Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-44061-20130307153642/@comment-5745799-20130322140015

Actually, I don't think the new Hollow form is an Arrancar, because his mask is completely intact, whereas Tier, for example, seemed more like an Arrancar before she actually became one, even though she actually wasn't at that time. It could be that Hollow Ichigo evolved to Vasto Lordes class sometime during the series. How does he gain the extra power without cannibalizing other Hollows, you ask? It could be that, as Ichigo gained power throughout the series, his inner Hollow did too, as he was shown getting stronger as Ichigo did, such as when Ichigo reached Bankai, Hollow Ichigo was able to do it, too. So I don't think the new Hollow form is an arrancar, just a now-Vasto Lordes that evolved from the reptillian-lookin' old form.