#ishida ryuken

[sashi-ya]

Actually, I might need to visit the doctor's office very soon... So many good ideas! so many spicy fics are coming to my mind rn.

[incorrctbleach]

Masaki: [ trying to feel the baby kick ] Katagiri: Sorry this is taking so long. He kicked for everyone else. Ryuken: It's hard for the little one to preform under pressure. Isshin: Top 10 things Ryuken said on his wedding night! Masaki: Woah, it was small, but I think I felt something. Urahara: Top 10 things Katagiri said on her wedding night. Katagiri: [ starts laughing ] Ryuken: Stop laughing it Kanae. Isshin, Urahara, and Masaki: Top 10 things Ryuken said on his wedding night!!

[ydotome]

Ryuuken Ishida "Ryuu" (石田 竜弦) - Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen - Episode 3

[shinixgami]

🅤🅡🅨🅤 Ⓡⓨⓤⓚⓔⓝ

[niicevibe]

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐲𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐧 + 𝐘/𝐍 𝐇𝐂𝐬

While writing for Ryūken, I got a little in the feels about him... He was a little difficult to write for though, for sure. Really felt like I drifted here, but... c'est la vie. Also!!!? He has like, no headcanons on this site. Which is understandable, but sheesh.

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 @toofilthy (again, omg, it took this long... but at least it only took me three hours to work on today, haha! haha...)

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: mentions of autopsying and minor character deaths.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: I've left your position ambiguous again, just like I did for Uryū's headcanons, as well as your tenure at the hospital. Besides, you could've been a young patient when you first met Ryūken? He just gave off those big daddy Quincy vibes and you couldn't resist...

𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

After the event that took place thanks to Juha Bach back in the nineties left him a single father while simultaneously claiming the lives of both his wife and the girl he once loved, Ryūken threw himself into his work and subconsciously swore off any semblance of romanticism.

Truly a first rate doctor with the best possible patient care in mind, perhaps it was thanks to this emotional suffering that allowed him to climb to the role of hospital director. But is it any consolation?

A trait that both of the Ishida men share is there lack of a need for romance, or perhaps in Uryū's particular case, should the prospect of a relationship come to pass him, his courting game is strong. And his prudish nature? Well, I'd like to believe he gets it from his father...

Looking back on that same history, Ryūken hasn't always been as cold as perceived by those around him. Having both a protector complex and a savior complex, and in wanting to marry someone for love and not out of obligation, he could easily prove to be quite the casanova should the effort not come out to be so... stick-up-the-butt-ish. It's a wonder how he took so much after his cold-hearted and goal-oriented mother, and how his father's kindness he inherited became the recessive trait.

It doesn't tend to show all too obviously. He isn't a doting father. How good of a husband he had been to Kanae is another story all together. They grew up with each other, with Kanae as his waiting hand. She was fond of him, and he was grateful for her. So, more likely than not, he wasn't doting, but he had enough care in his heart for the woman.

It's not something Ryūken cares to talk about, not even with himself, let alone with his son. It dwells in the darkest corner of his mind, how he couldn't figure out the cause of Kanae's coma. How he couldn't avenge her when she finally passed away.

But it is something he concerns himself with whenever you're around.

Emotions are burdening. But then again, if he hadn't been fueled by them the day he discovered that silver blood clot during Kanae's autopsy, he would've never been able to help his son and get that revenge he desired.

You knew him not to be a vengeful man. Not under normal circumstances. In his own silent and subtle way, the man loved his patients, his career, and dare you even speculate, his own son, despite the weird dynamic you discovered them to have. You note how naturally cautious and meticulous and focused Ryūken is with everything he does in his life. It was fascinating to you, in an awful, sad way.

All because the hospital gossip was too strong to ignore, you found yourself staring. And Ryūken Ishida isn't an easily swayed man, but... he's grown unnerved that the story of his wife's death was the reason for your newfound attention on him. He's also not the type to ignore that attention, you realize, when he's suddenly inviting you to eat with him in his office.

How could you say no to the director? And even more so, to a man you've found yourself thinking about for the majority of your day? Even when you return to the four walls of your home, Ryūken Ishida lives in your mind. You'd been content just seeing him around the four walls of the hospital, and now, he wants to sit down with you? Does he... think you've done something wrong?

