RYUKEN ISHIDA, THE LAST QUINCY - Bleach: Forgotten Characters #2 | Discussion

[@MrTommo2304]

What did you think of Uryu's father, Ryuken? What was your favourite moment of his? Let me know!

[@shirothegamer7574]

It was made clear that uryus mothere was in a vegitative state due to yawaches abilities.

[@jdrodrigues7]

Please explain how they get paid and what is the currency used to pay.

[@m.czandogg9576]

I kinda remember him being kind of a loser. Mega salty over "losing" Ichigo's mother.

[@PaulXPZ]

I don't think most of the quincy are 1000 years old. A few maybe, like Bazz B, but don't forget we see As Nodt being "recruited" in a flashback and from what I remember of that scene it was relatively recent. Like, you see him in a hospital with modern gadgets, nothing that would exist 1000 years ago. Also, I doubt Soken was the first or only exile. Remember when we first hear about the quincy, they supposedly only vanished(fell off the radar) 200 years ago. Meaning they were still very much active in the real world long after Yuha's first failed invasion.

[@QrowxClover]

DILF.

[@TheNextManimal]

I’ll never forget in the Arrancar arc he said “I have no interest, you have no talent” to Ishida before helping him get his powers back.

[@trappedoutmally7229]

plus the "there's no money in being a quincy" got me lol

[@BotBehavior]

@@trappedoutmally7229 lol he’s not wrong though. I definitely thought he was a bad ass character. Would’ve been cool to see him have a surprise fight in the final arc.

[@doctorkom3455]

And I was like "bruh Mayuri literally called him a prodigy"

[@greennimbus2519]

It was at this moment I think they shouldve had him fight a Sternritter to Show case the difference in a Fake Quincy who was Given a Letter and an Actual full-Blooded Quincy.

[@RyogaEchizen]

@@doctorkom3455 what does that make ryuken? OP?

[@manuelacosta9463]

His and Uryu's relationship represents a generational gap. Ryuken wants to keep things quiet given the events of the past and his own personal tragedies, while Uryu does not hesitate to help Ichigo and co save the worlds even with his standoffish personality. Still in the end their relations have improved with Ryuken supporting Uryu's education while not objecting to his friendship with nominal 'enemies' of the Quincy. It's a sign of the changing times that have become general after the war for the better.

[@Rhekon]

Uryuu acts similarly to his dad in the last arc though, and when he finally goes against the quincy emperor he's still partially doing what his dad would do.

[@thecronicman420]

Might I add to that as Uryus grandfather influenced him toward the Quincy showing an entirely diffrent generational gap, persay ryuken knew of yuhabach and his grandfather was more stuck in the Quincy/human mentality of destroying hollows is there purpose.....food for thought

[@manuelacosta9463]

@@thecronicman420 This is true. And the reason why the Quincies under Yhwach didn't strike hard against Mayuri was because the victims of the previous extermination attempts where pacifists and reformers certainly following Uryu's grandfather's teachings.

[@philiptucker7590]

I think it’s cause Ryuken knows all the troubles attached to being a Quincy, that’s why he wants Uryu to stop. He actually cares about Uryu he’s just bad at showing it

[@marcuswilliams5255]

@@philiptucker7590 exactly what I got from their relationship

[@AZhao-nw6qj]

Ryuuken is first foreshadowed in chapter 7 (The Pink Cheeked Parakeet) where Isshin is calling somebody about hospital beds and shouts into the phone, "Listen! Tell your boss it's a request from Kurosaki!"

[@starblade876]

I think Ryuken used a lot of reverse psychology on Uryu, knowing Uryu's rebellious nature. Like, telling him he had no talent when it was noted by Mayuri that he was indeed talented for knowing how to use Hirenkyaku and Ransotengai so well and at a young age (and, to add to that, he might not have had a proper teacher in a long time). I think Ryuken definitely gave him his powers back because he knew Uryu couldn't/wouldn't stay away from danger even if he couldn't help much at all. And the ultimatum he gave was another trick because Ryuken knew that Ichigo and his friends would help protect Uryu Anyway, during the fake Karakura arc, an explanation as to what Ryuken was doing could be that he was keeping watch over Karin and Yuzu since Isshin went to help with Aizen. It really was a shame that he didn't fight in the TYBW arc though

[@lettuceeatingwalrus]

I love how Ryuken letting Uryu avenge his mother parallels Isshin being the one to slay grand fisher instead of Ichigo

[@OG_DSB]

So many characters didn’t get their fair share of screen time in TYBW…but I really wish Ryuken, Isshin, and Ginjou got to play a bigger role in the war.

[@thelittlebosniaexperience8181]

There’s still a chance for anime filler to add stuff that kubo ran out of time to do since jump was rushing him

[@ierbutza21]

Or Karin & Yuzu filler at least,since both seem to be a clear copy/paste of Masaki & Kukaku and its weird for that to be just a simple coincidence.

