Bleach 195. Current manga discussion. *MAJOR SPOILERS!*

[Chronos]

or maybe we may ACTUALLY see some bankais??? you know from shunsui and ukitake and for goodness sakes


Well I've been thinking on this for a while ever since Ichigo's new power up was revealed, I get the feeling the reason that we have yet to see their bankai's is because they've reached this state or something similiar and they don't have one, something that comes to mind when I think about this is when in the soul society arc when Chad was running around Shunsui was able to sense Chad but not vice versa and before anyone tries to give an explanation remember that the whole time since their arrival Chad was able to sense different spiritual pressures and he was also able to sense Ichigo and Byakuya and he was farthter away from them than he was from Shunsui.

I get feeling that even if this is the case Ichigo is above even them because he showed up in a state that was beyond bankai while they still use their shikai.

[RockmanDash]

Well I've been thinking on this for a while ever since Ichigo's new power up was revealed, I get the feeling the reason that we have yet to see their bankai's is because they've reached this state or something similiar and they don't have one, something that comes to mind when I think about this is when in the soul society arc when Chad was running around Shunsui was able to sense Chad but not vice versa and before anyone tries to give an explanation remember that the whole time since their arrival Chad was able to sense different spiritual pressures and he was also able to sense Ichigo and Byakuya and he was farthter away from them than he was from Shunsui.

I get feeling that even if this is the case Ichigo is above even them because he showed up in a state that was beyond bankai while they still use their shikai.

Except Ukitake already told Shunsui "Don't use your bankai where somebody can see!" which was hinting it's power. And Shunsui was pretty much about to use it against Starrk until like I said, Ukitake stopped him.

[mumbo]

Pretty sure the reason we haven't seen all the Bankais is simply because there's another big arc left after this one. Gotta save something for later.

Isn't achieving Bankai a requirement for captain status? (Kenpachi being the only exception)

[anime_guru]

yep sure is
strange question though
in the amagai arc 3 captains certified that amagai was on the level of captain. I forget who the three captains were though...
and awkwardly enough I just remember the bleach episode that is airing this week. The same week was
byakuya v kenpachi in the muramasa arc. I always found that to be really good in timing that Yammy was at his strongest when kenpachi and kuchiki were fighting amongst themselves - in both series and manga

[GingaDaiuchuu]

So is this ever going to get a new thread?

[Jacob T. Paschal]

So is this ever going to get a new thread?

I think we all agreed to wait for the end of the current arc a few months back. That might be another month or so, at this rate.

[GingaDaiuchuu]

I think we all agreed to wait for the end of the current arc a few months back. That might be another month or so, at this rate.
Well then congratulations to the new longest thread in the anime forum. I wonder is another one will ever be longer than it.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Well then congratulations to the new longest thread in the anime forum. I wonder is another one will ever be longer than it.

I think the age of this thread (five years) is more impressive than the length. :p

[RockmanDash]

I think we all agreed to wait for the end of the current arc a few months back. That might be another month or so, at this rate.

^ This. But geez five years of the war with Aizen arcs, even though the Arrancar arc is basically three different arcs (Arrancar, Hueco Mundo, and Fake Karakura) I'd say Kubo in a way has the longest running arc going for a manga/anime. >__> Correct me if I'm wrong since I'm interested if any other show has gone this long with one huge arc.

[FireStarterLE]

Early spoiler? (if not, it's at least good discussion material)

Aizen's bankai is:

reversing time?


I could see that being his power, extremely cheap but I can see it happening (Kubo does things like this)

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I'll be damned if that's true. Surely it must have a stipulation if he hasn't used it up until now, though.

[Beat]

I'll be damned if that's true. Surely it must have a stipulation if he hasn't used it up until now, though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/97/Doc_Brown.JPG

GREAT SCOTT!

Aizen can reverse time, but if he screws up even the slightest alteration too far back, he could alter the entire course of the manga! Orihime could be useful!

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Just read the full version of this supposed spoiler.

>_______________________________<

Supposedly Aizen reverts to his mullet self, Yammy gets back on his feet, and Ichigo returns to his self from before the training. Gin protects Ichigo from Aizen's strike, stating he knew he'd use Bankai.

[garfield15]

You know, I actually let out a huge "HELL NO" reading that.

Once you throw that in a manga, you better be able to do it well because that can honestly destroy any form of media if not handled properlyThat's why a great story like Cirque Du Freak had a horrible ending :sweat:

[RockmanDash]

.....Oh crap wow Aizen won the award of being the HAX master.

CONTROLLING TIME? Dang, this is going to be a very..awkward badass battle

[Beat]

Just read the full version of this supposed spoiler.

>_______________________________<

Supposedly Aizen reverts to his mullet self, Yammy gets back on his feet, and Ichigo returns to his self from before the training. Gin protects Ichigo from Aizen's strike, stating he knew he'd use Bankai.

...

Forget my earlier joke. Is Kubo even TRYING anymore?

"Durr, I wrote myself into a corner! How do I get out! I know!"

I'll make it so it never happened! Now Aizen is still the badass and I can save him for the next arc!

I mean for God's sake, not even Rumiko with Naraku did this!

[garfield15]

Okay, this may be just me being bitter but...

This has to be the biggest shark that Kubo has jumped. I mean, this one is just enormous. I mean...Even Naraku couldn't control time! This is just....wow, I don't even know what this is. At this point, when I got to the Gin part, I just thought "yeah sure. Okay. Why not. Of course Gin knew. We might as well keep throttling these sharks."

EDIT:

...

Forget my earlier joke. Is Kubo even TRYING anymore?

"Durr, I wrote myself into a corner! How do I get out! I know!"

I'll make it so it never happened! Now Aizen is still the badass and I can save him for the next arc!

I mean for God's sake, not even Rumiko with Naraku did this!
^^Hey, I just said that! We think alike.

I just realized, AIZEN WANTS ICHIGO'S MARRIAGE!

[Rud]

I refuse to believe this until i see some picture or something, this is just insane.. and yet totally lol worthy, its like Kubo just decided to troll everyone (the readers).

[garfield15]

its like Kubo just decided to troll everyone.
Wouldn't be the FIRST FREAKING TIME.

"Oh jeez, I need to find a way to keep Byakuya and Kenpachi in Hueco Mundo or they'll own everyone...what's that internet? The 0 Espada....OH MY GOD! This is perfect! It'll look like I always had it planned."

"Oh crap. I hyped up these Espada so much and I killed five of them so quickly. What do I do with the rest...Oh I know! I'll just let Aizen kill them! Problem solved!"

[Grenzer]

Why did Aizen even need to do all of his research and create arrancars in the first place? The man can control time. You combine that with his ability to cast flawless illusions over the area of several hundred square miles (if not more), and his maxed out shinigami powers, and he was basically a physical god to begin with. As someone else said above, unless this power comes with a serious price tag (like draining his reiatsu/life force force every second Aizen uses it), this is absurd.

What is Aizen going to do next, use his observations of Ichigo's perfect form to intuitively merge with his zanpakutou and gain the ability to alter reality? B*******.

[mumbo]

I don't believe that spoiler at all - it's written oddly, the source is different than usual, and the timing is strange since spoilers usually come out in the wee hours of the morning, and despite the post it comes from saying it's confirmed, it's not confirmed by the usual sources (yet).

If it's fake, it's hilarious. If it's true, it's utterly horrifying, even for Bleach.


^ This. But geez five years of the war with Aizen arcs, even though the Arrancar arc is basically three different arcs (Arrancar, Hueco Mundo, and Fake Karakura) I'd say Kubo in a way has the longest running arc going for a manga/anime. >__> Correct me if I'm wrong since I'm interested if any other show has gone this long with one huge arc.
Yeah, I can't think of any other manga series with arcs that are 250+ chapters long either.

Then again, other series don't have the same ridiculous pacing either.

[Rud]

Wouldn't be the FIRST FREAKING TIME.

"Oh jeez, I need to find a way to keep Byakuya and Kenpachi in Hueco Mundo or they'll own everyone...what's that internet? The 0 Espada....OH MY GOD! This is perfect! It'll look like I always had it planned."

"Oh crap. I hyped up these Espada so much and I killed five of them so quickly. What do I do with the rest...Oh I know! I'll just let Aizen kill them! Problem solved!"
Those were just twists, this, THIS... this can only mean that Kubo finally reached Raftel and became the Troll King.

This spoiler just has to be fake... then again it would explain Aizen's crazy preparedness.

