Sometimes I read or watch a piece of media and I don’t like one of the characters, so I… Get over it.
Sometimes I meet someone and they like a piece of media that I hate and I think… This is something that we don’t have in common.
Sometimes something I read or watched goes in a completely different direction from how I wanted it to and I no longer find the premise or plot appealing and so I … Stop spending my money and time on it.
Sometimes I… Let go of the things I don’t enjoy so I can spend my money, time, and attention on the things I do like.
It’s a wild good time. I think everyone should try it.
A simple little Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, perching high up, deciding on what move make next. Not sure I’m doing her skin tone justice, given the way I’ve rendered it, but it’s a learning curve. Enjoy!
From the pages of Tite Kubo’s new series ‘Burn The Witch’, here is Noel Niihashi of the Wing Bind Pipers division of Reverse London. Here she is with her trusty dragoon steed Wordsworth, waiting for her next assignment, managing reverse London’s dragon problems. I’ll admit I did struggle a bit with her, so this isn’t the best of attempts. But it does mean room for improvement the next time round. Enjoy!
Aka the sensible part. I’ve just found out a comic convention I’ll be attending this month has Kubo-sensei as the guest. Something rather extraordinary given the number of times he’s been in the West - once, as far as I know. As soon as I spotted him in the guest list I couldn’t follow the lecture anymore.
I’d like to meet him of course, if I could, because for good or naught Bleach has been such an enormous part of my geek life. And I’ve been wondering what I should say and ask if I manage to. I’ve been criticizing him for one year+ now. I’ve been respectful, but not kind.
So. What would you say exactly, and how would you say it, if you were in my place?
One meta post, and here I am drawing one of the most legendary pairing that ever existed in the face of the planet! So, this is ICHIHIME as they face The Almighty Yhwach…and…and…and this is a tribute to the upcoming anime return.
Occupation: Squad 11 - 3rd seat (Pre-Hollowfication), Wanted Criminal (Until after Aizen’s defeat), External Contractor for the Gotei (Post Aizen’s defeat)
Description: A male standing 5'11 tall, he has a decently muscular build, though not excessively so. He wears a low-cut black T-Shirt with a deep red leather jacket over it, alongside a pair of simple black Joggers and ankle-height boots with steel toe-caps made of a pale red leather. Most strikingly however is his deep red hair, tied loosely in a ponytail, somewhat covering a small pair of what look to be horns, a reflective black and sticking up just above the top of his head. His eyes are a gentle rose colour, and at his waist he carries a Tachi in a red sheathe decorated with small flecks of reflective glass embedded in its surface.
Sexuality: Bisexual, though it should be noted that he himself hasn’t really got the vocabulary to identify that himself, so if asked it’s likely he’d say something akin to “Some flavour o’ gay.”
Personality: Despite his rather intimidating appearance, Meron is a very laid back and relaxed person generally, being very casual in most situations (even to superiors, which can land him in hot-water sometimes). He basically never uses honourifics, again due to his casual nature, but also because of one belief he holds dear: “Respect is earned, not given freely, no matter your title or rank.”
That being said: he’s not rude or spiteful, generally being rather the opposite, doing his best to be kind and helpful to those me meets. He’s quite protective of those he holds dear, and he also believes he has a moral obligation to help those who need it should he be able to. This us particularly true should someone be in danger, but also extends to those who are struggling with food security, housing, and other such issues.
It should be noted that someone who has truly gotten on his bad side, be that by hurting someone he holds dear or through other deplorable acts, is likely to incur his anger. While he does his best to keep himself in-check (and for the most part does a very good job) he can sometimes have issues with his anger, so should someone incur his wrath - they will know very quickly.
A brief history: While the exact circumstances of his birth are unknown, Meron is known to have spent his early life in an orphanage in Kusajishi, where he dealt with near-constant harassment from older children both for his horns (considered not only unusual, but a sign of corruption or evil by many) but also due to his habit of sticking up for other kids. The latter often got him into serious trouble, even in some cases leading to him being assaulted by adults. However, even after being seriously harmed, he recovered from his injuries rather quickly, even back then. As he grew older, his affinity for combat began to show, turning many of the beatdowns he’d endured as a child almost a complete 180 by the time he left the orphanage. It wasn’t long after that - that he became something of a prominent figure locally, often helping citizens deal with loan sharks and other such violent criminals. While he was known for his durability and strength, it wasnt until he was saught out by a Shinigami trying to identify the source of an unusually high spiritual pressure that people in the area knew why.
