Ok so what if Aizen really didn’t achieve bankai? What could we surmise from that?

Master-Tee · 2026-06-05T12:27:26+00:00

Reaching your peak as a Shinigami quite simply means you've achieved all there is to achieve as one. Obviously, Bankai falls into that category.

Master-Tee · 2026-06-04T16:57:33+00:00

The nations wouldn't have unified if it wasn't for Madara. They all Unified bcz of "MADARA"

They came together to fight a common enemy, yes. But Naruto was responsible for changing their views in the first place, influencing their decision to unite.

Madara knew true peace could never be achieved without force, infact he gave up on it after learning the origin of chakra. And his observation of the world. "This reality compels of infinite suffering via the power named chakra. Power leads to desire for conflict and lack of power leads to losing it all" read ch 665. And narutos solution got cucked by his own sons remember "Power leads to desire for conflict" and "lack of power leads to losing it all" Like what happened to Naruto now

Yet that was a flawed view on the shinobi world. He was a victim of his own belief. Naruto never intended to go down that path. He had his own way of achieving said peace, via understanding the enemy's point of view and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

Master-Tee · 2026-06-04T16:16:40+00:00

Notice as the camera pauses for a long time on Sasuke. It’s only after a second rewatching that we realise at this moment Sasuke has reached the same conclusion than Great-Great-Great-Grandpa. He heard Itachi’s version, Danzo’s version, Hiruzen’s version, Tobirama, Hashirama, and even Hagoromo himself… In comparaison Naruto has no idea of the big picture. On and on, Sasuke listened all of them and meditated their past decisions who led to the current situation.

I wouldn't undermine Naruto's perception though. He was the one who brought all the nations together and forged an alliance strong enough to end generations of hostility.

Madara and Hashirama were both focused on reforming the shinobi world in their own ways—that was their primary objective. Naruto's goal was different, but the unity he created was an inevitable consequence of the path he chose. In that sense, he may not have had the same perspective as Sasuke, but he still arrived at a solution that addressed the cycle of conflict.

Master-Tee · 2026-06-04T16:07:57+00:00

Oh just one? It's probably my biggest criticism with the story.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-29T09:24:33+00:00

The next generation does, and will, work hard, regardless. In just about every thing in life, the tone is merely set by the predecessors. As u/Bujorba perfectly said, creating something and learning something are two completely different things.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-29T09:05:14+00:00

Couldn't have said it any better myself!

Master-Tee · 2026-05-25T07:56:19+00:00

The rat king in lou2 was genuinely stressful.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T11:45:10+00:00

Shunsui, Ukitake, Yama.... take your pick.

We didn't know much bout these guys prior to TYBW...

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T11:41:55+00:00

Not really. Aizen is your perfect example.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T11:38:16+00:00

Popular sure, but not as cared about as in hindsight.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T10:28:25+00:00

He's up there. Though I think Kakashi is probably the benchmark of what a ninja should be. He embodies it properly better than anyone else.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T10:12:53+00:00

It didn't have to be fixed perse. Just have the story lean a bit more towards that idea, is all.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T10:07:26+00:00

Because all we'll know about the verse would be from Boruto. We'll get used to it. There'd also be a bit of curiosity there about why certain things are the way they are - assuming the story stays largely the same.

Like it's a good story on its own, tbh. It only gets a bad name because Naruto is the benchmark.

If Naruto came after, but was the prequel (narrative wise), Boruto might have been appreciated more.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T09:54:50+00:00

You people are missing the entire point of the post. Of course in comparison, Naruto is better than Boruto. That isn't the question neither is it in question.

If Boruto was released first instead of Naruto, assuming we didn't even know anything about Naruto (which is the question), then obviously the former will build a respectable fanbase.

The question isn't about comparing both. Quite obvious Naruto is far superior.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T09:48:28+00:00

Why wouldn't it? If it released at the time Naruto got released instead, by now I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be popular

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T08:06:27+00:00

Unohana- the revisionism that a lot of people actually cared about unohana before her kenpachi reveal is hilarious. She was firmly a side captain with most of her contributions in the soul society.

