Character Flip-Flops

[Serocco]

A character flip-flop is when your opinion/perception of a character changes, for good or ill. It can be a simple like-to-dislike, or a dislike-to-like ratio. Maybe an indifferent-to-respect ratio. Maybe a hate-to-love or love-to-hate ratio.

List the characters that you flip-flopped, name what you used to feel about them, explain the reason that changed your opinions of them and say what you feel about them now as a result.

No bashing, needless to say.

[Zanka No Tachi]

Chad: looked cool, seemed that he'd be one of the strongest or atleast "noticeable" characters in bleach, a lot of potential...now he just licks the dirt on the ground

[Minerva]

For me this seems to happen every time Kubo hauls out a sob story flashback. :XD He goes and makes some character sympathetic or just plain interesting (no more "Sasakibe who?"), and suddenly I really like that character whereas I hadn't really cared either way before we saw their backstory.

[Franco]

It's kinda late (or early) where I'm from, so I can only think of one character right now: Matsumoto. In one of the latest flashbacks, she's shown as being Isshin's VC in the Tenth. Fast forward a couple hundred years later, where Hitsugaya - the third seat then - becomes the new Captain. And Matsumoto's still stuck as a Vice-Cap.

Man, just how lazy is this chick?

[Bala de Impacto]

It's kinda late (or early) where I'm from, so I can only think of one character right now: Matsumoto. In one of the latest flashbacks, she's shown as being Isshin's VC in the Tenth. Fast forward a couple hundred years later, where Hitsugaya - the third seat then - becomes the new Captain. And Matsumoto's still stuck as a Vice-Cap.

Man, just how lazy is this chick?Blame Haineko. It's because Haineko is lazy and doesn't wanna learn her bankai^^;;.

[Serocco]

To name one, so I can get this thread going, I'd pick Byakuya.

He was an emotionless, arrogant prick who kept trying to kill his sister, no questions asked. The same person he promised his wife, on her death bed, that he'd save. Once I saw him take the bullet for her against Ichimaru, and explain that he was conflicted over fulfilling Hisana's wish and his parents' wish (to uphold the law), he became MUCH easier to like.

[Seraphina]

I actually gained a great deal of respect for Omaeda during the FKT arc...he did his best to try and help out his Captain (albeit in a rather cowardly and self-serving way), and he even went so far as to follow her when she rushed off to fight Aizen. That....that's kinda badass.

And then Kubo just seemed to forget about him. The last we see of him is a ridiculous grin when the Captains think they've dealth with Aizen, and he's celebrating with everyone else. But after that...nothing. We don't see Aizen cut him down - which he saw fit to do to Kira and Hisagi. We don't see him run and hide (which is, in retrospect, probably what he did), we don't even see him get floored by Yamamoto's spiritual pressure to explain his sudden vanishing. He just...disappears. I think Kubo probably forgot Omaeda was there :D

[Seri55]

Well, when I first was watching bits and pieces of Bleach I liked Orihime, but as time past on and I watched from the beginning..my opinion changed ( I won't go into detail). But there are several characters that I like; and I basically stay true to my fav-doesn't matter what they have done. But my most favorite is Byakuya. I couldn't understand either why he would be so fierce against his sister's execution-but as mentioned above-I understand. What I found so "big" of him, was him asking Ichigo to save SS, because at that moment he had to swallow his pride for the sake of others.

[ButterflyRose]

This is kind of difficult because most of the characters that I like, I still like them, and most of the characters that I didn't like, I still don't like them.
Hmmm...maybe the character that I've come to like more over the course of the series would probably be Isshin. I always liked his goofy character, but I was always disappointed with his lack of seriousness (if that makes sense). As thing progressed, his more serious side was shown a little bit, and now with what's going on in the manga, we'll see more of it. I like that

[AmiciaRai]

I am probably going to get a lot of hate for this... But... Rukia. I used to absolutely LOVE her! But over time I find her a little annoying. And before anyone jumps at any conclusions, I am not in the IchiHime or the IchiRuki fan club. I don't care who ends up with who. I just drew distant from Rukia and find her frequent expressions or being angry and annoyed a little boring. Although I do think that her post-timeskip hair is great!

