#i much prefer to see Aizen as neurodivergent then simply ab*sive i think

[saltysatellite804]

Warning for a poorly-written and planned post, but I want to get some thoughts out of my head because of something I read.

You know when you can't tell if you're being biased toward your faves or not just because they're your fave?

I'm saying that because it really rubs me wrong when people talk about Aizen being the "biggest manipulator" in Bleach. I noticed people make this like the entire foundation of his character in discussion. I haven't been able to articulate why this particular assessment annoys me, however. First of all, I feel like a manipulator and someone who leads a double-life to fool their enemies are two different creatures, as well. Real life manipulators are usually just selfish people trying to get their way or isolate relationships to keep control... They're very fake people because they don't care about anything but themselves. To me, Aizen has a very authentic core to him. He is passionate about his beliefs and follows them whole-heartedly. I always felt like Aizen really only uses manipulation as a weapon against his enemies during battle to weaken them, but also a lot of what people label his manipulation is weirdly something that comes off as harsh honesty, so how do you label that? He knows how to press people's buttons by digging at their insecurities and weaponizing their flaws against them(ie: taunting the visored for their soul reaper views that hollows are lost souls so they are dead in their own minds). Aizen never struck me as overtly controlling of others. For example, just look at him letting his Espada gallivant about as they please. Did he micromanage them? Nah. He gave all of them the freedom to choose to follow him, as well? Did he manipulate Gin or Kaname into his service? Also no. He even clearly told his followers to not trust him blindly because he would turn on them if necessary. He earned their respect. The loyalty he inspired wasn't fake. Aizen is actually extremely honest in his actions most of the time (after betraying the Gotei 13). He is so honest that he even tells Shunsui hed never fight for the Gotei. He didn't try to manipulate Yhwach into freeing him. When he was giving Ichigo the rundown on his own backstory, he was being entirely honest there too.

To me manipulator and liar are not synonymous. To me my mental image of a real life manipulator/abuser does not match these actions. Perhaps I am incorrect, I'm not an expert on human psyche by any means.

Maybe it's just that I'm way too attached to the character and I feel it waters him down or something. I see so very few people act like there is any substance to his character, like he is just a shallow two dimensional villain. Just think about the fact that barely any fan works exist for him that have any depth despite him being such a complex character. In most say, fanfics, he is treated as a simple villain who does horrid things for fun, or not really having any emotions or complexity. I was in a discord where I complained about something I read where Kubo apparently stated Aizen doesn't like tea, and someone basically mocked me for being annoyed "the lying character lied" because I didn't like this vision of Aizen's attitude toward tea.

These same people will give a lot of attention to other characters who are no morally better, as well. Maybe I'm just being salty for no good reason? Reading into things I shouldn't about his character?

I would not say Aizen is a good person, but I do not think he is completely evil.

I don't really even know what my point is. I don't want to "excuse" the actions when analyzing the narrative on it's own, the point when I'm analyzing other characters, too, and that's not what I'm trying to do. I think my biggest issue is I'm undecided if I'm caught between wondering if majority of fans are right and I'm fooled into thinking the character is more complex than I assumed, or does my subconscious reaction to these takes have a good cause.