Forum:Official Zanpakuto Filler arc Story Thread

This thread is dedicated to the discussion of the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales filler arc's story and latest plot developments. Yyp 22:27, November 2, 2009 (UTC)


 * If you wish to discuss Muramasa specifically, please post in the Official Muramasa Discussion thread.
 * If you wish to discuss speculation about the future of the arc, or topics relating to the arc in general, go to the Forum:Zanpakuto Filler arc - General thread.

Episode 249 and Episode 250 preview
So I just finished watching episode 249. I'm quite disappointed that Senbonzakura's mask broke, and all we got to see was a bit of his chin. I think the animators are teasing us.

However, I am quite excited by the episode 250 preview! I looks like Ginrei Kuchiki might be in it! It's kind of fun to know that, at least as far as the anime is concerned, he's possibly still alive. Byakuya seems lonely, so it's good for him to have some family. Twocents  (Talk)  04:03, December 9, 2009 (UTC)

I agree about Senbonzakura's mask and the animator, but am I the only person who thought Koga was about one freaky and ugly dude. Minato 04:43, December 9, 2009 (UTC)

He creeped me out too. D: I wonder, since the subbed version I saw said he was like being resurrected, if he's going to look a bit healthier soon? Twocents  (Talk)  04:56, December 9, 2009 (UTC)

i don't know myself, but how long was he sealed away? i'd think if anybody went as long as he did they wouldn't look much different.Soul reaper magnum 18:02, December 9, 2009 (UTC)

Episode 245 developments
I just finished watching the episode, and it had some good action. Definitely some good artistic moments, in my opinion. (Shameless advert: post the ones you liked on the Bleach Wiki:Featured Picture!)

What I'm most excited about, though, is the preview for the next episode! It looks like Ukitake's Zanpakuto is going to have some real screen time in it, and they're kind of adorable. What are your thoughts? Twocents 04:50, November 11, 2009 (UTC)

I thought it was a pretty good episode. Good plot progression and I loved the bit between Unohana & Mayuri. A fair bit of light-hearted stuff thrown in there too. Anyway, two more Zanpakuto spirits are defeated. Muramasa must be running low on numbers by now. And the implication that he may go to the Human World - Urahara may become involved. Really looking forward to seeing more of the ancient Zanpakuto spirits. --Yyp 14:59, November 11, 2009 (UTC)

It is definitely getting interesting. I wondered when they were going to show ole man yamma. I do wonder how the shunsui's ukitake and unohana's zanpakuto will be able to keep a barrier up and fight at the same time. I wonder why Muramasa would want to go to the real world tho, I assume it is the obvious answer of "releasing" all zanpakuto, but wonder if there is another reason. I wonder if this means Isshida and the rest may show up. however I do find it interesting that he only has gone after soul society or at least that's what they decide to show us, considering theoretically aizen, gin and kaname have zanpakuto as well as all the vaizards, but i digress. Anyways I think it will be coming to close in 10 - 15 episodes with the quick demise of so many zanpakuto. Shillagan 18:26, November 11, 2009 (UTC)

I also like the last episodes. i'm so excited to see more of the twins and minazuki. i'm just wondering... the captains already achieved bankai, right? this means they have somehow had their zanpakuto be submitted to them. this means they have seen them already... then why some of them doesn't recognize their zanpakuto? last episode, soi fon was kinda didn't expect that suzumebachi was faster than her. i'm a bit confused. can somebody clear this up for me? --WinterFox 01:05, November 12, 2009 (UTC)
 * As we saw with Renji and Toshiro, the Zanpakutos don't necessarily materialize in the same form within their master's world as they do out in the real world. Twocents 02:41, November 12, 2009 (UTC)

The Return of Kenpachi Zaraki
Knew it would happen sooner or later in the Zanpakto arc but it will be interesting to see, anyone think we will see muramasa try and extract his zanpakto? What do the rest of ya all think will happen with his return now? Shillagan 08:20, October 28, 2009 (UTC)

I think he's gonna go head-on against ByaKuya or other Zanpakto with bankai since he always seeks for the strongest to fight. What's the song in kenpachi's dramatic return in the zanp arc btw?

