Why do they always die?

[madam.elsie]

I was just wondering why is it that if a shinigami gets married, their wife has to die? I mean, there was Byakuya, Kaien-dono, even Ichigo's dad. I feel like I might have left someone out...
Has anyone else noticed this?

[red_rain]

I suppose that's the usual way with warriors and other heroes. Their wife is their heart and their weakness. I guess by killing them, they become hardened and stronger. Or it could just give their character some background tragedy so that we know where they are coming from ? i'm not sure :)

[lordmage]

It's all about balance, mother gives birth and, then dies to replace life. i think any way

[gdo01]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_refrigerators

Basically women die or get injured to make men stronger. Women on the other hand always get weaker whenever they or someone they know is brutally attacked. Sexism ftw:rolleye09

[JimmyTbh]

What about Soifon, Karin and Kuukaku? Its not sexism But some characters would be stereotypical.

[Jameslock]

I think you forgot the black blind guy's misses :P

[Dradam]

It's simply for dramatic effect, it makes us sympathise with the characters who have lost and form attachments to them. It allows us to connect to them, making the story and plot far more effect especially if they get in more trouble. It also allows them to put in a lot of emotional stuff as well about friendships etc etc.

[sora90]

hi

[TuRm0iL]

hi

uh... hey?


but back on topic, I think that the wife always dies to inevitable overuse plot devices, in an attempt to make all humans unfeeling towards anything. Than the government will kill all our wives (at which point we won't care, having seen it in every anime and TV show) and train us to become supersoldiers.