Kurotsuchi Mayuri (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
imperfectionistic) wrote2012-01-22 04:14 pm
imperfectionistic) wrote2012-01-22 04:14 pm
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[Analysis] Bleach - Kurotsuchi Mayuri
Imperfectionist
Introduction
Kurotsuchi Mayuri is a shinigami, the Twelfth Division Captain, and resident mad scientist of the manga/anime series Bleach. This essay operates on the assumption that the reader has familiarity with the plot and terms used within the series, and doesn't mind the presence of spoilers.
Though ruthless and amoral, Kurotsuchi is not a mindless, maniacal caricature of evil as often described or portrayed within fandom. As he is an unpopular character however, (if in large part due to his outlandish appearance) his development and personality is often overlooked or misrepresented, and the goal of this essay is to attempt a more detailed analysis.
Appearance & Personality
When mentioning Kurotsuchi, one of the first things he's remembered for is his appearance. Among the captains - and among the characters of Bleach in general - his look is one of the strangest, especially considering that he creates it voluntarily. The way he presents himself, both in face and in bearing, gives the impression that this is someone who is not quite right, someone who'd be safer to avoid.
This is despite being otherwise physically unremarkable - he's the shortest male captain apart from Hitsugaya (who's still a child), and his given weight suggests that he has little to no muscle. He's neither imposing, nor pretty, and he acts with total absence of charisma. Even his voice is unsettling, with a tendency towards lilted teasing when he's amused, and high-pitched screeching when he's not - and in neither case could it be described as charming. Other people and their opinions don't interest or influence him, and he makes no effort to pretend otherwise. Yet he maintains an eccentric look; the regular use of makeup, and the gaudy, semi-functional attachments aren't the work of someone who doesn't care about appearances.
Kurotsuchi's never given a reason for it, and no one has ever asked. And part of an explanation could just be vanity - even if his sense of aesthetics isn't a common one. If he likes how it looks, what other reason does he need? But on some level his appearance acts as a warning - a way of making sure he's noticed, but not seen as approachable. Something like a poison dart frog, or any other small, fragile animal whose greatest defense is its bright color, telling predators "do not eat." Especially because said animals tend to be poisonous. Kurotsuchi's presentation could have much the same purpose - but whether it was intentional or not, it has the same effect, a way of showing that this isn't someone you want to disturb.
The symbolic flower of the Twelfth Division is the thistle. Officially it represents independence, revision, and discipline - but it is also a flower that cannot be touched without pain, due to its numerous prickly barbs. It's another warning, another sign to not attract attention, or risk damage. More traditionally, the thistle represents nobility - something that doesn't seem to have much of anything to do with Kurotsuchi, or anyone related to the division. The closest connection is perhaps to the scientist's later visage when he appears in Hueco Mundo; with a different hairstyle and new gold accessories, he looks like some strange, Egyptian pharaoh.
But just as notable about the man is the way he acts. Kurotsuchi's manner is abrupt, even sharp - but also lazy. Though watchful, Kurotsuchi does not move or react quickly unless he absolutely has to - the rest of the time he is the detached observer, only putting in the minimum of physical exertion. His agility is considered to be the worst of the captains (officially, it's as poor as Komamura's), and he has no problem with sacrificing subordinates to make his job easier, viewing them as disposable objects. Unless you're a competent scientist working within the Research Bureau, the Twelfth Division is not a safe place to be - and even then, it's good to be cautious.
The captain's voice is usually calm, tending towards light mocking and general unhelpfulness. He also has a habit of ending a lot of his sentences with "da yo" - an indication of confidence in his statements. This is used to particular degree when speaking to Ishida (and Szayel Aporro, to an extent), showing an even greater condescension.
When baited into interest however, Kurotsuchi's tone becomes an intense sort of cajoling, and the open, almost innocent way in which he asks people to become research subjects seems to indicate that he's oblivious to how it comes across. To him, he's making a completely natural request - what he wants makes total sense to him, and he doesn't see any reason why anyone should deny him. Curiosity takes precedence over all else, and it never occurs to him to frame that curiosity in a more appealing way - instead he's quite open about his desire to dissect, modify, drug whatever comes into his possession. Kurotsuchi is brazenly, accidentally honest.
He is also unstable, easily angered and provoked into violence. And his voice is the clearest sign that something is unhinged in him - he goes very easily from soft taunting to screaming rage - and back again, practically within the same sentence. And even when ranting his expression doesn't often change, instead remaining blank, almost emotionless. It's only when absolutely enraged does that bit of control shatter, and he appears not anywhere close to sane. It is in those moments that he is at his most vindictive, even childishly spiteful - lashing out at whatever has slighted him, driven him to that point. Mocking isn't something he reacts well to, nor are what he perceives as insults to his scientific ability. Being questioned isn't something that he's accustomed to either, as his leadership over the Twelfth Division is total, and he gives little attention to any of the other squads.
Unlike many of the other captains, Kurotsuchi is not remotely social, and rarely interacts with anyone outside of his division. This is to mutual benefit, as just about everyone appears to dislike him to the point of being reluctant to ever ask him for anything directly. And Kurotsuchi's opinion of the other captains ranges from indifference to enmity, though the only one he seems to have any special distaste for is Zaraki. The particular disdain for the Eleventh Captain is only natural, considering that not only are their divisions in close proximity, their habits are along oddly similar lines, but diametrically opposed. To some small degree however, Kurotsuchi appears to recognize the other's fighting ability - even if he personally scorns it.
Zanpakutou & Fighting Ability
A shinigami's weapon - their zanpakutou - is a reflection of the personality or true nature of its user. Both the appearance and effect tie into its owner, and Kurotsuchi's is no different. His weapon is called Ashisogi Jizo ("Leg-Cutting Jizo"), a strange name considering his personality. Jizo is a direct reference to the bodhisattva, most commonly considered as a benevolent guardian of the souls of children, particularly those who die before their parents. Statues of Jizo often have childlike faces, and are given red bibs, in reference to a protection against evil. There are many, many, forms of Jizo, each providing a different aspect of protection - and with Ashisogi Jizo even following the usual naming pattern, it's twisted that this version exists only to cause harm, not divert it. And as a side note, Jizo also relates to the element of earth, while "Kurotsuchi" literally means "black soil." Another reference, if not an exact one.
In its unreleased state the zanpakutou appears as a relatively normal katana, but in its shikai form it takes the shape of an irregular three-pronged device, golden in color. On one side is the embossed face and hands of a child, and the normally thin spikes by the guard grow into small leaves. The overall appearance of the weapon is bizarre, noticeably different from anyone else's. Even the way Kurotsuchi draws the sword is strange, holding it up by the hilt as if it were a vial or bottle - not the stance of one preparing to attack with it. Unlike other zanpakutous, Ashisogi Jizo looks decorative, as well as awkward to wield; it's too clumsy to try to use as a sword, and lacks the reach of a proper trident. But apart from its shape, the most noticeable thing about the device is its color. Gold isn't a metal to use for real combat - far too soft - and even if a zanpakutou is a spiritual weapon rather than a physical one, that it has the appearance of gold is another sign that the device is made for something other than direct melee. Additionally, it reflects how Kurotsuchi chooses to present himself; that the device looks as odd as him is to be expected.
Ashisogi Jizo is effect-based, in the form of poison. Its ability is "selective nerve disruption" - a logical effect for someone whose intentions lean towards study, rather than destruction. If the device successfully cuts an opponent, its poison is able to enter their bloodstream, cutting the nerves responsible for controlling the limbs. This leads to an effect similar to that of paralysis, though without any loss of sensation. It's likely that the subject could even imagine an increase in pain, though that would only be illusion - as lack of control can heighten that perception.