I agree, I think Kenpachi is just going to come in and wreak havoc. Either he and Byakuya have some plan, thats why he was AWOL or he'll beat everyone senseless just for the sake of it. Muramasa probably wont be able to communicate with his sword cause he doesn't know its name or it just simply doesn't care to listen to Muramasa. Also, with the song - Im not sure if it has been released yet, maybe on the 4th OST along w/ Grimmjow's awesome release music. KamikazeNewf 02:10, October 29, 2009 (UTC)

I think his head was messed with like Captain Kuchiki's. Kuchiki is weak without his sword. Kenpachi can fight captains with his lame sword, so unlike Kuchiki he has not been weakened. I would be scared to fight him in that state. (And his instinct seems to be "kill".) PSH aka Kimera 757 (talk) 02:46, October 29, 2009 (UTC)

How is Byakuya weak with out his sword? He defeated Renji and his zanpakuto (who knows its bankai) single handied as well as Rukia's Zanpakuto with ease. All he used was flashstep and Kido. I think he is strong on of the stongest captains in SS and thats with out his Zanpakuto. He doesnt have a vast amout of spiritual power like Kenpachi but he is far from weak. Tealang99 13:06, October 29, 2009 (UTC)-

Oh oh I think he'll first fight with the zanpakto of yumichika, why.. cause yumichika kinda seemed to lose to him and because he has a kido-zanpakto who has the ability to drain others reiatsu, what would be more awesome then having a reiatsusucking zanpakto fighting Zaraki Kenpachi with his vast reiatsu.. Gonna be some woopass episode!! -- User:Shinzawai

Well i've noticed something while on this wikia. Out of all the characters in Bleach, most people seem to be more confused about Kenpachi then anyother. At this point i am probably wasting my time trying to explain this next thing to the other users here, but I will. Here u go, u can read this next part if u want(but I doubt anyone will)& u can listen to what I type(which I know nobody will). Its not the Zanpakuto who doesn't try to communicate, its Kenpachi(Or at least it has been in the past). When Ichigo was fighting Kenpachi, Kenpachis zanpakuto was howling(trying to call out to Kenpachi). It was howling so loud that Ichigo & even Zangetsu heard it. As far as the next Ep is concerned it looked to me as he was closest to Kira & Wabisuke. So after hes done completely pummeling Wabisuke he will go to help Yumichika or at least thats my opinion. I actually hope hes gonna tell us where he has been all this time. SQUAD 11 RULES!!!! Minato88 18:03, October 29, 2009 (UTC)

Or maybe, just maybe, Muramasa draws the spirit on kenpachis zanpakuto, but is unable to make him join his side because kenpachis zanpakuto has the same thirst for fight as he does. And because of that Kenpachi finally meets his zanpakuto, and maybe even learns something :D Firelake October 29th 21.05 GMT+2

Since the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc, he has made a dramatic appearance and I wonder if his Zanpakuto's spirit will be finally revealed. what are your thoughts on this? 月光ヒレ 04:21, October 30, 2009 (UTC)

It definitely won't cause this is filler after all. Ergroilnin 08:15, October 30, 2009 (UTC)

When Kenpachi returned, he seemed to come out from under a building, also, where there is Kenpachi, Yachiru is sure to follow and it has not been confirmed if she does or does not know the name of her Zanpakuto.

Yachiru and Zaraki were out in Rukongai fighting Hollows. I'm ok with that. And they got lost on the way back. I'm ok with that too. But how on earth did they end up inside that building? It was obviously done for dramatic effect and to help with Kira's situation (which I am fine with) but they made no attempt to justify it. Poor marks for effort there. --Yyp 16:17, November 4, 2009 (UTC)

Well, the new episode came out. Zaraki is still in control.

I still say Captain Kuchiki is "weakened". I didn't say he was weak, but he'd be stronger with his bankai than without it. At the very least he's out one combat option. The good news; since his bankai probably couldn't really hurt Zaraki anyway, that missing option won't hurt him in the fight much. I think Kuchiki will attack using several clever ways, failing each time (Zaraki will probably use his great reiatsu to break any kido), then Kuchiki will be forced to flee. Zaraki won't be able to catch up with him. PSH aka Kimera 757 (talk) 13:32, November 6, 2009 (UTC)

Consume everything, demon of the blood-thirsty sword." - Tite Kubo, when fighting some foes and in the prosess of powering up you can see the manifestation of this in his aura. i hope he hears its name soon. (CireeriC) 420 pm, November 11, 2009.

