Why Is Ichigo Considered the Most Potent Shinigami?

Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of the BLEACH series, has surpassed many of his opponents and rivals, including the notorious Aizen Sosuke and the all-powerful Yhwach. Despite not being at his peak strength during battles against these foes, Ichigo has consistently shown remarkable potential and power, earning him the title of one of the most potent Shinigamis. Let's delve into why Ichigo stands out as a force to be reckoned with.

Ichigo vs Aizen: Inherently Powerful Yet Mismatched

When Ichigo fights Aizen, he is not at full strength. Aizen, though powerful, had to be cautious due to the immense trouble Ichigo could cause even when blinded. In contrast, when Ichigo faced Yhwach, he was injured, had his powers drained, and was not using his Bankai or higher-order state (HoS). Nevertheless, he still managed to one-shot Yhwach, showcasing his potent abilities.

It is worth noting that Ichigo has never fought Aizen at full power. The strength that fought Aizen was merely the potency that Ichigo's true Shikai is capable of, and even then, Aizen ended up sealed and Ichigo temporarily lost his powers after using a sacrificial move.

Yhwach's Plan and the Soul King

The original plan by Squad 0 was to cut Ichigo down and make him the new Soul King. Yhwach had to absorb the soul king to be able to perform what Ichigo does naturally. While Ichigo has shown significant potential, he is seen as a more preferable successor due to his unique capabilities and the weight he can carry soul-wise.

The Unmatched Potential of Ichigo

Ichigo is considered to have the most potential among all Shinigamis because he has barely scratched the surface of his powers. Although he shares a similar trait with Uryu Ishida in their ability to turn on their powers at will, Uryu's abilities are somewhat lesser in comparison. Yhwach had remarked that Uryu had something that surpassed Yhwach's power, which is why Uryu survived the Ashwollen.

Soul King and the Stability of the Known World

Ichigo's sheer soul strength is enough to carry the weight of all realms on his shoulders. Through his power, he can maintain the stability of the known world for eternity, provided he is not somehow killed. Yhwach and Ichigo were the only beings considered acceptable as replacements for the Soul King, due to the inherent power of the Position.

The Soul King's ability to seek and destroy possible futures on a whim is virtually unstopable. While Aizen, despite his power, could not counter this ability, it is Ichigo who holds the potential to fulfill this destiny. Even Aizen, with his higher being level, could only be sealed by Urahara, highlighting Ichigo's unique power to overcome such formidable foes.

Ichigo's Unmatched Struggles and Victories

Ichigo's victories over Aizen are not limited to just one instance. He has beaten Aizen fair and square, with Aizen being on the brink of death during their battles in Fake Karakura Town. Aizen's Zanpaktou was crumbled into dust, and he started reverting, with the Hogyoku rejecting him. Despite being sealed by Urahara, Aizen was nowhere near his full potential due to his higher being level.

Ichigo's blood is unique and harmonious, containing all four races' bloodlines. He has developed his human mind and body as a Fullbringer to a high level of strength before reawakening his other core powers and ascending with Royal Guard training. This training has further polished his Zanpaktou, Zangetsu, and allowed him to slay the immensely powerful Yhwach.

Final Analysis

Given Ichigo's unmatched potential and his victories over powerful foes, he can be considered as one of the top Shinigamis. When ranking the top Shinigamis based on pure strength and likelihood of victory, Ichigo is likely to be in the top 3 or 4, alongside Aizen. Zaraki Kenpachi and Shunsui Kyoraku might join the list due to their immense power. Even Yhwach and Yamamoto would be highly ranked for obvious reasons, making Ichigo a force to be reckoned with.