Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-31952030-20190204184155/@comment-957629-20190204223031

Tatai Mitra wrote: Ichigo was able to beat Ikkaku more easily than Renji...even though Ikkaku was superior to Renji(flashback)...how is this possible? Renji might have learnt from Ikkaku in the past but there is nothing to suggest that he is better than Renji now. Renji may believe this but it certainly does not make it true automatically.

Also, people grow and learn at different rates. Just because someone is better than someone else at a task at one point in time doesn't mean they will not be overtaken by that same person later down the line. In fact, most teachers (those who want to actually teach) are aware they are responsible for the future of people and actually hope that their students will supersede them one day to keep improving the lives of people around them.

Also note to yourself, you pointed out this was a flashback. What does that matter when Renji nor Ikkaku fought Ichigo when they were at that level of strength or skill?

Also you say superior and don't even mention in what skill Ikkaku is meant to be superior to Renji in. At that point in time, he may have been a much more superior/more experienced fighter. Doesn't mean this will remain so.

But here let me give you an example of difference in outcomes of battles of theirs.

Ikkaku struggled and collapsed after defeating Edrad. Ikkaku never had a limiter on him like Renji did because this only happens for Lieutenants and Captains. Renji, also struggled against his opponent but won easily once his limiter was removed. At full strength, one struggled badly against a Fraccion and the other won easily.

Does that make Renji more superior? Who knows. But to outright state that Ikkaku IS superior without giving validation beyond "well he was in the flashback", because at the time Renji wanted to learn from him, is deeply flawed. It also failed to take into consideration that they're two completely different types of fighters with two completely different types of weapons and thus fighting style and attitudes to combat.