#anti bleach ending

[renjihoe]

They would have healed all my trauma and I am so serious.

[exo-raskreia]

They weren't (aren't) even together

[bleached-socks]

Bleach fans: What did you think about the Bleach ending?

Specifically this is about everything after the 10 year time skip, and includes the ending for all of the characters but especially the main characters (Ichigo, Uryu, Chad, Orihime, Rukia, and Renji). This is not just about ships, it’s about where the characters ended up. I want to know what people think about the ending as a whole.

Feel free to tell me what you like or don't like about it

[sunflowersandcherryblossoms]

Fun fact: These screenshots are from before Chad and Inoue appeared...

They want so bad for their ship to make sense and seem natural...

Meanwhile, Kuchiki Byakuya:

And let me remind you that, between the 3rd and 4th pictures there's a cut to the skies opening and Ichigo appearing.

The animators created extra scenes to give us Byakuya staring at the skies, watching Ichigo's entrance...

[irlkisukeurahara]

The BLEACH ending isn't bad because of the ships. It's bad because it's fucking bad. It's anticlimactic garbage haphazardly slapped on to conclude the series as fast as possible. It is genuinely more frustrating to me than it should be that genuine criticisms of this series are overshadowed by people bitching about the ship. We know IchiRuki's relationship was more interesting, get OVER it.

[maoam]

I find it annoying how some people claim if you don't support ichi/hime you hate Orihime. I find the ship boring and I also don't like dynamics where the characters don't challenge each other. Orihime has good dynamics with other characters, like with Tatsuki, Ishida and Ulquoirra which are far more interesting than her dynamic with Ichigo.

Not that I care to speak for ichi/ruki either, because so many of them are hypocrites who insist SS/NH from Naruto make sense while bashing ichi/hime; despite the fact ichi/hime is better than both of those ships (and so is ichi/ruki). They claim Orihime can't do anything for Ichigo despite the fact that's 100% Sakura's dynamic with Sasuke. She even lamented about this herself during her confession; "I can't trade blows with you, I can't get close to you, all I can do is cry and beg." "Orihime is afraid of Ichigo's hollow" well Sakura literally withers like a dying flower when Sasuke ignores her or says something that could be considered a critique. "Orihime's feelings were onesided! She was just a friend!" well Hinata wasn't even a close friend, just a comrade/classmate.

Anyway I didn't like the ending or how Kubo handled Orihime and Rukia's characters in the last part of the manga.

[dedahblog]

This moment is when I fell in love with Bleach

I grew up like any other kid listening to stories about princes saving princesses whether by lip raping them or killing some dragons. Then, the guy takes the girl back home as if he did her a favor by saving her life and she doesn't have any other choice but to fall in love with him.

My ten-year-old self found this kind of fairytale ending dubious but thought that this conclusion could make sense in Bleach case : Rukia and Ichigo geniusly enjoyed each other's companionship. If she comes back to the real world, she isn't doing him a favour. She was happy with him.

I was as shocked as Ichigo when Rukia decided to stay in Soul Society.

Rukia who looked sad didn't help my confusion. Her sorrowful expression shows that she was aware that Ichigo wanted her to go back with him and she expected him to be sad by her decision.

Basically, my ten year old self didn't know how to respond to this drama. The only thing that came to my mind was :

Why ? What do you mean ? Please explain? Weren't you happy ?

But before I could voice any of my concern, Ichigo answered her and I made the same suprised face as Rukia.

And that was the moment when Ichigo has become a true hero for me.

It was not when he fought several captains or when he won against 3 lieutenants with bare hands reaching his potentials as a shonen protagonist

It was the moment he decided not to burden Rukia with his feelings.

He taught my ten-year-old self that love whether it is romantic or platonic, should be unconditional.

Love is supporting whatever decision the person you love makes as long as it makes her happy .

Love is about accepting the individuality of the person you love and cherish every side of him even when you can't fully understand his mindset.

The grace that Ichigo displayed for Rukia which equally mirror hers

when she offered her unconditional time to listen to every one of his burdens.

