User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 575 - THE KILLERS HIGH/@comment-24153155-20140404002617/@comment-24153155-20140407113034

I think it is very typical for Kenpachi to act upon instinct (reflexes) more than anything else (having a reptile brain). He would rather strike based on a rustle (like Yachiru described) than because of an (elaborate) assessment, which is a skill most other Bleach characters display (and no, intelligence isn't only limited to Kurotsuchi, Urahara or Aizen). I guess this goes two ways. For one, Kenpachi kinda has to act that way. Since he didn't have a relationship with his zanpakuto, he simply couldn't afford to lose time over assessments; he had to slash before getting slashed as he didn't have an entire repertoire of different techniques or the skill to strategize. On the other hand, he could get away with it, since he was not just a little stronger, but he is immensely physically stronger as compared to the other Shinigami, which is also reflected in his "philosophy" of fighting for fun (which I personally think is rather childish. It has proven time after time that this whole philosophy also messed up the fights of his subordinates). In my opinion, Kenpachi is rather dangerous, not because he doesn't have a good heart, but more because he can go to great lengths just to enjoy a fight, breaking down the entire surroundings on the fly (almost as if he forgets there is more than just him and his opponent). All this made Kenpachi weak and unable to grow before his fight with Unohana. He was a beast without a master (or zanpakuto in the Bleach Universe). Kenpachi often reminds me of Musashi, as displayed in the Vagabond manga. The only thing that made Kenpachi a bit more grounded was Yachiru.