The weapon is clearly meant to be used for capturing subjects, rather than killing them. When successful, the target is essentially incapacitated with the minimum of effort and risk. So the device not only illustrates Kurotsuchi's predilection towards study, it also shows his inherent disinterest, even apathy towards fighting. Kurotsuchi does not put much effort towards actual battle, and even chooses to avoid it when possible. Attacking things for the sheer sake of hurting them would just be a waste of his time - since in the end his sole focus is on research, and the quicker things are brought in to be studied, the better. Cutting things to pieces out of spite alone would be contrary to that goal - since if something doesn't interest him, he ignores it.
That's not to say that he's isn't easily annoyed, or not perfectly willing to take out that annoyance on whatever happens to be nearby. But he wouldn't go out of his way to look for targets to abuse - his daughter is usually there for that convenience. If Kurotsuchi is casually sadistic at all, it's almost entirely singled out towards Nemu. The rest of the world is surprisingly safe from him, so long as they don't attract his interest.
But if he is forced into fighting something he doesn't want to study, Kurotsuchi will be more unpleasant than strictly necessary - as one way or another, having the captain's attention is a very dangerous thing.
If something does manage to engage him, Kurotsuchi will pursue it methodically, but relentlessly. He's not the sort to jump into a situation without a plan or three in mind, and unlike other confident types, he does not assume his success. He can be reasonably sure, but Kurotsuchi does not believe in impossibilities or absolutes - and because of that, he always has multiple plans, precautions in place so that no matter what happens, he can respond to it. Or, if it all fails regardless, that he can manage to escape. Accepting a failure does not seem to be very difficult for him, which as a scientist is probably a necessity; experimenting requires attempting to prove things false. A loss means just trying it differently next time, and as irrationally angry as he can be, the emotion is short-lived. Revenge wouldn't be much of a motivation to him, but curiosity is, curiosity sustains him far longer than something as petty and unproductive as "hate."
As for the scientist's bankai - Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo ("Golden Leg-Cutting Jizo"), it is a continued representation of the corruption of a bodhisattva's benevolence: it's a caterpillar monster with a child's head, red bib tied backwards as a small mantle. And as it's both incredibly massive, as well as breathes poison made in part from Kurotsuchi's own blood, it's a weapon that's lost any sign of restraint.
But the potential symbolism of the bankai continues. As the head is that of a human infant, a caterpillar could also be considered the "child" stage of a butterfly or moth. Instead of possessing a fully-transformed, adult insect, Kurotsuchi's soul is one that hasn't reached potential. That this reflects his own nature is clearest when contrasted to Szayel Aporro - his "counterpart" scientist among the arrancar.
Szayel Aporro's resurrección was butterfly-like, complete with painted wings. Once that form was literally consumed by Ashisogi Jizo, Szayel went through a cocoon-like stage (while using Kurotsuchi's daughter as a host), and hatched again into his butterfly form, fully reborn. At that time he claimed to have achieved perfection - not by overcoming death, but by making it a part of his life cycle. Ultimately, however, he suffered an even more horrific end at Kurotsuchi's hand. Unlike the espada, the captain wasn't constrained by the idea of perfection; he refused to accept that there was an end to growth, or that a circular life-cycle was the best that could be attained. That his bankai remains immature only complements this.
Kurotsuchi's personality could also be described as immature - and like a child, his ability to see and appreciate another person's view is... underdeveloped, at best. He's ultimately selfish, oblivious to why he should care about the feelings of a subject. On the rare occasion when he's required to make some token gesture of consideration, he views it as something unpleasant. But unlike a normal child, who eventually learns empathy, the scientist remains disconnected. Despite his seemingly unlimited scientific growth, and an intelligence that's one of the greatest in the series - in maturity, he is very, very stunted.
Moral Bankruptcy
Morality is an important aspect to Kurotsuchi's character, for all that he is utterly removed from the idea. He does not act as someone who is deliberately unethical - instead he operates seemingly unaware of the existence of ethics. To him, there is not a choice between right and wrong, selfishness or mercy - there is only the pursuit of his research. Making the choice wouldn't occur to him, and the actions he takes are clear and single-minded. Any consideration that would get in the way of that is meaningless, entirely unacceptable. Kurotsuchi is not immoral, but amoral instead, totally detached from the concept.
In a sense, his motivation is pure, even innocent in an abstract way. The results, of course, are anything but, as his research is considered horrific to all others involved. Many would label him as evil not only because of his actions, but because of his lack of remorse - or more accurately, his sheer detachment from normal human response. A malicious murderer is easily understood and detested for their deliberate disregard for others, for their active decision to harm. But what about someone who doesn't appear aware of the decision, who ignores ethical problems without noticing them, who acts from sheer perverse curiosity?
What you end up with is someone like Kurotsuchi, someone whose motivation is pure (what's better than the pursuit of knowledge, without concern about fame or power or even practical purpose?), but whose actions are actively terrible. Whether this makes him more or less sympathetic is a matter of personal preference, though judging from the negative response he receives, it's likely the latter. His nature is inhuman, certainly inhumane, and his inability to comprehend empathy can cause him to come across as creepy, unnatural, and disturbing. His own emotional view of the world is extremely limited, as he views things only to decide whether they're worth studying or not - including himself. It is in these aspects that Kurotsuchi is most obviously "insane." It is this utter lack of sympathy or consideration which makes him dangerous, an unstable element.
And at one point, the powers that be in Soul Society must've thought the same.
The Experiment of Urahara Kisuke
A hundred years ago Kurotsuchi was not anywhere near his status of captain in the Thirteen Divisions. His only position was that of "prisoner" within Soul Society's equivalent of an insane asylum.
The place was called the "Maggots' Nest," and it was where non-conformists - shinigami who didn't fit properly into the divisions - were sent. They were people who had committed no crime apart from having inappropriate thoughts, or who somehow threatened the stability of their division just by being present. These weren't crimes that anyone could be sent to prison for, but nor could they be allowed to remain where they were. The reasonable, even obvious solution would be to dismiss these individuals, expel them from the organization and allow them to return to their previous life. The Central 46 - the governing body of Seireitei - believed otherwise, however; withdrawal from the Thirteen Divisions is impossible. They viewed the organization as elite, and to allow anyone to withdraw would be a mark on their pride. It is that arrogance which kept them from admitting to any mistakes in admittance, and they instead chose to have the unfortunate individuals disappeared.
The very existence of the Maggots' Nest is kept secret, and is the responsibility of the head of the Secret Mobile Corps. The prison itself is intended merely as storage for the unwanted inmates - no attempt is made towards rehabilitation, and neither is there any hope of leaving the underground, hidden asylum. Considering how long shinigami can live, and their relative safety within the facility, this is a particularly bleak sentence.
But it's not entirely the same as a prison. One difference is that the inmates are allowed to wander freely within the underground confines; they are not kept in restraints or cells. This shouldn't suggest that these people are harmless, and on the brief view given of the facility, the atmosphere is one of dull apathy sparked with irrational violence. Despite this, the inmates are not considered dangerous enough to be chained up, and a competent warden is always there to prevent the occasional fight.
The sole exception was Kurotsuchi Mayuri, kept in solitary confinement.
Upon seeing him, a few things were immediately noticeable. His appearance was the most obvious - Kurotsuchi was visibly younger only a hundred years ago, and his makeup was much simpler. And while even then he was apparently earless, the gold attachments in their place were more pronounced. More important, however, was that unlike the other inmates, Kurotsuchi was composed and alert. Apart from a moderately eccentric appearance, his manner was polite and self-controlled, and it's easier to understand how Soul Society could've missed his "insanity" from a casual glance.
It was in this place that he was approached by Urahara Kisuke, former warden of the facility, and the newly appointed captain of the Twelfth Division. Urahara greeted him with a proposition: "Would you care to accompany me out of this place?"
