Romance in Bleach

[thespringmoon]

Originally Posted by DjTrizz

Renji = Krillin :: nod :: now Renji just has to get the girl...

Krillin:
--Bald
--Four feet tall
--Less than attractive D:

Renji:
--Cool hair
--Tall [someone said he's like six feet or something?]
--Kinda hoooot. : D

If Krillin could get the girl then Renji sure as hell can. >.>

Edit: Not sure why it put the smiley in the quote... <.<

[Nervous Venus]

Trizzy - Most probably will. I've never really seen any of the DB series, except for ten seconds of one ep that was playing on the int'l channel, when little Goku (???) was jumping down from something with all his jewels in display. It was kind of a shocker. They don't edit the Japanese version I guess. >>;

I kind of like the one-sided affections (renji -- > rukia , rukia ---> Kaien) etc. These people learned to move on eventually. I don't see Renji making any moves on her. Though we still have plenty of material left, so I guess renruki is a "possibility", though it still looks very slim to me. If he were to let his hair down a lot more, I'll definitely reconsider.

thespringmoon - You forgot to add
#4 for Renji , " Is an abstract artist " - just look at them eyebrows!

[Amirali]

It would be interesting if Renji made a move on Rukia. I don't think she could bear to break his heart or turn him down cold, not while she's still single.

[Mr. DJ]

Originally Posted by thespringmoon

Krillin:
--Bald
--Four feet tall
--Less than attractive D:

Renji:
--Cool hair
--Tall [someone said he's like six feet or something?]
--Kinda hoooot. : D

If Krillin could get the girl then Renji sure as hell can. >.>

Edit: Not sure why it put the smiley in the quote... <.<

not talkin looks, more like fighting track record and Renji more or less ends up being comedy relief...well at least that scene w/ Pinky was pretty damn funny to me

I doubt Renji is 6 foot...anyone that would seem tall in the Bleach Universe or any anime universe...typically end up being 5 foot, the really tall characters that seem like 8 footers end up being 6.

[hqkd]

Right now I don't care who couple up with whom as long as I get to see those captains' fights asap.

Off topic...

All these love posts make me want to have a bf. Maybe I should imitate those killer silence moments. Here goes nothing --->

[thespringmoon]

Originally Posted by Nervous Venus

thespringmoon - You forgot to add
#4 for Renji , " Is an abstract artist " - just look at them eyebrows!

bahaha... I'll make sure to include it next time. xD

Originally Posted by DjTrizz

not talkin looks, more like fighting track record and Renji more or less ends up being comedy relief...well at least that scene w/ Pinky was pretty damn funny to me

lulz... I know. They both seem to be lacking in the winning department.
Pinky? Some anime filler character? :0 :doesn't watch the anime:

I doubt Renji is 6 foot...anyone that would seem tall in the Bleach Universe or any anime universe...typically end up being 5 foot, the really tall characters that seem like 8 footers end up being 6.

shush! let me dream? xD

[Mr. DJ]

I forgot his name, the pink haired Espada

[thespringmoon]

Oh! xD Szayel!

[Langus]

I guess if it came down to it, Rukia would probably take him up on his offer if he made a move...

BUT I think it's pretty obvious he's too chicken shit to speak up. So he will remain alone...forever...stuck pining after the woman he's loved his whole life

Oh my god, that's so tragic...

[Mr. DJ]

::pulls out the worlds smallest violin::

[Amirali]

Lol, come on DjTrizz, have a heart . Can't we feel bad for poor Renji ?

[HayashiTakara]

I think, my favorite scene with RenRukia has to be when he's all bloodied up holding on to Rukia, screaming, "I'll never let go of you ever again."

I'm sure many people were moved by Renji during the S.S. arc.

[Mr. DJ]

Originally Posted by amirali1985

Lol, come on DjTrizz, have a heart . Can't we feel bad for poor Renji ?

I guess a little bit he'll get the girl, just not the main one

[Langus]

Which girl??? I'm curious to hear your theories...

[Mr. DJ]

I'll wait till they introduce androids >.>

[Langus]

^^ *snicker*

Whatever man...Data got a lot of ass for an android

[Amirali]

Disclaimer: The following is a perspective, not really an argument .My rambling musings....

Edit: Added more comparison in middle Of Ulqi/Ori rivalry, with the Ichi/Grimm.

Spoiler for upto manga 318 shapes the discussion:

I'd quickly recount how Ulq-Hime grew on me. Over a year, back, it seemed hardcore crack........without any flour mixed in. Sure, they both looked hot in white, and him telling her "no is not an option" clicked with certain fantasies. But they were prisoner and captive, and that was that.

