User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 543 - Letters/@comment-7488132-20130626205907

I dunno about you guys, but the more this arc progresses, the more I realize that this is a departure from the "Kubo formula" employed in the previous arcs... If you haven't noticed already, it seems that the old players (Yama, Unohana) etc have been written off to allow for "new leadership" to emerge within Soul Society (Kyoraku, Kenpachi, Ukitake)... It seems like the Vandenreich is preparing for the same eventuality (by Yhwach removing himself from the equation and placing Uryu in charge, he's allowing the "new blood" to command).. This will definitely redefine friendships and alliances and will allow us to see the Vandenreich's point of view, even though they are considered the "villains". In the previous arc, we understood why Hollows were considered "villains" then but meeting Arrancar's like Nel Tu and even Harribel made us realize that not Hollows are "evil". Senjumaru Shurata stated that the Vandenreich is more "wicked" than Aizen, but why is this? I think that Kubo is opening up a lot of "grey" and it is up to us to discuss the motives and goals of each side without simply just taking sides...