Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-28096256-20160413001736/@comment-44061-20160413195932

There is an inherent flaw in your theory though. I dont think there is anything preventing an Adjuchas from becoming a Vasto Lorde, in fact im not sure there is enough definitive information to make that call. But lets say for the sake of argument that all Adjuchas are not created equal and maybe not all are capable of becoming Vasto lorde. I mean if they were then there would be far more of them running around but if the concept was about Evolution and essentially evolution through consumption then thats more about attaining something more to "spark" the evolutionary process.

Also I wouldnt take much of anything Aizen has to heart, seeing his whole thing is subterfuge and arrogance. Also whats been dictated and what we see are two different things. Vasto Lorde turned Arrancar were powerful but werent as great a threat as were initially thought. Some captains powers are better equipped to deal with an opponent then another but that true in any situation. Captains took on the Vasto Lorde turned Arrancar and being of that level of Hollow didnt make them any less dead with the smoke settled. So in turn the vasto lorde didnt go above the level of captain as believed they were right about that level only difference is they are more powerful then their Adjuchas based counterparts. The hype didnt live up to the reality.

I think the concept you relate to size maybe off. Vasto Lorde are a natural progression of evolution. The Menos are giants but mentally fractured of many minds working as one you could say. Adjuchas was smaller but more intelligent, not as fractured. Vasto Lorde were human sized and the far more intelligent and single minded. Its part of the evolution of a hollow becoming closer to something of intellect and its own single identity. Shinigami is a job class for a soul. Hollows are the opposite of Humans. Thus it stands to reason they are trying to reach back to the human characteristics they lost in become a hollow. Something typical souls dont have to worry about, and due to their spiritual power can become shinigami.

I mean why not as you say "otherwise it would seem like simply eating a lot would randomly give a random set of predetermined "gifted" hollows a power explosion and a human form." thats as viable a concept as any and even more so given what we know. But a VL is not human in form its humanoid.

Also Ichigo didnt retain hollow powers from the Shattered shaft training. its just what we thought at the time. He always had an inner hollow that came to the forefront because that was the actual shinigami powers he was calling for in the trial. Considering that concept is unique to him how can it be typical to any other.

The biggest problem is the whole thing is based simply on the concept of size as the entire point for your theory but all indications would be that size means virtually nothing in the end but to classify type of hollow. But most damaging to theory is that Arrancar dont actually attain any real Shinigami powers regardless of what lvl of their evolution.

Segunda Etapa has been pushed to be a thing for a while now by fans but considering its use, and its lack of necessity in comapred to Ulquiorra's ressereccion (as it seemed more like the release then the first form did) ultimately it can be little more then a one off in the series as its never been mentioned or seen again and at best plot device in real life. I would also point out that the Segunda Etapa didnt stand up to being an indication of greater power as its sole test was against Ichigo who is the protagonist but fluctuates in power.