When Killing is not the Goal: A Parallel between Sui-Feng and Ichigo Kurosaki

Sui-Feng is indeed an odd name to put next to Ichigo Kurosaki. Rukia Kuchiki or any member of the Karakura team would be a much better pick. Nevertheless, there is an interesting parallel between Sui-Feng’s and Ichigo Kurosaki’s actions in their respective fights with Yoruichi Shihoin and Byakuya Kuchiki. Said parallel is their action of not killing the enemy when they obviously had the chance to. This choice not to kill reveals that Sui-Feng and Ichigo’s primary goal is not murder, but something else.

Sui-Feng and Yoruichi's Spinning Move

Bleach TYBW Season 2 is here already! There is a fun easter egg (if it really is an easter egg) that I just noticed thanks to the animation. In Sui-Feng's fight with BG9, Sui-Feng does this move where she grabs one of BG9's tentacles and swings it around. The manga renders it this way:

Bleach: When Students Oppose Their Mentors

I noticed something new while rereading the Sui-Feng vs Yoruichi Shihoin fight. So, interspersed between said fight is another fight: Jushiro Ukitake, Shunsui Kyoraku vs Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. I just noticed that the way the story switches back and forth between these two fights strongly highlights the student vs mentor theme. In fact, there are some interesting parallels between them.

Bleach: Analyzing Sui-Feng through her fight with Yoruichi Shihoin

To me, Sui-Feng (or Soi Fon) vs Yoruichi Shihoin remains one of the best fights in Bleach's Soul Society arc. Young me was so fascinated by the fight's cool characters, cool choreography, and heartbreaking "Why didn't you take me with you?" line at the end. Now, older me has one more thing to add to the list: How the fight reveals Sui-Feng's complex character. I know that Sui-Feng is one of the most hated characters in the series, and though I don't hate her that much, I understand why. Sui-Feng is harsh, arrogant, and unhealthily obsessed with Yoruichi. I'd like to show you that there is a reason why she developed these traits (particularly arrogance) through analyzing Sui-Feng and Yoruichi's battle. I argue that these negative traits are related to Sui-Feng's poor sense of self-worth, resulting in a need to always prove herself.