[@MrBigBasket]

@@ierbutza21 there will be no filler There is no reason for it Tybw is already finished y There is no need to make a filler for the manga to get further ahead of the anime

[@mattchumoore4214]

@@MrBigBasket they can add canon filler to further the development of characters and moments that was rushed during the writing of the manga

[@angeltzepesh1]

@@MrBigBasket who said there wont be "filler"?

[@joelcora8086]

It is definitely tempting to think of Ryuken as cold hearted and selfish but overall I think he just wants to be a regular human and live a normal life, and it’s honestly kind of sad. He was born into a lifestyle that he doesn’t want. He doesn’t want to have to live up to the “pride of the quinicies”, he was destined for an arranged marriage to maintain his bloodline, his entire race was eradicated, and his own father was killed by shinigami. Can you really blame him for wanting to step away from all that? We should give him credit for doing something in the final arc even if it was just giving his son the silver arrow. Wanting to live a peaceful life really shows just how human he really is.

[@manuelacosta9463]

Truth. You'll notice most exiles from either side generally follow the same mantra of preventing their offspring from knowing of their previous lives, especially the political systems in order to have peace and quite. Can't blame them given the Spirit Worlds seemed stuck in endless conflict be it Shinigami vs Quincy or internal fighting/purges.

[@MrJamaigar]

The two of them are rebellious for opposite reasons. Uryu felt drawn towards the same Quincy lifestyle rejected by Ryuken, who'd just wanted a normal life away from tradition. As far as Ryuken was concerned, quincy pride was no more than a self-destructive mindset that'd given them nothing but grief. That's what he'd wanted to protect Uryu from.

[@shoryuken5907]

Despite his lack of screen time throughout the series, Ryuken is probably one of the most complex characters in Bleach if you really take the time to dissect his character's motivations and the various events in his life. For example, in the flash back he tells Uryu that he has no interest in being a Quincy; in his earlier years he was very much concerned with the preservation of Pure Blooded Quincy and was arranged to marry Misaki before the events which led to her and Isshin being Soul Bound to stop her from dying to WHITE. So why the sudden change? It could be that the Quincy were technically responsible for the deaths of both women in his life as Kanae lost her life to Ywach's Auswahlen and Misaki lost her life to a Hollow as a direct result of losing her powers to Auswahlen. While I can't contextually say for sure that Ryuken ever really was in love with Misaki, I think this is why he tolerates Uryu's friendship with Ichigo and he himself has formed a relationship with Isshin despite his disdain for Shinigami. Isshin pretty much made the ultimate sacrifice to save Misaki by giving up his life as a Shinigami and a Captain at that, while Ichigo would in essence be the Harry Potter to Ryuken's Professor Snape. The only contradiction being that he himself never has any actual contact with Ichigo, but it can also be argued that he does it via proxy using Ishida. As for his relationship with his son, I think Ryuken has his own reasons for his "indifference" to Uryu and that it's actually a lot more wholesome than it appears. As mentioned before, throughout his earlier years Ryuken's major concerns were about protecting the Bloodline of Pure Quincies. For this reason it's hinted at in the manga that Pure Quincies spent most of their time either studying or training and never had time to really fraternize or make friends; seeing as their marriages were arranged. After Misaki married Isshin, Ryuken took Kanae as his wife; now this could also be because she was a Quincy, albeit not a Pure Quincy, but it also lends credence to the idea that Ryuken's social circle was relatively small because of his responsibilities as a Pure Quincy. Therefore he is in reality trying to deter Uryu from pursuing the same path, what he wants most for Uryu is to live, see the world, make friends and probably most of all have the freedom to love and marry who he chooses and not who his family chooses for him.

[@jcartist5881]

Another thing to note is Ryuken is sort of emotionally stunted in a way because his parents werent quite happy and his father wasnt exactly a good father to him but was a very passionate and caring grandfather to Ishida which honestly would warrant bitterness. Doesnt help his parents were cold, stern, and distant while in his younger years, he did seem to actually care and express a lot of emotion compared to nowadays after all that's happened. Its those details that really give Kubo's character some genuine humanity and depth that isnt so easily captured in writing.

[@shirothegamer7574]

Intersting thing about bleach is, while it introduces badasses of the old guard, it's more about introducing successors with new ideas.

[@manuelacosta9463]

Indeed. Be it Gotei 13 reaching out to and helping the Rukon or Quincies living peacefully among humans change has come. Many have even started to question the reality of Soul Society's status quo.

[@saitosan876]

The best Ryuken moment is when he and Isshin compare pictures of Ichigo and Uryu when they were kids. I hope they make wholesome and funny moments in the last arc, like Katagiri giving signals to Ryuken to make him notice her, that would be hilarious!

[@michaelspangler5991]

Just occurred to me that Isshin said Masaki thought he looked cool smoking and Ryuken smokes, that’s kinda neat.

[@DestroAzureDx]

That destroys my heart lol they would both be really good couples.

[@anguspodgorny2283]

Honestly, IMO, the stark change in how they feel about quincies comes directly from YWACH killing their wives. Both of them respect the power that being a quincy gives them - hence soken training uryu, and not only turning his back on the vandenreich’s genocide plan, but taking extra time to take care of his family (uryu). Then ryuken never gave up his powers and the strength it afforded him, but cast off the name and the title as well, disgusted with how his view of quincies has now been utterly tainted by the murder of katagiri and (probably) his own mother.