[Azley]

Renji At first I didn't like him (just his looks) & I thought he was weak and just has a big mouth but over the time I got to respect him and he is now one of my favorite characters. He may not win every battle but he is headstrong and trains very hard without slacking off to protect those around him and to (one day) be able to defeat Aizen.

For me he evolved into pure manliness who tries his best to get better and even though he might have a long way ahead of him he walks it and trains for his ideals.
He matured as a character over time.

[WhiteChocolate]

Neliel: Used to like her, briefly. But looking at the flashacks with Nnoitra, she's shown to be too snobby, and holier-than-thou, for my liking.

Sui Feng - Used to hate her. Now, I think she's ok. She's shown to have a heart, somewhat at least. But, she can still be a bit annoying.

Kenpachi - Used to love him, but as time went on, he was just shown as a bland character, and still is with recent chapters.

Tsukishima - Used to annoy me. But, it was nice seeing that he cared so much for Ginjou, like a brother. So, we see, like Sui Feng, he isn't a complete monster.

I''ll stop here. As just about every character in Bleach did a Flip-Flop for me.

[Ice_Peach_Blossom]

I'd have to say Sui Feng as well. I hated her in the Soul Society arc when she stepped on and almost crushed Kiyone's neck. (The funny thing is I don't particually like Kiyone that much). Plus the fact she seemed almost gleeful about it. Then there was the fight with Yoruichi, I hated Sui Feng when that battle started but after the flashback and then seeing her cry made me understand and like her more. Now she's actually in my top favorite 20 characters and I have to say her battle with Baraggan is actually my favorite in FKT.

[Tao]

I think Tousen was one of the ones I flipped on. I really liked his character, up until he started his fight with Komamura and turned into the giant insect thing.. then I lost interest in his character and just regarded him as kind of silly.

Other than that, I think Unohana is an obvious choice. Didn't really have much interest in her until she was revealed to be a Kenpachi. Not only a Kenpachi, but the very same that Yachiru was named after. Then seeing how much of a badass she was against Zaraki for while. I'll be disappointed if she's actually dead. Her character just got interesting IMO.

[Flare-Flare]

Momo.<3 I found her boring during the beginning of Bleach but now I am head over heels in love with her. She is even in my top 3 female list now.<3 I want to kick myself for not discovering her sooner and gaaahhh... I get so angry now when I see people bash her.:mad: I can't wait to see more Momo in the manga soon. :love

[taydev]

To name one, so I can get this thread going, I'd pick Byakuya.

He was an emotionless, arrogant prick who kept trying to kill his sister, no questions asked. The same person he promised his wife, on her death bed, that he'd save. Once I saw him take the bullet for her against Ichimaru, and explain that he was conflicted over fulfilling Hisana's wish and his parents' wish (to uphold the law), he became MUCH easier to like.

Exact same for me. I really couldn't stand Byakuya in the beginning.

Another would be Hitsugaya. I wouldn't say I loved him, but he was ok to me early in the series. Now, I'm just like "why is he here" when he went to Kurakura town with Renji, Ikakku and co. Also when he showed up with the group to help Ichigo with the Fullbringers.

Orihime. I loved her in the beginning because of her fun and cute personality. Then she annoyed me in Hueco Mundo. Now I like her again since the beginning of the time skip because she went back to the funny Orihime I liked before. XD

But really, I didn't have a strong change of perspective about most of the cast, besides Byakuya. I've actually started to like most of the characters even more. The same cannot be said for a couple of other series I've read/watched.

[Griffith]

Renji

In the beginning of Bleach i thought he was such a badass and i couldnt wait to see more of his character and during the SS arc his flashback with Rukia was really nice i thought and i just enjoyed his whole persona during that time.. but then after that arc.. he became absolutely useless for the REST of the series.. my god.. i cant stand seeing him act like a badass now and then get taken down in like five seconds.. he's a shell of his former self.

[Ryin]

Nnoitra.

