[v37]IchiRuki FC: The Story of Destiny Begins

[Sleepwalker]

Well it's good that it's going slowly, Annie Look, I don't even have to bother here for at least 15 days at this rythm

@Sleepwalker: Indeed, you turned in circle before getting your own logic down You know, this story of destiny spread was used as the cover for SJ when ch158 rolled around, the first cover after the ch151 rescue, without any colour page:

[I have it in better quality, but meh, I can't be bothered]. It was the last cover for SJ before they began a new year [in dec. for them].

one should always be ready to question oneself as well. I try not to think things black and white, just how much of the case is about this and how much is about that if you know what I mean I still think that it's possible that the spread is targeted to more than Ichigo and Rukia, but given the things I said and you said about the spread and that fact that that spread was released at their shippiest moments it's quite sure it's primarily about them. No doubt that makes me happy, they really look like a would-be couple from a classical love story made 100000 times more interesting and better

That sketch from the novel is really cool Pictures about them like that look always so happy, their halcyon days No wonder if Rukia feels that Ichigo's place is also her home. And thanks for the coloring Mikaoru you really know how to do that unlike me who just messes up with photoshop layers and filters

Btw, OT but, no chapter this week ? How long is this pause gonna take ? :S

[Celestial]

I remember that particular topic of destiny and really, its quite interesting to see how big that theme plays in different mangas. Syn did show a couple of other shoujo mangas where the theme of destiny came into play for two people, I found it amusing on how very alike the feel of what we have for Ichigo and Rukia

It makes me wonder why Kubo, even after all the shonen fighting in a shonen, from all appearance, manga uses the shojo tropes and message only in signifying one pair who are still unaware of any sort romantic feelings between themselves(IMO, of course).

He draws them sleeping together, fire birds, destiny, sun and moon...and yet the actual declaration of something blatantly romantic remains just behind the shadows..Its like he already sees Ichigo and Rukia as couple, declarations, kisses, marriage, babies are just an extended bonus which he's not showing...at least that's what all IchiRuki spreads and messages are saying to me

[Yuki Shirayuki]

I noticed that you guys keep saying that IchiRuki transcends love, that it goes beyond it in many ways. I've said it too. But now that I think about it, what exactly does that mean? What exists beyond love? What defines love to you? Where does IchiRuki fit into this?

IchiRuki exists beyond love.

But seriously, when I say they transcend love, I mean all this superficial love we see nowadays. People love, but sometimes they will only show their love if they get something out of it. Or, people love, but sometimes they need to be reassured that their partner loves them, as in a, "Do you really love me?"

IchiRuki is the opposite of that, and it's not even a romantic love yet. They love each other unconditionally, and it wouldn't even have to be one-sided to be pure. They know that they both care for each other, but it doesn't taint their motives. Ichigo and Rukia don't need to always be reassured that they deeply care about each other. Their bond that they share is unique, and I haven't seen anything like it. They are true soulmates.

In other shounen or shojo, the romantic couples can get boring. Not IchiRuki. In shojo, the couple's worlds revolve around the other person. Ichigo and Rukia care so much for each other; they love each other to the point where it's simply amazing, but they also have other values and things they care about. It doesn't demean their relationship; it makes it stronger and not obsessive.

[Ichuki Kuchigo]

I noticed that you guys keep saying that IchiRuki transcends love, that it goes beyond it in many ways. I've said it too. But now that I think about it, what exactly does that mean? What exists beyond love? What defines love to you? Where does IchiRuki fit into this?

I honestly don't know what this is. I think Ichigo and Rukia have a bond but it doesn't mean if they are in love it wrecks what they have, nor does it demean what they do for each other. I think they do what they do out of love (Sure they are too stubborn to yet admit it)

If it no love what can we hope for in their future?

I think how they act is more A love in progress and its a still growing relationship a fast one but its still growing.

If by "transcends love" its meant as a should a relationship between the two fail they'd still ultimately 'Love' one another than yes it does transcend love.

Or if "transcends love" is just a branch from "Not lovers but more than friends" Than I don't think anything else can say it better than those words themselves.

Nuff said, Nuff said.

[Syn]

Welcome in the FC, Gee! Have fun around and don't hesitate to participate! Please be sure to read and follow the rules written in the FC, and while you're there, have a look at the goodies and announcements!

@Annie: shhhh! It's a secret that I hate green

@Celestial: I've said it in my tropes post; it's not so much about romantic (or not) tropes, it's about a cultural ground. It's romantic in shoujo to have a lap scene, but it's because it is considered as romantic in Japan. Those tropes stems from their culture and one can easily miss it if he's not aware of them.

It's why, it's not so much about Kubo using romantic "tropes" for IchiRuki, but rather him displaying them through what is considered as romantic scenes.

@Nav: yes, Kubo is truly making sure to promote only one pairing through covers and spreads - and that is IchiRuki. I don't get how people are supposed to think that any other pairing may happen when he's been so blatant about it.

@Mikaoru: well, remember how Kubo said that while working on FtB, he was forced to reckon once again that their relationship was indeed special This is definitely a case where you can see that the pairing is seen as outstanding compared to the rest, when they kind of have a life of their own once he begins to draw them [I remember that cover that he didn't really want to draw and once he began, he had much fun], talk about them or write about them. XD It makes me happy that he loves them so much :333

Particularly nowadays, its amazing to see just how bold Kubo has become when he does any work for these two. I mean, he helped with the creation of a movie that was centered around the changing feelings of these two as well as approve a rather sweet novel that really does highlight how much Rukia is a part of Ichigo's world and really, the small gestures that Ichigo displays towards Rukia that screams affection in his own way.

Haha, indeed. I remember a time where I used to think I wished that Kubo was more straightforward and it's amazing that he decided to be when we hadn't had any real interaction for so long. It's as if no matter how long the separation is - may it be for them, albeit it's only been a few hours at most before they "reunited" in ch317, or for us who waited years - their bond only seem to deepen. And now Kubo is showing them off every time he can

@Sleepwalker: don't worry, it's only this week