#with his zanpakuto MORE than he did after the first 3 arcs

[criminal-sen]

Hello!! Going back to that post about being ok with people asking you about your fic... can I? 🙏 I'm gonna 🫣

So when I first found Imperfect, I hadn't watched Bleach in... dunno... 10-15 years?? Gawd don't wanna think about it. So, I'd forgotten a lot of stuff, and I hadn't finished the last 3-4 seasons. So I thought a lot of stuff you wrote about was canon, and when I rewatched it all for the upcoming 3rd part of tybw, I was like... so when are you guys gonna mention this??

But anyway, focusing on the actual question, how did you come up with all the little details about Mayuri? Like the way he talks to AJ in their own internal world, the microdosing of Super Human drug in daily life and they way it feels, the ability to smell pheromones... it makes the story, which is already awesome, much more realistic to me. It's almost like he wrote it himself, it's so, so enjoyable. Love it sm, you already know 😊

Anyway, no pressure to answer, just been thinking about it for a while and thought I'd chance it!

Aw that's so cool u mistook my stuff for canon, I feel like it's Highest Honor for ff to be believable enough to trick someone>:3c Tho I'm sure it was kinda frustrating too, sorry for that haha (and I've also been fooled so I very much understand the feeling)

Future Sen here: when I say I'm long-winded, this is what I'm talking about. This is like.. the textbook definition of Verbose. So under a cut it goes, have fun with soooooo many words:D

Hmm so the microdosing Superhuman Drug just popped into my head right before I wrote it in (chapter... 5? I think? Where he's sitting in the hotel after a flashback), I think I was having a bit of a conundrum on how he could sit there and have such a long and detailed flashback in such a short time? And before I could do the obvious fix of having more time pass, as literally nothing was at stake time-wise, I remembered the Superhuman Drug exists. And the more I thought about it, the more sense it made for him to use it, to the point where I choose believe it's canon unless proven otherwise XD Like you can't tell me someone whose whole thing is Thinking wouldn't jump at the opportunity to do more of it in less time. As for the way it feels, hmmm idk, I just thought real hard and made it up. All we know from canon is what he explained to Szayel, and what Szayel experienced, which is just. Brain thinks faster, making time feel as though it's passing slower. And od'ing on it is Real Bad💀

Hheeeehooo What Next>:3 (btw im having a blast rn, ty for giving me a free pass to be sooooo long winded about this very niche thing XD) Right, Jizo communication here we go>:33333 So him talking to Jizo was based on what I read in a wiki about the Zanpakuto... rebellion arc? I think it's called (could definitely be wrong)? Where everyone's zanpakuto spirit is running amok? I just remember reading he didn't speak. And though I have mixed feels about the design (hence he is Moth in my fic XD), him not speaking really made sense to me. He just seems like such a fucked up little guy🤔 Like.. okay so I've mentioned this briefly in a chapter preface but want to elaborate... so I strongly believe he consents to being modified, cuz even Mayuri would probably have a hard time wielding a zanpakuto that fucking hates him. Which means he's loyal (arguably to a fault) and trusts Mayuri to do very fucked up and painful things to him. Which, to be fair, Mayuri does equally painful and fucked up things to his own body.. and that makes me wonder if Jizo isnt merely consenting but is of the same mind about this fuckery? Like idk if I can even say this in a way that makes sense🤦‍♂️ but I like to think they share this no-holds-barred, nothing-is-sacred delight for experimenting on themselves. Like Jizo is also a mad scientist in all but name>:3 (I decided on this version bc it Fucks Severly imho, but also bc it's FAR less depressing than the overly-trusting, Stockholm syndrome one, like i cannot deal with writing something that sad tbfh) Anyway, regardless of which version, he is an intensely weird Creachure. And I just can't fathom him saying fucking.. anything... that would even remotely make sense to anyone but Mayuri??? And the telepathy thing just fits Mayuri's whole.. fast thinking, Big Brain vibe. If a zanpakuto were to impart information to him through words, I can see him tapping his foot like GET TO THE POINT>:(

Lastly, the pheromone thing.. haha well this one's pretty short (future Sen here, i am a liar! It is not short😬) - I borrowed it from another ff. It's that one I mentioned at the end of.. who knows which chapter... Quantum Mechanics by Illegitimi (no link, sorry, might put one after i post)... which was Mayuri/Isane, and which I loved So Much back in the day, despite hetero romance being kind of a fuckin.. icky vibe for me in regards to Mayuri. No problem with it fyi, just usually wouldn't choose to read about it. Ugh I'm talking too much about it already but I have changed a LOT since.. 2016? Give or take? And I don't think I could stand it nowadays for a whole bunch of reasons. But. BUT. It was very well written and had some very cool hcs for him that I've clung onto. The pheromone one just fits him - if he could sharpen his ability to sense something, ofc he'd do it - plus it's very fun for romance and smut reasons, which is undoubtedly why the author thought of it. They also had that scar across his nose, though iirc it was kinda squiggly and not the upside down V that I made up. In my defense though, there's a lot I didn't borrow from that fic, too. Some highlights: Mayuri practiced feng-shui (like he'd spend his precious Sciencing time to do smth like that smh) he had these absolutely luxurious captains quarters, complete with a whole fancy bathhouse, like there was a waterfall and shit nsvdhshdv (I'll admit this was quite fun in the ff but i obviously interpret his quarters a lot differently)... and, last one I mention I promise😬 his paint rubbed off easily, big reason why I changed it tbfh cuz it immediately didn't make sense to me, like his hands especially? Is that different paint than the rubbing off paint? Or does he leave paint on every surface he touches, and discreetly wipe it up and reapply before anyone notices???? Expmain yourself, ff writer😤 jk jk it was really good for what it was, and I still very much appreciate it for helping me form my version<3

Omfg I really... shit what time is it😭 (over an hour, I've been sitting here for over an HOUR jesus fucking.. goddamn) Okay well I don't get to blab v often about this stuff, and it turns out I have a LOT of words in me today! So it was a perfect storm😩 Well I hope this was enlightening, thanks sm for the ask, it was a very fun hour lol. And sorry for the uhhh. the amount of words:p

[seasaltbaptism]

i’m deleting this later.

