Did Aizen Have a Chance Against Unohana? Yamamoto Could Never Join Squad Zero! Bleach Klub Outside Q&A 701 to 725

On November 18, 2024, we would begin a new batch of Kubo Klub Outside Q&As, with some of the most important covering facts about Unohana’ strength, Yamamoto’s status

Credits to wheelsome on Tumblr for the translations.

Here are some important questions.

Did Aizen Have a Chance Against Unohana?

An interesting question was raised about whether or not Aizen actually had intention to fight Unohana and the logic for his “retreat”.

Q701.

2024.11.18

When Hitsugaya and Aizen faced each other in the Seijōtōkyorin (Immaculate Tower Grove – Central 46), Aizen defeated Hitsugaya, but instead of attacking Unohana and Isane, he moved to the Sōkyoku Hill. Was this because Aizen had no chance of winning against Unohana?

A701

2024.11.18

I don’t think he felt that he couldn’t win, but he was certain that he will be exhausted.

The answer further emphasizes how unique Aizen was from the other Captains, as having one of, if not the highest levels of Reiatsu, which is how he was established as one of the Five Special War Powers alongside Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenpachi Zaraki, Kisuke Urahara and Ichibe Hyosube.

However, even he acknowledged that Unohana had the swordsmanship skill and tenacity to never leave him alone, on top of

Ryuken and Uryu’s Bond Post-TYBW

Uryu’s ending in Bleach shows him as a doctor and Kubo’s answers seem to confirm what fans have already thought about.

Q704.

2024.11.25

It’s known that Uryu has been living alone due to the conflict with Ryūken, but do they spend important days together, such as Uryu’s birthday and Kanae’s death anniversary? Also, after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc I don’t care if they still curse at each other, but I want them to at least share a meal from time to time.

A704

2024.11.25

The place where Uryu is seen working at in the final chapter, is the Karakura General Hospital.

Although this does not answer the other questions, it is shown that Uryu has at least made peace with his father after the Quincy War and that he might be on his way to taking over the hospital.

Shuhei Hisagi is Respected By His Squad

Q705.

2024.12.02

I’m a fan of the unfortunate stud that is Shūhei Hisagi. I want to know more about any unfortunate events or sad aspects of his that haven’t been shown/mentioned in any material so far. What do his subalterns think of him? Do they admire him?

A705

2024.12.02

Regardless of whether they admire him or not, there’s no subaltern that dislikes him.

Yamamoto Did Not Qualify for Squad Zero

This is a major question fans have wondered about, considering the overwhelming power of Head Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, as to why he was never even considered to join Squad Zero yet other Captains under his tutelage and command, such as Kirinji, Senjumaru, and Hikifune, were.

Q706.

2024.12.02

Was Genryūsai Yamamoto never invited to join the Zero Squad? Isn’t just founding the Gotei 13 not considered to have “created something”?

A706

2024.12.02

The establishment of the Gotei 13 by him is not regarded as an “invention” or “creation of something new” in the sense required to be evaluated as a major achievement for the Soul Society.

It’s not to say that there hadn’t been any “organized military forces” before Gotei 13, so its establishment was not a unique or unprecedented innovation.

It seems that by technicality, the Gotei 13 are nothing new but a perfection of a fundamental concept, that of a martial force to protect Soul Society.

No matter how powerful the Shinigami, Squad Zero is only for those perceived by the Squad, especially via its leader Ichibe Hyosube, as someone whose contributions utterly transform or are completely new, which in some ways represents an irony to the static order, the Ordinary Peace, that Squad Zero protect.

What is most interesting, however, is why in the light novel, “Spirits are Forever with you”, the 7th Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki, was considered for the role even though he did not have any notable “inventions” for Soul Society.

Kisuke Urahara would have a greater argument considering he is the inventor extraordinaire of the series (Mayuri Kurotsuchi arguably as well, especially after Nemu’s death) but then again his Hogyoku was imperfect and had pieces of the Soul King, which sounds like a big no-no for the Royal Guard.

A Different Thousand Year Blood War?

It seems even Bleach fans acknowledged that more could have been done with the newly-introduced characters.

Q709.

2024.12.09

Did Shino and Ryunosuke had more moments planned during the draft stage? In particular, Ryunosuke has color illustrations and even a shot on the front cover where he appears to be standing back to back with Ichigo, so when I was reading Jump at that time, I felt there was a possibility of him taking on the role of the “next generation”.

A709

2024.12.09

In the beginning of the TYBW arc, I wanted to portray Ichigo as the “previous generation”, so I drew Ryunosuke in a way to symbolize the “next generation”. However, in terms of content, Ryunosuke is not the type of character that could inherit anything from Ichigo, so he wasn’t in the position to represent the “next generation”.

Were Shino and Ryunosuke wasted potential because their characters did not have a solid enough dynamic with Ichigo? Or perhaps they served their purpose fine.

They could have fleshed out the Seiretei more even for a few more manga panels or have some actual supporting role after their first appearance but the war did escalate sadly.

How Well Did the Urahara Shop Do?

Some fans have assumed that the shop was a place regular Shinigami would go to for resupplying, even though that was Squad 12’s job.

We now have a solid confirmation of what place the Urahara Shop held for the Soul Reapers from Kubo himself

Q710.

2024.12.09

Does Urahara’s Shop make good sales? Does the store survive more due to its trade relationship with Seireitei rather than as a candy shop?

A710

2024.12.09

In the past they barely survived on local business, but lately they’ve secured a trade deal with Seireitei so now they’re swimming in money.

