Primetime: Yahweh the Tyrant? The Depiction and Role of Yahweh in BLEACH and Other Japanese Anime and Manga

The god of the Old Testament, Yahweh (commonly translated in the English Bibles as “the LORD”), appears in several Japanese anime and manga. The role of Yahweh as a central character in Japanese anime and manga is curious considering the small number of Christians in Japan. In this presentation, Dr. Hayashi will analyze the portrayal and role of YHWH in the Japanese anime/manga BLEACH and Junketu no Maria in “Maria the Virgin Witch.” He will argue that Yahweh in Japanese anime and manga embodies the notion of tyrannical strength that opposes the protagonist of the story. In this way, Yahweh becomes a force that must be overcome by the main characters. Moreover, I further suggest that Yahweh in these stories embodies Western ideals, monotheism, and imperialism which goes against traditional Japanese cultural norms and beliefs.