so bleach used to be one of my favorite shows / mangas and i still have love for it but it’s LARGELY unsatisfactory when it comes to ichigo’s heroes journey ,,? does that make sense? i’m not going to get too technical, but he starts as a kid who’s got issues bc he lost his mom ( tragically ) and he’s living life with this chip on his shoulder. bla bla bla inciting action , transformation & boom . . . we’re on our journey with our magical aid. the soul society arc was one of the best pieces of story i have seen from any mangaka to date and that’s just bc it’s so interesting to me. you have this outlier ( ichigo ) busting into a stagnant world and completely shaking it to its foundations BY SHEER LOVE AND WILLPOWER, and his friends follow him for the same reasons! they clash with this society, meet people, understand their motives more, their lives. they make FRIENDS and ENEMIES and uncover heinous secrets, cruelties and injustice and actually stand up and say ‘ yo wtf? ? ‘

throughout the arc we see major figureheads ‘change sides ‘ / change their minds and stand up too and it’s just really cool to see the ripple effect ichigo has on things, he’s a shaker and a mover. this arc ends with aizen’s betrayal revealed and his promise to return and destroy soul society and BAM we’re led into another amazing arc : hueco mundo. now if you pay attention THIS is a continuation where we see ichigo sort of confronting himself more but also denying himself in this arc ( he did a lot of soul searching in the first arc do not get me wrong homie jilted a 10+ year process in three days ) but in this arc we see how far he really goes for the ones he calls family ( i.e orihime getting nabbed + ichigo DYING & returning in that one fight , to him agreeing to split his soul to achieve final getsuga ) which just leads me to feel like after / during this arc we see ichigo really come alive meeting people who are like him? ikkaku? renji? ganju?? like it’s so. . . . idk ! seeing him continuing to fight for a society like their attack dog that ( albeit made some changes ! ) is still so stagnant ?? forever ? his whole arc after soul society + hueco mundo is him dealing with his depression which i actually enjoy bc at least it’s touching on ? his ptsd ? pain? loss of HALF HIS SOUL. i think this is such a powerful moment in his life? idk what i wanted done with him but then we hit the fullbring arc and it was so unsatisfactory to me bc ?? he regains his soul reaper powers ONLY because they needed him to defeat ginjo on their behalf. they didn’t pool their power into a zanpakuto BEFORE ??? it’s just,,, idk !

and anytime after that all ichigo does is fight for soul society, all side plot non canon movies , all filler eps , thousand year blood war? ichigo is not even 18 ?? and soul society once again asks him for his help, it’s just unsatisfactory to me! i miss the first arc and maybe the second one where we take more of a psychological look at ichigo , his motivations , his pains and how that makes him act around the people he loves. where do you take a character like that after he’s gotten his friend back? does he continue to change the society from the inside out? does he quit ? does he stay? that’s sort of the catch 22 with him, you CANT realistically say ichigo would give up his power and carry on as if nothing ever happened bc that’s not who he IS , he has a savior complex / survivors guilt + ptsd. he’s obsessed with making sure EVERYTHING is okay and safe because he’ll make it ok and safe but he won’t tell you whatever’s going on with him bc that’s just too much and he can handle it. i’m getting ahead of myself

tdlr; ichigo loses his mother who he loved more than anything -> ichigo pulls into himself and keeps friends who he can relate to close but not too close, not ever too close -> he meets rukia and undergoes massive change to save his family , he lets her in -> rejects the responsibility over everyone at first but then is convinced that he can’t half-ass the job , all souls need him -> his new friend who he sees himself in ( and someone who taught him the ropes ) gets kidnapped and imprisoned and sentenced to death for ‘ helping him ‘ / saving his life / doing her fucking job -> his friends who love him so much were empowered just by being around ichigo and train to help him -> they all go to get their new friend back and save them from a grim fate, fall into a world with so many personalities , backstories, motivations, rules , fuckery that they can’t help but make friends and garner allies -> he lets people in, he has motivation and a goal and a reason to push past boundaries and overcome the odds and blow people away -> he fails and gets back up and wins and fails again and carries on , who is he if he can’t save his friends even at the cost of his own well-being -> cue his friends ready to push it to the limit too bc they love him and he has to realize he can’t be self sacrificial and expect his friends to not do the same -> eventually they save rukia and bring attention to oddity of her DEATH SENTENCE -> ichigo achieves his goal but can’t help but feel anger as aizen reveals his betrayal and plan for the world at large , he lives in the world and takes it SO personally -> MORE growth for ichigo as he literally plows through enemies without really going through proper inner channels , but needs the power so he has quick meetings and sheer force of wills himself through situations -> eventually makes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of others and his family / friends , splitting himself away from himself. he’s harshly cutting away the piece that has made him feel alive, useful , for the first time in a long long time. and his father encourages it. where does that leave him? where would that lead you? after everything ? all the adventures, adversaries, people you met? you must say goodbye bc this was never a choice for you? this was like breathing, you’d cut yourself into smaller pieces if it met you could fill the bellies of those you loved. ichigo’s arc makes me fucking crazy because it’s like a snake that eats itself, it’s never ending , and tite tried to end it? he tried to say that there ‘ is no zanpakuto spirit , you’re always fighting alone , it’s self acceptance and love that’s the answer. ‘ and he gets another power up and everything’s wrapped up ( it’s not , lots are missing / dead but hey kubo was sick so ) and ichigo married and had a kid , he could finally rest and give up reaping — like WHAT

[hyotenhyakkaso]

More DiamondDust rebellion/The Rescue Arc headcanons for Toshiro: So spoilers ahead~

So I talked a bit about Toshiro and his problems with giving gifts. But let's focus on the more logical vs emotional side of this.

Most of the time in the anime he's logical. Puts up an icy front for many reasons. Hes had a lot of people look down on him for not only being a child able to use spirit energy but for being the youngest captain. He looks like a child but in reality, he's really not. He's not too much younger than Momo Hinamori.

But he's treated like a child by people who don't know that he's a captain, and even when he does get recognized, it doesn't change. Yes it's used as a joke, but at the same time I really doubt he takes it lightly. He lashes out because doing nothing does nothing and he recognizes this. But what happens when even if you lash out, it never changes. The teasing gets grating the more it happens.

I know you're probably thinking "Winter, it's just a joke you're blowing this up" and while yes, I do find it low-key funny. Because it is a bit funny that a captain that has so much power gets treated like a child by people that don't know any better.

But mentally, it's invalidating his progress as a person. Its invalidating to be looked down on. So he puts a wall up, so when it happens he can't hurt anymore. He won't be hurt anymore.

But it still does.

Its not just that either, he’s been shown time and time again that once he gets close to someone it gets ripped away and he’s powerless to stop it. How could he stop it?

He’d almost lost his grandma, the sweet little old lady that took he and Momo in once upon a time. She’d nearly frozen to death because of him, to the point where Rangiku had to kick his ass into gear. He was a child then. 

He lost potential friends and when he did make one in Kusaka, the only person besides Momo and their grandma to show him any kind of positive feelings, he was ripped away. Killed in a fight he never wanted to have. 

Killed because of Toshiro. 

Killed because they shared the same weapon spirit. 

He was chosen over Kusaka, and I really bet he has survivors guilt because of it. Admittedly, I believe this is a lot of the reason he went after Kusaka by himself. Not only to stop him himself and get an actual fight they were meant to before squad 2 stepped in..... But because he thought he owed it to Kusaka to be the one to kill him. Tackling it on his own, in his own way, was him trying to preserve other people’s memories of someone who once existed. 

Because he didn't know that Kusaka was already erased from existence. 

He wanted to face his failures by himself, because in a world where status and power are everything, what else does he have? I really don’t think he knew that he had friends that already considered him as one of their own. Because why would they? 

