Bleach Speculation (Chapters 300+)

[uc pseudonym]

I say there's no chance she's actually dead. If so, that would make her one of the most pointless main characters ever. Plus, so far in Bleach people don't really die (Arrancar excluded).

This was a good chapter. Ulquiorra's appearance surprised me: I didn't expected Ichigo to fight him yet. In part, this is because I assume he is Espada #1, but we have no indication that is actually the case. But if all the characters are going to get one more big power boost before the end of the story, that might actually make sense: Ichigo will need to surpass the Espada to fight Aizen, and his friends and other main characters will all be at about the level of the Espada.

With Rukia being victorious, I'm not sure where the manga is going. Renji seems likely to win, but all the characters are in near-dead status. Hopefully they won't just be rescued.

[samuraidragon]

Yeah, it's unlikely.

I thought that maybe the Espada who incapacitated Chad was número uno. He did claim to be the strongest Espada, and so far every arrancar has been honest as to what their level of strength was; I don't see any reason for him to lie.

I can't remember what happened in the manga, but in the anime Ulquiorra blocks one of Urahara's shikai atacks with his hand, so he is indeed powerful.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

[uc pseudonym]

Ulquiorra does the same thing in the manga (except for the parts with the modsouls, it's been keeping exactly to it following the filler). He also seems to be somewhat of a leader in various instances, so it seems logical he'd be high-ranked. The main reason I think the guy that beat Chad isn't first is because he doesn't actually declare it; to me it seems more like he feels as though he has something to prove. That would make sense if he's #2 or #3 and thinks he shouldn't be.

[samuraidragon]

True. I figured that Ulquiorra is somewhere in the top three. I wouldn't be surprised if there is another ultra-powerful Espada above Ulquiorra however.

Speaking of those modsouls, I really really hope that they die in this next episode, if that's even possible.

[uc pseudonym]

I have the bad feeling they will never die (at first, I thought they'd die in the filler arc for the sake of continuity but they're still around). Instead they'll just keep proving themselves completely useless in order to extend these arcs just a little bit longer. They're already adding lengthy recaps, which I actually prefer to spreading out the episodes. I'm pleased the pacing quality hasn't gone down much, though I'm highly surprised they didn't make up a lot more fighting for these matches. They'll catch up to the manga before too long at this rate, and unless they stop before the Hueco Mundo arc I'm not sure how they'll add filler.

But actually, we're somewhat off topic because this is a manga thread. Well, it won't be too long until the next chapter...

[MasterDias]

So, kind of a slow chapter. Basically a bunch of talking and then Ichigo going full-power Bankai right off the bat.
But Ulquiorra did look surprised, so we will see where this leads.

[samuraidragon]

Yeah, but he also resisted Ichigo's full attack, I think. I couldn't really tell what was happening at the end.

[uc pseudonym]

I didn't feel it was that slow, actually. Not the most exciting of events, but they moved along fairly quickly.

My interpretation of the end is that while Ulquiorra was able to hold off Ichigo's attack for a while, it overwhelmed him in the end. However, while I assume Ulquiorra took a direct hit, I rather doubt it will do immense damage to him (recall how little it did to Grimmjoww). Unless that prediction is wrong, it seems Ichigo is destined to lose barring another power up. That's his strongest move in his strongest form, and Ulquiorra still has his release.

[Bap]

Do you think the... I guess... emotional instigation? Pressure? xD; From this will make it so that Ichigo can hold the Vizard form for a bit longer? o:

[samuraidragon]

However, while I assume Ulquiorra took a direct hit, I rather doubt it will do immense damage to him (recall how little it did to Grimmjow).

Yeah but that was before he controlled his hollow. When he fought Grimmjow for the second time, he released his hollow and Grimmjow was overwhelmed until the mask broke.

Ichigo is going to lose if he can't mantain the mask. Remember how quickly the tide turned with Grimmjow, and he's not nearly as strong as Ulquiorra.

[uc pseudonym]

Ah, I had forgotten that Ichigo's Gestuga against Grimmjoww wasn't with his mask. Carelessness, that.

The outcome of this battle might rest on what exactly Ulquiorra meant when he saw Ichigo and thought something to the effect of "At its highest point, his power is greater than mine." If he meant total power, than Ichigo has a good chance (we can presume he'll increase his mask time for some reason, or I've always wondered how long it would take before he can do it a second time). But if he meant unreleased power Ichigo is going to have trouble.

[samuraidragon]

I have somewhat reliable evidence that Ulquiorra is numero cuatro (#4).

