#bleach Kisuke Urahara is one of BLEACH'S greatest characters and even though his allegiance to good cannot be questioned, the kind of good he stands for is still very much a mystery meant to unfold. In this video, Kubology goes Kisuke.
Kisuke, despite his moral ambiguity knows his limitations and that his drive for knowledge can be dangerous. At the end of CFYOW he admits as such to Yoruichi, pleading that should he ever become a world endangering villain that she should see to it that those who are truly good mark his defeat. She stated that she'd twist his neck the moment he crosses that line. Makes sense that she'd do that since they are old friends and no friend would allow the other to sink to that point, and they where both killers for the status quo.
I was going to bring up what he said at the end of CFYOW and how he saw it fit for people like Hisagi, Ichigo and Rukia to bring him in for his crimes because he actually thinks they're good people. But again, I thought that last convo between the two was well-written and he ended it with just moving on and possibly opening up his second shop.
@@jamesw2831 Yes. He knows that he and Yoruichi come from a sinister world, where murder, secrecy and brutal power plays were/are the norm and his genius was essentially wasted for the benefit of a few. The opposite of Ichigo and his human friends who are selfless and do the right thing without question. His tone in that conversation was somber as if he wants to be punished for his past sins.
@@manuelacosta9463 true. I noticed that there was a somber sound to it. But I’m pretty sure that his sins will be weighed differently given how much he has helped the society
@@jamesw2831 Indeed. Ironically him allowing his technology/inventions become more widespread in Soul society as seen in the hell chapter may lead to changes and more gradual reforms. Especially since television coupled with information from the human world is becoming more accessible. For having once killed to keep a stagnant status quo intact, he is an arbiter if it's change.
@@mr.anonymous123 the guy is well paid to lie and spew conservative propaganda (especially on economics topics) and basically be racist against minorities, black people first in the same vein as Candace Owens, except he is more competent at it. He is no different from people like Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Jordan Peterson etc.. who are also grifters :-)
Not gonna lie, it'd be really cool for Urahara to be the last antagonist. Not a villain, mind you. If executed correctly he could be the best written character of the whole series.
I do love the fact that Kubo essentially let's Kisuke dance on the edge. It's why Aizen is so frustrated with him, it's why despite how brilliant and twisted Mayuri is, Kisuke annoys him. Kisuke is just that brilliant yet you know somewhere he's thought about "How could he change the current system? Should he? Can he?" All of which he's answered yes in his mind but when he looked at any other alternatives he came to conclusion that as messed up as the current system is, it's the best possible outcome. An answer we see he meets many times. Shinji and co? Best possible outcome Hogyouku? Best possible outcome Aizen? Best possible outcome Misaki Kurosaki? Best possible outcome Etc etc yet none of us would be surprised if one day "the best possible outcome" would not be satisfying enough for him.
This is why I feel like the potential Hell Arc will be a turning point for Urahara. I suspect that Soul Society will want to find a way to seal the Gates of Hell again and maintain the status quo, even if that means that all Captain-class Shinigami spend eternity in inescapable torment for the "sin" of being too powerful. However, I doubt Urahara will just accept that fate for himself, Yorouichi and Tessai. This will set up a conflict between Urahara and Soul Society, calling into question the roles of "antagonist" and "protagonist" (or even "hero" and "villain") leading to Ichigo being forced to make a choice: what if the price of "protecting the world" is eternal damnation to Hell, for himself and possibly for his only son?
@@ThePowerLover For himself, yes, of course. But for the others? Basically anyone on bankai level goes to hell. Imagine that you could change sealed fate of everyone you cared about. Even if you look at consequences, IT IS THE WORTHY TRADEOFF, not from global point of view, but from his, personal one.
There’s a reason that Urahara was afraid he’d turn like Aizen if he didn’t have Yoruichi. And it makes sense. A character like Urahara is one that Kubo could do a lot with because of his moral ambiguity. The fact is that if Kubo got rid of Yoruichi, he could turn Urahara evil and no one would think “this is a terrible plot twist.”
Indeed. Yoruichi not only keeps his more sinister side at bay but is also not afraid to go against his ego and force him to see the truth. Also liked how she accompanies others sent by Kisuke, essentially taking her own responsibility for them in dangerous missions.
