Introduction
Bleach (ブリーチ) is an on-going Japanese manga/anime series in Japan's Weekly Shōnen Jump. The series, created by Tite Kubo, has sold millions of copies worldwide, as well as being one of the most popular manga/animes in the United States. Bleach is about a teenager, Kurosaki Ichigo, who sees spirits and other supernatural phenomenon. One day, Ichigo is exposed to the unseen world of Soul Reapers (shinigami or "death gods"), where he inevitably becomes one. Throughout the adventures in the series, the sides stories, and dialogue, Kubo reveals the apparent collectivism of Japanese society.
About Bleach
Plot
To fully understand how collectivism is woven into Bleach, the plot should first be analyzed. The story starts off with the protagonist, Kurosaki Ichigo, wandering through the streets of Karakura Town. Ichigo has always been able to see spirits that often wander around in sorrow. In the first chapter though, Ichigo meets the darker side of the world. When spirits do not pass on in a certain amount of time, they often become heartless creatures set out upon eating other souls. These creatures are called Hollows. The Soul Reapers fight these evil forces, along with sending lost spirits on to an afterlife in "Soul Society." Ichigo encounters a Hollow, when it attacks his family. A Soul Reaper, Kuchiki Rukia, appears, but is soon injured by the hollow. She passes on her powers to Ichigo, so he can protect his family. He defeats the Hollow, and continues to protect his family and Karakura Town.
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Ichigo comes into contact with a Hollow.
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The image to the left shows the attire of
a Soul Reaper (black kimono and
some kind of sword). Soul Reaper's
swords are called Zanpakutōs.
Zanpakutōs possess often unique
powers that give the Soul Reaper
an advantage for fighting Hollow,
who often have supernatural powers
themselves.
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The first major arc of the story begins when Soul Society finds out that Rukia gave her powers to a lowly human. She is sentenced to death, and Ichigo must save her. Ichigo travels to Soul Society, which for all purposes of explanation is in another dimension. In Soul Society, Ichigo goes through a series of fights. These fights all begin with him being weaker than his opponent, but somehow overcoming the opponent and growing stronger. Eventually, one of the Soul Reapers in Soul Society, Sousuke Aizen, fakes his death, under the shadow created by Ichigo invading Soul Society. This chain of events gave Aizen the chance to steal the Hōgyoku , an item that would allow him to ascend to godliness. Soul Society then forgives Rukia and Ichigo, in attempt to combat Aizen and his rebelling comrades. Aizen becomes the antagonist of the story. Aizen soon retreats to build a strong Hollow army to battle the Soul Reapers with, so he could create a king's key and assert his power as a God. Today, the battle rages on between Soul Reapers, Hollows, and even other factions introduced in the story. The story is littered with various philosophical ideals, but the more prominent Japanese ideals shine through.
Biographical Information
- Name: Bleach (ブリーチ)
- Writers: Manga-Tite Kubo, Anime-Masashi Sogo
- Genres: Action, Supernatural
- Age-Group: Shōnen
- Manga Chapters (on-going): 420+
- Anime Episodes (on-going): 288+, English dubbed version available on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim at 12:30 am ET
- Movies: 4
- Manga Published: August 2001-present
- Anime Published: October 2004-present
Manga/Anime
Currently, the Bleach manga series can be bought in bound volumes at any place that sells manga in the United States. You can also access the 4 or 5 most recent Bleach manga for free at http://mangastream.com/manga.
The subbed anime series, also for free, can be found at http://www.hulu.com/bleach.
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The above video shows a fight scene between Ichigo and Ulquiorra. The animation/illustration style is largely influenced by Akira Toriyama. Akira Toriyama is best-known for his manga, Dragonball.
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The above video shows a lighter, more comedic side of the anime, with the common manga theme of sex.
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Collectivism
Now that Bleach's story is somewhat clearer, the connections with Japanese society's collectivism can be made. Collectivism can be defined as "the subjugation of the individual to a group—whether to a race, class or state does not matter. Collectivism holds that man must be chained to collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called 'the common good'" (Aynrand Lexicon). This term is mainly used in sociology, when describing Eastern societies opposed to the 'individualistic' Western societies. The most common example of a fully collective society is that of a communist society. Japan, of course, is no where near this, but still holds collective views in the school and work setting. The developing capitalistic economy in Japan is arguably making Japan more and more individualistic. But, the tradition of forfeiting one's rights for the betterment of the group is still apparent in Japan and in Bleach.
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This chart shows the Geert Hofstede measurement
of Japan's Cultural Dimensions. The IDV value represents
the individualism present in the workplace. Japan scores
around a 40, while higher than other Asian countries, it
places far below the United States IDV value of 91.
