Great Bleach Tangents

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Discussion for the weekend.

Beyond the many Ban Kai Kubo has yet to show us and all the debatable growing up the kids have to do, there are so many unresolved tangents in Bleach that it would take Sensei  a nice ten years at least to thoroughly pick up all the loose threads, wouldn't you say? Given our manga-ka's propensity for dropping a thread and then picking it up a hundred or more chapters later, Bleach can sometimes resemble a very wooly carpet.

What are some of your favorite loose threads and what do you think are the chances of their being woven back into the glorious Bleachverse tapestry in some spectacular way?

For example, I've always been slightly pissed that we never got a resolution to the fact that Ishida had all those spy bacteria in him by Mayuri--did he get them out? Did Orihime undo that nasty business when she healed him? But I'm resigned to the fact that this loose thread may not be very important to the Master Tapestry. More important is the fact that Aizen got locked away with the hougyoku still inside him. And how about that BIG GIANT CLUE that Kubo threw in chapter 00b about Rukia's mystery visit to Earth with Kiyone--that's overdue some explanation. Rukia's connection to hougyoku. How about Orihime's vow to destroy the hougyoku? That got brought up in one panel and never touched about again. Don't even get me started about Orihime hints of development from Kubo that have gotten nerfed.

So, while we're all cozying up to some guaranteed Isshin backstory now, there's still a LOT of unresolved Bleach to bitch about. What are your favorite seemingly forgotten tangents? (I'm sure Sensei hasn't forgotten them--he's just slow and sadistic XD)

Comments

[chiave-trust.livejournal.com]

Nothing in particular, but it seems (to me) that there are a lot of tangents involving Rukia and also Orihime that look tantalizingly important - that their characters, their actions, will be vital to the Bleach Tapestry but we don't know how yet.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

I have to admit that I'm more into Rukia and Orihime than most characters in Bleach. I do believe that Sensei has given them more honest treatment than most mangaka in shounen--Rukia is a "sub-main" and is still crucial to the plot and despite what people say Orihime isn't just a character meant to fangirl the hero (aka Hinata)--she's had serious character development that still begs for resolution.

I'm waaaaaaiting, Sensei.

[hinodeh.livejournal.com]

Well, the bodies in the lab, resolving which arrancar are dead and which not onece and fro all (Nnoitra), you mentioned Orihime's plan to destroy the hougyoku.

Otherwise, there is Momo recovering and no longer being a victim.

Hyori getting better.

Learning about the Royal Realm.

Kira having proper character resolution.

Hmmmmm, what else?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Kira's reaction to his captain's "death" or whatever.... something, please. T___T That would clear up so much and of course Sensei will withhold that.

[kanjo-girl.livejournal.com]

1. What I really want confirmed is the freaking aging of the Soul Society. I mean, they're dead souls, right? But they can die of old age. And...they have babies somehow. That's something I'd like to know more about.

2. And also: who was the brave woman who had a kid with Ryuuken? I bet Uryuu wants to know that too.

3. Orihime's broken resolve for a great amount of things. It's hinted something relevant happened to her mental state that will probably become a problem later. I. Want. To. Know.

4. More of Chad's back story. Parents died of a hollow? Ugh. Need more info and angst for this character--I love him to death, but it needs to come out now. No more Ichigo-centric depression.

5. How the hell did Rukia survive alone as a baby? Did someone shelter her for a bit?

6. Unohana's and Yama-jii's stories. Big questions about how the Gotei 13 got started in the first place. And we need to see Unohana's Ban Kai.

7. Renji wanted to ask Urahara an important question: what was it? Obviously, it had to do with Rukia, which is heavily hinted. But WHAT? Lord, Kubo, you're beautiful and all, but you need to uncover some of these questions.

8. The King. Just...we need more information. It seems like "he" isn't just a 'person'; Aizen and Urahara seemed to perceive "him" as something...very different.

