Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5218928-20140305213023/@comment-5398287-20140307040326

YoraeKaiser wrote: You make good points, and they do make sense ... however, we're in 2014 and it seems farfetched that Kubo would have had laid out the whole story so far ahead. That would make him a veritable Xanatos Chess Player; it could also be that he's retconning his own work, when necessary. Rule of Cool is always in effect with Kubo.

You think shikai Zabimaru and the Hihio bankai weren't similar? I thought they were EXTREMELY similar ... not only with the segment thing, but also because Zaga Teppō and Hikotsu Taihō both feel very similar to Renji's own Hado #30: he has lots of spiritual power, but almost no control over it. I can see how Soou Zabimaru feels just like Ichigo's old Tensa Zangetsu: Renji focused all his power into a much smaller and more controlled form, and that gives him a major power boost. Really now? You don't think Kubo could've laid out plot points that far in advance? Well then, allow me to point you to Grand Fisher mentioning Ichigo was a "true blood", Ichigo looking like Kaien, and, oh, I dunno, the whole "I'm Zangetsu" thing from Hollow Ichigo.

As for Renji's Shikai and fake Bankai not being related, I'm not saying they don't look similar in appearance or functionality, but looking back it felt unfocused and not something Zabimaru would be like.