As you know, all wikis have a manual of style which they follow in order to maintain clean and organized articles. Bleach Wiki has a style which it uses to keep pages similar. Below are some of the guidelines we use here for such purposes. Please take your time to read and follow the guidelines as closely as possible as you edit any and all pages.
Perspective
In-Universe
Articles should be written as if the Bleach world was the real world. For example, "episodes or chapters" should not be referred to in a sentence. These articles include all character, location, and abilities articles. Basically, any article which has information based around the contents of the site is an in-universe article.
The content of this wiki is expressed in American English. This is an English language wiki, and all edits are expected to be carried out in English (with exception to the Japanese, Spanish, and German content required for power, technique, or skill names determined by the content of the series). This includes articles, forum posts, blogs, and talk pages. If a user's second language is English and they are not familiar with correct grammar and sentence structure, we can only ask that you have someone help you with the content you wish to provide here, as editing will be extremely difficult if you cannot properly understand or converse with others in the community. Such edits would likely end up being undone, as they cannot be understood. There are various Bleach Wikis, which are done in other languages, which may be what non-native English speakers are looking for.
Trivia
The Trivia section is for actual relevant, proven facts related to the article. Fan speculation and “what ifs/maybe” as well Junk Trivia type of information should not be included in this section.
Talk Pages
The talk page is for conversations on maintenance and article correctness only. General conversations, questions, and speculations are to be placed in forums.
Quotes
The quotes section is for relevant quotes which showcase the character's personality or personal feelings, not for random words anyone could have said in the same situation. While there is cussing in Bleach, it is only necessary to use it in the quotes section for relevant quotes. Adding irrelevant quotes with random cuss words and/or just putting down random cuss words which may have been said is unacceptable.
Statistics
There are a number of differences in the statistics (weight/height etc) of several characters between the profiles published in the manga volumes, SOULs databook, and Bootleg databook, MASKED, and Bleach. When there is a conflict between them, the information from the most recent source should be used.
Translations
When dealing with the translation of terms on the site, we only deal in the translation of certain terms. Only Items and techniques are commonly listed in the native language the series provides. While predominately Japanese, some are written in Spanish or German. As far as character names and titles, the western structure is what should be used. Organizations can be either one, with the most common and familiar usage being the accepted version. When a translation is in doubt, raise the matter with the Translation Corner, so it can be verified, rather than unilaterally changing it.
Romanization: When it comes to the format in which a name is used, the romanized version is used. Kubo's version of romanization takes precedent when he engages in romanization. Viz is partially acceptable, with their romanizations to be determined by review of translators on the site and final determination by admins. Anything not romanized by the 1st or 2nd sources is up to the discretion of the translators of the site, with final determination by admins.
Page Integrity
Please do not remove the {{clear}} template from respective articles, as doing so can ruin the integrity of the article's sections, causing them to run into each other.
Any and all information you may add to an article needs to have been either stated or shown, and is required to be referenced. If it is not referenced, it can and will be removed.
Page Edits
General Edits
There is only one format to be used on the site, which is a simple paragraph format. The formats of other styles, including tiered or numbered styles, are too complex, prone to disorder, and not supported here.
Please refrain from adding ambiguous content to the articles. While there could be reason to believe where the information is going to lead, until confirmed, it is not supported. In other words, while we, as users, may have a reason to logically believe where a story is going or what someone in the story will do, we do not know until it has happened. We are not the authors, so let's let Kubo reveal things at his own pace.
Powers & Abilities
There are to be no opening paragraphs in the Powers & Abilities section with the exception of Kenpachi Zaraki (as it showcases his lack of skill in certain techniques common to the Gotei 13).
Please refrain from adding speculative content into the Powers & Abilities section. While the section is based on the skills and talents seen and spoken of, we as users cannot take liberties with content. An example would be assuming someone has skill in something without knowing the truth of it, as either they have yet to use it or the information has never been spoken of in series (i.e. calling Yoruichi a master at swordsmanship; while she, as a former captain, is proficient at an expert level, she has yet to use a sword in any actual capacity in the series). Another example is giving a character more skill than they have shown or overestimating their skill (i.e. stating Ukitake is proficient at hand-to-hand combat, because he grabbed a foe, when there is not enough information to warrant that addition).
The Powers & Abilities section has a format which may contain certain classifications where applicable. These classifications are Swordsman (Master, Expert or Average), Hand-to-Hand/Hakuda Combatant (Master, Expert or Average), Kido (Master, Expert or Practitioner), Shunpo/Sonido (Master, Expert or Average), Intellect (Genius, High, Keen or Highly Perceptive), Durability (Immense or Enhanced), and Strength (Immense or Enhanced). The overall differences are dependent on what a character is shown or stated to be capable of in these various areas. Average ability is not actually listed, with the terms "Swordsman", "Sonido", "Hand-to-Hand Combatant", etc. being used to represent that basic level.
As far as Intellect, the terms Genius/Scientist and Inventor are all synonymous with each other, as far as being represented as the highest level of attained or potential intellect and knowledge. High Intellect, while a step down, is still intellectually formidable, though not having been stated outright to possess a higher level. Keen Intellect is a character of sharp and intellectual perceptiveness. While such characters can excel in a certain field, they are a step down from High Intellect, largely due to a lack of information and/or instances to determine even higher levels. Highly Perceptive shows intellect and or instinct in an area (such as combat, like how to read combatants' motives and skill through simple observation or experience), but are not shown or stated to be outright high knowledgeable or intellectual in other areas (I.e. street smart).
