Tite Kubo has worked extremely hard on building the world of Bleach. From the Soul Reapers to the Quincies, each and every group and character has been given an in-depth insight for the fans. There are many arcs and the villains alongside them that stand apart in the most positive light. Despite their cruel intentions, these villains always find themselves becoming fan favorites.
Throughout the series, there were many decisions made by Kubo that did not sit well with fans. While some they moved on from, others they couldn’t. His dedication to Bleach had been one that kept the mangaka going despite the constant debates the fans offered.
One such debate was regarding Ichigo’s camaraderie and alliances. Specifically his romantic relationships.
Tite Kubo had No Interest in Romance
During Tite Kubo’s visit to the San Diego Comic Con in the past, he was asked the million dollar question that had been meandering through Bleach fans’ heads ever since the series first began. Although the question itself has long since been answered, it is another factor that may catch many fans’ eyes.
“I don’t want to make Bleach into a love story because there are much more exciting things about their personalities and things that they can do instead of getting into the romance aspect of their relationships.”
When the manga first began, there was always this wandering question about who Ichigo Kurosaki would end up with, Rukia or Orihime. Debates had been going on via various platforms and it became a sword hanging above Kubo’s head.
The mangaka, however, did not take it that way. He instead focused on developing and completing the story, going with the flow as an when necessary. Romance was never his priority. In fact, he did not want it to be a major aspect of the series at all.
Tite Kubo Saw the Bigger Picture
Bleach fans now know very clearly about who Kubo decided for Ichigo to end up with. Rukia and Renji as well as Ichigo and Orihime have well established relationships that throw any form of a debate out of the picture altogether.
Kubo never concerned himself with the idea of how important these relationships would be romantically because it was their bounds outside of it that really stood out. Bleach never was a shojo manga to begin with, so concerning oneself with that trouble did not seem as bright to him.
To him, there was always more to the story. There were personalities that needed to be explored and understood. Complicated relationships that were established could be further dissected and the overall action that surrounded it all. Romance was never his biggest concern.
Bleach, streaming on Hulu.
