[v37]IchiRuki FC: The Story of Destiny Begins

[Navirae]

I'm actually quite in awe at the moment, so I apologize in advance for my jumping all over the place.

First and foremost, I am just so pleasantly surprised to see the amazing response that we have had for Koto's cultural exchange. The different cultural attires and just how beautiful you guys have made Rukia and Ichigo handsome. Peca, your newest piece is just too beautiful for words. I adore both of them and thanks to everyone who has been sharing <3

Also, a big thank you to Annie for spoiling us rotten every time and for putting together that amazing post of all the things that we have been spoiled with from Kubo for just the past year.

Yes, folks, this is just a handful of the amazing goodies that Kubo and others that have loved IchiRuki have given to fandom, and I must say that it makes me so happy to see how much the pairing is loved since there is just so much more that we could probably use a whole version to talk about. I love the fact that IchiRukis don't need to go into every little corner of unknown parts or to paste different panels together to find something for our pairing. Its right there, and always designed by Kubo himself. From covers, to spreads, and movies...everything that IchiRuki has ever received has been from the creator himself, and that tells you so much about what his feelings are in regards to them. Especially in the past two years, the amount of attention and love that has been given to the pairing is just amazing.

I remember last year around June where there was skeptism when the announcement was made that the movie FTB would center around Rukia. There was doubt on whether or not it would feature a story centered around IchiRuki, but I think what we got was beyond our wildest expectations. The movie screamed shippiness. And I think from that point on, the amount of attention to this pairing has been phenomenal. It felt reminiscent of the SS time and I think that feeling is returning again with the return of IchiRuki in the manga as well. We did noted and asked why was it that in the very beginning of this arc, Rukia knew about Ichigo's hollow side. And as time passed, the concern that Rukia had for Ichigo's growing distance began to intensify, but it had a far more subtle approach to it. As the lust arc continued, you saw the same concern come again in Rukia's eyes as to what was happening to Ichigo, and it was greatly focused on during the recent chapters where Rukia got to observe first hand at the changed man in front of her. And it just goes to show that sooner or later, that focus will come into play. That Kubo did set up Rukia to know about Ichigo's mask for a purpose and that purpose will come in time.

[angels_gal]

oh i've definitely been keeping up with the cultural exchange program. you all are so epic for participating in this . I have been staring at the calendar cover which i printed out on photo paper, framed, and is now sitting prettily on my wall

OMG so many goodies this year. we are so spoiled and seem to take precedence over ALL the other ships whom are often pushed aside to make room for IchiRuki. it makes me laugh when people say 'IchiRuki is a nothing but a sibling bond' because we KNOW beyond all unreasonable doubt that we can debunk it by throwing EVERYTHING we've gotten this year and in the past at them.

My question is this: what, in your mind, makes IchiRuki different from all the other main character/close friend bonds in shonen manga (other than gender)?


Alright. firstly, i'm going to give a very general response and then i'll dig into depth.... EVERYTHING about them is very different than any other pairing. their bond, this deep understanding they have of each other. Rukia knows what Ichi needs and vice versa. in all my anime viewing I have never seen a pairing quite like ichiruki.

Alright, i'm going to actually analyze a few pairings that i ship. The things that make Ichiruki different from my most recent non bleach pairing InuyashaXKagome. Simply are this, there was a lot of jealously throughout most of it series. However, with IchiRuki, there IS no jealously, there is just this beautiful pureness which transcends EVERYTHING. I am definitely, not saying that ichiruki's relationship was built up overnight. but neither was inukag. Inukag was always a couple who took one step forward in their and two steps back. where as IchiRuki are always evolving in their relationship and always are constantly moving forward.

With Roy and Riza from full metal alchemist. Though this couple has never been made canon. we get the sense there is something going on between them. but never a true full glance into their relationship. With IchiRuki their relationship has been brought into broad daylight, and it grows right before our eyes. IchiRuki show an undying devotion to each other, while Roy and Riza are more of a quiet undying devotion ( okay i hope that made sense) They are not nearly as vocal about feelings as IchiRuki are. in fact i don't much being brought to light in Roy and Riza's relationship from IchiRuki.

[Syn]

Welcome in the FC 4July, Elfois, YulieAna, renzuki, Lamperouge, Lendra-chan, Darkestlight33, Rhapsody89, Vulpecula, Torisutan-san, xRukiaxx, Sarsie, rhynnranrun, Mayloc, and Akizuki Youjiro! Have fun around and don't hesitate to participate! I'm sure that most of you have by now but don't forget to drop off by the front post to read the rules and enjoy our goodies!

I am still slowly catching up right now, so I'll make a more coherent post later, but damn, I see that we've been spoiled again XD I also want to thank Annie for the great job she's been doing, and sketch for all the translations

I began to put all the stuff in the front post, and also added one post by YulieAna at the very end in the random discussions threads because it was worth it

[Michsi]

This calendar image ..just begs to be edited. Damn, even their positions fit.

