Orihime Inoue

Orihime lives by herself in Karakura Town, and is supported by her relatives living elsewhere.[1] Previously, she lived with her older brother, Sora,[11] who was fifteen years older than her. She and her brother were raised by a drunk father and a prostitute mother, who always argued and beat their children.[12] It is unknown if her parents are still alive.

When Sora turned eighteen, he ran away with Orihime, who was three years old, and raised her from then on. For six years, Orihime and Sora lived in harmony despite the fact that Orihime was bullied in school because of her unusual hair color. One day, Sora gave Orihime a pair of hairpins. However, Orihime refused to wear them because she said they were childish. On the same day, Sora was wounded in a car accident and died in the Kurosaki clinic. Orihime has worn the hairpins ever since. A year after Sora died, Orihime met Tatsuki, who defended her from the bullies. They became best friends.

She initially appears with Tatsuki walking through the school corridor, discussing her odd tastes in food, which her best friend does not share. A distracted Ichigo Kurosaki collides with her and knocks her to the ground. After he apologizes, she acts strangely and begins to make excuses while fleeing the scene. Later, she is seen at her home being watched by the ghost of her brother, Sora. The next day, Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki come across Orihime as she is walking home from purchasing groceries for dinner. When they find her, it is evident she has been in some sort of accident although she appears unsure if she was hit by a car or not. Despite this, Rukia notices a strange bruise on her leg which she later reveals was made by some form of Hollow. This is confirmed when Acidwire attacks Ichigo, who identifies him as the spirit of Orihime's brother.[14]

Orihime first uses her powers.
While both Tatsuki and Orihime's memories are modified by Rukia, this event enables them to start developing spiritual awareness. She once again encounters a Hollow when Uryū lures a massive number to Karakura Town for his challenge to Ichigo. At this time she tries to get her friends to run quickly from school, in actuality, to run away from the Hollow that was stalking them that they couldn't see. The Hollow, Numb Chandelier, uses her ability to control various students and forces them to attack Orihime, with a shocked Chizuru Honshō unable to prevent her left hand from clenching itself around Orihime's neck. The classmates begin surrounding Orihime and begin gripping her when Tatsuki arrives to defend her from the onslaught, confused by the actions of her fellow students.[22] When Tatsuki tries to fend off the assaults and protect Orihime, she is controlled as well with one of the Hollow's seeds implanted within her. Seeing Tatsuki in tears brings back old memories of the days when Orihime was bullied for the color of her hair and when Tatsuki saved her, thus Orihime decides it is time for her to protect Tatsuki in return for their friendship. This desire forces a change in Orihime whose powers begin to manifest for the first time as she declares that the Hollow made a mistake in hurting her friends.[23] Orihime then notices numerous spirit beings flying over her head discussing whether or not Orihime recognizes their existence. These six spirits, who call themselves Shun Shun Rikka, briefly explain their powers for Orihime, which she uses to defeat the Hollow and heal Tatsuki.[24] Afterwards, Kisuke Urahara takes her and Yasutora Sado to his shop, where he explains their powers to them.[25]

Soul Society arc
Orihime sits with Tatsuki before going to Soul Society.
Added by SunXiaAfter Rukia is taken back to Soul Society, everyone immediately forgets about her except for Orihime and the other powerful people around Ichigo.[26] She confronts Ichigo about this and highlights for him the possibility that even if he does rescue Rukia, she may be captured again and taken back to her world. Despite this, Orihime already knows that he's made up his mind to go rescue her.[27] She decides to join Ichigo on his rescue mission along with Chad, Uryū, and their guide Yoruichi Shihōin. For this, Yoruichi informs them that they have to train in order to go to the Soul Society and survive.[28] Orihime asks Uryū to train with Chad and herself but he declines.[29] Their initial lessons with Yoruichi prove difficult and they are unable to unlock their powers once more until Yoruichi asks them to remember how they felt when their powers first manifested; with this her powers appear again.[30] She congratulates Chad when he finally unleashes his power and yet destroys the building, with all of them having to run away afterwards.[31] On their last day with their friends, while the others leave with Ichigo's father to find seats at the Fireworks Festival, Orihime stays and has a small chat with Tatsuki. Orihime chose to tell her that she was staying at her Grandmother's house when she was actually going to Soul Society and it appeared that Tatsuki knew more than she was pretending to about the situation. The two decided to enjoy their time together regardless.[32] Orihime received the same message from Urahara as Ichigo and appeared upset that he thought she had no sense of humor.[33] Orihime is impressed and ecstatic when they enter the underground training facility at Urahara's Shop.[34] Orihime, Chad, Uryū and Ichigo are lead by Yoruichi into the Dangai Precipice World that connects both the world of the living and the Soul Society in order to achieve their goal of saving Rukia from execution.[35]


