Forum:Shinigami in other countries?

What about souls in other countries ... do they have their own Soul Society or something?

You know I've asked myself the same question. It wouldn't make much sense that Soul Society corresponds only to Karakura Town, which the only place we see the Shinigami venture into, they dont even hold power over all of Japan from what we have seen so it makes me wonder what if any is the role for the rest of the world. Also it hard to believe that Japanese based/themed shinigami have sway over say European, American, Australian souls. Yet it has been evident that if not for Soul Society doing what it does then the world would end. So there has to be something were missing.Salubri 20:30, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

That's an interesting question, but didn't they say something about how the first division Lt. (I'm too lazy to look up how to spell his name) began to appreciate western culture from his visits there? So I guess the members of the soul society at least go to different locations. Who knows maybe the soul king loosely coordinates soul societies for various regions.

Sorry that was me

--Ihaveaname 21:02, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Now that you mention it that is quite possibly answers the question in a way. What if much like the possibility of each division having a specialty what if each division coordinates souls in various parts of the world. It could very well make sense as there are areas of Soul Society we haven't seen and therefore couldn't have seen all the souls that live there. Which stands to account for Tosen who is obviously of african decent or Yoruichi who may decent from Indian heritage or something of the like. It would stand to reason is soul society there is no distinction between the souls ethnicity's or regions.Salubri 21:35, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, also Shinji was enjoying some jazz in the first scene of the flashback arc.. wasn't he? It fits the time frame of when it was originated, near the beginning of the 20th century. If so, it clearly shows that at least they had some kind of interaction with western culture. Deimonos 21:39, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Well, I don't believe that each divison actually "owns" some parts oof the world to which they are responsible. I rather believe that it is chosen rather randomly. e.g there 20 shinigami of the 5th division and 15 shingiami of the 13th division in japan.and there 30 shinigami of the 1st division in brazil,e.g. This would explain that there are different ethnicitys between the souls.However, there are actually only dark-skinned (Yoruichi and Tosen) and well, Komamura, who actually brake ranks. I do not remember any other shinigami having a different skin colour ,etc. So there has to be at least another Soul Society. On the other hand, the idea of having different Soul Societys seems strange. Because, of the fact that there is so much place in Soul Society, there can live lots of people ,right? I mean there are 320 district in Rukongai and I believe that in one district, there is enough space for at least 10000 people ( However, it has never been said how many souls live in Soul Society.)However, this does not explain that there are only three shinigami ( i dislike saying but,), who are not white. Or, third theory: Tite Kubo has not thought of such things, so he does not bother to do it, now gargamel711 00:38 , 7 August 2009 (UTC)

I think that Tite Kuba doesn't bother fleshing out other parts of the world's spirit realms for the reason that Bleach is a Japanese fantasy for a Japanese audience. Maybe there are other Westernized or Africaanized Soul Societies, maybe there aren't. Could be the one Soul Society we see is the only one. Doesn't look like Tite Kuba is inclined to answer the question anytime soon.

But I did waste some time speculating on what an American Soul Society might look like. Unlike the midieval kingdom of the Japanese Soul Society I could see one based on a seemingly endless frontier where the people live much like the early American pioneers did among praries, forests, and mountains. Instead of the military cadres resembling fuedal lords and their samurai the 'shinigami' of the American Soul Society would typically be lone Soul Marshals. Their soul power takes the forms of their badge, their gun (either pistol or rifle), and their horse. The gun of course would be the equivalent of the Zampakuto. The badge could have its own sorts of powers to represent their authority. And the horse could be their personal 'movement' power equivelents. They get their missions from the capitol in the East where the Soul President dwells (but nobody ever goes to personally). In other words it would be a wierd funhouse mirror of Tite Kuba's Japanese Soul Society. Definite parallels but also stark differences due to culture and myths.

Anyway its just speculation. I would love to see Tite Kuba's take on it. Great Cthulhu 01:17, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

I think the one we see now patrols the whole world. As to why we see only one country get the attention i think because Aizen is fixed on Karakura towna dnthats where the main characters arfe located. I for one don't think there is multiple soul sociteies.Saimaroimaru 01:35, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

The Soul Society we see now being the only one for the world would make sense. There are hints and clues that the Shinigami operate world-wide. Otherwise it doesn't make sense that they are pursuing Quincys and Bounts in other parts of the world. Great Cthulhu 01:49, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Shinji having jazz music and Chijiro prefering western culture due to his visit and seeing two westernmean drink tea. I have no doubt they operate all around the world. Look at the shinigami and citizens of the soul society. Think about it. Shunsui for example seems to be based on a spanish dude(or whatver youc all those from spain.) Whats not to say these captains have ancestorieses going back to peopele in the living world in variuos continents. The only person that reminds me of a Japanese person is Byakuya really and his kuchiki clan. The four nnoble clans is another example Kuchiki's seem to be based in Japanese in terms of looks, and based on what Yorouichi looks like maybe the shihion has ties in Africa.Shinji does not seem like one who ancestory come from japan, by logic Yoroichi and her clan should be in africa not this soul society unless over course the soul society is the only one out there.The shiba famliy seem chinese to me. The soul society is diverse, people are just to ignorgant to notices it because it has japanese overtones and thus why they have japanese names. Note thats proably because the manga artist is japanese and so his culture would logically dominate his manga. I could goon and on but this manga screams out the thattheres only one society.Saimaroimaru 02:02, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Just one thing Saimaroimaru, I agree that since those developing the manga are Japanese, it's more likely that their culture and style will show through more often than others. However to say that this "screams" there is only one SS, is a pretty bold statement since it appears not everyone feels that way. I would also go with the fact that there's a lot going on in the story and the writers probably just never bothered to flesh out the ideas.--Ihaveaname 15:56, 7 August 2009 (UTC)