I would really love to read your essay on why Urahara left the fate in Rukia's hand. For me this is f*cking exciting. It would be more logical if the name was Aizen (one of the five potential war forces). If Urahara, f*cking Urahara, said so, seems like Ywach missed a critical potential war force. I know now there will be only reader's theories, but I trust your analysis and logic. Bring it on babe! - Black -
Aww… Thank you, anon.
To be honest, I do have my own theory (that was revived in this scene >:D) but I’m still not quite certain over it. There are other possible theories or route for Kubo Tite to pick for Rukia’s fate, I’m aware there are other possibility on how Rukia will play a role in this arc. Though if I have to pick one of those I’d rather it be about this one, which is connected in my other meta:
Basically, my theory is that Rukia’s crucial role in this war is connected to the Hogyoku. How it will play out is something we have yet to guess.
In my initial post, I was just appreciating the fact that Rukia was uncanningly fitting for her role as “The Keeper of Hogyoku” here. Why? Because she’s the most selfless person in the entire world (of Bleach).
She doesn’t want anything (at least to the point that it’s ambitious like Ichigo or Aizen), and so she’s like the least likely person to abuse the power of the Hogyoku (like what happened to Aizen). This is actually the reason why I disagree with those people who thinks that Ichigo will be the “new master” of Hogyoku because he defeated Aizen. I don’t think it’s fitting that way because Ichigo already has lots of potential on his own (he doesn’t really need the Hogyoku because his plot kai I mean, extra power, is innate in him). Besides, I don’t find Ichigo as a very fitting master of Hogyoku. Why? Because he’s ambitious. Well, pretty much, because he constantly desires for powers. This is why his dark side/ hollow Ichigo craves and lusts for fights. This is what Zaraki and other Ichigo’s enemies kept on pointing out. This is the side of Ichigo that Ichigo constantly denies and is afraid of (HM arc). Ichigo is the type of person who will defy Fate itself if anything tries to chain him down. His only weakness is his own rain and the darkness that’s innate in him. But he will defy anything that gets in his way with the exception of His Light that everyone is fond of (¬ 3¬).
Ichigo, holding the Hogyoku, is a disaster waiting to happen (he’ll end up like Aizen who desired for power). I deemed Rukia as more fitting to become the master simply because she won’t abuse it.
And if Rukia has been indeed holding onto the Hogyoku for around a hundred years, who do you think is the more fitting master of Hogyoku? Aizen said that he needed some time (months/weeks) before he could master the Hogyoku. If Rukia has been holding onto it for like a hundred years, don’t you think the Hogyoku will also deem her as his master? Except Aizen took it away and take it for his own. Forcing it to his will by mixing his own Hogyoku with it.
The only reason the Hogyoku didn’t act up is because Rukia held no desire aside from wanting to live a normal life.
In which, she had gotten.
She was alone. And it’s common sense for orphans to want to have a family. Queue Renji and gang meeting up with her (later Byakuya will adopt her to his family).
Her friends died. She doesn’t want to live there anymore. Queue, them easily entering into Seireitei with their talent.
She wanted to live a good life. Queue, her being adopted in the Kuchiki clan.
She doesn’t like being put in a pedestal. Queue, Kaien treating her normally.
She doesn’t like to have powers as a shinigami anymore due to guilt and feeling unworthy of it. Queue, Ichigo stealing her powers.
She wanted to live a normal life also. Queue, her being sent to the Human World and forced to be a “normal” human soul and live a “normal” student life.
She wanted to die? Queue, the execution.
She wanted to live? Queue, Ichigo and gang saving her.
Of course, you can just count it as Kubo Tite (the creator) loving Rukia so much that he let her have everything she wanted in her world. And he made her a character that anyone will love.
