Yama didn't even break a sweat. Though as someone on another board said, it'll make the idea of how strong Aizen is that much greater if he winds up killing Yama.
I was mulling this theory over before, because I long had the suspicion that Barragan was #2 and hated that a lazy guy like Stark was stronger, but now that it's confirmed I'll just put this out there.
Though Lilunet appears far, far weaker than Ukitake right now, I think the reason she's Stark's only Fraccion is because her Resureccion causes the greatest leap in power that possibly puts her on par with a mid level Espada, but since her base strength is so low, she's a Fraccion and still deemed all Stark needs.
That's just me. It could be that since Stark is the best, he doesn't need any more than her too, but meh, it's just a theory.
AND FINALLY, we see some Ulquiorra, oh and Ichigo ain't so bad either.
What the... Shintenketsu? I came across an old Shonen Jump mag and in it was the chapter where Isshin is fighting Grand Fisher. Fisher says something along the lines of "No wonder Ichigo is so strong, its because he's a Shintenketsu*" towards Isshin.
Sorry to go off topic but this caught my eye. I was thinking a Shintenketsu is probably the son/daughter of a Shinigami with a fair amount of spiritual pressure. Therefore the child inherits the potential to possess a large amount of spiritual pressure. Not sure though, my guess anyway since Isshin was a captain and Ichigo's hella powerful.
Sorry if this has been discussed before and I'm bring up now. Just curious.
she used to be 3, if Inoue restores her powers, she might be an even match for Ulquiorra
the way i see it, Ichigo won't use his mask until Ulquiorra releases his form, and by the time Nel's all fixed up, Ulquiorra will be weakened enough for her to take him