The popular anime and manga series Bleach has a unique artistic style. This supernatural action story follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who gains a Soul Reaper’s power. The creator Tite Kubo often leaves the character’s background blank.
The use of blank backgrounds wasn’t a later development in Bleach. It was present from the very start of the series. The decision to leave that blank in many panels has been a topic of discussion for years.
Tite Kubo’s Storytelling Priority
Kubo’s approach revolves around a simple idea: characters are the heart of a story. Many artists spend hours dealing with detailed backgrounds. However, he uses this as a distraction. By leaving backgrounds blank, he directs the readers’ attention to the characters’ expressions and emotions.
This allows him to emphasize the human element in his storytelling. He focuses on conveying emotions through character design and dialogue. The blank spaces serve as a canvas for readers’ imagination.
In an interview, Kubo and Morita Masakazu (Ichigo’s voice actor) explain his reasoning behind blank spaces. He focuses on bringing his characters to life. Their expression and mood take the central stage.
Kubo stated:
When a new character appears, I leave the background white. I want the reader to feel the mood the character gives when they’re there.
Impact on Bleach’s Visual Style
Kubo has shaped Bleach’s distinctive visual style. It highlights the action sequences that Bleach is famous for. He believes that once the characters are set, the story moves by itself.
Despite that, some fans have questioned and criticized his approach. They argued that blank spaces in the panel were because of his laziness. It said that manga without background is so empty.
However, Kubo stands by his choice. He maintains that the character’s journey and growth are what is truly a story. The lack of background makes the character’s moments more impactful.
Bleach’s success suggests that his instincts were correct. It has inspired anime adaptations, movies, and a massive global fanbase. It suggests that less is more in visual storytelling.
In another interview, he replied:
Backgrounds distract the reader from what’s going on in the character. Whenever I leave backgrounds out, this is to allow my readers to see the heart of the character.
Tite Kubo’s statement about background reveals much about his storytelling. It drives his belief in the power of character-driven narratives.
You can watch Bleach on Hulu.