As far back as you can remember, you don't recall anything you've done in your job to be something that's killed a patient... and when you inquire about this through the small sips from your juice box, he's calm in assuring you that that's not the case. But he wants to know why he's on the receiving end of your pitying glances.

It's the fact that he only thinks they are pitying glances that has you so shocked.

Though you have heard the rumours through the hospital that his son was emotionally obtuse before his partner set him straight, you can't help but express to the man how wrong he is. Which, apparently, is a rarity in itself.

You admit that, sure, you feel sadness for the man who had to autopsy his own wife to recuperate from his grief, for the man who couldn't save her life no matter how hard he tried. You tell him how much you wished the world to be more forgiving and less of the taking that it keeps seeming to do. Now, it's been so many years since you first watched him wandering the halls of his hospital, blue eyes as empty as the hands who failed to find any answers.

"It's not pity," you promise him. "Just compassion."

If he's surprised at your truth, he doesn't immediately show it. Understandably confused considering how little you've managed to interact with the man, but... he finds himself touched at the result of your candor.

There are often days where Ryūken forgoes eating normal meals, despite any stringent schedule keeping he makes attempts at. Almost always busy between any meetings or scheduled surgical procedures, he finds himself visited by you much more frequently, having brought homemade bento for the both of you, and on a much more daily basis. He doesn't speak his thanks, but you can tell in the subtle shift of softness his eyes take on when he looks at you versus anyone else in his life.

Your relationship, whether platonic or romantic, would start off incessantly slow, something you had both been content with due to the nature of your official meeting. For you to be more forward or more expectant in relationships is not something Ryūken minds. If not pressured nor at an impasse, he is normally a very calm individual, especially if you had been happy to show some patience of your own through things.

Ryūken seems like the kind of man to swear off any further attempts at relationships or courting, himself, and maybe not due to trauma, but to the frustration of his own fallibility regarding Kanae and Masaki. Not that there would be any chance of a similar thing ever happening to you like it did them, but without needing to outwardly admit it, Ryūken wouldn't be able to make it through an experience like that again.

He would not be a fan of obvious public displays of affection. Hand holding may be his limit (professionally). Other times, loosely linking arms while on a walk is something he would dare to manage. Subconsciously, his thoughts drift to what Uryū might think about him having a new partner, and should he see his father with you, how he might react. Would he feel betrayed? Some days, Ryūken thought he might be doing the same to Kanae's memory. But you've been respectful, patient throughout the whole ordeal.

Despite how much time had passed between then and the present, he would truly thrive in that understanding environment.

In private, Ryūken might dare to share the odd chaste kiss with you. They'd serve to fuel him on those longer days he'd be unable to tear himself away from his office.

Ryūken would be a casual romantic. Being the busy, goal-oriented man he is, he'll have little time to be able to spend planning elaborate dates or trips, unless he truly got lucky. And perhaps your schedules might not overlap within a day-- in his stead, Ryūken might order something to be delivered to your doorstep. If he's unable to make it home, perhaps phone calls might not suffice anymore. The odd video chat might set him at ease.

Ryūken is not an open book, so unless he comes out and admits exactly what he's thinking behind his seemingly cold eyes, you might not ever know what's on his mind. Don't be afraid to prod him for answers every now and again; with his focus on everything else, he might not even think to explain himself.

© niicevibe | please don’t repost! reblogs appreciated ♥️

[the-flower-named-fire]

Specific Trope of the Day

The Literal Motherfuckers Wannabe Club

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Day 2 Sweat  

A little late for day 2 whumpril and we're back to my Bleach AU-Shared custody.

AU summary- Uryuu was taken by squad 12 members alongside Souken's soul on the day he was attacked.

Uryuu does something reckless, knowing he'd lose, someone catches him.

----

He knew he wasn’t going to win, no matter how dangerous Soul society saw him as it was against three captains but he hoped he could have given Tatsuki some time to flee with Rukia, since she was the one this whole plan was set for.

Instead the moment he had started released his Shikai everything had gone black when Cap- Tosen appeared behind him unsealing his sword. If Tosen thought the pain from the cuts he inflicted was enough to stop him he really hadn’t bothered to read the file the monster was quite fond of rereading to Uryuu as if he could forget the months of experiments before Yachiru freed him.

