Bleach: Thousand Year Blood Year is continuously improving both animation and plotwise. When the anime first streamed after a long break, you could almost hear the bated breaths of fans. The anime’s voice actors took some time to warm up to the characters, but the result was still fabulous.
Johnny Yong Bosch, the English dub voice actor of Ichigo, has been vocal about his experience with the new installment. A heavy responsibility to please fans rests on his shoulders as he recounts how Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War is a revolutionary anime.
Johnny Yong Bosch on One of the Most Important Bleach Episodes
In an interview, the voice actor of Ichigo, Johnny Yong Bosch, talks about one of the most important episodes of Bleach: TYBW. In episode 13, The Blade is Me, Ichigo goes through a journey of self-discovery as his Zanpakuto is reforged.
In the episode, Ichigo has a heart to heart with the soul of his sword and understands the role of his inner Hollow in all his battles. As a result, he emerges with two blades instead of one, and promises Zangetsu that he will never ask for power anymore. Finally, both agree to fight together.
The episode was eye-opening for not only the fans but also for the voice actors. As Bosch excitedly claimed:
“I have to pinch myself constantly to make sure I’m not dreaming. I mean this is the stuff I was hoping to get to before it ended previously, so I’m really enjoying this part of the story. We’re really getting to the heart of Ichigo.”
What he means is that the previous Bleach episodes never led Ichigo to have an epiphany this big. His reuniting with Zangetsu while simultaneously accepting his own light and dark sides was a phenomenal change.
Johnny Yong Bosch’s Opinion on Bleach: TYBW, Favorite Character and More
Episode 366 of Bleach aired in 2012, after which there was a decade-long gap. Naturally, all the voice actors were doubtful if they would ever be needed even if the anime did reappear. Which is why, Johny’s own surprise at the project’s rejuvination with Thousand Year Blood War arc is completely understandable.
“First thought? Is this real? Second thought, do they want me back? Like I previously mentioned, I’m super excited! I love this anime!”
Bosch also explained how he differentiates Ichigo’s voice from those of his other roles. To put it simply, he distinguishes the story, character’s whereabouts, and struggle and then dials in the tone and voice with the director and producer.
Bosch also confessed that his favorite character in the Wandenreich is Yhwach. Why? Because he is the ultimate antagonist, and without him, there would be no tension. He also claims that his favorite battle in the whole franchise is the one where Ichigo’s hollow shows up against Byakuya.
Lastly, Bosch admits that the biggest impact playing Ichigo has had is his worldwide connection with fans of Bleach. He feels a level of responsibility in playing the character The voice actor brilliantly portrays it as being put in a game by a coach and the pressure not to disappoint him.
You can watch Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War anime on Disney+.