I know this is out of order, trust me lmao. Momo’s still recovering in the movie, we can only assume DiamondDust Rebellion takes place during season 3 of the rescue arc. So having to deal with the whole Kusaka thing after Momo- is a yiikes, double kill. 

Then he had Momo who was like a sister to him, turn on him. Yes, she was groomed by Aizen and I might go over that someday, or maybe not who knows lmao. But from his point of view, it comes out of nowhere. One minute they’re friendly and the next shes accusing him of killing her commanding officer. All over a letter that Aizen himself wrote. 

So not only does he have to deal with survivors guilt, but his only remaining family he can see every day... Is pulled out from under him. 

He’s alone. 

Until he’s reminded that Rangiku is still with him. He isn’t alone although he keeps her at arms length. He trusts her with her duties, but not with his true feelings.. Because he doesnt know what to feel anymore. Numb, angry, confused, hurt all circle through his mind. But he’s a captain so he turns it into resolve. 

Was it dumb to go to central 46 by himself? Absolutely. 

Did he care? I really doubt it. Because I don’t think he was planning on living through whatever was in there, it was a suicide mission and he knew it. He just hadn't realized just how much bigger the picture was. 

Toshiro is a logical person first and foremost, he’d learned this as a child in a cruel world where powers made you out to be a monster and all you can do is hurt. He closes himself off because nobody wants to be his friend. So he shuts himself away and shoves people away before they can hurt him, before they see his gooey center. He’s much like a frozen ball of ice that hasn't quite frozen all the way through. 

But we have seen times where he’s acted out of character for everyone else but completely in character to his true self. 

He rushes into Central 46 over a hunch, he rushes to kill Aizen twice for nearly killing Momo, he goes after Kusaka because he knows his childhood friend. 

Toshiro is a logical person until it comes down to people he’s let inside his icy prison, his Zanpakuto spirit is a dragon because all in all that's what he is. Once you become his, you are his and if anyone attempts to kill you he can and will attempt murder in return. 

All in all... He’s been hurt so many times, he doesn't know how to communicate with people and when he does find someone he can talk to he latches on slowly but surely. Because that's all he knows.

[unohanadaydreams]

Hello again! I'm probably gonna chuck a few different asks at ya but first I wanted to invite that ramble on Mayuri and the dynamic he has with Jizo or about him in general if you'd like~ I'd love to read more character analysis about our fave clown scientist.

I am reserving my spot to over analyze Mayuri. It’s very rambly sorry.

Okay, so Jizo is a protector of people/deceased souls of children.

This tells us a few things.

1. Mayuri is protected by Jizo.

2. Mayuri craves protection.

3. Mayuri either died as a child or went through something traumatic enough as a child that it immediately ended with the event aka. the metaphorical death of childhood. My guess is on the latter.

Mayuri is protected by Jizo through the obvious means of poison. But also by his zanpakuto itself. Jizo’s appearance and abilities are off putting. This heavily reflects Mayuri--his appearance and abilities (extendo arm, ect) are off putting to most people.

I believe Mayuri calls attention to himself through his appearance, while also masking himself in strange, off putting attire so that people do not look TOO close. They see what he wants them too.

And likewise, people see what they want out of Jizo, while ignoring the meaning of the zanpakuto’s name and TRUE nature. Jizo is part of a shield Mayuri has constructed to hide his vulnerabilities as a person with feelings and flaws. (He refuses to alter his brain in the same way he alters his body bc Intellect)

Mayuri craves protection and it’s evident in how he raises Nemu as well as how he attacks others AS WELL as how he treats Jizo. Nemu, from the very start, bodily shields him even when it isn’t explicitly necessary. She was created by him and therefore her feelings of gladness for him continuing to live and her arc of understanding that her true objective was ALWAYS to protect him was pretty fitting.

Mayuri can not even face let alone acknowledge his love for his daugther until she is dead and he does so vaguely, merely calling her a great Experiment. His kindness was relayed only through Akon and even then, he does not refer to her as anything other than an accomplishment to lord over Urahara (which like BIG LMAO).

Literally admitting to Nemu that he even viewed her as his biggest accomplishment, as one would speak about an object, was embarrassing for him.

He straight up can’t admit he is PROUD of making Nemu because that would imply he in any way cares about her. Fucking astounding, the lengths he will go through to deny he knows what affection or love or anything approaching those emotions are.

With his attacks--he often uses methods physically impede his opponents from approaching him. He prefers long range or ‘stealth’ methods. Blowing up his own people, stabbing opponents through Nemu, ect. He does not have any large, impressive displays of sword fighting. He prefer to flex his mind and be creative in proving he is Superior to others.

And with Jizo, he literally punishes his sword for attacking him. While many captains would understand that an enemies abilities were at fault, Mayuri isn’t one of them.

He snaps off Jizo in Szayelaporro’s body and states directly that it’s because the sword attacked him. Obviously there is a large theme of ‘control’ going on here in tandem with his need to be protected. But nevertheless: he purposely breaks his sword like a kid having a tantrum that caretaker didn’t keep them from scraping their knee.

Mayuri’s childhood ended suddenly/early or he simply never had one. It was gone before he realized he should’ve had one, maybe.

This is evident in how he treats Nemu, yes, but also how he treats Akon. From the very start, Akon is not treated with the same kiddy gloves we see Hiyori, Nanao, or even Byakuya given in the pendulum arc. And Mayuri isn’t even fully in control here.

And that’s not even getting into how Urahara releasing Mayuri with no further consequence or stipulation and then leaving him the research & development center was essentially rewarding whatever behavior got him in isolation within the Maggot’s Nest and is the start of his decent into what he be becomes.

Or that Urahara knowing he was down there means he knew what he did and knew that only the promise of Control and Power would sway him out--presumably a promise to restore or trump what he lost when arrested.

It’s further evident in how he acts as a person. He explains things to excess, a sign he did not feel listened to or his opinion valued as a child, and will go off if he feels ignored.

He is quick to throw literal foot stamping fucking fits. Like a toddler. Over small things. He seeks approval from people like Urahara and intellectual opponents alike--he wants it to be acknowledge that he is Smarter.

Trauma wise, he has low empathy for others and the people he does care about are still treated like shit. This is VERY common for abused children. He does not value his physical form. He’ll turn himself into fucking goo--he doesn’t care. That goes beyond ‘scientific improvement’ and straight into ‘i have only been valued and validated for my intellect so that’s all that matters’.

He also hides his physical body behind clothes baggier even than the soul reaper uniform already is, paints over his skin, and generally wears eye catching clothes that distract from HIM. Making one’s body repulsive and offputting is specifically a common response to sexual abuse.

Which would also help to explain his adversity to affection tbh.

It’s very possible that all of this happened while he was a living soul and his arrival to the rukongai was after for a further and more literal interpretation of ‘deceased soul’.

ALSO Look at literally anything the science department designs and tell me it doesn’t fall into the following categories: 1. edgy my chemical romance teen who reads cosmic horror or 2. legitimately cute and child friendly designs that activate your Animal Crossing brain.