[garfield15]

Those were just twists, this, THIS... this can only mean that Kubo finally reached Raftel and became the Troll King.

This spoiler just has to be fake... then again it would explain Aizen's crazy preparedness.
(No, I'm definitely sure Aizen killing his men off was kind of an asspull)

This would actually explain his unbelievable level of planning though. I agree.

[Beat]

I just realized, AIZEN WANTS ICHIGO'S MARRIAGE!

Oh God, Kubo's going to retcon the entire series! He realized just how much the narrative has failed since the start of Hueco Mundo and is going to do it all over again!

http://blog.robotforest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/carl.jpg - My reaction in pictures.

[mumbo]

But you guys are forgetting!

You can only criticize Kubo's writing if you've created a manga series of equal or greater popularity!

Otherwise you are mere sand at his footsteps!

Surpass him!

[garfield15]

Anyone else realize this is basically what Kubo's been doing for the past few chapters (but somehow even more trollish)

"Here's my super-awesome attack Aizen."
"Surprise, this was actually part of my plan!"
"But now here's my even stronger, final, final attack Aizen"
"Oh no you got me...but here's a new haxx ability and form that I just developed and that also was part of my plan"

[FireStarterLE]

But you guys are forgetting!

You can only criticize Kubo's writing if you've created a manga series of equal or greater popularity!

Otherwise you are mere sand at his footsteps!

Surpass him!

someone tried to do that but he got outed for plagiarizing :p


If it's fake, it's hilarious. If it's true, it's utterly horrifying, even for Bleach

I'm going on fake for now based on the timing thing since confirmed usually appears Tuesdays (sometimes) or Wednesday (mostly)

[RockmanDash]

....No. JUST NO. THOSE SPOILERS BETTER BE WRONG.

So let me get this straight Aizen basically revives himself, makes Ichigo weaker, and gets Yammy back to normal? KUBO YOU WANT AIZEN ALIVE THIS MUCH?

Actually no change that, if this is really happening I'm guessing that The Royal Guard busts in and kills Aizen

I think the spoilers are fake though, I don't think Kubo would troll this much on his own series.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Lower ye olden pitchforks and ass-swackers, these are the real spoilers:

無月を食らってもまだ再生しようとする愛染
Even though he was hit by Mugetsu Aizen is still alive.
そこで裏腹登場。破道連発のときに放っていた鬼道が発動し始める。愛染の力が弱まったため
Then Urahara arrives on scene. He begins to invoke the kido he used from the time he fired hado in rapid succession against Aizen. Aizen's power has weakened.
徐々に壊れ始める愛染の体
Aizen's body begins to break apart.
愛染、お前ほどの頭脳がありながらなぜあんなものにしたがっている！
Aizen: "Why did someone of your intellect wish to do something like that!"

背表紙は名前ど忘れした　ネリエルと眼帯カマキリの人とハリベルの部下残り
I forgot the names of the people on the spine pic. Neliel and the eyepatch mantis and part of Harribel's fraccion.

表紙は変身した一護
Cover pic is transformed Ichigo.

[GWOtaku]

Hahahaha. For the two minutes I took to read to this point, I was pretty horrified. A stunt like that would have been unspeakably absurd.


Instead, Aizen seems to be dying. And the fandom rejoiced!

[FireStarterLE]

oh well .... maybe next week then ;)


though naturally because of everything Bleach has done, I'm not going to believe Aizen is truly dead/defeated until the final chapter of the series is out.

I'm just going to say "Aizen's body beginning to break apart" is a minor inconvenience to him.

[Paul_Cousins]

So let me get this straight Aizen basically revives himself, makes Ichigo weaker, and gets Yammy back to normal? KUBO YOU WANT AIZEN ALIVE THIS MUCH? I am starting to think that Aizen is Kubo's "author avatar" in the Bleach series. :sad:

[garfield15]

First of all, THANK YOU JESUS FOR THAT SPOILER NOT BEING REAL!

Second of all, I'm still not believing it until I see a complete wipe of his body from the face of the earth. This is probably part of his plan as well.

[Grave]

I didn't post last night when I initially saw that spoiler because I was a bit heated and just about anything would've came out.

Anyway


Source: 2ch / TAM

Credits: Ohana

986 ：ohana ◆IR7jauNn4E ：2010/09/22(水) 19:12:21 ID:B8LDnXuRP
―今、時が終わる…
残月　　　この技を使えば　お前は　死神の力の　　全てを失う――
さらばだ　一護

bleach　―刻を、斬る！！

藍前　真っ暗なところに落ちていく

421　DEICIDE23
無月を打ち　顔の包帯が取れていく一護
変な仮面が取れた藍前が空から落ちてくる
一護　まだ再生するのか…！
一護　死神の力がなくなり　オレンジ一護に戻る
膝をつく　前のめりになる
一護　（やべえっ…　死神の力が…　　　消えていく…）
立ち上がる藍前　君の負けだ　黒崎一護　見ろ　斬魄刀がきえていく…　君ならこの意味が分かるだろう…
右眼が白　左眼ホロオ　口元ホロオ化した藍前　崩玉が　私に斬魄刀が私に斬魄刀など必要無いと判断したのだ！！
斬魄刀とその能力と一体となった君と同じ　いや今やその力を失った君を遥か凌ぐ高みへと私は上りつめる
終わりだ！黒崎一護！！！

藍前の胸の穴から光が貫く？
藍前　何だこれは…！！鬼道か…！？　こんなものいつ…
裏原　ようやく発動したみたいっすね
藍前　裏原喜助…！！　お前の仕業か…！
裏原　はい　その鬼道はアナタが完全な変貌を遂げるまえ…　もっとも油断していたときに　別の鬼道に乗せて体の中に打ち込みました
藍前　あの時か…！
裏原　…それは　封印っス　アナタが崩玉と融合した場合　アナタを殺す事はほぼ不可能になるだろうと考え　アナタを封印するために開発した　新しい鬼道っス
藍前　そうか　それは残念だったな　見ろ　私は今まさにさらなる進化を遂げようとしている　この程度の鬼道で私を封じることなど
できるものか！！
光？が体までもを貫いていく
藍前　な…　何だこれは…　力が　私のてにした力が…　消えていく…！！
裏原　…それが　崩玉の意志っス　あのとき打ち込んだ封印が今ようやく発動したのは　アナタの力が弱まったからっス
崩玉はアマタを　主とは認めないと言ってるんスよ
藍前　馬鹿な…そんなわけがあるか…　そんなわけが…　そんなわけがあるか…
丸々藍前
だんだん普通の藍前に戻る　裏原喜助！！！　私はお前を蔑如する！！お前ほどの頭脳があるながら何故動かない！！なぜあんなものに
従っていられるのだ！！
裏原　あんなもの…？　霊王の事っスか…？…　そうか　アナタは見たんスね　霊王の存在が無ければソウルソサエティは分裂する　
霊王は楔なんス　楔を失えば容易く崩れる　世界とは　そういう者なんスよ
藍前　それは敗者の理論だ！！勝者は常に世界がどういうものかではなく　どうあるべきかについて語らなければならない！！！！
私は―――

ボーっと一　　一護
眼細める　　一護
そむける　一護

消える藍前

終極減封！！

終わり。サーセイ
良くしゃべる藍ちゃんでした。

translation

- Now, the time is over...
Zangetsu: If you use this technique, you will lose all your shinigami powers--
This is goodbye, Ichigo

bleach　- Slice this moment!!

Aizen falls into a pitch-black place

421　DEICIDE23
Having used Mugetsu, the bandages on Ichigo's face are coming off.
Aizen comes falling from the sky with his weird mask removed.
Ichigo: Is he going to regenerate again...!
Ichigo loses his shinigami powers, and returns to being orange Ichigo
He falls to his knees, pitching forward
Ichigo (Crap... My shinigami powers are... Disappearing...)
Aizen stands up. This is your loss, Kurosaki Ichigo. Look, my zanpakutou is disappearing... You of all people should understand what that means...
Aizen's right eye is white, left eye is a hollow, and is turning into a hollow from the mouth. "The Hougyoku has deemed that I have no need for a zanpakutou!!
Just like you, who became one with your zanpakutou and that ability, no, I have surpassed you, who has lost all your powers, and I will rise to an even greater height
This is the end! Kurosaki Ichigo!!!

