Though there is no scarcity of skills in the anime and manga industries, very few creators are able to make a lasting impact. Tite Kubo and Kohei Horikoshi are two of the few whose creations have elevated the bar for excellence and creativity in the field. Despite having different themes, both Bleach and My Hero Academia consist of extensive world-building and fascinating character journeys.
In addition to providing entertainment, a whole new generation of manga artists has been inspired by these series. Beginning serialization in 2001, Kubo’s Bleach gained popularity for its attractive characters, intense battle scenes, and clever fusion of the supernatural with the ordinary. On the other hand, Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has taken the world by storm since its debut in 2014 with the blend of Western superhero elements with traditional shonen tropes.
Despite having different ideas, their mutual respect for each other’s work is evident in their discussions about their creative processes.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Admiration Towards Tite Kubo
Tite Kubo and Kohei Horikoshi participated in a special talk session in 2019 for a team-up discussion. This session was included in the My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis character guidebook, which was later translated into English by Viz Media.
Their unique approaches to manga creation were highlighted in this session where they discussed their first meeting, their impressions of each other’s work, and the distinctive qualities that set their series apart. They expressed their fascination with each other’s work as well as pointed out the unique details that make their manga unique.
Kubo brought out the distinct aspect of Horikoshi’s creation, praising his detail-oriented approach in terms of drawing backgrounds for a weekly serialization. In response to Kubo’s compliment, Horikoshi explained this approach was due to his shortfall in his ability to give his characters the same level of standalone impact as Kubo does. In his words,
Well, Kubo-sensei’s characters can fill a page with their presence alone. Since I don’t have the artistry to pull that off, I put a lot of detail into my backgrounds to compensate. For me, attention to detail is the key to success.
This statement highlights the contrast between each other’s creation styles. Bleach characters are so iconic for their designs, that they often require minimal background detail to make an impactful scene. While Horikoshi relies heavily on intricate backgrounds to enhance the storytelling.
The Brilliance of Tite Kubo’s Creation
Tite Kubo‘s ability to focus on characters and their presence has allowed him to create a distinct style that makes his characters more memorable for readers. His work on Bleach set a high standard for character design and expression, influencing many manga artists, including Horikoshi.
Kubo’s brilliance lies not only in his artistic talents but also in his narrative techniques, which blend action, perfect dialogues, and character development seamlessly, as he stated,
Occasionally, I can come up with characters and dialogue at the same time. I start by thinking “I really want to throw in this line,” followed by “This character seems like the type to say that,” and finally “In what situation would this character say that line?” That’s basically how my scenes are written.
Additionally, Kohei Horikoshi’s journey as a manga artist has also been one of constant learning and growth. His ability to transform his shortcomings into strengths highlights the self-awareness and humility that drive his relentless pursuit of excellence.
The exchange between Tite Kubo and Kohei Horikoshi offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of two legendary manga artists. Their mutual respect and admiration showcase the diversity of artistic approaches in the manga industry and the dedication required to bring their unique visions to life. Despite their different methods, both have achieved immense success, leaving a lasting legacy in the anime and manga industry.
You can read Bleach and My Hero Academia manga on Viz Media.