IN conclusion:

Mayuri was abused, he craves protection, he finds any form of emotion that pertains to human connection horrible, he portrays only valuing intellect, and Jizo is not ironically named such.

I DEFINITELY went off on some tangents but uuuuuuuh (:

[sunmaylight]

Fate x Bleach: What if Ichigo became a SERVANT?

Random idea of having Ichigo from Bleach as different Servants from the Fate-Series.

Don’t know that much of either fandom, just going off of what I researched so far with my own creative twist and indulgences.

WARNING: Long post with loads of information in it. Have fun reading. ;)

((Compute got reset, so somethings might sound strange, PM me and I’ll fix it as soon as I can))

Backstory

When Kurosaki Ichigo dies, he leaves behind a legend of what he has done in his life. That legend was created at first as a joke from his friends and shinigami, but it spiraled out of control after someone decided to publish a bibliography of his life (the Bleach manga). Somehow, a hard-copy has ended up in the world-of-the-living and found it’s way to a magus’ hand. Said magus thought the book was a relic of an ancient hero and decides to use it as a catalyst for the next Holy Grail War.  

Or, the other option is that Ichigo’s deeds to the Soul Society is more well-known than possible that he became a legend in his own rights. Time in the Soul Society is different than the human world. So when Ichigo’s soul goes to Soul Society, it could have gone to the beginning of it, or just a short while after he has died. None the less, he has gained a reputation from the world of the dead, and by extension the world of the living because shinigami loves to gossip or by other means (see bibliography). Thus, a copy of his soul is sent to the Throne of Heroes.

(The third option is either Zelretch or the Soul King did some meddling, or a combo of both fourth is Alya)

Unfortunately (or fortunately), when people learn about what happened to Ichigo, there is nothing that can be done to stop it. Ichigo is a permanent fixture in the Throne of Heroes.

Summoning

There are a few ways to summon Ichigo as a servant/ally to battle. 

1) Using the Substitute-Shinigami Badge as a catalyst. This will work, but the Ichigo that will appear is as random as using a piece of the Round Table as a catalyst. You don’t know at which point of Ichigo’s life will appear as a servant. It can be one who has first gotten the badge to the one who fought during the Winter War. But it will never be a form that is after the Winter War.

2) The bibliography book (Bleach manga). So, this one is more accurate on what form of Ichigo that will be summoned. As the Badge will bring pre-Fullbringer Ichigo, the book will summon post-Fullbringer Ichigo or any form after that.

3) A container of Strawberries with a shield. This is more of a joke because of the double meaning of Ichigo’s name. You can only use both as one catalyst, since using one or the other will either make another random servant appear or nothing will come. The Ichigo that appears will only come as a Saber or a Shielder, both of those will have weaker stats than Ichigo normally would just because out of spite of your summoning.

4) The other one is using a Hollow mask shard, a piece of a Zanpakuto, or a Quincy weapon. As Ichigo is the perfect combination of the three races at birth, using all of them will be perfectly fine as a means of summoning him. Using all three for one catalyst will bring out Ichigo as a Ruler, but using only one of the three above will appear as Berserker, Alter Ego, Saber, or Archer.

5) The last one is having a tuft of fox fur, or anything relating to the God Inari, with the Substitue-Shinigami Badge or the bibliography book. With the rising popularity of the Kitsune!Ichigo (joke) when he was alive, there was a brief period in time where Ichigo was treated as a God with similar or less standing as God Inari. Thus, Caster is born as Ichigo with Kitsune traits mixed in with his own.

Classes

As hinted before in ‘Summoning’, there are multiple forms in which Ichigo can be summoned as. The ones that can be summoned in the Grail War are going to be mentioned first, then the ones that would appear in Grand Order. In every Grail War, only one Ichigo can be summoned if he is dead. IF Ichigo is alive during a Grail War, then he is transformed as a pesudo-servant.

Whatever ‘Ichigo’ is summoned, they will have the trait of ‘Strawberry Protector’. Also, any master that summons him is under his influence, there is no going back from this besides ultimate betrayal. When you are in this influence he considers you as ‘someone to protect’, thus he goes all out in battle just for you to be safe. Otherwise, if he has no one but himself, he only fights at 75%.

Grail War

1) Saber (pre-Fullbringer): Saber is like the ‘Lily’ of the other form of Saber. This Saber is more head-strong and rushes into battle without a plan more ofter than not. As long as he can ‘protect’ his master, he will fight anyone in his path unless if they explicitly say they want to be an ally with his master. Think of how Ichigo is during all of the fights and battles leading up to the final fight against Aizen before Ichigo loses his shinigami powers and that is the personality and strength of him. His stats are a combination of his human ones and his Shinigami’s because of how hard it is to balance out his powers.

Strength: B+                  Magical Energy: C-

Endurance:B-                Luck: C

Agility: B                        Noble Phantasm: B

Skills: 

Riding-C                        Magical Resistance-D+

Madness Enhancement-D-

Intuition-C+                    Shunpo-A+

Bankai-A+

Noble Phantasm (Quick): Getsuga Tenshou - Saber’s signature move that is black and crimson outlined crescent moon arc of reiatsu that is released from his blade.

“Bankai! Zangetsu!

To defend means that to cut down my enemies.

Getsuga Tenshou!”

1.5) Saber (post-Fullbringer): The true form of Saber; the one who has grown through countless of battles into the war-hardened person today. This Saber has gone through countless of battles against Aizen, his army, and then some that makes him into the person he is now. Because of his unique birth, this person has gotten to experience all three parts of his heritage as well as the unique ones that are developed through special circumstances.  However, he has yet to unlock his true powers that is hinted in the Quincy War (True!Bankai).

-If Humans, Shinigami, and Hollows are the primary colors, and Quincies, Vizords, and Fullbringers are the secondary colors. Then Saber is the rainbow, the one who can and has experienced all in one body.

Strength: A                     Magical Energy: C

Endurance: A-                  Luck: C+

Agility: A                           Noble Phantasm: A+++

Skills:

Riding-C+ .                      Magical Resistance: C+

Unity in One-A+

Tactics-B-                         Pioneer of the Spirits-EX                 

The Power To Protect-EX

Noble Phantasm (Buster): Getsuga Juujishou -Getsuga Tenshou that is released through two blades. A Noble Phantasm that lets Saber briefly jumps to his form during the Quincy War to unleash his true Shikai’s ability.

“Let it be known that I will not back down if my friends are in danger. 

Zangetsu! 

To call upon the ‘me’ of the future to lend me strength!

Gestsuga...Juujishou!!!”