It seems that during Urahara’s 100 year exile, the Urahara shop had not seen better days and relied mostly on them being an actual candy shop to survive.

However, either after the Soul Society Arc or during the term of Shunsui Kyouraku after the Thousand Year Blood War, Urahara actually settled on a trade deal with the Seiretei to make it a more legitimate business for Soul Reapers to engage with, meaning that Urahara works with the permission of Soul Society rather than exist outside it.

Kurumadani’s Zanpakuto Relationship

Q713.

2024.12.16

The release command of Tsuchinamazu is “Good morning!” while the release commands for all other Zanpakutō’s are in the imperative form (order phrases). Is this because Kurumadani is still in the conversational and synchronization stage with his zanpakutō?

A713

2024.12.16

Kurumadani is a rare case of Shinigami who couldn’t subjugate his Zanpakutō and instead inquisitively uses it as if they are friends.

This sort of indicates that this is a one-sided master-sword relation for Kurumadani as he assumes they are friends but in reality, it seems that he has not quite subjugated the Zanpakuto and resorts to “waking it up” with a phrase like “Good Morning”, almost like the Shinigami is an alarm clock.

Quilge Opie’s Relationship with Other Sternritter

Due to his iconic design, the one-off Sternritter foe was actually fairly popular among fans and it turns out there could have been a lot added to his character.

Q715.

2024.12.23

Quilge didn’t seem to have much interaction with the other members of the Sternritter but I wonder if there was anyone he was close to. I’m curious about his relationships and whether he was admired.

A715

2024.12.23

Quilge was strict with his students but great when it comes to taking care of them. So, even though he was eccentric and difficult to deal with, he is regarded as someone with great skill and reliability. Most of his students would at-least address him as “-san (Mr.)”.

In spite of his zealotry to the bigoted cause of the Wandenreich, Quilge was actually a fair man around his comrades.

Squad 5’s Kido Expertise

There seems to be a pattern that Squad 5’s officers are all Kido-types, with Hinamori, Shinji, and Aizen’s Zanpakuto’s being Kido-types and their primary combat styles being at least Kido-focused.

Now we have confirmation from Kubo himself that Squad 5 has some connection to Kido combat.

Q716.

2024.12.23

I’ve loved both the past and present Squad 5, so I’d like to ask a question! Since Hinamori is said to be a Kidō master and Aizen is capable of using high-level Kidō in the 90s without incantation (I guess he was hiding his true strength, considering how surprised everyone was at his chantless casting). So, was the 5th Squad originally established as a squad specialized in Kidō?

Also, is Hirako good at Kidō? He was able to spot Aizen through his disguise so, I assume he’s good at sensing reiatsu, therefore maybe he’s also good at Kidō? He also asked Hinamori for treatment so maybe he’s not actually good at it? I feel like I’m in a loop so, please let me know!

A716

2024.12.23

There’s nothing decided on in particular but within Squad 5 there’s the “Kidō Recovery Room”, a facility tasked with the recovery of a certain type of Spiritual Power that is consumed when using Kidō, so it’s rather common for people who are good at Kidō to enter.

Hirako himself is also good at Kidō. But Kaidō requires a special kind of talent, even among Kidō users, which Hirako himself lacks.

Seiretei Library System

Q718.

2024.12.30

I’d like to know about the library system in Seireitei. Does Seireitei use the Nippon Decimal Classification (NDC)? Or does it have its own unique classification system, such as creating special classification for Shinigami skills like Zanpakutō or Hakuda?

Also, are books published in the World of the Living and those issued in Seireitei separated in the library, such as by label colours or similar methods? On that note, do libraries or bookstores in Seireitei even carry books from the World of the Living in the first place? I’m very curious about this!

A718

2024.12.30

The classification system is unique, as it is neither the Nippon Decimal Classification nor the Dewey Decimal Classification, but the classification method itself does not have a name.

Books published in the World of Living are kept in an annex, and even those found in smaller libraries are stored within separate rooms. Previously, books had to be bought from dedicated bookstores and were expensive, but nowadays, thanks to Kisuke, the distribution volume has increased, making them cheaper and it is becoming possible to read them digitally.

Why Kensei Made Mashiro His Lieutenant

Even before and after Shuhei Hisagi became Lieutenant, Kensei Muguruma continued to keep Mashiro as his Lieutenant and we find out why.

Q719.

2024.12.30

I have a question about the past Squad 9. What was the reason Captain Kensei Muguruma appointed Mashiro Kuna as his Vice-Captain? Considering Kensei’s personality, I can’t help but wonder what qualities of Mashiro he acknowledged that made him choose her as his Vice-Captain.

A719

2024.12.30

Talent. Mashiro is an individual who lives on talent alone.

This explains her having the longest Hollowfication time among the Vizards.

White Ichigo’s Name

Q723.

2025.01.13

During the serialization days, what did you used to call Old Man Zangetsu and Ichigo’s inner Hollow?

A723

2025.01.13

“Zangetsu” and “White Ichigo” respectively. I remember right after White Ichigo was introduced, I’d receive fan letters calling him “Shirosaki”, which makes sense.

Vizard Hollowfication

Q725.

2025.01.13

I like Ichigo’s complete Hollowfication, but is it possible for the Visored’s to achieve complete Hollowfication as well?

A725

2025.01.13

I’ve never thought about it, but it would be nice to see something like that in a game or something.

Sounds like Kubo is invested in making more Bleach games or perhaps inspiring the staff for Cour 4?

Source: Tumblr

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