One thing i never see talked about is how Urahara's shikai and bankai are both about change. His shikai changes his reaction according to what he wants or needs in said moment. His bankai changes the world, the reality he's presented in to his needs. These abilities say soo much about his core personality, how he deeply loves and yearns for change not only applied to him, but to the world itself. Yet even with all this information and all his possibilities of changing the way this twisted reality he lives in works, he'd rather defend it, he avoids and is against any change even if deep down his soul change is the one thing he wishes the most.
There are things you have to remember: Urahara knows early world history, Urahara knows Soul King, Urahara knows Squad Zero, but that doesn't mean Urahara knows everything, because in reality, Urahara can still be wrong in predicting something, and aren't all you Bleach fans curious about why Urahara chose Rukia to carry the hogyoku?
True. He did drop the ball on some very dangerous scenarios that nearly led to disaster. It could be counted as the genius flaw, to be so intelligent that it leads to lapses in basic common sense and a lack of 'street smarts' that, while simple, still sometimes help more than an elaborate plan or what you believe to be a fail safe.
I don't believe Urahara hid the hogyoku inside Rukia by mistake.I don't even believe that he created the hogyoku in the first place.Hiding it inside Rukia and hoping that noone will find out is just stupid (he knew that Aizen was after it,he knew who Rukia was and that they will come after her).And he is not stupid. There is someone that can foresee (and manipulate) the future.If that someone told Urahara to hide the hogyoku inside Rukia and that action will start a chain of events that is the Bleach story?Does that make a better explanation why Urahara ''chose'' to hide the hoguoku inside Rukia?
@@kostasgeor607he wanted to get Ichigo involved and he figured the best way would be to create Drama around Rukia, as Ichigo can't resist a Damsel in Distress.
Hands down my favorite bleach character. even with all we know about him, i think we barely scratched the surface. I think a light novel dedicated to him is needed
Kisuke knows better than anyone that just because you implement a new system, that alone won’t make it better. If you’ve ever worked for a bad boss, we’re elated that bad boss got fired, then the company finds an even worse boss. Kisuke is fighting to make the world as it is a better place to live.
Well technically the current world is the new implimented system and the current boss Ichibe is the worse boss controlling the would with the desecrated body of the old boss lol
This only makes sense in this specific scenario were there is no alternative (given kisuke's unmatched ingenuity) or anticipate a worse world in reaching for it. This would be nonsensical literally anywhere else and applied to anyone not in that position. @@rohanking12able
I have rewatched the anime a number it times. And every interaction between Kisuke and Aizen is unique. The truth is if Kisuke decided to be evil one day, we’d never know it was him behind it until he had won. That’s why he’s so scary as a character
Kisuke's perspective is simple. It boils down to "people are able to have good lives as things are. Why would we change it and risk ruining that? It's fun to explore the machinations of our world, but changing the fundamental nature of our world doesn't ensure positive outcomes for anyone. Not even the people making the changes."
Also regarding Tokinada's motivations, knowing the awful truth validated what he saw around him in his status as a noble. He states as such in the novel at one point saying that the nobles, regardless of their claims and pretences, are rotten power hungry egomaniacs who would happily join him in his imperialist designs so long as they get something out of it. Yoruichi who is hearing the tirade sadly acknowledges this.
He allows "goodness" to exist and live alongside it, but at any moment he may join the forces of evil as a half-way comrade. But I doubt I'll see the day he turns evil because the smell of "goodness" is contagious. But it is only this "possibility" of joining evil that makes this character fascinating and unique.
I feel like there was a real possibility of him going down a true dark path but the"goodness" of Ichigo and his friends helped him stay the course he had set and thread the needle to try to reach the best possible outcome he could find.
If Kisuke got revealed as a villain, it would be viewed as an ass pull. He seems to be a genuine friend of many, and that’s something about him that over the long haul seems consistent, that they may be used as pawns at times but are not just pawns in general.
I actually don't mind that. Backstories are essential in some cases but I like that Kubo only gives backstories when it is super important, otherwise he characterize his characters in the present.