2) Berserker: ((Forgot the Description earlier)) If Ichigo has gotten consumed by his Hollow after receiving his Shinigami powers. Another possibility if Ichigo dies in Hueco Mundo while the rescue for Orihime went wrong (terribly so). During his fight with Ulquiorra Cifer, Ichigo was fatally wounded in his full Hollow form which gave the perfect opportunity for his inner Hollow to devour most of him. Orihime was able to heal him, but the damage to the soul was irreversible, leaving him more Hollow than Human. Being stuck in Vasto Lorde permanently allows Berserker great power, but less control of his own sanity at times. Though he stays true to his namesake to prevent him from becoming an insane beast. Berserker is able to comprehend speech, but he is only able to perform a similar speech pattern as to another Berserker of short words and phrases to convey what he means. However, most of the time will find him saying the word ‘protect’. When he does, it is advised to calm him down or find something for him to decimate; or he will go on a mad frenzy that is nearly impossible to stop until it’s over.

Strength: A+                        Magical Energy: C

Endurance: B+                    Luck: C+

Agility: A-                             Noble Phantasm: B+

Skills:

Madness Enhancement-EX

Hollow’s Hunger-B-              Mana Burst (Flame)-A-

Madness of the Spirits-B      

Noble Phantasm (Buster): Cero - Berserker charges at his opponent with devastating speed and power that is reserved to his class in a mad combo before firing a massive Cero that obliterates everything in its path.

“I will...

I will PROTECT you!

RAAAAAGHHH!”

3) Archer: A possible life that Ichigo could have been if he was raised as a Quincy instead of being thrusted into the world of Shinigami. Archer is more ruthless than his Saber counter-parts because of Quincy ideology, but the weaker class (even with class advantage). Not much is known about Archer’s backstory because of the lack of known Quincies are outclassed by Hollows and Shinigami. So instead, Archer is modeled after a well-known Quincy(Ishida Uryuu) in the bibliography book and combined with Ichigo’s personality and open-mind.

Strength: B++                          Magical Energy: B-

Endurance: C++                      Luck: C-

Agility: B+                                Noble Phantasm: A-

Skills:

Independent Action-B+           Magical Resistance-C+                

Quincy’s Legacy-B+                Mana Burst (Splash)-A-

 Mind’s Eye (True)-B                        

Noble Phantasm (Arts): Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger - “A powerful Quincy spell that creates an area of Reishi shaped with countless Quincy crosses protruding from the ground (From the Bleach Wiki)”. Archer manipulates this further by fortifying it with his high levels of reiatsu. He then turns the crosses into ‘arrows’ that fire beams of light to his opponents. Almost impossible to dodge unless if you have extremely high speed or endurance on you (rank A or above).

“Come Light of the Lord. Help me against those that mean harm to me and those in my protection.

Kirchenlied:... 

Sankt...

ZWINGER!”

Grand Order

1) Classes mentioned above

2) Alter-Ego (Bleach Brave Soul Ichigo 2nd Anniversary Character): This is only possible when Ichigo is merged with his full Hollowfication to create a being that is similar to Ruler, with the will to protect those close to him, but different because he follows his own rules. Even if his friends fight him, as long as he can protect them in the end, that is all that counts.

Strength: EX                               Magical Energy: C++

Endurance: A                              Luck: C+

Agility: A++                                  Noble Phantasm: A++

Skills:

Magical Resistance-B+                Independent Action-B-

Unity in One-A

Hollow’s Hunger: EX                    Protection from the End of the Worlds-A

The Power To Protect-EX

Noble Phantasm (Arts): The Power to Protect All - Unlike the skill ‘The Power to Protect’, this is Alter-Ego’s special move that became an evolved move of that skill. He unleashes a Getsuga Tenshou from above ground to everyone in the surrounding area.This is the move he used against a certain enemy (Aizen) to severely weaken him and bring victory to the war at the cost.

“Come see, all of my power. 

By it shall be unleashed

Getsuga Tenshou!”

2.5) Alter-Ego (Hollow Ichigo/Shiro): No one knows how Alter-Ego gained his own body since he is originally a part of Ichigo. He represents all of the darkness in Ichigo in the form of an Arrancar looking Hollow, yet different. If Ichigo sacrifices all to protect others, Alter-Ego will do everything in his power to protect only Ichigo (or the master who summoned him) for he is the ‘horse’ to his ‘king’ and won’t let anyone else control him.

Strength: A++                             Magical Energy: B-

Endurance: A+                            Luck: C

Agility: A+ .                                  Noble Phantasm: A++

Skills:

Magical Resistance-B+                Independent Action-EX

Hollow’s Hunger: EX                    Protection from the End of the Worlds-A+

The Power To Protect-EX (Skill is like that because Alter-Ego only protects Ichigo and whoever their current Master is)

Noble Phantasm (Quick): The Power to Protect One - With this power, Alter-Ego unleashes a Grand Cero as well as some well aimed strikes with his sword

��With this power. I shall beat you to a plup. 

Getsuga Tenshou.

How do you think of me now?”

3) Caster (Ichigo summoned with Inari): A ‘what if Ichigo became a special attacker instead of a physical fighter’. No, this is Inari who is able to be summoned in special Grail Wars like this one. Instead it is a combination of the two. This is Ichigo, who has been blessed to become a Kitsune after his fight with Aizen in the Winter War (or even before that) by Inari. Inari became intrigued with this person and decides to follow this hybrid around with useful tips. After the final battle, Inari saw how depressed Ichigo became and turned him into his Kitsune disciple/underling in hope of cheering him up. Instead it backfires with Ichigo becoming a possible vessel of Inari if the god ever wishes, which the god doesn’t. Even death won’t separate Inari from this new kit, luckily with Ichigo becoming a Heroic Spirit, that will not be a problem. ((Kitsugeddon was fun to read))

Strength: B                                   Magical Energy: A-

Endurance: B+                             Luck: A-

Agility: B+                                     Noble Phantasm: A

(Note: The left side of stats are from Ichigo, Magical stats are from Inari, NP and Luck are a combo between the two)

Skills:

Divinity-A                                      Magical Resistance- A

Territory Creation- B                    

Shape shift-C                                 Kitsune’s Fire-B

God’s Protection-A+

Noble Phantasm (Arts): Bountiful Strike for Good Harvest - Ichigo and Inari do a tag team attack with Ichigo leading with his sword, then Inari shots Fox Fire and Ichigo supports.. Then Inari gives a blessing for a successful battle that raises moral and vitality of allies.

“Come Kit, let’s start. You first.

Huh? Don’t I have a say in this?

Nope, you are my disciple. So you should know that everything taught to you has a reason.

Ugh, you are a difficult as Geta-Boshi at times. Fine. Let’s do this then.

Glad you agree with me.

Bountiful Strike for Good Harvest!

You happy now?

Of course, Kit.”

4) Ruler (Ichigo summoned in his Mugetsu Form): Ichigo that had died a strange death that let him keep most of his memories and has been trained as a Royal Guard and a Zero Division member. It is unknown when Ruler died in comparison to the bibliography because even he doesn’t really remember when he died. After his death, Ruler has been taken to the Soul King’s Palace then appointed as a Royal Guard immediately after. Through the accelerated pace in his learning, Ruler learned about his own being and heritage early on. This in turn allowed him to accept everything about him early on and permanently change him to Mugetsu. When the Soul King found out, he then appoints Ruler as a special member in his court that allows Ruler to judge the realms where souls live with unclouded eyes. Ruler’s own death happened as he killed the Quincy King before he could kill the Soul King by using himself as the shield and sword to kill the major threat.

