Rangiku Matsumoto Was Aizen’s Ultimate Deterrent
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Sosuke Aizen changed the entire course of Bleach when he revealed himself as a traitor to Soul Society. Suddenly, every action Ichigo Kurosaki fought for played right into Aizen’s hands. No one was safe from Aizen’s machinations. He even managed to convince two other captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to join him in his plots. Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen were much more powerful than they first appeared to be. Yet, even with all of his plotting, wrenches were thrown into Aizen’s plans. Eventually, one of these hurdles stopped him. In a strange twist of fate, many of the people who stood in Aizen’s way were deeply connected to Rangiku Matsumoto.
Matsumoto was introduced as the flaky lieutenant of the tenth division. She liked to shirk paperwork and drink, irritating her captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya. She was also meant to be a source of fan service, which distracted from her personality. Underneath all of that, a complex story shaped Matsumoto. As someone who’d accomplished shikai, risen through the ranks of her division and ended up defeating arrancar, Matsumoto wasn’t a character to just write off. Matsumoto also developed several strong, influential relationships with different members of the cast.
Rangiku Matsumoto has been a high ranking member of the tenth division for a long time. She earned the position through her loyalty and cleverness, despite her irresponsibility. Both of her captains had a part in opposing Aizen and disrupting his ultimate plans. Matsumoto was a great support when it came to countering Aizen. Though she wasn’t personally involved in Isshin Kurosaki teaching Ichigo the Final Getsuga Tensho that defeated Aizen, she had been his lieutenant. She managed to maintain the division when he disappeared. Isshin and Matsumoto were good friends for a long time before he was forced out of Soul Society.
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