That's my bitching. But, for real, #7 needs some explaining.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Oh forgot about Renji's question. >.< That seems like something tangential and small enough that Kubo might just overlook it too. Because it was basically understood that Renji just wanted pick a bone with Urahara about why Urahara allowed the hougyoku to be in Rukia etc and had her go through all that--and that all goes back to the original question of WHY was it put in Rukia in the first place... so yeah, Kubo owes us an answer. Urahara, you got some splainin to do.

[pony-rocks.livejournal.com]

1. Ishida father & son relationship - I want Uryuu to realize whom his father wants to protect.

2. Mayuri's bacteria.

3. Kira's reaction to Gin's story.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

Any more Ryuuken would be like a gift from heaven. Anything at all. The great part is I KNOW that Kubo can't tell the Isshin story without involving Ryuuken in some way. XD

[mochavalentino.livejournal.com]

Which arrancar, if any, are really dead. And where the ones who were never dying are, like Nel.

And vizards, man. Personally, I want to know what they did in the last 100+ years from being dumped in the human world. I don't know if that's considered a loose thread, but what is, is the fact that they're there. I have a sinking feeling that these xcution people took their place and we'll never see how Hiyori healed, or any of the rest of them in general.

Like a few others said, I wanna know more about the Royal Realm, too. And see that Hikifune chick XD

[hinodeh.livejournal.com]

And don't forget that Mashiro and Kensei were absent from the end of the last arc. WTF happened to them?

[skyspat.livejournal.com]

1. Renji's questions for Urahara

2. How Byakuya met Hisana

3. Rukia's connection to the hougyoku

[kanjo-girl.livejournal.com]

Agree so much with number one. It needs to be revealed.

[andrew-jp.livejournal.com]

The origin of Orihime's powers. With Chad as an example it's likely that there's more to them than just being around Ichigo or the hougyoku.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

I'm taking it as a given that Orihime is going to play a big role in this arc. At least I hope so. There are too many loose threads from HM that Kubo promised he'd pick up on (Hellverse movie booklet interview) and he did make good on his promise that Chad would be featured prominently eventually. I just want more on Hime now--yeah, Orihime's powers (go Tsubaki, go go go go go go!)

[jpblack.livejournal.com]

I want dish on people. I want more insight on who they are, how they relate to others, and how their hearts connect. Byakuya and Yoruichi, Kenpachi's boys, The lieutenants, Akon's little team... I love the guidebooks and how they let us nibble on this stuff, but I am a man and I WANT TO EAT MEAT.

I guess to get more specific, Grimmjow's role. I want to see how this one-sided rivalry evolves. What will he do when he returns? His mantra was that it was instinct and nature for Hollows and Soul Reapers to fight, but will this change if Ichigo manages to outpower him one day? Will he find a new obsession? There's a lot of ways his character could swing, because he's not in the situation Ichigo's other "rivals" are in.

[jpblack.livejournal.com]

Urrrrrgh, also, Mayuri's bodies. Cirucci and Dordonii? Not them? COME ON.

[skilly-n-duff.livejournal.com]

1. RUKIA'S INTEL GATHERING: Seriously, how does she know so much about Ichigo's hollow? She's got a record of tracking down the answers to her questions (Talking with Ichigo about his mother, Asking Urahara about Quincies, following Orihime to the Vizard's secret training warehouse) and I for one would like to see who she spoke with about Ichigo's inner hollow. That's something I've always loved about her--she's not content to sit around and wait for things to happen, she has to go searching!

2. "WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE TALKING, TALK TO ME": HUUUGE tease thrown in when Ichigo mentioned that scene to his dad.

3. Renji's Questions

4. WHO IS DEAD?!? Seriously. Who made it, who didn't...is Ukitake ok?

[hinodeh.livejournal.com]

Wasn't Ukitake in "Bleach my Soul"? He was sitting outside while Shunsui, Kenpachi and Bya were getting scolded by Old Yama and he seemed to be doing pretty well.