So Uryuu skipped Shikai and broke his own rules, releasing Yudokuna fully, even if he couldn’t hear his own words, they did.

“Bankai. Spawn and consume all, Yūdokuna.”

Yudokuna let out a gleeful laugh before it scattered into numerous smaller ones.

Later he’ll thank the black nothing of Tosen’s dome that allowed him to adjust as his awareness was split into fragments instead of losing control of himself like he had the first time.

‘Feast, feast, feast’ their voices echoed through his mind as they started to spread from him and eat at the traitor Captain’s Bankai growing in size as they did.

“What the-?” the captain’s shocked words reached him moments before the black vanished.

For a moment he was frozen as he was hit by the sudden light and the many points of view from his fragments, Tatsuki was on the floor alongside Renji and the one he would guess was Ichigo making him wonder if he had been trapped there longer than he had thought.

He throws himself out the way as his views from the fragments warned him of Tosen’s attack.

“Interesting.” Azien smiled at him, Uryuu bit back the urge to hiss as Yudokuna’s fragments trembled, something was wrong, they had never felt at ease around the bespectacled captain but he had thought that was just because sometimes the man looked at him the same way the monster did, like he wanted to dissect him.

This was different, this was more that discomfort, this was fear and he had never felt fear from his other half before.

Before he could do anything, even summon his bow, a flash of light aimed for his face and blood and black returned to consume his vision, this time with burning pain.

He choked on a scream, tasting copper as he reached with his hands to cover his face.

Warm blood covered his hand, Ichimaru had blinded him with a single cut from across the ground, he realised what had happened even without seeing from the fragments point of view.  

“Gin.” Azien scolded, as Uryuu swayed, he hurt he had never lost his sight in the lab, he swallowed back terror as he found himself returning to that helplessness.

“Sorry.” the other chimed, not sorry in the least, Uryuu could hear the grin in his voice.

Uryuu stumbled, from the pain, terror, bloodloss and a wave of sickness, he swallowed back as he recognised the feeling of poison and Yudokuna increased her own potency to overwhelm Ichimaru’s.

Another slash from behind, warned as he was by his fragments but unable to move, sent him to the ground, he felt the fragments attempted to retreat to him but they wouldn’t make it before Tosen finished him off, it was a shame he thought, he was so close to see father again.

The blade was stopped and for the first time Uryuu was glad at the sudden appearance of the stealth force.

 —-

Uryuu’s tightened his grip of his blade as the three traitors vanished into the sky, it was only Yudokuna’s fragments that meant he could still see what was going on so he fought to keep himself awake and his Bankai released.

Even if their vision was only in blue and purple.

Blind from Gin’s slash, his own poisoned reishi consuming the captain’s and deeply aware of the sweat coating his body, Uryuu found himself longing for Isane’s cooling touch or Yumichika spare cloth to wipe some of the grime away.

Still it was easy to lose track of time as he used the fragments to heal the more minor damages to his body, the cuts from Tosen mostly. He wasn’t going to make an attempt on his eyes, the last thing he wanted was to make his eyesight worse while attempting to reverse his new blindness.

Two of the fragments were attempting to reshape the Reishi from the ground to repair his glasses.

“Uryuu.” the low voice called him from his brief daze that he flinched as he realised who was suddenly within hands reach.

Father the word doesn’t leave his month even as it fills his mind, it had been years and he had fear, hated father when he was taken but-

He slumped sideways into father’s arms, even as part of him screamed not to let down his guard, father was in danger, he hadn’t be in the lab he could still be saved.

The broken look in father’s eyes when Uryuu had found him standing over mother, had haunted him, he had left him alone. 

“I’m sorry.” he sighed as the hand not holding his blade, scrambled to grab at father’s clothes unthinking of the dirt he would be staining the no doubt white fabric, even now with his father under his hand he wanted to see him with his own eyes to check he was real.

Year apart and he suddenly wanted to be that child agains before mother’s death made father cold, and the lab broke and remade Uryuu.

His last feeling before he lost his fight to stay awake was father wiping soft fabric across his face cleaning blood and sweat away.