Defeated Zanpakuto
We now have 10 Zanpakuto defeated: Ashisogi Jizō, Gegetsuburi, Hōzukimaru, Hyōrinmaru, Ruri'iro Kujaku, Sode no Shirayuki, Suzumebachi, Wabisuke, Zabimaru and Zangetsu. That's out of a total of 20. Half of them. That's quite a fast pace for the story. At this rate, it we will run out of bad guys before too long unless more are introduced or the current fighting is stopped for a while to allow for other developments. Do people think this is moving at too fast a pace or not? --Yyp 16:17, November 4, 2009 (UTC)

I think it is moving fine at first thought it might have been moving too slow even. But I am wondering if Shunsui or Ukkitake's zanpaktou will even fight I think they are helping in sealing ol man yama. so you could almost count them out of it. I Have the feeling the fight between byuakua and Kenpachi will last for a at least 2 episodes tho. I'm more interested in Muramasa tho and his reletion to the hollows and ability to open garganta when ever he pleases, he also has some obsession with ichigo. I have a feeling he may try and capture ichigo so that he can take over his body since it appeared he used a hollow to put himself back together in the menos forest he might try the same thing with the hollow inside of ichigo.

What really confuses me is the idea that if anyone besides the wielder defeats a zanpakuto spirit then the spirit is dead. While i understand the notion behind it is contradictory to a couple of things in the story line so far.

1. how did that notion come up, Mayuri claims thats what would happen but even still how would he know if he never knew something was possible such as zanpakuto being free. It took him 2000+ quincy and he still had not learned all he could from them (though he thought he had) and that was over the course of a couple of centuries how did he come up with a outcome to something he didn't have more then a few days to understand when by his own admission the knowledge of zanpakuto's is lacking as it seems to be more personal with few details being universal between them all and no actual study seems to have been created until this event took place. There is no way that his conclusions can be absolute it is a filler arc after all, there somethin where all missing or theres a huge plot whole in having him make this statement which just makes him look incompetent seeing as out off all people he should have been the most likely to figure this stuff out. He always claims to know the possible outcome but its more like possible variables then something set in stone.

2. Sode no Shirayuki was defeated by Byakuya and then Rukia claims she could no longer feel her spiritual pressure yet even if the point was a ruse by Byakuya to get close enough to muramasa to get to the captain-commander why would he be so cruel as to destroy his sisters zanpakuto (though personally i think that was a ruse, Rukia pretty much defeated her, assuming beating her and not striking her down qualifys, and im sure that off screen byakuya had defeated Senbonzakura, hence why the spirit still works and protects byakuya which is weird. Also explains why he would pick rukias zanpakuto spirit to fight as she would be in on it, even though he obviously cares for like byakuya cares for rukia). I maybe wrong on parts of this but we'll see.

3 Still knowing what Mayuri said those in combat still defeat others zanpakuto and dont seem to bat an eye at the seriousness of what they have just done. As is it stands currently Omaeda, Kira, supposedly Mayuri, Rukia, all dont have zanpakuto anymore seeing as this is filler its gonna have to be rectified.

4. How is it possible for certain people to still use their shikai (at least) if the spirit has left them? It seems more then likely that if thats possible then the spirit itself is independent but its existence is still tied to the shinigami is its apart of its soul therefore they have cut off access to their power but cant take it away completely. It also stands to reason that shikai is common for communication between the two but those with bankai cant perform their bankai because to achieve bankai would require submission of the spirit which the shinigami dont have right now unless they defeat their spirit. Its all similar to what ichigo did to gain bankai.

5. What also makes no sense is that while fighting the zanpakuto spirit has the weapon and so does the shinigami which one is real? It seems the weapon the zanpakutp spirits use is a physical manifestation like their forms and therefore the sealed form the shiniami carry are the real deal. Yet when defeated they turn back into a broken version of their sealed form but dont the shinigami already have the sealed version and don't zanpakuto regenerate when damaged? Salubri 19:31, November 11, 2009 (UTC)

there are lot of confusing stuff in this filler (though i like the idea of the zanpakutos' spirits manifesting physically). i agree with the explanation in item#4 above. i'm also confused with what Salubri stated in item#5... maybe when the sword breaks one of them will turn into spirit particles and merge with the other, though it was never shown. what do you think? --WinterFox 01:15, November 12, 2009 (UTC)

