Bleach ratings dropped before this final arc ever even took place. I don't see how you're going to point fingers at it when clearly it's the best turn in Bleach since the SS Arc. In fact, it's the best turn in the story, period.
Halibel never died. She was struck by Aizen and that was it. It was never stated she was killed so there's nothing wrong with her being brought back into this arc. Nor were Halibel's Fraccion killed by Yamamoto. He said himself he wasn't going to kill them because he respected their courage.
As for Nell, I don't see what the big deal here is. How is it a fault on Kubo for bringing Nell back? It's something everyone wanted.
Ulquiorra in his Resurrecion is no where near Halibel, Barragan, or Stark in their Resurrecion.
The only reason Ulquiorra appeared so strong pre-Segunda Etapa was because he was fighting Ichigo. Contrary to what people seem to think, Ichigo is not as strong as the Captains. It's like comparing an amateur street fighter to a professionally trained MMA martial artist. It's a whole different standard. Just because he has an inner Hollow and can call forth a Mask doesn't bring him on par with the Gotei 13 fighting force. If it hadn't been for his FGT (the biggest plot device thus far) he would have been scrapped along with everyone else.
It was only Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa that made him strong enough to kill Ichigo. And even then, you make it sound like Halibel, Barragan, and Stark couldn't. All three of them could kill Bankai+Mask Ichigo without much trouble considering he needed his cheerleader to beat Grimmjow.
Granted, Ulquiorra was stronger than he appeared to be, but not enough to claim he was the strongest Espada. Not by far.
So everything needs to be thrown on the table all at once? If it didn't happen in the last 2 arcs then it means Kubo completely forgot about it? No.
It hasn't happened...YET. This final arc is going to span for as long as 8-10 years. Kubo said this himself. Obviously there are more things to come.
This was predictable since the beginning. Anyone who paid attention to Kenpachi noticed he thrashed around his zanpaktou with one arm. You make this sound like some sort of miraculous out-of-nowhere bullsht power up. It's not. It's common sense.
If Kubo didn't plan this, then he wouldn't have had Kenpachi fight with one arm in all of his previous battles. Kubo planned this to happen.
There's nothing wrong with the story. You're only seeing flaws and faults because you're picking at things that don't need picking. You talk as if the manga is about to end. It's not.
Kubo said this final arc is going to contain stories to make it as long as 10 years. There's more to be revealed.
The fact you said it plummeted before is true, wonder why?
I'll give you Kenpachi point
So I should ignore the "Flaws and faults" of stuff that "don't need to be picked at"? So the story being massively inconsistent shouldn't be pointed out and just accept it? Lol?
The Zero Squad/Soul King I can complain about, Bleach has been going on 10 YEARS...YEARS..and that stuff was mentioned in the very first Arc, so yes I can complain why he hinted at future content and never used it and just left fans to speculate for 10 years, I can argue this same point with Vasto Lords, it wasn't as early as Zero/Soul King but by god it was right after Aizen left and then he just pulled shit out his ass with "Arrancars are Vastos"
What else..Oh what about the whole thing about Ichigos mom? Aizen: "Its because your mom was.." and cut off by fighting and never revealed? LOL?
What about the whole Aizen: "Who do you think started it all Kurosaki Ichigo.." ?? So hes the reason Ichigos life played out like it did..but its never shown? Great..awesome..fantastic work..absolutely amazing
Bleach falls into the area: "If you can't amaze them with brilliance, baffle them with bulls**t"
I was in your shoes one time, a hardcore Bleach fan ready to defend against any criticism.. but then I actually started paying attention and realized it was crap..too many holes..too much random shit..too many huge panels with nothing in them:scorps:
Oh not to mention that friggin nobody dies in Bleach, people get cut in half and live..what ? The only "good guy" to die in Bleach was in the newest Arc..Head captains Vice Captain, dunno his name as he wasn't important anyway..I like how Kubo made Head Captain give that massive speech about War to try and make us "feel" for that character
P.S. it took me this long to reply because I barely read this sub forum as its practically dead..wonder why?