If we go with the theory in that link, Rukia was most likely been holding onto the Hogyoku since the time she was 1-50 years old (though I’d say since she’s a baby because her life has always been in constant parallel with Ichigo). The most likely case (well, literately&aesthetically speaking) is in that timeline, and not at the time when Urahara gave the gigai (It’s never stated that the Hogyoku is in the gigai. That’s just assumption on our part). This has actually been tackled on the thread here:
Although the opposing arguments did bring up valid points here, I think it’s okay to say that both sides got their own points (meaning either of the two can happen). We can patch up any plot holes with our own imagination after that. But I’ll lean more towards the idea that Rukia has the Hogyoku since she’s a baby for the following reasons:
While what the opposing side said can valid as a patch up for the plot hole, the fact that Kubo Tite answered “It’s a secret” at the question “when did Urahara put the Hogyoku inside Rukia” leaves a huge door to the other possibility. I don’t think that answer is a red herring because it doesn’t make sense as a “red herring”.
Red herrings are used to mislead the audience, so that when the reveal happens, they will be surprised. Kubo Tite has no reason to put a red herring here. The only thing he did here is open up a possibility for readers to think about. Not to turn their attention away from the Hogyoku. His action/answer will only lead to disappointment instead of excitement. He should have answered properly here, if that’s the case.
Ichigo and Rukia’s Life had always been paralled towards each other. If Ichigo’s life has been planned since birth, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Rukia’s life has been planned since she’s a baby.
Saying that the theory is invalid because Kubo never mentioned Rukia in the interviews, and that Rukia is being sidelined as a character is not a valid premise to debunk this argument. Rukia is the Heroine of Bleach, and Kubo Tite said that she’s on par/equal grounds as Ichigo as a protagonist (I’ll try to make an essay about this later). Rukia has every right to have whatever Ichigo has as a main protagonist of the show.
Basically, what I wanted to say is that saying that Rukia won’t play a role as crucial as Ichigo here is not right because Rukia is the HEROINE OF BLEACH and has EVERY RIGHT to stand on THE SAME SPOTLIGHT as him. (This issue was actually what made me quit Bleach, I’ll try to make a post about this later) Kubo Tite admitted himself that they are supposed to be equal (I’ll try to make a post about how he portrayed this later).
Besides, why do you think it’s Rukia who met up with Aizen (Hogyoku holder) and not Ichigo? Why do you think the constant separation of the two, especially in this War Arc? Did you think it’s because Rukia is being side-cast? Ha.
Don’t you think that the answer may be the opposite? That these two are being separated, not because Rukia is being sidelined. It’s because she has her own world to play as a key player to. The only reason why we don’t get to see Rukia much is because this is Ichigo’s story. The story of Bleach centers around him. But Rukia has her own world too. The other side of the story we don’t see much because Ichigo is the one we are focusing on.
Kubo Tite made this story to show Ichigo, but when it comes to importance in the story, Rukia is on equal grounds as Ichigo. The reason for the separation is not because she’s being sidelined (lol). It’s to give them equal character development. If Rukia is constantly on Ichigo’s side, that’s when she’ll be reduced to a main character instead of a protagonist (she’ll be like Orihime, trapped in Ichigo’s domain/world). Do Rukia fans want that to happen? Of course not (we do miss her though, as much as Ichigo does)! I believe Rukia fans are in the understanding (consciously or not) that …
The Queen is free to come and go like the wind. She’s The Moon that eclipses the Night.
The King had break the chains that’s holding her down after all. And even The King can’t chain The Queen down. The Queen has her own realm to live with. She has her own world. She’s not obligated to stay on anyone’s side. Those who truly want her happiness, won’t chain her down on their side. Those who want to stay by her side though, are free to come and chase after her. >:D
Anyways, what I just want to point out is that…
It’s not far fetch to say that Rukia can become the “dark horse” in this arc. She’s done it in FB arc, why not on this one? And she’s the Heroine. This much is to be expected (fans have every right to). :)
To be honest, I buried this theory for the reason of what happened in Chad arc (in which I’m quite indignant about, though I do understand the reason behind this after looking at his interviews). Kubo Tite may be a master when it comes to portraying characters and their relationships, but when it comes to giving spotlight, there’s a problem because Kubo Tite cares more about exploring the world of Bleach by making his characters stay in-character. Quiet characters will stay in the shadows. Passive characters will stay passive and look weak. Strong characters with loud auras will always dominate the scene. What the problem in his work is that he didn’t put much care in his reader’s mentality and reactions (his strength as a writer became a major weakness).