The slap scene started to change my opinion of things. It wasn't just that Orihime stood up for herself, it was Ulqi's reaction. Kubo took an extra panel after the scene just to show that ulqi was thrown off momentarily.

Spoiler for Ulqi speechless?:

Oh, I was still a long way from being an Ulq-Hime believer. Instead of pure fan fantasy, Kubo was putting in a few hints to tease, without any serious intent. Kind of like he did with Grimmjaw and Ori later, especially the bondage-lite he pulled on her.

Spoiler for to save space:

Proof that Kubo can tease, and not every hint connects with an actual pairing.

Like I mentioned earlier, the weirdly awkward exchange of glances when Ulqi found her with Grimm, and her consternation when Ulqi was banished, both piqued my curiosity. It was at that point I felt there is something going on here, besides just restless shippers' imagination.

What clinches it for me, is that the Ichigo-Ulquiorra rivalry essentially revolves around Orihime. To explain that, I'll have to digress a bit. In shounen, any prolonged rivalry involves a ratcheting up of the stakes and hatred.

Spoiler for Escalation example, as happened between Ichi-Grimm. Skip if in a hurry.:

Let's look at Ichi-Grimm for an example of that escalation. Ichigo saw Rukia injured the first time, and was powerless to stop Grimm because of his hollow. The second time was even worse; not only did Rukia get hurt, but she got hurt saving Ichigo because he couldn't maintain his hollow. And if not for Shinji, Grimm would have ended his life then and there.

All that, then, meant Ichigo was properly charged up for their final battle, with Orihime and Nel's safety......and the battle tied up not only his rivalry with Grimmjow, but his last fears that his hollow powers would alienate his friends.

Escalation isn't just from the hero's side............it's important to show from the villain also. To have his drive increase, or if not that, at least to become better explained over course of the rivalry. Without me going into length, I think it's pretty clear how for Grimmjow, Ichigo went from a random punk, to someone he HAD TO beat to prove himself the king.

The question then is, where is the escalation in the Ichi-Ulqi feud? From Ichigo's side, it's pretty clear. Ulquiorra is responsible for bringing everyone to HM by kidnapping Orihime, who's taunted , beaten and even killed Ichigo. But let's look at it from Ulqi's point of view......

First time , he meets Ichigo, here's what he sees:

Spoiler for Ichigo's magnificent, impressive performance:

Sure, he senses Ichi's power, but he knows it's not under control. The next two times they meet aren't much different. Ichi bleeding at Grimm's feet while Ulqi mocks him, or Ulqi putting his hand through Ichigo's chest aren't exactly major moments in Ulqi's life. True, Ulqi has seen hints of Ichigo's potential........... yet Ichigo's done nothing to charge him up, to anger him, to make him show his angry "game" face like this:

Spoiler for Ulq pissed (spoiler 318):

After almost two years to lay this feud, where then is the buildup to Ulqi's side of it? What happened to the Kubo that skillfully built up Byakuya's and Grimmjow's resolve for their epic fights?

The only thing ulqi's shown personal interest in playing mindgames with Orihime. It started out as pure domination "just kill her, yammi" , "no is not an option" , "you disgust me" (the slap scene), yet after the slap scene he realized her spirit was still strong. Ulqi's chat with Noi-Noi showed how important mental domination is to him. Other Espada would settle for ropes and chains, but Ulqi's method is to use his intellect to break her. That's as much his trademark, as ruthless destruction was Grimmjow's

Certainly, the mind-games with Orihime weren't personal to begin with, just part of his manipulative nature............just as Grimm attacking Ichigo when he first came to Karakura was simply his aggressiveness towards all. But when Ulqi found resistance, when he found that for once, his mindgames weren't working..........then in the same way that Grimm's failures to kill Ichigo nagged at his pride, Ulqi's inability to break Orihime frustrated his sense of intellectual superiority. It became increasingly personal...

Being prisoner didn't break Orihime, against Ulqi's expectations.. Leaving her friends didn't do it. Being pounded by fraccion did nothing. Even seeing her friends injured or threatened couldn't break her, once she realized she would've gladly taken the same risks for them. She accepts that they would fight , and even die for her.

As we saw in chapter 317, Ulquiorra is now puzzled because he's failed to chain her spirit. For the first time, he took a questioning tone with her instead of ordering her, because there is nothing he can do that will cow her.....threats to her, or even her friends. For the first time, he's forced to accord her respect. He's truly confused and curious where her resolve comes from. Now, he has to beat Ichigo, break him to show Orihime the futility of hope.