Went from a curly booted, baby kicking son of a bitch to providing me with one of the best fights in all of Bleach thus far. The more I saw him the more I liked him and was/am intrigued by the various facets of his symbolism, especially compared to one of my favorite Samurai Masamune Date.

Shinji. Anyone who thinks that prince valiant hair is a stylish look already starts out with one foot in the hole in my book. I just really hated his character design from the get go (actually it was sort of like that with Nnoitra as well, I think it's the mouth) And he was sort of obnoxiously toolish.

I think the turning point for me was when he showed up in TBTP because... I never, EVER thought that I would EVER want someone to actually HAVE Prince Valiant hair.... until I saw something worse when he had that.. absolutely dreadful long hair in TBTP. *shuddder*

Plus, Sakanade is pretty cool looking and has nifty powers. I guess it turns out I liked his style more than I thought :cookie:

I... THINK that's it... there really have only been two characters in Bleach I have absolutely hated. (and a third one I think is irredeemably toolish)And while I have a begrudging respect for one and a secret hate-crush on the other, I still want to keep their names a secret for now (for the sake of objectivity) Yep. That's right. :cookie

[Yumi]

Zaraki: At first I just thought he was just some random brute, but then I began to learn his character. He's actually got a really big heart.

Hitsugaya: At first I was ok with him, but then his personality and his lack of character inconsistency rubbed me the wrong way.

[Sariniste]

Orihime. I disliked her at first and thought she was annoying, but then the more I saw her in the manga, the more I began to appreciate the complexity of her personality.

Now she's my favorite female character and I love her! :D

Renji. When he first showed up, I thought he was an unpleasant jerk. But then after his back story with Rukia, I started to like him, and over time I've just liked him more and more.

[Lady Valkyrie]

I find a lot of characters flip-flop for me, a lot of characters I can find I share a love-hate ratio (50/50), love 'em sometimes, and not the next but I think I'll just state the noteworthy ones.

Momo. She was okay in the beginning, seemed like a nice enough person who pulled her weight around the division and when Aizen stabbed her I felt quite sorry for her. Seeing her get so worked up over him and not be able to move on from him really bothers me and it makes me sorry for her again (but not in a good way).

Byakuya. I found him quite arrogant and really didn't like the fact that he could condemn his sister in the name of the law. There really didn't seem to be much of a bond between them. Seeing his flashback though with Hisana and the oaths he took made him a lot nicer to like. Especially when he saved Rukia from Gin, now I really like him. :D

Keigo. He bothered me because he always seemed so immature and lacking a lot of depth, I know Kubo really neglects most of the secondary characters that we don't see too often but the others (ie. Tatsuki, Mizurio) seemed a bit better off than he did. Seeing him pick up the afro-Shinigami's Zanpaktou in FK and almost go to attack Aizen - well, that kid's got hidden depths.



It's kinda late (or early) where I'm from, so I can only think of one character right now: Matsumoto. In one of the latest flashbacks, she's shown as being Isshin's VC in the Tenth. Fast forward a couple hundred years later, where Hitsugaya - the third seat then - becomes the new Captain. And Matsumoto's still stuck as a Vice-Cap.

This isn't really enough to condemn her or anything for me but that certainly is a bit odd. How did she become Vice-Captain in the first place if she wasn't doing much work? I think she could strive for more as a character, not necessarily a Captain position or anything too much to do with power relation - but at least something.

[MiyamotoKenpachi]

I was a huge fan of Uruhara at first i expected alot from him combat wise..but after chapters came and i saw Uruhara in action i gotten alot dissapointed..he was nothing what i was expecting
On the bright sight I never saw Unohana as a fav female caracter..but after the latest reveals she became my 2nd fav female carcter xD Yachiru & Yachiru O_o

[Giusel]

Coyote Starrk. At first I was not impressed by him, even after his death, he seemed just one as many characters with a strange way to release his Zan.
Then, I was thinking about hybridization of hollows and shinigamis, and realized he was the perfect example of Hollow shinigamification. His Zan has an ego of its own, tough they was one in origin, his release didn't change him much, but gave him new, singular weapons, like a Shikai.
He was not even like a hollow by his nature, pacific, lenient, he didn't even bother fighting a war, if not for a sense of membership toward Espadas, and gratitude toward Aizen.
Such an intriguing, complex character, yet I realized this after he died. I really felt sorry for him :(

[ArcherFromHeaven]

I actually gained a great deal of respect for Omaeda during the FKT arc...he did his best to try and help out his Captain (albeit in a rather cowardly and self-serving way), and he even went so far as to follow her when she rushed off to fight Aizen. That....that's kinda badass.