It wasn't a proposition that Kurotsuchi jumped at, and he even initially refused it, stating simply that he was content with his life where he was. Even if it was a lie, it was clear that his distrust of Urahara outweighed a chance at freedom, but his reaction to him was strange. Kurotsuchi referred to Urahara as a "deeply unpleasant man," but he did not seem to intend it as an insult, merely a statement of fact. Unlike many, he wasn't fooled by Urahara's charisma, instead finding him admittedly inexplicable. A person with unknown motivation is not someone to trust, and Kurotsuchi is open about his opinion. But his reaction to Urahara was singular - dislike without irritation. Kurotsuchi is typically indifferent to, amused by, or annoyed with other people. A calm, matter-of-fact dislike was noticeably different - possibly a sign that he knew that this was someone who needed watched, who was dangerous in a way that he couldn't discount.
And it was only when Urahara dropped the pretense of friendliness and flattery, showing instead an uncommon shrewdness, that Kurotsuchi took his offer seriously. Even more tempting was Urahara's intention of founding the Research and Development Bureau. Though having access to the facilities came with the condition of having to work directly under Urahara, the idea was apparently enough to convince him. Especially when the new Twelfth Captain reminded him that in the case of his death, Kurotsuchi would be next in line to inherit the bureau. Working with Urahara in the meantime was a tolerable condition, and Kurotsuchi became vice-director of the bureau, and third-seated officer in the Twelfth Division.
This arrangement continued for almost ten years before Urahara's subsequent exile from Soul Society. Whether Kurotsuchi believed that Urahara was guilty of anything is unknown, though it is possible that he - as someone who had worked with Urahara, and who must've been familiar with his scientific activities - might not have believed it. Of course, he had no reason to question the matter either, as he could only gain from Urahara's sudden departure.
At no time has Kurotsuchi ever appeared remotely traumatized, or even bothered by his time in the Maggots' Nest. He's never expressed resentment over being sent there, nor thankfulness of being set free. This can be viewed as another sign that his mental state is far from usual - to be unfazed by whatever circumstance he happens to be in. At the very least, he is potentially highly adaptable. Considering this, along with his willingness to modify and experiment on his own body to greater degrees - it is possible that Kurotsuchi sets little practical value in his own "self." He - just as anything else - is another tool to be utilized.
Kurotsuchi inherited the running of the Research Bureau as well as leadership of the division, though it's unknown when exactly he succeeded Urahara as captain. But it becomes quite plausible to think of the head captain, Yamamoto, as being particularly pragmatic. With Urahara - a known, skilled, dangerous scientist missing and possibly plotting to undermine Soul Society - it would make sense to keep the next best person around to provide new discoveries, new technologies. Even though Kurotsuchi had once been considered too dangerous to take part in the organization at all, giving him control of an entire division was perfectly fine, as the technology he's responsible for developing is too useful to be eliminated for mere ethical reasons.
But taking Kurotsuchi back into the divisions to begin with had been just another experiment of Urahara's. And it could be said that it succeeded - becoming a captain, after all, is not an easy task. His stated idea had been to test whether an "unstable element" could be salvaged, made useful, by giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in a way that would be productive. And why not start with the most dangerous element he knew, one who shared the same interest in science as himself? Whether Urahara's success could be considered a good thing is as questionable as the man's ethics as a whole.
And Kurotsuchi's actual opinion of Urahara in the present day is somewhat more complicated, going beyond a simple lack of gratitude for the position he was left with. While towards him Kurotsuchi was polite, if untrusting - his actual feelings drift closer to absolute hate. This was most plainly expressed when he met Kurosaki Ichigo in Hueco Mundo, appearing after having mastered the secrets of the Garganta.
While preparing to use this knowledge to send Ichigo back to the human world, Kurotsuchi rather gleefully explained the dangers involved in the journey. Looking more surprised than anything, Ichigo commented on the connection between Kurotsuchi and Urahara:
"If you're the second director of the Research and Development Bureau, you must have been Urahara-san's student or something, right? You guys are a lot alike." (Chapter 381)
Somehow, that simple, offhand remark was enough to not only enrage Kurotsuchi, but to cause him to threaten the disappearing Ichigo's back.
"I thought it would be fun to lock you inside the Garganta, but no...! After this war is over, I will slowly and carefully immerse you in terror... Terror so great that it will make you think of this battle as a pleasant memory...!" (Chapter 381)
Evidently, comparing him to Urahara is something that you do not do. And with Kurotsuchi's comments in the previous chapter, it's possible that the scientist has some sort of fixation on the former Twelfth Captain. At the least, he's invested in Urahara's opinion of him.
When Kurotsuchi arrived with the materials to summon the Garganta, he was not ecstatic so much at having successfully controlled it - but at the idea that his doing so would shock Urahara.
"Analyzed... the Garganta?"
"Correct! Without any failures, I might add! It's also semi-permanent! I can almost see his look of chagrin! So there's no way I could possibly be in a bad mood!" (Chapter 380)
And that interest in Urahara is further underlined when - after far too excitedly telling Ichigo that he was soon to be an experiment in his use of the Garganta - Unohana stepped in to gently reassure Ichigo that she was certain Kurotsuchi would be able to control it for them. After all, if he failed, Urahara would surely laugh.
That comment earned even Unohana a mild threat in her direction, but had the result of ensuring that Kurotsuchi would be especially careful in his test. It also adds the implication that his fixation is hardly private, that it's clear enough for the other captains - or at least Unohana - to pick up on.
Why Kurotsuchi has this response to Urahara has never been expressly explained, nor is it certain whether it was always there, or was something that built over time. But while the scientist is easily upset, and easily aggravated, his reasons are almost always situational. Urahara, however, is the only person whose mere existence can trigger that strong of an emotional response. High emotion is reserved for science-related things, so this reaction is notable.
But as for why it occurs, it could be due to the fact that Urahara is a better scientist, and he desires to prove himself above him. Why else would he care what Urahara thought of his accomplishments? Why else would be be bothered by Unohana's mention of being mocked should he fail? Mockery is something he reacts badly to in general, but the idea of it coming from Urahara was even worse.
Or it could be that for all his familiarity with him, Urahara's real nature and motivation remains something that Kurotsuchi cannot explain. While sharing the same love of knowledge, great cleverness, and scientific skill - Urahara is still an unknown that refuses to be understood. The man's typical lighthearted, teasing facade only adds to the potential for frustration.
Urahara is a constant reminder of something that he doesn't understand, who is exceedingly unpleasant because of it, and who is better at the one thing he lives for.
It's not surprising that he dislikes him.
Despite all that, it wasn't enough to prevent Kurotsuchi from working with him in the past, and it's not known whether he was able to manage the same sort of horrors while Urahara was around to - at least potentially - keep him in check. After the man's forced departure, however, there wasn't anyone left close to him who could serve as Kurotsuchi's handler. But did the captains who remained suddenly come to their senses about this 'unstable element' who had been reintroduced to their great organization? Of course not.
Urahara may have been the one to bring him back inside, but Seireitei itself is equally to blame for allowing Kurotsuchi so much free rein.
Even though the scientist's research is horrific, it is also legal. His lab is not secret, and the other captains are never shown to question his methods. If he comes into conflict with them at all, it's out of personal dislike, rather than any moral crusade. Even the more upstanding captains never show any dismay at what he's capable of, and interfering with the running of his division doesn't seem like something that would occur to them. It's a case of looking the other way, ignoring the unpleasant aspects while benefiting from the results of his research. Kurotsuchi is not the sole owner of moral bankruptcy.
At this point it is good to be reminded that Soul Society is the "good" side for the most part, and Kurotsuchi is included among the protagonists.
The Lieutenant Daughter
And among those protagonists, there are not many Kurotsuchi interacts with. Chief among them is his daughter and subordinate, Kurotsuchi Nemu. An artificial creation, she was the result of his research in the fields of artificial soul and body construction - a successful result, as Nemu is of lieutenant-level ability. And though simply having her as his second-in-command seems to imply that Kurotsuchi finds her useful, or that he is proud of his success - it is not something that's apparent in their interaction. Nemu is, to oversimplify, abused. She is routinely insulted, beaten, and treated entirely as a tool - when he remembers her at all.