This is also why I said that if you want to read and enjoy Bleach, read it for the characters. It’s a character-driven story. Focusing on plot only, will only make you flip.
People have innate hate for weak characters. No matter how good her personality is, if she’s the type to hold down others with her passiveness/ weakness, that character will be inevitably hated. Quiet characters are not the type of people to take the spotlight for themselves. So if there’s a loud scene or character, the reader’s attention will be taken away from it. Most of all, readers love interpreting scenes on whatever way they want. It’s rare to have a reader that tries to understand the writer with fairness. This is why it’s very hard to be a writer.
Basically, I held a doubt for Kubo Tite if he can portray Rukia as the Queen of Bleach on par with Ichigo. In so far, he did a good job portraying this (although my initial take is he didn’t). But can he keep that up? What those people said that Kubo had forgotten Rukia and that interview may be true. There’s a possibility. He could have just put aside the idea because it’ll make the show longer and it’s nearing the end (like how Orihime’s “I’ll reverse Hogyoku’s existence” never comes into play).
But this will be detrimental on the writer’s part. It’ll be Kubo’s fault if he can’t portray and deliver his intentions properly to his audience. Orihime and Chad are excusable because they are not the main protagonists. Ichigo and Rukia are the Hero and Heroine. They are supposed to be partners on equal grounds.
Anyways, I held doubt in Kubo. Though I tried my best to trust and put my faith in him that he knows what he’s doing and he’s a great writer. And thank goodness for that.
Chapter 666 had reassured me that my faith in him as a writer is not misplaced.
Additional Edit: The reason people won’t be anticipating her role here (is it safe to assume that she’s actually a “war potential”?), would be because she’s a quiet character. As I’ve said before, she’s very modest and humble. She’s not the strongest, the best strategist, or the best healer out there. IN a sense, she’ll only look like an above average fighter. I won’t be surprised if Yhwach is caught off guard because no one will anticipate her come back.
PS: Kubo Tite doesn’t have to do what I theorize (I don’t expect him to). As long as Kubo Tite can portray Rukia as the heroine with her own crucial role to play, then I’ll be pretty satisfied. Actually, I half wish this theory isn’t true. I do have a problem with one implication of this theory, but I won’t say it here because I know there are haters lurking about (I’d rather message this to my friends who are good at arguing, to help me think of a counter just in case).
Anyway, my theory being not true is not a problem for me. I’ll welcome it as long as Kubo Tite can portray Rukia well as The Heroine, especially in this last arc.
Hi what do you think of bleach character 666? I have no doubt ih Fandom are felt right now, Anyways I don't care about them, I'll just prepared myself to see a huge anti ichiruki post on ichiruki tag.
Well, considering that there are Rukia haters who are adamant on undermining her, it’s within expectations. I commend the bravery of those who will dare try to enter our territory just to flame (there’s a saying that the line that separates bravery from stupidity is very thin). And hey, it’s very nice of them to volunteer to become a punching bag. It’s a good stress reliever for us.
I’m very happy about this chapter. Mostly because Toshiro is making a joke about Height (of all things!) and Byakuya’s reactions are just hilarious! xD Oh, but this is nothing when we have both of them together react in the same manner to Zaraki! XD I just couldn’t… that was just gold!
Ah, but the real creme of the top here for me is when Kisuke mentioned leaving everything else to Ichigo’s and Rukia’s hands as he went down (come on, no one is really believing this guy is dead, right?)
Why?
Because it reinforced my trust in Kubo Tite and his writing sense.
Though there’s another reason.
Well, this chapter spark to life one of my meta that I buried long ago.
