Building a D&D Character Inspired by Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach


If you’ve ever thought, "How would Ichigo from Bleach fit into a Dungeons & Dragons campaign?" you're not alone. Ichigo's blend of supernatural power, warrior spirit, and strong sense of duty makes him an intriguing character to replicate in D&D. While we can’t perfectly mimic all aspects of his character, D&D’s flexible system allows us to capture many of his key traits and abilities. In this blog, we’ll walk through how to build a D&D character inspired by Ichigo Kurosaki.

1. Race: Human

Ichigo is very much a human with extraordinary abilities, so we’d start with the Human race in D&D. You could opt for the Variant Human to give Ichigo a more customized ability score bonus and a feat early on, or the Standard Human for well-rounded stat boosts.

  • Variant Human Traits: This option grants you an extra skill proficiency and a feat at 1st level, which will come in handy later for customizing Ichigo’s combat style.

2. Class: Fighter (Eldritch Knight)

At his core, Ichigo is a warrior who relies on swordsmanship and raw physical power. However, his Soul Reaper abilities resemble a combination of martial prowess and spiritual or magical power. The Eldritch Knight Fighter is the best way to capture that mix.

  • Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting: Ichigo wields the massive Zangetsu blade, so the Great Weapon Fighting style, which improves damage output with two-handed weapons, makes sense.

  • Second Wind and Action Surge: These abilities reflect Ichigo’s incredible resilience and ability to push beyond normal limits in combat, much like his ability to keep fighting even when severely injured.

  • Spellcasting: While Ichigo doesn't use traditional magic, his various abilities (Getsuga Tenshō, for instance) could be represented by spells. As an Eldritch Knight, you can choose a few spells that simulate his spiritual powers. Focus on spells like Absorb Elements, Thunderwave (to simulate Getsuga Tenshō), and Mirror Image (representing Ichigo’s fast movements in battle).

3. Subclass: Hexblade Warlock

To add some flavor to Ichigo’s connection with his Zanpakutō (spiritual sword), consider multi-classing into Hexblade Warlock at some point. This subclass allows for a strong bond between a character and their weapon, mirroring Ichigo’s relationship with Zangetsu. The Hexblade subclass brings more supernatural power into the build, representing Ichigo’s Soul Reaper abilities.

  • Hex Warrior: This feature lets you use your Charisma modifier for attacks made with your weapon, which can represent Ichigo drawing strength from his soul rather than pure physical power.

  • Hexblade's Curse: This ability gives Ichigo an extra edge in combat, reflecting his tendency to grow stronger when faced with more dangerous opponents.

  • Eldritch Invocations: Pick invocations that can help you replicate Ichigo’s unique powers, such as Armor of Shadows for his durability or Maddening Hex to deal extra damage to cursed enemies.

4. Background: Soldier

Ichigo is essentially a warrior with a sense of duty, always ready to protect his friends and family. The Soldier background works perfectly to represent his training, combat experience, and drive to defend others. This background also grants proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation, which fit Ichigo's physical strength and ability to intimidate enemies.

5. Skills and Abilities

  • Strength and Dexterity: Ichigo is both strong and fast. Focus on high Strength for melee attacks and Dexterity for his incredible speed and reflexes.

  • Constitution: Ichigo can take a beating, so having a decent Constitution score will help replicate his ability to endure prolonged battles.

  • Charisma: Ichigo’s determination and ability to inspire or lead others make Charisma important, especially if you're planning to use the Hexblade Warlock multi-class.

For skills, prioritize:

  • Athletics: To represent Ichigo's physical prowess and feats of strength.
  • Perception: As a Soul Reaper, Ichigo can detect spiritual beings, so Perception would represent his awareness of hidden or invisible threats.
  • Intimidation: Ichigo’s presence alone can intimidate weaker opponents, and this skill would capture that ability well.

6. Equipment

  • Greatsword (Zangetsu): Ichigo’s signature weapon, Zangetsu, is a massive sword. In D&D terms, a Greatsword fits the bill perfectly. As you progress, you could enchant it with powers that mimic Ichigo’s abilities, such as lightning or force damage.

  • Light or No Armor: Ichigo typically fights without heavy armor, relying more on speed and resilience, so avoid armor or use light armor to keep his agile fighting style intact.

07. Key Spells for Flavor

While Ichigo isn’t a traditional spellcaster, his spiritual powers can be translated into D&D spells. Here are a few spells that can simulate Ichigo’s abilities:

  • Thunderwave: For Getsuga Tenshō, Ichigo’s iconic energy blast.
  • Absorb Elements: Represents Ichigo absorbing and retaliating with energy from enemies’ attacks.
  • Misty Step: To reflect his quick, flash-like movements during combat.
  • Shadow Blade: A great way to enhance the flavor of Ichigo’s spiritual blade in later levels.

8. Feats to Consider

  • Great Weapon Master: This feat is perfect for increasing Ichigo’s damage output, allowing him to deal devastating blows with his sword, much like his powerful attacks with Zangetsu.
  • Tough: Ichigo is known for his resilience and ability to keep fighting even when critically injured. This feat increases hit points, adding durability to the character.
  • War Caster: If you're leaning into the magic aspect through the Hexblade Warlock path, War Caster can help Ichigo maintain concentration on spells while fighting in melee.

Conclusion

Building a D&D character inspired by Ichigo Kurosaki is not only fun but also a great way to combine martial prowess with supernatural abilities. By blending the Fighter (Eldritch Knight) class with the Hexblade Warlock, you can create a character that feels powerful, spiritual, and uniquely tied to their weapon, just like Ichigo. Whether you’re battling Hollows or facing down a dragon, this Ichigo-inspired build will hold its own on the tabletop.

Sources:

  • Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook
  • Bleach manga and anime series by Tite Kubo
  • "How to Build a Hexblade in D&D 5e" by DnD Beyond​ (Global Book Pub)
Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada

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