Thread by @Fiberking4

Poor Soi Fon had a rough go of it today in the anime, so naturally I felt inspired to offer a little write up on her.

Hopefully this will aid in mitigating some of the undue flack she gets for her role and behavior in these scenes.
#Bleach

TYBW and Bleach spoilers ahead, obviously. I’ll keep it clean for you anime only fans though. 🙏

On the practical side of things, Soi Fon is tasked with the unenviable task of being an audience aggregate in the wake of Yama’s death.

In short, she says a lot of things we’re thinking.

She combatively questions Squad Zero because they have no credibility with her or us as readers.

Only one of the younger hotheaded captains can really fulfill this narrative role, so it’s her or Toshiro from the onset.

And frankly if it weren’t for internalized misogyny and the roles were reversed, I feel like these scenes would be viewed significantly more charitably if it were Toshiro in her place.

But I won’t idle on that point; None of you came here for a sexism sermon. 😂

Anyway, her argumentative role here effectively puts her at odds with most of the older captains.

As we saw in Turn Back the Pendulum, this is a quite normal dynamic within the captain class.

Kisuke was similarly chided for talking back to the Head Captain and insisting he be allowed to go aid his lieutenant Hiyori.

The veterans keep the newbies in line and are quick to shut them down when they speak out of turn.

Honestly I find that parallel both ironic and heartwarming given how diametrically opposed Soi Fon and Kisuke are otherwise. 😂

Additionally, Soi Fon’s behavior not only serves a function consistent with the narrative predating it, but it continues fleshing out her underrated characterization.

Soi Fon comes from a family line steeped in tradition and is rigid in her adherence to preserving those values.

There’s a reason she’s Yamamoto’s most staunch supporter once the chaos at Sogyoku Hill breaks out all the way back in the Soul Society arc.

She values and respects the old guard. Yamamoto and Yoruichi are like gods to be worshipped to her. Their word is sacred.

So naturally she takes it more personally than most when Yamamoto’s departure is not treated with the dignity and ceremony she feels it warrants.

She lashes out at the visoreds not because of any deep-seated hatred of them, but because she has lost something precious and it upsets her that she feels alone in her pain.

And Sajin’s words shake and ground her because he is also among the most fiercely loyal to Yamamoto.

Shunsui assists and reminds the court guard of their chief duty.

Soi Fon is calmed briefly before she proceeds to twist this sentiment and lob it at Squad Zero as they come down from their pedestal and flippantly introduce themselves.

Her initial vitriol toward them is not primarily motivated by a desire to disrespect the Royal Guard.

Soi Fon merely needs someone to blame and vent at right now. And if the visoreds weren’t suitable targets, Squad Zero seems ideal.

After all, they weren’t even there to fight!

If they’re so great and worthy of their renowned station and reverence, why weren’t they there?

Yamamoto might have lived if they had simply stopped lounging around while Soul Society fought a war.

So why wouldn’t she hurl insults at these seemingly negligent figureheads?

Her given circumstances more than justify that impulse and honestly I find myself loving the scene more and more every time I revisit it.

Anyway, that’ll do for now! Hope this might garner a little more appreciation for one of Bleach’s most underrated captains! ❤️🥂