Bleach is an anime that features several different cultures, but overall, Japanese culture is by far the most prominent. Not only do Bleach‘s main characters live in Japan, but Soul Society is based on ancient Japan. While the series is perfectly enjoyable without any extra knowledge of Japanese culture, there are plenty of references and themes that include these elements for fans to catch. For one thing, a lot of this anime’s premise is a take on Japanese Buddhism. Even without the entries on this list, learning more about that adds an extra layer of fulfillment when watching Bleach.

Spanish and German cultural references are among the other most visibly displayed cultures in this anime. They are used deliberately to express aspects of and distinguish the hollow and the Quincy from the Soul Society. There has clearly been a lot of thought and research put into these various aspects of Bleach to make it a more lived-in world. Between all the side content and real-life references, there are plenty of ways for a fan to engage in additional material when it comes to this anime.

10

Byakuya’s Attack Names are References to Spring

Senbonzakura’s Bankai is a Violent Cherry Blossom Viewing

Byakuya Kuchiki’s Zanpakuto is very obviously based on cherry blossom petals. The anime makes this connection even more stark by having his Zanpakuto glow pink whenever it’s in Shikai or Bankai. However, this connection is more than just the visual element. All of Byakuya’s Bankai ability names are references to cherry blossom viewings. In Japan, during cherry blossom season, it’s common for people to have picnics to watch the petals fall. That’s why his abilities include the term “scape” in reference to the landscape.

Cherry blossoms can symbolize a variety of things, but they also fit in with the samurai aspects of Byakuya’s character. Not only does he hold himself to a specific standard of honor, but Senbonzakura’s spiritual form also looks like a samurai. Often, for samurai, cherry blossoms represent a good but fleeting life, which is considered an ideal. Considering how much of Byakuya’s story centers around the fleeting life of Hisana Kuchiki, this is doubly appropriate.

9

Genryusai Yamamoto Shigekuni’s Nicknames Need to Be Translated

Only Chojiro Sasakibe Still Calls Him Eijisai

Genryusai is Yamamoto Shigekuni’s nickname. Originally, Yamamoto was called Eijisai and then Jyujisai, and this later evolved into Genryusai. The name Eijisai came from a scar that Yamamoto had that resembled the character for “ei”. At this point in time, many Soul Reapers found it disrespectful to call Yamamoto by his name because of his reputation in the Court Guard Sqauds. Chojiro Sasakibe specifically brings this up.

In an effort to get Sasakibe to become his student, Yamamoto gets another scar from Sasakibe’s Bankai. This makes his scar look like the character “jyuu”, so Yamamoto’s nickname changed. However, Sasakibe refused to use the new nickname because he felt guilt for the scar. In a move that showed his friendship, Yamamoto himself changed his nickname to Genryusai. Despite sounding similar to the previous nicknames, it doesn’t reference his scar or use any of the same kanji. Instead, it is a testament to Yamamoto’s mastery in his style, which isn’t anything Sasakibe can feel guilty for.

8

Uryu Ishida’s School Choice Reveals Part of His Character

The Japanese School System Works Differently

The Japanese school system works very differently from the American one. For one thing, Japanese students don’t have to go to high school. While most teenagers further their education in this way, it isn’t required by the government. In a way, Japanese high schools can be compared to the university experience in America in some ways.

Because students have to pass exams to get accepted into high schools, there’s a clear divide in the quality of schools. This means students have a choice of going to whatever school they can pass the exam for and afford to go to. When Ichigo Kurosaki asks Uryu Ishida why he’s at Karakura High despite being at the top of the class and his father being a doctor, this is what he’s referencing. Uryu is smart enough to pass harder exams and could likely afford a better school if that’s what he wanted to do with his life.

7

Several of Ichigo’s Friends Live Alone

Japanese Teenagers Occasionally Live Alone

Teenagers in anime living alone isn’t an uncommon trope. While not something super prevalent in real life, it definitely does happen in Japan. Due to the way high schools are set up, students have the option to attend a school wherever. Sometimes they live alone, to be closer to their schools. While not nearly as common as in anime, this arrangement isn’t something all that questionable.

None of the characters in Bleach live alone because of their school choice. Orihime Inoe is an orphan who was raised by her brother. While Sora was an adult who could raise, her, Orihime’s aunt didn’t take her in after his death and just financially supported her. Uryu also lives in his own apartment. This is due to Uryu’s strained relationship with his father and determination to remain a Quincy. It’s implied that Chad (Yasutora Sado) also lives alone.

6

Shunsui Kyoraku Wears a Women’s Kimono

This Adds to His Character Design and Ties into His Backstory

The most eye-catching element of Shunsui Kyoraku’s character design is the kimono he wears over his uniform. It adds a layer of playfulness to his design while also making him stand out. This kimono is specifically a women’s kimono, which is all the more notable. While the pattern may be taken as feminine, the fact that this is specifically a woman’s kimono actually sets up great foreshadowing for Nanao Ise’s past.

