Bleach Fantasy II Round 23: Aizen Sousuke vs. Bhunivelze

Welcome back to another installment of Bleach Fantasy II where MechG & I once again collaborate on pitting the world of Bleach & the various installments of the Final Fantasy franchise. Last Friday, Bleach took a victory against FF (FF still leads 13-9 against Bleach), but many things can happen. Like MechG said, Bleach Fantasy II posts will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. My daily schedule of Watch-list, WBCR, & Throwback posts will be the same as always (if delayed, posts will be on weekends). Without further ado, let's get started on Bleach Fantasy II Round 23 ~ Aizen Sousuke vs. Bhunivelze. Take into account that Storyline and Powers/Abilities are the deciding factors. MechG & I will switch-off ever 3 rounds in giving the verdict. Let's jam!

Storyline (Aizen)

Aizen, before being the antagonist of Bleach and before even reaching the level of Captain, was Shinji Hirako's lieutenant in the 5th division. However, even at the time of him being a lieutenant Shinji - he was plotting to taker control of the Hogyoku & learn the secrets of transcending the powers of Shinigami & Hollow. He, alongside Gin & Kaname, defected from the Soul Society - striking down Lisa, Love, Rose, Hachigen, Kensei, Mashiro, Hiyori, & his own captain, Shinji. However, Kisuke Urahara & Tessai showed up only to allow Aizen to escape and continue on plotting his ambition for power. Aizen soon became 5th division Captain and eventual Leader of the Espada. His goal was Kisuke's Hogyoku, which was implanted inside Rukia's Gigai body. From the get-go, Aizen was up to no good as he wanted to transcend the boundaries of God itself. His involvement with this led to the creation of the Visored, his allying with Hueco Mundo, & Isshin's fated meeting with Masaki (noted for having known about Ichigo's life since his conception). And to top it off, no one knew of Aizen's deception. 

Aizen has played a pivotal role throughout Bleach, serving as the main antagonist (excluding fillers) in every arc. From the get-go, he was up to no good -  betraying his captain, the Soul society, and overall pretty much wanting to transcend into a higher being. Aizen was the former 5th Division Captain and, alongside Gin & Kaname of the 3rd and 9th division, betrayed the Gotei 13 after retrieving the Hogyoku from within Rukia. However, in order to cover up his defection beforehand, he instigated his own death as well as Central 46's murders (eventually found out by Captain Hitsugaya & Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto) so as to put the blame on the Ryoka (Ichigo, Orihime, Uryu, Chad, & Ganju)~ which then caused an outbreak between the Gotei 13, Team Ichigo, & various Shinigami who were siding against the Soul Society. Later, they made a pact with the Arrancar and Aizen's army amassed in numbers - ready to challenge the Gotei 13 w/ his10 Espada. Aizen and his Espada enter a war against the Gotei 13 & the Visored and one by one, they fell. Aizen, however, used them simply as pawns (cutting down Tier Harribel without a moment's hesitation) as the Hogyoku was implanted within him and his transition into higher power began. He easily defeats various Captains & Lieutenants of the Gotei 13, but his loss against Ichigo AND the Hogyoku's will refusing Aizen's ambitions eventually landed him in prison for a long long time. Despite his imprisonment, Aizen is a special war potential by Yhwach, the current antagonist of Bleach & the Father of the Quincy. Even when restrained, Captain Kyoraku needs Aizen assistance in thwarting Yhwach's plans. 

Storyline (Bhunivelze)

When the universe was created, it was split into the realms of the living (mortal world) and of the dead (unseen world). To seize control of the mortal world, the almighty god Bhunivelze killed his mother, Mwynn and sent her to the unseen world. Though he achieved this goal, Bhunivelze believed his mother placed a curse on the mortal world so it would one day be destroyed. To destroy his mother, Bhunivelze created the Fal’Cie god, Pulse tasked to search for the door to the unseen world. Later, Bhunivelze would create the Fal’Cie goddess, Etro, but became distraught after realizing he made her under the likeness of Mwynn his mother. From there, he gave Etro no powers and to replace her, he created another Fal’Cie god, Lindzei tasked to protect the world and to protect Bhunivelze himself. As the Fal’Cie deities were in place, Bhunivelze put himself into crystal stasis and would reawaken once the door to the realm of the dead has been found.

