In the world ofBleach, the Soul Society represents more than just the afterlife. In this world, it serves as the spiritual heart of the Shinigami, the guardians that help in balancing the scales between the living world and the afterlife.
Just like human society is governed by its set of rules, customs, and norms, Soul Society operates in a similar fashion. However, its mode of governance is different as it has a bit more complex system where noble families and military forces enforce laws and order. On the face of it, there are some similarities with some concepts in human society, like how Soul Society’s governance merges the feudal traditions with spiritual leadership, holding control over the flow of souls. Hence, just like how human society has its form of governance and law,fans of theBleachseriesunderstand the same concept works in the Soul Society.
The Soul Society
A Divide In A Sense
InBleach, the logic is Soul Society parallels the World Of The Living; hence, in the parallel, what is obvious is the residents do not age as a fact, and it could in fact take centuries before they die. Similarly, the concept of hunger does not exist, making it logically fit the description attributed to it. However, not all that glitter is gold in this world, as a divide exists. Two areas known as Rukongai and Seireitei exist.
Rukongai holds most of the residents of the Soul Society; the only issue here is that it similarly mirrors the World Of The Living with the problem of governance. Here, districts located close to Central City get to live relatively well, while the further the distance, the poverty and instability reveal themselves. On the other hand, Seireitei houses the Shinigami, the noble families, and the governing bodies. With its tough walls, which are made of Sekkiseki, a special material that nullifies spiritual powers, it protects the region from uninvited guests, helping it symbolize the idea of power and authority it already stands for.
Governance In Soul Society
The Law And Its Functions
A concept of government similar to the human society is the basis for governance in the Soul Society. This system of government is oligarchy, with the Soul King ranking at the top. Now, his role is somewhat more symbolic than any actual functional duty, which the anime has not shed light on. So, the Soul King serves as a ceremonial head and represents the executive arm of government similar to the monarchy systems in human society.
On that note, Central 46 is the legislature in this world; they’re the so-called elders and wise men who understand the way the laws should be made and what regulatory actions should be administered in the Society. What is particularly notable is that the decisions of Central 46 are binding and offer no opportunity to appeal. As such, with this information, one can surmise that the powers of the judiciary and legislature areconferred on Central 46. Why? One may ask. Due to the fact that the laws of Soul Society are made by this body and any opportunity to appeal any contravention of said law rests on this same body, it can conclusively be said they harness the powers of two organs in one.
Military And Noble Influence
Since the Soul King serves as the executive arm of Soul Society, the military falls under this title. Herecome the Gotei 13and the Royal Guard, two military houses that change the scale and understanding of things in theBleachworld.The Gotei 13 is made of 13 divisions, with each division notable for one thing or the other. Each division has a captain who heads it; however, all divisions report and submit to the authority of Division 1, which the Captain-Commander leads. The job of the Gotei 13 can summarily be explained as keeping the peace of the Soul Society, balancing souls, defeating hollows, and essentially protecting the Soul Society.
On the other hand, isthe Royal Guard, which is popularly known as the Zero Division. Their job is a bit more on the higher priority side in that they protect the Soul King and any form of access to the Soul Palace that one may desire. Their power is so strong that they cannot fully unleash it if they were in Soul Society, or it will destroy the entire balance.
Nobles in this world take the form of noble houses. There are five great noble houses, and they simply interact and keep the tradition of the Soul Society while also involving themselves in political situations or forms of leadership like in the Gotei 13.
Soul Society’s The Legal System
A Working System
With Central 46 making the laws and also serving as the judiciary, failure to observe and follow the laws leads to punishment. In this case, the Gotei 13 works to enforce these laws and bring such a defaulter before the same Central 46 to pass judgment.
Some major laws in place include:
The punishment for breaking laws can vary from exile to imprisonment in the Central Great Underground Prison or to extreme measures like execution, which can be in the case of someone who betrays Soul Society.
A Complex And Strict Society
Vast And Unforgiving
In this world whereone’s spiritual powergoes a long way to determine their status, the laws and punishment seem to complement what some may say is a strict place to live in.
Through its governance,Bleachsheds light on a system of governance that directs the thoughts and actions of those who choose to live by it and those who believe the opposite. Different points of view definitely exist on whether or not the system in place is well-balanced or not. However, what does exist is the controversy as to whether the system functions adequately or not to meet the issues and developments that arise in this world.
Bleachis available to watch onCrunchyrollandHulu.
Bleach
Based on Tite Kubo’s battle shonen manga, Bleach centers around Ichigo, a high school student who is dragged into the world of Soul Reapers. The original anime ended in 2012, but it was revived in 2022.