Strategist and Tactician can be used as well, but vary depending on the specific character. (Master or Expert) Strategist are capable of looking at the whole picture (a wide-ranging plan which encompasses the entirety of a given battle/war), whereas a (Master or Expert) Tactician is concerned with the achievement of the goals set up by the strategy in the battle. There are characters possessing both traits. Captain-rank Shinigami commonly possess both, with varying degrees of expertise, by dent of their role as captains. Lower officers are commonly shown with expertise in Tactics, as they implement them under the orders of a particular strategy set up by higher officer or while in the middle of battle.
Immense is used only for the most powerful characters, and only for those who have shown amazing ability in comparison to others of similar rank.
These points should be easily referenced so they are accurate without question. (i.e. to be based on fact rather than one's opinion).
Fan Fiction & Fan Art
Fan fiction is Not Permitted at all in any context, though you may place any content in your personal user page as long as it's not offensive.
Fan art is not permitted in any article page. However, certain pictures may be added as long as they are not used in any article other than your own user page. No pornographic images may be added.
Appearance In Other Media
All information from Bleach movies and video games which conflicts with the main canon established by both the manga (and supported by the anime) will be placed in the Appearances in Other Media sections of the pages, not in any other section.
Vandalism & Language
Removing referenced and proven content from the pages is considered vandalism. (This includes changing back Arrancar names which have been proven to have originally been written incorrectly).
This is a encyclopedia of information on Bleach; we use official and correct terms in explanation on appearance. Vulgar and/or slang terms are not the preferred terms to use.
This wiki is not tolerant of inappropriate language in the wiki articles, forums, or anywhere else on the wiki. Violators can and most likely will be quickly blocked.
This site operates off of what is said in the manga. A character's category(s) is based off of clear and trustworthy information. To add or remove a category, you must first give proof as to why it should happen.
Source Referencing
General Sources
The wiki's information should only come from manga, anime, official guide books, official material, officially proven interviews, and Tite Kubo.
The primary source for references is the manga and the secondary source is the anime. While anime can be included alongside the manga references to supplement them, manga always takes precedent in references, except in cases of anime-only material and to showcase color and movement which only can be expressed via anime.
Tite Kubo's word is law. He created the series, so anything he makes in manga, anime, or otherwise in relation to Bleach is official if it is confirmed (such as seeing it in print). There is no debating on that point.
To add a reference, cite the source of the information inside <ref></ref> tags, such as <ref>''Bleach'' manga; Chapter 17, pages 6-7</ref>.
Identical references should be combined. By combining identical references, it will help keep the pages clean and orderly. If you do not know how to do this, see Help:Cite.
All references should be in the same style. When in doubt, use your best judgment to make the references match the style of all other references. This will allow the wiki to remain cohesive and consistent.
Anime reference example: Bleach anime; Episode 17
Manga reference example: Bleach manga; Chapter 17, pages 6-7
Video game reference example: Bleach video game; Bleach: The 3rd Phantom
Movie reference example: Bleach movie; Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion
Other reference examples:
Bleach OVA; Sealed Sword Frenzy
Bleach manga; Volume 36 character poll
Bleach manga; Colourful Bleach 11 omake
Bleach Official Character Book Souls, pages 67-68
Weekly Shōnen Jump interview; Issue 42
Outside References
References to other manga/anime series are not encouraged. Bleach Wiki is exclusively about Bleach. While there are similarities between various manga/anime series if you look for them, Bleach Wiki prefers to stand apart from other series and highlight its own qualities.
Capitalization of words
In this wiki, many words will appear in capitals letters. Do not change them.
A list of such words are:
Arrancar
Espada
Hollow
Human
Shinigami
Quincy
Visored
Zanpakutō
Shikai
Bankai
Resurrección
Zanpakutō names
Technique names
Character names
Location names
Users
This wiki is set up so a user must have a username in order to edit this wiki. Anyone without an user name must create one if they want to edit, but is free to browse the wiki without one.
Page Creation
Character Pages
Any and all characters in Bleach, whether it is an anime, manga, or video game only character, may have his/her own page as long as they meet the following criteria.
Must be involved in the storyline, meaning no background characters. In other words, if a character is only seen standing or sitting but does not interact or have any lines, it is not worthy.
May have only been referred but never featured. Any character who is mentioned by name and has an impact on the storyline.
Named Attacks
All attacks are welcome to have their own personal page as long as:
Is an attack which is used, or can be used, by more than one character, such as variations of Cero, Hierro, Kidō spells, etc.
Attacks which are character specific, such as Nelliel's Lanzador Verde, Harribel's La Gota, and Byakuya's Senkei can be explained in said character's pages and do not require their own. If such a page is to exist, it must be administrator sanctioned as far as determining its necessity and content.
Groups & Organizations
Any group and/or organization may have its own page. When doing so, please provide the name of all known members. Below are some examples:
When writing a summary for a chapter or an episode, please maintain the same format which all the other episode pages and chapter pages have. Below are examples of what an episode page and a chapter page should look like. Further information can be found on the Volume Summary Project and Anime Summary Project pages.
When renaming page X to Z, in addition to tracking down all the links to X and change them to Z as well, we need to find all incidences of X being used in the articles which are not links. Due to this, and often questionable romanizations of character names, article pages may not be moved without discussing it on the relevant article's Talk Page first. Before a page move can be initiated, you must present the reasons for your belief behind the move on the article and obtain approval for it before moving the page. If you move an article page without discussing it first, your move will be undone and you will be warned not to do it again. If you persist on moving the article before an administrator approves or without discussing it beforehand, you will be blocked.