When the world of Valhalla and Gran Pulse merged with Chaos to become the world of Nova Chrysalia, Bhunivelze awoke from his crystal sleep and saw the world he created became soiled and intended to purify the world and the humans living on it. He orchestrated the creation of the cities of Luxerion and Yusnaan through the Fal’Cie, Pandaemonium. Bhunivelze also lured in Hope Estheim to become his puppet by creating an illusion of Lightning, destroying Hope’s distinction of fantasy from reality. For the next a hundred so years, Bhunivelze molded Hope into his puppet, making him age-less and turning him into a pure, innocent host. As Nova Chrysalia was being eroded by the Chaos, Bhunivelze wanted to create a new world where the souls of the living can reside in. He found a worthy servant in Lightning and woke her from crystal stasis. For Lightning to serve under his bidding, Bhunivelze purged her dark aspect in Lumina and the soul of her sister Serah as well as creating a duplicate of her to keep Lightning acquiescent. He gave her a ransom: to become the Savior and guide the souls of the living to his new world in exchange for Serah’s soul. Before the end of days, Lightning discovered Bhunivelze’s true motives that he wanted to eradicate the souls of the dead and by doing that, Vanille had to perform the Soulsong on the eve of the end of the world at the cost of her life. After Lightning stops the ritual, Bhunivelze lures her into the realm of Cosmogenesis (basically the edge of the universe) and requested of her to become the new goddess of death, replacing Etro and overseeing the new world. But because Lightning stopped the Soulsong and ensuring the dead’s survival, Bhunivelze stated he must destroy the new world to cleanse them away. As Bhunivelze states his desire to create a new humanity that befits his vision, Lightning declares her intent to kill him and the two engaged in battle. Bhunivelze summons Pulse and Lindzei into battle as his weapon and battled to see if Lightning is worthy of being the new goddess of death. While Lightning takes Bhunivelze deep into the chaos with the intent of sacrificing herself, she calls for the aid of her allies, Eidolons, and the dozens of souls Bhunivelze held captive. As Bhunivelze was about to unleash his full power, Lightning uses the power of every single soul to finish off the god, defeating him as Nova Chrysalia is destroyed. However, Bhunivelze’s defeat didn’t signify his death, but rather his return back to crystal stasis. Pondering if the almighty god would return again, Lightning assures she and humanity will rise up and defeat Bhunivelze once more as she guides the souls to the new world.

Powers/Abilities (Aizen)

Aizen's primary ability lies in his Zanpaktou, Kyoka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower Water Moon), which was capable of complete hypnosis ~ distorting all senses to the point where it can change matter's shape, form, feel, and smell. However, after retrieving the Hogyoku, the implantation of the Hogyoku successfully (later backfired) in amplifying his form, power, speed, durability, spiritual power, regeneration, and Kido (using a high-level Kido without citing the whole incantation). Aizen is pretty much at God-like status and even before the Hogyoku implantation, he was a strong, old, and charismatic Shinigami Captain. He was able to stop Captain Komamura & Hitsugaya easily without having to resort to unsheathing his Zanpaktou, defeat Ichigo (in the very beginning) with just 1 finger, and thwart Grimmjow's advances just from his spiritual energy. His Kyoka Suigetsu clearly misled everyone & his Hogyoku Implantation amplified his power ten-fold ~ and he still is a threat to the Gotei 13 & the Wandenreich (was able to distort current antagonist, Yhwach, for a little bit).

Powers/Abilities (Bhunivelze)

Being the almighty god that he is, Bhunivelze possesses immeasurable, omnipotent powers/abilities. As mentioned he is able create new worlds and deities such as Etro, Lindzei, and Pulse and empower his savior to transcend to a point close to divinity, capable of collecting souls (bestowing Lightning as the Savior) and he can use a human as a vessel or a puppet (Hope). Though he is not capable of creating souls and is unable to see through the hearts of the individual, he is able to capture and absorb them and create beings identically resembling their originals in terms of appearance and personality. Also mentioned, he can summon Pulse and Lindzei and merge into his weapon of choice, a double-edged scythe and he is capable of using omnipotent magic spells that result in the absolute destruction of worlds and beings with just a single touch from his finger. He also has the ability to shapeshift and to adjust his fighting style from magical to physical, being insanely powerful at both. Specifically as the final boss in Lightning Returns, he is fought in four forms consecutively with each casting powerful elemental/non-elemental magic spells and status ailments as well as executing various special abilities such as Almagest, Wings of Destruction,  Divine Punishment, Ultima Hypernova, Divine Efflux, Disaster, Cataclysm, Heartless Angel, etc. to deal significant damage. Absolutely no one can take Bhunivelze down single-handedly unless he bestows near divinity upon an individual (Lightning) to match him in battle, but it took more than that to take him down, although it wouldn’t entirely kill him off for good.