[afteriwake.livejournal.com]

I kind of want to see some resolution to Ishida wanting revenge on Mayuri. Even if it's that Ishida knows he's never going to get it, I want mention of it somewhere.

[nehalenia.livejournal.com]

While I don't in any way think Uryu has forgiven Mayuri for what he did to the Quincy and his grandfather, given what happened in HM when Mayuri basically saved them, I don't think he's going to get to take revenge. Probably Kubo considers it to have been handled through their fight in SS, where Uryuu won the fight even if he didn't kill Mayuri.

At this point, if anyone takes vengeance on Mayuri for the Quincy -- something I'm not at all sure will happen -- I suspect that Ryuuken is our best bet.

[(Anonymous)]

The relationship between the ex-Captain of Squad 3 (Rojurou) and his Vice Captain (Chikane Iba) REALLY is bugging the hell outta me. All I've heard is that it was pretty...rough. I don't think she treated him nicely. Was it lack of respect due to him being much younger and still being a Captain?

And I want to see the tests they put Captain candidates through before promoting them. It's...quite a mystery. How exactly does a prospective Captain prove their worth?

Also, Hikifune. TOTALLY this issue.

What happened to Mashiro & Kensei? It's KILLING me.

And I wanna see what's up with the Vizards in the present time. Namely, I want to see if there's been clothing changes due to the damage from FKT.

[nehalenia.livejournal.com]

Most of the questions that I really want answers to have been brought up except for this one:

When they were coming back from SS, Ichigo showed his friends his Substitute Shinigami badge. Uryuu got very thoughtful about it and wondered "Am I over-thinking this?" So, around 300 chapters ago we got a hint that Ichigo's badge wasn't just what it seemed, but we still don't know what the deal is. Now in the new arc we see the badge resurface, and that Ramen-Guy has one too. So, we get more hints of strangeness, but still no answer.

I think that and "when did Rukia get the Hobaby put in her" are the longest running questions I have.

Still waiting, Kubo!

[jpblack.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but didn't she get the Big H after giving Ichigo her powers? Urahara gives her the gigai with it inside. I always kind of wondered why she never questioned him about that, or I'm completely wrong.

[eriss.livejournal.com]

I want to know what Ulquiorra and Grimmjow meant by Orihime being changed.

[sweetiedogood.livejournal.com]

1) How did ISSHIN lose his powers? Part of me wants to say "final getsuga tenshou" but if that's the case then why didn't they tell Ichigo "eh, you'll get your powers back eventually."

Mostly everything else was handled on this thread. I N E E D to know what happened to Neliel/ need her to come back, somehow. Pesche and Donchakacka I can do without.

The Visoreds... first off, I was terribly disappointed with their performance. 100 years and you can only wear your mask for 3 minutes? Were you training AT ALL?

[lennan.livejournal.com]

The last was explained when Kensei was telling Mashiro to take off her mask. Wearing it for prolonged periods of time exhausts their energy, hence why it broke in the middle of her fight with Wonderweiss when she's supposed to be able to hold it for 15 hours.

[cyanglow]

Whole lotta loose ends in HM. Enough to bury many a GrimmKitty who decided to play with them. I'll save the typing by saying HM is one gigantic loose end, and parts of the tapestry are gonna fall off without it tied up.

Otherwise, missing limbs? We know YamaJii permanently lost one, but Ishida got his back. And Hitsugaya of the impenetrable plot armor got both his arm and leg back. So what about the two captains and one Vaizard who also lost an arm?

Yachiru? Is she destined to be comic relief until the end, or will we ever learn what that zanpakutou-with-training-wheels can do?

Last but not least: WHERE IS KON?

[miss-ragdoll.livejournal.com]

OMG, it's true!! Where the heck is Kon?? maybe he's with Urahara... I don't think they've made something bad to that modified soul at SS.
Just wait, in the anime we'll get to see him with the rest of plushies ¬¬ damn.

[fullkappaotaku.livejournal.com]

I still don't get why Ulquiorra's arc was called "The Lust"

[kanjo-girl.livejournal.com]

LOL. Agreed.

