The best place is their thread of "The Power of the Heart"!
First post of that thread:
! The Power of the Heart
! According to Kaien Shiba in Chapter 268, the “Heart” is born between two people when they interact in a significant manner. When someone dies, their “heart” remains with their companions, even after their soul bodies turn to dust. Ultimately, there is only one kind of fight: the fight to protect the heart.
! It is what Ulquiorra discovered right at the end as he reached for Orihime in Chapter 354. What lie between them? That was his heart. It’s what all Arrancar seek - to find their hearts. It’s why Orihime wishes she could be like the Rain.
! I have not completely gone through the entire BleachVerse for examples of this - but here are a few of interest that I was able to gather:
! Chapter 4: Rukia states, that Hollows seek out souls to ease the pain and suffering and to fill their empty hearts.
Chapter 5: Hollow Sora talks to Orihime about seeing himself disappear from her heart.
Chapter 6: When Orihime prayed for her brother, her “heart” was all his. After Sora regains a part of his heart, his mask breaks and he becomes more human.
! Volume 03 - Orihime’s Poem:“If I were the rain, could I connect with someone’s heart, as the rain can unite the eternally separated earth and sky?”
Translation From BA/ChiraChira
! "If I were rain that joins sky and earth that otherwise never touch, could I join two hearts as well?"
Alternate Translation from the Wikia
! Chapter 20: Rukia comments, as she and Ichigo go to investigate Grand Fisher, that she has no method to step into the depths of Ichigo’s heart without it getting dirty.
! Chapter 22: Grand Fisher tells Ichigo, that when the heart is shaken, the blade grows dull.
Volume 07 - Byakura’s Poem about Tears and the Heart:“We should not shed tears for that will serve as a defeat of our bodies to our hearts.
It is then nothing more than proof for it to be said that our hearts are things beyond our ability to control."
Translation from BA/ChiraChira
! "We should not shed tears.
That is a surrender of the body to the heart.
It is only proof that we are beings that do not know what to do with our hearts."
Alternate Translation from the Wikia
! Chapter 70: Yoruichi reminds Orihime that the heart and soul are connected and that what’s important is to know what the heart thinks.
! Chapter 268: Kaien’s tale of the Heart
! Volume 40 - Ulquiorra's Poem_I envy because of the heart.
I glutton because of the heart._
I covet because of the heart.
I am prideful because of the heart.
I sloth because of the heart.
I rage because of the heart.
Because of the heart, I lust for everything about you.
Translation from BA/cezaria
! Volume 41: "Heart"
Chapter 354: Ulquiorra realizes what Orihime means by “heart.”
! Volume 54: Rukia’s Poem"If it can be said that it is the heart that is unchanging, then that is strength."
Translation from BA/Pikeish
! In the more recent Chapter 555, Ichibei says Ichigo’s growth is not just in the vessel of his body; he has also grown in “kokoro” - mind/spirit/heart…
! The “Heart” is what also exists between friends such as Uryū & Ichigo. And in Chapter 545, it struck me that the "stare-down" training between Rukia & Renji at Ichibei's Palace might also be a way to teach them to read each other's hearts similar to the manner in which Ichigo can read the hearts of his opponents.
! These are just a few examples, but I'm sure there must be many more. Some of these are undoubtedly meant to be nothing more than symbolism and poetry. But some may actually speak of an underlying philosophy that Kubo-sensei seems to be weaving throughout the Manga.
! It is possible that the Power of the Heart may transcend the “reikon”; it may transcend the “kompaku”; it may transcend the Soul. Is this the ultimate power in Bleach?
! What do you think?
My reaction to what I just read.