Orihime protects Uryū and Aramaki from Mayuri Kurotsuchi using Santen Kesshun.
Later, Orihime reveals that Tsubaki is still injured and that she is having trouble healing him from their previous confrontation with Jirōbō Ikkanzaka. The pair are then confronted by Makizō Aramaki of the Eleventh Division, who does not believe their story as they are without their Zanpakutōs. They are saved by members of the Twelfth Division, but Uryū gets suspicious and figures out something is wrong, warning Orihime of the danger before the Twelfth Division Shinigami explode.[49] Orihime managed to perform Santen Kesshun just in time to protect herself, Uryū, and Aramaki from these explosions. Aramaki becomes confused as to why Orihime saved him and why she became upset with the loss of those that had pretended to help them earlier, noting that it wasn't out of fear that she cried. She refuses to run away to save herself when Kurotsuchi is interested in her abilities. However, Uryū threatens Aramaki into running away with her in his arms to get her away from the impending battle between him and Kurotsuchi, although the latter initially tries to prevent his target from getting away.[50]

Orihime and Aramaki are found by Yachiru Kusajishi and brought back to the Eleventh Division quarters where she is questioned by its members.[51] The whole group, with Orihime travelling upon Kenpachi Zaraki's back with a jealous Yachiru, run for the barracks where Uryū, Chad and Ganju Shiba are being held and break them out of jail. Orihime and her friends witness Kenpachi challenge Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tōsen and their vice-captains to battle before being dragged off by Yachiru in order to find Ichigo.[52]

They travel to Rukia's execution grounds but only arrive when Ichigo is battling Byakuya Kuchiki, they notice the large Reiatsu on the way and Orihime automatically identifies it to be that of Ichigo's.[53] Orihime explains their reasons for rescuing Rukia to a confused Aramaki.[54] Uryū tries to get Orihime to leave the dangerous area but she refuses to do so, wanting to wait until the battle was finished, despite the danger of being so close to the battle.[55]. When the fight concludes, Orihime runs to Ichigo as he is falling only to have him hurt himself on her head as he did so, leading to her to panic and apologize repeatedly for the mishap. She gets over excited when Ichigo enquires if she was hurt at all and replies that she was useless and everyone had had to protect her. With tears in her eyes, she expresses her regret that she was unable to help Ichigo in any substantial capacity and that she was simply glad that he was alive following the dangerous events, for which Ichigo thanks her for her concern.[56] Orihime also doesn't hear Isane Kotetsu's transmitted message to all the highly ranked officers and Ryoka, due to her not being in contact with the Fourth Division while the others, whom had been injured, had been healed by them at some point.[57] While they manage to save Rukia, they are unable to stop Sōsuke Aizen, the mastermind behind the entire scheme, from departing for Hueco Mundo, something Orihime watches from bottom of the hill.[58]


Orihime and her friends depart from Soul Society, their mission there completed.
While healing Ichigo following Aizen's escape, she is noticed by others of the healing division, mainly Yasochika Iemura and later Captain Unohana, who surmmises they do not need aid as Orihime's abilities would suffice.[59] They stayed for a week in Soul Society while the others recuperated following Aizen's escape. During this time, Uryū fashioned them all some clothes that would be more suitable for the living world, with Orihime's outfit being redesigned with lace decorations. Orihime over analyzes things when she comes to the conclusion that Uryū has feelings for Rukia simply based on the dress he'd fashioned for her. While bringing the dress to Rukia, she finds that her room is empty and Rukia is not there, something she reports to Ichigo later when she still can't locate Rukia.[60] Orihime displays impressive physical strength when she follows Ichigo in climbing to the third floor of the infirmary where Byakuya Kuchiki was recovering. They continue their search for Rukia, refusing an invitation to come drink with Rangiku and the others as they headed towards the Shiba household.[61] She is there to witness Rukia's determination to stay in the Soul Society before being shown to the Senkaimon by Ukitake the next day. Before leaving, she gives Rukia the dress Uryū had made for her insisting she have it in the process. While the rest of the Gotei 13 look on, Orihime leaves with the rest of her friends into the Dangai Precipice World and homeward.[62]