I have to admit, I never liked Omaeda's attitude of "look at me, I'm rich, I eat a lot, I don't anything, kiss my feet" but I was indeed touched when he dragged himself to catch Soi Fon and prevent her from crushing against that building due to the power of her own bankai.

Then, there is Kenpachi, I remember my first though on him was "beast, this guy is the bad one" and then, when Yachiru popped up I was all like "the hell?" and then they had their flashback and I just had to love those two.

There is also, of course, Byakuya and Renji who I also first thought as the ultimate enemies.

Ichimaru's reveal also shocked me 8and had me reviewing all of his action until I just said "it was pretty obvious").

An now, I feel I will get a flip-flop with Soken and Ryuken.

I always saw then through Uryu's eyes so Soken was a cool, good dude who loved his grandchild and Ryuken a cold bastard who showed no affection neither interest in his child and (going by the Bount filler) not even made his wife happy.

Now, I feel Soken will probably turn out a fairly grey character and Ryuken a father who was trying to protect his son from whatever dangers and just did not know how to.

[BlackSoul]

I changed my opinion most about byakuya.
the reasons were stated before already but it's basicly that he went from a cold bastard to a likeable character. a very noticable moment when I made a great change in opinion was during fullbring. I mean of course I slowly warmed up to byakuya's character all through the series but the moment when byakuya cut down tsukishima despite being affected with "book of the ends" just because ichigo was/is more important was great. that's staying true to your conviction. another very nice moment was his "death" in which he entrusted everything to ichigo....but then he didn't die.
yes, I really came to like byakuya over the course of the series.

then we have gin.
he was first introduced as the clearly bad guy and villain. as it turned out he was only aizen's henchman but still a villain nonetheless. now I don't have anything against villain characters but I didn't have a favorable opinion of him. however, during FKT it was made obvious just how cunning he really is with twisted motives and all. this made him really interesting! he also LIED about his powers and abilites. can you belive someone not telling the truth about what they're capable off? so I changed my opinion and wanted to see more of him.
too bad he died but then again, that also makes his character interesting.

next up is shinji!
when introduced hew was clearly a suspicious person. he had a weird toothy grin, stalked ichigo and you knew ichigo shouldn't trust him.
but then everything TbTP was revealed, the vizard story as a whole and we got a lot of screen time with him. it turned out he was a very decent person and a true badass, aizen's former captain even! now he's one of my fav charcters and I like his strange antics and looks.

to a lesser degree I changed my opinions about hitsugaya and kenpachi.
at first I simply didn't really care about them. they were not outstanding characters or anything but I also didn't hate them. I'd say I had "meh" feelings about them.
unfortunately my feelings took a very negative turn. it's not that I hate them now (ok, perhaps a bit) it's more that I'm so very annoyed about them that whenever they appear on screen I wish they'd disappear or better yet die. (and you know, my opinion and everything so I don't care about fanboys and girls defending those characters).
anyway, the reason for this is simple and about the same for both characters - overexposure. I simply didn't care that much about them but bleach and kubo made them far more important in story than they should be. over and over again so I changed my opinion from a neutral "meh" to a negative "annoying".