-(Trivia #1): Let it be noted that Ruler’s mannerisms is different to the older Shinigami compared to the rest, if ever encountered that is. It’s almost like he dislikes the older shinigami for not acting in a more dignified matter to protect spirits.

-(Trivia #2) The man is tired of the fighting for the balance, he has seen all of what life could bring and there are a few things that can make him show emotion. Ruler continues to fight for those close to him like all other ‘Ichigo’s. As a Ruler, he doesn’t have a wish for the Grail. But if he was given a chance, he would probably wish for peace in the soul realm so that he won’t fight anymore and his precious people are safe.

Strength: A++                               Magical Energy: C+

Endurance: EX                              Luck: C+

Agility: EX                                      Noble Phantasm: EX

Skills:

Unity in One: EX                            Magical Resistance-B-

Revelation-A .                                The Power To Protect-EX

Soul King’s Blessing-EX

Noble Phantasm (Buster): Final Getsuga Tenshou - The last Getsuga Tenshou that can be learned. A move used to defeat a mad man (Aizen) from a different reality. This move is known as the Trump card and Last Resort. If trained improperly, then the user will experience a serious backlash with possible death. Ruler knows how to properly use this and will only get exhausted for a while after using this.

“My being will be used to protect, to maintain the balance. To safeguard my friends.

FINAL...

GETSUGA...

TEN-SHOU!”

5) Foreigner: Not much is known about Foreigner from the bibliography or the Throne of Heroes at the moment. The reason for this is because Foreigner’s true powers have yet to be discovered as some parts of the bibliography is being recovered after an ‘unfortunate accident’. All that is known at the moment is that this Ichigo is said to match wannabe gods and transcendences with unparalleled power. This is the person that could beat Ywatch if his Quincy powers weren’t taken away in the beginning of that battle.

Unique Skills

Shunpo: After learning the secret Shinigami speed technique from the proclaimed ‘Flash Goddess’ Yourichi, Ichigo can do fast burst of speed that will raise his Agility up a rank. The only fall back to this is that it uses a part of his mana and his master’s mana to do, so he tries to save this for battles or in times of need.

Bankai: The ability to transform into a greater form. All Shinigami posses a Bankai form after learning of their own Zanpakuto. Ichigo’s own Bankai ability lets him have enhanced strength and endurance during the fight as well as letting him release his Noble Phantasm to its a greater potential. This works similar to Independent Action and Imperial Privilege, but the down side is that his Master will be stun for a while after Ichigo activates Bankai because of the strain. Leaving them vulnerable to enemy attacks if they aren’t protected.

    -The strain can be eliminated if the Master has strong magical energy, or if Ichigo is summoned as the Other Saber form, Ruler or Alter-Ego.

Unity in One: An ability that symbolize people who come from mixed races and have a perfect balance of abilities and knowledge from all they are affiliated with. As rare as the birth of a new star in a universe, those that are fortunate enough to have this skill will have momentous advantage when they need and create new abilities that are unique to those that are like their own mix-race species. A drawback to this is that it takes x1.25 as much mana to use one of the unique abilities because of the unknown output of how much an ability like that would be from a native race like that. (Though this drawback can be temporarily disabled if the person has the means to do so.)

     -For Ichigo, this means that his Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy powers are in perfect harmony with each other. Instead of destroying him, they further enhance his own body and spirit to be a super human. Enhancing his stats in battle farther, giving him the chance to make a new move by combining skills from two or all three of the races that are part of him. (i.e: A cero that is weaved together with a high level kido that will not take from Ichigo’s or his master’s magical reserves, but from the surrounding magic in the area.)

The Power to Protect: Ichigo’s unique skill that works like Bankai, but removes the drawbacks Bankai would normally have. Also gives the user the ability to survive a fatal blow.

Pioneer of the Spirits: A skill that is similar to ‘Pioneer of Stars’, but for spirits. These are spirits that have changed Soul Society into progression for better or worse. The main candidates that would apply to this besides Ichigo would be the Soul King, Aizen, Kisuke, among others “that became a turning point in human (spirits) history”.

Hollow’s Hunger: Hollows are beings of instinct who lives in the lands of ‘Survival of the Fittest’. Ichigo’s own Hollow is a reflection of himself, all of his unacknowledged traits that he hates. To not be forgotten, the Hollow continuously challenges Ichigo to strengthen him so that he can triumph over death before defeating his enemies. This gives Berserker the ability to heal some damage taken to him and to survive a fatal-blow by coming back at the enemy with more vigor

    - Because he is still alive and does not know how his instincts works, it is lower than other Hollow’s of his status, but isn’t lower than a Vasto Lorde. 

Quincy’s Legacy: As one of the last members of the race known as Quinces, any and all knowledge of their culture has been passed down from generation to generation. This knowledge gives Quincies a tactical mind that is unparalleled to any human today. The Quincy that has learned of their culture turns it into a weapon to assist them in combat, making them a wise strategist that grows with experience in battle.  

Protection from the End of the Worlds: A skill that represents that this person has the most chance of survival from the World’s End because they are given protection from it. Inoue Orihime blessed Ichigo with this skill upon her death once upon a time. She put her very being into this as a means to ‘reject’ the very idea that Ichigo should die in the time where the war raged on for too long. Because Inoue Orihime put her very self into casting this last move, Ichigo can access his Noble Phantasm faster and is considered invincible for a short amount of time. ((This skill by any way, shape, or form is suppose to represent any ships. It is just a what if world’s skill that Orihime can do for anyone of her friends))

Kitsune’s Fire: Inari’s special skill. This allows one to make illusions around themselves and create a mythical fire that can burn at will. (Side effects may include a skulk/earth of foxes, the ability to understand foxes, a sudden group of followers devoted to worship you, or a never ending flame that can’t go out unless if caster allows it)

God’s Protection: A skill that works like Imperial Privilege and Independent Action. This skill allows Ichigo to wander off on his own and not get damaged as easily, increases his vitality, and prevents him from most ailments against him. This skill is mainly created because of Inari’s jealousy of Archer (Orion and Artemis)’s unique combo. A jealous fox is a cunning fox after all. (-Honestly, why isn’t this just Independent Action instead?-)

Soul King’s Blessing: An enchantment that the Soul King places on a select few in his royal court. Those that are blessed notice that they stronger, more resistant to ailments, and their own weapon(s) and moves have a coating of reiatsu that is a mix of their own and presumably the Soul King’s. This blessing can be activated willingly.

Well that is that, might do more head canons in the future because I love how the Fate Grand/Order community is full of shenanigans when you aren’t saving the world.

[bleachlists]

What if Aizen & the espada invaded in the last arc, rather than the Quincy?

As requested by anon. :)

In today’s “what if” list, we’re going to imagine that the final arc of Bleach did not involve an invasion of the Quincy, but rather an invasion by Aizen and his espada army. How would Bleach have been different then?