[@Zorkii]

I don't know if MrTommo meant this to be hilarious but Soken being banished from the shadow realm is something I never expected to hear in a Bleach video. Now I want a Yu Gi Oh Bleach crossover.

[@BrycePogue]

There is actual a potential explanation why Ryuken was not present during the TYBW. Its likely he needed a lot of still silver to make the arrowhead, meaning he would have been raiding quincy corpses in order to acquire the silver needed to make the arrowhead. He could do that easier if he was staying in the background and picking his moment to harvest it and also if he didn't stay out the fighting, he might have been hit with Aushwahlen himself and become collateral damage.

[@ComicCrossing]

The real question is why in the world he was never hit with the Aushwalen in the first place. I dont think that was ever talked about. It could just be that every last one of the remaining Quincy outside of Ryuken wasnt an Echt Quincy and Aushwalen doesnt affect Echt Quincy? But I find it hard to believe that there were no Echt Quincies among the Sternritter since they all get wiped out by it in the end in one way or another. Could be that Ryuken found a way to escape Yhwachs gaze. Definitley one of the biggest mysteries that I hope gets covered at some point in the future. Hell they never even explain why Uryu survived the Aushwalen unaffected or why he was given the Antithesis either. The whole "Yhwachs successor" deal was completley forgotten.

[@johnlucas2838]

@@ComicCrossing I always thought that since the Sternritter has a schrift, then Aushwalen could be cast upon them. Being a pure blood would in a sense have Ywach have difficulty identifying them for his auschwalen because he can't sense them or because when he does sense them, they blend into his sense range. And Sternritter who are pureblood quincy can be Aushwalen'd because of their Schrifts as Ywach can identify his soul shards.

[@mustysmells817]

"It is an arrowhead that should be fired by you." Is one of his most badass lines. You knew he wanted revenge more than anyone, but felt it deserving to give his son proper closure.

[@artydomi2466]

In a whole arc centered around Quincies...Ryuken served as an UPS man for the plot.

[@bqw2094]

Fans will damage control this by saying Kubo he was rushed , but ryuken should not have been brought in at the last minute and should have had a much larger role .

[@vcamv2354]

@@bqw2094 I mean, being rushed is a good excusr, but I also agree with you. Though, we don't know what Ryuken could've done if he wasn't rushed. He was well explored in the backstory

[@bqw2094]

@@vcamv2354 I can’t really buy into the whole “ he was rushed “ excuse cause the man made so many bad decisions in this arc .

[@vcamv2354]

@@bqw2094 We don't know what truly happened. He was ill, hr wad rushed. I can buy hr was cause, Bleach has a story of being rushed and then un-rushed by editors. I believe he also rushed himself maybe because of the illness, it is a mistery. I don't use it as an excuse for bad decisions, cause I agree he made some, and some very crucial, but I still believe bleach could've been much better without his illness and the rushing

[@mra3076]

@@vcamv2354 I wish I was a fan like you. Just so you know it’s okay to criticise Kubo. He made poor choices like with the Zero Division and most notably with Ryuken. I don’t think he even planned to include Ryuken but then decided last minute to include him.

[@MIGBMWLOVER]

Ryuken is like batman beyond batman and he treats Ishida like early Terry McGinnis

[@pokesok]

18:28 I also love this scene, and I think since Uryuu dropped his glasses on that moment, he ressembled Kategiri the most, that's why Ryuuken went softer on him.

[@ludasrayjin1158]

Kubo revealed in his fanclub that there will be extra scenes for uryu and souken in the anime under his supervision

[@no_activity]

My hope is that under Kubo's direction, the anime team is able to expand the story to match Kubo's original vision before he was forced to rush.

[@abdoul5176]

This is exactly what I was hoping for.

[@julianoliver5364]

He didn't say that you lier. Don't give people false hopes.

[@abdoul5176]

Bruh

[@ludasrayjin1158]

@@julianoliver5364 he did in klub outside

[@Apudurangdinya]

"uryuu distant father" ryuken : deliver uryuu's hospital food by himself because he didn't want the nurses to flirt with him

[@realmdarkness]

Ryuken is definitely one of the best dressers in Bleach

[@ryanfeddeler2516]

Ryuken is the pinnacle of a wasted character imo. I get that he completed his plot thread but the fact that we had a whole arc about Quincy and his son joins the bad guys and apparently he's just okay with that lol. I REALLY wanted more, but I'm still happy with what we got in terms of an overall product

[@adventuresightion3917]

I really would’ve liked to see him fight. He’s supposedly talented, but we don’t see anything

[@lolsnez7542]

That doesnt mean hebis wasted that just means he fullfilled his role as a character

[@ryanfeddeler2516]

@@lolsnez7542 I really wanted him to expand his role in the story at least a little bit outside of pizza delivery boy. He's such a cool character and a criminally unexplored one. I just wanted to see more you know?

