“Peak Reference”— Fate x Bleach Crossover Fan Art Showcasing Ichigo and Bambietta Captivates Both Fandoms

The Bleach and Fate series have gifted anime fans with some of the most memorable characters and moments. While these anime differ greatly in their plots and character designs, iconic instances like Ichigo’s “Bankai”and Saber’s famous question, “Are you my master?”have penetrated popular culture, garnering references across various media platforms.

Saber’s renowned line, delivered to Shirou at the start of Unlimited Blade Works, has achieved a legendary status within the Fate series, appearing in numerous games and anime adaptations.

Recently, a Twitter user shared an imaginative reinterpretation of Shirou’s initial encounter with Saber, this time featuring Ichigo and Bambietta Basterbine instead. Despite Bambietta’s dark persona, the illustration has generated substantial buzz in both fan communities.

Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers for both the Bleach and Fate series.

Bleach: Artist Reinterprets Saber and Shirou’s First Meeting with Ichigo and Bambi

Bambietta Basterbine has emerged as a cherished character in the Bleach community since her introduction during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. Although she possesses values that are often scrutinized and contentious, her popularity holds its own against beloved characters such as Yoruichi and Rangiku.

Artist @sonzhonDAYA shared a fan artwork showcasing Ichigo as the rookie master summoning Bambietta in a Saber role. While many admired the art and the inclusion of Bambietta, some fans suggested that Rukia would have been a more suitable choice for this reinterpretation.

Fan Reactions to the Fan Art

Many fans remarked that this Fate reference stands out as one of the premier anime moments, adaptable enough to accommodate a variety of characters. A number of fans speculated on how Bambietta’s dynamics with Ichigo could have altered her grim destiny, which culminated in her becoming a zombie under Giselle’s influence.

Others noted that the scene may have felt more cohesive with Rukia, referencing their first interaction that carries similar themes.

“Wonder how much Bambi will change besides Ichigo tho, kinda feel bad for the girl,”one fan commented.

“This would’ve made more sense with Rukia imo,”another fan expressed.

Shirou and Saber's first meeting as depicted in the anime (Image via Ufotable) — Shirou and Saber’s first meeting as depicted in the anime (Image via Ufotable)

Numerous fans pointed out that this particular moment ranks among Fate‘s most iconic and frequently revisited scenes. Others found the situation amusing, noting that Bambietta and all Quincies are archers, while Uryu Ishida’s voice actor, Noriyaki Sugiyama, has voiced several versions of Shirou, including archer adaptations.

“Arguably the most iconic and reused scene in the entire franchise,”another fan noted.

“Well damn, Quincies are all Archers then I suppose. This is even funnier since Ishida is a Quincy and he shares VA with Emiya Shirou,”one fan remarked.

The Bleach series is set to return with Bleach: TYBW Arc Part 3 on October 5, 2024. This new installment will encompass two cours, featuring 23 to 24 episodes. You can catch it as part of the Fall 2024 anime season on platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, and Ani-One Asia.

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