A light goes through Aizen from the hole in his chest?
Aizen: What is this...!! Kidou...!? When did this...
Urahara: It seems it finally activated, huh
Aizen: Urahara Kisuke...!! Is this your doing...!
Urahara: Yes. I cast that kidou into you before you completely evolved... When you were ultimately careless, and I cast it by riding it on another kidou
Aizen: That time...!
Urahara: ... That is a seal. If you were to fuse with the hougyoku, I thought it'd be practically impossible to kill you. So that's a new kidou I developed to seal you.
Aizen: Is that so. But what a pity. Look, even now, I am undergoing further evolution. As if such a level of kidou could seal me!!
Light? penetrates his body
Aizen: Wh... What is this... My power... The power I attained is... Disappearing...!!
Urahara: ... That is the will of the hougyoku. The reason why the seal I cast then is activating after so long is because your power had grown weak.
The Hougyoku's saying it isn't recognising you as its master any more.
Aizen: Impossible... There's no way... There's no... There's no way....
A round Aizen.
Slowly reutrns to normal Aizen. Urahara Kisuke!!!! I despise you!! Why do you do nothing even though you have such intellect!! Why do you go along with such a thing!!
Urahara: Such a thing...? The spirit king, you mean...? ... I see, you saw it, didn't you. When the spirit king is not around, the whole Soul Society will break apart.
The spirit king is the lynch pin. If we lose the lynch pin, it crumbles easily. That's the way the world is.
Aizen: That is a loser's logic!! A victor constantly speaks not of what the world is, but of the way the world SHOULD be!!!!
I---

Ichigo stones.
Ichigo narrows his eyes.
Ichigo averts his eyes.

Aizen disappears.

Ultimate seal!!

Aizen's being sealed... Sort of like Kouga, I suppose. Now that the fight is over I want some answers.

Oh, and for haha's

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/2159/50362photo11122482lo.jpg

That's a face worth saying is priceless.

[Captain Highwind]

If Aizen comes back years later as a dynamic entry, I will be disappoint.

[garfield15]

Aw, man. I thought his "I'm actually losing" face would be more like Enel's.

(Wait, are we seriously not seeing his Bankai?)

[Grave]

Indeed, no bankai :mad:

[GWOtaku]

His many upgrades were broken anyhow. Aizen never showed a bankai because he decided he was better than relying on such a thing, and now he's finally gonna be D-E-A-D. Too bad, so sad.

[Beat]

Until we have DNA confirmation on the body, a copy of his driver's license, and ID from two next of kin, I'm not buying he's dead.

[Captain Highwind]

Those spoilers also lean way too close to the theory that the Soul King is the real bad guy and Aizen is kind of the good guy.

You know, the theory that everyone predicted years ago.

[anime_guru]

Those spoilers also lean way too close to the theory that the Soul King is the real bad guy and Aizen is kind of the good guy.

You know, the theory that everyone predicted years ago.

no need for reminders =((
however
yay urahara getting the last laugh. Thank you...but...if the hougyoku doesn't recognize aizen as supreme power, does that mean Ichigo is recognized as the supreme power? Or is there something else at play here?
Dah well for now I am happy urahara once again outsmarted a bad guy...I can rest a happier man knowing my FAVORITE character sorta took the wind out of kurosake's sails =)

[Mr. Obsession]

I laughed so hard as the internet raged over the fake spoilers. Thanks for the lulz guys. :D

So the series long chess match between Urahara and Aizen is over. Now that Urahara won, what is he going to do now?


If Aizen comes back years later as a dynamic entry, I will be disappoint. Honestly, after this blatant setup if Aizen doesn't return at some future point I will be disappoint.


(Wait, are we seriously not seeing his Bankai?)This gives Kubo a chance to actually come up with something for Aizen's return.



Dah well for now I am happy urahara once again outsmarted a bad guy...I can rest a happier man knowing my FAVORITE character sorta took the wind out of kurosake's sails =)
Without Ichigo, Urahara's kido would never have gotten the chance to complete and seal Aizen. Without Urahara, Aizen would have survived Final GT and would have killed Ichigo after he lost his powers. It was a team effort.

[Lelouch]

I wonder if this is really the end for Aizen, I surely hope it is. Kind of bummed Ichigo's transformation won't last...it looked really badass. Though, since he is losing his Shinigami powers doesn't this more or less kind of make him a...substitute Espada? Nothing was ever said about him losing those powers.

[GWOtaku]

Didn't Ichigo fuse with his complete inner self though? Shinigami Zangetsu and crazy hollow Zangetsu were basically two sides of the same coin, right?

I think I hope Ichigo starts over at square one and doesn't get repowered with a fast fix. Maybe the comic could find its roots again and remember Ichigo's friends.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Didn't Ichigo fuse with his complete inner self though? Shinigami Zangetsu and crazy hollow Zangetsu were basically two sides of the same coin, right?

Ichigio starting at square one could be an interesting twist.

Yeah, as I understood it.

It's not looking too good for Ichigo to have any sort of powers now.


Which means two or three hundred chapters of Mizuiro, Tatsuki, Rukia, Chad, Orihime and Uryû having to fight to protect Ichigo. Probably.

[ShadowGUN]

I am glad the first spoilers were fake. As for the real one.
I am curious why Urahara is trapping Aizen? Could he have some use for him? Anyway sounds like a cool chapter. Can't wait to read it

[Captain Highwind]

I am glad the first spoilers were fake. As for the real one.
I am curious why Urahara is trapping Aizen? Could he have some use for him? Anyway sounds like a cool chapter. Can't wait to read it

The Aizen in the Flask?

[Lelouch]

Didn't Ichigo fuse with his complete inner self though? Shinigami Zangetsu and crazy hollow Zangetsu were basically two sides of the same coin, right?

I think I hope Ichigo starts over at square one and doesn't get repowered with a fast fix. Maybe the comic could find its roots again and remember Ichigo's friends.

Even with the fusing, I think Kubo specified that Ichigo would lose his Shinigami powers on purpose. He could have just said all of his powers but he didn't. I guess only time will tell. Still I think it would be really interesting to see Ichigo master JUST hollow powers. We have only seen him using them with his soul reaper powers, this gives it kind of an interesting twist.

[Grave]

After seeing Aizen, I'm going to be very cautious of every main villain that has such a calm demeanor in anime/manga now before I consider them to be a favorite lol.


We have only seen him using them with his soul reaper powers, this gives it kind of an interesting twist.

Haha, to see Ichigo as an arrancar/espada probably would be fairly interesting.

Hmm... Thinking about it now I think I'd rather have Kubo end it here after tying up some loose ends and what. It's kind of hard to imagine a villain worst than Aizen, unless, like people have been theorizing about in making an arc where the villain is the devil itself.

Edit: Forget what I just said. That's a lot of loose ends to tie up "coughs"

[Captain Highwind]

Did Ichigo have to look away just before Aizen got sealed? Must have been pretty gruesome, like he turned inside out/imploded or something before turning into 3 Eva spears.

[Will Sturnick]

I'm really happy those time reversal rumors were false. I do not think I'd be able to handle that.

As for the chapter, count me as one of skeptics. As much as I want Aizen to be dead and gone, I'm reluctant to believe it. And shock, it looks like Kubo is going in the direction that the Aizen was just a misguided hero. Which is fine, but at this point I just have to ask: "Are we still expected to care?" This arc has simply been dragging on for too long. There are still a lot of threads left dangling that need tying up though.

I know I'm asking too much but I would really like it the rest the manga went at well-clipped pace. I fail to understand why any battle needs to be over 20 chapters. Goodness...I still shudder at the remembrance of the battle with that one Espada (the one with the sickles in Heuco Mondo, I don't remember his name). It felt like it took 30 chapters for him to finally off'ed.

[Baseball]

Calling it now: Urahara turns, creates the King's Key. Nobody can stop him.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Y'know...I have to wonder what Momo's going to think now. :sweat:


Still don't know what's going on with Las Noches, either...although I suspect the Captains and company are on their way back home now...

[Captain Highwind]

Calling it now: Urahara turns, creates the King's Key. Nobody can stop him.

*Arc ends with Urahara making the Ouken, taking 2 captains that turn traitor with him, then all 3 disappear in 3 pillars of light*

Ichigo: *throws hat down* Damn them Duke Boys!

[Beat]

Next arc is Urahara the new ruler of SS having his men hunt down the outlaw Espada Ichigo.

Oh, and Orihime gets kidnapped about a dozen times in between.

[Chronos]

Those spoilers also lean way too close to the theory that the Soul King is the real bad guy and Aizen is kind of the good guy.

You know, the theory that everyone predicted years ago.


Hmm.... the thing is the way they were speaking it sounded more like the "Soul King" was an object more than a person.