The abuse is casual, natural, and automatic. Nemu's reply to it is always apologetic; her emotional response ranges between "dejected" and "blank." Even to threats, she is accepting rather than fearful - Nemu is not so much cowed by her father as she is utterly accommodating. There's no trace of hesitation or resentment in her attitude, despite receiving only pain and derision for her devotion. Additionally, that Nemu has been regularly operated and experimented on has to be taken as a given - yet despite all of this she maintains some detached, unemotional concern for Kurotsuchi's wellbeing.
That, as well as her loyalty, could be blamed on conditioning or brainwashing - and it's certain that anything raised by Kurotsuchi is not going to be mentally or emotionally healthy. But Nemu is shown to have some awareness of the nature of her position - that tolerating it would appear inexplicable to an outsider - and she does possess some free will. She chose to save Ishida Uryuu's life after his fight with the scientist out of gratitude, believing that Ishida deliberately refrained from killing Kurotsuchi. This implies that despite being both created and raised by him, Nemu is capable of compassion and sympathy, even if it's in a muted form, and even if it will always fall second to any order her father gives.
This devotion, of course, is entirely unappreciated by the scientist. Kurotsuchi created Nemu, deliberately making her as similar to him as possible - in a way, practically an opposite-sex clone of himself. Nemu has the same habits, the same preferences, even the same birthday. Their physical stats are very close, and despite Kurotsuchi's comments to the contrary, Nemu is likely rather intelligent as well. Their main difference is of course in personality, with Nemu being entirely subservient to him, never questioning his demands and accepting whatever he chooses to use her for without complaint.
Despite the terrible things Kurotsuchi has done to others within the series, debatably worst is his treatment of Nemu, which is based on simple aggressive impulse rather than any presumption towards legitimate science. He bullies her because he can, for no other reason than because she's an easy, convenient target. When he can't hurt whoever's irritating him - such as another captain - he takes it out on her. In battle he easily sacrifices Nemu - not because he requires it to win, but because it makes things easier for him. If she becomes injured or dies he doesn't care - at most, he becomes annoyed that someone could believe that his creation could die without him willing it. That annoyance is the closest Kurotsuchi ever gets to "pride" regarding her.
Worst of all is how easily he forgets her when she is injured. Once Nemu is sacrificed out of convenience, he continues with what he was doing, only remembering she exists when he wants her to do something else. Only at that point does Kurotsuchi even really notice her condition - and of course his response is frustration that she can't follow his orders while she's occupied with being dead.
When he wants to, however, Kurotsuchi can heal Nemu quite well (apparently a very pleasant experience).
Imperfectionism
It would be too simple - and more importantly too inaccurate - to label Kurotsuchi as sadistic and leave it at that. Sadism would imply a desire to cause pain for pain's sake, which would be a misrepresentation of Kurotsuchi's motivation. Pain is a side effect, something that often happens during the course of research - but it is not the goal, it is not the reason for his experimentation. His actions could be described as sadistic, but the man himself is not remarkably so. His personality is so far detached from any standard measure of satisfaction or enjoyment, that doing something for the mere purpose of pleasure would be seen as a waste of time.
That's not to say that he doesn't enjoy his research. But it is a mixed joy:
"Something can be more wonderful than anything that has existed thus far. But - it can never be perfect. A scientist is an organism that must continually suffer under this contradiction. And even find pleasure in it." (Chapter 306)
For Kurotsuchi, science itself is his motivation. Personal satisfaction is nothing - it's fleeting, as anything discovered can be improved on, or proved false. It's an unreliable force, but yet it is that unreliability that allows for unlimited growth, and unlimited possibility. Attempting to make something into an absolute is a mistake; believing that it's possible in the first place is even worse. Perfection does not exist to Kurotsuchi; the concept itself has no meaning. To him, only humans would find it necessary to believe in something like it; only a normal person could find comfort in the idea of "perfection" - in the faith that something just is, existing without flaw or the need for growth. A God, in a sense.
For a scientist, belief in the existence of perfection is not only limiting, it is outright dangerous. And for Kurotsuchi, the idea of trying to seriously attain it is too absurd to even consider. Perfection would be the worst possible outcome for a scientist, as it would mean the end to change, it would be an unalterable limit. It would mean failure.
Kurotsuchi's speech on perfection expresses this:
"There is no perfection in this world. It's a cliche expression, but it's the truth. Thus ordinary people yearn for "perfection" and seek it out. But, what meaning is there in "perfection"? None. Absolutely none at all. I abhor perfection.
If something is "perfect" then there is nothing better than it. There is no room for "creation" within it. It means there is no opening for talent or wisdom to enter into it. Do you understand? For we scientists, perfection is despair." (Chapter 306)
For a character who does not get much in the way of opportunity to describe his viewpoint, this is a particularly interesting sentiment. Even objective scientific "truths" could fall into his reasoning; simply because something appears to be certain now, doesn't mean that it is without the possibility of change. There could be entirely new forces to discover that would redefine scientific absolutes. This is not an attempt to disregard everything that has been discovered, nor to be needlessly suspicious of it - it is only an expression of reasonable skepticism, of refusing to be limited by self-imposed boundaries, and to accept that there are an infinite number of unknowns. And not only accept it - enjoy it.
Rather than trusting entirely in his own power, and his own abilities of discovery, Kurotsuchi knows that there will always be some way to improve, some possibility that he hasn't come across or considered. But rather than ignore that knowledge, or become bitter over it, he chooses to embrace that contradiction as the necessary sacrifice for being a scientist.
He is extremely disdainful towards anyone else's claim to the contrary. Kurotsuchi's whole commentary on perfection came about after his battle with the eighth espada, Szayel Aporro Grantz. While Szayel Aporro was another scientist, he had claimed to have achieved "the perfect life" and immortality, because of his ability to reincarnate himself through the body of an enemy. A belief which backfired, as he had unwittingly absorbed a full dose of sensory-enhancing drugs after having rebirthed himself through the body of Kurotsuchi Nemu. His awareness was increased to the point that his body was rendered motionless, unable to keep up, and his perception of time was so advanced that each second that passed felt like a hundred years.
It took no effort at all for Kurotsuchi to impale the espada with his zanpakutou. And it could be seen as an expression of his disdain that he didn't even bother to kill him outright, taking his time to explain exactly what was happening to him - while being fully aware that Szayel Aporro was far beyond any chance of hearing his words. The espada would suffer a death that would not only feel as though it took centuries to accomplish (centuries of agony, as Kurotsuchi slowly impaled his sword through both his hand and chest), it would be a death that the arrancar had no chance of understanding. An additional insult, for someone who tried to be a scientist.
To Kurotsuchi, Szayel Aporro deserved it for daring to have a claim to perfection, for believing that achieving it was a worthy goal. That idea goes against his entire perception of scientific growth, and to him, the arrancar's failure to understand that served as an example of how dangerous the idea of perfection can be.
Conclusion
Kurotsuchi is intended to be an unliked, unsympathetic character - or at least, that is the outcome for most fans of the series (though that might have more to do with his appearance than his actions, strangely but unsurprisingly enough). He is far from charming, emotionally healthy, or mentally stable, and despite incredible intelligence when it comes to the development of technology, he has little understanding of human nature. His experiments are appalling, and his sense of ethics is nonexistent - all of this is true, and yet the man remains a protagonist.
Soul Society itself is not known for being a bastion of virtue, but whether Kurotsuchi will ever have to face consequences for what he's done has yet to be seen - and at the current time it feels unlikely. He has been able to escape unscathed so far, and to some that's the most unforgivable thing of all.
But despite disturbing habits, he is not corrupt. His needs are simple and straightforward, and even if he can't be said to have specific loyalty to Soul Society itself, it is unlikely that he would ever think of betraying it. Though notably unpleasant, he is not an evil man. A terrible one, and a dangerous one - but not evil.