Another important value to be noted on this chart is the
MAS value, representing masculinity vs feminity in the
workplace. The gender roles are apparent in Japanese society, as
they are in Bleach where women are often rescued or
just heal.
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The Development of Japanese Collectivism
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“The nail that sticks up will be
hammered down.”
出る杭は打たれる。
-Japanese Proverb
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The beginning of Japanese philosophy reveals the true origins of the collectivist tradition. When Confucianism and Buddhism were imported to Japan in the 7th and 8th century's, they combined with the traditional beliefs of animism. Animism already provided for harmony with nature. The addition of new ideas, such as the Buddhist notion of anicca (absence of a self), began to push forth the idea that people are interdependent with society, rather than independent. In 604, the new ideas were brought to fruition with Shōtoku Taishi's "Seventeen Article Constitution" that suggested harmony within the government and society.
Japan soon went through extended periods of political turmoil, leading to the rise of the samurai, feudalism, and the shogunate. The Kamakura period (1185–1333) marked a new age in Japanese philosophy, as adapted Buddhism was simplified for ordinary people. The conception of the self as an isolated ego was soon discounted. The Tokugawa period further moved along Japanese thought in a way of conformation. The rise of Bushidō, along with samurai, occurred during this time, reflecting heavily on Confucian propriety and loyalty. These ideals were allowed to prosper especially as Japan remained in isolation for nearly 250 years.
After Japan was opened up to the West and other nearby cultures in the mid-19th century, Japanese philosophy exploded. Soon, Japanese philosophers, such as Watsuji Tetsurō, began to question or criticize both Confucian collectivism and Western individualism, as they were introduced with other cultural philosophies. Collectivism around World War II began a movement towards that of nationalism. People were told to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of Japan, not just the good of 'society.'
Inoue Orihime, a character from Bleach
Collectivism in Bleach
Collectivism is prevalent in the first manga chapter. The main character, Kurosaki Ichigo, stands out from his classmates because of his 'candy-colored hair.' The manga alludes to when Ichigo used to get beat up in middle school for not dying his hair black. The above character, Inoue Orihime, deals with similar hazing in middle school to conform and change her 'candy hair.' Ultimately, they both toughen up or have protection, in Inoue's case, from bullies. Although this may paint each of the characters in a individualistic light, they both eventually fight and sacrifice for others. Another example of collectivism in Bleach occurs when Aizen betrays Soul Society. Before Aizen turned against Soul Society, Ichigo and Rukia were both sentenced to death. Soul Society allies with them in the end, to unite against a common enemy and for the greater good. This greater good is very similar to that of keeping one's head low in Japanese society, as to not disrupt the harmony.
Bushidō, as described above, helped shape the Japanese collectivist mindset. Bushidō is also found throughout Bleach. The Soul Reapers all wield swords, characteristic of the samurai tradition with a set of values they adhere to. One example of extreme loyalty can be found in the character of Kuchiki Byakuya, the brother of Kuchiki Rukia. When Rukia was sentenced to death, Byakuya remained loyal to the rules of Soul Society and even offered to kill her himself. Again, the forfeiting of one's own values for the collective benefit of society is present. Sacrifice, another important principle of Bushidō, occurs countless times throughout the manga. Ichigo endures numerous trauma's and metaphysical deaths, while protecting others. The physical sacrifice reinforces the collectivist tradition. If sacrifice is necessary for the greater good, it should be the first option.
Part of the collectivist tradition in Japan is conforming to your respective role in society. Gender roles are a clear divide in Japan and even in Bleach. Ichigo serves as the ultimate protector. Women in Bleach do fight some but are often weak and need saving. The above image shows one of the many times Ichigo saves Rukia. Other instances of gender divide is that of Ichigo's family. His little sister is constantly cooking and acting as mother for the family, since their mother was killed years before by a Hollow. Inoue has no fighting ability, but is only able to heal.
Conclusion
Japanese collectivism, pillared and influenced by other Japanese thought schools of gender roles, Bushidō, and religion (Buddhist, Confucian, Shinto), are all apparent in Bleach and Japanese society today. The use of art for Kubo to inform and provoke the reader can have many goals. Perhaps, Kubo seeks to revitalize or educate the youth more in Japanese tradition, a tradition that is arguably on the decline from further industrialization. The collectivism or even Tetsurō's described "betweeness" are trademarks of Japan's unique culture. Ironically, Edmund Burke's Western philosophy could help here, in that tradition should not be forgotten!
Works Cited & Further Reading
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