Borderline
Since: Jul, 2013
07/26/2013 16:59:28
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FanficRecs Overall, Amazing
Considering the kind of place Soul Society is, it surprises some fans that the Visored were pardoned/restored to captaincy, given that they are still affected by the conditions that got them exiled in the first place. A couple fanfics explore this, but this is actually one of the more interesting takes on it. The Soul King takes an important yet minor role, Kaien and the Gotei 13 in general are explored well, and Ichigo's got a reason or eight to be grouchy. While sometimes this gets annoying (to fans, Kaien's enthusiasm can be infectious) in general Ichigo's no-nonsense attitude works, particularly with the well-done OC he tutors.
FanficRecs Heartbreaking
This has got to be one of the portrayals of Kaien that I love most. His character is well established and dovetails nicely in with what we know of Cannon!Kaien. His interactions are both hilarious and heartwarming by turns and you just know that when he says he will believe in Ichigo even if he turns traitor, you know he means it.
Ichigo is also portrayed well. Broken in so many ways that he doesn't remember what it was like to be whole anymore, his unconscious reaching for help just hurts. (Hurts even more when he denies reaching.) And yet he stays so true to himself and who he won't let himself become.
Overall, wonderful characterizations. The OC fit in and the only reason you know they're OC is because you don't know them from the original story.