then to conclude my list is rukia.
I had a very favorable opinion of her during most of the series until about halfway through the arrancar arc. she was the main lead along ichigo and later on an important part of the cast. she had nice interactions with ichigo, was strong, smart not whiny or annoying like a lot of chick characters. sure, she might not have posessed the same raw strenght or spiritual power like ichigo or others but she could fight and stand her own, especially after she actually got her powers back.
but then, dunno she isn't that strong and she did lose a lot of fights yet she suddendly became a VC? don't get me wrong, I said I think she's a strong charcter but not as insanely strong as a VC is supposed to be. but that is that and it's only a promotion. what annoyed me more are her later interactions with ichigo. what I liked at first got annoying because ichigo grew stronger, more mature and more independent, he didn't require quite that much nagging anymore. just look after she stabbed ichigo with the reiatsu blade during fullbring, the kid was down, depressed and broken, be more kind! or her trying to run to the front when VR attacked SS - why did she delude herself into thinking she could fight them when so many captains struggled?
to make it short; my opinion of her went from something like "great character" to something like "oh, her again". it's not as severe as other examples I mentioned but it's still there.

[thebomb.com]

then to conclude my list is rukia.
I had a very favorable opinion of her during most of the series until about halfway through the arrancar arc. she was the main lead along ichigo and later on an important part of the cast. she had nice interactions with ichigo, was strong, smart not whiny or annoying like a lot of chick characters. sure, she might not have posessed the same raw strenght or spiritual power like ichigo or others but she could fight and stand her own, especially after she actually got her powers back.
but then, dunno she isn't that strong and she did lose a lot of fights yet she suddendly became a VC? don't get me wrong, I said I think she's a strong charcter but not as insanely strong as a VC is supposed to be. but that is that and it's only a promotion. what annoyed me more are her later interactions with ichigo. what I liked at first got annoying because ichigo grew stronger, more mature and more independent, he didn't require quite that much nagging anymore. just look after she stabbed ichigo with the reiatsu blade during fullbring, the kid was down, depressed and broken, be more kind! or her trying to run to the front when VR attacked SS - why did she delude herself into thinking she could fight them when so many captains struggled?
to make it short; my opinion of her went from something like "great character" to something like "oh, her again". it's not as severe as other examples I mentioned but it's still there.
Of course this is your personal opinion, so I'm not going to say too much about it, but I disagree with your interpretation of Rukia when she reappeared in the Fullbringer arc. She wasn't nice to Ichigo, but I think that's because she knew that wasn't what he needed. And although she scolded him for a second, she also moved into encouraging him: http://i25.mangapanda.com/bleach/460/bleach-2570857.jpg
And that's what made him get his resolve back (as you can see expressed in his face).

Mm, and I do think she has a looong way to go in terms of strength and training, but she certainly seems to have more leadership skills than the 13th division 3rd seats, haha. Plus, I think there are other VCs who she could compete with in terms of power and ability. She's also the newest VC; I'm sure the current VCs weren't as strong as they are now when they first became promoted.

Anyway, those are just my two cents!

As for me, the characters that have "flip-flopped" in my opinion are Byakuya (for all the reasons that have probably been stated already), Isshin (weird dad to total badass), Masaki (only more recently, but she went from kind & gentle mom to another total badass), Gin (Aizen's henchman to Aizen's wannabe murderer), and Orihime (during the Arrancar arc, I was getting soooo annoyed of her, but I like that she trained and kind of grew more confident over the timeskip, despite her obsession with Ichigo, haha). I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now!

[Asuna Yuki]

I really have flipped-flopped on many characters too much. But my respect for them changed. Mainly after a little back story or what the character did in a fight. Just a few that a fight changed my view on them. Soifon, Komamura, Ginjou and Mayuri. Usually my I don't former an opinion until I've seen enough of the character. But my respect will grow or get less of them if they on their battle.

[Zeta Kizzy]

To name one, so I can get this thread going, I'd pick Byakuya.

He was an emotionless, arrogant prick who kept trying to kill his sister, no questions asked. The same person he promised his wife, on her death bed, that he'd save. Once I saw him take the bullet for her against Ichimaru, and explain that he was conflicted over fulfilling Hisana's wish and his parents' wish (to uphold the law), he became MUCH easier to like.

I wouldn't call Byakuya emotionless. Aloof, but not emotionless. He's been shown to keep everything inside and not wear his emotions on his sleeve like some other characters. He's almost like the anti-Ichigo.

