Ichigo is fighting Grimmjow fairly evenly in Bankai so far. The first time they fought Grimmjow completely wiped the floor with Ichigo even though he was giving it his all. Then next time, which was not long ago in the story I think, Grimmjow was taking what Ichigo threw at him in Vizard form yet he only had one arm then and I don't think he had his sword out, maybe he did though.

Either way it just seems like a pretty big jump in power for Ichigo to be fighting evenly while only in Bankai and with Grimmjow fighting at full strength. I musta missed something. I know he got stronger in that he can use his Vizard form but I didn't realize his base strength increased so dramatically.

I guess Grimmjow could be toying with him again though, giving him false hope. I just thought that speech about fighting at full power meant they were both going all out.

The missing factor before was Orihime. Once she was taken his determination was given a kick in the pants, and now that she's standing rhigt in front of him what better chance to end this get her to save Rukia and get the hell out of Dodge.

I don't think determination alone can make up a gap as big as the one Pritcher was talking about.

I think that Ichigo in his bankai form has no chance in defeating grimmjow, or any other espada at all. If that's proven to be incorrect, the mangaka has a lot of explaining to do in my opinion

Ichigo'll probably have to find a way to keep his hollow mask on for a much longer period if he wants to win this fight.

Well I atleast expect him to find a new, stronger power, method or upgrade because after grimmjow, he will have to face ulquiorra again, or someone even stronger.
And it seems even if he manages to stay hollow-ised for the entire battle his chances are slim for the fourth arrancar, not to mention the 3 other stronger ones, and then the aizen-gang offcourse.

Yeah, I don't think the determination thing is really cutting it for me. I can see that making him fight a little harder or whatever but not for such a massive power gain.

I don't think Ichigo will beat Grimmjow in bankai I just thought it was strange that he was doing as well as he is with it. If he does beat him in bankai then I'm writing this series off for good. I'm already thinking about dropping it anyway, but just for maybe a few months to let some back issues pile up because I can't stand how little story is actually in a single chapter.

I don't really think Ichigo is going to win this fight at all, I think the fight will be interrupted. Either some good guy reinforcements are going to show up, or Ulquiorra is going to break out of that place Grimmjow sent him to or some other person(s) from Aizen's crew will show up and Grimmjow and Ichigo will end up with a sort of temporary alliance.

I've been saying for a while that I think Grimmjow will end up defecting at some point and he's already started down that path by going against Aizen's orders (again) and by attacking Ulquiorra. What's he going to do even if he wins against Ichigo? Probably won't become a real good guy but I think he'll split off from Aizen's group. Or die, but he's a popular character so I dunno bout that.

If Ichigo just "gets stronger" again and starts beating everyone then that's going to be really disappointing for me. For a while now I've been wondering just how the hell they're going to get out of all this. They seem to be in way over their heads and I've been expecting some sort of twist. A bad guy changing sides, or a surprise attack by Urahara and crew maybe, or reinforcements from Soul Society. Something more interesting than simply Ichigo saving the day.

I do think Ichigo will defeat Grimmjow, but now you started talking about those alliances I'm doubting the fact that Ichigo will actualy also kill Grimmjow. I say: Ichigo defeats Grimmjow, when the part commes where he has to decide to kill or not to kill Grimmjow, Ulquiorra appears and they both have to flee. And then hopefully it'll go a bit like you said.

But Ichigo must get stronger. I'm the kind of guy that still likes his protagonist to be the best. I mean he can't even defeat the fourth arrancar ?! He's probably the weakest member of the vaizard and there's no way he's as good as aizen. Remember that Ichigo in his Bankai form couldn't even lay a scratch on Aizen, and Aizen stopped his blade with one finger without going bankaï or hollow. So there must be something else I think. Something that perhaps only Aizen (and his crew) has mastered.

I'm convinced that there'll be another 'upgrade' part soon. Ichigo is still to weak so perhaps he gets to meet his hollow again in that special world of his. Mabye it'll go like "I though you were going to be my horse but you're acting more like a cripple donkey biatch"

Aizens 'top minions' = Espada
Aizens 'minions' = Arrancar
Aizens 'crew'= Gin and the black blind guy (thus meaning the three guys from soulsociety that went over to the other side)

These are offcourse non-official names, just something that could describe the structure of their orginasation

I just don't want him to get that strong so fast. If he gets strong enough to take on every Espada, not to mention Aizen and his crew, then that's just too much. I think aside from regular training improvement it's too soon for another 'upgrade', he just got vizard form and still hasn't mastered that yet.

Maybe around the time of the winter war he can get another power or whatever, but for now I think it would be better to resolve the Hueco Mundo arc in a way other than Ichigo saves the day.