I just hope that it isn't something like in the second movie an object that raises your spiritual powers having a story arc for that reason would be lame as all hell.

Hahahaha! Urahara as the next bad guy would be hilarious because since he first showed he's looked shady as hell.:evil:

[Demonic Raven]

Well, Aizen isn't deader than dead...or even regular dead for that matter, but he's done! Stick a fork in him! He, and this freaking arc, are DONE!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/gamerchris116/20iqsm1o.gif

VICTORY!


So where do we go from here? Beats me! Urahara as the next villian makes sense given his position currently. He's got Aizen along with the Hougyoku under his control at this point, and most of everyone that could feasibly stop him is dead/incapacitated/unpowered (Ichigo).

But to me, that seems too obvious. I think Kubo needs to try something new, rather than "*gasp* Good guy wasn't so good after all!" yet again, and he probably knows that we're all expecting it in a way. I can't wait to see just what he'll do in the future.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I have to wonder if the Royal Guard won't be sent down to clean up the mess that the Soul Society has made, instilling a new order of sorts...?

[ShadowGUN]

So where do we go from here? Beats me! Urahara as the next villian makes sense given his position currently. He's got Aizen along with the Hougyoku under his control at this point, and most of everyone that could feasibly stop him is dead/incapacitated/unpowered (Ichigo).

But to me, that seems too obvious. I think Kubo needs to try something new, rather than "*gasp* Good guy wasn't so good after all!" yet again, and he probably knows that we're all expecting it in a way. I can't wait to see just what he'll do in the future.

Kubo said there still two arcs left. A short one that was gonna focus on Isshin and longer one. Perhaps the longer one will focus on Hell. The Bleach's Hell movie is coming out in December so he probably want to do a tie in ( a la One Piece). As for Aizen being a misguided hero I don't know about that. Sounds to me like he has an inferiority complex with the Soul King.

[Grave]

Oh, and Orihime gets kidnapped about a dozen times in between.

If Orihime gets kidnapped again I'm done.

[Captain Highwind]

If there is kidnapping of anyone, and anymore arresting should be highly scrutinized (stay outta trouble, Rukia...)

[Mr. Obsession]

In retrospect it's kind of funny, Ichigo sacrificed all that power and it still wasn't enough to defeat Aizen. Sure it weakened him enough for Urahara's trap to kick in, but Ichigo was actually doing better before he used Final GT.

Oh well, it's over and the story can finally move on. Hurrah!


Kubo said there still two arcs left. A short one that was gonna focus on Isshin and longer one.
You know, I've been looking back and I can't find a source that states that Isshin was going to be the focus, a player yes but not the focus. So far all I can find on that is fan speculation (which I myself was caught up in as well :sweat:).

[Jacob T. Paschal]

My re-read of Bleach has taken me up through Chad's first solo fight in Hueco Mundo (and reveals his offensive arm). Boy, this is where things got just plain painful. Cut these early fights and you wind up saving three or four volumes.

[mumbo]

Ichigo fighting Dordonii was kind of the start of this string of fights, right? And that was around Chapter 250.

The plot of Bleach, over the past 170 chapters, has consisted of:

Ichigo vs. Dordonii
Uryu vs. Cirucci
Chad vs. Gantenbainne
Chad vs. Nnoitra
Rukia vs. Aaroniero
Renji and Uryu vs. Szayel Aporro
Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra
Ichigo vs. Grimmjow
Ichigo vs. Nnoitra
Neliel vs. Nnoitra
Mayuri vs. Szayel Aporro
Byakuya vs. Zommari
Kenpachi vs. Nnoitra
---Turn Back the Pendulum---
Izuru vs. Baraggan's Fraccion
Yumichika vs. Baraggan's Fraccion
Hisagi vs. Baraggan's Fraccion
Ikkaku vs. Baraggan's Fraccion
Komamura vs. Baraggan's Fraccion
Soifon and Omaeda vs. Baraggan's Fraccions
Rangiku and Momo vs. Harribel's Fraccions
Tetsuzaemon vs. Ayon
Yamamoto vs. Ayon
Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra
Yammy vs. Renji, Rukia, and Chad
Hitsugaya vs. Harribel
Soifon and Omaeda vs. Baraggan
Kyoraku vs. Starrk
Wonderweiss vs. Ukitake
Lisa, Hiyori, and Hitsugaya vs. Harribel
Soifon and Hachi vs. Baraggan
Love, Rose, and Kyoraku vs. Starrk
Ichigo vs. Yammy
Kenpachi and Byakuya vs. Yammy
Shinji vs. Aizen
Komamura and Hisagi vs. Tosen
Yamamoto vs. Wonderweiss
Ichigo vs. Aizen
Isshin vs. Aizen
Urahara and Yoruichi vs. Aizen
Aizen vs. Gin
Ichigo vs. Aizen

Now, basically 170 chapters - nearly four years - of non-stop fighting, with a few chapters of something resembling a plot thrown in between, including the brief reprieve for Turn Back the Pendulum. And, unless I'm forgetting, all these fights took place in basically the same day?

That's...kind of ridiculous.

[garfield15]

Now, basically 170 chapters - nearly four years - of non-stop fighting, with a few chapters of something resembling a plot thrown in between, including the brief reprieve for Turn Back the Pendulum. And, unless I'm forgetting, all these fights took place in basically the same day?

That's...kind of ridiculous.Yeah, technically, it's only been at the most 10 hours in manga-time. :p


If there is kidnapping of anyone, and anymore arresting should be highly scrutinized (stay outta trouble, Rukia...)If anyone gets kidnapped again, I'm gonna be annoyed.

[bigdeath]

I don't believe it. The cake is a LIE. :shrug:

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Yeah, there...are just way too many fights. At the most the fights could have been cut down to showcasing Ishida and Renji's fight with Szayel Aporro, Rukia's fight with the Kaien guy, Chad's fight, Ichigo coming across Ulquiorra and Inoue but being interrupted by Grimmjow (allowing for their final fight), Nel taking over Nnoitra, Aizen explaining his plan was to lure as many Shinigami into Hueco Mundo as possible, Byakuya and his team arriving in Hueco Mundo, the start of the war in Fake Karakura, Ichigo's last fight with Ulquiorra, TBtP, the full war at Fake Karakura (with the grunts hopefully taken down a bit quicker). That could probably be clocked in at eighty or so chapters.


To an extent I understand why each battle might be as long as it is in the series proper (the Arrancars being elite soldiers and all), but its just exhausting. At least throw in more of Inoue trying to escape or fight back. Then again, that'd go against Ulquiorra's little speech somewhat.

[Beat]

Ah yes, Uryu's epic speech...

"Orihime, because you're a pretty girl in a Tite Kubo manga, that means you're totally worthless. Ichigo will never love you, and you'll fail at everything you do. Now go in the background and wait for the men to do their job."

Well that's what it felt like anyway. I mean I don't hate Orihime, and assuredly not as much as certain purple haired kunochi which shall remain nameless, but right from the get go, to limit your character in such a way, leading to one wall banger after another is just poor writing. And to re-emphaize it as the sole break between the endless fights noted above...ugh.

Remember when fans theorized Orihime's connections with Aizen would lead to her becoming a badass cosmic horror that could wipe out reality? Fun times. I'd pay to see that Orihime confront Uryu.

"Useless am I?" *erases him from existence*

Anyway...home stretch people. One big arc to go. Any bets on the final villain? Unohana? The Soul King? Evilhime? A random character from nowhere?

M. Bison? (Keeping with Kubo's affinity for character design homages)

[garfield15]

^^OF COURSE!

I predict the final enemy will probably have to be with the Spirit King or Squad 0 if that actually exists.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Ah yes, Uryu's epic speech...

"Orihime, because you're a pretty girl in a Tite Kubo manga, that means you're totally worthless. Ichigo will never love you, and you'll fail at everything you do. Now go in the background and wait for the men to do their job."

Well that's what it felt like anyway. I mean I don't hate Orihime, and assuredly not as much as certain purple haired kunochi which shall remain nameless, but right from the get go, to limit your character in such a way, leading to one wall banger after another is just poor writing. And to re-emphaize it as the sole break between the endless fights noted above...ugh.

Remember when fans theorized Orihime's connections with Aizen would lead to her becoming a badass cosmic horror that could wipe out reality? Fun times. I'd pay to see that Orihime confront Uryu.

"Useless am I?" *erases him from existence*

When did Ishida ever say anything remotely like that?

