Bleach: Tite Kubo Might Never Reveal Aizen’s Backstory for a Compelling Reason That’s the Polar Opposite of How Eiichiro Oda Writes Villains
Shonen authors’ love for a good villain (which means very evil) is unparalleled. Sometimes their way of approaching reality shows society’s true nature, and it gets more love from fans than the series’ protagonist. Villains/Anti-heroes like Obito and Itachi from Naruto, Eren Yeager of Attack on Titan, and Light Yagami of Death Note have claimed a special spot in their hearts.
However, one common characteristic they all share is a deep-hearted background story that shows what forced them into who they are, but not Sosuke Aizen. Bleach’s one of the favorite (and hated) villains doesn’t have an emphatic history.
It made fans curious, why Tite Kubo, the mangaka of Bleach, who tends to go into great detail on characters’ backgrounds, didn’t give much effort into Aizen. Well, he answered that already and the reason was simple yet strong.
Bleach’s author revealed why Sosuke Aizen doesn’t have a background story
An anime fan posted an online poll between Madara from Naruto and Sosuke Aizen on social media, asking who the better villain is. In addition, he opined that lacking a good background story (unlike Marada Uchiha) makes Aizen’s character dull.
In response, another fan surfed an old interview of Tite Kubo where answered the very same query that has piqued many over the years.
“In most cases, revealing the villain’s past is done so that the reader can empathize with them and feel sympathy. I’m not a fan of this trope so I don’t make use of it,” Kubo said, via X (formally Twitter).
“All characters possess different values, but I believe that the harder it is to accept the gap between them, the greater the villain becomes,” Kubo continued.
Aizen's villain backstory isn't a justification of actions it's a motive for why he did those things. https://t.co/RQf5aCRpye
— Black_Exorcist: Astralmancer WIP (@Black_Exxorcist) September 1, 2023
Kubo, unlike his counterparts Eiichiro Oda of One Piece and Mashahsi Kishimoto of Naruto, believed that a villain is simply someone who do things that he thinks need to be done. Whether that makes him an entity that people might despise.
Sosuke Aizen revealed his grand plan
In Chapter 169, titled “End of Hypnosis”, Sosuke Aizen revealed his grand plan to rule the soul society.
“From The very start, no one has stood upon the heavens. Not You, Not I, Nor even Gods. However, that intolerable vacuum has come to an end. Henceforth… I shall stand upon The Heavens.” – Sosuke Aizen.
He never sought anyone’s seal of approval to do what he thought was right (despite being wrong). In Chapter 176, titled “End of Hypnosis 8 The Transfixion”, he mercilessly pulled “Hougyoku” from Rukia Kuchiki in order to achieve his goal, making himself one of the best villains in Shonen’s record.
Sosuke Aizen has a change of heart at the Bleach’s ending
It seems by the finale stage of Bleach, Kubo as well as Sosuke Aizen have a change of heart, making him more appealing to fans. After getting defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach’s protagonist, he loses his calm and mysterious aura.
However, by the time he was released from Muken, Aizen returned to his old personality this time, not evil. He even helped Ichigo on his quest against Yhwach. Despite not being in the spotlight, he has a deep influence on fans, who enjoyed his presence wholeheartedly, either as a Villane or as an Anti-hero.
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