That's why, I will never accept that this manga was intended to end with the conclusion of who por*ked whom and the products of the por*king meeting then that's it. It isn't about which couple is supposed to f***.

It's about being certain that what I felt at that moment when I was ten was real .

The love I felt for Bleach and the love that Ichigo's response inspired me were real.

It was not a lie and it will never be.

[xoxomyseriesxoxo]

There’s something that has been irking me in the past few months... /That/ part of the fandom (that mostly was NOT here when the manga was still published weekly and when it got cancelled by SJ) changed the narrative about our reaction to the ending.

Now it’s all ‘omg mean IR shippers who are bitter over their ship not being canon!! They are terrible people!!!’ and calling us us bullies when no, you weren’t there back then where there were daily d*ath th*ats and rude asks sent to us... Not to mention we were mainly angry at the way the ending was so rushed and poorly written. We didn’t even know whether I//sshin, R//yuken, G//rimmjow (AGAIN), U//rahara and Y//oruichi were still alive or not because it was never said IN THE MANGA (because we only got an answer in light novels years later but majority of people only read the manga, not the novels that are semi-canon at best). We were angry over U//rahara’s “forgive me, K//urosaki, K//uchiki, for leaving everything to you” was somehow forgotten and the final fight with I//chigo, R//ukia and U//ryuu (who had THE silver arrow) VS Y//hwach never happened. We were angry because C//had ended up fighting for profits (profesionnal boxing) and U//ryuu ended up alone (again), overworked and working as a doctor just like his father and that go against their character arcs. We were angry because there was a whole arc and hints in the final arc clearly showing how I//chigo didn’t fit in the human world anymore and yet stayed there in the end. We were angry because the Sokyoku, the symbol of S//oul S//ociety’s old ways and injustice that I//chigo destroyed, was REBUILT. We were angry because M//ayuri was still a Captain and not in jail for his crimes. We were angry because we loved and cared for the story and the ending went against the main and side characters’ arcs and against the s//hinigami’s new ideals represented by I//chigo and R//ukia. And yes, we were angry for the pairings too because it was so badly written but most of us were fine with an open ending or IR and ISH ending but the new ‘IR would be nothing without anime filler moments’ argument is so ridiculous because even if you only look at the manga, IR was great, developed and made sense. Weirdly enough, the ones repeatedly shouting that filler “argument” aren’t saying a word about R//ukia’s scenes getting changed/deleted in the anime rn despite being the deuteragonist as if her erasure hadn’t been bad enough in the manga vers. of the final arc (same for B//yakuya scenes to a lesser extent)... But yes, our anger is mainly aimed at how poorly written the ending was, not only shipping-wise but in general. And now it’s irritating to see new fans act as if criticism that were there for a decade is not allowed towards the story or the mangaka.

While I’m watching the anime so far and I’m happy with the added scenes (especially the ones with U//ryuu concerning his heritage and the conflict he feels over the whole situation), I must say I don’t like how they deleted R//ukia scenes and B//yakuya scenes on purpose. I prefer the old characters designs as well and though and color palettes are now closer to the manga’s, the body proportions often look wrong (B//yakuya’s face, U//ryuu’s jaw to mention only a few exemples) and the lighting is horrible. I’m watching because I want to see EBTR, R//ukia’s bankai, U//nohana’s true self etc. but I do understand why fans who were in the fandom back then aren’t watching the anime or simply left the fandom given how we’re being treated and how some people are changing the narrative.

(And before my words get twisted... There’s nothing wrong with being a new fan, just don’t make up a new version as to why we dislike the ending/how we react(ed) to it. The criticism towards the writing is also more than fair and has existed even before the last arc even started.)

[aurora-313]

I've been openly critical of Thousand Year Blood War since its weekly manga release way back in late 2010s. It was so immemorable that I'd legitimately forgotten it, and by extension Bleach, existed until the announcement in 2022.

The revelations presented require so much backreading and contradicts earlier established facts, it make it difficult to tolerate. Interpersonal reveals reflect incredibly poorly on many characters, demonstrating in some cases outright negligent tendencies in their duty of care towards others and themselves.