The thing is, urahara is a decent guy we saw him in turn back the pendulum, he truly cares about others,and the thing about extremely high intelligence is that it can lead to insanity, just look at Aizen and mayuri thise 2 are clearly insane and they don't care about others but themselves, urahara is nit ready to sacrifice the world for some twisted vision like aizen and ywach or even tokinada, he just means well despite his inner darkness, he is also very humble, he doesn't believe himself above others, he does have a friendly competition with mayuri but he is not arrogant, he doesn't have a God complex like the other geniuses and villains of the series.
When you put it like that, perhaps part of why Urahara doesn't try to change the way the world works is because he fears he will slip into a megalomaniac god complex? Aizen and Mayuri are both total psychopaths but note that Mayuri doesn't cause a lot of trouble as long as he gets to do his research, because he doesn't really care about anything else. What actually made Aizen so dangerous was that he believed his ultimate goal justified everything he did. Urahara may have realized that if he tried to fix the world he'd likely have to do many horrible things in the process and at some point he wouldn't even feel sorry about it. Sorta like how Batman believes he has to act according to a strict code because otherwise he may turn into an extremely dangerous anti-villain.
@@RelativelyBestyou both are wrong on Mayuri. It is explained that he did love something else. Someone else in fact. That single thread that stops Mayuri from becoming Aizen is that connection which Aizen lacked. This is explained in TYBW. The reason Urahara freed Mayuri is because he saw a kindred spirit.
To me,aizen's final speech wasn't about him,but about kisuke He wasn't calling himself the winner,he was talking about kisuke The way aizen said it just felt like it Kisuke should be a winner,but why is he making a loser's argument I am saying this just cuz i feel like it But because that's exactly what he was talking about before it He is confused on why a man superior to even himself is not doing anything to change the world
True, Aizen essentially called Kisuke a coward for knowing so much and having so many solutions yet doing absolutely nothing with that. Of course Aizen he just wants to rule, it's an ego trip, but with Kisuke it's that he let his genius go to waste to benefit a few in power while willfully serving stagnation. This has changed only recently with his tech now becoming more widespread in Soul Society including the Rukon.
Kinda parallels Gojo and Geto-Gojo has the power to change society and shape it, but chooses not too or rather hasn't even thought of it (back then), while Geto seeks to, but lacks the power.
Even though i like azien as one of my favorites character in all anime Kisuke never missed chance to impress me with his unknown intentions or lines he say, in almost every critical moment in story u find his touch to change the storyline going with ease. I do agree with u about if he was the main villain and got dropped tomorrow . All gonna wanna know how but not why cuz he always no straight I think he is the best kubo character so far
The weird thing is you can even say people like Ichigo and even Ginjo fell Ichigo when he learned of soul society and choose to raid it to rescue Rukia and Ginjo whole story is him rebelling against what the standard of good is though he did do some pretty evil stuff so he's not good or evil just against the statis quo
This is exactly why Sinbad and Urahara are my favorite characters. Osamu Dazai from Bungo stray dogs is also similar. Their moral ambiguity stems from having a deep sense of understanding of the way the world works, and the way good and evil coexist on the path to progress and order. While everyone is living within a certain degree of ignorance, they see the bigger picture, have a sobber outlook and are usually the unsung hero.
@@rohanking12able that is also your own opinion and no one said evil was inherently necessary. What i meant was these characters understand the role of the deeds (that others label as "evil") play in the status quo and the benefit they will provide in any future structure.
@@rohanking12able it means actions have pros and cons or a cause having positive and negative effects. Some people weight these and see it as a matter of perspective rather than one sided evil. Keep up with the ignorant judgments
I've always had my theories about Kisuke, the only one who knew about the good and bad parts of all 3 worlds (human, soul society, and hueco mundo). Yet, he never did anything himself to stop any of it until he needed to interfere somehow. Such as if it involved his life or ones closest to him and only if they asked him too. Key phase being "asked to." He was always compliment in everything and covered it up with jokes and a laid back attitude. Giving you enough info to tell you what and only what you needed to know at that moment, then deflecting it with a joke as misdirection to make you fed up with him so hed close his mouth. Because of that he has been my favorite character. But one thing you never delve into is his zanpakuto, the one thing that reflects the will and personality of its weilder. And I think that makes Kisuke even more intriguing of a character when you find out what it is. And to not spoil thousand year blood war I will just say explains A LOT of what and who kisuke as a character is.
