u/Extension-Yak6186

A while ago I came across this image, which has a strong parallel between Kisuke and Sosuke playing with their enemies—in Kisuke's case with Yammy, and in Sosuke's with Sajin. But I'd like to know other people's opinions. Although there are good parallels, who fared worse, Sajin or Yammy? Let's analyze.

Although Sajin knew he couldn't defeat Sosuke while working as a team, he faced him. His body trembled, but he refused to back down and kept fighting. Sosuke was able to defeat him with a Hado 90 the first time they faced each other. In their second fight, Sosuke cut off Sajin's arm and seriously injured him after Sajin hadn't fully recovered from his encounter with Kaname. Sajin was very resilient in his two fights against Sosuke, despite not having the advantage in defeating him, and he was still brave.

Yammy was very excited after arriving in the World of the Living, killing innocent people. Even though Ichigo cut off his arm and demonstrated his power after Yammy defeated Yasutora and tried to injure Orihime, Kisuke and Yoruichi beat him severely. While the Arrancars were going to kidnap Orihime, Kisuke tricked Yammy three times, showing him he had several tricks up his sleeve and didn't hesitate to use them on Yammy when he could. After all, Kisuke may be clever, but he made Yammy look ridiculous because the latter was arrogant.

So, who fared worse, Sajin or Yammy?

With just one day left until the arrival of the final Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War cour this July, today we feature the poem from the very first volume of the Bleach manga—recited by Ichigo. It marks the beginning of the great adventures undertaken by Ichigo and his friends and allies; a moment defined by the fear of the unseen, yet serving as the first step toward a new story and a new chapter that would leave a lasting mark on so many lives.

This brings the countdown to a close; it has been a great experience counting down the days to July and the arrival of the fourth and final cour of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

"We fear that which we cannot see."

In that episode, when we saw Shigekuni giving it his all against the fake Yhwach, we saw several captains—such as Sui Feng, Toshiro, and Sajin—smile for Shigekuni-dono.

Noticing that Sajin smiled really moved me, because he had never been seen smiling before—except in filler episodes and omakes. Although I had always wanted to see him happy at least once, I was delighted that they included this as original content.

It is proof that Sajin, despite intimidating many with his werewolf-like appearance, still retains goodness and light within him.

It was a beautiful, touching moment, yet that smile would be extinguished forever when Yhwach killed Shigekuni—an event that indirectly led Sajin to make the difficult decision to resort to the Jinka technique and let himself be consumed by vengeance.

Sajin deserved to be happy just once...

I forgot yesterday, but the 29th of Summertide was the last day to wish Gocteau a happy birthday. He is undoubtedly a great man who oversees the Enoue, Fume, and Larla missions, and manages the materials gathered during those simple yet fun supply-collection runs.

Happy birthday, Gocteau!

Two days until the final cour of Bleach TYBW, and today we're accompanied by the poem from volume 2 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Rukia. It speaks of hope and how we are unable to see death even behind us, after experiencing so many adventures with Ichigo, including his acceptance of being the substitute Soul Reaper.

"People have hope,
because they cannot see death
standing behind them."

With three days remaining until the final *cour* of *Bleach: TYBW*, today we feature the poem from Volume 3 of the *Bleach* manga—recited by Orihime—which speaks of rain and the way the sky and earth touch in such a peculiar manner, leading to the question: "Could I join two hearts as well?" This poem alludes to the events surrounding Ichigo and the trauma of Masaki’s death; while the circumstances of her passing were revealed, only the first half of the events was shown initially, with the rest reserved for the final arc. Nevertheless, Ichigo blamed himself for years and bore that burden alone, believing he had killed Masaki—though in reality, it was not intentional.

"If I were rain
That joins sky and earth
that otherwise never touch
Could I join two hearts as well?"

Four days until the final cour of Bleach TYBW, and today we're accompanied by a poem from volume 4 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Uryu. It speaks of how we attract each other like water and planets, and how we repel each other like magnets and skin tones. Undoubtedly, its first appearance was symbolic and epic, although I thought it would be a Sasuke 2.0 when I first saw it.

