Orihime Inoue/Anime Continuity

is a Human living in Karakura Town. She is a student of Karakura High School.

Appearance


Orihime is a teenager of average height. She has brown eyes and long, waist-length, burnt orange hair. Her most noticeable physical trait is her slender yet curvaceous figure for a teenager, especially in terms of her large breasts. She wears her hair in bangs tucked behind her ears with hairpins, which she only removes to sleep, as they are worn in the memory of her brother. Orihime initially wears her hair with a full but parted fringe before pulling most of her bangs behind her ears as she was ready to leave for Soul Society, a change noted by Tatsuki.

Bount arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Orihime returns to school with her friends, where Lieutenant Renji Abarai turns up outside in a Gigai. Later that evening, she is visited at home by what appears to be her dead brother reassuring her, though he acts strangely. Her friends arrive in time to witness her being sucked into doors that bear a striking resemblance to the Gates of Hell. The next day everyone seems to have forgotten her. The shadowy figures rope Ichigo and the others into playing their "games" to get their friend back, eventually kidnapping Chad instead of returning Orihime. One of the shadowy figures impersonates Orihime beforehand, and turns into a tall thin man with a mustache, glasses, and top hat who reveals himself as Kurōdo. Next, a thin teenager with a zipper hood appears and introduces himself as Noba, and finally comes the girl who was phoning them, named Ririn. Chad is then sucked through the gates, leaving the group down to three. They discover that the culprits are three modified souls who return Orihime and Chad. Urahara reveals that he was behind the whole thing to test Ichigo and his group. After Urahara reveals the loss of Uryū's powers, Yoruichi arrives to tell them of the Bounts and how they might be potential targets. Orihime is paired with the Mod-Soul, Kurōdo, in the form of a rabbit bag. The Mod-Souls detect a Bount so she and Chad run to be confronted by Ryō Utagawa, who merely walks away from them. They arrive to the battle after he takes Yoshino Sōma. Orihime excitedly greets Rukia again.

After bringing Rukia up to speed with the situation, Orihime continues to help out against the Bounts. She is at the hospital with the others when they are attacked by Hō and Ban, who are eventually defeated with the aid of Ganju. She helps rescue Uryū from Kariya's mansion. When attacked by Yoshi, she teams up with Rukia and Kurōdo to fight her. Despite their efforts they can't defeat her and are ambush by a second Bount, Mabashi. He uses his doll, Ritz, to take over Rukia and force the two of them to battle one another. Orihime soon overcomes her fears and uses her healing ability to heal and rejects the doll from Rukia. Later, Orihime arrives at the Bount's cave with her friends, where they struggle with Ugaki's doll, Gesell. She stays behind with Chad in order to heal both Rukia and Rangiku, who were injured during the struggle.

Orihime and her friends chase the Bounts to Soul Society. After discussing the invasion, they all move out to search for the Bounts in Rukongai. Orihime and Ichigo, after sensing that Rukia was in trouble, arrive on the scene just after Byakuya saves her from another attack by Yoshi. She witnesses the explosions that damage the Seireitei. They all wait for Rukia to recover at Byakuya's luxurious home. Orihime calms Ichigo down when he and Byakuya get into a confrontation over their presence in Soul Society before she thanks the noble for helping Rukia. She and Ichigo tire themselves out searching for Bounts all day with no luck and later collapse at Kūkaku's house, confused. She enjoys riding the boars as they use them in order to go out searching once more.