1. There would be no Hueco Mundo arc

In this version of Bleach, after Ichigo has rescued Rukia and has returned to the human world...nothing happens. No espada invade. There is no Orihime kidnapping. In this version, Aizen decides to skip that whole part of his plan and instead go straight into an invasion of Soul Society.

Tosen: Aizen-sama, I question your strategy.

Aizen: Do you?

Tosen: Yes. By going straight to an invasion of Soul Society, you are not giving Kurosaki Ichigo any chance to become stronger. He could barely beat Kuchiki Byakuya when we last saw him. He is no match for you.

Aizen: And?

Tosen: That is just - so logical.

Tosen: Are you feeling all right?

Aizen: I CAN BE LOGICAL

2. Soul Society would have no warning of the coming invasion

In the Quincy arc, the Gotei-13 had an inkling that something was up, because hollows were disappearing en masse and only Quincy could cause that. But in this version, there would only be one warning sign: an increase in hollow attacks as the denizens of Hueco Mundo made incursions into Soul Society. And let’s be real. The Gotei-13 never cared about hollow attacks in the Rukongai.

Kira: There has been an increase in hollow attacks in the Rukongai.

Hisagi: ...and?

Nemu: Probably nothing.

Matsumoto: I didn’t know we even tracked hollow attacks!

Kira: ...what is the Gotei-13 even for?

3. The fracciones would invade first

Man, remember back in the beginning of the Hueco Mundo arc when Hitsugaya and the advance force came to the human world and fought Grimmjow’s fracciones and just barely won? Those were the days. Given that there hasn’t been much time for the Gotei-13 to power up since the first arc, Aizen would go ahead and send the fracciones in first. And they would, initially, do a really good job.

Hitsugaya: What on earth? These hollows have zanpakuto!

Hitsugaya: I guess I’ll just attack and see what happens.

Byakuya: Me too.

Komamura: Me too.

Soi Fon: Me too.

Kurotsuchi: WHY ARE YOU GUYS LIKE THIS

4. Sasakibe would not die!

But then, he probably wouldn’t bother to use his bankai though, either.

Sasakibe: I just feel like I should save it for a special occasion.

Aizen: More special...than my invasion?

Sasakibe: Yes?

Aizen: That offends me on so many levels.

5. ...but Ikkaku might

Ikkaku almost died fighting Edorad in the human world - he only won because he used his bankai. Later during the Fake Karakura Town arc, he almost let himself die AGAIN because he straight-up refused to use his bankai when the rest of the Gotei-13 were around. In a battle in which everyone is scattered around Soul Society and he doesn’t want to use his bankai? Yeah, that might not end well for him. Unless...

Yumichika: BLOOM, RURI’IRO KUJAKU!

Ikkaku: Y-you have a kido power?

Yumichika: I’m sorry, Ikkaku.

Yumichika: But how could Bleach end without my revealing this to you? You had to know!

Ikkaku: It would have been a pretty big loose end otherwise.

Yumichika: I know, right?

6. Ichigo would be late

But not because of being trapped inside a Quincy sphere, as in the real arc. It’s more that Ichigo is in the human world and there’s no one to tell him what’s going on in Soul Society. And Urahara tends to do things on his own timescale.

Urahara: Hi Kurosaki!

Ichigo: GAH WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY WINDOW

Urahara: Soul Society is dying - any interest in going back?

Ichigo: Do you even have to ask?

7. Aizen would pull out of Soul Society at Ichigo’s arrival.

I mean, this part of Yhwach’s plan wasn’t too bad, so I think Aizen would copy it - pull out after the initial invasion, wait for Ichigo to go to the Royal Realm, and then jump in after Ichigo breaks down the door coming out. That’s what happened, right? Honestly the Quincy arc confused me a little.

Grimmjow: Wait, what? You’re just gonna leave?

Grimmjow: Only the fracciones got to have fun!

Aizen: Patience, Grimmjow.

Aizen: It is all going according to plan.

Tosen: You’ve been showing so much restraint lately, Aizen-sama.

Tosen: You’re sure you’re feeling all right?

Aizen: Stop asking me that!

8. Squad 0...would totally not show up.

I’m pretty sure they don’t even get out of bed for anything less than a full-on Quincy invasion.

Ichigo: I’m here! Where are the enemies?

Rukia: You missed them, you idiot!

Ichigo: Oh.

Ichigo: Oops?

9. So Aizen would...invade again, I guess?

Maybe with the espada this time. Try to smoke out Squad 0. And to be fair, the Gotei-13 just barely managed to take down Espada 1-3 in Fake Karakura Town. With all ten espada invading at once, that would be pretty bad for them.

Grimmjow: I CALL DIBS ON THE ORANGE-HAIRED ONE

Ulquiorra: We are espada. We do not call “dibs.”

Grimmjow: Don’t be mad just ‘cause I called them first!

10. Especially since Ichigo still hasn’t mastered his hollow powers

So it would be like if the fake Karakura Town battle happened...while Ichigo still couldn’t control Hichigo.

Grimmjow: [looking down at Ichigo’s motionless, beaten-up body]

Grimmjow: I have never been so disappointed in my life.

11. Aizen might win

Like obviously, narratively speaking, the Gotei-13 always manage to pull out a win. But if Aizen invaded quickly enough, before everyone had their power-ups and their extra training, and if Aizen actually didn’t spend a lot of time and effort powering up Ichigo, then he just might do it. 

Aizen: You see? This is why I should have powered up Kurosaki Ichigo.

Aizen: Beating him when he is still at the “stoppable with one finger” level - where’s the fun in that?

Tosen: I thought we were doing this for justice, not fun.

Gin: You always think that, though.

12. But if Squad 0 doesn’t show up...

Then he’s pretty much still screwed.

Gin: I guess the Soul King just doesn’t see you as a threat.

Aizen: I HATE HIM SO MUCH

[akon-just-akon]

hc#16 [akon can has bankai]

[ok i feel the need to justify why i think this shady boy has one. first the possibilities for how:

1. more shinigami seem to have them than was originally stated; strong implication that there’s a potential vs realization sort of dynamic where a large percentage could become that strong but don’t for a variety of reasons [personally a LOT of powers seem based on willpower; spreading lies that only “extraordinary” people can go the farthest automatically creates an environment for self doubt which is beneficial in terms of state control]

2.  Urahara developed the magic bankai tool Ichigo uses to cut 100+ years of training. it’s possible he did this while actually in soul society, or left notes about it along with (presumably most of) his research materials.

3. There’s no way Kurotsuchi did the good boy bond-with-your-sword technique that takes a lot of time and connection. He likely also found a short cut. In the fight with Szayel he straight up admits to breaking his own sword; he also does this in the filler zanpakuto arc. Would he just give that information away? Of course not. But he’s also the sort of egotistical maniac who would not necessarily guard information that could threaten him in anyway. All his subordinates are such a non-threat to him, he would not even consider the jump to bankai anywhere near enough to rival his own greatness. so Akon may have been able to access it. 

