The Unveiling of Hidden Parallels: Unraveling the Intricate Bond between Noel and Rukia

Highlights

In this analysis, the author delves into the parallels between two prominent characters, Rukia Kuchiki from BLEACH and Noel Niihashi from BURN THE WITCH. The focus lies on their shared themes, unique character archetypes, and intricately crafted designs.

Rukia and Noel derive their names from unique origins. Rukia's name signifies a peculiar meaning, portraying a "light from the rotting tree." On the other hand, Noel's name encompasses both Latin and Japanese influences, establishing a conceptual connection.

Not only do Rukia and Noel share commonalities such as black hair, blue eyes, and stoic appearances, but they also possess strong bonds with their extraordinary occupations. These resemblances position them as akin entities within their individual universes, despite slight disparities in their personalities and expressions.

What connects Rukia Kuchiki from BLEACH and Noel Niihashi from BURN THE WITCH? There are noticeable similarities between these two main characters, but there are also deeper connections that go beyond the surface and further intertwine the works of Kubo.

The Rotting Tree

Nomenclature plays a crucial role in BLEACH, highlighting Kubo's mastery of language and the innovative concepts he brings together. The character Rukia, initially conceived as "Snipe," embodies Kubo's vision of a narrative centered around gun combat rather than swords. Additionally, Kubo desired to depict Shinigami dressed in kimono and equipped Rukia with a unique weapon, a scythe. The brilliance of Rukia's name lies in Kubo's ingenious choice of "Kuchiki" for her last name, represented by the kanji characters meaning "rot" and "tree." Meanwhile, her first name, "Rukia," derived from the Japanese translation of "Lucia," meaning "light" in Latin, adds another layer of depth. Rukia's adoption into the Kuchiki clan serves as Byakuya's fulfillment of a promise to his late wife, Hisana, who happened to be Rukia's older sister. Hisana had abandoned Rukia as a baby but later devoted considerable effort to find her after marrying into the Kuchiki Clan.

Byakuya and his grandfather Ginrei, as the last surviving members of the Kuchiki Clan, became fixated on maintaining order, image, and status, particularly after another of the Soul Society's Five Great Noble Clans collapsed. The name "Kuchiki" possesses contextual interest due to the declining nobility and the state of the family itself. Byakuya's marriage to Hisana and their subsequent adoption of Rukia significantly catalyzed his personal growth. Therefore, Rukia's name and influence embody the concept of being "the light from the rotting (family) tree." In BLEACH chapter 5's title page, titled "Binda Blinda," the three characters are depicted in casual attire, as customary for the series. Rukia is seated, glancing back at the reader, while Ichigo stands at the center, and Orihime is seated in the background. The composition resembles a CD jacket or mixtape cover, featuring what appears to be a track list above Orihime's head. The three names listed are "Jetcape-15" (Ichigo), Vega Highwell (Orihime Inoue), and "Rukia Rotwood," representing alternate English stage names for the characters. "Rotwood" serves as a translation of "Kuchiki," with "-ki" being interpreted as "wood" instead of "tree."

London Bridge

Noel Niihashi BURN THE WITCH

Noel Niihashi from BURN THE WITCH shares a similar name situation with her partner Ninny Spangcole. Ninny informs us that Noel chose her name due to her love for Japan and otaku culture. In Japan, "Noel" is a popular girl's name; however, the surname "Niihashi" is not discussed in this conversation. The Japanese characters for "Niihashi" are 新橋, which translate to "new" and "bridge". On the other hand, "Noel" is not of Japanese origin but has French roots, meaning "Christmas". Interestingly, the word "Noel" derives from the Latin word "natalis", which connects to birth.

Both Rukia and Noel have Latin-related names and two-part surnames that translate to English. "Niihashi" simply means "Newbridge" in Japanese. Thus, Noel and Rukia are linked through the composition of their names. Furthermore, their contrasting backgrounds - one being British-born with a Japanese name and the other being Japanese with an English name - symbolize two sides of the same coin. It's noteworthy that their surnames allude to a form of transformation or change. Rukia's surname represents a decaying noble family, while Noel's surname indirectly refers to the replacement and restoration of London Bridge, a significant cultural and administrative artifact.

How Familiar

Both Rukia and Noel share similar physical appearances, with black hair and blue eyes, and they both give off a stoic first impression. They also have a strong connection to their otherworldly profession. Interestingly, they both face harassment from a character who provides comedic relief. In Noel's case, this character is Balgo Parks, who bears a striking resemblance to what Kon-possessed Ichigo would look like years after the "Protection of the Soul King Great War". Additionally, Noel's love for cute things, like Rukia's love for bunnies, is evident. The adorable Pomeranian Osushi-chan is likely the inspiration for Kon, rather than a lion or lion-like dog.

In BURN THE WITCH, Noel belongs to the Pipers, a group that is similar to Squad 13, as new members of Wing Bind often find themselves assigned there. Despite some differences in their personalities, such as Noel's perpetually deadpan expression and Rukia's contrasting expressiveness, they both share a conceptual similarity. It seems they are intentionally variations of ideas based on shared underlying concepts.