Later, the group gets information on the Bounts’ whereabouts, but Ichigo leaves when Kariya begins fighting with Byakuya. She is there when the group is confronted by Maki Ichinose, who tries to wipe out the group using his light abilities, rendering their attacks ineffective. They are saved by the interference of Kenpachi, who takes over the fight and allows them to rush to stop Kariya from entering the Seireitei. They arrive at the gate too late and find that Jidanbō has been injured by Kariya and his Bounts. She heals the giant enough for him to open the gate, but upon seeing him struggle with his injuries, Orihime decides to stay behind and heal him more. She tosses Kurōdo towards her friends so he can aid in their search. Later on, Orihime meets up again with Ichigo and the others, and heals both Chad and Uryū's injuries.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Orihime is called to heal Rukia Kuchiki when she shows up in the World of the Living severely injured. She is later attacked by Muramasa, but he faints while doing so. Orihime heals him despite the fact he is Ichigo Kurosaki's enemy. She notices his similarity to an Arrancar and can sense his emotional distress. Orihime observes the subsequent fight between Muramasa and Senbonzakura against Uryū Ishida and Yasutora Sado, protecting her friends several times throughout the battle until Rukia and Ichigo arrive. When Muramasa becomes unstable after his master's betrayal, absorbing many Hollows within him, Orihime can still see Muramasa inside the rampaging Hollow-like creature. Muramasa attacks her when she tries to reach him, forcing her to erect her shield to protect herself. Ichigo intervenes and defeats him causing a further transformation into a domed creature that swallows him. Although she worries about Ichigo, she is saddened when he finally breaks free with a dying Muramasa in his arms. She is reassured by Ichigo that he died with his pride as a Zanpakutō intact.

Beast Swords arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

After Muramasa's defeat, Orihime is visited by Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto and her still manifested Zanpakutō Spirit, Haineko. After learning about a new threat called the Tōjū, Orihime offers to help. She lends some of her clothes to the now Gigai-clad Haineko so she can see the Human World. During their fun, they are attacked by one of the Tōjū, now transformed after fusing with a Hollow. Orihime uses her shield to protect them, before they are saved by Ichigo and Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Orihime also befriends Kyōko Haida when she transfers to Karakura High School, inadvertently revealing her powers to the girl protecting them both from a falling flower pot. Orihime insists on being normal friends with the girl but the notion causes an odd effect in Kyōko, who runs off despite Orihime's protest. Orihime arrives before the Tōjū, that has manifested from Kyōko's body, can kill Mai Suzuki, calling out for it to return the control to Kyōko. She is saved by Rukia and Ichigo after it attacks her. Orihime uses her healing abilities to force out the Tōjū and it is then destroyed by Ichigo. Both Orihime and Kyōko remain friends.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

As Orihime is out with Sado and Uryū, Rukia and Ichigo pass overhead. Orihime asks if they need help, but they decline her offer. Uryū notes that Ichigo has not undergone any changes and Sado states that because Rukia remained in Karakura Town, Ichigo has not had to expend more Reiatsu than necessary. Later, as Uryū is about to be killed by Kagerōza Inaba, Orihime saves him with Santen Kesshun. When Inaba goes to strike Orihime, she is saved Ichigo.

After Inaba retreats, Orihime assesses Nozomi Kujō's condition at the Urahara shop. As Nozomi wakes, Orihime tells her not to overexert herself. As Ichigo leaves for a meeting with the Gotei 13, Orihime helps set up a barbecue to make Nozomi feel welcome. However, when Kon goes berserk after eating some chili powder, Nozomi uses the distraction to escape. Orihime joins the others as they search for her. Once Nozomi is saved, they return to the barbecue and Orihime informs everyone that the meat is ready as they all take the time to enjoy and relax.

When Nozomi wanders around Karakura Town again, Orihime joins Chad and Ichigo in search of her as the other Shinigami do the same. While searching she wonders if Nozomi knows something that she is not telling them about the situation, and if she is trying to rectify it. Later, she senses the defeat of Rangiku and Nemu Kurotsuchi at the hands of Reigai-Rukia. Orihime advises Ichigo to go find Nozomi while she and Chad go to the other fallen Shinigami. Ichigo agrees and they separate. She and Chad eventually find their comrades on the bank of the river and approach them only to be confronted by Renji's Reigai. Chad stops her from advancing as he takes on the Reigai while Orihime heals their friends.

