Alright woman...I'm not even reading your spoiler. I've chewed through the manga over the past four days - I'm up to 265...so I'm hoping to get to the topic of this by tomorrow. Then...I'll answer appropriately!
Once a Bleach Whore...always a Bleach Whore
"Looks like you're on the ass end of an ass-kickin'" the All-Powerful Bender
They didn't show his fight how he got down so I don't think he died and just got injured. He always got up after he was beat so this would be a really weird turn-around. >_< Lets hope that gets cleared up in the next chapter with good news.
I thought the character had to be defeated or die in
order for one of the pillars to fall. Since I can't see Ikkaku
not fighting to the death - i.e. he wouldn't be able to face
Kenpachi, then I would assume death.
I think he's just injured and probably about to be the victim of the fatal blow, but someone will probably jump in.
"Life can only be lived looking forward. It is understood when looking backwards" - Hadji From Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Gold Knight's Cel Gallery - Rubberslug