Bleach 271: If You Rise From The Ashes

一�*�の黒い月牙天衝のあと
*After Ichigo fires off his black Getsuga Tenshou…

仮面がすぐ壊れる
*His mask breaks

そこに
*Then…

ネルが・・
*Nell…

一�*�の�**に思いっきりダイビン� �
*Takes a leaping dive right at Ichigo’s head

ネルと一緒にそこを去ろうとする
*As he and Nell try and get out of there…

そこへ煙の�*にウルが！
*Ulquiorra appears out of the smoke and rubble!

「今のが全力か？残念�*」
Ulquorra: Was that your full power? A shame.

右手の人差し指
*Out of his right hand’s...

指先から虚閃！
*...finger tips comes a CERO BLAST!

ウルの左胸には
*On the right side of Ulquoirra’s chest is…

「4」の文�*�が！
*The NUMBER 4!

「第４十刃（クアト�*・エスパード� ��
Ulquiorra: Cuatro Espada,

ウル�*オラ・シファー」
Ulquiorra: Ulquiorra Schiffer.

左手を一�*�の胸のどまんなかに
*He then shoves his left hand right through Ichigo’s mid-section.

[uc pseudonym]

Hm, I'd heard he was revealed to be number five. But there are a lot of rumors going around since the raw hasn't surfaced yet (including that Zaraki and Mayuri show up to fight), so we can't really know. A script adds a significant level of credibility, but there have been plenty of fakes before. Chances are by the time I log on tomorrow we'll know for certain.

But assuming Ulquiorra is 4/5: It looks as though I was wrong. The bright side is that now some of the new Espada are more likely to be higher-ranked, statistically. I'm "rooting" (as much as that makes sense) for the female Arrancar and, after seeing him meditating in recent chapters, the tall black one. My bias is toward calm and collected characters.

[samuraidragon]

http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2711rg0.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9260/2712xe2.th.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2713yg1.jpg

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http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2715ca3.jpg

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http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/310/2utho47hg0.jpg

In the fourth one Ichigo mentions that Ulquiorra must be the strongest so if he defeats him the other ones won't be a problem. Ulquiorra then reveals he's #4 and Ichigo is shocked then gets a hand in his chest.

[uc pseudonym]

Discussions like this spread over time are always slightly odd. By this post I've read the chapter.

Basically, it seems to me that they're back to not standing a chance again, which has been the option I've supporting. Hopefully we'll get to see something more interesting than just them getting rescued. Now we know why Aizen hasn't been particularly concerned about the attack, anyway. It also seems clear there will be at least one more phase of powering up before the series ends.

My only concern is this: Ulquiorra seems significantly stronger than Grimmjoww for only being two positions above him. Unless there is an explanation (say, Grimmjow is an Adjucas and Ulquiorra is a Vastrode) I will dislike that. Such large gaps don't seem logical to me.

[samuraidragon]

I think it's similar to the richter scale, where the difference (logarithmic?) between 9.7 and 9.5 is greater than the difference between 8 and 9.

[uc pseudonym]

That's correct, and it is the "Richter Scale Formula" that I'm criticizing. In reality, the difference between skill levels decreases as you get to the higher end. Plus, it just seems to me that the power of each present villain is mitigated when they'll be utterly outclassed by everyone above them. I'd prefer the Espada to all be on a similar level; I think it leads to better plotting overall.

Though after posting yesterday, I did have a thought: Soul Society operates by the same rules. As much as Byakuya is lauded, it is hinted that the two Captains that fought Yamamoto are even stronger. Yamamoto himself, of course, has a ridiculous amount of reiatsu. So at least the sides are evenly matched.

[shade of dae]

I can't remember much from chapter 197, it was so long ago... but i thought i'd let you guys know of a site that has up to chapter 270 in bleach.

<clipped>

the site also has several other series that are up to date as well. just thought i'd let you know

[uc pseudonym]

The thread title is from a long time ago too (I will update it at an opportune point). We've continued to discuss as the manga progresses and are currently discussing 271 if you'd like to join us.

Also, I have to clip your link. CAA does not allow direct-linking to scanlations as a liability and also because it is not a clear moral issue and it would be too easy for someone to abuse.

[shade of dae]

ah sorry about that. i didn't mean to cause trouble.

[uc pseudonym]

As for the recent chapter, I have two primary thoughts:

1) I like how the other Arrancar serve the Espada (and it fits Grimmjoww having five follow him earlier). But if 22 is the actual total, there should be only 12 servants... don't we seem to have considerably more than that?

2) There had better be a good reason why the villains aren't killing their opponents.

[Bap]

Maybe he's not killing Ichigo 'cause Ulquiorra still thinks he's not worth killing? xD;

[ich1990]

I fully agree with you about the espada power rankings, I think they should all be close to the same level skill wise. It doesn't seem right that they are able to cruise along wiping out ex-espadas (along with one gilian espada and Grimjow) with ease, and then come up against a brick wall. If Ichigo can whoop #6, I thought that at his current level he should be able to at least wound Ulquiorra a little before losing, but I was wrong. As far as why Ulquiorra didn't kill Ichigo, I maybe it is because he (like most vain powerful types) wants a real challenge? Someone at his level must get bored being so powerful after a while.