Despite Kyoraku’s fashion choices, he doesn’t have many feminine traits. Instead, the contrast the kimono provides to his usual character makes better sense when fans learn that it wasn’t his to begin with. For fans aware of how odd the fashion choice is, it gives his character even more mystery. This is used to great effect when Nanao is shown to recognize the kimono as her mother’s.

5

Ichigo Doesn’t Use Honorifics For Most People

Ichigo is Even Less Polite in Japanese

Ichigo Kurosaki is a bold and brash character with little regard for social norms. This makes him unflinching when standing against the traditions of Soul Society, but it can also make him pretty rude. Ichigo doesn’t use many honorifics when speaking to people in Japanese. On top of that, he’s prone to using a person’s given name without permission. Both of these things denote a level of familiarity that is disrespectful when the person he’s speaking to doesn’t give him permission.

Some characters, like Renji Abarai and Ikaku Madarame prefer going by their first names. However, Byakuya and Toshiro Hitsugaya would both rather Ichigo call them something else. However, Ichigo does use Uryu and Orihime’s last names and honorifics for them, so the context of his individual relationship with the person matters. Ichigo also refers to Yamamoto as old man. While the exact term he uses isn’t disrespectful in of itself, the closeness he’s implying to the Captain Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads is inappropriate.

4

Kisuke Urahara’s Outfit is Traditional

It Matches His Old-Fashioned Candy Shop

Ichigo’s nickname for Kisuke Urahara is based on Urahara’s most prominent fashion choices. All of what Urahara wears now was in fashion during the time he was first exiled to the World of the Living. His hat and his shoes remain the most notable parts of his outfit. Getaboshi is translated to Mr. Hat-and-Clogs in the dub, but geta are just a form of traditional Japanese shoes and boshi means hat. While bucket hats were first invented in the early 1900s, Urahara does wear a more modern version.

Though traditional clothing is still worn in Japan, it isn’t usually worn for everyday events. However, this varies greatly depending on the region and age of the populace. Older people have been known to wear traditional clothing more often and some people wear them for work. Considering the front for Urahara’s business is an old-fashioned candy shop, his outfit makes sense in context. However, it also implies his age and affiliation in the pattern.

3

Momo Hinamori’s Tobiume is One of Many References to Japanese Mythology

Most Zanpakuto Reference Some Legend

Nearly all of the Zanpakuto are named after a reference to Japanese folklore or Buddhism. These stories usually then tie into the power of the Zanpakuto or the character arcs of their users. Tobiume does both. Momo Hinamori only has a Shikai, but she has the ability to throw powerful fireballs. The transformed state of the sword gained a third branch off the blade after Sosuke Aizen’s defeat, and the shape seems to reference the Seven-Branched Sword.

The legend surrounding Tobiume comes from a poem written by Sugawara no Michizane. He was a poet and politician that was banished when he wrote the poem. In it, he says to have longed for his plum tree so much that it flew to his shrine. The tree is said to have stood for 1000 years. Many fans take this as a metaphor for Aizen going to Hueco Mundo and Momo’s struggle with her loyalty to the man. The fireballs her Zanpakuto makes look like flying plums.

2

The Different Court Guard Squads Have a Division Flower

Japanese Flower Language Differs From European

Each of the divisions in Bleach‘s Court Guard Squads has a flower that acts as an insignia. These flowers are painted around their barracks and on other items that the divisions own. While the flowers don’t matter much in terms of the plot, each of them does come with a meaning that can be ascribed to the division itself or to the high-ranking members of the division. The stylized versions of these flowers are also used to show the power limiters that some members use when in the World of the Living.

The character who talks about the insignias the most is Izuru Kira. He personally finds the marigold appropriate as an insignia because it represents despair in hanakotoba. He views war in the same light and is a rather melancholic character for all his power. Though Kira isn’t always a downer, his views on violence are clearly reflected in his Shikai and his understanding of Gin Ichimaru after the former captain’s betrayal.

1

Ichigo’s Hair Makes Him a Delinquent

Ichigo Starts As An Outcast Because of His Hair and the Ghosts

Even though the title Bleach refers to the stark colors of the Soul Reaper uniform, the title works well in regard to the anime’s protagonist. Even though Ichigo doesn’t bleach his hair, most people who don’t know him think he does. This has gained him a reputation as a delinquent, which his willingness to fight and brash nature only emphasize. This bad reputation is just one of the traits that make Ichigo an outsider to his peers.

In Japan, bleached hair is frowned upon socially as it’s distinctly against societal norms. As such, bleached hair is considered synonymous with delinquency and criminal activity among youth. Ichigo is actually attacked by people who believe him to be a delinquent because of this. Despite this reputation and the issues it brings, Ichigo is a great student and does have a healthy social circle. His hair is also a connection to his mother, so there’s no way Ichigo would consider changing it. This unwillingness to bend to other people’s standards is what lets Ichigo change Soul Society for the better.