This lead to his enrollment in the Shinigami Academy, where he quickly picked up the art of the blade as well as Hakuda, though he had little interest in Kidō and did struggle somewhat with Hohō. His skill with a sword and unnaturally high quickly got him picked up by the 11th devision with whom he did some smaller missions before graduating, and soon his graduation he quickly worked his way up the ranks. It was during this time that he ended up discovering his love for cooking, with the vast majority of his squadmates not knowing the first thing about making themselves a meal, he decided to pick up their slack in what spare time he had, and soon found that it was rather enjoyable.
It was also in his time with the 11th decision in which he finally gave himself a surname. “Akuma” was chosen specifically because of its meaning, the way he’d been mistreated as a child because of his horns.
Beyond that, his time in the Gotei was relatively standard compared to many people like him. He did make some friends, and after eventually becoming the 3rd seat for squad 11 he did garner some attention from his Captain, though he had no intention of challenging him. Aside from not wanting the responsibility of being a captain, he also knew better than to challange Kenpatchi Zaraki. Still, he was known relatively well among the Gotei as a powerful and hard working Shinigami.
That is, until the night of the Hollowfication incident, but I’m sure you can gather what happened there for yourself.
After that, he spends his time as the rest of the Visoreds did, eventually coming to assist in Fake Katakura Town where he tries (and very much fails) to take out Aizen, though not before having taken out numerous Gillians and assisting with the fight against Stark.
Its after Aizen’s defeat, when the rest of the Visoreds return to their posts in the Gotei, that the next major change in his life occurs. While he cant say he holds a grudge against the Gotei, he (perhaps understandably) found that he wasnt able to just go back as if nothing had ever happened. Between having been hunted for so long, and realising the freedom he could have in the human world, he made a deal with the Gotei: he would continue to purify Hollows and Konso Wholes as a Shinigami would, but would do so as he encountered them in his own travels. With a Gigai that suppressed his spiritual power (just in-case) and a Soul Pager that would show him the locations of nearby Hollows, he set off into the world to explore and learn about humans, knowing that should things get bad back in Soul Society, one of the Visoreds would contact him.
At this point, I would go into the TYBW, but quite honestly it’s been quite a while since I read the final arc, and while I remember the gist of things, I cant say my memory is perfect (or even that great tbh), so I’ll update this section when I’ve re-read it (still re-reading the Soul Society arc atm).
Zampakuto Name: Gādian (Gaurdian)
Sealed description: A relatively standard Tachi with a black handle wrap and a golden Tsuba, pommel, and Habaki. Its blade is a pale metallic red, which he has used before to trick opponents into thinking the blade a greater threat than it is (implying it’s in its Shikai release and such).
Shikai Release Command: Brace, Gādian!
Shikai Description: A large black spiked Pavaise with red highlights in its design and the point being a sharpened (albeit still very thin) blade.
Shikai abilities: Any kinetic energy that hits the flat of the shield is absorbed, stopping any physical attack that strikes its surface. This energy is stored within the Shikai, and is represented by the glow of the red markings on the shield’s face. The greater the glow, the greater the amount of energy stored within the shield. While there is not a known limit on how much energy can be stored within Gādian at once, the glow of the markings can reach the point to which visibility is reduced to 0 for both Meron and his foes, so he generally tries not to let it reach that point.
He is also able to release energy stored within the shield in one of two ways: the first is through the spike, using the energy to increase the force of his blows or even to attack at medium range with bursts of raw kinetic energy. The second is a short-range pulse from the flat of the shield, serving as a sort of momentary force-field. During the TYBW, Meron spends time training with his Shikai to gain greater control over the energy after it has been released, being able to change its direction and such, if only to an extent.
