Tite Kubo initially opposed the idea of traditional Japanese aesthetics for Bleach and did not want Shinigami to wear kimonos!
Where do Soul Reapers come from? #bleach #bleachtybw #anime
It goes without saying that Tite Kubo's Bleach series has been able to captivate millions with its highly colorful characters, deep lore, and over-the-top story arcs. Character designs are definitely some of the most striking features of the series, especially the Shinigami or Soul Reapers.
They certainly look pretty iconic across the anime and manga realm, but surprisingly, their distinguishing feature wasn't creator Tite Kubo's primary idea. In fact, he didn't want it at first. So what exactly is this defining trait, and how did it become part of the Shinigami identity?
This is really quite strange to hear, as Tite Kubo later admitted in an interview that he wasn't a big fan of making Shinigami look traditionally Japanese. Actually, he didn't want them in kimonos in the first place! He wanted something like a badge or sign for a different styling, unlike the rest. He made his attempts by adding aesthetics like long-sleeved sweater-like effects, flowing from the edges, trying different types of designs that give it that unique look.
