
Originally Posted by
Gredival
TL;DR Kenpachi vs. Ichigo tying is a plothole, there is no justifiable interpretation otherwise regardless of "battle style." Kenpachi would have mowed Ichigo down unless Kenpachi was holding back, or he got an invisible power-up equivalent or greater to a Vaizard mask between Rescue Rukia and Rescue Orihime.
Kubo made a mistake. That's not denying the obvious appeal since we are all still following the manga, it's acknowledging he didn't plan all the way past Soul Society very well.