Orihime saves Rukia from Ritz.
the three bring Rukia up to date with the situation, they go back to Ichigo's house and talk, during the middle of which Renji barges in.[67] Orihime then continues to help Ichigo and the group fight the Bounts and help in fending off the Bounts, as they have taking a liking to the Quincy.[68] She goes to the hospital with the others where they are attacked by Hō and Ban and their water element dolls.[69] They escape outside the hospital to find that its raining, much to their horror but Ganju rescues them although Uryǔ walks off during the fight.[70] They manage to later rescue him from the mansion, although almost destroy it in the process.[71] Orihime later teams up with Rukia and Kurǒdo to defeat the Bount Yoshi when she attacks them.[72] They are unable to hit the Bount as when they do she is able to protect herself with her doll.[73] Mabashi shows up and takes the battle over from Yoshi.[74] He forces Orihime to fight Rukia, who is possessed Mabashi's doll, Ritz. Though reluctant to harm either Rukia or the Bount, Rukia's momentary ability to overpower the doll gives Orihime enough motivation to free Rukia from the doll's control.[75] Following this, after the lieutenants go to the Bount Cave, Orihime goes to the cave with her friends.[76] While there, they struggle against Ugaki's doll, Gesell, with Orihime trying to help Rukia before she and Ichigo are trapped by the shadows only to be freed when Rangiku arrives on the scene. Renji and Ichigo go on ahead and Sado stays behind to watch over Orihime as she heals the wounds of Rukia and Rangiku.[77] As she does this, she a Chad both notice something coming towards them which is revealed to be Uryǔ, who intends to use his new Quincy weapon to send the Bounts to Soul Society so he can defeat them there and have revenge for Yoshino's death.[78]




Arrancar arc
Chizuru grabs Orihime from behind in a slightly possessive manner.
Added by SunXiaOn the first day of the new semester, Orihime greets Ichigo along with Chad and Ishida. Things appear to be back to normal as Orihime is ambushed by Chizuru Honshō and Tatsuki, as normal, intervenes to extract Orihime from Chizuru's grasp.[87] Orihime notices when Ichigo's badge starts to alert him to the presence of a Hollow nearby and she, along with Chad, fake a bathroom trip to follow Ichigo.[88] While there, Orihime lets the others know that Uryū hadn't come because he's not been himself but realizes she should not have said anything. It is then revealed that they are being watched by a mysterious new character hovering above them in an inverted way.[89] Orihime is distracted by a worried Ichigo as a new student arrives in class.[90] The next day, Orihime arrives in school and greets both Ichigo and Shinji, who seems overwhelmed that she'd remembered his name and hugs her.[91] This causes a bit of a ruckus with the other students who express jealousy and bewilderment, with Chizuru even threatening Shinji's life before Ichigo pulls him away.[92] Noticing the change of behavior in Ichigo, Orihime and Chad confront Shinji after overhearing his conversation with Hiyori Sarugaki.[93] They manage to get Hiyori's name out of her but before they can learn anything, Hiyori is carried away by Shinji although Orihime tries to stop them unsuccessfully.[94]


Yammy lashes out at Orihime when she tries to protect Ichigo.
Added by SunXiaFrom where the Visored left them, Orihime and Chad feel the immense spiritual pressure consume the world around them as two Arrancar, Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Riyalgo, arrive in the world of the living and they rush towards its source to investigate.[95] They arrive just after Yammy absorbs many nearby souls, saving the lone survivor, Tatsuki. Initially, on Chad's advice, Orihime runs away with her weakened friend but stops when she witnesses the brutality with which Yammy deals with him in retaliation.[96] She feels guilt because Chad asked her to run even though he knew neither of them could match Yammy in strength. Seen as worthless, the Arrancar goes to attack Orihime as well only to be stopped by her Santen Kesshun ability, surprising them both as she begins to heal Chad's injuries as well. Ulquiorra identifies something more than simple healing taking place. Bravely, she uses her Koten Zanshun against Yammy to give Ichigo time to arrive however the attack is ineffective and Tsubaki is greatly injured by Yammy. Ichigo arrives to prevent Yammy from hurting her and she laments that she was useless in battle once more. She is reassured by Ichigo's determination to end the battle.[97] Orihime recognizes the new darkness in Ichigo's reiatsu that wasn't there in Soul Society.[98] She retreats once more but again returns when Ichigo starts to get beaten and this time, Yammy finally lands a hit on her, aggressively smashing her away from him as she tries to help. Orihime sustains massive injuries from the battle, with Tsubaki completely destroyed. She and her friends are saved by the arrival of Yoruichi and Urahara.[99] After Yoruichi floors Yammy, she proceeds to Orihime, reassuring her that Ichigo is fine so that she could swallow the pill she was handing to her. Before she manages to attain this task, Yammy gets back up ad charges a Cero before Yoruichi realizes what he is about to do, not having the time to do anything at such close range. Despite this, both she and Orihime are saved by Urahara's ability to nullify the Espada's attack before it reached them using Benihime's special offensive ability.[100]