[@bleach4k239]

I think Ryuken knew Uryu's intentions when he joined the quincies' side so he didn't oppose.

[@corndog7813]

Squad 0, Ukitake: Let us introduce ourselves

[@sternritternovad]

Honestly how emotional he was with Masaki was what blew me away, he was shown to be so analytical but when it came to Masaki he protective and caring.

[@SpookyStu]

Some potential ice storm action made all the more bearable by this post. Hope you’re doing well, bub.

[@MrTommo2304]

Thanks Jacob - hope you stay safe!

[@Kubinda12345]

A great analysis of a truly interesting yet sadly not often appearing character. I honestly had no idea that the story implied that Souken was so old but it makes sense. And as for the relationship between him and Ryuken, I think that another factor is that Souken was incredibly focused on training and being Quincy and as a result the family fell into financial troubles. This would give background to Ryuken's words that being Quincy makes no profit and that Uryu should focus on surviving in the real world.

[@cursegear5]

So fascinating how quincy is heartless but everything involve in their heart. Ishin being there alongside ryuken in tybw is like masaki is there too. So beautifully written.

[@inknari]

I find it very beautiful how the Heart plays so much in BLEACH. From being a bond referred from Kaien to what it means to be human to Ulquiorra, and now the relation to Quincies and their hearts just goes to show how brilliant Kubo’s writing goes.

[@corruptangel6793]

The only changes I would have made with Ryuken is that he knows about Uryu Schrift (or at least has some idea about it after Uryu survived the Auswählen) and it's revealed that he used that knowledge to help Uryu regain his powers in the Arrancar arc. In other words, all he did was jumpstart Uryu's powers for a brief moment and Uryu's power took it from there, reversing the loss of his powers from the Letz Stil. Not only would it make the cost of using the Letz Still more permanent and thus more significant, it would also be a great bit of foreshadowing as to Uryu's true power. Then, in the TYBW arc, Ryuken appears sooner to help Uryu fight Haschwalth, only to get quickly killed which ultimately lets Uryu win as he reverses that death onto Haschwalth. Ryuken then gives him the arrowhead to go neg Yhwach to help Ichigo. In other words, Ryuken puts his life and trust in his son's ability as a kind of acknowledgment. Even if the fight was off-screen, I'd have been happy.

[@kevinbell5674]

All Schrifts, excluding Gerard and Pernida, were given to the Sternritter by Yhwach himself by having them ingest his blood. It was literally impossible for Uryu to have his Antithesis before TYBW.

[@kamui4708]

I hope the studio add explanation

[@corruptangel6793]

No, the Schift is something they're born with, created by the piece of Yhwach inside them. Awakening the Schift so they can actually use it is done by having communion with Yhwach. That's what sets Pernida and Gerard apart. They were able to use their power from the start and it didn't come from the shard of Yhwach inside them since they don't have one. For them it's the same kind of innate ability as Yhwach's power to share peices of his soul It's explained that his Schift is why Uryu survived the Auswählen purge 9 years prior (as he is also impure due to having an impure mother) and it's why Yhwach was so interested in him. Once he awoke Uryu's schift he immediately understood what happened and why Uryu was the sole survivor. This means that Quincy can use their schift on some instinctual level before awakening it, but it's not something they can control. Most, if not all, wouldn't even know about it until having communion.

[@kamui4708]

@@corruptangel6793 why uryu Ishida is the only survive from auswahlen, there ichigo too he is also a mix Quincy

[@corruptangel6793]

@@kamui4708 it's never said why Ichigo didn't count. I assume it's because either Yhwach purposefully didn't try to absorb him, or because of the unique situation with White making it so Ichigo wasn't technically an impure Quincy.

[@dualwieldroxas358]

Btw, on Izumi Ishida (Ryuken's mom), it is according to Katagiri that while the Quincy have a way to "purge" impurities from injured Quincies, the individual in question, while no longer being poisoned, is now "impure". So, the biggest theory is that Izumi got attacked and infected after having Ryuken, so she could no longer have pure Quincy children. Thus why she is so adamant about Ryuken marrying a pure Quincy.

[@rohanchaurasia391]

Ryuken just oozes badassery

[@wolfgod6443]

I always thought Soken was suggesting to Uryu that Ryuken was so focused on money and success for Uryu himself. Soken talks about how Ryuken protects what he believes is most important, and I took that as meaning he is creating an environment where is son can thrive, only he didn't want it to be as a Quincy. Soken may have been so focused on blood purity because he knew about Auschwalen, and took a pragmatic approach to it in that the only way to ever be safe as a Quincy was for Yhwach to accept them. It's not fair, and doesn't respect the lives of those around him, but he may see it that "they" are all on borrowed time. Assuming he knew Yhwach would return, of course.

[@crosis2]

Uryu's mother should have died the same time as Ichigo's by Ywhach's Auswählen - and that's why Uryu hates his father for "scavenging" his mother's corpse without tell him anything.

[@randomguy1928]

I believe it was stated in the mang that Uryu's mother got sick and died days later.

[@drexoslek2277]

Did you read TYBW?

