Bleach

I didn't see an issue with it, but fair enough. Different strokes for different folks.

Thank you. You are so kind.

Oh please, it's nothing, just common courtesy! If I decided every differing interpretation of media was WRONG!!!!, I'd never have any peace on the internet, hahaha!

So this Mr Tommo video contemplates how Chad's role in the series could've been fixed. I agree on a couple points, but I'll copy my own suggestions below the video:

I think there's definitely a lot of ground for how to improve Chad's story by using what was already in the story, but also in this video and the comments. In short, I'd give Chad the two fights that should have been his (that bizarrely both went to Byakuya), and making his character arc be about defending others but finding the value in himself and others of noble heart. Here's what I'd do, by arc:

Soul Society: When Nanao suggests she finish Chad off, Kyoraku explicitly states that he knows a small bit about Chad's powers, and is trying to protect her, followed by making a statement that had she or most other lieutenants fought Chad fairly, they'd probably lose badly. This could be worded to both give hints that Chad's a certain class of fighter, and mostly to start a little earlier at hinting to Kyoraku's connection to Nanao, or how her powers aren't suited to direct combat against powers like Chad's.

Arrancar: He would be featured in the fight vs Yammy, mostly for the reasons you stated, have it start with Rukia, Renji, and Chad. Rukia and Renji are a bit exhausted from Rudbornne, but Chad is noticeably not tiring nearly as fast, and is somehow keeping up with a character who is explicitly getting more powerful. When Ichigo shows up, they remark on each other's growth, and that it makes sense for Ichigo as he has actual hollow powers, but Chad doesn't, so they start to question something there. During this fight, Chad develops a *New Power* manifesting as shin guards and shoes, giving him the ability to swap places with an ally to block blows for them. This was inspired by a JJBA/Bleach discussion I had years ago, suggesting powers based around song names, in this case, "Take On Me" by A-Ha, and plays into Chad's role as a defender of others. With this, he can keep Yammy's focus on him, and this shows that Ichigo is no longer needed there and is free to go to FKT. Zaraki and Byakuya would still need to be written out somehow, and them having an ego contest just feels weird given the importance of other events, but I don't know what they'd need to do.

Timeskip: Have Chad be the main person eliminating Hollows in Ichigo's stead, with an emphasis on purifying them via words and his kind heart. This also minimizes the issues of Uryu doing it leading to unbalancing souls. Potentially, the two can reveal later on that they had a discussion about this.

Lost Agent/Fullbringer Arc: Actually, my big point here is that Chad _should_ still be cut by Book of the End. Have _him_ be Tsukishima's final opponent, and power through the ability instead of Byakuya, who quite frankly didn't make sense being the one to do it. Chad powering through would not only be based on his connection to Ichigo, but would also help establish limits on Book of the End and how it can fail under logical inconsistencies. Namely, Chad's coin and Fullbring skin are very clearly tied up in his cultural heritage, which Tsukishima doesn't share. Further, Chad's character development in this arc should be to overcome his self-imposed limit of only fighting for others, because what happens when those others (Ichigo and Tsukishima) are on opposing sides? He'll have to make his own choice and find his own way. Chad's pride in himself and knowledge of his noble heart should be what breaks through Book of the End, and when it does it should manifest as a final *New Power* - by pulling on the soul of his coin to have it extend over his entire body as a thing bronze/gold metallic sheen, upping his defense, specifically against piercing attacks. He could also be able to make this aura extend larger than himself, to actually bring about "The Giant" that his Right Arm is named after, sort of like a piloted version of Tenken, but not that large. If one wanted to keep with the memes about his connection to the floor, then his ability to pull on the soul of things could also help make this giant by shaping the ground, as some very limited geokinesis, which is a very underused power in the series.

TYBW: I'm mostly in agreement with you that with increased importance in the prior arcs, especially in the last one, Chad shouldn't necessarily need a big role in this arc. However, I'd still have him have a bit more importance, because the big change I'd make to this arc is having characters with Hollow-derived powers be the key combatants taking on the Quincy. This is the _logical_ course to show the value of the Visored, Espada, and Fullbringer allies Ichigo has made along the way. As for Chad's "fight", much like seeing him fight alongside Ichigo was a missed opportunity, this was a missed opportunity to at least have a short, inconclusive skirmish between Chad and Uryu. They might be able to silently communicate that something is going on with Uryu, subtly hinting he hasn't fully turned. I'd also add him into the final fight against Ywach, with Chad's new transposition power and Orihime's defensive powers being used to split Ywach's focus, so that Ichigo and Renji can stand a bit more of a chance. Then Chad can swap with an Uryu who wasn't even on the battlefield to begin with, so that Uryu's final arrow would be impossible to see coming.

I agree especially with Tommo's point about Chad's epilogue being a poor idea. One thought that has been in my mind for a while is that Chad dying could result in a more fitting epilogue.

The story never established any meaningful connections for him in the world of the living, aside from Ichigo and Orihime who can visit Soul Society whenever. So the alternative epilogue here would see Chad reunited with his parents and the parakeet boy from his intro arc. Maybe even Abuelo if it's possible to move from the Mexican afterlife to Soul Society. Either way, it'd be a conclusion that actually had the bare minimum of buildup, unlike his boxing career.

The problem with this idea is that killing off the punchbag friend would feel extra disrespectful, even in this setting where humans dying is not that much of an issue, but in this scenario where Chad had consistently respectful writing, the concept suddenly works a lot better.

I actually was having some similar thoughts as I was thinking of my own rewrite ideas. It's weird that that seems like a more respectful end for a character that I like, that Kubo doesn't seem to.

Also, please forgive that I didn't edit my above remarks and have just copied it straight from youtube.

Edited by wanderlustwarrior on May 24th 2024 at 12:04:21 PM

Personally I liked the juxtaposition that while Chad never got a huge role in an arc like Orihime or Uryu, he actually ended up being the famous one (at least in the World of the Living).

People often complain about Chad being a boxer but I always leaned towards Kubo's explanation of this before I ever even saw that Klub Outside post.

I do agree with Tommo with much of the other stuff he said, particularly the Meninas fight, that would have been fun to see.