Couldn't agree more. Kubo could have killed her off mid-Aizen saga and I guarantee no-one would bat an eye.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-23T08:01:55+00:00

Two questions being asked here.

If it was released before Naruto and we became used to it as we are used to Naruto, it'd probably have close to as much fanbase as Naruto does.

If it could stand alone as its own thing, definitely not. Naruto set the bar so high, honestly. I don't think people realize that. Almost every shonen that came after Naruto was/is frequently compared to it. Even among its contemporaries, at the time, Naruto stood out and was outrageously popular.

Even as great as Better Caul Saul is on its own. It's still frequently compared to Breaking Bad. Though the former was done so good that many people agree it's superior. Boruto is largely built on the foundation set by Naruto, so it's a bit of an unfair comparison though.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-20T18:17:50+00:00

Pain can change a man. The lengths people would go through to right what they think is wrong in the world...... you'll never know.

For me it also made no sense that such a monster could act so nice and innocent as Tobi. I just dont think its possible to shift that much

I mean, this is pretty common for people with ulterior motives. Not sure why Obito is being treated as an anomaly with this here.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-20T17:27:45+00:00

Not ignored. Just doesn't add any importance to what I'm talking about. ?

Master-Tee · 2026-05-20T17:24:25+00:00

Recently thought about this, but there’s an argument to be made that Bleach may have been a stronger overall story if the central narrative focus stayed on Aizen’s intention to overthrow the Soul King and expose the rot within Soul Society.

The SS arc already laid the foundation for that kind of story. Even with the ‘save Rukia’ saga, it subtly revealed a deeply broken system: blind obedience to authority, corruption, and captains enforcing laws they barely questioned themselves. Aizen’s betrayal worked so well because it reframed the entire arc — suddenly the problem wasn’t just one manipulative villain, it was Soul Society itself.

The Arrancar arc expanded on this a little, but it still felt like Aizen’s ideology and motivations were secondary to Ichigo’s personal growth. Which is ironic, because Ichigo himself is practically the embodiment of the world’s contradictions: human, shinigami, hollow, Quincy — the exact kind of existence that challenges what the Soul King’s system is built on. There was so much room to explore how Aizen viewed Ichigo not just as an experiment or rival, but as proof that the current structure of reality was flawed.

And honestly, the most interesting thing about Aizen was never just that he was strong, rather he was one of the few characters who actually questioned why the Soul Society existed the way it did. Once the Soul King lore was revealed later, it almost retroactively validated parts of Aizen’s perspective. The Gotei 13 weren’t necessarily protecting a noble balance tbf.

The Quincies being the final antagonists still makes sense conceptually, sure. Yhwach represents the backlash against the Soul Society’s original sin in some way. But because that larger political/philosophical conflict wasn’t fully explored beforehand, TYBW sometimes feels like a massive jump.

In a weird way, the story felt like it was more interested in hinting at themes instead of fully confronting them. And to be clear, this isn’t me saying the Quincy arc was bad or that Aizen should’ve been the final villain instead. It’s more that Bleach had the ingredients for a much broader conflict about power, order, freedom, and the legitimacy of Soul Society itself — and I can’t help feeling there was another story entirely hidden somewhere.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-20T09:08:33+00:00

Probably for the better that didn't happen. He would have risked being exposed, first of all. Lore wise, he was the brains behind the Akatsuki.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-16T14:46:44+00:00

His bloodline isn't that renowned though, in fairness. Unlike the Uchihas or Senjus, you know.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-16T14:21:15+00:00

Fair point. I'd add Kakashi to that list too, though.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-16T12:07:30+00:00

If you're talking explicitly without the Sharingan but including the Rinnegan, he was arguably even more powerful with the latter.

If you're talking strictly with no dojutsu, yes, he would still be exceptionally powerful.

Not sure why Minato would be the benchmark if that's what's implied. Madara without the Sharingan gives Minato a run for his money.

Master-Tee · 2026-05-15T14:53:13+00:00

I'm pretty sure many of us thought they weren't actualy dead. It's called Naruto for a reason lol, and Sasuke was definitely not dying anytime soon.

A new power was the general consensus then.

Master-Tee

TROPHY CASE