[@AZhao-nw6qj]

@@randomguy1928 3 months later

[@NoLimitSquad]

Always liked Ryuken and I wish we had seen him in more action in the tybw arc

[@Ali-sh5sx]

Ryuken has a cool design I wish we saw more of his interactions with Isshin I also wanted to see Uryu+Ryuken vs Jugram And have Ryuken die protecting Uryu It's still so strange how in an arc about quinces Ryuken barely got any moments

[@DigiShack55]

Dude looks like silver haired Ichigo 34:11

[@djnovak8706]

Thank you for doing this forgotten characters series. Some of my favorites were the underused characters. Ryuken Ishida is amazing. Also for the future forgotten characters I hope one day we may get a Kukkaku and Ganju Shiba video. Those were characters I hoped to get so much more for in the manga.

[@CaptainKotetsu]

Fun fact: Uryu’s glasses are genetic. They were on his face when he came out of his mother.

[@omeganavie2087]

The only reason he was weaker than ichigo in the soul society arc was because he forgot to train his glasses

[@lolsnez7542]

Excuse me one question what do you have agains orihime being a housewife?

[@CaptainKotetsu]

@@lolsnez7542 Ah, you again. I never said I had anything against her being a housewife. I went over this three times in that other thread.

[@CaptainKotetsu]

@@lolsnez7542 As a matter of fact, I already explained why that’s not the case in the last two comments on that thread. Kinda thought we were done with that.

[@omeganavie2087]

@@lolsnez7542 huh?

[@MarCrazy19]

YES!!! The character I’ve been waiting for for a discussion 🤩

[@thelightseeker94]

7:40 TYBW anime confirms Uryuu's mother died the same day Ichigo's did because Yuwach took his powers back. Ichigo'a mother died from not having Blut Vein to activate when facing a Hollow. Uryuu's mother died from the loss of power itself.

[@DanielLennon100]

and since TYBW arc introduced more quincies and the fact that there's more quincies who survived post-TYBW, He should be called the last KNOWN Quincy. And i hope Kubo can expand more story for the quincies and how did they make their life in the world of the living after their arrival from Hueco Mundo at the end of CFYOW story

[@camcam794]

After reading the TYBW arc I was like soo there are a ton of quincies that survived without anyone knowing?? It seems like the grandfather knew a little about it, but he’s not really brought up. Also why are the quincies so different from how they used to be?? I just have a ton of questions

[@QrowxClover]

The Last Quincy doesn't actually mean the *last* Quincy. It means the last *living* Quincy. Remember, none of the Sternritter were actually alive. They didn't have the technology to make their souls Reishi from Urahara, meaning that all of the Sternritter are actually dead. And The Last *Living* Quincy doesn't mean the *only* living Quincy. It means the last, as in the current generation. The name of Last Quincy will go to Uryu's kid if he has one.

[@camcam794]

@@QrowxClover ohhhhh. I needed that. I guess I didn’t realize they were actually dead!

[@DanielLennon100]

@@QrowxClover According to CFYOW novel, right after Quincy women were somehow escaped from Yhwach's 2nd auschwahlen (or whatever the name written), They're going to Hueco Mundo and clashed with Hallibel, Nelliel and other Arrancars. There's three of them in Hueco Mundo (Giselle, Bambi and Liltotto) while the other two (Meninas and Candice) were brought to the Lab by Mayuri as subject for his experiment. There's also Najahkoop kept on the lab after the incident of Tsunayashiro clan. At the end it says in the novel that the quincy girls were escape to the world of the living physically meaning that it can be stated they're actually still alive

[@QrowxClover]

@@DanielLennon100 Not really. I've also read CFYOW. The fem-ritter may have gone to the Living World, but that doesn't mean that they were in a living body. Remember how Shinigami go to the Living World? Yeah, they did the same thing, although possibly without a Gigai.

[@UltimisRBX]

I think Ryuken is a character that was hurt the most and therefore he distanced himself from Uryu specifically to protect him from danger that is Yhwach. He cared about about Masaki and Katagiri. I think he is just cold and doesn't show emotion because he doesn't want to be hurt anymore.

[@ryuzakisimms1019]

His friendship with Kurosaki Isshin is one of comic relief, however awesome at the same time. Ishida Ryuken I hope when the anime returns we see him interact Kurotsuchi Mayuri more given the negative past between the mad scientist shinigami and the Quincies. Great video MrTommo2304.

[@marinhaalternativa3829]

we hope

[@trappedoutmally7229]

Its the story of a father who has already been through the true pain and lost alot behind the scenes of life in general so he'll do anything to protect him, like lie by saying he wasnt talented enough to be a quincy just to end up training him to be talented enough to his standard. It was all for protection because he knows he could lose his son, but at the end of the day uryu will do whatever he wants (children will be children ) and he would feel guilty if his son died without him atleast trying especially after the grandfather was gone. Pops always gonna look out for his boys just like ishin and ichigo. Bleach is the best was literally the first manga I read in like 5th grade. keep up the good work @mrtommo

[@djnovak8706]

Also I’m hoping we get somewhat of a fight scene for the two dads (Ryuken and Isshin) in the anime. It seems like Kubo was building toward that… or if not added to the anime, maybe in the future of the manga.

