Forum:Ichigo Substitute Shinigami

I am just wondering, why is Ichigo still considered a Substitute Shinigami? Didn't Byakuya Kuchiki destroy Rukia's powers in him, thus making Ichigo use his own? Dracinking 16:58, December 17, 2009 (UTC)

Im not sure where your at in the story but Ichigo isn't considered a substitute shinigami until after he saves Rukia and given the status by captain Ukitake before returning home. He is not a full shinigami in that he doesn't officially work for them (acting as more as an subordinate ally) nor is he truly dead" having a actual human body. Salubri (Talk)  17:06, December 17, 2009 (UTC)

He is still called Substitue Shinigami in the Captain Amagai Arc. Dracinking 17:11, December 17, 2009 (UTC)

Yes and that will always continue to be the case. that is his ranking in soul society (hence he is human and only a shinigami some of the time, having not actually died and formally joined the gotei 13) the term is not referring to his species. As far as species he is not even a actual shinigami (having gained hollow powers) though it is used to describe him for lack of a better word, but actually a vizard as they have claimed him as such and so has he as well, but considering the term is only used by them no one else calls him that and most consider him a shinigami though commonly called a substitute amongst soul society. Salubri (Talk)  17:26, December 17, 2009 (UTC)

While he may still be only a substitue soul reaper, can he still be considered human? correct me if I'm wrong but he ceased being human when his chain of fate was cut from his body by Kisuke Urahara in episode 17 of the first season. As I understand it, and again correct me if I'm wrong but, because his chain of fate was cut and as a result he started to hollowfy, would have not had to be a spirt being at that point? And if so would he not be wearing a gigi like the rest of the soul reapers have to in the world of the living just so he can keep up the appearance of being a somewhat normal high schooler/brother/son/friend? also consider that his dad was and still is a soul reaper, an ex-captian none the less, wouldn't this make him some sort of hybrid day one?

Ok well its simple he still has an actual human body, not a gigai. Thats the human part, he is just one whose spirit is actually able of leaving the body though you maybe correct in that in alot of ways he treats his body like a Gigai but if you have noticed he has to make sure the body is protected as its real, No one cares if a gigai is messed up you can just make another one but it is his real body that he has Kon keep safe. Also the father has been talked to death as well. There is nothing that says the breaking of a chain of fate makes you a spirit. Also you can't be a hybrid of a spirit and human that doesn't make sense. The situation is complex though a shinigami can become a human by having his powers taken by a certain form of gigai similar to what rukia had before returning to soul society the insinuation is that isshin's gigai made him human and it is only recently that he has gotten his powers back. It is also assumed that Urahara was behind it, though Isshin apparently was for this. So it appears that ichigo is of two humans. Though his spiritual potential is what comes from his father. Salubri (Talk)  05:21, February 4, 2010 (UTC)