[pogo2468.livejournal.com]

My main things are Rukia + Hogyuohoweverthehellit'sspelt and Kira's character development.

[sweetiedogood.livejournal.com]

Kira needs to be developed.
Hopefully learning that Gin wasn't actually evil... will help him regain some confidence. I really feel bad for him... him and 5th squad. 3 captains in 100 years? Bad luck.

[kohi-no-tora.livejournal.com]

I want Kenpachi's backstory. Who was the mysterious Yachiru Mk I that he named the pink haired terror after?

I want to know what happened to Grimmjow, Haribel and Stark since we never saw them turn to ashes. And what happened to Ganbantein and Nel because last seen both were alive and in Ganbantein's case well enough after being healed by Unohana.

I want to know why the Vizard haven't at least stopped by to say 'Hi' to Ichigo during the timeskip? We know that at least Shinji has either a gigai or some other means of appearing before normal people.

Need more Chizuru and Soi Fon + Yoruichi moments. (Oh wait, that's not a plot thread ^_^)

[stharridan.livejournal.com]

YES! I'm dying to hear about Kenpachi's backstory and the first Yachiru. Just what kind of woman and what did she do to such a degree that made her the one and only person he's ever admired?

Soi Fon/Yoruichi moments would be awesome. XD

[nivek01.livejournal.com]

You know, I had this huge list of plot points that I want Kubo to touch on, but I think I'll just do my top five.

1. Backstory on the relationship between Ginjou Kuugo, Isshin, Masaki, Ryuuken, and all the others from that generation, and why they all know Urahara (and yes, our favorite ex-captain knows of the fullbringers-just go back and read the chapter where he is overseeing the training between Renji and Chad. He says Chad's powers are a lot like... I'm gonna assume he's talking about the fullbringers).
I think this will also tie into why all of the nakama live in Karakura. I mean, if their parents didn't have powers, then I could see a myriad of other explinations for their powers, whether it's the hoguyoku, Ichigo's presence, or the soul plain they live on. But that all their parents have had experiences with the spiritual world? It seems like too much of a coincidence.

2. The Royal Realm. What's up with the royal guard, the spirit king, and how do Urahara and Aizen know of them?

3. Why Kaien accepted becoming a VC. In the TBTP backstory arc, we see that he denied it, yet fifty years later, he's the second in command of the thirteenth. What changed his mind?

4. Resolution on the arrancar. I mean, people can make pretty good arguments that Ulquiorra isn't dead, or will be coming back, and he turned to ash. What about the other espada who just took a huge slash to the chest or something? The espada who aren't just crazed fighting junkies have a very good chance to grow and develop, and I'd like to see that.

5. Whether or not Zangetsu died when Ichigo used the final GT, and if that could possibly be controlled and turned into something that can be used more then once, without the backlash of losing his powers.

[kanjo-girl.livejournal.com]

3. Why Kaien accepted becoming a VC. In the TBTP backstory arc, we see that he denied it, yet fifty years later, he's the second in command of the thirteenth. What changed his mind?

We know he was married to one of the seated officers (third seat?). Maybe she changed his opinion.

[strawberries-85.livejournal.com]

1. Isshin's backstory in which I'd also like to see Ryuuken, Masaki kicking ass, more about Chad's parents (hopefully), Urahara and that new guy...they seem to be all involved somehow.

2. How the hell did Rukia get the hougyoku inside her? And now that someone reminded me - what of that first mission she had in the real world? And why does Kubo torture Rukia fans so much?

3. Resolution for arrancar. I wish you'd just bring them all back, Kubo. :'(

4. I want more about Yoruichi, her backstory and her involvement with Urahara.

5. Orihime's powers and this denial she seems to be in now. How did her powers originate? Where are her hairpins? Why does she act unaffected by everything that happened prior to the time skip?

[nivek01.livejournal.com]

Your #5 is a big one for me too; she had such great character development, forcing herself to wonder which she wants more, to be protected or do the protecting, and now we're back at square one.

