The image at the left is a remarkable find from Cretaceous-aged amber in Myanmar; a tiny, few centimeter wide, newborn (or possibly embryonic) snake fossil. This photo was just published in an article introducing this 100 million year old fossil to the world; the picture on the right is an X-ray image that shows the bone structure of this fossil.
I honestly think Shinigami try to appear as ānormalā as possible and live their new lives to the fullest. Nothing in their behavior hints that they were suicide victims. A little fucked up in the mind, maybe.
True. tbh I really want Toboso to bring us more information about this. Because overall I feel this was indeed not an idea that was there since the beggining. But well, we just need more information.
Everything about them seems to stem from their suicides. Even the selection of their death scythes can at leastĀ sometimesĀ tie back to WHY they killed themselves. I havenāt analysed them all, so maybe they all tie back to how or why. They were meant to be suicides from the very beginning. I have zero doubt about this.
Iāve already posted in-depth analyses of the following reapers and their death scythes (can easily be found on my reaper blog, abybweissekuroshinigami):
Undertakerand his old fashioned scythe ā I think I might have only discussed this in reblogs?? Mostly, this places him as dying long, long agoā¦ probably around 1200. If heās really Cedric K. Rosā, then heās partially based on Cedric Rotherwood from Ivanoe, set in 1194. The exact opposite of Ronald Knox, he would be traditional and opposed to change. He wouldnāt be fond of monetary systems or the ruling monarchyā¦. Just like the story of Ivanhoe, there is something romantic (and timeless) about Undertaker. Other clues suggest Undertaker was betrayed and abandoned. (Bonus: I think he might have set himself on fire.)
Grell Sutcliff and the chainsaw ā chainsaws used in the lumber industry started out as small chains used to help women with childbirth complications. Couldnāt bear children, led to depression, committed suicide. (Bonus: I think Grell drowned, just like Ophelia in Hamlet.)
William T. Spears and the telescopic pruner ā it allows him to keep his distance from others. Not just demons he might fight but also the people from whom heās collecting souls. I donāt think he could get close to anyone (emotionally) in life, either. (Bonus: I think Will jumped from the top of a building.)
Ronald Knox and the cylinder lawnmower ā though Iāve analysed the death scythe, I havenāt quite determined the reason, except that heās a modern and sporty guyā¦ and the lawnmower replaced the scythe to cut lawns, changing and modernizing the rules of numerous sports. Perhaps he thought he was just way ahead of his time, and no one understood him? (Bonus: I think he slit his wrists.)
Sascha andā¦ is the camera really his death scythe? ā Since we havenāt seen him actively reaping (unless using the cameraĀ āsteals the soulā like some people used to believe) I analysed the camera. Until we get confirmation on his death scythe, I canāt say what it has to do with his suicide. However, his suicide method is hanging by noose; thatās canon, as he is shown in silhouette putting a noose around his neck in one panelā¦ while heās narrating that reapers are all suicides. Itās clearly him with the noose.
Othello and a modernized sickle ā I have discussed this in reblogs only, so far. It seems to tie back to Shakespeareās Othello, who kills himself after killing his wife and finding out the accusations against her were based on false evidence. Heās more of a modern thinker than Undertaker, so even though he uses a sickle, itās modern in appearance. Itās also a bit reminiscent of a Moorās (or Arabās) scimitar, which was a commonly used curved sword. His namesake was fooled with fake evidence, so perhaps thatās why our Othello is now in the reaper forensics department. (Bonus: since Othello in the play stabs himself with a dagger, I imagine our Othello doing the same.)
I think those are the only ones Iāve got to, so far, but the rest are works-in-progress.
Looking at Chapter 115, thereās actually a little more information we can gather about the Shinigami. First, thereās some things we can gather about death scythes when Othello reveals his..
Othello has never customized his death scythe. Considering heās stated previously that he hasnāt been to the human realm in about 50 years, it would stand to reason that he wouldnāt need to use his scythe much. However, he still has his own scythe. All Shinigami must be given one to use even if they arenāt assigned to collect souls. Since Othello has never saw any reason to customize, and his lack of confidence concerning using it, itās possible that heās collecting very few souls if any at all.
Secondly, Grell remarks that the sight of this uncustomized scythe is reminiscent of a training scythe – which was similar if not identical to those seen in the OVA āThe Tale of Will the Reaper.ā All Shinigami must be given these type of scythes to train with. However, since Grell also comments about not imagining someone still using this type of scythe, it must mean that just about all active Shinigami must customize their scythes. So far, ever Shinigami weāve seen has used one that theyāve have customized. It could be a right of passage. Even William, who follows the rules very carefully, has his pruner scythe.
Othello also asks for Grellās protection. This would mean that while all Shinigami might have greater strength and abilities than humans, there is still some differences among them. This might be due to experience, and Othello doesnāt seem to have much experience in these sorts of matters, or some Shinigami are simply stronger physically. This might have something to do with why they are assigned the positions they are. Othello has admitted heās not confident in his abilities, which would mean he wouldnāt be good at Grellās job. Later, he even seemingly taunts Grell regarding her interest in the science and research that his job requires.
Lastly, Othello tells Grell that collecting souls is the most important job of the Shinigami.
Itās hard to tell how sincere Othello is being since he seemed to be teasing Grell a lot, but it makes sense that it would be the most important job. While Othello appears quite intelligent, and comments Grell would understand his work even if he explained it, thereās a strong chance that collecting is held in higher regard.
Finally, we have a few more hints about the Shinigami!
š„ There is beauty in destructionš„ 