If you've landed here wondering about Ichigo Kurosaki's age or role in Dragon Ball Super, you're likely among many passionate anime fans who appreciate powerful heroes across different universes. It's a common, and understandable, point of curiosity when characters from legendary franchises come to mind. However, let's set the record straight right from the start: Ichigo Kurosaki, the Soul Reaper protagonist of Bleach, is not a character within the Dragon Ball Super universe.
While both Dragon Ball and Bleach are titans of the shonen genre, they exist in entirely separate fictional worlds, each with its own unique cast of characters, power systems, and intricate lore. So, there's no way to determine how old Ichigo would be in Dragon Ball Super, as he doesn't appear in it at all.
But don't let that dampen your enthusiasm! If you're here, you're clearly interested in the expansive and action-packed universe of Dragon Ball Super. This flagship series, a full-blown return for the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, offers a rich tapestry of powerful heroes, terrifying villains, cosmic gods, and universe-shattering battles that have captivated fans for decades. Let's journey beyond the misconception and dive into what Dragon Ball Super truly offers.
Setting the Record Straight: Ichigo Kurosaki's True Home
To reiterate, Ichigo Kurosaki belongs firmly within the world of Bleach, where he wields a massive Zanpakuto, battles Hollows, and protects both the living world and the Soul Society as a substitute Soul Reaper. His story, his age, and his immense spiritual power are all confined to that specific narrative.
Dragon Ball Super, on the other hand, continues the legendary saga of Goku and his friends, picking up after the defeat of Majin Buu. It's a universe steeped in martial arts, alien races, cosmic deities, and the constant pursuit of greater strength. It builds on the foundation laid by Akira Toriyama's original manga, which ended in 1995, and the animated series that debuted in the mid-80s, making Goku a pop-culture icon for approximately four decades. To truly grasp the scope of this modern epic, you'll want to [pinpoint Dragon Ball Super's exact place within the sprawling Dragon Ball timeline](placeholder_link slug="dragon-ball-super-s-place-in-the-timeline" text="pinpoint Dragon Ball Super's exact place within the sprawling Dragon Ball timeline").
Understanding the Dragon Ball Super Timeline and Its Heroes
Dragon Ball Super is generally assumed to start in Age 778, placing it firmly between the defeat of Majin Buu and the peaceful World Tournament ten years later. This era sees Goku and the Z-Fighters confronting threats on a universal, and even multi-universal, scale, introducing new forms of power and new beings beyond anything they'd previously imagined. The anime version of Dragon Ball Super concluded its run at 131 episodes and two subsequent feature films, expanding the rich narrative even further.
At the heart of it all are the familiar faces, pushed to their limits and evolving in incredible ways:
The Legendary Saiyans and Their Earthling Allies
- Goku (Kakarot): The eternal protagonist, Goku's insatiable desire for training and battle drives much of the series' conflict and progression. He reaches new heights with transformations like Super Saiyan God, Blue, Blue Kaio-ken, and the immensely powerful Ultra Instinct. If you're curious to see how he continues to grow, you can [delve deeper into Goku's age and incredible transformations throughout Super](placeholder_link slug="goku-age-and-transformations-in-super" text="delve deeper into Goku's age and incredible transformations throughout Super").
- Vegeta: Goku's proud rival, Vegeta undergoes one of the most significant character developments in the franchise. He's still focused on surpassing Goku, but his priorities have shifted, now deeply cherishing his family: Bulma, Trunks, and Bulla. To fully appreciate his journey, you should [trace Vegeta's compelling character arc from ruthless villain to protective hero](placeholder_link slug="vegeta-character-arc-from-villain-to-hero" text="trace Vegeta's compelling character arc from ruthless villain to protective hero").
- Bulma: More than just a supporting character, Bulma is a brilliant scientist and inventor whose intelligence and strong personality are crucial to many plots. Her presence humanizes Vegeta and often provides the necessary tech or clever solutions the Z-Fighters need. You can [discover Bulma's multifaceted impact on the Dragon Ball universe](placeholder_link slug="bulma-s-impact-on-the-dragon-ball-universe" text="discover Bulma's multifaceted impact on the Dragon Ball universe").
- Gohan: Goku's eldest son, Gohan initially prioritizes his academic pursuits over fighting, becoming a scholar and marrying Videl. While taking a backseat in the Super TV show, his potential re-emerged powerfully in the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie, where he unlocked his incredible Beast form. For a closer look at his journey, [explore Gohan's fluctuating role in Dragon Ball Super and his resurgence in Super Hero](placeholder_link slug="gohan-s-role-in-dragon-ball-super-and-super-hero" text="explore Gohan's fluctuating role in Dragon Ball Super and his resurgence in Super Hero").
- Piccolo: The stoic Namekian, once an antagonist, is now a loyal companion and Gohan's stern mentor. His tactical mind and powerful techniques, coupled with his strong friendship with Gohan, continue to make him an invaluable ally. To fully appreciate his growth, you can [understand Piccolo's unique evolution and his deep bond with Gohan](placeholder_link slug="piccolo-s-evolution-and-bond-with-gohan" text="understand Piccolo's unique evolution and his deep bond with Gohan").
- Krillin: Goku’s childhood friend, Krillin might not keep up with the Saiyans in raw power, but he's consistently proven himself to be the strongest human fighter, known for his intelligence, kindness, and resourcefulness in battle. You can [learn more about Krillin, often considered the strongest human fighter](placeholder_link slug="krillin-the-strongest-human-fighter" text="learn more about Krillin, often considered the strongest human fighter").