When he seals his Zampakuto, any kinetic energy still within Gādian, the leftover energy is removed from its primary store and goes to the secondary store, which the Shikai cannot access.
Bankai name: Gādiankirā No Tani (Valley of the Gaurdian Killer)
Bankai description: A dueling shield of above average size with two hooked blades facing opposite ways on each “corner” and a large bladed spike on either end. The inside surface of the shield is translucent, though from the face it is opaque.
Bankai abilities: Aside from having a much larger surface area with which to absorb attacks, a greater lever with which to generate force, and the general boost to power that all Bankai grant - Gādiankirā No Tani allows Meron to tap into the Secondary Store of kinetic energy that the Shikai cannot, with the glow from the shield’s markings being reduced significantly per unit energy. While the Bankai is active, the amount of energy within the secondary store rises, doubling every five seconds should no absorption or release take place during that time. Gādiankirā No Tani also allows Meron to release energy from its entire edge instead of only from the one point, allowing for a greater variety of angles of attack as well as a more versatile array of options for attacks. His post-TYBW control over released energy does also apply to his Bankai, though it does obviously occur on a larger scale.
Hollow mask: A bone white mask with the appearance of a western-style dragon’s skull, with small black highlights. It also manifests around the outside of his horns almost as-if using them to anchor itself.
Hollowfication abilities: Once he had stablised, Meron ended up persuing the development of his Hollow abilities to a greater extent than most of the Visoreds. This means that while his mask-time is not the greatest of the group (1 hour) he did manage to tap just that little bit further into the use of Hollow techniques. His proficiency with the Cero is not to be dismissed, with him being able to launch them quickly as well as being able to fire them from his Zampakuto. He’s particularly known for firing a Cero from the top of his shield, using it to propel himself forwards as he charges with the spike facing forwards. He has also managed to learn to use the Bala, though he isnt able to fire them as quickly after another as Hollows that can use the technique. He compensates for this in his use of them, using a burst of Kinetic energy from his Zampakuto to accelerate the blast far past it’s normal limitations.
Kidow: During his time as a member of the Gotei, he largely ignored Kidow, preferring to use his Zampakuto and physical strength. However, during the time in which the Visoreds were wanted criminals, he was able to see great utility of Kidow thanks to Hachigen, peeking his curiosity in spellcasting. After approaching the ex-lieutenant of the Kidow Corps with about his curiosity, Hachi offered to assist him in learning to utilise it. As a result of this, his Kidow proficiency is at a level that would be acceptable for a Captain, though certainly not extraordinary. Out of the three schools, he’s most proficient with Hadō, though he can use some low to mid level Bakudō.
Something else of note, he and Hachigen were worked together (with Meron mainly being one to test the other’s theories) to create Shitsuyōna Chikara: a Kidow spell that burns through the caster’s Reiatsu to increase their physical and sensory capabilities. This technique can be used with varying levels of potency, giving anything from a slight amplification to an utterly unprecedented burst of power, though both its potency and duration contribute to overall cost of use. Extensive use or use of its highest level can also put significant strain on the body, to the extent that the user will need to take a good few days to recover before engaging in any form of physical activity again. In terms of multipliers, the highest it has reached is a 10x multiplier, though it’s possible that should someone more proficient with Kidow learn the technique (not including Hachigen, who likely wouldnt bother with such a risky technique, especially when it emphesises close combat) they might be able to push it further still.
“YOU MEET SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS CALL THEM ‘HIDEOUS’?! NOW, LISTEN! WHAT I FIND TRULY HIDEOUS IN THIS WORLD IS THOSE WHO JUDGE OTHERS BY THEIR APPEARANCES.”
“THEY’RE ALL COWARDS, EVERY DAMN ONE OF THEM. WHATEVER. I’LL JUST CONSUME THEM. AS THEY BECOME MY FLESH AND BLOOD, THEY WILL SEE BEYOND. I… I AM THE KING!”
“IF YOU WISH TO ADHERE TO YOUR OWN WISHES, THEN GAIN THE STRENGTH TO DO SO. BUT WHEN YOU FACE THE ENEMY, YOU MUST WIN NO MATTER THE COST. THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW THE PROPER ORDER OF THINGS.”
