CHARACTER HISTORY: As the central character of the series, Ichigo's background and character has recieved the most detail and explanation. He was born on July 7 to Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki, and has twin sisters, four years younger than him, named Yuzu and Karin. By the age of three, he had already begun training in the martial arts, leading him to meet Tatsuki Arisawa for the first time. When he was nine years old, his mother was killed by a Hollow named Grand Fisher, who had drawn Ichigo in using devious tactics; he was capable of seeing spirits as clearly as normal people even at such a young age. The result of his mother's loss took a great toll on him, bringing him as far as to blame himself for the event. By age 15, he had developed a reputation within his school as trouble; his natural hair color became a source of resentment as an oddity in a place that much perferred conformity, and associated him to gang members and other such people. As a result, he works hard to keep his grades, if for nothing more than to spite those teachers who look upon him with negative views.
His tough guy attitude, combined with martial arts training and naturally gifted physique, gives him the power to fight to defend himself and those he deems important to him. The high spiritual powers he possesses also leads him to protect the memory of those spirits who linger on, defending their memorial sites from those who didn't show their respect. Upon meeting Rukia Kuchiki, his mind was exposed to a world he didn't know; that of the Shinigami. becoming a Shinigami through the transfer of Rukia's powers into him, he learned the basics of Soul Society and the powers he possessed, but was struck down by Byakuya Kuchiki, who removed the powers Ichigo had gained with surgical strikes to his body. Under harsh, life threatening circumstances, he regained these powers under the tutelage of Kisuke Urahara, a former Shinigami Captain.
Soul Society played a key role in his development, forcing him into deadly confrontations with opponent's of increasing power. Where he had entered Soul Society as below the level of a Lieutenant, he left there as a Shinigami of high renown, having defeated four Lieutenants, as well as Captains Kenpachi Zaraki and Byakuya Kuchiki, in his short time there. As proof of his skill, he was awarded with a Medallion by Shinigami Captain, Jushiro Ukitake, signifying Kurosaki as a Substitute Shinigami, recognized by Soul Society as an ally and companion.