Kisuke would like to change the world, he would join Aizen but since they have different ideals I suppose that’s why he goes against him, Kisuke doesn’t join in on fights unless the soul king is involved. (Aizen,Yhwach and Tokinada)
@@rohanking12able why does he not waste his time? Or why is he only interested in things which threaten the current order? The former: because he's too smart and busy for that. If it looks like he's wasting time he's really just recovering or investigating something. The latter: no other threats are worth his attention. It'll be neutralized by the current system which includes Ichigo and now Aizen (again), leaving him free to pursue research. You may be also asking why he cares so much for the current order. He's done the math - this is the best possible configuration of people and processes to ensure long term stability. Even if it has to admit a lot of corruption, it's secure.
@@rohanking12able That's Aizen's whole critique of his behavior. You saying "this is the best solution" looks a lot like you're giving up. The question then becomes, if he hasn't actually given up, wtf is he planning? He might really mess up the current system if he ever decides to.
I dont think Urahara simply accepts the world as it is, he simply does not see a viable alternative. Thats how he functions, he first looks for a viable solution and then checks if its a morally good one.
to me he seems like a realist. He knows the truth but is unable to fix it. He knows he can't change the way the world is for the better, so he does not take action. BUT I think IF he found a way to do what he wants, he WOULD start to take action. Basicly, he just doesn't start a fight unless he knows he has at least a chance at winning.
i think from kisukes perspective he sees and knows about the bad things, but he either doesnt want to change them because in doing so it could potentially lead to bigger mess or he is doing it or planning to do it slowly step by step as to make a step make sure nothing is going to bigger mess make plans for next step and if it goes wrong.
While I agree kisuke could have been revealed as a villain early on all the way up to the beginning of the Arrancar arch. It honestly make sense now. He’s helped too many characters, especially Ichigo and the SS. You’d basically have to spin it as SS is the evil ones which would flip the story upside down even with hints they have a dark past throughout the series or you would have to spin it to where he helped SS and company all along just to betray them at their weakest even tho they’ve been weakened and vulnerable many times b4 and weakened enough for him to put something into play. The way I look at kisuke he has unconventional means to try to do the right thing cause he’s really just too smart for his own good tbh. Like he basically knows what the outcomes of anything could be and when he plans for the unexpected there’s sometimes consequences or a sense of him being bad. He’s a lesser of 2 evil character.
Ive said for a long time that Kisuke and Mayuri both are similar in you dont really know their end game lol. But also they're both used as a plot device.
Well Mayuri has shown to be plain evil. He will kill experiments and do whatever he wants morally or immorally for the sake of knowledge. Kisuke at least has Yoruichi and later Mayuri changes a bit with Nemu after the TYBW, how much idk simce it was at the end of it.
Kubo originally was going to let Aizen die in soul society arc. Kisuke Urahara was going to be the original villain. Kubo changed his mind and gave us Aizen
I believe this is not a "its just the way it is", we have seen him help even in the rather peaceful timeskip (new tech for soul society), Urahara knows something else, maybe related to hell, is that his goal to obtain or prevent? we may never find out.
I’m not going to lie bro the whole concept of Half Way Fallen is hitting me really hard both concept and name so I’m going to write a poem about it and titled that and I’ll send it to you some how. Thanks for the absolute gem 💎 of an idea
There is something to be said about rebelling against the system that parallels the real world. Although the simple act of rebelling isn't inherently evil, the means and outcomes of such actions can still be. Revolutionaries can be terrorists. Overthrowing a broken system can cause more harm than good when failing to replace the system with something better, and it is often the case of arrogance to even assume a better system can be created. Especially when, in pursuit of that "ideal", you kill/cause the death of many who could have otherwise helped pursue that "ideal".