[Beat]

Right at the start of SS when she proves completely inept at defending herself and Ishida has to come to the rescue.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Right at the start of SS when she proves completely inept at defending herself and Ishida has to come to the rescue.

You're overexaggerating a line in an attempt at 'making a funny'. Orihime isn't 'the fighting type'. Alright. What's so wrong with that? Why does having to be some 'badass' fighter have to be the center of her character arc? You already have Rukia, Matsumoto and others who are females who kick tail...why can't Inoue's arc be able acquring her own brand of self-confidence? Not being the fighting type certainly hasn't stopped her from slapping Ulquiorra upside the head or helping when she can. Heck, hasn't her defensive powers increased in the succeeding arcs? She's certainly shielding herself and others from some pretty big explosions.

[Grave]

You're overexaggerating a line in an attempt at 'making a funny'. Orihime isn't 'the fighting type'. Alright. What's so wrong with that? Why does having to be some 'badass' fighter have to be the center of her character arc? You already have Rukia, Matsumoto and others who are females who kick tail...why can't Inoue's arc be able acquring her own brand of self-confidence? Not being the fighting type certainly hasn't stopped her from slapping Ulquiorra upside the head or helping when she can. Heck, hasn't her defensive powers increased in the succeeding arcs? She's certainly shielding herself and others from some pretty big explosions.

I'm kind of in the same boat as Beat, sort of. Her abilities are unique, I suppose, but that's not netting her any points here, at least not from me. You ask what's wrong with her trying to build up her self-confidence? Nothing at all, but what's wrong with wanting more female characters that kick tail, especially as main characters? If you ask me we don't have enough of them. The damsel role, however, needs to go away for a little.

Rukia and Matsumoto kick "tail"? Err... (personal bias against Rukia.. she's boring) I wouldn't really say Matsumoto kick tail. They have more confidence for sure, but kicking "tail" and taking names... Not by a long shot. I'd agree with you had you said Yoruichi and perhaps Soifon (when she's not being idiotic).

[Jacob T. Paschal]

All the ladies from the Soul Society have proven themselves capable of holding their own in a fight. Plenty if not all of the Arrancars have done so similarly. The main female lead turns out to not have a warrior's heart...what's the big deal here? That winds up making her unique in her own right. Her conflicts won't be solved with battle, necessarily. Isn't this the comic with too many battles and not enough character or plot?

Even Inoue was able to show some semblance of killer intent when her powers first appeared in volume #5-6.

[Lelouch]

...are you really trying to say that the females in this manga have been represented as...strong? Which females are you talking about? Majority of them have been reduced to fodder/fanservice. Even the female Arrancar/Espada ended up being useless, Hallibel was have a tough time against Hitsugaya, someone she easily should have beaten. The only one who has potential is Nel and she is MIA.

Orihime has perhaps the strongest abilities in this entire manga and she has done next to nothing with them, aside from healing. I'm still hoping that Ulquiorra's statement about her already being one of them is true and she turns into an evil badass instead of constantly crying out Ichigo's name.

[Beat]

...are you really trying to say that the females in this manga have been represented as...strong? Which females are you talking about? Majority of them have been reduced to fodder/fanservice. Even the female Arrancar/Espada ended up being useless, Hallibel was have a tough time against Hitsugaya, someone she easily should have beaten. The only one who has potential is Nel and she is MIA.

Orihime has perhaps the strongest abilities in this entire manga and she has done next to nothing with them, aside from healing. I'm still hoping that Ulquiorra's statement about her already being one of them is true and she turns into an evil badass instead of constantly crying out Ichigo's name.

Pretty much the above.

To itemize the points-

1. I fully expect not to hear from Nel again except maybe in a pointless Tien-esque cameo vs. Soul King/Urahara/Evilhime/Bison.
2. You can say the women appear to be tough, but none of them do anything. Even the hyped up ones are easily beaten to a pulp. You can go on about how a backstory portrays a character as formidable but when they get pounded it tends to diminish that.
3. The non-violent women is an extremely, extremely hard idea to pull off without looking unbelievably sexist. Needles to say, Kubo has failed miserably, and the decay of her character from cheery big breasted teen that can't cook to whiny emo damsel in distress can be traced directly to Ishida's "don't fight ever because you fail" speech. I mean, she has the power to alter reality. If she really wanted to, she could make bullying Arrancar girls disappear, or summon up Selene to battle DevilmanUlq. But the way she acts, it feels like she's essentially the schoolgirl version of Ma-Ti. "Heart!"

If she was to take her powers and actually use them, she could easily take over the whole of Soul Society. She could make Hollows bow to her will and crush people with a thought. I get that Orihime isn't Dr. Doom and isn't planning on using her powers for the lol factor, but the idea of that kind of power in the hands of evil would be an outright spectacle and give the character a new dimension past her damsel-in-distress one.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

...are you really trying to say that the females in this manga have been represented as...strong? Which females are you talking about? Majority of them have been reduced to fodder/fanservice. Even the female Arrancar/Espada ended up being useless, Hallibel was have a tough time against Hitsugaya, someone she easily should have beaten. The only one who has potential is Nel and she is MIA.

Orihime has perhaps the strongest abilities in this entire manga and she has done next to nothing with them, aside from healing. I'm still hoping that Ulquiorra's statement about her already being one of them is true and she turns into an evil badass instead of constantly crying out Ichigo's name.

Have females taken part in battle and held their own? Yes. Have females played the role of mentors/motherly figures? Yup. I'm not implying Bleach is high art or the bastion of 'equality amongst the sexes', but I don't think its fair to insinuate Bleach has some secret agenda against the fairer sex. No more than any other comic written for middle school boys who like seeing big buff men beating the hell out of each other.

Well, unless you consider there not being an ugly girl in the bunch. Conspiracy?

[Grave]

All the ladies from the Soul Society have proven themselves capable of holding their own in a fight. Plenty if not all of the Arrancars have done so similarly. The main female lead turns out to not have a warrior's heart...what's the big deal here? Isn't this the comic with too many battles and not enough character or plot?


We all know the ladies can hold their own, no point in stressing that. The big deal with Orihime is that she's another damsel. I don't know about you nor anyone else, but I've seen my fair share of anime/cartoons with damsels as leading characters and quite frankly I'm sick of them. (Same with male characters as airheads) Sure some of them actually do something here and there but in the end they're all the same. However, with Orihime, she's not doing any thing. As I've said, slapping Ulquiorra, having a great defense don't win points with me. She wants to help but until she actually does something to help out besides heal and defend, she's going to always be considered as useless. As far too many batles, sure, but the first thing I look for is action (Although, I will admit that even I have my limit... If some of the characters that get the spotlight weren't boring then I could probably take all of these battles and not have any complaints)

[Don_East]

When did this thread go back into Orihime-bashing mode? I'm really getting annoyed that people view hardly-used in story=useless. I believe that any character can be utilized and Kubo is underutilize her. Give me the okay to do a Bleach story and I'll prove you.

You know what really annoys me is that no one that Renji is even worse. He never won a single battle in canon. He's the Detroit Lions of Bleach, at least Orihime & Chad won one. If you want to get technical, Orihime did beat up two grunts in the Soul Society arc on her own and she hasn't been in combat since Yammi which was a justifiable loss. Renji never ever won one single battle, the closest he had was a tie.

I'm sorry but to say Orihime is useless is to not to blame her but rather the writer.

Tite Kubo, YOU ARE A HACK!

[bleachj0j]

When did this thread go back into Orihime-bashing mode? I'm really getting annoyed that people view hardly-used in story=useless. I believe that any character can be utilized and Kubo is underutilize her. Give me the okay to do a Bleach story and I'll prove you.

You know what really annoys me is that no one that Renji is even worse. He never won a single battle in canon. He's the Detroit Lions of Bleach, at least Orihime & Chad won one. If you want to get technical, Orihime did beat up two grunts in the Soul Society arc on her own and she hasn't been in combat since Yammi which was a justifiable loss. Renji never ever won one single battle, the closest he had was a tie.

I'm sorry but to say Orihime is useless is to not to blame her but rather the writer.

Tite Kubo, YOU ARE A HACK!

Renji goes without saying and so does Chad who gets a power up and then is defeated 10 seconds after.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I'm sorry but to say Orihime is useless is to not to blame her but rather the writer.

Tite Kubo, YOU ARE A HACK!

Well, you can hardly say that until the story's over. Who knows what Inoue'll do in the next arc.

Then again, you could apply that to any character considering how often new ones tend to get the focus instead of those established previously.