Orhime and Rukia spar with one another in Soul Society to get stronger.
Unfortunately, Orihime's ability does spur Aizen's attention. Upon seeing footage brought back by Ulquiorra, he decides to have her captured. A third invasion of the human world is ordered, intending to lure Orihime out.[122] In the meantime, Orihime is training with Rukia within Soul Society, at the old training grounds of the Thirteenth Division. While doing so they are being watched by Rukia's Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, who states that it is a beautiful thing that Rukia was able to make a friend in Orihime no matter that she was a human.[123] When the third invasion commences, Soul Society alerts Ukitake who in turn alerts Orihime and Rukia. Orihime tries to hurry home with Rukia but is reminded that she doesn't have a Hell Butterfly and will need to wait for the journey to be made safe for her, which Ukitake is already on top of.[124] The Senkaimon is finally completed mid way through the battle, and Orihime leaves Soul Society with two chaperone Shinigami. Ulquiorra intercepts her and her allies in the Dangai Precipice world, just as she was believing in her new found strength and will.[125] Ulquiorra cuts down one of her escorts only to have Orihime immediately prepare to heal him and advise the other one to run away only to have him cut down as well, forcing Ayame to extend the healing shield to both of them, greatly showing her improve abilities. Ulquiorra is amazed by this but demands that she come with him, showing her the images of her injured friends and stating that she will agree or he will kill them.[126] Threatened with the lives of those she cares for the most, she has no choice but to go to Hueco Mundo.


Orihime tearfully says goodbye to Ichigo after confessing her feelings towards him.
Orihime is next seen making a list of chores for Rangiku and Hitsugaya to follow while she is in captivity in Hueco Mundo, knowing they would be useless without her instructions. It is then revealed that Ulquiorra gave her a bracelet that covers her in a Spiritual Membrane to prevent anyone except the Arrancar to sense her Reiatsu while she is still in the World of the Living. He has given her twelve hours to get her effects in order and allows her to say goodbye to only one person during that time and that they are not to discover her presence as she is doing so. Meanwhile, Rukia is trying to call her, assuming she is still within Soul Society's domain but is unable to do so. Orihime decides to say goodbye to Ichigo and arrives as he is unconscious, healing, with his sisters asleep on his bedroom floor. She admits that there were many she could have said goodbye to, and lists her friends but picked him instead. She admits that this is the first time she has ever been in Ichigo's room and she comes close to kissing his sleeping form but cannot bring herself to do it. Instead, she breaks down into tears and admits that she has fallen in love with Ichigo and would love to do so five times over. She then heals his hand, thanks him and bids him farewell before leaving. Before going to Hueco Mundo, she writes a cryptic line in a notebook, as a message to the others, "Goodbye halcyon days."[127]

Hueco Mundo arc
Orihime healing Grimmjow's lost arm.
Unlike the others, who follow her, Orihime is taken straight to Aizen's throne room in Las Noches without travelling across Hueco Mundo. After confirming her name, from upon his throne, Aizen requests that she demonstrates her power for the benefit of the others present. Meanwhile Orihime is terrified by the complete loss of strength she feels in the presence of Aizen himself because of his immense powers. It is revealed that a beaten up Luppi Antenor is unhappy that their entire fight with the Shinigami had merely been a plan to lure Orihime out and get her to Hueco Mundo. Aizen then requests that Orihime heals the left arm of Grimmjow that had been completely destroyed by Tōsen after he'd disobeyed orders previously. Luppi is disbelieving, telling Aizen that it is impossible to heal an arm so completely destroyed into nothingness. Despite this, Orihime cast's her Sōten Kisshun spell upon the area Grimmjow's arm used to exist with Luppi continuing to yell threats at her as the arm begins to regenerate in front of everyone's eyes. This shocks everyone except Aizen and Ulquiorra, Luppi commenting he'd never seen anything like it. It is then that Aizen explains her abilities as the Rejection of Events, leading her to be able to trample upon the even the horizons that God himself has set in place. Following this, Grimmjow then demands that she heal a scar upon his back. Much to Luppi's horror, she does as Grimmjow asks in order to reveal the old 6 that had been rubbed out previously, with Luppi asking what he was up to. Grimmjow butchers Luppi to get his rank back, stabbing him in the abdomen with his hand and using a Cero to blow away everything from his waist upwards much to Orihime's dismay.[128]