I agree that there are a lot of confusing things in the filler. I think that the zanpakutou's versions of their swords aren't really real and are conjured up by the spirit, sort of like how Sode no Shirayuki kept creating swords when she was fighting, and is sort of inconsequential. I'm assuming that the sealed version that the shinigami has is a shell, and the one that matters is the one the spirits turn back into when they are defeated. It's the spirit that matters more, right? I'm not sure, but that's my opinion. KnowledgeandImagination 06:05, November 12, 2009 (UTC)

Correct me if I'm wrong...but we've never actually seen anyone pick up the sword their zanpaktou turns back into and use it right? It may very well be that as soon as the screen turns to another part of the action that version dissolves into the thin air...at least that's my guess as of right now. If I'm wrong...have we seen any shinigami take down there zanapaktou and KEEP their sword? I think I saw either Renji or Toshiro with one, which would mean that this theory is bogus, but it would tell me that the sword they are carrying disappears and they would then use the one their materialized spirit turned back into... not sure which is right or wrong since I havent watched it too closely the last few times...Orionradar 06:52, November 12, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, so now that we know that the Zanpakuto rebellion was a decoy, I'm no longer concerned by the high death rate the spirits are suffering (even though they lost another two this week, while two more were captured). --Yyp 14:07, November 25, 2009 (UTC)

It kinda break my heart seeing Sogyo no Kotowari being defeated by Ryujin Jakka =(  But I still hope they are still ok, since Shunsui and Ukitake didn't seem to be bothered with what happened.  Maybe Minazuki  can still heal them... --WinterFox 01:32, November 26, 2009 (UTC)

I wonder if the filler is going to end with Orihime restoring everybodies zanpakuto using her rejection powers. Tinni 02:09, November 26, 2009 (UTC)

Episode 248
Ok so I watched the episode and it went as I expected even the reasons why muramasa was somewhat obvious before we fully knew but I have to say this. I know there are plenty of people that like Orihime but im sorry what she did healing a enemy that will surely kill her friends her and the entire town is stupid. Whats worse is she knows as much. Now there are plenty of caring people but at some point common sense and logic has to give out and you have to look at things objectively. Now if she is gonna protect then protect and if she is gonna heal then heal, but never under any circumstances help the enemy. If there ever was a traitor (first Aizen and now this) in bleach universe its her. I mean its like im gonna help you even though your gonna kill me and everything i hold dear right after, how much of a naive fool can a person be. With all the good qualities of humanity she possesses she has alot of them that are counter to survival and protection of others. Whats really bad is there is no negotiation with these guys and your still willing to help them ultimately destroy everything regardless if its unintentional or indirect. Im sorry but the caring soul bit is wearing thin wheres the common sense and reason, you can care and still not be such an idiot. She is already useless in a fight defense and healing is all she is good for and if she is gonna help the enemy she might as well not exist or go to there side cause besides healing she aint doing much good on the good guys side. Im sorry to all the Orihime fans but she besides the healing is utter useless and all around annoying character with the damsel in distress act. She either needs to pick her side or stay outta the fight. Just can't stand her character there is no development of her character but the powers and then its only the healing. She is a horrible stereotype of females being weak and over emotional as well as having all this caring to the determinte of everyone. If she wants to be a saint to all then she needs to distance herself from the protagonists characters and become a neutral party. At this rate shell be eaten by a hollow who she saves. Salubri 02:37, December 2, 2009 (UTC)

I just read through this now, and it amuses me that someone else dislikes Orihime as much as I do. I just can't believe she knowingly healed an enemy and then was surprised when the enemy defended against her friends' attacks and hurt them. I understand that she's supposed to be book smart, but it's hard to believe that she's more intelligent than most individuals, based on the poor decisions she makes. Twocents  (Talk)  04:14, December 9, 2009 (UTC)

I think that her caring about Muramasa's feelings will be major part in the story. Maybe Muramasa's master (don't remember his name) will turn out to be ignorant of Muramasa's feelings and Muramasa will turn against him, knowing that there is someone who truly cares about them. Orihime did not heal Muramasa just because she wants to heal everybody, she healed her because she saw the sadness in Muramasa's eyes and felt empathy. --Akeki 08:12, December 9, 2009 (UTC)