—-

“Foolish child," Ryuuken breathed into his son’s hair, longer than he had ever let it grow, but it was still Uryuu, his son was in his arms, nothing was going to get him to let him go again. "You have nothing to apologise for.”

[randombook4idk]

daddy? i'm sorry daddy-i mean daddy-i'm so sorry i meant to say daddy-

[zohanimenthusiast]

Ishidaddy

Ishidilf

Ishida Ryuken🧎🧎🧎

[michikxo]

me at 11 : wow uryu's so pretty

me now : nvm his daddy is better

[sashi-ya]

for the next fic: ishida ryuken? 🍃

[incorrctbleach]

Ryuken: Do you seriously think you're above the rules? Masaki: The stupid ones yeah. Masaki: If you want me to follow the rules you have to make sure they're not stupid. Masaki: This isn't a difficult concept to grasp.

[ydotome]

Ryuuken Ishida “Ryuu” (石田 竜弦) - Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen - Episode 11

[ramblingkat]

Fic: Death Collector

Major Character  Death

AU, Not a normal AU, But close to Normal AU, Seriously there is character death, The worst day possible, Everyone Needs A Hug

Kurosaki Ichigo Urahara Kisuke Kurosaki Isshin Kurosaki Karin Kurosaki Yuzu Ishida Ryuuken

All likes and reblogs are loved and appreciated. 

Fic found on AO3 here

Death Collector

Ichigo was hovering, dazed and confused, trying to soothe the poor kid that was sobbing in front of him. “Hey, hey,” he tried to calm the child, hearing yelling and fussing. But his attention was on the little girl. Who was sobbing hysterically, tears and snot running down her face, legs and hands scraped red where she had hit the ground after Ichigo shoved her out of the way of the car. He heard the calls to get an ambulance and thought it was a good idea. The little girl looked like she needed to be looked at.

Then a woman, looking frantic, scooped the girl up. She held the girl close, tucking the child’s face against her shoulder. “Don’t look,” she murmured, clinging tight. “Don’t look.” 

The woman was looking past Ichigo, eyes wide with horror, and Ichigo started to turn.

Only for a hand to fall on his shoulder, firm enough to stop his motion.

“Don’t,” said a solemn voice. “You shouldn’t look either.”

Ichigo tried to twitch away from the sudden and unexpected contact, but the hand stayed tight on his shoulder. Looking up, Ichigo found himself looking at a pale man, who looked calm but sad. “Trust me, you don’t want to look.”

“What’s back there?” Because the noises behind Ichigo were suddenly muffled, but he heard the increasing frantic tone.

The man was quiet for a moment. “You did a good thing, saving that little girl. I would not have the last memory of yourself be something so sad.”

“What do you….” Ichigo flinched as butterflies seemed to explode all around them. Black and violet filled his vision, the brush of their wings tickled against his skin. Then they fluttered away, other than one that fluttered to rest on the blond man’s hair. 

They were also not where they had been. Instead, they were outside of the clinic, and Ichigo could hear Karin and Yuzu yelling as they played something inside the house.

“How?” Ichigo tensed, ripping himself away from the man. This time, the hand let go, and he was able to look at the other face to face. 

The man was only a little taller than him, dressed in black and white robes. He looked calm, if sad, though whatever dignity he might have was lost to the butterfly flapping its wings slowly on his head. 

“You did do a very good thing. But….” The man sighed. “I’m Kisuke. I’m here to help you move on, Ichigo-san.”

Ichigo felt his brows rise up. “Pretty familiar there,” he said drily. Not that Ichigo usually cared about manners, but that was a bit of a surprise. Someone with such traditional gear tended to be more formal.

“Well, as the shinigami here to help you, we have one of the most intimate relationships you can have. Soul to soul is hard to beat.”  Then Kisuke sighed. “But I thought you’d like to visit your family. To say goodbye.”

Shaking his head, Ichigo took a step back. “No,” he protested, hands raised as if to ward the man off. Then he darted around Kisuke and ran into his house. “Karin! Yuzu!”

Neither of the girls reacted to his yelling, and Ichigo froze. That couldn’t be right. He reached out, reaching out to Karin’s shoulder, the girl grinning as she was focused on doing something with the controller. 