At least Chad doesn't seem to have gone back to how he was before.

[astridstarr00.livejournal.com]

1. I definitely want some Rukia backstory. How did she get the hougy-whatever? How did she survive as a baby all alone? Isn't it kind of weird for her sister & herself to both end up in soul society together? I guess we would have to know how much of a common occurrence that is though...

2. How Isshin & Masaki met. Hopefully it will be shown during the Isshin arc!

3. The Royal Realm! Everything & anything!

4. I'm with anyone who also wanted to know what Renji wanted to ask Urahara & I definitely want to know what his answer would of been!

5. Someone else mentioned this, but I also want to know if Ishida's concern over Ichi's badge was some kind of foreboding.

[fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com]

1) Are there going to be replacement Captains here, or will it be two years later and still have big-ass holes?

2) What about the Royal Guard/Realm?

3) Resolve the hogokyu. Why exactly can't it be destroyed? why not just unmake Aizen? Isn't hellfire supposed to be able to destroy anything?

4) Where is Orihime's development into a decent character again?

5) Unshown bankai/new bankai. Shouldn't a few of our lieutenants have gotten to it now?

6) Kempachi. Will he ever hear his zanpacto? He asked it it's name, so he's trying.

7) Which arrancar and vizored are left out there? And who's been fixed? Have the visored been reabsorbed into the Soul Society/Gotei 13? Are they a squad of their own, or have they been put back into the lineup?

8) Zombie Apocalypse?

9) Does Karin have a soul reaper side? Will she spawn one? And will her zanpacto continue the family line and be "Eclipsed Moon"?

10) Will Ichigo die before he goes to college, or will the series follow him through to having kids?

[sweetiedogood.livejournal.com]

*flails hands in air* giving them their own squad would be such beautiful madness.

5) WE NEED TO SEE Shunsui Kyōraku's Bankai. NEED TO.

[ann89103.livejournal.com]

Random order:

1. Why weren't Kensei and Mashiro shown with the other Vizard?

2. What's the story of Ishida's mother? Is Lisa related to Ryuuken and Uryuu?

3. What effect will the lack of closure regarding Gin have on Kira?

4. Did Soi Fon ever get to enjoy Urahara-in-a-box?

5. Why did Hisagi fail the Academy Entrance Exam twice, and is there more significance to come in relation to the Academy training incident involving Hisagi, Renji, Momo and Kira?

6. What's up with the bodies Mayuri found in Szayel's laboratory?

7. Starrk and Halibel - truly dead?

[cyanglow]

4. Hahahahaha! I'd love to know that answer too. And I love how you phrased it! XD

[sweetiedogood.livejournal.com]

I don't care about Inoue. I feel like I'm the only one in this thread. I've given up on her and character development. I've had high hopes for her, and every time she doesn't deliver... I just... I can't.

ANYWAY,

I also need to see more Shunsui Kyōraku. Need to find out more of his darkside and his BANAKI. It bothers me that they didn't use it in the fight against Aizen... like... you could have DIED.

Also, everyone seems to "already know" about Ikkau's bankai. Am I the only person that would love to see him as a captain?

[cyanglow]

You'll find that over here, there are a lot of Orihime fans who have NOT given up on her, so try to bear that in mind if you don't want to be seen as a basher. :)

And Ikkaku made his point clear as day. It doesn't matter how powerful he is or becomes: he wants to fight and die as Kenpachi's subordinate. That's all there is to it, really. He will not become a captain, because he has stubbornly decided against it.

[la-kalaka.livejournal.com]

I'm just enjoying the discussion over here, since everyone has already done the question I had in mind :3 But I really, really:

- want to know about Ishida's mother identity
- and about the corpses at Szayel laboratory and how they gonna affect the plot.
- Besides, what about Ishida's spy bug?
- what about Orihime's hairpins, like Neha I really want to know why she is acting like that, the girl who healed in a jiffy an injured one. That's not like orihime.