Well, one could make the argument that we as humans can't ever know what we don't know therefore, saying that something better is impossible would be arrogant and not the other way around Yes, revolutions and rebellions can be counterproductive for the common benefit of society, but we always miss the shots we don't shoot. Therefore, the rejection of change is the acceptance of suffering (big or small), with this in mind, isn't the gamble worth the risk most of the time? Obviously, change is inherently violent as you will impose your will over free individuals, so maybe every construction and destruction of the world is evil regardless of intentions and result, but I guess that sounds like sophism haha
Kisuke is going about changing the way things are in hsi own way small changes that over time improve everything. Thats why he trained Ichigo, saved the Visords, assited in reinstating Ichigos powers allowed Yhwach to restart the war to sort of fix thw soul king in a way but not really. It's all part od his master plan to fix the world of bleach and i hope they continue on after the one shot with the Hell arc to keep the story going. CFYOW was cool to and it adds to the Kisuke making small changes to try and better the world thing. He is never gonna be a villian he will just continue on making small changes to improve the world for all.
You mentioned everyone know who's about the world and came up with a decision, but ichigo. with bleach cour 2 out we see ichigo learn about the truth of the world and we see his decision was still to protect what he has now
I don't think it's a paradox to understand that the world operates on the premise of "free will". That for one person to say "this is how the world *should* and I'm going to make it that way" is imposing their own selfish desires on others.
*I didn't know you liked Magi.* Based on the intro background do you like Yugioh too? What, you gonna tease me now Flame?! I NEED more people talking about Magi. Also...is it just coincidence you made this video after my last comment ending with Kisuke? As of now, I actually *would* question if Kisuke became a true antagonist, but then again there's been a technical large timeskip and we haven't seen him. Even so it'd absolutely break my heart. Kubo did say somewhere he was supposed to be a Villain. Also he's apparently based on some Moomins character named Snufkin. *So is Snufkin like some Planetary threat or-?*
I might add he thinks thats how the world works… but also in a sense I think he find the world interesting as it is and wants to keep seeing how it develops, he also knows that there are countless innocent lives either in spirit form or Human form that will perish should the world suddenly collapses. He is like Mayuri, he loves imperfection so that he can always improve stuff or invent new things, but also he has a more solid moral compass than Mayuri. He is my favorite Character in Bleach, and Aizen is my favorite villain in anime.
I don't think he's morally ambiguous - he's just done the calculations and he's realized that the current state of the Bleach world allows everyone the most agency to live freely and shape the world as they see fit... People like Aizen and Ywach aren't content with shaping the world as they see fit with the agency that they have, they just can't stand the fact that anyone should set any limitations for them - so they are caught in this paradox where they believe that if limitations are to be set then they would hold the reigns, and then become the thing they hate... Kisuke is just smart enough to know that if he were to become the linchpin then he would become subservient to all the things he held together... And so he realizes that the best way to live freely is to allow the lesser evil to be the linchpin - one that allows maximum freedom to all beings to live, to change, and to experience life
Ignorance is bliss as they say. Sometimes having too much knowledge makes you less human without empathy sympathy, concern for other and only think about the logical solution as things rather then beings.
Everyone wants to know what the rules to survive and prosper in life are. Many ask questions and eventually create a world view as best they can on what they think they know, most others just settle on or believe the rules they are told exist. This creates all kinds of ideologies, religions, philosophies, and fields of science, all trying to explain the world, all trying to navigate it, and many trying to control it. I have wondered if I knew the truth what I would do with it. Would it be so scary or depressing that I would keep it to myself, sparing others from the truth. Would it be so wonderful that I would want to share it. Or would it be that it just had to be the way it is, letting each and every other person discover it or not as the natural way things should be. If I knew the truth would I change it? could I change it? and if I did change it would I make the world better or worse, or just different? Urahara is a great character among many great characters in Bleach. He has travelled down the dark side in his pursuit to understand, and only in that way could he have come to understand. His moral ambiguity only being continued by coming to that horrible understanding and what it means. He does do something about it, he fights to preserve it, to preserve the status quo, even if that means he will have to do morally questionable things in that pursuit, because in his mind that is the best course to follow. This is why he is so dangerous to so many. Because of the fact that his actions are based on this pursuit, anyone threatening the order he sees as necessary, or any action needed to be taken to preserve that order will be taken by him, hurting or helping friends, foes, and innocents as the need arises. Can he truly be trusted? Maybe only by those that not only know what he knows but agree to not only keep the status que but to help preserve it. This is why we would not be shocked if he was revealed as the big baddy if that were to one day occur.