Orihime's impressive abilities resurrect Menoly.
Later, Orihime senses Ichigo's defeat at the hands of Ulquiorra when he is impaled through the chest. Before she has a chance to react, her room is broken into by Loly and Menoly who claim they are going to have some fun with her. Loly proceeds to attack Orihime, berating the weakness of humans and the strength of Arrancar when holding her up by the hair. She gets even more angry when her victim shows no reaction to the attack, punching her further only to be told to quiet down by Menoly who is keeping watch close by. Just then, they are all surprised by a random explosion that signals the sudden arrival of Grimmjow who has come to Orihime's aid.[135] He kicks Loly angrily when he goes for him, severely injuring her in the process. Menoly proceeds with an attack of her own that is caught and countered by Grimmjow's massive Cero, vaporizing most of her body and killing her instantly. Not finished, Grimmjow continues to beat on Loly, ripping off her leg while she screamed at him. He states that he does this to repay Orihime for returning his arm to him. His debt paid, he grabs her by the scruff of her neck and demands she come with him on an errand.[136]


Orihime struggles to heal Ichigo after Ulquiorra's attack on him.
Before leaving, he asks her to fix her face but she takes the opportunity to heal Loly's leg, despite her protests, that got quite physical. She then rushes to Menoly and brings her back to life, her body rematerializing in front of everyone's eyes. For this, Loly refers to her as a Monster because of her extreme powers.[137] After chaining her arms together to prevent her from escaping, Grimmjow drags Orihime to Ichigo, casting her towards his prone body, deeply shocking her because of his current lifelessness. Grimmjow then sits himself down expectantly, demanding that she heals his rival. Orihime experiences some trouble in doing so, while Nel Tu screams beside her, due to the large amount of leftover spiritual pressure from the attack on Ichigo. She demands to know who did it, surprised when Grimmjow informs her that it was Ulquiorra as he can tell it is a little signature attack of the Fourth Espada's. Eventually, Ichigo begins to show signs of life, Orihime's powers finally getting through to heal his wounds. When he awakens, he shows confusion as to why Nel is sitting on Orihime's shoulder while the two of them are relieved that's he's alive following his ordeal. Orihime is shocked to learn that the reason Grimmjow wants Ichigo healed is so that he can just settle the score. Before she can complete the healing process, Ulquiorra arrives at the scene.[138] When Ulquiorra begins to advance into the area, demanding to know what Grimmjow was doing and what exactly he was planning causing Orihime to feel uncomfortable when he looks at her. When no reply is had, Ulquiorra demands that Grimmjow let her go as she was put in his care by Aizen but Grimmjow tells him where to go. Grimmjow then attacks him over the issue and results in him using a Caja Negación to imprison him.[139]





Fake Karakura Town arc
Ulquiorra wonders if the human 'Heart' is in Orihime's chest.
Added by SunXiaAfter Aizen leaves with Gin, Tōsen and the top three Espada, Orihime is left in the fifth tower with Ulquiorra watching over her as usual. He begins to ask her if she is afraid because there is no more use for her and that she will likely die here alone without her friends, wondering if that scares her.[171] Orihime denies feeling this fear because her friends came to save her and thus her heart and spirit are always going to be with them.[172] Ulquiorra mocks this reasoning but Orihime reaffirms it again for him. Orihime goes on to explain what she'd realized during Ichigo's battle with Grimmjow, about being a little happy they'd come for her but sad because she'd tried to protect them. She explains that feeling her friends gets hurt made her realize that her feelings did not matter in regards to the rescue, she just didn't want anyone to get hurt, because she would have done the exact same thing had anyone else been taken to Hueco Mundo instead of her. She explains to Ulquiorra that her heart and those of her friends are now beating as one. The concept of a heart greatly intrigues Ulquiorra because he is yet to see one and yet humans speak of it so freely. He wonders would he find one if he ripped open Orihime's chest or cracks open her skull. Before he does anything, Ichigo interrupts them, prepared for battle.[173] Ichigo tell Ulquiorra to step away from her but the Espada states he has not been given an order to kill her, thus she is safe, but he will kill him. Ulquiorra draws his sword, surprising Ichigo, stating that Ichigo is somebody he has to destroy.[174]