[@SB-jn8cw]

We may see a filler scene in the 1000 YBW where that happens.

[@MegaCornucopia]

Great choice for analysis on this guy. Way too often forgotten!

[@SatoshiSosuke]

Ryuken is one of those characters that I just wanted to see more of because he was genuinely pretty interesting. Considering his expertise in his craft, and how precisely he shot Uryu, one could imagine that is just the way he fights too. He probably takes quick rapid shots to draw out the enemy's abilities and understand what they do then with precision, like a surgeon, ends them in one fatal blow. I also think that he helped Uryu because he does care about his son, and wanted to help him when he was powerless which is what Isshin does with Ichigo later on. Just not the greatest father figure because he didn't have one so he doesn't know much better. As for the Still Silver arrow, I kinda understand why people don't like it. Feels like a "get out of jail free card" sorta thing where they just get it and are able to beat Ywach with it. However, I like it because it's symbolic of Ywach's people uprising against him just like you said. Even though it was made from the Still Silver in Katagiri's heart, you could argue it's the old generation of Quincy being put down by the new. Ywach only ever intended himself to be the supreme power, not the Quincy. Uryu learns of the value of bonds with his friends, and is empowered by them. He understands that by working together with Ichigo, a supposed enemy, they can do much more together than apart. Uryu shooting the arrow feels like the signal of a new generation of Quincy uprising by destroying the old.

[@DowntownTasty]

So glad you made this. I’ve wanted to learn more about ryuken for a while. He really deserved a video but no one ever talks about him. He’s a great character

[@Rewwgh]

This video and the topic in general has me looking forward to the anime's continuation even more now.

[@gager998]

Ryuken never getting a single fight will always be disappointing. He was introduced in a very deliberate parallel to Isshin's reveal as a shinigami. Both rescuing their sons (well Kon in his son's body) and both effortlessly dealing with the menos level enemy. While I would have loved more from Isshin as well, at least he got a brief fight with Aizen which gave him a small chance to show off how powerful he is. Ryuken never fights again. Not using him more was such a huge waste in the TYBW arc. I also would have loved to have seen some more interaction between Ryuken and Ichigo, or even Ryuken and the Kurosaki girls, post everything but the rain. Even just a small epilogue moment. I know Kubo's health was a big issue and he was rushing out the ending, but Ryuken was one of the casualties I was most disappointed by.

[@GODOFAWSOMENESS1]

It would have been cool if Ruben fired at least one arrow at Ywach.

[@FireTrainer92]

Tbh I prefer that Ryuken never fought and once we got his backstory it makes perfect sense.

[@zhcultivator]

It would have been cool to see Isshin fight a Sternritter and maybe even reveal his Bankai smh.....

[@arclight7892]

Same, i thought he and uryuu would tag team against hascwalth but it did not happen. Instead Hascwalth along with gerard died the most stupidest way possible and ryuken barely did anything in this arc.

[@Bal9016]

What if Ryuken knew Yhwach was going to be coming back and was preparing Uryu to be able to fight along side Ichigo

[@Abdega]

He might have known he wouldn’t Ben there at some point since he made that Stil silver arrow

[@SB-jn8cw]

Considering how Masaki's powers were disabled when she died to Grand Fisher. It may have tipped him off that prophecy of Yhwach's return was going to happen.

[@CelVini]

@@SB-jn8cw Both Masaki and his Wife also died the same day thats a reason too

[@Mellojoseph]

I just want to take a moment to appreciate that unlike the English Dub and almost all other KZbinrs you are the only one who pronounces "Uryu's Name" correctly

[@karlofiguerres]

Hey MrTommo, just wanted to let you know that I truly believe this is best bleach channel out there, hands down! Continue doing what you love!

[@AndréVilaFranca]

Kubo really needs to make a long running Hell arc, there is so much left to explore and expand upon in the BLEACH universe. He would make our day if he simply announced it.

[@freezax4]

you mean fix his writing lol

[@KelJLinton]

My new favourite notification to pop up thankyou for lighting the bonfire of love for this anime that had become only a small spark of reiatsu deep within my mind

[@GODOFAWSOMENESS1]

Ryuken is one of my favorite characters.

[@Anhiksi]

Great video. Ryuken is my favourite Bleach character.

[@DauthEldrvaria]

First time Im immediately here for a Tommo Video ! Been binge watching your videos a lot lately. I never read TYBW but between you and DBZimran I basically understand and know the arc very well 😅

[@Jimbobalina1]

Excellent content as always Tommo. Warning us that Ryuken's presence is scares, precedes to talk brilliantly for 45mins.

[@varsoonhks3211]

I mean, yes, obviously, I want an 80-page one-shot flashback that's a Ryuken, Isshin, Yoruichi, & Urahara teamup.

[@yc.5.6]

If it were possible I would want to see Katagiri’s death scene in the hospital, with Ryuken panicking trying to save her and Uryu staring into the room from the door. This would be a heavy scene to watch but it would do the story so much justice, I certainly hope Kubo and Studio Perrot deliver on the anime’s return.

