during his fight with Byakuya at the Sokyouku hill.In this fight,Hollow Ichigo showed up...when?

                     Right,Hollow Ichigo showed up before Byakuya managed to swung down his sword towards Ichigo,as his finishing blow.On the other hand,let's go back to what happened during his fight with Ulquiora.
What did Ulquiora do,after stabbing Ichigo with his bare hands?...

                     As you can see,Ulquiora didn't attack him any further after stabbing him.Ulquiora left right after he stabbed Ichigo,he even told him to leave if he can still  move.With Byakuya's fight,Byakuya is determined to finish him off,and wanted to give him a final attack,though he was already unable to move any further.Judging by the situation,it's clear that,with Byakuya's fight he was forced to continue fighting,but he couldn't move anymore,so...Hollow Ichigo who didn't want to die,shows up to continue the fight for him.At the HM,during his fight with Ulquiora,he didn't have to continue fighting,since Ulquiora left him right away.There's no need for him to continue fighting,so Hollow Ichigo didn't have to show up.That was completely different from their fight at the Dome as well...

                    
What happened after Ulquiora did that at the Dome?

                       Ichigo got severely injured,even Orihime's Shun Shun Rika couldn't brought him back,and his nakamas were still fighting with Ulquiora.Apparently,if Ichigo stayed in that condition for a longer time,surely he will die.When Orihime cried for help,it's clear that she couldn't help Ichigo,this is when Hollow Ichigo showed up.When the fight was over,what did he do next?

Ichigo was healed through his Hollow's High Speed Regeneration.Plus,do you remember this?






                 Hollow Ichigo is the one who will decide when he will come out the next time,and when was it?When he showed weakness (lack of determination/will to win). The thing had happened at the Dome.This also proves that Hollow Ichigo didn't show up,because Ichigo turned himself into a hollow (means he intentionally turned himself into a hollow),in order to protect Orihime,like what some Ichihime shippers were trying to imply.

                 Okay,now that I have explained my opinion about those issues,let's now continue to the next part of this essay...

How does Hollow Ichigo takes over?

                    That was the first time Hollow Ichigo told him how things are turning the way they does.Let's analyze his words here...

Hollow Ichigo : As far as a body containing more than one inhabitant is concerned,when master and the servant decide to switch,naturally,the body's appearance changes as well...And just as bodies are wrapped in meat during life,upon death,we will be reduced to nothing but bone.It's the same truths.


                     The way I interpreted his words,this explains that,when Ichigo uses the Hollow's mask,he's drawing powers from Zangetsu (hollow's side),it's like him who was deciding to let him (hollow) take control,but not completely,that's why he was still in his shinigami form,only with a mask of a hollow.The more the hollow is taking control,the more his mask's appearance is changing as well.That is the reason why his mask,or rather should I say,his hollow form kept on changing,because Hollow Ichigo's dominance is becoming stronger.The more Ichigo was injured,the more he was able to control his soul.That means,if Ichigo is getting weaker (like a corpse that rot,and was reducing into nothing but bone),the dominance is being transferred to Hollow Ichigo and Zangetsu,which was the inner part of him,like what the bones are.As Ichigo was getting weaker,like a body that was wrapped in meat and slowly reducing into bone,Hollow Ichigo and Zangetsu (as one),is becoming visible,like they are gaining the dominance.As a result,Hollow Ichigo or Zangetsu to be exact,becomes able to take the control of his powers,and soul.When Ichigo gets weaker at the Dome,Hollow Ichigo gained the complete dominance to his soul,that's why his appearance is more of a hollow than a shinigami.After Ichigo finally understands everything about Zangetsu,he became able to use their powers,as a result.when Ichigo and Zangetsu becomes one,their appearance changes as well...

                     So,that's why things happened the way they are...Hollow Ichigo showing up,because Ichigo is getting weaker (because of his fear from his own power),and become unable to defeat his enemies at the Arrancar and the HM arc,which made him unable to protect his nakamas.Ichigo kept on shoving off Hollow Ichigo,because he doesn't understand why is he interfering his fights,he thought that he was hindering his desire to protect his nakamas,and that he was something that will bring harm to him and the people that was dear to him.(*ゝ_●・)σ