He is, above all, a scientist.
First Posted: 04.16.2009
Edited: 05.29.2009
Last Edited: 02.06.2011
Introduction
Kurotsuchi Mayuri is a shinigami, the Twelfth Division Captain, and resident mad scientist of the manga/anime series Bleach. This essay operates on the assumption that the reader has familiarity with the plot and terms used within the series, and doesn't mind the presence of spoilers.
Though ruthless and amoral, Kurotsuchi is not a mindless, maniacal caricature of evil as often described or portrayed within fandom. As he is an unpopular character however, (if in large part due to his outlandish appearance) his development and personality is often overlooked or misrepresented, and the goal of this essay is to attempt a more detailed analysis.
Appearance & Personality
When mentioning Kurotsuchi, one of the first things he's remembered for is his appearance. Among the captains - and among the characters of Bleach in general - his look is one of the strangest, especially considering that he creates it voluntarily. The way he presents himself, both in face and in bearing, gives the impression that this is someone who is not quite right, someone who'd be safer to avoid.
This is despite being otherwise physically unremarkable - he's the shortest male captain apart from Hitsugaya (who's still a child), and his given weight suggests that he has little to no muscle. He's neither imposing, nor pretty, and he acts with total absence of charisma. Even his voice is unsettling, with a tendency towards lilted teasing when he's amused, and high-pitched screeching when he's not - and in neither case could it be described as charming. Other people and their opinions don't interest or influence him, and he makes no effort to pretend otherwise. Yet he maintains an eccentric look; the regular use of makeup, and the gaudy, semi-functional attachments aren't the work of someone who doesn't care about appearances.
Kurotsuchi's never given a reason for it, and no one has ever asked. And part of an explanation could just be vanity - even if his sense of aesthetics isn't a common one. If he likes how it looks, what other reason does he need? But on some level his appearance acts as a warning - a way of making sure he's noticed, but not seen as approachable. Something like a poison dart frog, or any other small, fragile animal whose greatest defense is its bright color, telling predators "do not eat." Especially because said animals tend to be poisonous. Kurotsuchi's presentation could have much the same purpose - but whether it was intentional or not, it has the same effect, a way of showing that this isn't someone you want to disturb.
The symbolic flower of the Twelfth Division is the thistle. Officially it represents independence, revision, and discipline - but it is also a flower that cannot be touched without pain, due to its numerous prickly barbs. It's another warning, another sign to not attract attention, or risk damage. More traditionally, the thistle represents nobility - something that doesn't seem to have much of anything to do with Kurotsuchi, or anyone related to the division. The closest connection is perhaps to the scientist's later visage when he appears in Hueco Mundo; with a different hairstyle and new gold accessories, he looks like some strange, Egyptian pharaoh.
But just as notable about the man is the way he acts. Kurotsuchi's manner is abrupt, even sharp - but also lazy. Though watchful, Kurotsuchi does not move or react quickly unless he absolutely has to - the rest of the time he is the detached observer, only putting in the minimum of physical exertion. His agility is considered to be the worst of the captains (officially, it's as poor as Komamura's), and he has no problem with sacrificing subordinates to make his job easier, viewing them as disposable objects. Unless you're a competent scientist working within the Research Bureau, the Twelfth Division is not a safe place to be - and even then, it's good to be cautious.
The captain's voice is usually calm, tending towards light mocking and general unhelpfulness. He also has a habit of ending a lot of his sentences with "da yo" - an indication of confidence in his statements. This is used to particular degree when speaking to Ishida (and Szayel Aporro, to an extent), showing an even greater condescension.
When baited into interest however, Kurotsuchi's tone becomes an intense sort of cajoling, and the open, almost innocent way in which he asks people to become research subjects seems to indicate that he's oblivious to how it comes across. To him, he's making a completely natural request - what he wants makes total sense to him, and he doesn't see any reason why anyone should deny him. Curiosity takes precedence over all else, and it never occurs to him to frame that curiosity in a more appealing way - instead he's quite open about his desire to dissect, modify, drug whatever comes into his possession. Kurotsuchi is brazenly, accidentally honest.
He is also unstable, easily angered and provoked into violence. And his voice is the clearest sign that something is unhinged in him - he goes very easily from soft taunting to screaming rage - and back again, practically within the same sentence. And even when ranting his expression doesn't often change, instead remaining blank, almost emotionless. It's only when absolutely enraged does that bit of control shatter, and he appears not anywhere close to sane. It is in those moments that he is at his most vindictive, even childishly spiteful - lashing out at whatever has slighted him, driven him to that point. Mocking isn't something he reacts well to, nor are what he perceives as insults to his scientific ability. Being questioned isn't something that he's accustomed to either, as his leadership over the Twelfth Division is total, and he gives little attention to any of the other squads.
Unlike many of the other captains, Kurotsuchi is not remotely social, and rarely interacts with anyone outside of his division. This is to mutual benefit, as just about everyone appears to dislike him to the point of being reluctant to ever ask him for anything directly. And Kurotsuchi's opinion of the other captains ranges from indifference to enmity, though the only one he seems to have any special distaste for is Zaraki. The particular disdain for the Eleventh Captain is only natural, considering that not only are their divisions in close proximity, their habits are along oddly similar lines, but diametrically opposed. To some small degree however, Kurotsuchi appears to recognize the other's fighting ability - even if he personally scorns it.
Zanpakutou & Fighting Ability
A shinigami's weapon - their zanpakutou - is a reflection of the personality or true nature of its user. Both the appearance and effect tie into its owner, and Kurotsuchi's is no different. His weapon is called Ashisogi Jizo ("Leg-Cutting Jizo"), a strange name considering his personality. Jizo is a direct reference to the bodhisattva, most commonly considered as a benevolent guardian of the souls of children, particularly those who die before their parents. Statues of Jizo often have childlike faces, and are given red bibs, in reference to a protection against evil. There are many, many, forms of Jizo, each providing a different aspect of protection - and with Ashisogi Jizo even following the usual naming pattern, it's twisted that this version exists only to cause harm, not divert it. And as a side note, Jizo also relates to the element of earth, while "Kurotsuchi" literally means "black soil." Another reference, if not an exact one.
In its unreleased state the zanpakutou appears as a relatively normal katana, but in its shikai form it takes the shape of an irregular three-pronged device, golden in color. On one side is the embossed face and hands of a child, and the normally thin spikes by the guard grow into small leaves. The overall appearance of the weapon is bizarre, noticeably different from anyone else's. Even the way Kurotsuchi draws the sword is strange, holding it up by the hilt as if it were a vial or bottle - not the stance of one preparing to attack with it. Unlike other zanpakutous, Ashisogi Jizo looks decorative, as well as awkward to wield; it's too clumsy to try to use as a sword, and lacks the reach of a proper trident. But apart from its shape, the most noticeable thing about the device is its color. Gold isn't a metal to use for real combat - far too soft - and even if a zanpakutou is a spiritual weapon rather than a physical one, that it has the appearance of gold is another sign that the device is made for something other than direct melee. Additionally, it reflects how Kurotsuchi chooses to present himself; that the device looks as odd as him is to be expected.
Ashisogi Jizo is effect-based, in the form of poison. Its ability is "selective nerve disruption" - a logical effect for someone whose intentions lean towards study, rather than destruction. If the device successfully cuts an opponent, its poison is able to enter their bloodstream, cutting the nerves responsible for controlling the limbs. This leads to an effect similar to that of paralysis, though without any loss of sensation. It's likely that the subject could even imagine an increase in pain, though that would only be illusion - as lack of control can heighten that perception.
The weapon is clearly meant to be used for capturing subjects, rather than killing them. When successful, the target is essentially incapacitated with the minimum of effort and risk. So the device not only illustrates Kurotsuchi's predilection towards study, it also shows his inherent disinterest, even apathy towards fighting. Kurotsuchi does not put much effort towards actual battle, and even chooses to avoid it when possible. Attacking things for the sheer sake of hurting them would just be a waste of his time - since in the end his sole focus is on research, and the quicker things are brought in to be studied, the better. Cutting things to pieces out of spite alone would be contrary to that goal - since if something doesn't interest him, he ignores it.