Verdict
And the winner is...

Omnipotence is the word best described when pitting these two. However, one started off as an omnipotent being whereas the other made himself into a omnipotent being that transcended Human, Shinigami, & Arrancar. I will admit reading Bhunivelze's story & powers that he's got a full package ~ main antagonist of FF XIII (still haven't played it yet so thanks for the spoilers MechG...you asshole), has the ability to create new worlds, and pretty much no one (except Lightning) can take down this behemoth. However, very similar to Yhwach vs. Promathia, I like the visualize the entire picture. Yes, Bhunivelze is the Galactus of FF XIII, but I find it much more fascinating to see someone build themselves up to transcend into higher power. Aizen, for the longest time, has deceived everyone and it's because of his keen intellect, forward-thinking, and his Zanpaktou that he is able to do all what he did. It took him many MANY years ~ studying, observing, and plotting everything so as to satisfy his quench for transcendence. Going from a Lieutenant to a Captain to the Leader of Hueco Mundo to becoming an Omnipotent being, Aizen's realization came to fruition, but also crushed him at the same time. However, despite being imprisoned, he still poses a HUGE threat to both sides ~ the Shinigami & Quincy. Confined to a chair w/restraints, his spiritual power alone allowed him to bring down the Palace that held the renowned 0 division. When the 1st Division Captain of the Gotei 13 has no choice but to use an ultimate evil's power to thwart an evil greater evil ~ it just comes to show how Aizen is both a special war potential and a man whose very power can turn anything to rubble. Now, Bhunivelze has been around for quite some time and he was already powerful to being with ~ killing his own mother, created a Fal'Cie Goddess & God, and isn't entirely dead yet. This is similar to Aizen all except the killing their parent or creating Gods/Goddesses. To me, starting from the bottom and working his way, Aizen has proved himself to be quite the adversary where Bhunivelze already was. I don't find it as compelling. Born a God with unlimited power or Born a Shinigami and eventually turned into a God-like being, Aizen's focus throughout Bleach is seeing the journey of his everlasting conquest for power & complete control & ruination of everything is, to me at least, more appealing than a Being who, from the get-go, had everything he ever wanted. Sorry FF XIII fans, but Aizen takes the cake.

So who do you think won this matchup? Aizen Sousuke from Bleach or Bhunivelze from Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII? Comment below and let us know. Reiterating again, Bleach Fantasy Round II posts will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays w/MechG & I interchanging every 3rd matchups on giving the verdict. Bleach Fantasy Round II standings (13-10):

1) Yoruichi Shihoin vs. Prishe ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
2) Uryu Ishida vs. Hope Estheim ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
3) As Nodt vs. Vincent Valentine ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
4) Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Jecht ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
5) Shunsui Kyoraku vs. Auron ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
6) Sui-Feng vs. Tifa Lockhart ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic) 
7) Mayuri Kurotsuchi vs. Barthandelus ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
8) Sajin Komamura vs. Sin ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)

9) Toshiro Hitsugaya vs. Kuja ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
10) Tia Harribel vs. Tidus ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
11) Bambietta Basterbine vs. Rinoa Heartilly ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
12) Riruka Dokugamine vs. Ultimecia ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
13) Baraggan Louisenbairn vs. Exdeath ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
14) Ginjo Kugo vs. Caius Ballad ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
15) Coyote Starrk vs. Cloud Strife ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)
16) Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck vs. Kefka Palazzo ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
17) Shinji Hirako vs. Emperor Mateus ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
18) Orihime Inoue vs. Yuna ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
19) Kisuke Urahara vs. Seymour Guado ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)
20) Renji Abarai vs. Squall Leonhart ~ Bleach  (Verdict by MechG)
21) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez vs. Sephiroth ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
22) Yhwach vs. Promathia ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
23) Aizen vs. Bhunivelze ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)