As usual this is a spoiler-bound post for those who do not follow the manga series of Bleach and only watch the anime, which is hopelessly stuck in a filler arc. This post concerns my speculations regarding the latest chapter, 396. If you are reading this in a feedreader I am sorry but you will definitely see the picture below, after the “!-more” tag.
Image thanks to Binktopia and their scanlation for Chapter 396.
I mentioned a long time ago (almost a year ago!), during the battle between Ulquiorra and Ichigo, that Ichigo could well be the last boss after his Hollow took over in what is now believed to be his Resurrecion. Now that Aizen has come right out and admitted he has not turned into a Hollow and has no Hollow powers (and he is still that broke), it seems very likely that his real aim might, in fact, be the ultimate culmination of the fusion between Shinigami and Hollow, ie. that of Kurosaki Ichigo. This is if we believe that what he says in the last panel (above) is in fact accurate – that he had planned and foresaw every battle that Ichigo had been in so far.
I find it hard to believe Aizen can actually predict that far into the future, or know that there would be such a person called Ichigo who would be born of a fusion between what is still presumed to be two Shinigami (Isshin and Masaki). However, how he planned for Ichigo’s rise to what he is, is of main concern. If he did know about Ichigo beforehand, then he would know that Isshin is also a Shinigami. I also find that hard to believe.
Whatever it is, since Aizen went to the trouble of not becoming a Hollow (in order to probably not lose himself) and inserting the Hougyoku as part of his own body (at least that looks like it), while going to the great length of making Ichigo the “perfect” fusion of Shinigami and Hollow, it seems quite likely that Ichigo’s final form is his real goal, and not killing the King of Soul Society and what-not. Imagine an Ichigo in Resurrecion with only his Hollow mind left – his ability and potential to grow to further heights at the moment seems to exceed anything the Shinigami themselves have ever seen.
What makes it even more probable is how we have not even seen any of Squad Zero; presumably they are either bound by honor and code to stand by the King’s side at all times, or that Kubo is waiting for them to make an appearance. If it is the latter, I bet one of the first to appear would be Hikifune (ex-12th Squad Captain, Urahara took over her).
The last few chapters, other than from showing both the imbalanced powers of Yamamoto and Aizen (as well as his intellect), have been really boring and Bleach continues to go down the ridiculous path. Quite seriously ever since I started watching anime Aizen remains the brokest villain I have witnessed. Outrageously ridiculous. Even if Ichigo gets into Resurrecion and beats Zaraki to crap with one blow Aizen would still win him in terms of being badass after all his moves so far…probably the reason why many never bother with Bleach anymore. Kubo even has to take a break to find out how to realistically kill him. I wonder if he has even found out. Maybe bringing the manga down the path of making Ichigo the last boss would be a good act. Then Bleach will be the shounen series with the best ending ever, where the protagonist turns into the final boss.
Related posts:
Subscribe to the Deathseeker's RSS feed
Topspin on 
Kubo is still making every effort to make Aizen look like a god. I’m looking forward to hearing how Aizen will explain everything. The more ridiculous the explanation, the better… the more I can laugh at it I mean.
TJ´s last blog…Naruto 487
I have lost count on how many time I have repeat this but Kubo needs to grow some fucking hairy balls and starts killing off the good guy! The way they survive attacks were ridiculous. No one likes plot-kai no matter how fucking elaborate it was.
Aizen just needs to remain as the god of Gotei. They should just let him has the King’s Key and lives happily ever after.
kluxorious´s last blog…Bleach: Chapter 396
So far, no matter how ridiculous the logic used to end fights or save the “good guys”, the plot elements (or foreshadowing), so far, have all played a roll in the story. It’s not out of the ordinary in manga for an element to be placed and have a story end without its being used. However, Bleach has managed to use all of the previously placed elements. With that in mind, I still look forward to Orihime’s ability being a key element to the final outcome. It has all the traits of being the final card: it was an ability originally unknown to Aizen, it has the ability to reverse anything and everything, even death, and it’s an ability Aizen has dismissed as being a threat to him.