[@garrymoloney9570]

I always just assumed he was trying to convince uryu from pursuing the quency role because it was dangerous when he said there was no profit in it.

[@justindwarika2523]

Watching your videos really reminds me just how good Bleach was, especially when it came to character arcs and design. Really excited for the upcoming anime season

[@bqw2094]

Funny , it’s the opposite for me , watching these videos remind me why bleach was so frustrating to be a fan of

[@GREGG2099]

I am ecstatic that I was able to catch this so early! I've been watching vids here and there for a week or so, but they were earlier ( I think the oldest I remember was from 1 year ago).

[@ChasingHopeVlog]

Love this video. His tough love pushes Uryu to be better than he has ever been is not necessarily a bad thing.

[@Karma-qw4lu]

I hope they show more of him in the anime or just straight up go off manga and include him in some fights or something

[@jonneyotto2600]

Thank you for your breakdown series on the Bleach characters. It has reminded me how great Tite Kubo's manga was and how much i enjoyed watching the anime.

[@mellizard2901]

Saw Ryuken was up and cheered! I've been waiting! 💙🤍

[@mattstyles2498]

I'm fine with the silver arrow. But ya I dont think it was used as well as it could. If there was more build up to it. It wouldn't of felt as much as an mcguffin ex machina. It's how it seemed it came out of nowhere is what made it feel like a last min addition just to end it quickly

[@shineixio4156]

even though he’s not shown much he’s one of my favorite characters!

[@mra3076]

I don’t care how much of a Kubo defender you are. It is CRIMINAL how underused this man is in TYBW.

[@lolsnez7542]

Just because he had completed a role in previous arc and tje series was rushed doesnt mean he was underutilized

[@mra3076]

@@lolsnez7542 it’s just my opinion.

[@bqw2094]

@@mra3076 I understand how you feel , and lol nez is a toxic bleach fanboy who can't handle criticism .

[@mra3076]

@@bqw2094 Lol you should see him in another comment section of this video he argues against everyone's personal opinions of the series.

[@bqw2094]

@@mra3076 he’s a also a hypocrite, calling anybody who criticizes bleach a troll or a hater just because they are not a Kubo dick rider like he is . And you are right about ryuken , he was wasted in the final arc . Kubo should not have brought ryuken at the last minute .

[@severussin]

Best dressed in Bleach.

[@BradHIII]

When I saw uryu’s father with brown hair I thought it was aizen in the soul society arc

[@CitroChannel]

Ryuken was one of the characters that i wanted to see do more and really get involved in the action during the TYBW. I really enjoy his backstory though and feel like his relationship with Soken, Uryu, and the Quincy as a whole makes a lot of sense given how the former seemed to be as a parent and what Yhwach did to the Quincy including Katagiri, Masaki, and potentially his own mother. Everything But The Rain is really a great flashback that does a lot to flesh out the Ishidas as much as it does the Kurosaki family. I also always thought the whole Still Silver thing also really made sense as a way to make Yhwach vulnerable as well and I really do like that we get to see that Ryuken spent time figuring out how to make it and then giving it to his son to be the one to help avenge Katagiri and the other Quincy that died during the Auswahlen. Him allowing Uryu to do what I'm sure that he also wished to do himself really shows that he is more of a caring father than he first seems. As does his choice to train Uryu so that he can regain his Quincy powers. I also really like the dynamic he had with Isshin, their history being complicated though ultimately seeing him refer to Isshin as "Kurosaki" is a great little moment to really emphasize that though they may not always get along, he probably does see Isshin as a friend of sorts and appreciates him for saving Masaki whom Ryuken seemed to be fond of, if not in love with himself. Generally I agree that he also has one of the coolest designs in Bleach, especially for essentially being a human that primarily just wears regular attire. His nice suits, striking white hair, cool glasses, and ever-present cigarette really just make him a very sharply designed character, something Kubo is a master at. All in all, I'm a big fan of the character despite him not being in that many chapters and really would have loved to see him get a proper battle to show off what a matured "traditional" Quincy was capable of -- I definitely would have liked to see him using that Reishi Armor that mentioned in EBTR in the final arc, too. We only see a tiny part of it, but it looked badass there (assuming there's more to it than just the Quincy robes we see him in during the TYBW anyway) and I can only imagine he got stronger since it is very heavily implied that he continued his training despite his complicated opinions on the direction that the Quincy went in.

[@richard_n]

Love this series so far. I'm hoping for you to do Tatsuki Arisawa next since she is one of my favorites of the series. I think Kubo really wasted her potential, she could have been the most powerful of his human friends.

[@vileluca]

I always thought that Ryuken's hair was brown in the flashback because he had dyed it to fit in better with non-Quincy humans. Since silver hair isn't really a common thing.

