To both positions (I had no idea which of the two "he does...he does not" things you two were on about...but to both, he does...so I'm safe! WEEE!)
Now that you posted images, I now know it was to the "display more emotions".
Ichigo displays lots of emotions. Even jokes. Even playful "older brother frustration". He's a fairly fleshed out character.
Even his battle character had some good times towards the beginning.
It's the Ichigo from the last...10 years? that isn't as awesome as it used to be. The first 2 years...maybe 3 years...of Ichigo are great.
Originally posted by Nephthys
I really liked it.
Well I mean granted it went into backstory I suppose but...really only Dirty Boots comes off as likable. And we get to hear Ginjo say stupid things like "Teh Winnar alwayz haz moar numb3rs!"
I mean, I don't disagree with getting the backstorys is a good thing. It's just...there.
They're not all meant to come off as likable. Its character development, which I always like. It explains parts of their personality, why they're the way they are and why Ginjo was able to take advantage of them to join his team.
And I thought it was well done technically, cutting back and forth between them like that was good imo. Its stops it from being a list (heres her backstory, heres his, heres Timeguys etc). And it was well drawn.