That's not to say that he's isn't easily annoyed, or not perfectly willing to take out that annoyance on whatever happens to be nearby. But he wouldn't go out of his way to look for targets to abuse - his daughter is usually there for that convenience. If Kurotsuchi is casually sadistic at all, it's almost entirely singled out towards Nemu. The rest of the world is surprisingly safe from him, so long as they don't attract his interest.
But if he is forced into fighting something he doesn't want to study, Kurotsuchi will be more unpleasant than strictly necessary - as one way or another, having the captain's attention is a very dangerous thing.
If something does manage to engage him, Kurotsuchi will pursue it methodically, but relentlessly. He's not the sort to jump into a situation without a plan or three in mind, and unlike other confident types, he does not assume his success. He can be reasonably sure, but Kurotsuchi does not believe in impossibilities or absolutes - and because of that, he always has multiple plans, precautions in place so that no matter what happens, he can respond to it. Or, if it all fails regardless, that he can manage to escape. Accepting a failure does not seem to be very difficult for him, which as a scientist is probably a necessity; experimenting requires attempting to prove things false. A loss means just trying it differently next time, and as irrationally angry as he can be, the emotion is short-lived. Revenge wouldn't be much of a motivation to him, but curiosity is, curiosity sustains him far longer than something as petty and unproductive as "hate."
As for the scientist's bankai - Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo ("Golden Leg-Cutting Jizo"), it is a continued representation of the corruption of a bodhisattva's benevolence: it's a caterpillar monster with a child's head, red bib tied backwards as a small mantle. And as it's both incredibly massive, as well as breathes poison made in part from Kurotsuchi's own blood, it's a weapon that's lost any sign of restraint.
But the potential symbolism of the bankai continues. As the head is that of a human infant, a caterpillar could also be considered the "child" stage of a butterfly or moth. Instead of possessing a fully-transformed, adult insect, Kurotsuchi's soul is one that hasn't reached potential. That this reflects his own nature is clearest when contrasted to Szayel Aporro - his "counterpart" scientist among the arrancar.
Szayel Aporro's resurrección was butterfly-like, complete with painted wings. Once that form was literally consumed by Ashisogi Jizo, Szayel went through a cocoon-like stage (while using Kurotsuchi's daughter as a host), and hatched again into his butterfly form, fully reborn. At that time he claimed to have achieved perfection - not by overcoming death, but by making it a part of his life cycle. Ultimately, however, he suffered an even more horrific end at Kurotsuchi's hand. Unlike the espada, the captain wasn't constrained by the idea of perfection; he refused to accept that there was an end to growth, or that a circular life-cycle was the best that could be attained. That his bankai remains immature only complements this.
Kurotsuchi's personality could also be described as immature - and like a child, his ability to see and appreciate another person's view is... underdeveloped, at best. He's ultimately selfish, oblivious to why he should care about the feelings of a subject. On the rare occasion when he's required to make some token gesture of consideration, he views it as something unpleasant. But unlike a normal child, who eventually learns empathy, the scientist remains disconnected. Despite his seemingly unlimited scientific growth, and an intelligence that's one of the greatest in the series - in maturity, he is very, very stunted.
Moral Bankruptcy
Morality is an important aspect to Kurotsuchi's character, for all that he is utterly removed from the idea. He does not act as someone who is deliberately unethical - instead he operates seemingly unaware of the existence of ethics. To him, there is not a choice between right and wrong, selfishness or mercy - there is only the pursuit of his research. Making the choice wouldn't occur to him, and the actions he takes are clear and single-minded. Any consideration that would get in the way of that is meaningless, entirely unacceptable. Kurotsuchi is not immoral, but amoral instead, totally detached from the concept.
In a sense, his motivation is pure, even innocent in an abstract way. The results, of course, are anything but, as his research is considered horrific to all others involved. Many would label him as evil not only because of his actions, but because of his lack of remorse - or more accurately, his sheer detachment from normal human response. A malicious murderer is easily understood and detested for their deliberate disregard for others, for their active decision to harm. But what about someone who doesn't appear aware of the decision, who ignores ethical problems without noticing them, who acts from sheer perverse curiosity?
What you end up with is someone like Kurotsuchi, someone whose motivation is pure (what's better than the pursuit of knowledge, without concern about fame or power or even practical purpose?), but whose actions are actively terrible. Whether this makes him more or less sympathetic is a matter of personal preference, though judging from the negative response he receives, it's likely the latter. His nature is inhuman, certainly inhumane, and his inability to comprehend empathy can cause him to come across as creepy, unnatural, and disturbing. His own emotional view of the world is extremely limited, as he views things only to decide whether they're worth studying or not - including himself. It is in these aspects that Kurotsuchi is most obviously "insane." It is this utter lack of sympathy or consideration which makes him dangerous, an unstable element.
And at one point, the powers that be in Soul Society must've thought the same.
The Experiment of Urahara Kisuke
A hundred years ago Kurotsuchi was not anywhere near his status of captain in the Thirteen Divisions. His only position was that of "prisoner" within Soul Society's equivalent of an insane asylum.
The place was called the "Maggots' Nest," and it was where non-conformists - shinigami who didn't fit properly into the divisions - were sent. They were people who had committed no crime apart from having inappropriate thoughts, or who somehow threatened the stability of their division just by being present. These weren't crimes that anyone could be sent to prison for, but nor could they be allowed to remain where they were. The reasonable, even obvious solution would be to dismiss these individuals, expel them from the organization and allow them to return to their previous life. The Central 46 - the governing body of Seireitei - believed otherwise, however; withdrawal from the Thirteen Divisions is impossible. They viewed the organization as elite, and to allow anyone to withdraw would be a mark on their pride. It is that arrogance which kept them from admitting to any mistakes in admittance, and they instead chose to have the unfortunate individuals disappeared.
The very existence of the Maggots' Nest is kept secret, and is the responsibility of the head of the Secret Mobile Corps. The prison itself is intended merely as storage for the unwanted inmates - no attempt is made towards rehabilitation, and neither is there any hope of leaving the underground, hidden asylum. Considering how long shinigami can live, and their relative safety within the facility, this is a particularly bleak sentence.
But it's not entirely the same as a prison. One difference is that the inmates are allowed to wander freely within the underground confines; they are not kept in restraints or cells. This shouldn't suggest that these people are harmless, and on the brief view given of the facility, the atmosphere is one of dull apathy sparked with irrational violence. Despite this, the inmates are not considered dangerous enough to be chained up, and a competent warden is always there to prevent the occasional fight.
The sole exception was Kurotsuchi Mayuri, kept in solitary confinement.
Upon seeing him, a few things were immediately noticeable. His appearance was the most obvious - Kurotsuchi was visibly younger only a hundred years ago, and his makeup was much simpler. And while even then he was apparently earless, the gold attachments in their place were more pronounced. More important, however, was that unlike the other inmates, Kurotsuchi was composed and alert. Apart from a moderately eccentric appearance, his manner was polite and self-controlled, and it's easier to understand how Soul Society could've missed his "insanity" from a casual glance.
It was in this place that he was approached by Urahara Kisuke, former warden of the facility, and the newly appointed captain of the Twelfth Division. Urahara greeted him with a proposition: "Would you care to accompany me out of this place?"