Orihime greets Ichigo when he returns with Nozomi, inquiring after his health and prevents him from falling after Nozomi calls him a pervert. She advises him to rest, but he refuses to do so. Orihime oversee the healing on Rukia and the other Shinigami as Ichigo begs to be allowed to go to Soul Society. She reminds him of his weakening powers, before helping Nozomi when she gets tired after using her powers to heal Ichigo. As Urahara gathers information on Soul Society, Orihime asks him about Ichigo; Urahara says he is fine, to her relief. As an alarm goes off, Orihime asks what it is and Urahara says that Ichigo made it to Soul Society.

Soon after, Urahara tells everyone that Ichigo's Reiatsu has disappeared. Orihime asks if Ichigo is dead but Urahara says that he last recorded Ichigo in the Dangai and the only likely explanation is that he was swallowed by the Kōtotsu. As Nozomi blames herself, Orihime goes to console her, but is batted away. Orihime continues to sit with the others while Urahara looks for Ichigo's Reiatsu; when he finds something, he asks Orihime and the others to accompany him to find Ichigo. Orihime sits by Ichigo as he awakens and sits by as Urahara explains what Inaba is really after.

Outside the Kurosaki Clinic, Sado and Orihime see Kon. Orihime asks if Nozomi is home and Kon tells them that she is probably bored, asking them to keep her company. He then walks off, leaving Orihime wondering what is wrong with him. She goes inside and begins to cook with Nozomi. When the meal is finished, she calls it one of her specialties and presents it to the others. While Ichigo and Sado are confused by it, Nozomi states that it is delicious. Karin invites Orihime to come back later to make dinner. When she asks if she could, Isshin agrees, saying that he will be a father to them all. Orihime calls Nozomi and they leave to do some shopping. She later prepares dinner at Ichigo's house and eats with Uryū, Sado, Kon and Nozomi.

Orihime participates in a meeting in Ichigo's room, where she listens to Nanao Ise reporting on the situation in Soul Society. Along with Kon, she watches as Ichigo, Rukia, Uryū and Sado spar with Nozomi, who is training to awaken her Zanpakutō. After a while, Ichigo suggests that they take a break. When Nozomi refuses, Orihime warns her that she will fail if she tries to do too much at once. When the training resumes, Orihime watches as Nozomi succeeds in releasing her Shikai. As the battle continues going in the Reigai's favor, Orihime is tasked with healing her friends and allies.

Ultimately, Inaba manages to capture Nozomi and destroy the last of Ichigo's Reiatsu. Orihime regroups with her friends at Urahara's while leaving the wounded in Captain Unohana's care. As Uryū wonders why Inaba would constantly try to kill Ichigo first, Orihime guesses it was because Ichigo was always protecting Nozomi. Kisuke, however, surmises that it was because of Ichigo's Hollow powers and Inaba was uncomfortable allowing a being he could not create a Reigai of live, even to the point of using the Kōtotsu to swallow Ichigo. From this, Kisuke believes that they can restore Ichigo's power from the remaining Reiryoku still inside the Kōtotsu. As Ichigo is the only one who can do this because he has no Reiatsu at the moment, everyone is forced to wait for him, much to Orihime's concern. Orihime is present when Ichigo returns from the Dangai with a sample of his Reiryoku. Afterwards, Orihime and the others agree to act as diversions through the Dangai while Ichigo and Kisuke sneak into Soul Society.

Upon returning to Urahara's Shop, Orihime and the others become worried after no new news from Kisuke or Ichigo. Ultimately, Orihime and the others return to Soul Society, with the now-healed Shinigami. There, they find Ichigo has again turned into a Hollow and has been subdued by a man. They combine their efforts against the man, Yushima, but are quickly subdued.

After the Hollowfied Ichigo surprisingly saves Rukia from Yushima's attack and returns to normal, albeit deprived of his Reiatsu again, Renji comes to and joins his friends to protect Ichigo. While the others engage Yushima, Orihime stays back to wait for her moment. The others manage to help Uryū in setting up for his "Sprenger". After anticipating that Yushima would drain the energy from the five "Seele Schneiders", Orihime joins the others in feeding their Reishi into them. Before the attack can take full effect, Yushima counters with a "Hajokuri" spell to dispel the attack. When the fight ends with Ichigo's victory, Orihime joins him and the others back home to the Human World.