His fingers rested on his shoulder, but nothing happened other than the girl shivering, goosebumps rising on her skin. After a moment, she looked around, and Ichigo’s heart dropped as she looked right through him. 

“They can’t see you now,” came Kisuke’s voice behind him. It was softer now, quiet. “Tonight, when they sleep, I can help you talk to them. They’ll know, by then. They’ll need to say goodbye to you. Your father as well, if you like.”

“I…. Why?” Ichigo felt his heart ache, his eyes burn. “We lost Mom already, so why…?”

Kisuke was quiet for a moment. “Because life is not fair. It takes and takes, and death is no better. But you have done many things that your sisters will always remember. Just like your mother did things for you that you never forgot.” He was quiet. “You will start again. Because death isn’t the end.”

He looked to Ichigo, standing just off to the side, giving Ichigo his space. “Once we get there, you’ll have a choice to make. To stay dead and rest for as long as needed, to go ahead and move on and enter the cycle to be reborn right away, or to become something like me.”

“Like you?” Ichigo needed the distraction, because as much as he was drinking in the view of his sisters, the fact they couldn’t see him was painful. 

“I go out and collect souls, those who have passed. Usually the ones who have more to cling to, who hesitated on actually leaving the world.”

Ichigo, still watching his sisters, wanting to burn every bit into his mind, made a curious sound. “What happens to those who don’t want to go?” Because Ichigo didn’t. He wanted to stay, watch over his sisters. 

“They end up killing their attachments,” Kisuke said, tone flat. “It’s not pretty, and then they keep killing. A soul only has so much energy, so they pull it from those they love. Even those like me can only stay so long. We’re…changed, able to hold our own power so we can move in the living world without harming the beings here.”

He hummed. “I’m sure you’ve heard stories of places where the earth itself seems to drain the life from things that live there. Haunted woods, battlefields that the dead seem to linger, that sort of thing? Places like that attract souls that linger eventually. Each one just adds to the power that drains things. Eventually, they just become a sink of hunger. Another job shinigami have is to clean those spots, purging and clearing the power.”

Kisuke went quiet for a moment. “Enjoy this time, Ichigo-san. Depending on your choice now and their choice later, you may not see them again.”

That hurt more than Ichigo wanted to admit, and so he settled to watch. 

Which hurt more than he could have imagined. He watched as there was a knock on the door, of his dad stepping into the clinic with them. Watched as his dad broke down when the police told them about Ichigo. 

That hurt, watching him break down. His dad just wilted, the police taking the time to comfort him as best they could. One of them helped by contacting Uncle Ryuuken for Isshin. That was something. Ichigo knew that his dad would need someone else. Uncle Ryuuken did the same when Mom had died. 

He had to watch his dad tell his sisters, face still wet with tears. 

That would haunt Ichigo for as long as he had his memories, he knew it. Watching the way Karin’s eyes went wide, Yuzu clutching her mouth to strangle a cry. Both of them were stunned into stillness until small sounds of pain began to escape from Yuzu, and Karin started to shake. 

Isshin wrapped them into a hug, and both girls began to sob.

There was guilt burning in Ichigo’s gut. He never wanted to make them cry like this. Never wanted to see that hollow look in his dad’s eyes again. When Mom had died, the girls had been a little too young to really understand.

Now they could.

If he had known what would happen, Ichigo wasn’t sure he would have saved that little girl. But, she had just run into traffic, and he…. He just couldn’t watch her die.

Beside him, Kisuke was a quiet presence, there as silent support as Ichigo found himself crying with his family. He tried to offer comfort, even if they couldn’t tell he was there. But all it did was make him hurt more. 

Finally, the girls cried themselves to sleep, and Isshin and Ryuuken carried each of them upstairs. Isshin made sure to tuck them into the same bed, which made Ichigo feel better. The man lingered, watching his girls with a tear stained face. 

Eventually, Ryuuken pulled him out of the room, and Ichigo heard his father start crying again. 

“Your sisters first. Then your father,” Kisuke said. 

Ichigo wiped his tears away, then nodded. “I have to talk to them,” he insisted. 

“I know,” Kisuke said with a smile. Then he offered his hand to Ichigo. Fingers still wet with tears, Ichigo took it. Then he watched Kisuke reach out and rest a hand where Karin and Yuzu’s arms overlapped, allowing him to touch both.

