One of the Top 3 series Bleach created by Tite Kubo revolves around Ichigo Kurosaki, a 15-year-old guy who became the substitute soul reaper.
Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper aka Shinigami passed on her powers to Ichigo Kurosaki to save his family from hollows.
Rukia Kuchiki is the female protagonist of Bleach and is often associated with Ichigo and Renji Abarai. Who does Rukia Kuchiki end up with? Who is Rukia Kuchiki’s Love Interest in Bleach?
Does Rukia end up with Ichigo?
From the beginning of the series, Bleach fans have shipped Rukia and Ichigo together. Although Ichigo can build his own harem including Orihime Inoue, Rukia was always the popular choice.
Fans had hoped even till the end that Rukia and Ichigo might end up together. Logically, Rukia and Ichigo make more sense.
Rukia’s unparallel humour and wits, and Ichigo with fewer brains and more brawl, the couple makes a perfect ship! Rukia gave her powers to Ichigo without a hint of doubt and the duo share an unbreakable bond.
Although Bleach never had any romantic scenes being a Shounen series, Ichigo and Rukia never really had any romantic moments. It’s even more sensible that Rukia was willing to sacrifice her life to keep Ichigo out of trouble.
Similarly, Ichigo went to Soul Society to save Rukia from execution. Yes, half of them are Aizen’s plan but Rukia and Ichigo always have been there for each other. Unfortunately, as much as it hurts, Rukia Kuchiki did not end up with Ichigo Kurosaki.
Why did Rukia not end up with Ichigo?
This is a burning question and the possible conclusion is that Tite Kubo trolled fans! Ichigo and Rukia were supposed to be the endgame, but Ichigo ended up with Orihime Inoue.
From a more logical sense, Rukia and Ichigo didn’t end up together maybe because Ichigo Kurosaki is a human and Rukia is a soul reaper.
If Rukia and Ichigo ended up together, Ichigo would have to die and cross over to soul society. That would be even sadder. Although Ichigo is a substitute soul reaper, he’s still a human. Even if Rukia and Ichigo ended up together, it would be impossible for them. Rukia isn’t a human and Ichigo isn’t dead!
Who did Rukia end up with?
The most shocking or the least expected ship is quite unbelievable. Renji Abarai has always cared for Rukia Kuchiki and knew each other since they were children (in Soul Society).
Rukia and Renji knew each other since they lived in the Rukongai district. Renji has always chased after Rukia maybe he wanted to protect her. Even when Rukia was due for execution, Renji visited her to lift her spirits.
It was surprising, that Renji went against the direct orders of his superior, Kuchiki Byakuya to aid Ichigo and the group to protect Rukia. When Renji was promoted to lieutenant of the 6th division, Rukia was the first person he wanted to share the news with.
Renji and Ichigo were never shown as competitive rivals for Rukia’s affection. In the beginning, Renji and Rukia looked more like siblings or familial love. There was hardly any romantic interest from any of the characters, except Orihime who always worried about her role in Ichigo’s life.
It was not so surprising as Rukia Ichigo ended up with Renji Abarai. Just as Ichigo and Orihime had a son, Renji and Rukia has a daughter, Ichika. Ichika became a soul reaper and visited Kazui, Ichigo’s son who could see her.
Unless Bleach doesn’t go Boruto’s route, we won’t get to see Ichika and Kazui in action. As Rukia and Renji, the couple was least expected. However, as both of them are soul reapers and have been together since they were kids, this pairing makes sense to some degree.
Both Rukia and Renji had a close association with Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo and Renji have an amicable relationship throughout the series. Even when Ichigo went to Soul Society to retrieve Kugo’s body, both Rukia and Renji accompanied him. In a different sense, both Ichigo and Renji care a lot about Rukia. The opposite can be true as well.
Ichigo and Renji started as rivals but later became friends. The Bleach fandom can either be not so pleased with Ichigo not ending with Rukia, whereas others can celebrate the union of Rukia and Renji.
Although Rukia has never expressed any romantic developments towards neither Ichigo nor Renji, her relationship with both of them was always portrayed as comrades, like Shinigami.
Rukia’s love interest in Bleach can be summed as Renji Abarai, both of them lieutenants in the Gotei 13.
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