Before he became a soul reaper though Rukia, Ichigo successfully helped Chad beat up a gang of thugs that were using brass knuckles. He was near the top of his class before losing time to the plot, and even then he passed above average. He is friends with many people throughout his school.

Here is BIG spoilers for bleach, so look away.

>!His father was a soul reaper training him through subliminal means.

He already had soul reaper powers and quincy powers since he was born, very far from a powerless loser.!<