ichigo

Ichigo is a Japanese word meaning strawberry (ichigo, いちご) and is also used as a given name. In popular culture, it is most widely associated with Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of the manga and anime Bleach.

Created by Tite Kubo, Ichigo Kurosaki is a teenage boy who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper after an encounter with Rukia Kuchiki. He becomes a substitute Soul Reaper and later trains with Kisuke Urahara to fight Hollows and protect human souls. His primary weapon is a Zanpakuto named Zangetsu, which manifests as a large black sword; its Bankai is called Tensa Zangetsu. The narrative follows his battles, growth, and moral struggles as he and his allies confront various enemies, including the Espada and other factions, while dealing with the responsibilities of his powers. Key supporting characters include Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado (Chad), and Uryu Ishida.

Bleach was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2001 to 2016. The anime adaptation originally aired from 2004 to 2012, with a later revival covering the Thousand-Year Blood War arc airing in 2022–2023. The character has had a broad cultural impact, appearing in films, video games, and extensive fan media, and is regarded as one of the recognizable figures in modern shonen manga and anime.

Beyond the character, ichigo also refers to the fruit strawberry in everyday Japanese usage. As a given name, it may appear in various fictional works and among real individuals in Japan.