The popular anime series Bleach got a lot of things right, such as its beloved characters, exciting combat, and unique fantasy elements, including some isekai. While Bleach‘s visuals may seem a bit outdated now, the anime still boasts some of the best voice actors in the industry.
Known for her roles as Anri Sonohara in Durarara!!, Chi in Chobits, Euphemia li Britannia in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Miki Koishikawa in Marmalade Boy, and Yuki Nagato in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Michelle Ruff is the English voice actress for Rukia Kuchiki in Bleach.
However, in Bleach, Ichigo often finds himself in the middle of various debates, and now the voice actor, Michelle Ruff, expressed her affection for the Rukia and Ichigo pairing.
Voice Actor’s Perspective on Rukia and Ichigo’s Relationship in Bleach
In a tweet (shared via ComicBook), Michelle Ruff responded to a fan’s interpretation of Bleach volume 74. The cover art features Ichigo kissing Rukia with his back to the readers. This artwork delighted fans who supported the IchiRuki pairing, and it quickly gained popularity. When Ruff came across the art, she appreciated the tribute but expressed uncertainty about the ship.
“It’s beautiful,” Ruff writes in the post. “I love it even though you guys are still trying to ship Rukia and Ichigo.” After a friendly exchange with the fan artist, the voice actor emphasized their admiration for the artwork and also shared their own perspective on the ship. She said:
“True. They do have good chemistry. I always thought of it as more brother/sister-like. But hey we all have our opinions and none is wrong, You know I’m just poking at you. Your work is really beautiful.”
She clarified that she appreciates the chemistry between Rukia and Ichigo but sees it more as a brother/sister-like relationship. She also expressed her admiration for the fan artist’s artwork.
Rukia and Renji’s Confirmed Relationship, Ichigo’s Pursuit of Orihime
It’s challenging to determine the voice actor’s stance on Bleach romances, but we do know how the manga canonically handles Rukia’s heart. By the end of the manga, Rukia and Renji confirm their relationship, and Ichigo pursues a relationship with Orihime.
While the Shonen series primarily focuses on action, romance often plays a role. From Asta x Noelle to Sakura x Naruto, anime fandom frequently features significant ships.
Bleach has its own share of these, and fans are free to ship their favorite pairings as they like. In Michelle Ruff’s view, Rukia and Ichigo are better off as friends.
Source: ComicBook
