Do you know what Shinigami really means? Who are they? Why are they gods of death? In this article, we will talk about everything related to Shinigami and their involvement in Japanese culture.
I think some of the people who searched for this word know very well that shinigami [死神] means “God of Death” or “Spirit of Death.” They probably saw it in some anime like Death Note or Bleach. But what does it mean to be a God of Death?
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The Culture of Shinigami in Japan
In the West, shinigamis are vaguely confused with “Death.” The one who takes human life, sweeping the person from existence here on earth and leading them to the other world. But is there any connection?
Shinigami is a term used in Japan to describe supernatural entities present in Japanese mythology, who invite humans to death or induce them to commit suicide.
In ancient scriptures, the shinigami was also the demon that characterized the time each person had to live. Throughout different legends and beliefs, shinigami do not have a main representation.
THE ORIGIN OF THE GOD OF DEATH – SHINIGAMI
In Buddhism, the shinigami has another name, Mrtyu-mara (Death), he presents himself as the personification of temptation, and according to belief, anyone possessed by this demon and in despair would be incited to suicide. He is often confused with an explanation of the intentional act of dying.
They are mentioned in the classical literature of the Edo Period, in the book “Ehon Hyaku Monogatari” from 1841, a story titled “Shinigami” emerged, different from the God of Death who induced people to suicide, this story presented the God of Death as the reincarnation of the ill-intentioned spirit of a Dead person, who took advantage of the bad intentions of his victims, leading them down bad paths, resulting in incidents and cases of murder, and thus, they fit into the role of subjugating people, taking control of the person, leading them to suicide.
After the war, the Western notion of the god of death established itself in Japan, and the Shinigami began to be seen as an existence within human nature.
The term Shinigami became something popular in Japan, ceasing to be a feared and tormenting being, having various works in the formats of books, mangas, and animes, making the myth of the God of Death popular, also in the West.
Myths and Legends about Shinigamis
Shinigamis are also mentioned in post-war popular culture. According to the habits and customs of Miyajima, in Kumamoto Prefecture, those who went out at night to meet someone should drink tea or eat a bowl of rice before sleeping, as it is said that if this recipe was ignored, a shinigami would visit them.
In the Hamamatsu area, Shizuoka Prefecture, there is a myth that a shinigami possesses people, leading them to mountains, seas, and railways where others have died. In these places, the dead “return from death” (shiniban) and if there is no one to die, they would never ascend even if they rendered a service; thus, it is said that living people would be invited by death to return next time.
In another context, it is common to visit graves for Higan, during noon or at sunset; however, in Okayama Prefecture, visiting a grave at sunrise could result in the person being possessed by a shinigami.
Once a grave has been visited at sunset, it would be necessary to return to the location also at dawn, because ignoring this, a shinigami could return and possess the individual. With this theory of popular belief, it is also thought that sometimes people consider that the bourei (亡霊, lit. ghost) of the deceased, who has no one to deify him, seeks someone to invite him to join them in death.
Animes about Shinigami
Below we will see some of the best animes that focus on shinigami or gods of death, followed by a complete list of animes that feature Shinigami in their story. I hope you enjoyed the article! What is your opinion about shinigami?
Death Note
Light Yagami is the best student in Japan. One day, his life undergoes a radical change when he finds a supernatural notebook called “Death Note,” lying on the ground. Behind the notebook were instructions on how to use it, stating that if he wrote a person’s name and visualized their face (if he did not specify their death), they would die of a heart attack in 40 seconds. Light doubted the authenticity of the notebook, but after testing it on two occasions, he realizes that its power is real.
After five days, he is visited by the true owner of the Death Note, a shinigami named Ryuk. He tells that he dropped the notebook on Earth because he was bored. Light’s goal is to kill all criminals, purify the world of evil, and become the “god of the new world.”
Soul Eater
Soul Eater tells the story of student artisans at a Shinigami Technical School. Each has a different weapon that is also their partner. All students and weapons attend classes and have homework to do. The homework usually consists of capturing a certain soul or maintaining peace in the World.
Dakara Boku wa H ga Dakinai
A young man was walking in the rain when he sees a beautiful girl, with red eyes and wet from the rain. Everyone was avoiding her, but Ryousuke was taught to value women, so he offered help. Ryousuke could not imagine that this mysterious girl would stab him in the chest and leave him fallen…
Bleach
It tells the story of Kurosaki Ichigo, a young teenager who accidentally gains powers from another shinigami, Kuchiki Rukia.
Shinigami no Ballad
A shinigami dressed in white, with a scythe in hand and accompanied by a talking cat with wings. This is a basic description of the two main characters of the series: Momo, the Shinigami, and Daniel, the flying cat.
There are 6 independent stories. In each story, Momo will interact with various characters who, in some way, are connected to death through the loss of friends, relatives, or themselves. She will work with the emotions and memories of everyone, trying to reverse or fix the hatred, regret, nostalgia, or sadness of the characters who have lost a loved one.
Kyoukai no Rinne
As a child, Mamiya Sakura mysteriously disappeared in the forest behind her grandmother’s house. She returned safe and sound, but since then, she gained the power to see ghosts. Now she is a teenager who just wants to be left alone by ghosts. At school, the desk next to Sakura has been empty since the beginning of the school year, then one day, her always-absent classmate appears, but he is much more than he seems.
List of Animes with Shinigami
| Name of Shinigami Anime | Year | Type |
| Death Note | 2006 | TV |
| Soul Eater | 2008 | TV |
| Bleach | 2004 | TV |
| Full Moon wo Sagashite | 2002 | TV |
| RIN-NE 2 | 2016 | TV |
| RIN-NE 3 | 2017 | TV |
| Descendants of Darkness | 2000 | TV |
| So, I Can’t Play H! | 2012 | TV |
| Momo: The Girl God of Death | 2006 | TV |
| RIN-NE | 2015 | TV |
| Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety | 1999 | TV |
| Soul Eater Not! | 2014 | TV |
| Bleach Movie 4: Hell Verse | 2010 | Movie |
| Bleach Movie 3: Fade to Black | 2008 | Movie |
| Bleach Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion | 2007 | Movie |
| Bleach Movie 1: Memories of Nobody | 2006 | Movie |
| Kuro no Sumika: Chronus | 2014 | Movie |
| Bleach: Memories in the Rain | 2004 | OVA |
| Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy | 2005 | OVA |
| Zou no Senaka: Tabi-Datsu Hi | 2007 | OVA |
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