[uc pseudonym]

Maybe he's not killing Ichigo 'cause Ulquiorra still thinks he's not worth killing? xD]
That's the reason he seems to give, and Ichigo really isn't a threat to him right now. But why not kill him? People seem able to gain enormous amounts of power in a few weeks in the Bleach universe, so you'd think you'd want to knock off any potential threats, even if you don't know they're the protagonist. The thing about wanting a real challenge would be tolerable for some enemies, but Ulquiorra doesn't strike me as the type.

I fully agree with you about the espada power rankings, I think they should all be close to the same level skill wise. It doesn't seem right that they are able to cruise along wiping out ex-espadas (along with one gilian espada and Grimjow) with ease, and then come up against a brick wall. If Ichigo can whoop #6, I thought that at his current level he should be able to at least wound Ulquiorra a little before losing, but I was wrong.

Glad to hear we're of the same mind. I would expect Ichigo to get crushed like this by a released Ulquiorra, but not unreleased (after all, Grimmjoww never actually fought Ichigo unreleased).

My new question is this: if the exponential power levels go all the way to the top, how insanely powerful is Aizen?

[samuraidragon]

[quote="Bap"]Maybe he's not killing Ichigo 'cause Ulquiorra still thinks he's not worth killing? xD]I wonder if he wants Ichigo to survive. Remember how he said he was disappointed about Ichigo's strength?

I'm with y'all on the Espada power thing. I thought the same when they went to soul society. Chad could knock off a 5th seat but couldn't even present a challenge the the captain.

[MasterDias]

Ulquiorra is somewhat interesting to me actually as it is hard to tell exactly what he is thinking.

At any rate, unless something significant changes, it looks like poor Renji will be the only one who won't win a battle in this arc.

I'm with y'all on the Espada power thing. I thought the same when they went to soul society. Chad could knock off a 5th seat but couldn't even present a challenge the the captain.

I believe it was established early on that Captains are vastly stronger than even their lieutenants however. Hitsugaya bested Hinamori, Soi Fon overwhelmed the 13th division 3rd seats, Renji lost to Byakuya, Yamamoto paralyzed Nanao with just his aura, and so forth...

[uc pseudonym]

Yes it was. However, I assumed that he was objecting in the same vein as me: it isn't that this happened without reason, but that this setup itself doesn't seem to make sense. I believe I said that earlier, actually: I may not like it, but at least it is consistent between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

[Mave]

2) There had better be a good reason why the villains aren't killing their opponents.

Probably because the fanbase would go nuts on KuboTite if their fav. characters were killed? It's alright to maim and torture your characters beyond recognition though. LOL With that said, I highly doubt Rukia is gone but....I don't know, I thought the same thing for Asuma (Naruto) and had my heart broken instead.

Seriously, I don't get it too. I would have killed off my opponents. The only best reason I can come up with is this theory that powerful folks are only obsessed about one thing: Power. So if they face an opponent who has unique strengths/powers and yet can be defeated, they'll leave them alive to see what else these weaker opponents may come up with next. If they die, fine. If not and they come back stronger, this will be interesting. Maybe this form of thinking is somewhere in the line of that scientist dude who studied Renji? It's a fascination thing with different types of powers, especially those that break the norms. I think the main characters have a lot of that going on them (like most shonen comics).

I'm officially somewhat updated with Bleach but similar to FMA, there's a huge void in the middle that I'm missing (Soul Society Arc), which UC generously summarized for me "Aizen is evil." XD

[uc pseudonym]

Probably because the fanbase would go nuts on KuboTite if their fav. characters were killed?

A good reason, I said.

Seriously, you're absolutely correct, I just think it's bad storytelling. Either be willing to kill your characters or don't put them in situations where they would reasonably be killed. I'm hoping there will be something we don't know that will make it the latter. For example, maybe Aizen needs a lot of powerful people to die in the final battle to get enough energy to make the Key.

The power thing is also a common plot device (though Ulquiorra doesn't quite strike me as the type). I can live with it, but I'd like to see a more ruthless villain for once.

With that said, I highly doubt Rukia is gone but....I don't know, I thought the same thing for Asuma (Naruto) and had my heart broken instead.

I may have said this before, but if Rukia actually dies she will officially top my list of most pointless main characters ever. But so far Bleach hasn't done much with actual death, so I'd say she's pretty safe.

[MasterDias]

Asuma was pretty minor character for the most part though. His students were all more important characters than he was.

Rukia is one of Bleach's central heroines, along with Orihime. Given that no one died in Soul Society, despite some bad injuries, I seriously doubt she will die here.