[@luxx4048]

Early for another amazing video thank you so much for these Bleach videos

[@SemekiIzuio]

I'm pretty sure he cared for Masaki deeply, he was ok marrying her and would have potentially have had feeling but unfortunately Masaki was having none of it. She was making herself difficult to accept the arranged marriage (and rightfully so). He knew Masaki would love him or agree with the marriage if it came to pass letting her go was the best thing for her and for him

[@Elite_Trainer]

I really liked that Kubo introduced us to Ryuken and Isshin and was really disappointed that he didn't do much for both of them which really makes them wasted potential I love the fact that you are coming back to these characters to describe more on them which makes them more interesting Also heres a request Me and I am pretty sure most of your fans and viewers love your Top 10 kind of video so can you please make a top 10 list for any of these following requests 1) Top 10 strongest Shinigamis (includes every single shinigami in existence , dead or alive) 2) Top 10 strongest Kidos (including hidden Kidos etc) 3) Top 10 strongest characters overall (including all Shinigamis, quincies, hollows, fullbringers etc)

[@lolsnez7542]

Thats not what wasted means

[@Elite_Trainer]

@@lolsnez7542 I meant that Kubo created such amazing characters and the fact he didn't use them properly is waste of what they could've been

[@nathangardner6423]

I always saw him as a captain level fighter, for all we know he had his own version of Volltstandig separate from Ywach.

[@matthewpelletier6900]

Ryuken killing Haschwalth would have been much better than what we got. The Auswhalen is so silly.

[@ArmageddonAngel]

The next character who should be profiled should be Kukaku. She was such an amazing character who got pushed to the side after the ss arc and the weirdly shows up in tybw. Need more of her.

[@deprive-999x]

I want prequels with Issin and Ryken

[@DracoFoxy_G]

As always a bad dad becomes a great grandpa

[@occultninja4]

I just had a thought. How hype would it have been if Ryuken was actually there during the battle for Karakura Town and he was actually tagging Aizen and helping considerably? Like imagine if we got basically a preview of some of the stuff Kirge Opie could do through Ryuken fighting Aizen with no restraints. I actually genuinely wonder how he'd stack up to Ishin and Urahara at that time in the story if he was fighting at 100%. Even if he came out of nowhere being wicked strong it would have been a colossal payoff for his character and make him feel way more impactful, and it'd would have been a major cool factor that his time to shine was facing Aizen, another shrewd calculating type. I actually winder if Aizen me w about Ryuken and what their exchanges, if any, would be. I don't think they know each-other actually.

[@ROHIT-tj1md]

There are so many characters those never bloomed as I expected

[@SleepNoT-516]

the ishida family is interesting indeed

[@Jerome616]

Another great analysis! Thank you.

[@gazmcgee2825]

Souken being a part of the Wandenreich is an idea I never really considered and I'm kind of obsessed with it now. His defection might have had something to do with Yhwach regaining his powers and eventual Auswahlen. In the King's Hymn it said Yhwach regained his pulse after 900 years and maybe that was the point Souken defected knowing what was coming and went to the Human World to protect as many Quincies as he could. Setting up a marriage for his son Ryuken with Masaki, another echt Quincy, would save him the pain of losing his partner in the Auswahlen and perhaps Souken's distance came after his wife was attacked and tainted by hollow reiatsu since he knew she would die in the Auswahlen. Also explains his knowledge of how to craft the silver arrow. Man, I wish Kubo gave us more Quincy lore!!!

[@billykotsos4642]

*A whole arc about Quincys begins*. Kubo : “Right, how many chars can I introduce here ? …they will all be Quincys! “

[@ucondrew]

Been waiting for this one 🔥🔥

[@philiptucker7590]

Uryū’s mother died when Ywach preformed Auswählen bruh. It’s funny how Ryuken wants to discard his Quincy status but he still wears the Quincy Cross on his tie lol…

[@bolt7718]

Been waiting for a video on Ryuken

[@Sidharthavicious]

I wish we'd gotten one last confrontation between one of the Ishida and Mayuri.

[@indrys7719]

I feel like it would be really interesting to know what Schrift Ryuken would have and what his volstandig would be

[@bleach4k239]

Cool character design.

[@deprive-999x]

Ryuken wasn't focused on money. His focus on keeping his son alive.

[@saurabhdayal11]

loved your analysis,

[@NeufAtora]

Soken doesn't necesarily have to be 1000+ years old because the Vandenreich wasn't formed overnight as soon as Yhwach decided to form it. He could've easily been recruited at some point after the formation, which could still make him ridiculously old by human standards

[@KazeSenseii]

I LITERALLY just got to where Ryuken is introduced in the manga. In the two chapter stretch where Ichigo’s dad is revealed to be a Soul Reaper and Uryu’s dad is revealed to be the last Quincy. I just wanted to say this vid is a crazy coinky dink, now I’m leaving to avoid spoilers.

[@TheNuclearGeek]

Honestly, I would LOVE to have more backstory stories for bleach, especially 2 things - The Dads (and Moms) fighting days and 1000 years ago with the founding of Soul Society and how it was before that. There is just so many threads for great stories that could be expanded upon that I'd love to see. Maybe Kubo can let his assistants headline these stories with his oversight. It would be a win for everyone.