Urahara is the „Untermennnsch“ that Kafka mentions. He knows everything but decides not to do anything about it. He is the opposite to Aizen which knows everything but decides to act on his knowledge.
It would be nice to see aizen & urahara working together just to defeat yhwach. From the other prespective seems like urahara somehow prepared 2 minions to fight against yhwach, aizen & ichigo. Also looking for answers regarding the similarities between ichibe and urahara's slippers, very similar.
Urahara vs Ichibie: Incredible Understanding vs Universal Insight. Morals, leave your card at the door. While Aizen and Urahara might be intellectual rivals, it seems Kisuke had much more insight. Aizen wanted to destroy and recreate, while Kisuke understood why that isn’t really feasible.
You know what makes this even more fucked up? His bankai, the reflection of his soul and his will, is the instrument to reshape and change anything that in it's grasp. This opens so many fucking questions.
Even more so, he *is* probably the smartest human-esque being in the Bleach. The fact that he answers to Aizen before Aizen is sealed the way he does, only can mean two things: 1) He doesn't see any future that is better then fucked-up way world works, or at least see those possibilities as "costing too much"; 2) He actually does see that future, ans so he "continues". Binding his time? Or just facilitating subtle changes that already are going on?
Honestly with the news that cappy go to hell when they die i think ichigo will try to change the system. Then who is going to try to stop him? Its going to be kisuke theirs a good chance if that road is taken we will see him take out all the stops to prevent it. Its going to be a heartbreaking fight cause he may even have to fight yorichi as well and between her being like a big sister to him and kisuke being like a uncle to him i believe that ichigo will have to overcome a much more real non fabricated kind of despair then when he did with the fake memories put into his friends.
Every thinking man must come upon the paradox of power, sooner or later. Eyes clear enough to see where it should be applied and where it should not rarely survive its use. The world of Bleach should be very wary of a blind Urahara Kisuke.
I think this is why the Soul Society Arc is still Ichigo's shining moment, though... By the metrics Kubo establishes himself, Ichigo is the villain, the monster, here. But, unaware of the structures and traditions and rules that bind the rest of the spiritual world, he can maintain laser focus on a single objective: paying back the person who saved his life and gave him a chance to open wings he didn't even know he had. Falling angel meeting rising ape and exploding into a bankai that was never a bankai :D
He's not paradoxical. His moral view seems consistent and clear. A moral theorist would call him a 'consequentialist.' Consequentialism is the view that the end which brings the best benefit for the group is moral and correct, even if the means might be questionable. Beneficial ends justify questionable means. Where he differs from villains is that he pursues the best ends for the group, whereas they pursue their interests at the expense of the group. Both persons may seem cold and use individuals as means, but their value of other people differ. Kisuke is still a hero, even if his actions disagree with the viewer's personal sentiments.
I find it interesting that he has a walking stick just like yama. They are similarly ambiguous, and immensely powerful. I also find it interesting that the bleach logo is on the bottom of his cane.
I think Kiske might understand how changing things would be destructive. It seems this is the case with the characters that try. He would have to go up against the existing structure that is home to him. I don’t know if this is why he doesn’t do it, but it could be. Then his solution is to wait. I think if he does have a plan to do this it would be by using Ichigo, or his son. I don’t know all of the story so I’m guessing, but it is interesting to think about. He understands Ichigo could change things but doesn’t want to corrupt him into someone bad; he will let him decide for himself. It seems Ichigo from the very beginning takes on the role of bringing the order into question, but also the role of bringing the villains into question bc they hurt his friends. Both parties actually hurt his friends, and so does Kiske. By this Kiske is already compromised and he might understand he can’t be the one to change things bc he has already done damage. Ichigo is able to take the hollow within him. He’s able to be a human, a soul reaper, a hollow, a Quincy, a fullbringer…. This is also why Ichibe thinks he could be an heir to the soul king (idk if this is true but I think it might be). So we have a character being developed like this and Kiske has been behind this in some form (he knew Ichigo could beat Aizen, he helped create Ichigo by helping his mother live).