- Master Roshi: The perverted but wise martial arts master who trained Goku and Krillin, Master Roshi has lived for over 300 years and still possesses surprising power, proving his mettle in the Tournament of Power. To truly grasp his influence, [uncover the surprising legacy and enduring power of Master Roshi](placeholder_link slug="master-roshi-s-legacy-and-power" text="uncover the surprising legacy and enduring power of Master Roshi").
- Other Allies: Characters like Trunks and Goten (who can fuse into Gotenks), Chi-Chi, Videl, Tien Shinhan, and even Majin Buu play roles, varying from comedic relief to crucial interventions, showcasing the diverse cast that makes Dragon Ball Super so engaging.
The Cosmic Power Hierarchy: Gods, Angels, and Omni-Kings
Dragon Ball Super significantly expands the cosmos, introducing a complex hierarchy of divine beings that govern existence across multiple universes. These entities introduce a whole new level of power and politics to the series.
- Beerus, the God of Destruction: Universe 7's menacing yet often whimsical God of Destruction, Beerus introduced Goku and Vegeta to the true meaning of divine power. His caprices often kickstart major events, and his relationship with Goku has evolved into a fascinating dynamic. Along with his counterpart, Champa of Universe 6, these gods are vital figures. You can [meet the formidable Gods of Destruction, including Beerus and Champa](placeholder_link slug="who-are-the-gods-of-destruction-in-super" text="meet the formidable Gods of Destruction, including Beerus and Champa").
- Whis and the Angels: Even above the Gods of Destruction are the Angels, like Whis (Beerus's mentor) and Vados (Champa's mentor and Whis's older sister). These beings are universally stronger than their divine charges and train them, showcasing unparalleled speed, power, and wisdom. For an in-depth look, you should [gain insight into Whis and the Angels' immense power and pivotal purpose](placeholder_link slug="whis-and-the-angels-power-and-purpose" text="gain insight into Whis and the Angels' immense power and pivotal purpose").
- Zeno, the Omni-King: At the very apex of this cosmic hierarchy is Zeno, the ruler of the Omniverse. Despite his childlike appearance, Zeno possesses the power to erase entire universes on a whim, making him the most feared and respected entity in all of Dragon Ball. To truly grasp the ultimate power in the franchise, you'll want to [grasp the absolute power of Zeno, the enigmatic Omni-King](placeholder_link slug="zeno-the-omni-king-absolute-power" text="grasp the absolute power of Zeno, the enigmatic Omni-King").
Villains, Rivals, and Universe-Shaking Conflicts
Dragon Ball Super is defined by its epic sagas, each introducing new, formidable opponents who push our heroes beyond their limits and test the very fabric of their universe.
- Frieza's Return: The most iconic villain, Frieza, makes a shocking and surprisingly relevant return, demonstrating his cunning and immense Golden Frieza power in the Tournament of Power and beyond. To see how this classic foe continues to menace the universe, you'll want to [revisit the pivotal Resurrection of Frieza arc](placeholder_link slug="the-resurrection-of-frieza-arc-explained" text="revisit the pivotal Resurrection of Frieza arc").
- Zamasu and Goku Black: These heinous deities from the Future Trunks arc present a truly dark and existential threat, aiming to eradicate all mortals. Goku Black, especially, with his menacing Super Saiyan Rose form, stands out as one of the series' best antagonists. To understand their terrifying impact, you can [dissect the terrifying timeline terror unleashed by Goku Black and Zamasu](placeholder_link slug="goku-black-and-zamasu-timeline-terror" text="dissect the terrifying timeline terror unleashed by Goku Black and Zamasu").
- Broly: Initially a non-canon character, the Legendary Super Saiyan Broly was spectacularly integrated into the main Dragon Ball narrative with Dragon Ball Super: Broly. His immense, uncontrolled power fueled by isolation makes him a force of nature. Explore his origins and power by taking a look at [Broly's raw power and his integration into the Dragon Ball Super canon](placeholder_link slug="broly-s-power-and-integration-into-canon" text="explore Broly's raw power and his integration into the Dragon Ball Super canon").
- The Tournament of Power's Titans: The Universe Survival Saga introduces a multitude of powerful fighters from other universes, most notably Jiren and Top (Toppo) from Universe 11. Jiren's stoicism and overwhelming strength pushed Goku to unlock Ultra Instinct, leading to some of the most legendary battles in anime history.
- Universe 6 Saiyans: Characters like Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale from Universe 6 provide fascinating insights into Saiyan evolution and culture, becoming powerful rivals and even allies during the Tournament of Power.
These narratives, filled with intense action, character growth, and cosmic stakes, are why fans continually return to this universe. To get a complete picture of the major events, you can [discover all the main sagas of Dragon Ball Super, ranked and explained](placeholder_link slug="all-main-sagas-of-dragon-ball-super-ranked" text="discover all the main sagas of Dragon Ball Super, ranked and explained").
Ultimately, while Ichigo Kurosaki has no place in Dragon Ball Super, the universe of Goku and his friends offers an unparalleled journey of power, friendship, and cosmic adventure that continues to evolve. There's a reason to [understand why Dragon Ball Super continues to captivate audiences worldwide](placeholder_link slug="why-dragon-ball-super-is-still-so-popular" text="understand why Dragon Ball Super continues to captivate audiences worldwide"). Dive in and discover the true epic that is Dragon Ball Super.