Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-25801533-20150531094407/@comment-25801533-20150601025401

Xilinoc wrote: I don't think it's possible for Ichigo to be Kaien's reincarnation when Kaien's soul was taken to Hueco Mundo after his death (at least, that's how I remember Aaroniero's explanation going).

From what I understand It was not Kaien's soul that was taken but his spirit body. Because of this it doesn't seem impossible to conclude that Kaien's soul itself was reincarnated. Many characters have commented on his resemblance to Kaien however some charaters don't bring it up at all (especially Kukkaku and Ganju).

Kaien was considered a "genius" after completing the 6 year term at shino academy in only 2 years. the term genius being used more so to mean a person with a natural affinity to combat and proficiency with a zanpakuto. This is a trait that is shared by Ichigo.

I won't get too theoretical on this whole thing, but there is something strange I noted. Aizen's Zanpakuto is Kyokosuigetsu which is mirror flower water moon. The name implies illusions and trickery. Nejibana (Kaien's zanpakuto) means twisted flower and has water abilities, and Zangetsu (Ichigo's zanpakuto) means slaying moon. I can't say for certain if there's something there but it seems kinda coincidental.