Hmm I hadn't heard that he was planning to end it in 2010.
It does seem to be a fairly common theme in manga/anime that of the hero embarking on some fantastic adventure only to have to eventually come back down to reality as it were. It was certainly a reccuring theme for Katsura, boy meats Fantastic girl, boy has to then return to reality without fantastic girl. Rukia could be that to Ichigo who I fear may be destined to be lumbered with the insipid Orihime. I could I'm sure come up with more examples, but my minds blank right now.
So basically Ichigo went from early 80s mullet to late 80s hair band.
I'm a bit disappointed where the story is going. Taking away his powers as a shinigami just seems stupid. I agree we can assume that maybe that's what happened to his Dad, although his Dad did fight a little.......BUT as mentioned earlier that type of ending seems to be pretty common among anime. I was really hoping for something a bit more original. Maybe they'll surprise us though.
"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
My vote's for Orihime coming to the resuce with her restorative powers. Perhaps some all night Orhime/Ichigo snogfest will be just what our hero needs to unsheathe his sword once again.
Ha ha Jenn-b, that is exactly what happens to me. It was even worse when Nel was in it (the young form not the adult). Between the two of them I just couldn't help but tear my hear out, just because my brain plain didn't know what else to do.
Little Nel did annoy me too, but I found her somewhat endearing. I felt the same about Orihime at the beginning of the whole story. But as it went on....
Once a Bleach Whore...always a Bleach Whore
"Looks like you're on the ass end of an ass-kickin'" the All-Powerful Bender
Thanks for the heads up Gonzai, I'll make a point of avoiding it. I'm indebted to you now, you've saved me from tearing off my own face in shear anger/despair.