Kekkaishi and Sibling Rivalry

Kekkaishi volume 20 comes out today, and the overarching theme seems to be the complex relationship between brothers. Yoshimori and Masamori have always been at odds. Perhaps all siblings are at odds, as they compete not only for their parents' attention but also…just because.

With the Sumimura brothers, the stakes are rather high. The two are in conflict over who is the true heir to the guardianship of the Karasumori site. Yoshimori is pretty transparent about his feelings and thoughts, and he's the character we follow most closely in the story. We know what motivates Yoshimori: his desire to protect others. Plus, there's his secret love for Tokine. (Shhhh!) But even though we get glimpses of Yoshimori's life beyond what Masamori sees, he remains a mystery. What is the true motivation behind his actions and work with the Shadow Organization?

Despite their differences though, Yoshimori and Masumori look out for each other and are quick to rush to each other's aid.

In Kekkaishi volume 20, the Ogi brothers provide a contrast to the Sumimura brothers. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but let's just say that the Ogi clan sometimes sticks together a bit too much, and sometimes a bit too little...

Part of the conflict between Masamori and Yoshimori is that Masamori, as the older b...
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[Source: VIZBlog]