My flip-flop character would have to Be Aizen. He flipped on me twice. When we first saw him I was like "he's such a generic character. I hate him. NEXT." Then after the reveal he was so smooth and cool and I was like "hell yeah! Aizen's awesome!" Then he became Mr. Just As Planned (and his involvement with Shinji and co didn't help his case) and I was like "demoted from cool bastard to jerkass know-it-all beyond the realm of possible."

[Serocco]

Aizen actually had a character flip-flop. He started off as a polite, perpetually-smiling authority figure who seemed like he hated Ichimaru.

It was only after he "died" that he became the villain, so we saw his personality switch into that of a Machiavellian chessmaster. After that, he flipped to a spoiled brat who kept having temper tantrums whenever it seemed like he was screwed.

I doubt anyone enjoyed the last one.

[cindytea]

I remember I used to dislike Grimmy a lot back in 2007 when he first appeared. D8 Mainly because he killed Luppi, whom I used to like back in the day. I kind of thought Grimmy was very obnoxious and a bully of sorts, But as the series progressed, I grew to love him immensely. I saw that he could back up his words in a lot of ways, and his rough attitude and his philosophies that he believed in drew me in even more. He had one heck of a fight in the last fight with Ichigo, and I came to even respect Grimmy. Even his Released Pantera form had a lot to do with me drawing myself to him as well. I don't know what I was thinking in liking Luppi over Grimmy. Now Luppi was indeed one that was brash and didn't even back it up in his fight with Hitsugaya. And so Luppi was killed by Grimmy because he basically didn't have what it took to be a powerful Sixth Espada, at least that's my opinion ;)

[Tom2rules]

Personally one of my major character flop-flops in Bleach was Shinji Hirako.

When Shinji first appeared I thought that he was weird, I don't quite remember why. Perhaps it was his simile or how he first appeared. I don't quite remember, but I just found him a very odd character. But later when the Vizards really made their entrance, he did seem to improve in my eyes a bit (Although due to the fact we didn't get to see him fight Ichigo's hollowfied state was a pitty).

It was only until he actually fought off Grimmjow that I got a high opinion of him, which grew even more when the TBTP arc came around.

I also had a change in opinion of Ulquiorra turn for the worse...but that is more directed at his reputation then his actual character.

[keitoz]

Personally one of my major character flop-flops in Bleach was Shinji Hirako.

When Shinji first appeared I thought that he was weird, I don't quite remember why. Perhaps it was his simile or how he first appeared. I don't quite remember, but I just found him a very odd character. But later when the Vizards really made their entrance, he did seem to improve in my eyes a bit (Although due to the fact we didn't get to see him fight Ichigo's hollowfied state was a pitty).

It was only until he actually fought off Grimmjow that I got a high opinion of him, which grew even more when the TBTP arc came around.

I also had a change in opinion of Ulquiorra turn for the worse...but that is more directed at his reputation then his actual character.
AGREED (although not with Ulquiorra).

I saw Ulquiorra's "change of heart" coming the moment I saw him so it's not really a matter of his reputation to me.

My character flip flop... Ichigo believe it or not.
I thought he was pretty admirable up until the end of the SS arc then it turned for the worse.

Then... Ulquiorra of course.
I didn't care about him much when he first appeared. Just another bad guy.
But then I watched his fight with Ichigo in the 5th Tower and the entire time I was thinking "oh my God his moves are so graceful and composed and so cool!!!" Especially with keeping one hand in his pocket. UGH.
And then when he lost his composure on top of the dome. Character development right thar.

Next... is Nnoitra.
I thought he was ugly, but his backstory changed my opinion in an instant and I thought he was pretty badass. And pitiful.

Oh and lastly, Shinji.
First appearance I literally thought "Oh not another one" and his smile was weird and he was super fishy. And Hiyori didn't make him look any cooler either.
But TBTP made him look awesome and smart. And then in his recent fights, he was cunning. And now I love his hair! Though the scarf thing is strange. (no offense Kubo, I know how you like dem scarves)

[NGC 602]

For me the flip-flops aren't so much from like to dislike or vice versa but from ambivalence to being interested in a character. One of my favourite things about Bleach is how Kubo can make me suddenly care about a character with sometimes just a single panel.