(Masaki, Isshin, you don't have to tell him everything but its not hard to teach your god-child basic safety and the supernatural equivalent of 'don't run in oncoming traffic'. The fact neither did of you did, makes you damned irresponsible parents imo. Almost like your powers were retconned into existence without thinking through the rammifications, huh?).

The sum total of my issues are too numerous to mention but my biggest issue is theme of fate in Bleach; how it applies to Ichigo's desire for self-determination and how TYBW in particular gleefully pisses all over that.

While fate and destiny can be aspiring things, they are by definition traps. Confines. Set parameters that must be fulfilled. As a result two primary attitudes exist in response; one must rise to meet the occasion gloriously or defy it to forge one's own path (success varies).

Ichigo's opinion has always fallen into the latter category.

Ichigo wanted to destroy fate. Wanted to negate its unfairness. To remove its strangling shackles from his life and those he cares for. To quote:

If fate is a milestone, then we are the grist. There is nothing we can do. So I wish for strength. If I cannot protect them from the wheel, then give me a strong blade, and enough strength... to shatter fate.

In essence this is how Ichigo wants express his agency and self-determination, by protecting others. He wants to defend the downtrodden from the unfairness ugliness of reality. An agency he gains through obtaining Shinigami power from Rukia.

Or so he believes.

Problem is, every arc and especially TYBW exposes that theme as a total lie.

Whenever Ichigo believes he's expressing agency to combat whatever ill fortunate awaits those he wishes to protect, he is in fact playing into the hands of others.

He believes he's making an active choice to defend and guard and protect, but in reality Ichigo has never had a choice in anything, merely the illusion of one. Worst of all Ichigo never realizes most of his choices are illusions.

With every subsequent arc, the sad truth is that Ichigo is enslaved to fate. Shackled to its designs since the dawn of reality. Enchained by the literal gods and devils on his shoulder. At one point, fate even turns Ichigo's own body against him as his Quincy blood forces him to slay the previous Soul King.

In his drive to break fate's confines, Ichigo becomes its ultimate poster boy and enforcer.

But in a sad yet classic prophetic twist; Ichigo believes he's actively fighting an unfair destiny.

A destiny written by the Soul King's Almighty eons ago.

In a word, the Almighty is omniscience. First held by the Soul King and later Yhwach.

Conceptually, omniscience and free will cannot co-exist. The world is self-determination or pre-destination. There's no middle ground.

This in mind; the Soul King knew precisely how he would die. He knew a Shiba scion would eventually gain the power to release him from his torment eons upon eons after his sealing under the compulsion of Yhwach's Quincy blood, then slay Yhwach to replace him.

In other words, Ichigo's desire for self-determination was the greatest lie of this story. His every action and reaction were predicted and cemented since the dawn of time. Taken to its logical extreme, Ichigo arguably had no free will at all (absolutely fitting because he reads like a damn automaton in the last arc). He's a pre-programmed organic robot blindly following the path set before him by his creators, there's no error codes (ie. questions or hesitations) because his programmers told him exactly the right command prompts to set him loose.

And almost as the ultimate spit in the face for Ichigo's futile wish for agency in his own fate? Yhwach curses him in the end. Cursed Ichigo with a prophesy that at the moment of his greatest happiness, Yhwach will return to crush it to dust.

Meaning Ichigo is now destined to carry that curse for the rest of his days, his days as a human, his days as a soul, possibly even after his soul death and winding up in hell.

By the avatar of fate's own command, Ichigo is never permitted to find true happiness again.

Which actually rather neatly explains why Ichigo seemingly retired from shinigami work after the war concluded. And a rather damning indication of his marriage to Orihime and his own son.

When is Ichigo at his happiest? When he's engaged with the spirit world. What's he done in the ten year timeskip? Cut himself off from the spirit world. When does Yhwach show up again? The first time Ichigo engages with the spirit world after ten long years.

All told, its a rather tragic tale, isn't it?