Then he was kind enough to let Ichigo speak to them alone.

Slipping out of their dreams, Ichigo had to wipe tears away again, and allowed Kisuke to guide him to where his father finally slept. The way that went left Ichigo in tears and fond annoyance. 

But now, watching his dad sleep, fitful as he clung to Ryuuken’s waist, the white haired man a silent guard over the man’s sleep, Ichigo mourned.

There was so much he wanted to do. To see. 

“What’s it like being a shinigami?” he asked, voice rough from all the sobbing he had been doing. 

“It’s almost like life,” Kisuke said, once again to the side and one step behind Ichigo. “There are enough of us to interact with, to make friends with. We have duty, but we also have friendship, and family of choice.” He made a low sound, considering. “You’ll have time to consider. We aren’t quite so cruel as to make you choose so soon after such a change.”

He gave Ichigo a smile, and Ichigo dragged up the strength to give a weak smile back. He looked at his dad again. The urge to go back and look at his sisters again struck, but Ichigo made himself stand firm.

Then he offered his hand to Kisuke. “Let’s go.”

Because Ichigo knew he had to go. If he let himself give in, he’d never want to leave. 

“It hurts, I know,” Kisuke said, taking Ichigo’s hand.

Butterflies swarmed over them again, and Ichigo closed his eyes.

He was going to miss everyone.

[littleeyesofpallas]

言ったろう "私には興味が無い" "お前には才能が無い"

ittarou "watashi ni wa kyoumiganai" "omae ni wa sainouganai"

I told you "for me, there isn't interest," "for you, there isn't talent"

I dunno why I thought to go back to these lines. They're basically correct, although as usual Viz's localization is a janky mess. Totally misses the mirrored phrasing; swapping watashi[私]:"me" for omae[お前]:"you," and kyoumi[興味]:"interest" for sainou[才能]:"talent" that's supposed to make this whole condescending line about comparing the two. He's supposed to be saying,

"the reason I'm not a Quincy is I don't want to be, but the reason you aren't is that you're no good at it."

But the Viz translation feels like it muddles that, the emphasis in the sentence isn't in the right places. The fan-translations understood the point and kept it more or less as a direct translation though, as they should have.

Even the fan-translations messed with the simple ittarou[言ったろう]:"I told you" bit, but it's kind of an acceptable tweak because it gives it a kind of emphasis, more like, "I. S A I D. ..." that draws focus to the idea that this is something Ryuuken is reiterating, something he's said before, and that Uryuu just wasn't listening/didn't understand.

The Viz translation as "I chose my words very carefully" comes out of absolute nowhere though, and almost seems like it was a rewording of the fan-translation and not based on the actual Japanese at all.

[tuliharja]

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Separation episode 2 review

That beginning meeting among Sternritters gave me major flashbacks of Aizen and his meeting with his Espada. Was that intentional? More than likely yes, because of nostalgia reasons and for us to see nothing has really changed; "villains" still making plans how to defeat "heroes". Though, there was one tiny difference and that was the lack of tea. Oh yeah. Something about villains sipping tea when having their villain meeting gives such a sophisticated feeling, (even if they all wouldn't be that sophisticated) yet now...it's all business. After all, the Quincies are here to bring "peace"! I really liked how they made the camera angle move when they showed the meeting among all Sternritters and the top of the table surface was this episode's name. It felt very smooth and seriously gave that villainous meeting vibe.

This episode made me think something, and I'm not sure if it was really ever addressed in the manga, but how long does Quincies live? I know Yhwach is like a special case, but the way Askin talked and all the other implications before that...make it sound like Quincies too can live 100-plus years and still remain in their youthful appearances. Does this mean if they live in the World of the Living, only then they'll age normally like humans do? But as long as they're at Soul Society where is Reishi, it's a different story? Because if we think about the last cour, at least to me it seemed like Ryuuken aged normally. So did Masaki and because they were considered 'elite' Quincies, we can assume they weren't run-out-of-mill ones...so, does the location matter when comes to aging? Or, the fact if Quincies are Sternritters or not? Because we've only seen so far mostly Sternritters' POV of things, it could be they're a special case, but even so...I couldn't help but think that especially when they talked about Quincy King's rising and the time it would take.

