An Interview with a Bleach Role-Player: “Endless Hours on the Computer are Worth It”

Role-playing, just as the title suggests, is the ability to step into the shoes of a character and consciously act out the adopted role. Also known as the writing alternative when compared to Cosplay, it is a popular hobby enjoyed by many tumblr. users and anime fans worldwide. After exploring tumblr. for a few hours, I can’t help but be thoroughly impressed with the vast quality of creative writing that goes into bringing each and every character to life. As an avid Bleach fan, the series has garnered a rather large fan base on tumblr. I managed to ask a role-player who had just started a week ago a couple of questions, inquiring about the experience in filling the rather large shoes of 11^th Division Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi.

 

What got you interested in role-playing?

Well, I had a personal tumblr. blog of my own which consisted mainly of random photography and other personal interests but I’ve always been a Bleach fan since I was very young so I began taking a closer look at some Bleach blogs tumblr. had to offer. The majority I came across were independent RP (role-playing) blogs, which I found absolutely fascinating because there are some really talented writers out there who hone in on their particular character brilliantly. That said, I thought I would try it myself since writing has always been a passion of mine and what could be better than taking the identity of your favorite anime character?

 

How has the experience been so far since the day you created the blog?

In a word, unbelievable. Follower counts on tumblr. don’t matter to me that much but I was amazed at how many other users started following me (mainly other RP blogs) who were interested in starting stories with the character I role-play, Zaraki. I started writing and improvising as I went along, which turned out to be a fantastic experience that allows you to have fun while polishing your writing abilities.

 

How or what do you base your role-playing stories on?

To put it quite frankly, your imagination. When new users begin to follow me, I usually acknowledge them by creating the introductions and wait patiently for their replies or reply starters created by other users exclusively for my character. For example, here’s an introduction with a reply:

You have the power to create any storyline you desire, which is basically the gem of role-playing. It’s as if you’re a scriptwriter for your own movie!

 

Does it take a lot of time away from you r day since you have to constantly reply other users?

Definitely. I mean it really depends on the number of users that invite you to role-play or vice versa. Based on my experience so far, I have about an average of six different stories to reply to each day and sometimes it even amounts to ten or eleven. With so many replies to get to, sometimes it’s just never ending because once you’ve replied lets say two users,  user number 1 immediately replies back followed by user 2 which brings you back to where you started. Oftentimes I find myself just sitting in front of the screen for six hours straight but hey these endless hours on the computer are worth it.

 

In your opinion, what makes this hobby such a valuable experience?

Well, as a passionate writer, I loved the idea of stepping into the shoes of a character I’ve admired all these years. What makes the writing so great is the fact that you are able to create a story from thin air and find yourself truly absorbed in what others or you yourself have written. I believe that role-playing this way not only allows you to enjoy the thrill of imagining yourself as your specific character but it also pushes your creative thinking to a whole new level. In addition, the friendships you create are memorable ones since all of you share the similar interest of writing and best of all, you may also act as an inspiration to other fans that enjoy reading your stories.

 

So would you suggest others to give it a go?

Well, I could go all day promoting this tumblr. trend [laughs] but in all seriousness, I think that there’s so much more than meets the eye when it comes to this particular hobby. First impressions may come across as boring because you are writing almost all the time instead of reblogging pictures, but if there is a character, any character at all from your favorite video game, anime series or even movie that you have admired for so long, I would definitely say give role-playing a try. You’d be surprised at how absorbed you get into your character and who knows, it may just unleash the inner writer/scriptwriter in you.

The interviewee has chosen not to disclose an e-mail address but the character blog can be viewed here.

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