It wasn't a proposition that Kurotsuchi jumped at, and he even initially refused it, stating simply that he was content with his life where he was. Even if it was a lie, it was clear that his distrust of Urahara outweighed a chance at freedom, but his reaction to him was strange. Kurotsuchi referred to Urahara as a "deeply unpleasant man," but he did not seem to intend it as an insult, merely a statement of fact. Unlike many, he wasn't fooled by Urahara's charisma, instead finding him admittedly inexplicable. A person with unknown motivation is not someone to trust, and Kurotsuchi is open about his opinion. But his reaction to Urahara was singular - dislike without irritation. Kurotsuchi is typically indifferent to, amused by, or annoyed with other people. A calm, matter-of-fact dislike was noticeably different - possibly a sign that he knew that this was someone who needed watched, who was dangerous in a way that he couldn't discount.
And it was only when Urahara dropped the pretense of friendliness and flattery, showing instead an uncommon shrewdness, that Kurotsuchi took his offer seriously. Even more tempting was Urahara's intention of founding the Research and Development Bureau. Though having access to the facilities came with the condition of having to work directly under Urahara, the idea was apparently enough to convince him. Especially when the new Twelfth Captain reminded him that in the case of his death, Kurotsuchi would be next in line to inherit the bureau. Working with Urahara in the meantime was a tolerable condition, and Kurotsuchi became vice-director of the bureau, and third-seated officer in the Twelfth Division.
This arrangement continued for almost ten years before Urahara's subsequent exile from Soul Society. Whether Kurotsuchi believed that Urahara was guilty of anything is unknown, though it is possible that he - as someone who had worked with Urahara, and who must've been familiar with his scientific activities - might not have believed it. Of course, he had no reason to question the matter either, as he could only gain from Urahara's sudden departure.
At no time has Kurotsuchi ever appeared remotely traumatized, or even bothered by his time in the Maggots' Nest. He's never expressed resentment over being sent there, nor thankfulness of being set free. This can be viewed as another sign that his mental state is far from usual - to be unfazed by whatever circumstance he happens to be in. At the very least, he is potentially highly adaptable. Considering this, along with his willingness to modify and experiment on his own body to greater degrees - it is possible that Kurotsuchi sets little practical value in his own "self." He - just as anything else - is another tool to be utilized.
Kurotsuchi inherited the running of the Research Bureau as well as leadership of the division, though it's unknown when exactly he succeeded Urahara as captain. But it becomes quite plausible to think of the head captain, Yamamoto, as being particularly pragmatic. With Urahara - a known, skilled, dangerous scientist missing and possibly plotting to undermine Soul Society - it would make sense to keep the next best person around to provide new discoveries, new technologies. Even though Kurotsuchi had once been considered too dangerous to take part in the organization at all, giving him control of an entire division was perfectly fine, as the technology he's responsible for developing is too useful to be eliminated for mere ethical reasons.
But taking Kurotsuchi back into the divisions to begin with had been just another experiment of Urahara's. And it could be said that it succeeded - becoming a captain, after all, is not an easy task. His stated idea had been to test whether an "unstable element" could be salvaged, made useful, by giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in a way that would be productive. And why not start with the most dangerous element he knew, one who shared the same interest in science as himself? Whether Urahara's success could be considered a good thing is as questionable as the man's ethics as a whole.
And Kurotsuchi's actual opinion of Urahara in the present day is somewhat more complicated, going beyond a simple lack of gratitude for the position he was left with. While towards him Kurotsuchi was polite, if untrusting - his actual feelings drift closer to absolute hate. This was most plainly expressed when he met Kurosaki Ichigo in Hueco Mundo, appearing after having mastered the secrets of the Garganta.
While preparing to use this knowledge to send Ichigo back to the human world, Kurotsuchi rather gleefully explained the dangers involved in the journey. Looking more surprised than anything, Ichigo commented on the connection between Kurotsuchi and Urahara:
"If you're the second director of the Research and Development Bureau, you must have been Urahara-san's student or something, right? You guys are a lot alike." (Chapter 381)
Somehow, that simple, offhand remark was enough to not only enrage Kurotsuchi, but to cause him to threaten the disappearing Ichigo's back.
"I thought it would be fun to lock you inside the Garganta, but no...! After this war is over, I will slowly and carefully immerse you in terror... Terror so great that it will make you think of this battle as a pleasant memory...!" (Chapter 381)
Evidently, comparing him to Urahara is something that you do not do. And with Kurotsuchi's comments in the previous chapter, it's possible that the scientist has some sort of fixation on the former Twelfth Captain. At the least, he's invested in Urahara's opinion of him.
When Kurotsuchi arrived with the materials to summon the Garganta, he was not ecstatic so much at having successfully controlled it - but at the idea that his doing so would shock Urahara.
"Analyzed... the Garganta?"
"Correct! Without any failures, I might add! It's also semi-permanent! I can almost see his look of chagrin! So there's no way I could possibly be in a bad mood!" (Chapter 380)
And that interest in Urahara is further underlined when - after far too excitedly telling Ichigo that he was soon to be an experiment in his use of the Garganta - Unohana stepped in to gently reassure Ichigo that she was certain Kurotsuchi would be able to control it for them. After all, if he failed, Urahara would surely laugh.
That comment earned even Unohana a mild threat in her direction, but had the result of ensuring that Kurotsuchi would be especially careful in his test. It also adds the implication that his fixation is hardly private, that it's clear enough for the other captains - or at least Unohana - to pick up on.
Why Kurotsuchi has this response to Urahara has never been expressly explained, nor is it certain whether it was always there, or was something that built over time. But while the scientist is easily upset, and easily aggravated, his reasons are almost always situational. Urahara, however, is the only person whose mere existence can trigger that strong of an emotional response. High emotion is reserved for science-related things, so this reaction is notable.
But as for why it occurs, it could be due to the fact that Urahara is a better scientist, and he desires to prove himself above him. Why else would he care what Urahara thought of his accomplishments? Why else would be be bothered by Unohana's mention of being mocked should he fail? Mockery is something he reacts badly to in general, but the idea of it coming from Urahara was even worse.
Or it could be that for all his familiarity with him, Urahara's real nature and motivation remains something that Kurotsuchi cannot explain. While sharing the same love of knowledge, great cleverness, and scientific skill - Urahara is still an unknown that refuses to be understood. The man's typical lighthearted, teasing facade only adds to the potential for frustration.
Urahara is a constant reminder of something that he doesn't understand, who is exceedingly unpleasant because of it, and who is better at the one thing he lives for.
It's not surprising that he dislikes him.
Despite all that, it wasn't enough to prevent Kurotsuchi from working with him in the past, and it's not known whether he was able to manage the same sort of horrors while Urahara was around to - at least potentially - keep him in check. After the man's forced departure, however, there wasn't anyone left close to him who could serve as Kurotsuchi's handler. But did the captains who remained suddenly come to their senses about this 'unstable element' who had been reintroduced to their great organization? Of course not.
Urahara may have been the one to bring him back inside, but Seireitei itself is equally to blame for allowing Kurotsuchi so much free rein.
Even though the scientist's research is horrific, it is also legal. His lab is not secret, and the other captains are never shown to question his methods. If he comes into conflict with them at all, it's out of personal dislike, rather than any moral crusade. Even the more upstanding captains never show any dismay at what he's capable of, and interfering with the running of his division doesn't seem like something that would occur to them. It's a case of looking the other way, ignoring the unpleasant aspects while benefiting from the results of his research. Kurotsuchi is not the sole owner of moral bankruptcy.
At this point it is good to be reminded that Soul Society is the "good" side for the most part, and Kurotsuchi is included among the protagonists.
The Lieutenant Daughter
And among those protagonists, there are not many Kurotsuchi interacts with. Chief among them is his daughter and subordinate, Kurotsuchi Nemu. An artificial creation, she was the result of his research in the fields of artificial soul and body construction - a successful result, as Nemu is of lieutenant-level ability. And though simply having her as his second-in-command seems to imply that Kurotsuchi finds her useful, or that he is proud of his success - it is not something that's apparent in their interaction. Nemu is, to oversimplify, abused. She is routinely insulted, beaten, and treated entirely as a tool - when he remembers her at all.