But...eh. Inoue's only role has only ever been in relation to her loved ones, i.e. Ichigo and Tatsuki. The only plot left to resolve for her...is in relation to those two. Meaning Kubo would have to develope more plot in relation to her...which would take away from characters with unresolved plot, too.

And so begins a vicious cycle in which we could then blame Orihime for the lack of character development of other characters. Brilliant...or mad?

[Beat]

Well, you can hardly say that until the story's over. Who knows what Inoue'll do in the next arc.

Become an all powerful evil dictator who can warp reality to her liking and the final villain? (Maybe the MacGuffin lets her do that)

Hey, I can dream. (I always saw the final conflict between the two like this, just replace Kenshiro with Ichigo and Raoh with Orihime) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUizzH4eURA)

Don, I'm not bashing Inoue. I'm bashing Kubo's writing which seems...haphazard at best. I agree with the people comparing this to a DA account. Where this manga goes next will be...interesting, and I'll be paying attention, but that doesn't mean I will ever call it good writing.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Become an all powerful evil dictator who can warp reality to her liking and the final villain? (Maybe the MacGuffin lets her do that)

That would be out of left field.

Not that such isn't Kubo's style. I would like to think after four hundred chapters I would know what he would, and would not do, in regards to making a heavily established character go nutsoid with no inclination towards it in the first place.

[garfield15]

You know what really annoys me is that no one that Renji is even worse. He never won a single battle in canon. He's the Detroit Lions of Bleach, at least Orihime & Chad won one. If you want to get technical, Orihime did beat up two grunts in the Soul Society arc on her own and she hasn't been in combat since Yammi which was a justifiable loss. Renji never ever won one single battle, the closest he had was a tie.Oh, it's not like anyone forgot about Renji. It's more like he's Bleach's Lindsay Lohan. At this point, it's just too repetitive to bring his crap up and we just figure it's not going to change.

When the filler arc has him being more badass than in the canon, you screwed up.

[Fool's Gil]

I'm sorry but to say Orihime is useless is to not to blame her but rather the writer.

Tite Kubo, YOU ARE A HACK!

Tite "Let's see you do better" Kubo for whatever reason dropped the ball a long long LONG time ago. Everyone's arguing about how Orihime is useless, and I say everyone is useless. That does include Ichigo yes. Because Mr. Kubo is not good at what he's supposed to be good at; writing.

Why, on that aspect I think I already surpassed him. I cannot draw a stick figure worth sh** but I can out write Kubo for sure.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Tite "Let's see you do better" Kubo

What was the context of that, again? Some annoying Rukia x Ichigo shipper bugging him? I don't think it's fair to make that out as a general "Kubo's a jerk!" call.

[Beat]

What was the context of that, again? Some annoying Rukia x Ichigo shipper bugging him? I don't think it's fair to make that out as a general "Kubo's a jerk!" call.

That's exactly what it was about.

Of all the things to call Kubo out on, IchiRuki vs. IchiHime is in perspective, pretty small potatoes. Even the most militant shipper needs to realize that shipping only works when your story is working properly.

[GWOtaku]

Can we not hammer the "let's see you do better" thing? The fan rage over that wasn't really legit (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3673832#post3673832) after all.

I'm gonna cite Yoruichi as an exception to Beat's rule because c'mon, let's face it, losing to Aizen doesn't really count.

[Fool's Gil]

What was the context of that, again? Some annoying Rukia x Ichigo shipper bugging him? I don't think it's fair to make that out as a general "Kubo's a jerk!" call.

I suppose, but with interpretation that can be applied to anything in Bleach.
-Aizen's more annoying than ten Naraku's? Let's see you do better.
-Orihime is more pathetic than Sakura after the Pein Destroys Konoha Arc? Let's see you do better.
-Ichigo's powerups are more numerous than a Saiyan's and lacks even more sense? Let's see you do better.

I'm not saying that Kubo's a jerk. I'm saying he makes a sorry excuse instead of writing better and we deserve more considering we give him money.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

That's exactly what it was about.

Of all the things to call Kubo out on, IchiRuki vs. IchiHime is in perspective, pretty small potatoes. Even the most militant shipper needs to realize that shipping only works when your story is working properly.

Eh, I'd say IchiRuki has been pretty long dead. Even when rereading the story this past month I can't say it was ever really there. Kubo seems to love having characters have two different types of relationships with two different members of the opposite sex.

Ichigo: Platonic with Rukia but probably has an inkling that Inoue likes 'im...and probably shares the feelings.
Rukia: Platonic with Ichigo. With Renji...?
Orihime: Platonic with Ishida...need I describe Kurosaki-kun?
Hitsugaya: Platonic with Matsumoto, maybe something more with Momo?
Matsumoto: Playfully platonic with her captain...something more, unsaid with Ichimaru.
Momo: Friendship of sorts with Hitsugaya (this is me ignoring my inner romantic here!) and some obessesive father/daughter relationship with Aizen.


Boy, the ladies really can't live without their men in this series after all. :p ;)

[RockmanDash]

Eh, I'd say IchiRuki has been pretty long dead. Even when rereading the story this past month I can't say it was ever really there. Kubo seems to love having characters have two different types of relationships with two different members of the opposite sex.


Oh trust me, IchiRuki was never there to begin with :shrug: I'm only throwing a cookie to the Ichihime fans because Orihime is actually in love with the guy.

But Ichigo probably has "looking for friendship" on his facebook so shippers are out of luck. :P

[Luna]

Eh, I'd say IchiRuki has been pretty long dead. Even when rereading the story this past month I can't say it was ever really there. Kubo seems to love having characters have two different types of relationships with two different members of the opposite sex.

Ichigo: Platonic with Rukia but probably has an inkling that Inoue likes 'im...and probably shares the feelings.
Rukia: Platonic with Ichigo. With Renji...?
Orihime: Platonic with Ishida...need I describe Kurosaki-kun?
Hitsugaya: Platonic with Matsumoto, maybe something more with Momo?
Matsumoto: Playfully platonic with her captain...something more, unsaid with Ichimaru.
Momo: Friendship of sorts with Hitsugaya (this is me ignoring my inner romantic here!) and some obessesive father/daughter relationship with Aizen.
...That's pretty much how I see things,only I've always thought of Hitsugaya/Momo as platonic (as in,they're more like siblings...She basically treats him like a kid brother...if there are any romantic feelings there,it's one-sided on his part)...and I'm not sure what to think of Momo's feelings for Aizen (as in whether she loved him as a father figure,or was in love with him,I can see it either way,really)....
I'm also sick of characters being labeled as useless just because they don't win fights (Renji),very rarely win fights(Chad and Orihime),or don't like to fight (Orihime)...To me "useless" would be not even trying at all,or running away from a battle....trying to do something and failing doesn't make you useless (granted,I do think it's annoying that out of the 6 main characters only Ichigo,Rukia and Uryu have gotten to win more than one fight...I know the story has a huge cast,but still,that's no excuse to shaft half the main cast)...

[Beat]

You kinda missed the point.

Regardless of who you ship or if you even care, it's periphery. The primary issue is the writing, which is almost completely broken at this point. Orihime could be dating Kenpachi for all we know, it still doesn't change the portrayal of her character, or the convoluted handwaving to dismiss her potential.

And I know this may not be a popular opinion, but if there was one battle Kubo should have made longer, it was this one with the series big bad. You could trim a lot of the other fights, but not this one.

[veemonjosh]

Eh, I'd say IchiRuki has been pretty long dead. Even when rereading the story this past month I can't say it was ever really there.


Oh trust me, IchiRuki was never there to begin with :shrug:

To be fair, I think Kubo has always said that Ichigo thinks of Rukia as more like a third sister than anything romantic.

The reason IchiRuki persists to this day is because the anime crew continues to throw "evidence" like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh8H4Z8iJ4I) in every so often (LOVE YOU! LOVE YOU!). >___<

[garfield15]

To be fair, I think Kubo has always said that Ichigo thinks of Rukia as more like a third sister than anything romantic.

The reason IchiRuki persists to this day is because the anime crew continues to throw "evidence" like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh8H4Z8iJ4I) in every so often (LOVE YOU! LOVE YOU!). >___<


Love you. (Love you) When we first met, it was raining silently.
You were (You were) standing there, and now I realize you were crying.
Love you. (Love you) You were acting as if you were lonely and hurt.
In one (In one) split second, I found myself enamored with you.
I understand that you're crying because you're sad.
I want to stay by your side so I can wipe away every tear.
I'll protect you from now on,
from everything that makes you hurt.
I'll never understand why it happens, but I don't care.
It's not going to be perfect,
but I swear I'll make you happy.
I promise, I'll protect you, forever and ever.