Then again, I suppose that could be Kubo's intention. The more Ichigo tries to fight fate, the more fate bitch slaps him and tells him 'get back in your lane.' And Ichigo, after years of being thoroughly defanged, bows his head and obeys.

If that's so, then I congratulate him on delivering such a tragic despair-filled message.

[meluene]

Tumblr get your shit together I do not wish to see Ichigo/Or*hime or Ren*i/Rukia content, have I not been clear enough during this 10+ years of a journey

[renjihoe]

Saw this funny Ichiruki meme on Pinterest. I laughed on the inside.

[exo-raskreia]

Kubo drawing IR, the non-canon ship, post-ending (2016-2023)

VS Kubo sketching drawing IH & RR, the canon ships, post-ending (2016-2017)

(2 chicken scratches Kubo was forced to make & a one-sided color spread that was later edited by Jump to make IR stickers)

Imagine your fav ship became canon, yet years after the ending, this was all the creator gave you while they continued to draw the rival non-canon ship... 🫢

[enough-bleach]

Ichihime marriage be like

[sunflowersandcherryblossoms]

I loved the part in this weeks episode where Ichigo didn't look once at Inoue, even as she was throwing herself at him...

Never a look nor a glance. Not one word of acknowledgement.

Even the ones who ship Ichigo with Uryu have more basis to claim some kind of connection between both characters than the other ones...

And I think that's beautiful.

[drowninglight]

y’all see a f/m anime ship where the girl:

— is obsessed with the guy,

— idolizes the guy,

— loves a version of him that she created in her mind to fit her fantasies,

— suffers because the pining and love is very much one-sided and has never been shown to be anything but,

— ends up with the guy after a time-skip despite him showing absolutely no romantic feelings for her during the entire manga/anime which makes the relationship look bland and fake because we didn’t see the guy grow to love her romantically (or to like her at all),

(++ the guy has more chemistry with his best friend and is shown to love them more than he does the girl)

and u eat it up every time and are convinced it’s the best ship in the entire verse, but still go and argue w ppl who ship something else even tho ur ship is canon like u literally won y r u mad

[tae-shimura-is-my-wife]

What would you have changed about the Bleach final arc?

I kept thinking a lot about it, especially remembering everything from Bleach i have consumed. Since i'm terrible at writing metas, this will be kind of a simple answer ok 😭?

Make Uryu be the center of the arc, alongside with Ichigo, poor boy was so erased after SS arc, so this was his chance to shine again and made his bond with Ichigo stronger

Make Uryu and Ichigo defeat Yhwach. Idc if they would take power from their a$$es, seeing these two destroying the man who killed their mothers would be insane! They should be fighting together, not fcking Renji!

Give Rukia more screen time and importance, she was the second protagonist for the sake of god!

It would be good if Ori and Chad were more relevant for once...

Explain what happened with the rest of cast! Millions of characters disappeared and we know nothing about them after all;

Make Ichigo live in Soul Society, it can be in any way! My preference is he being a captain of gotei 13! But he could even be a lieutenaunt or just in some squad that i would be happy!

Chad could be a judo teacher! Especially since this is a self defense matial art! So he would use his fists to help protecting people :D

URYU WOULD BE A FAMOUS FASHION DESIGNER!!!

Orihime has so much possibilities man! She could be a nurse, a doctor, a pediatrician, a teacher, even a baker! As much she's working, i would be happy!

I would like to Ishihime be together! Especially because i feel these two have the vibes of wanting to date/be married, plus Ori could know the world, since Uryu would be famous!

IR? Well, there's nothing explicit about their relationship status, so you can imagine whatever you want about them 🤭

But Ichigo and Rukia are always together in everything!

They would reunite in Chad's house to see Uryu's fashion show! Ryuken would be watching too. Ori would be there with her husband in the vip session

Ichigo and Rukia would go back together to Soul Society after a while, with Isshin observing them meanwhile he smiles

When they enter the Soul Society, there's already enemies for them to defeat

And the manga would end with Ichigo and Rukia fighting side by side while smiling! Since it all started with them, it will end with them!

And of course no R//R