For example I can't quite remember the chapter (I think it was Kingdom of Hollows) which deals with a flashback to when Aizen displaced Baraggan as top dog in Hueco Mundo and there is a really simple panel just showing this broken bell hanging before the crescent moon. Now Baraggan isn't exactly the most sympathetic of characters but that bell just made me think about what it would be like to be this ancient, heartless creature living in an endless desert where more or less the only thing to do is to cannibalise each other. I mean whatever made up Baraggan used to be human but time and Hueco Mundo burnt all of that out of him so all that's left is just this dead embodiment of decay.

Actually the whole idea of hollows has become really sad for me over the years, especially now with the Quincy just taking them out completely.

[Franco]

Personally one of my major character flop-flops in Bleach was Shinji Hirako.

I suppose you mean this literally as well? ;)

http://images.wikia.com/bleach/en/images/e/eb/Shinji%27s_zanpakutos_power_-_the_inverted_world.png
I have a love/hate relationship with Ikkaku:

Ikkaku vs. Ichigo - Who is this dumbass and why is he dancing around like a retard?
Ikkaku vs. Iba - Ahaha. Look at him and Iba fighting over who gets the beer.
Ikkaku vs. Edorad - IKKAKU'S THE MAN! WHY DIDN'T I KNOW ABOUT THIS STUD BEFORE?!
Ikakku vs. Poww - STOP BEING SUCH A BABY AND GO BANKAI ALREADY, YOU RETARD.
Ikkaku vs. Shishigawara - I shall follow this man's philosophies for the rest of my days.

[silverquord]

My character flip flop... Ichigo believe it or not.
I thought he was pretty admirable up until the end of the SS arc then it turned for the worse.

I feel the same way. I liked Ichigo so much at the start. It was the sole reason that fuelled me to continue reading Bleach through the SS arc. A strong guy with a mean mug, but with a soft heart, and have good academic grades to boot? I thought that was fantastic. He was so well balanced.... well, at least he was, until after SS arc. It sort of bombed after that with all the hesitation and angst he kept going through. He never hesitated at the start of the series *sigh* Here's hoping Kubo bring Ichigo back the way he was... he's on the way there with the current arc, and I hope it continues to improve.

Another one (probably not mentioned yet?) was Hisagi Shuhei. He looked bada$$, but we never knew anything about him during SS. It turned around for me when he went shikai in FKT and started to explain his feelings towards his shikai, and its shape. I liked it a lot. ^_^

[CommanderEivlys]

It's kinda late (or early) where I'm from, so I can only think of one character right now: Matsumoto. In one of the latest flashbacks, she's shown as being Isshin's VC in the Tenth. Fast forward a couple hundred years later, where Hitsugaya - the third seat then - becomes the new Captain. And Matsumoto's still stuck as a Vice-Cap.

Man, just how lazy is this chick?

I'm gonna have to disagree, since the flashback only happened about twenty years ago. I am desperately hoping she'll get a Bankai, but remember that it's not just a question of training but of potential.

Furthermore, one my biggest theories is that Aizen took a part of Rangiku's soul (cf. Gin's flashback), the part that would have permitted her to attain Bankai.

[Franco]

I'm gonna have to disagree, since the flashback only happened about twenty years ago. I am desperately hoping she'll get a Bankai, but remember that it's not just a question of training but of potential.

As some users have pointed out to me before, the fault may actually lie more with Haineko than Matsumoto herself. I'd love for her get a bankai as well, especially since she's been in the Gotei for so long. But until she does, though, she'll still be lazy ol' Rangiku to me and honestly, I wouldn't have her any other way. She may not rank high for me as a shinigami, but as a character, she's not on my Hate List. Lord knows we slackers need more fictional characters representing us in various series. :cool:


Furthermore, one my biggest theories is that Aizen took a part of Rangiku's soul (cf. Gin's flashback), the part that would have permitted her to attain Bankai.

You're right, I remember something like this happening before, although admittedly, the details are very blurry. I may have to re-read that part to make sure, but good find, otherwise. :p