Bleach: The Hollowfication Question

Number one pic





Ichigo as a Soul Reaper battles a Hollow
Ichigo as a Soul Reaper battles a Hollow




The spirit of Ichigo's zanpakuto, Zangetsu
The spirit of Ichigo’s zanpakuto, Zangetsu








Ichigo's Hollow mask begins to form as he undergoes Encroachment
Ichigo’s Hollow mask begins to form as he undergoes Encroachment


Ichigo is possessed by his Hollow as he fights Captain Kuchiki
Ichigo is possessed by his Hollow as he fights Captain Kuchiki



Aizen in all of his evil glory
Aizen in all of his evil glory

Ichigo knows he isn’t powerful enough to defend everyone he cares about.  What’s more, whenever he fights and uses more of his own spiritual power, the chances of him being possessed by his inner Hollow skyrocket.  His resolve being torn down by the emergence of his inner Hollow, and the threat of exceedingly strong enemies, leaves Ichigo confused and unsure of how he can protect his friends.


Shinji and the rest of the Visored crew
Shinji and the rest of the Visored crew





So, what’s wrong with this picture?


The end doesn’t justify the means.







The answer is simple.

And ah: monsters and evil spirits don’t do what’s right.

“No, but Ichigo does.”





Ichigo in his "Hollowfied" form
Ichigo in his “Hollowfied” form


Ichigo’s means? Using evil.

Ichigo’s end? Saving his friends and the world.

Logical? No.

Moral? No.

The means justifies the end, not the other way round.



P.S. My first book in my series The Golden Lands (fantasy/anime based) is still free at!


16 thoughts on “Bleach: The Hollowfication Question”

  1. I have a few questions for you. 1. Have you read the manga or just watched the anime? 2. How do you explain Nell and her fracciones (sp?) They certainly don’t behave in a way that indicates them to be evil, yet Nell is an Arrancar and former Espada. 3. How do you explain that hollow-related powers, such as those of the Visards & Fullbringers, are possessed by people who are definitely not evil (namely, Chad & the other Visards), or at worst, misguided (the few Fullbringers who survive)?

    *** SPOILER ALERT*** The last question I have only apply if you have read the manga beyond the Aisen Souske and Fullbringer story arcs. If you don’t want a spoiler, please skip ahead to the last paragraph. 4. How do you account for the Quincies being the apparent true evil?

    Perhaps the powers themselves, (Shinigami [aka Soul Reaper], Hollow, and Quincy), are just tools, and the actions and motives of the wielders of those powers are what make the difference between good and evil.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Please know, that I do understand and agree with you about good not coming from evil, and ends not justifying the means, but looking at the whole picture, there is an inconsistency in viewing the powers of the various races (that’s what they are if you look at the whole series) in Bleach as the source of the good or evil. It makes more sense to say that the motives, actions, and wills of those possessing the various powers has more to do with the concept of good and evil within the context of the series.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, I’m glad you understood what I was saying about good and evil and the end not justifying the means. That was the point of the post.
        To be honest, I’ve never thought of Bleach in that way! That’s actually a really interesting point of view to take. And of course it makes sense, becomes ultimately evil stems from the will, and not necessarily nature. Good thoughts!!


    2. I haven’t finished watching Bleach. I just wrote the post based upon what I saw was unfolding or what already happened. And I’ve read a few of the mangas, mainly the one relating to Ichigo’s fight with his inner Hollow, which seemed very relevant to the post (Volume 25).
      That all being said, I guess I can’t really answer all of those questions.


  2. Hmmmmm. Intriguing question. Makes one think, doesn’t it? For the sake of entertainment, it’s certainly more dramatic that Ichigo uses an “evil” power to fight evil. The normal black and white idea of good vs. evil can seem repetitive, especially in a virtually linear plot structure like Bleach. But if you take it morally, you’re right. It’s just not morally right to justify fighting evil with evil. So what’s my opinion? As an anime fan, I prefer the manga’s version of Ichigo’s powers of using evil to fight evil. But as a human living in society, I would prefer to use a more morally way of fighting (or not fighting) against evil. Anyway, good post. Made me think. Thanks for submitting it to the Fujinsei Blog Carnival. I hope that you join again next month. Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I can definitely see what you’re saying. If everything was all nice and black and white, it wouldn’t make for a exciting story. To be honest, I actually would’ve been fine if Ichigo had behaved the same way and done the same things, but it was viewed as a bad thing in the end…say, by his friends or something.
      And thanks for hosting the Blog Carnival! I hope to join again next month!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Indeed. Bleach started out strongly, but then the arcs started to feel too repetitive. Anyway, great post. The next carnival will be on June 6. Do participate again. See you. Cheers!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Strongly disagree with this article. It’s entire premise is (1) Kantian and (2) based on the idea that hollow reiatsu in and of itself is evil. Hollows are evil (generally) but not as a result of their being. There is nothing inherently evil about them. It is their actions that make them evil. Hollows eat humans; hence evil. Arrancar followed Souske Aizen and furthered his attempts to destabilize the world by creating the Oken.

    There is nothing inherently evil about becoming hollow, or using the powers of a hollow, as long as one does not perform any evil actions. Therefore the means absolutely do not need to be justified. The means aren’t evil.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi there,
      Would you mind describing why you think it’s Kantian?
      Secondly, I wouldn’t say that Hollows aren’t inherently evil. I understand where you are coming from…but isn’t a Hollow something evil? In the first episode, Rukia is explaining to Ichigo what Hollows are, the role of a Soul Reaper, etc. If the sole function of a Hollow is to eat souls, which is undoubtedly an evil action, then I think we could say that Hollows are evil too.
      What’s more, even if Hollows aren’t inherently evil, the fact that they have an evil appearance still “messes up” the lines between good and evil, which is what I was criticizing in Bleach, and it’s a theme that extends to many parts of our culture. The things that were once considered evil have become good; it’s a promotion of moral relativism. That is what I was trying to combat.

      Thank you for your comment!


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