The chain...

[unimatrixzer0]

Has it ever been answered why for instance that female spirint from the very beginning of Bleach wasn't turning into a Hollow even though she walked around with a severed chain on her chest, vs Ichigo turning into a Hollow uber fast when Urahara severed his chain.

[Moridin]

its stated that at the bottom of the 'shattered shaft' the corrosion process is greatly acceleratd.

[Raiza]

Yeah but still, he is right, the girl should have been nearing a hollow.

[Insipidipity]

Well I dont think the Parakeet kid had a chain either...
I think its something about the chain being cut as opposed to not existing. In fact, I think you might just lose it when you actually die. I'm not really sure, that part kinda bothered me too, because Orihime had a chain in the same episode while her brother when he was shown didnt. It just seems like dead people don't have chains. I think dead people become hollows when they're attacked by other hollows, while those who die from having their chain severed can become a hollow from that.

[blazingshadow]

the chain is what keeps your soul attached to your body. when you are in a coma you have the chain if you are dead dead you don't have one. you still become a hollow in a year or so. it has to do with the way you die i guess