BLEACH SPOTLIGHT: SHINIGAMI

year 14, month 5

In the Bleach Spotlight, we pride ourselves on delivering some truly gold standard content for you to consume. Not only do we want you to learn about great characters like Ichigo Kurosaki, but also learn as much as we can tell you about the species in the lore, such as the Shinigami!
 

THE SHINIGAMI BACKGROUND

The Shinigami, also called Soul Reapers in the manga and anime, are appointed guardians of the souls passing to the other side. Their responsibility is to guide souls to the Soul Society as well as purify Hollows, souls that have turned into demon-like monsters. Shinigami can be born in the Soul Society, or made from human souls that naturally possess a high level of spiritual energy and train themselves. Shinigami made up the majority of the organisations, being the primary force making up the Gotei 13, Onmitsukidō, Kido Corps, and Royal Guard. The Shinigami are an ancient species and many highly powered Shinigami, such as Genryūsai Yamamoto, can live to be over 2000 years old.

THE ZANPAKUTO

This is probably the term you've heard the most when it comes to Shinigami. The Zanpakutō. This weapon is the primary companion of every Shinigami. When a Shinigami enters the Shin’ō Academy to train, they are given a blade called an asauchi, which they are to spend every day and night with. This imprints the personality and traits of the Shinigami into the blade, creating a unique zanpakutō spirit with an infinite possible number of powers and capabilities. The zanpakutō will almost always mirror the Shinigami in one way or another, be it the shape of its shikai release, its powers and abilities, or simply the personality of the spirit itself.

A WOR SHINIGAMI

So what makes being a Shinigami on World of Reapers different? Well, the term “Soul Reaper” has become more a generic term for any graduate of the Academy that undertakes the duty of ferrying souls and defeating hollows. However, everything else remains the same! As a Shinigami on World of Reapers, you are granted your asauchi upon joining in order to imprint your personality upon it! However, as you spend your seven years (77 weeks, not 7 actual years) rising through the levels, you can decide what kind of power you want your zanpakutō to have!

Along the way, you’ll learn how to use kidō spells, be able to earn medals to increase your powers before you’ve graduated, and even create your own unique ability in your sixth year! You can also head into the topic areas and roleplay your time in the Academy, honing your sword fighting skills in zanjutsu class, or maybe learning more about the history of the Shinigami in the Academy library! So, create a name and a story for your Shinigami and join the fun! Were you sent here as a soul-sensitive human that has great spiritual potential? Perhaps you were born in the Soul Society to powerful parents and were always destined for the Academy! The story is all yours!

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