Bleach Chapter 382 Speed Scanlation & RAW | Bleach 381 HQ by Maximum7

Things that I might have missed, and/or have been itching away at me...
Ichigo's purpose for going to Hueco Mundo was in the beginning, solely to rescue Orihime, and after the bloodshed races off without looking back or even speaking of her. I am really anticipating what will happen when he returns to KaraKura town though.
Also, Orihime's plan to steal the Hygoku (sp?)a source of power which in many ways is still somewhat a mystery, came up as a minor plot in this chapter, but still an interesting one. Her plans were vague and we never learned if she had managed it, but I believe it was Ichigo who made the comment that the deaths of the other Espada were beginning to have a negative effect on her, a sort of linking through empathy. If she had managed to gain possession of it, and since many of the espada had been born/modified through it, could holding possesion of it now be dangerous to her/her powers? Bah, gotta go back and read more. Great chapter. ;)

When we saw ichigo fully transform into the first form of the hollow, he was in shikai mode (as always). I know filler arcs don't count as canon, but for arguments sake, when he transformed into a full hollow he was again in shikai mode.
BUT.. when he transformed into his evolved, super hollow, he was in bankai mode.

Now, my idea is that since he was in bankai, his reiatsu was more concentrated, thus giving Hollow ichigo a more concentrated dose of power which made him more powerful, thus the super hollow form with horns and all.

In my opinion ichigo is a human who is half shinigami and half hollow. it just so happens that his shinigami is in control. so i say that his first hollow form is the 'shikai version of his hollow form' and the super hollow is the 'bankai form of his hollow side'.

Nice, Ryan. I like your idea about shikai/bankai in relation to the transformations. Makes sense in a lot of ways.

Exactly it's Unohana who assumes that is his Indication of his power. She could be completely wrong.

Thats true. But i'd say, uptill that point, everytime ichigo had gone into his 'inner space' he had always met old man zangetsu and hollow ichigo hadn't taken over yet. Therefore, the increase in power ichigo got from his first time release of his bankai, AND the near death experience he got from fighting with byakuya was enough to enable hollow ichigo to temporarily take control.

My idea is that, hollow ichigo IS ichigo.. just his opposite side. Therefore, any increase in power ichigo gains, hollow ichigo also gains the same.
And i'd also say that is why ichigo is so powerful. its because he has the power of a shinigami AND the power of a hollow... equal amounts, just on different sides of the spectrum.
So if he has the reiatsu of a captain on his shinigami side, he'd have the same on his hollow side... Thus the twice the reiatsu of a captain factor.

This is just my idea.

A hollow within a Human host. Technically Ichigo conquered his hollow instincts. This hollow side has the special ability to hide inside Ichigo's subconsciousness. It is still part of Ichigo no doubt.

I'm guessing if Bleach does continue after they stop Aizen and Ichigo dies becomes a full fledged Shinigami. But at the same time His Hollow is released due the host's body decaying.