| | Why is it titled Bleach? I wrote some fragmentary thoughts on this a while ago, but there is a deeper level of analysis that has become painfully evident. Let us first review the facts, and then it will become obvious that the name of this series was not randomly chosen.
Properly viewed, Bleach can be seen as the reconciliation with the old, traditional character of Japan with the new, Westernized society it has become. Inoue Orihime is a girl who, despite having a Japanese name, looks Caucasian, is alluded to as having stereotypical Caucasian tastes (likes sweets) and displays stereotypically Caucasian body typing (she and Rangiku are often referred to as fan-service vehicles.) Kurosaki Ichigo is a guy who, despite having a Japanese name, had a Caucasian mother and thus traces half his ancestry to ancient Japan, and half to the new world.
Up to this point, the analysis is obvious and entirely superficial. I would argue that the most telling details, however, lie in the spirit dimension. Let us examine their spirit selves, their respective powers, and their heritage. Ichigo transforms into a shinigami dressed in traditional clothing and bearing a sword. It is notable that the title and the way he gets this power descends from the Japanese side of his ancestry; his father is also secretly a shinigami and in his manner the "traditional" side of him is both Japanese and endowed with supernatural power over ghosts. The militaristic buke class that the shinigami belong to, the feudal system of government in their society, and other details serve to call up Japan's past. Details are even produced right down to the point where each warrior's sword has a soul, and the greater warriors are in harmony with their swords.
On the other side of things, we have Orihime. Her past is continually alluded to rather than explained in any great detail. Evidently one of her parents was also Caucasian, though her brother is depicted as looking more Japanese. It is of great importance that her ancestry is not explained in detail - this mirrors the divide between the ancient Japanese warrior cultures, where a samurai was expected to proclaim his ancestry and his great feats before entering combat, and the modern school of warfare, where killing is anonymous and impersonal. Her powers, rather than entirely stemming from her heritage or herself, are only awakened due to the presence of Ichigo. Perhaps most significantly, the nature of her powers occasions comment. Inoue Orihime is a superheroic postmodernist, able to reject an occurance and actually have it go not happen. This is consumerist culture taken to its utmost: beyond rejecting bad movies, unwanted products, or boyfriends, Inoue rejects reality - and it listens.
Having said all that, what is the act of bleaching? Bleaching, as referred to here, refers to the act of artificially treating one's hair to change one's look. However - and significantly - Ichigo rejects this. He is not bleaching his hair. He is simply who he is, he asserts, and if others think he bleaches his hair, that's their problem. This is author Kubo Tite's answer to those who assert that Japan is becoming "whitewashed. "
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| | Posted 3/1/2008 5:48 PM - 498 Views - 20 eProps - 11 comments
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