Before a manga like Bleach picked up for serialization, the creator will typically create a “pilot” chapter, which establishes the main characters, setting, and tone of what the series will be. For many series, things don’t change too much and that pilot chapter becomes the first chapter. However, other series end with a completely new first chapter because everything has changed completely, which is exactly what happened with Bleach.
The pilot chapter of Bleach has several differences from the series. Some are relatively unimportant; for example, Rukia was originally a member of Squad 3, not Squad 13, and Ichigo had black hair in the first few pages. Others, like Rukia being shrunken down to the size of a doll when her powers run out, are comical and ridiculous. However, the biggest change so far is that Orihime dies as soon as she is introduced.
Orihime Inoue’s Original Fate
In the pilot chapter, Ichigo’s family runs a morgue, not a medical clinic. Ichigo receives a call to serve a 16-year-old girl: his classmate, Orihime. As a Soul Reaper, Ichigo would send Orihime’s soul to the Soul Society by Rukia. Orihime apparently died falling down the steps of a temple, and when they reached the location, her spirit was shaking her own body, trying to get up. Ichigo cuts the chains that bind her to her body, then gives her a “Ticket” to the Soul Society. Her late father appears and claims to take her back to Soul Society, but he destroys the ticket and reveals himself to be a Hollow. When Ichigo defeated her father (by impaling her!), Orihime was sent to the Soul Society by Rukia.
Fans will immediately recognize some of the elements that made it a relevant story; Instead of her father, it was her brother who became a Hollow in the main series, and he voiced similar complaints about her forgetting him. However, in the main series, Orihime’s Hollow brother was unable to actually kill her, as it was still possible to return her to her body. Rukia also regains her powers and is revealed to be unable to return to Soul Society, which will likely have a major impact on the series. It’s also interesting to note that Orihime and Ichigo’s romance is very much present here already; in fact, her status as a potential love interest may be what makes Kubo reconsider killing her.
From a fan’s perspective at the end Bleach, it’s hard to imagine how different the series would be if it were closer to the pilot chapter. Many of the elements that made the series so popular were present, so it could have been successful regardless.
