Does 'Bleach Starting As A Vasto Lorde' Follow Canon?

As someone who's read both the original 'Bleach' manga and this fanfic, I can say 'Bleach Starting as a Vasto Lorde' takes some creative liberties. It keeps core elements like Hollow hierarchy and Soul Society politics but twists the protagonist's origin. Instead of Ichigo being a hybrid, the MC is born as a Vasto Lorde—a top-tier Hollow. This changes everything. The fic respects canon power scaling (Vasto Lorde are captain-level threats) but imagines how one might interact with characters like Aizen differently. Some events mirror canon, like the Winter War, but outcomes diverge because the MC's presence alters alliances. The fic fills in gaps about Hollow society that Kubo only hinted at, making it fresh yet familiar.

Let me break this down for fellow lore enthusiasts. 'Bleach Starting as a Vasto Lorde' straddles the line between canon compliance and bold reinvention. The author clearly did their homework on Hollow biology and Quincy history, using obscure details from databooks to flesh out the Vasto Lorde's backstory. Key canon events—the Rukia rescue arc, Hueco Mundo invasion—still happen, but through a lens where the MC isn't just observing but reshaping outcomes.

Where it diverges most is power dynamics. Canonically, Vasto Lorde are rare and autonomous; the fic explores what happens when one refuses to serve Aizen's army. The MC's evolution borrows from Kenpachi's 'unlocked potential' trope but applies it to Hollow instincts. Zanpakuto mechanics stay true to Kubo's rules, though the MC's weapon manifests differently due to their nature.

The fic's strongest canon tie is its treatment of Espada ranks. It expands on Starrk's loneliness or Baraggan's arrogance, giving these characters deeper interactions with the OC. Some purists might balk at the MC rivaling Yamamoto in power by the end, but the progression feels earned through battles that reference classic 'Bleach' techniques like cero variants and sonído mastery.

This fic feels like someone took 'Bleach''s lore bible and remixed it into something wild yet weirdly plausible. It doesn't just follow canon—it interrogates it. Why *wouldn't* a Vasto Lorde with free will disrupt Aizen's plans? The story keeps iconic fights (Ichigo vs. Byakuya still happens) but adds layers. When the MC fights Grimmjow, it's not about survival but proving Hollow superiority.

Canon characters get recontextualized. Urahara suspects the MC is an experiment gone rogue, tying into his paranoia from the Turn Back the Pendulum arc. The Visored distrust the MC more than in canon, highlighting how Hollowfied Soul Reapers still fear pure Hollows. Even the Quincy war arc gets foreshadowed differently, with the MC sensing Yhwach's revival earlier due to their heightened spiritual pressure.

The biggest deviation is the Final Getsuga Tenshou equivalent—the MC achieves a Vasto Lorde's ultimate form, something Kubo never explored. It's not just fan service; it asks what Hollow perfection would look like if not corrupted by Aizen. For lore nerds, this fic is a thought experiment that respects canon while coloring outside its lines.