"We are drawn to each other
Like drops of water, like the planets
We repel each other
Like magnets, like the colors of our skin"

Five days until the final cour of Bleach TYBW, and today we're sharing a poem from volume 5 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Yasutora, which speaks of protection and how he can't protect or hold a sword while fighting.

"I can't protect you
without holding a sword,
I can't embrace you
while holding a sword"

There are six days left until the final *cour* of *Bleach: TYBW*, and today we feature the poem from Volume 6 of the *Bleach* manga, quoted by Kisuke. It speaks of destiny—a path we choose ourselves, yet one where we can sometimes be consumed by emotions like ignorance and fear, causing us to stumble and fall into the rushing river known as fate; a destiny forged either by our own hands or by circumstance.

"Yes there is no fate for us,
Only those that are swallowed
by ignorance and fear and miss a step,
Fall in to the rapid river called fate"

Today, the 24th of Summertide, is Rody's birthday. Despite his youth, he is a skilled appraiser—capable of valuing items that are worth money as well as objects of great worth. He is undoubtedly a prodigy when it comes to appraising antiques and highly valuable items.

Happy birthday, Rody!

Let's be honest: we all know that as the 7th Division Lieutenant, Tetsuzaemon wasn't the most flawless or powerful Shinigami—largely because he didn't get as much screen time as Renji or Ikkaku. However, one thing that definitely works in his favor is his loyalty and the serious attitude he brings to the table; unlike Ikkaku and Yumichika, who tend to treat battles as a source of fun, Tetsuzaemon takes things much more seriously. When he was revealed as the new captain in the final chapters, the surprise didn't sit well with everyone, but I was actually happy about it. After all, Sajin had obviously left, and Tetsuzaemon didn't just arbitrarily step in to take his place. Tetsuzaemon didn't take Sajin's position out of jealousy or selfishness; he took it because he was the only candidate from the 7th Division. As we know, Sajin had permanently turned into an ordinary wolf due to the *Jinka* technique, and Rabu Aikawa (or rather, Love) didn't return because he holds a grudge against Central 46 over the events of the "Turn Back the Pendulum" arc. It seems the main reason many people dislike Tetsuzaemon is simply that he went largely unnoticed as a lieutenant before being appointed captain.

I actually really like Tetsuzaemon—he’s one of my favorite lieutenants. I understand why he didn't play a huge role—he simply didn't have much screen time—but the extent to which people mock or attack him for that is a bit exaggerated (though not quite to the extreme level of the hate Orihime got around 2018). Perhaps the complaint stems from the fact that he became captain despite barely participating in the series. Yet, if you really stop to think about it, Tetsuzaemon demonstrated emotional maturity—like when he scolded Ikkaku for refusing to use his Bankai. He takes things very seriously; I don't mean he's solemn all the time—he's not cold like Byakuya—but he becomes serious when the situation demands it or when danger arises. That’s the kind of thing Sajin would do as captain. We tend to think being a captain is all about having a Shikai and Bankai, and while that's true, I think that beyond that, seeing Bankai used constantly these days is actually becoming rare.

You know, I think the 7th Division is the polar opposite of the 11th Division. If you think about it, the 11th Division has always stood out for having so many members who enjoy fighting and killing each other, whereas the 7th Division is based on... ...the force and all that, but also recruits with devotion and unwavering courage who will always put duty above everything else—and yet they criticize Tetsuzaemon at the end of *Bleach: TYBW* without a second thought.

Today I’m sharing my new drawing (No. 41), featuring Sajin and me once again—this time capturing a significant event from six days ago.

Six days ago, I successfully advanced from the preparatory stage to the degree program in composition. However, during my level-advancement recital, I made several mistakes because I got nervous. I *had* studied hard and hadn't spent much time playing around; I was ready, but something just happened. Afterward, I was happy and told Sajin about it, apologizing for not playing the way I wanted him to see me—since I had promised him I would become strong. Sajin realized how I was feeling—happy but having a bit of a nervous breakdown—and he was proud of me. He hugged me and helped calm me down; he knew I hadn't played the way I wanted to, but he reassured me that I had passed. Even though he doesn't play the piano himself, he said he would help me—provided I promise to finally fulfill the vow I made to him.

