“The story kind of moves on by itself”: Tite Kubo’s Biggest Priority was Never the Plot of Bleach but Something Else Altogether

Tite Kubo admires his characters as if they existed in real life.

"The story kind of moves on by itself": Tite Kubo's Biggest Priority was Never the Plot of Bleach but Something Else Altogether

SUMMARY

  • Bleach is one of the greatest fictional stories ever created.
  • Tite Kubo is the author of the series and has done a phenomenal job.
  • In an interview for Shonen Jump, he revealed that he loves the characters he draws as if they were real.
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When we talk about the greatest anime of all time, one of the most common names among the audience is Tite Kubo’s magnum opus Bleach. If you are familiar with the story, you will realize that it can easily compete for that title. Filled with numerous captivating concepts such as Soul Reaper, Quincies, and a power system that is easy to understand, Bleach is truly a work of art.

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Sternritter organization
Sternritter organization in Bleach

Bleach managed to captivate the audience with its wide array of characters, each of whom was given in-depth development for the fans. The characters were meticulously crafted and made sure that none of their potential ever went to waste. In a Shonen Jump interview in 2006, Tite Kubo revealed that he loved the characters as if they were real. This connection between the creator and the characters became the reason for the series’ surreal success.

Tite Kubo loved the characters more than anything in Bleach

Often deemed by many as the best manga ever created, Bleach is a name that is known by the majority of anime fans. If you have not watched this masterpiece crafted by Tite Kubo, which is based on Ichigo Kurosaki, the Soul Reaper, who devotes his life to protecting his loved ones, then you are missing out.

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It is part of the Big Three alongside Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus One Piece and Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto. Each had different reasons for its widespread popularity and ground-breaking success; in Bleach, its strong point was its uncountable characters.

Mangaka Tite Kubo. | Credit: Snippet from Viz interview on YouTube.
Mangaka Tite Kubo. | Credit: Snippet from Viz interview on YouTube.

The series has introduced viewers to several characters who will arguably never be forgotten. All the characters created by Tite Kubo feel incredibly unique, and you can always sense the bond between them and the audience.

Tite Kubo is one of the few mangakas who took the time to explore each character in depth. While there may be a few exceptions that didn’t receive adequate development, overall, each character played a crucial role leading up to the finale.

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In an interview for Shonen Jump in 2006, Tite Kubo explained that he loved his characters as they were real people. He said:

Of course, it’s either the pictures, or the characters – sometimes I have ideas for the characters’ appearances, or sometimes their personality. Once you get those characters set, then the story kind of moves on by itself. The key thing is that I come to love the characters, as if they re real.

His efforts didn’t go in vain, as the audience loved the series and made it one of the highest-selling manga of all time, and despite the series reaching its cessation a long time ago, fans continue to talk about it.

More on Bleach

Bleach made an unimaginable comeback with Thousand Year Blood War after more than a decade of absence. The series took over all the charts with its debut, as we finally got to see the long-awaited war between Quincies and Shinigami.

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Fans who missed out on parts one and two of the Thousand-Year Blood War can catch up as part three is scheduled to be released in 2024. Fans are very eager to see the long-awaited entrance of many characters.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Thousand Year Blood War is Tite Kubo’s deep involvement, which has significantly improved the quality of work.

Yhwach in Bleach
Yhwach in Bleach

The Bleach Thousand Year Blood War would end either later in 2024 or early 2025, depending on the release schedule of the upcoming parts.

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Watch the nerve-wrenching battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Quincies on Hulu.

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Written by Jiyad Shaikh

Articles Published: 291

Greetings! I'm a 19-year-old data science student who's deeply passionate about anime and manga. When I'm not crunching numbers, you can find me immersed in the world of AMV video editing, where I blend my love for storytelling with creativity. Join me on this exciting journey where data and anime collide!