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This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]40698[/split]
I think, this is where Kubo's writing of his characters get people mixed up, because you just hit on a very important point here. Of course, Unohana is the "first" Kenpachi, but she obviously put aside the title for the lead role as Captain of the 4th Division. And she is skilled in healing arts, so I doubt she's dead. More than likely, now that Zaraki's mind is unclouded and back to it's original instinctive state or whatever, she's at peace with revoking the title of Kenpachi and handing it down to someone worthy of it.To kill off Unohana would be the dumbest decision Shunsui could allow to be made. Sure, only one Kenpachi can be alive but this is probably more of a symbolic meaning than literal now. She's more than likely healed herself and has finally awakened the true powers of Zaraki to allow him to be a real Kenpachi.
Yeah I feel like it's lacking in the feminine area as well. I've just always been a fan of the female characters or female fighters in just about everything and anything. There's this show on HBO called "Looking" and it really touches upon the same thing and makes the most relatable sense. The show is about three gay men living their lives and such and one of them (Jonathan Groff) is a level designer. The discussion was about how he chooses to play as a girl in video games not because he's gay but because the girl is always the outcast in the world of video games and she's overlooked, underestimated, and picked last; as a gay man it was relatable because he's gone through the same ordeals. That's why I can relate too because I've always felt a stronger connection towards the seemingly outcasted female fighters. People like Yoruichi and Unohana are revered only now because they've shown their power but I've been a fan of them from the get-go.You touched on something that has bothered me about Bleach and, to be fair, other manga/animes. As much as women are represented as lovely and some (like Orihime) may be given a hax power, in general, women are not endowed with the kinds of power that the male characters are. Okay, I'll be honest here, what guy doesn't want some hero types to identify with that sweep in, show their strength and save the day. But 'saving the girl' is becoming sort of annoying. Guys can save their bros too. Girls can be strong and save themselves or *gulp* (I feel my 'man card' slipping out of my hand here) a girl can occasionally save a guy (which has a lot of humorous potential).
Yeah, it's Shounen and aimed at guys, but not all guys are the same, just like not all girls are the same.
Here's what I'm getting at...
Ladies with Bankai...
Yoruichi - haven't seen it
Unohana - got to show it once. It was cool as hell, but wasn't even really explained, so it lost some points.
Rukia - We waited over ten years to see it.
Soi Fon - She's got a nuke, which is great, but has almost as great drawbacks.
Guys...
1) The ones we see/know
Yama, Sasakibe, Rose, Byakuya, Renji, Komamura, Kensei, Toshiro, Ikkaku, Kurotsuchi,
2) The ones we're waiting for
Ichigo, Shinji, Hisagi, Shunsui and Ukitake, Urahara
I just think there is room in this for a not annoying (Yes, I am talking to you Kukakku and Yoruichi!) female who is tough, not overly loud, is pretty, has a bankai and doesn't need to constantly be saved...in fact, gets ticked off when a guy tries to save her. Why? Because it's different, even a little refreshing and can take a guy by surprise. I know I like the feeling of surprise and the little blush I get when a pretty girl I've never seen before pauses as she's going through a door and *OMG* holds it open for me. There's this moment of a) Wow, she knows I'm alive, b) She's different, c) Should I smile back, thank her and accept, because she's smiling and holding the damned door open for me, d) Should I tell her my late mom would scold me in my dreams if I wasn't a proper gentleman and let her go first? e) Is she wearing a wedding ring??? But I could just be a little strange...
The only female character in Bleach who radiates that feeling is Matsumoto, but she is portrayed as pretty, big boobs, but aging and STILL a VC without a bankai. I know Aizen stole a piece of her soul. Maybe somehow she'll get it back and we'll see a bankai from her, but I'm not holding my breath.
Anyway, yes, more balanced representation of genders would be refreshing.