I bleeping hate that song.

[Grave]

I bleeping hate that song.

Yet you know the lyrics. :p

[Beat]

I thought we establishes the canon pairing was Ichigo/his crippling fear of female sexuality caused by long repressed abandoment issues due to his dead mom.

[garfield15]

Yet you know the lyrics. :p
I actually do know the lyrics, but I was just copying the translation from the video just to make sure everybody realized how pandering it was.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Yeesh, that's some panderin'.



Maybe they could pander to my inner Kyôraku x Nanao shipper and release an in-character love song duet from the respective voice actors? :p

[Grenzer]

I thought we establishes the canon pairing was Ichigo/his crippling fear of female sexuality caused by long repressed abandoment issues due to his dead mom.

That was my theory, you can read all about it in this thread... if you can find it. I gave up after looking though most of the posts from late 2007-early 2008.

...This was a long arc.

[GWOtaku]

Your post is here (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3423688#post3423688), and still dead on correct. Classic stuff folks.

[garfield15]

Holy crap, that was a year ago. Ichigo just left Hueco Mundo. I was actually posting in this thread by then.

This arc has run too long. I mean, Christ....

EDIT: I still want that tournament arc.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2wnbqtd.jpg
http://supermanjaviolivares.iespana.es/phantom%20zone.jpg

See, Aizen is really Zod!!


EDIT: I still want that tournament arc.

Hah. That'd be something. Somebody should start a thread about what one would look like. :p

[garfield15]

Hey remember this!

Kubo said at JUMP Festa that the arrancar arc will end around June, then there will be a small arc which will lead up to the next big one.Hah! I actually thought he was serious.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Hey remember this!
Hah! I actually thought he was serious.

There were Arrancars in this 'Deceide' arc? :p

[mumbo]

I'm just thankful he managed to end it this year.

Unless...?

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I'm just thankful he managed to end it this year.

Unless...?

I think the fighting is over for a few weeks. :p

Before the next arc, at least. :p

[Lelouch]

Honestly, I just hope Ichigo gets acknowledged for being way stronger than most of the Captains. Granted, now that he lost his powers (or has he really? I'm expecting the Hougykou to do something) Im sure it won't happen. Though maybe now he will be the target, like people have been speculating for ages.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Honestly, I just hope Ichigo gets acknowledged for being way stronger than most of the Captains. Granted, now that he lost his powers (or has he really? I'm expecting the Hougykou to do something) Im sure it won't happen. Though maybe now he will be the target, like people have been speculating for ages.

Well, even if Ichigo does become a target it'll have to be of the Royal Guard. I can't see the thirteen courts turning on him now, even if there were a few captains not entirely loyal to him...too many are for them to speak up.

[Grave]

Credit: maaru/mymangaspoilers
Verification: Confirmed



422　the silent story

ＳＳの空座町。町の補修作業と町の人の全名保護し、現世への転移作業をするマユリとその部下。
In SS's Karakura, Karakura's repairs and recovery are underway, while Mayuri's subordinates prepare to transition it back.
町中に死神がいる状態で転移をしようとするマユリをセンカイ門なしでの転移は（死神が）危険ですと隊員が止める。
In the middle of town, Mayuri tells the shinigami taking stock of the situation for transfer that there won't be Senkaimon for transfer because there's danger, so they halt.
余裕を持って10数えてやるよというマユリに、急げー！死ぬぞー！と部下が避難させる。
"The margin of error is only 10!", so he screams at his subordinates to 'Hurry-! You'll die--!'.
自分の甘さに反吐が出るヨとマユリ。
"Your naivete is gonna make me puke", says Mayuri.

ひよりの治療を終え、一先ずは大丈夫でしょうと卯の花。助からへんかもしれんの！？と聞くリサに、
鬼道にできることは医療と変わりない、あとは彼女が生きる事を諦めなければいずれは。
彼女が諦めるかどうかはあなた方のほうがよく知っているはずですと続ける。
I'm finishing Hiyori's treatment, but for now she'll be alright, says Unohana, to Lisa who's been asking if she's saved.
おおきにな・・・卯の花サンと平子。なぜお礼を言うのですか？仲間の命を救うのに、お礼の言葉などいりませんと卯の花。
Thank you... Unohana-san, says Hirako. "Why would you need to thank me? I'm merely saving the lives of our nakama, your words of gratitude are unnecessary", says Unohana.
仲間のつもりないわ、ボケェってひよりやったら言うやろなぁとつぶやく平子。そしてもういちどおおきにな・・・卯の花サンと礼をいう平子。
"I wasn't planning on being nakama, but that idiot Hiyori got that badly hurt..." Hirako sighs. "So I will thank you again.... Unohana san," says Hirako.

ＳＳに戻ってきた白哉と剣八（とやちる）を迎える隊員たち。ケガをみて救護班を呼ぶ隊員。今回の戦いはいかがでしたか？ときく隊員に、つまんねぇ戦いだったぜと剣八。
Kenpachi (and Yachiru) and Byakuya arrive at SS and meet their divisions. They call for the medical division for their wounds. "How was the fighting?", asks his division, "it wasn't boring," says Kenpachi.

虚圏。大の字に倒れているヤミー。そこにアンアンと鳴き声。虚ろな目で、鳴き声のほうをみるヤミー。そこには嬉しそうにしっぽをふる破面の犬。
Hueco Mundo. The puppy approaches the fallen Yammi. It barks loudly. A blank eye opens, and Yammi looks toward the barking. The puppy wags it's tail happily.
なんでついて来てんだよ・・・バカ犬が・・・とつぶやくヤミー。そのまま白目になるヤミー。（死んだ？）
"Why'd ya come here... Stupid dog..." sighs Yammi. Then his eyes go white. (he died?)

ＳＳの空座町に佇む一護に声をかける裏腹。みんなはときく一護にお帰り頂きましたと裏原。
In SS's Karakura town, Ichigo's standing while Urahara's shouting at him. Everyone's asking Ichigo
皆さん黒崎サンに話したそうでしたけど、同じくらい話しかけづらそうでしたんでと続ける裏腹に、まさか記憶を？と一護。
"I know everyone wants to talk to Kurosaki-san, but, please it'll have to be the same story..., Urahara continues, "No way, what're you gonna to their memory?" says Ichigo.
今回はいじってませんと答える裏腹に、よかった、もう隠すのもイヤだしな、戻ったら俺の口から伝えるよと明るく答える一護。
"This time I won't change it", Urahara laughs, "Oh, that's good, I won't have to hide it anymore, I don't want to have to explain again, " laughs Ichigo.
愛染の封印架は精霊廷に運び、46室によって処遇が決定されるでしょうと裏腹。
"Well, the sealed Aizen will have to be dealt with by central 46, " says Urahara.
そうかという一護に、どうしてそんな顔をしてるんすか？と裏腹。
"Oh yeah, that.." Ichigo says, "Why are you making that face?" asks Urahara.
自分にもよくわからない、そう答える苺に、アナタは正しいことをしたんだからそんな顔をする必要はないという裏腹。
"I don't know, " Ichigo smiles, "You don't need to make that face when you did the right thing," says Urahara.
すると苺は、愛染は本当に宝玉に拒絶されたのかな？ときく。親父が、宝玉の能力は周囲の心を取り込んで具象化することだといってた。
Ichigo asks, "Are you sure that Aizen's truly been rejected by the Hougyoku now? Dad says that the Hougyoku has the ability to detect and confuse the hearts around it."
それなら、もしかしたら愛染は自ら望んで力を失ったんじゃねえのかなときく。
"It that's so, what if Aizen's ambitioned power was actually gone..." he wonders.
互角に戦えるようになって、愛染の刀に触れた一護。その刀には孤独しかなかったという。
"While I was fighting on par with him, I was able to feel his sword," says Ichigo, "That sword was asking not to be left in solitude."
愛染が生まれたときから飛びぬけてたなら、愛染はずっと自分と同じ目線に立ってくれる誰かを探してたんじゃないのかな、
だから、それがみつからないと諦めた瞬間から、心のどこかでただの死神になりたいって願ってたんじゃないのかな・・・と続ける一護。
"From the point of Aizen's birth had passed, Aizen's always had his gaze on someone as if he's been searching for it, I think,
That the moment he gave up because he couldn't see it, I wonder where his desire to be a shinigami in his heart went to...." says Ichigo
そこに黒崎くん？と声をかける人物。振り向くとそこには井上をはじめ、石田、チャド、ルキアにレンジが。
Someone asks, "IS that Kurosaki-kun?". The view pans around to Orihime, then Ishida, Chad, Rukai and Renji.
もう起きて大丈夫なのかよと声をかける一護に、貴様こそなんだその・・・とルキアが言いかけたところで、
Ichigo wonders, "I wonder if it's alright to wake up now,", "What do you mean, you idiot..." says Rukia
井上が、やっぱり黒崎君だ・・・髪が長いからちがんじゃないかと・・・よかった・・よかったあと泣きながら喋る。
Orihime says, "It's really Kurosaki-kun... I thought I couldn't be wrong but your hair's gotten long so.... Thank.... Thank goodness," while tears well up in her eyes.
なんつーカオしてんだよ、頭はボサボサだけど・・・といいかけて倒れこむ一護。
"Of course it's me, my head's just messed up all over... " and Ichigo collapses.
皆が一護！と声をかけるが、う・・うああああああああああああああと叫ぶ一護で次号。
"Ichigo!" everyone shouts, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Ichigo shouts, and it's off to next issue.