It's beautifully ironic. Ulquiorra caught in his own mind-game with Orihime, compelled to show her he's right. He returns from banishment, saying "Come, Kurosaki Ichigo, come"............even though Ulquiorra never had a reason before to fixate on Ichigo. From fancying himself the puppet master pulling her strings, (in his self-congratulating talk with Noi), he's come to take the game more and more personally. So that is Ulquiorra's stake in the rivalry, and that is how Kubo's made it a personal battle for him.

Ulq-Hime may not be canon, or more than one-sided. But it's a dynamic on which Ichigo-ulquiorra has been built.........which at least makes it worthy of serious discussion now.

I know I've posted this before, but for me, their reunion captured perfectly the dynamic between Ulq and Ori. If the cat plays the mouse too long, the hunt enslaves predator and prey alike.

Spoiler for the cat and mouse circling:

[BleachOD]

Originally Posted by amirali1985

UlqHime. This is one of those rare cases, where artwork, closeups and looks have laid most of the basis of speculation.Now, when two characters gaze into each other's eyes........it can mean many things. It can be love, it can be hate, it can be fear, it can be understanding. The point is, frequent eye contact means an emotional bond and intense non-verbal communication. Whether positive or negative, it is intimate......not something casual friends or impersonal enemies exchange.

The starting point is when Orihime stood upto Ulqi and slapped him in the face. If you examine the OriUlqi scenes before that, it's distant, it's cold........they're drawn like any espada intereacting with his prisoner. He's disinterested, she's unsettled.

Spoiler for Manga, but has been animated. From the slap scene.:

Artistic distance. They're drawn impersonally, just a prisoner with his captive. It'll contrast nicely with some of the more intimately drawn moments later.

The slap was a turning point. Perhaps she earned his respect? After that whenever they meet........the artwork suggests some brooding interest in Ulquiorra . Orihime alternates being afraid, or guilty or sympathetic.Yet he always has some effect on her.

Credit to Royal Devil for the next two observations:

Spoiler for Manga, but these chapters have already been animated. Grimm vs Ulqi:

Ulquiorra finds Orihime, after Grimm took her to Ichi. They exchange angst filled looks. Ulqi looks accusingly at her and Ori seems almost guilty for having escaped. She lowers her gaze.I can't read their non-verbal communication, but something does pass between them.

Spoiler for Manga, but these chapters have already been animated. Grimm vs Ulqi:

Orihime hears from Grimmjow that Ulquiorra could be caged for eternity. Her expression is troubled. Compassion for enemies, sure. But to this extent?

The real reunion I was waiting for :

Spoiler for manga, chapter 315. Not yet animated:

End of 315. Orihime's frightened to see Ulqi back. His reaction is more..........inscrutable. The artwork to simultaneously convey closeness (the zoom ins) and distance (the far shot) is very elegantly done.

Ahem, the following two pairs of eyelocks sent chills down my spine. Of course, the emotions might be different (love in one, fear in another?) But strangely............very similar.

Spoiler for Manga chapter 317. Anime-only fans beware!:

Ulquiorra and Orihime have intereacted before. But never so artistically upclose and intense.

Call it friendship, call it love, call it partnership. Whichever way,IchiRuki have a bond. Interesting that it's in the same chapter as UlqHime eyelock. Perhaps more as a contrast based in difference.........than it is a comparison of similarity. Still intriguing though.

This isn't proof. But artistically, these have been among the most impactful scenes in Bleach. There are certainly some sort of emotions behind all those glances.....With Rukia and Ichigo, or Ichigo and Orihime, one knows that behind any teary look are tender emotions. But with Ulq-Hime, it might be that all there is between them is fear, respect and curiosity.The mystery makes it that much more intriguing.

Those are on par with IchiRuki moments!
Yes! Yes! I totally agree! Thats why I ride the S.S. Ulqhime. That have have more chemistry and he would be emotionally Dependant on her. She would be the source of strength in this relationship

How come I never saw this thread before?

[Kyero Fox]

the #1 Bleach Crack pairing XD

[Langus]

Originally Posted by amirali1985

Disclaimer: The following is a perspective, not really an argument .My rambling musings....

Oh my god... Its been so long since I've read such a well thought out post. Thank you thank you *bows*

The UlqHime dynamic is by FAR the most interesting in the series at this point in time. There are just so many different ways it could be analyzed and it's deliciously juicy just for that reason. It pretty much touches on every fetish fantasy a person could have while still being overtly asexual. I love it I've been eagerly watching these two since I saw the slap scene in a youtube vid someone did for that manga chapter (it's what got me to read the bleach manga!)

Ah...Amirali you get mad reps for that one.

Edit: Shit! It wont' let me rep you! Well...it's there in spirit anyway