I had experienced a mild nervous breakdown and my heart was pounding hard, but being with Sajin helped me calm down significantly, and eventually, I settled down on my own. It was definitely an emotionally intense moment.

I hope you like it; it’s a bit late, but the drawing is finally done.

Rating: 0 to 10

Seven days remain until the final cour of Bleach TYBW, and today we're accompanied by a poem from volume 7 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Byakuya. It speaks of how we shouldn't shed tears, how it becomes a surrender of the body to the heart, and how we'll know we don't know what to do with our hearts, referencing Ichigo's fight after saving Renji when they went after Rukia.

"We should not shed tears. That is a surrender of the body to the heart. It is only proof That we are beings that do not know What to do with our hearts."

Yesterday I was reading something about Sajin saving Kaname, and this question has been on my mind for quite some time. Even though Sajin was and is noble, brave, and has a heart of gold, back then he didn't know that Kaname was Sosuke's ally and part of the conspiracy. Even so, he defended Kaname when they faced Kenpachi because Sajin and Kaname were friends, good friends, even best friends. It's just that betrayal and the conspiracy behind it happened, and Sajin unknowingly saved Kaname from someone with the impulsive power of Kenpachi. So I don't think Sajin saved his future enemy. During those chapters of the Soul Society arc, specifically Rukia's rescue, no one knew—not even us as viewers and readers at the time, when we were first introduced to the series—who the real traitors were or what the conspiracy behind it was.

It's not like Sajin saved a future enemy like Kaname; no one knew what was going to happen, even though we didn't see anything suspicious.

Eight days remain until the final cour of Bleach TYBW, and today we're accompanied by a poem from volume 8 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Zangetsu. The poem refers to how a sword rusts and the consequences of owning a rusty sword, emphasizing Ichigo's training fight against Zangetsu and Kisuke.

"If it rusts,

it can never be trusted

If its owner fails to control it,

it will cut him

Yes, pride is

Like a blade"

Today, the 22nd of Summertide, is Selbineth's birthday. This companion, though mysterious, provides us with the space we need to train, farm, and level up without limits whenever we want. She makes sure we're better prepared than if we leave everything to the last minute, but she does give us the necessary space to level up.

Happy Birthday, Selbineth!

Today I'm sharing my 40th drawing of my company with Sajin. I originally had one planned, but I got ahead of myself, though I'll share it soon.

In this drawing, even though I forgot yesterday, I brought Sajin a box of muffins and cupcakes that I bought for him for Father's Day. I showed him the surprise and wished Sajin a happy Father's Day, because I already congratulated my own dad and my second father, Sajin. He tells me that even though I pressure him a lot sometimes, I'll always be like his son, no matter what worlds we're in.

So, happy Father's Day to Isshin, Ryuken... and to my great Sajin, even though he's Urui and Shouma's uncle, and my second father figure.

I hope you like my drawing!

Rating from 0 to 10

Nine days remain until the final cour of Bleach, and today we're accompanied by a poem from volume 9 of the Bleach manga, quoted by Kukaku. It speaks of how we dream with our eyes open and how we fly through the skies, referencing their plan to enter the Seireitei to save Rukia. Even reluctantly, he asks Ganju to accompany the group.

"Oh, all of us dream
That we are flying the skies
With our eyes open"

Although I missed it yesterday, it was Yaelu's birthday on the 20th of Summertide. Without a doubt, despite being shy, she's a great friend who cares about her people and friends. She's certainly a brave girl for facing Galdea; her village suffered, but she was able to move forward as long as she remained true to herself.

Happy birthday, Yaelu!

New illustration by Noriaki-sensei, or rather our Tite Kubo, for Kazui Kurosaki