Not exactly what I'm looking for...

[garfield15]

That's...not...a good ending to me...

That's the "13 episode anime series 'well, I guess everything's hunky dory now'" ending.

I mean, yay, it's over but...hello? Yammi? What happened in the actual fight? Did we just cut it out? A dog? What? Why is there a dog in Hueco Mundo Is this the same as with Nagato? Where's Nel? Where's the three brothers? Where's Grimmjow? Why is Orihime not scarred? What about Szayel's bodies? Why is the Gotei 46 back? Are we going to see the Ouken at all?

SERIOUSLY! WHERE IS NEL?

[ShadowGUN]

So I guess the anime is gonna cover the Yammi fight then. As for Grimmjow and the rest of the Arrancar that survive they probably appear in later chapters.

[FireStarterLE]

Hercule: "It's a trick!!"


It's not over!! I won't believe it!!!! There's still moar!!!!!



That's the "13 episode anime series 'well, I guess everything's hunky dory now'" ending
exactly this isn't the type of ending you'd expect from an enemy that's been around for 250 some odd chapters .. "He's going to jail, we're healing and fixing stuff. It's been real but see ya around guys .. you don't have to go home but you can't stay here!!!!!!"

someone is going to break Aizen out of his Sealed Jail, take over his body, use his power ... something!!!

[anime_guru]

what...the fricking heck?!
This isnt over, has urahara forgotten central 46 is DEAD!? Like totally dead? For one that keeps up with soul society he should know that detail...
And there are a lot of questions too. Who is the sou taichou now that yamamoto is dead? And for that matter yammy is killed without a flashback and offscreen no doubt. Really???
Aizen goes out that simply. After 250 flapping chapters Aizen goes out like that. Really!? Really...
I am glad it is over but ffs that is the worst ending for a villain I have ever seen. What is there to say? What about Neliel and ffs I want my orihime and ichigo hug...is that too much to ask? We know ichigo wouldn't hug her but she would hug him...
*sighs* see ya next week...I think...

[garfield15]

Yeah, that line confused me. Did they just create a new Gotei 46 off-screen or what? Doesn't that take time?

[Beat]

...Wut.

That's it? Seriously? That's the ending to an episode of Inspector Gadget or Captain N. "The bad guy is beaten, let's make a cheesy joke and all laugh!" I mean, jeez. All those extra characters next to Ichigo could be the Scooby Doo gang and it would make about as much sense.

[veemonjosh]

...Wut.

That's it? Seriously? That's the ending to an episode of Inspector Gadget or Captain N. "The bad guy is beaten, let's make a cheesy joke and all laugh!" I mean, jeez. All those extra characters next to Ichigo could be the Scooby Doo gang and it would make about as much sense.

Aizen: "And I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids and their mod soul!"

Kon: "Konny-Donny Doo!"

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Guys, it's Kubo. He'll take a half dozen issues to wind up all of the loose ends. There's going to be more than just this.

[GWOtaku]

Guys, it's Kubo. He'll take a half dozen issues to wind up all of the loose ends. There's going to be more than just this.

Y'know, I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad about this observation.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Y'know, I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad about this observation.

Well, it'll probably be done from several perspectives as the characters bring their arcs to resolutions. I figured it'll be more character-based then "Well, Aizen's sealed up."

This chapter technically fills up a nine chapter length volume, if I remember correctly (I'm pretty sure there are eighteen uncollected chapters).

[RockmanDash]

So um.......what happened to Nel and Grimmjow again? :p *insert picture of them still laying on the floor*

[mumbo]

Who wants to bet Nel and Grimmjow are going to be transfer students at Ichigo's school next arc?

But yeah we'll definitely get more wrap-up than this, even if the immediate aftermath is a little hokey. It'll still be a good month or two before we launch into the next story. Kubo doesn't move that quickly!

[garfield15]

So um.......what happened to Nel and Grimmjow again? :p *insert picture of them still laying on the floor*
That's the last time we saw them. I wonder how it feels to be part of the Chad club? (lying on the floor unconscious)

Who wants to bet Nel and Grimmjow are going to be transfer students at Ichigo's school next arc?
I wouldn't be surprised. Especially Grimmjow. He looks like the kind of guy who would be put in hi-larious antics as a human

Y'know, I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad about this observation.Yeah, I didn't really know how to respond to that. See, I guess, you could say that that's a good trait of Kubo....but I just don't think it's a good one. Especially when you end on a hokey chapter like this one.

[Beat]

I'm totally down with Nel in a tiny miniskirt.

One arc to go though, right? Will the master manipulator please stand up? Who is it? Urahara? Unseen Soul King?

...Granny Goodness? Dr. Doom?

[garfield15]

One arc to go though, right?
He said two more. One small mini-arc and then that will lead up to one mega-ultra-chicken long arc.

I just realized....WE CAN MAKE A NEW BLEACH MANGA THREAD SOON! (Wow, look at that first post in 2005. Remember how awesome that was?)

EDIT: Ha, I see all those posts complaining about how long SS arc was. SS arc was a godsend in comparison

[Captain Highwind]

So wow, everybody gets to know about Soul Reapers now. This chapter sounds awesome.

(Why did everybody think this series was ending with this chapter?)

However, I still want to slap Orhime any time she says Kurosaki-kun. She really broke me.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

This thread has gone on for so long a part of me thinks it should be kept as-is for the LOLs. :p If we do stop using this thread...I demand we place the final chapter in the title (#195-4xx)...it'll be epic.


But yeah, we should wait until we have a good idea of what the next arc will be about so we can title the thread something nice.

[Beat]

We gotta think of a new name. Hopefully one with less awkward sentence structure than the Naruto one.

Suggestions-

"Life after Aizen."

"Wrath of the Soul King"

"Urahara's evil (but you should have known this already)"

"Twilight of the Soul Society."

"Nel in a schoolgirl outfit."

"How much longer now?"

I swear, if Ichigo goes home and Aizen is sitting on his couch...

[garfield15]

(Why did everybody think this series was ending with this chapter?)

Nobody said that. We're talking about the arc ending.


"Urahara's evil (but you should have known this already)"

NOOOO! (but again, I wouldn't be surprised)

[Captain Highwind]

Nobody said that. We're talking about the arc ending.

Even so, this is exactly how Soul Society wound down, and all the juicy stuff happened after that. It's how the rest of the arc will go that has me worried, but I think both Kubo and his editors have learned their lessons. Maybe.

Set longterm plots with INTERESTING small plots leading up to it.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Yeah, to be honest...I really don't think we've given his editors enough Hell for the Arrancar arc. Were they just fiddling with their thumbs in the corner for the past five years?

I really hope they learned a lesson here and are just to proud to admit it verbally.

[Don_East]

I've waited all these years for this ending? What a rip.

I nominate this to be the new equivalent to Namek, all in favor?

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I've waited all these years for this ending? What a rip.

Let's be more specific here. What are you angry? That Aizen was critically damaged and then sealed away to be safe...or that everyone met up alive and happy...?


I nominate this to be the new equivalent to Namek, all in favor?

Are you implying Namek had a bad ending?

[GWOtaku]

Somehow Megaman X got in my head and made a new thread the very same day I started thinking about ending this one, so it's time to put this beast to rest at last.

Tis the end of an era, Aizen is dead. Sic semper tyrannis. And lo, the fandom rejoiced.