And sunflower Mayuri makes an appearance! He really looked ridiculous, but still very loyal to his style: ridiculous but in such a way it was also a smart move. I'm not sure what kind of texture or animation technique the staff used, but the fact Mayuri's (and Nemu's) outfit seemed to be 'alive' was a very neat trick. They could have just gone with yellow and white colors that glow a little bit, but nope! They went over that little extra mile to give Mayuri's and Nemu's outfits that specialty that one would expect and wait for from Mayuri.

But man...working in a place like his lab at the moment, would be one form of torture as it seemed just so...bright. Must be nice, when one doesn't have migraine issues, eh?

Heh, Askin being all '-ck this sh*t, I'm out' toward Mayuri, when he at first measured how much effort it would take to take down Mayuri. xD And then Mayuri slaying back. Talk about two smart people going all 'too much effort' versus 'needs more time to craft such a plan I can crush you fully'. Though, that last look Mayuri gave to Askin...oh boy. He seriously wanted to crush Askin, like the lil' bug he was in his eyes.

Never understood why Toshiro had that cloth wrapped around his head, because earlier he didn't have. It just...ditto. Made me think of Rambo or some sort of other action movie where the "hero" has a bandana around their head...but Toshiro is supposed to be that cool guy, so heat shouldn't be a problem with him, so why? Though considering his opponent is Bazz-B, heat will be soon a problem for him...and yes, I can see the irony, that was before the heat problem, lol.

I must say, I really liked how Rangiku and Toshiro worked together against Bazz-B! I had missed such synergy, and especially Rangiku teasing Toshiro! Rangiku's explanation was a bit over the top, but it was still super cute! Especially when Toshiro clearly resisted his urge to roll his eyes while Bazz-B was just staring in there, probably thinking 'lots of words, I don't get anything!' Lol. But yeah. That was a super cute moment between Toshiro and Rangiku and reminded just how good a captain and lieutenant combo they make~. Unfortunately...it just wasn't enough this time around, despite their brave attempt to go against Bazz-B.

As a side note, I must admit I still find it pretty ridiculous how people explain in the battle against their opponent the 'trick' they're using...that's just begging trouble against them.

That moment with Omaeda and his sister was very touching. Despite the fact, Omaeda has been...well, not my favorite character (and probably either not many other people's), that moment was still touching. A bit of cliché hero talk, but at times those are needed, eh? Especially if a little girl is scared and crying.

Luckily Soi Fon came to the rescue, because while Omaeda's attempt was...well, okay, it wasn't enough. Not to mention, I just loved how Soi Fon acted all badass when she showcased her shunko! And yes, while that wasn't (at least yet) enough, I still liked how Soi Fon ride on her thrill over the fact she had managed to master her own shunko.

What caught my attention was how Soi Fon called BG9 in the subtitles 'freak', while in actuality she called him 'bakemono'. It was a small thing, but because of that, the meaning got a bit changed. While "freak" would have suited BG9, because of what he did earlier to Soi Fon in cour 1, I think 'bakemono' was a bit more suited as it can be translated as a monster, and in a sense, BG9 is exactly that. (Because he is basically a walking weapon, a robot, an entity that shinigami probably hasn't seen ever before.) Even so, despite the light tone difference, both are okay when thinking about the context. But even so...with my limited Japanese knowledge, it just caught my attention. ^^'

And once again, Urahara to rescue! Good thing Mayuri didn't cut him off right away when he heard his voice, since Gotei 13 is in a dire situation and will need all the help they can get.

Hmm, that ending with Ichigo walking toward the torii gate was interesting. I had to google a bit to find out what "irazusando" at the end meant, but I wasn't disappointed when I did!

I found a person on Reddit explaining it like this:

"It means "no entry Sandō".

A Sandō is a path/road leading to the entrance of a Shinto shrine, with a torii (the wooden gate Ichigo is walking towards) marking the origin of the path."

Very interesting. I can't wait to see how Ichigo will make his way to the torii or if will he meet more struggles when going toward it, as why else he would have that wooden sword with him? (I'm just waiting for a jumpscare in here...)