The abuse is casual, natural, and automatic. Nemu's reply to it is always apologetic; her emotional response ranges between "dejected" and "blank." Even to threats, she is accepting rather than fearful - Nemu is not so much cowed by her father as she is utterly accommodating. There's no trace of hesitation or resentment in her attitude, despite receiving only pain and derision for her devotion. Additionally, that Nemu has been regularly operated and experimented on has to be taken as a given - yet despite all of this she maintains some detached, unemotional concern for Kurotsuchi's wellbeing.
That, as well as her loyalty, could be blamed on conditioning or brainwashing - and it's certain that anything raised by Kurotsuchi is not going to be mentally or emotionally healthy. But Nemu is shown to have some awareness of the nature of her position - that tolerating it would appear inexplicable to an outsider - and she does possess some free will. She chose to save Ishida Uryuu's life after his fight with the scientist out of gratitude, believing that Ishida deliberately refrained from killing Kurotsuchi. This implies that despite being both created and raised by him, Nemu is capable of compassion and sympathy, even if it's in a muted form, and even if it will always fall second to any order her father gives.
This devotion, of course, is entirely unappreciated by the scientist. Kurotsuchi created Nemu, deliberately making her as similar to him as possible - in a way, practically an opposite-sex clone of himself. Nemu has the same habits, the same preferences, even the same birthday. Their physical stats are very close, and despite Kurotsuchi's comments to the contrary, Nemu is likely rather intelligent as well. Their main difference is of course in personality, with Nemu being entirely subservient to him, never questioning his demands and accepting whatever he chooses to use her for without complaint.
Despite the terrible things Kurotsuchi has done to others within the series, debatably worst is his treatment of Nemu, which is based on simple aggressive impulse rather than any presumption towards legitimate science. He bullies her because he can, for no other reason than because she's an easy, convenient target. When he can't hurt whoever's irritating him - such as another captain - he takes it out on her. In battle he easily sacrifices Nemu - not because he requires it to win, but because it makes things easier for him. If she becomes injured or dies he doesn't care - at most, he becomes annoyed that someone could believe that his creation could die without him willing it. That annoyance is the closest Kurotsuchi ever gets to "pride" regarding her.
Worst of all is how easily he forgets her when she is injured. Once Nemu is sacrificed out of convenience, he continues with what he was doing, only remembering she exists when he wants her to do something else. Only at that point does Kurotsuchi even really notice her condition - and of course his response is frustration that she can't follow his orders while she's occupied with being dead.
When he wants to, however, Kurotsuchi can heal Nemu quite well (apparently a very pleasant experience).
Imperfectionism
It would be too simple - and more importantly too inaccurate - to label Kurotsuchi as sadistic and leave it at that. Sadism would imply a desire to cause pain for pain's sake, which would be a misrepresentation of Kurotsuchi's motivation. Pain is a side effect, something that often happens during the course of research - but it is not the goal, it is not the reason for his experimentation. His actions could be described as sadistic, but the man himself is not remarkably so. His personality is so far detached from any standard measure of satisfaction or enjoyment, that doing something for the mere purpose of pleasure would be seen as a waste of time.
That's not to say that he doesn't enjoy his research. But it is a mixed joy:
"Something can be more wonderful than anything that has existed thus far. But - it can never be perfect. A scientist is an organism that must continually suffer under this contradiction. And even find pleasure in it." (Chapter 306)
For Kurotsuchi, science itself is his motivation. Personal satisfaction is nothing - it's fleeting, as anything discovered can be improved on, or proved false. It's an unreliable force, but yet it is that unreliability that allows for unlimited growth, and unlimited possibility. Attempting to make something into an absolute is a mistake; believing that it's possible in the first place is even worse. Perfection does not exist to Kurotsuchi; the concept itself has no meaning. To him, only humans would find it necessary to believe in something like it; only a normal person could find comfort in the idea of "perfection" - in the faith that something just is, existing without flaw or the need for growth. A God, in a sense.
For a scientist, belief in the existence of perfection is not only limiting, it is outright dangerous. And for Kurotsuchi, the idea of trying to seriously attain it is too absurd to even consider. Perfection would be the worst possible outcome for a scientist, as it would mean the end to change, it would be an unalterable limit. It would mean failure.
Kurotsuchi's speech on perfection expresses this:
"There is no perfection in this world. It's a cliche expression, but it's the truth. Thus ordinary people yearn for "perfection" and seek it out. But, what meaning is there in "perfection"? None. Absolutely none at all. I abhor perfection.
If something is "perfect" then there is nothing better than it. There is no room for "creation" within it. It means there is no opening for talent or wisdom to enter into it. Do you understand? For we scientists, perfection is despair." (Chapter 306)
For a character who does not get much in the way of opportunity to describe his viewpoint, this is a particularly interesting sentiment. Even objective scientific "truths" could fall into his reasoning; simply because something appears to be certain now, doesn't mean that it is without the possibility of change. There could be entirely new forces to discover that would redefine scientific absolutes. This is not an attempt to disregard everything that has been discovered, nor to be needlessly suspicious of it - it is only an expression of reasonable skepticism, of refusing to be limited by self-imposed boundaries, and to accept that there are an infinite number of unknowns. And not only accept it - enjoy it.
Rather than trusting entirely in his own power, and his own abilities of discovery, Kurotsuchi knows that there will always be some way to improve, some possibility that he hasn't come across or considered. But rather than ignore that knowledge, or become bitter over it, he chooses to embrace that contradiction as the necessary sacrifice for being a scientist.
He is extremely disdainful towards anyone else's claim to the contrary. Kurotsuchi's whole commentary on perfection came about after his battle with the eighth espada, Szayel Aporro Grantz. While Szayel Aporro was another scientist, he had claimed to have achieved "the perfect life" and immortality, because of his ability to reincarnate himself through the body of an enemy. A belief which backfired, as he had unwittingly absorbed a full dose of sensory-enhancing drugs after having rebirthed himself through the body of Kurotsuchi Nemu. His awareness was increased to the point that his body was rendered motionless, unable to keep up, and his perception of time was so advanced that each second that passed felt like a hundred years.
It took no effort at all for Kurotsuchi to impale the espada with his zanpakutou. And it could be seen as an expression of his disdain that he didn't even bother to kill him outright, taking his time to explain exactly what was happening to him - while being fully aware that Szayel Aporro was far beyond any chance of hearing his words. The espada would suffer a death that would not only feel as though it took centuries to accomplish (centuries of agony, as Kurotsuchi slowly impaled his sword through both his hand and chest), it would be a death that the arrancar had no chance of understanding. An additional insult, for someone who tried to be a scientist.
To Kurotsuchi, Szayel Aporro deserved it for daring to have a claim to perfection, for believing that achieving it was a worthy goal. That idea goes against his entire perception of scientific growth, and to him, the arrancar's failure to understand that served as an example of how dangerous the idea of perfection can be.
Conclusion
Kurotsuchi is intended to be an unliked, unsympathetic character - or at least, that is the outcome for most fans of the series (though that might have more to do with his appearance than his actions, strangely but unsurprisingly enough). He is far from charming, emotionally healthy, or mentally stable, and despite incredible intelligence when it comes to the development of technology, he has little understanding of human nature. His experiments are appalling, and his sense of ethics is nonexistent - all of this is true, and yet the man remains a protagonist.
Soul Society itself is not known for being a bastion of virtue, but whether Kurotsuchi will ever have to face consequences for what he's done has yet to be seen - and at the current time it feels unlikely. He has been able to escape unscathed so far, and to some that's the most unforgivable thing of all.
But despite disturbing habits, he is not corrupt. His needs are simple and straightforward, and even if he can't be said to have specific loyalty to Soul Society itself, it is unlikely that he would ever think of betraying it. Though notably unpleasant, he is not an evil man. A terrible one, and a dangerous one - but not evil.
He is, above all, a scientist.
First Posted: 04.16.2009
Edited: 05.29.2009
Last Edited: 02.06.2011