[Sleepwalker]

My drawing didn't get posted to Koto ? Well it was kinda stickfigure quality anyways

LOL that calendar looks gorgeous. It looks like Ichigo and Rukia have fallen asleep together somewhere, and others come and find them lying there together and be like "wtf". It really symbolizes how they got their own world that others just wish to have a look into. Thank you Annie, Kylara and MartiAiConan, and whoever I forgot from the list, for this pic And thanks to Annie and Syn for organizing IchiRuki stuff, it must be hard work doing all that

Rukia will be in six spreads for 2010 calendar (and that's the highest even Ichi gets 5) ^o^ she'll be in month of Jan with Ichigo, Feb from the valentine spread, March from the bikini spread, May from the zanpakutou spread, August from the beach spread and....for Nov although I'm not so sure which spread it is. I'm guessing the nakama one where she was eating orange and was staring at Ichigo's butt with Renji yelling at her lol

Lot of Rukia, eh ? Great I just hope it's not just due to pure money making, you could guess that they've figured IchiRuki and Rukia sells more than they thought...

What's the valentine spread ? Is it that one where Rukia's there with braids or something ?


My question is this: what, in your mind, makes IchiRuki different from all the other main character/close friend bonds in shonen manga (other than gender)?

Well, a lot of things. They are more real than most of the others... Maybe partially because they do not look for anything from each other, they are type to sulk alone and not rely on people, they are just being drifted to each other's arms by their feelings, sometimes even against their own intention. They are so much at the same time; a team, partners, friends, special ones and hinted would-be lovers.

Many other "two man teams" or pairings are kinda plain - especially romantic interest is often more shallow and not that unconditional, something that is just smacked there and it's self-explanatory. With IchiRuki, it's more complicated than that - many other romantic stories can be even lame with their plain cheesiness, but with Ichigo and Rukia there's something so deep and real in it that you gotta love it. When watching them, it almost makes you feel like that's pure love - something that it's supposed to be, something that many other stories are missing.

Also that that they are so much more at the same time makes it more real and interesting. Their interactions greatly display at the same time their own unique traits, and the traits they show around each other only. Everything with them just matches with very deep and real and exciting way.

These questions are hopeless cause there's just no words to describe them. If you explain 10 000 things, something's missing, if you explain "they ae just Ichigo and Rukia", something's missing again. Most of all, they have made a symbol out of each other - symbol of companionship, friendship and love. And so much more. .




About the recent chapter, while it's interesting that Ichigo seems to shock Unohana with his reiatsu, it feels kinda strange for the plot. Ichigo is not ready to defeat Aizen, Aizen is not ready to die in his hands, plotwise. I wouldn't be surprised if Unohana realizes that she cannot replenish Ichigo's reiatsu because of this Hollow incident or something, and that something's wrong and there would be a good reason for the story to stay sane with this. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if Ichigo just goes and whacks everybody to death. It's really hard to tell where this story is going to. I hope that whatever happens it will stay interesting, especially after this long fight-fight-fight arc.

[Kitty85]

The whole deal with Ichigo has been worrying me lately. Through Unohana/Byakuya in the manga, it's like we're lead to believe he's 110% determined and that he will defeat Aizen.

Yet Rukia's observation tells a much different story.

On top of that, I feel that in the latest panels, Ichigo says words like "I must defeat Aizen" or whatever but...his expression does not seem to match the determined words. He looks skinny, he looks weak, he looks like a goofy little boy who's just saying big, brave words out of fear.

I'm getting a little nervous about how Kubo will develop this and what Rukia's role will be.

[Sleepwalker]

The whole deal with Ichigo has been worrying me lately. Through Unohana/Byakuya in the manga, it's like we're lead to believe he's 110% determined and that he will defeat Aizen.

Yet Rukia's observation tells a much different story.

On top of that, I feel that in the latest panels, Ichigo says words like "I must defeat Aizen" or whatever but...his expression does not seem to match the determined words. He looks skinny, he looks weak, he looks like a goofy little boy who's just saying big, brave words out of fear.

I'm getting a little nervous about how Kubo will develop this and what Rukia's role will be.

It's a good point, and I hope that that's the case Kubo is planning. That after all, Rukia knows Ichigo the best and no matter what the others see or feel about him, he's not all right and ready. It would be more interesting plot twist, to have us believe on Ichigo's victory and something bad happens then, a good way to end this arc. And pretty Kuboish, if you think about it.

Now I'm getting nervous too what the outcome will be

[Kitty85]

Hope it's ok to post my Rukia international costume fanart here.

Edited hair now.

Spoiler!

For more info about it, here's my post in the Rukia FC:

http://www.bleachasylum.com/showpost...&postcount=684

[Vino]

[Fai.]

I haven't finished my Rukia fanart yet. Stupid scan machine !
I hope I could finish it fast

A graphic gift made by me, I hope you guys like it.

Spoiler!

Well, I will answer the question later <3, I really like it