The Unconventional Family Bonds of the Shinigami

Summary

• Ichigo is related to the Shiba family as their cousin.
• Shunsui is both Nanao’s uncle and captain.
• Mayuri is the creator and father figure to Nemu.

With such a huge cast of characters like the one in Bleach, it is to be expected to see many families. While in most other anime, related characters follow a more conventional standard, in Bleach, families are often painted in a much different light. And the beauty of these families is how they shape the world at large.

Adopted siblings, artificial parenthood, estranged cousins, and secret family members are the backbone of the Soul Society in many respects. These characters prove that family is beyond any blood connections. Here are the unconventional families of the Soul Society and how important they are to the world of bleach.

The Shiba Family

Estranged Cousins

The main character of Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki, is one of these examples. Unbeknownst to most fans, Ichigo is a noble clan member of the Soul Society. The Shiba family is one of five noble families in the Soul Society. They were brought down from their noble status after the most prominent clan member passed away. Kaien Shiba was the lieutenant of Squad 13 and the head of the clan. After he passed, his younger sister, Kuukaku, became the head of the family. Kuukaku and her brother Ganju have assisted Ichigo on his journeys twice already. Without telling him that he was their cousin.

“Whenever you fight from this point on, there is one thing that you must never do. And that is to die alone.”

The father of Kaien, Kuukaku, and Ganju is the brother of Isshin Kurosaki, former captain of Squad 10 and the father of Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu. This would make Ichigo the direct cousin of the head of the Shiba family. This explains why he resembles Kaien so much. At some point in time, Kuukaku and Ganju find out about their relationship with Ichigo, but they haven’t told him about it.

Shunsui Kyoraku and Nanao Ise

Secret Uncle and Niece

Shunsui Kyoraku’s older brother, Shunzan Kyoraku, was the husband of Isuzu Ise, and father of Nanao Ise. This makes Shunsui not only Nanao’s captain, but also her uncle. The relationship between these two has always been secret due to the curse that torments the Ise family. The family is known for being matrilineal. Only women have been born in the family, usually adopting husbands into the clan. But they are also afflicted with a strange curse. All the husbands of the Ise women eventually pass away. This was the case for Shunsui’s brother, Shunzan.

“And besides, even if I do become cursed, I will…No… I have a feeling the one I love will be the kind of man to scoff at the notion of a curse and laugh it off as ridiculous.”

After many years, Isuzu gave the Ise family’s Zanpakutou, the Shinken Hakkyoken, to Shunsui, as she believed it was the source of the curse. This got her sentenced to death, leaving her young daughter, Nanao, to be adopted by an elderly couple. Right after she graduated from the Academy, she was accepted into Squad 8 by request of the captain, Shunsui Kyoraku, in order to protect her. This explains the overly protective attitude of Shunsui.

Mayuri and Nemu Kurotsuchi

Artificial Parenthood

Then comes the most peculiar of these cases, that of Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and his creation, Nemu Kurotsuchi or Nemuri Number 7. Nemu is the first successful specimen of the Nemuri Project, Mayuri’s dream of creating a completely artificial soul that evolves on its own. Nemu was the first one to not only survive but also successfully grow, gain sentience, and evolve during her life. While Mayuri’s treatment of Nemu is often abusive and violent, their relationship can be perceived as that of a father and daughter.

Nemu not only sees her captain and creator as her boss and someone to always obey and protect, but also as her father. Mayuri sees Nemu as her greatest creation, her subordinate and, even if he doesn’t admit it, the key to many of his victories in battle. Mayuri and Nemu are a very strange and unconventional case of a father-and-daughter relationship, but not without a key emotional core.

• Ichigo is the cousin of Kuukaku, Kaien and Ganju.
• Shunsui is the uncle of Nanao.
• Mayuri is the creator and father of Nemu.
• Rukia is Byakuya’s adopted sister.

Byakuya and Rukia Kuchiki

Adopted Siblings

And finally, the most well-known and iconic unconventional family in the world of Bleach, the Kuchiki siblings, Byakuya and Rukia. Rukia’s older sister, Hisanna, regretfully abandoned her in the Rukongai District and eventually married the head of the Kuchiki Clan, Byakuya Kuchiki. The two were a loving and happy couple until Hisanna fell terminally ill and in her dying moments she asked her husband to find her estranged sister and adopt her into the family.

Byakuya did as requested and found Rukia in the Shinigami academy. And quickly adopted her as his sister. But his grief didn’t allow him to treat her with the love and care that he was supposed to. Merely looking at her immediately reminded him of his deceased wife. Byakuya acted cold and distant towards Rukia for many years. Only after Ichigo Kurosaki made him have a change of heart, Byakuya hated himself for breaking his promise to his wife and swore to protect his sister with his life.

”
When you were sentenced to death, I was dumbfounded. The oath to my parents to follow and defend the rules, or the promise to Hisana to protect her sister. Which one should I keep? Ichigo Kurosaki, you have my gratitude. Rukia, I am sorry.
“

Now, Byakuya and Rukia are very close and the loving siblings they were always supposed to be. Going so far as to have Byakuya fully trust his sister and support her during her battle with Sternritter F – Äs Nodt. Giving her the support and respect that she wanted from her brother for so long.

Soul Society is full of unconventional families that build upon the story of the world of Bleach. Ichigo and his distant relationship with the noble Shiba clan. Shunsui and his lifelong promise and protection of his niece, Nanao. Mayuri’s abusive but close relationship with his creation and daughter, Nemu. And Byakuya’s tragic adoption of Rukia evolved into the close siblinghood they have today.