4. The info on how to train for bankai might just be out there? We only ever see people training in secret, but that does not mean one has to?   

[so if there was the possibility to get significantly stronger would Akon take it?

-yes: right after Urahara left Akon and Mayuri had to step the fuck up to prove that they were either responsible enough to be trusted to continue OR too much of a threat to risk confronting directly (likely both.) Regardless of how inflated his ego was at that point, it’s unlikely that Mayuri thought he could do everything by himself--so he may have cut corners to help the new VP. Also there is the possibility that Akon went through a desperate period following those events, in either an attempt to prove Urahara’s innocence, or get stronger to prevent something like that happening again. If he had been stronger, then Kisuke might have sent him to investigate (as a better scientist) and not Hiyori (the strongest available unit.) 

-no: he’s a sit-and-observe sort of person who’s goals don’t align with physical power.

-final answer: maybe? 

-personal hc: he gets stronger only to realize none of it matters and he falls into his extreme nihilist period waiting for soul society to collapse (because fuck all of them) that lasts until the events of the series begin. (more on that another time.) 

[unohanadaydreams]

hello! i've found your blog a little while ago and i like it so much?? and so, i was wondering what your headcanons might be for kenpachi&yachiru post-series? i find it interesting because yachiru-nozarashi- has been trying to get zaraki to acknowledge her existence for such a long time that she manifested in a way never seen before for a zapakuto, and now it's his turn to try to make an effort to have her presence again in his life.

Aaaah thank you, omg!

Kenpachi & Yachiru

Okay, so firstly, I think that Kenpachi would probably return to the “scene of the crime” a lot. He would be making a lot of trips back to the rukongai where he first met Yachiru and he’s not exactly sure why other than it feels comforting once he gets there. No, he doesn’t feel better when he leaves, but for a few moments, when he sits in the wilderness, he doesn’t have to remember. He closes his eyes and opens them thinking ‘maybe it’ll work like that again’; it doesn’t, but he comes again and again and again and keeps trying.

The concept of an inner world is so strange to him; he’s lived so much of his life not giving a shit about the particulars of zanpakuto that his hackles are up whenever he visits. He feels on edge in a place crafted for him and Yachiru can only stave off the unease for so long. Especially toward the beginning, I think his visits to actually SEE her would be sparse and there would be a lot of hurt feelings on Yachiru’s end.

He feels more at ease doing small things that remind him Yachiru is still in the real word. He keeps confetti candy in his pocket, leaves crayons out on the dining room table, gets lost on purpose, and starts sprinkling her nicknames for his underlings into his speech. The little things that remind him yes, Yachiru is still with him even things can’t go back.

Yachiru got so used to being a shinigami that, in the beginning, it’s extremely taxing on her to not be able to explore the world like she once did. I think she would try to manifest in the beginning as she used to, with not much success and it would frustrate her to no end. She misses her friends, she misses the noise and excitement of people always being around her. She sits in Kenpachi’s inner world and waits for things to get better.

Yachiru would send little messages back with Kenpachi to tell Yumichika and Ikkaku (maybe some others, but mostly them) and it would help ease things. Kenpachi would send back responses until they were in tune enough that Yachiru just knows whats going on because they’re how they should be; connected well and truly.

Although things would be very hard to deal with and sad in the beginning, I think eventually, they would find a rhythm that works for them and they both would change, which is something that hasn’t really happened to either of them in an extremely long time. Think about Ichigo’s inner world and how much his inner world changed through out the series; I think the likelihood of Yachiru changing in appearance would be quite likely, especially as Kenpachi matures his handle on working with her. I think Yachiru is a child because Kenpachi’s handle of his zanpakto has always been rudimentary. His strength, which is massive to the point of trying to get rid of it, comes almost exclusively from himself. Yachiru’s strength combined with his? Would be ridiculous and I think they would both have to mature and become a bit more disciplined in how they battle to cope with it.

It truly would be a case of Kenpachi having to be there for Yachiru! She could have stayed silent and despondent, leaving him to stagnate after years of neglect, but she didn’t! She manifested to be his largest supporter and foster a close relationship with him and Kenpachi will have to buckle down and show an ounce of that energy. His biggest hurdle would be acclimating to the new routine and coming to terms with the fact that Yachiru is with him in a very different way now; spiritually, she’s closer even if he has a hard time seeing it that way.

I really don’t think Kenpachi would have paid one lick of attention to his zanpakuto if Yachiru hadn’t done what she did and it’s largely due to the fact that Kenpachi KNOWS Yachiru that he starts to put real effort in to working WITH her. No, meditation isn’t as fun as a nap, but Yachiru is there and maybe the next fight he gets in will show something new. No, he doesn’t like feeling trapped inside his own mind, but Yachiru is there and he can train to abandon there. No, things aren’t the way he’s used to, but Yachiru is there, so they don’t have to be.

On the subject of Yachiru manifesting like she did, it brings to question if she could realistically ever do it again? If down the line, when they are more in tune, could she do it again? Kubo seemed really fond of the zanpakuto rebellion arc and incorporated a lot of design as canon, so I’m leaning toward it’s probably likely that eventually Yachiru could shift into a “human” form again. The entire subject of zanpakuto seemed like it was going to get a lot of big reveals in the last arc, which unfortunately didn’t happen. They can take multiple forms and hold multiple souls, and “human” transformation is possible so why is it uncommon? I mean, Mayuri literally changed Renji’s zanpakuto’s souls to look like a busty woman and kid (per rebellion design) so, I think a LOT is possible.

ALSO, we may not know of many zanpakuto manifesting like this, but Nimaiya claims to know the location of every zanpakuto, created them, and has assistants who ARE zanpakuto souls. He doesn’t seem to have a connection with the current Zaraki or Yachiru and the liklihood he knows about who Yachiru is, is high, so why say nothing if it’s SO odd? This begs the question: is the status quo we see in Soul Society not what it used to be? Nimaiya’s attitude toward zanpakuto is more of working together, while SS at large seems to see them as something to conquer and alter as shinigami need.

Sure, most shinigami have soft spots for their zanpakuto, but their main concern is not “connecting meaningfully with this soul” but “how can I get stronger with the use of my zanpakuto”. Were zanpakuto universally more like Yachiru; has the procedure for discovering your zanpakuto’s name changed drastically? If you think about how Ichigo viewed his zanpakuto (how we viewed it from his POV) before he realized that Zangetsu was an ACTUAL SOUL being negatively affected by Ichigo’s pain, it doesn’t go against how SS at large treats their zanpakutos does it? 

A super indulgent one here: I think Yachiru was probably a HUGE fan of fun kid stuff in the human world and while she didn’t get to go often or maybe even at all, I think it would be so like her to manifest a huge carnival or amusement park in their shared inner world to have fun days. Also, who’s gonna believe that Kenpachi spends time in his inner world imagining ridiculous roller coasters instead of fighting? No one (except like Ikkaku and Yumichika, who expect nothing less).