Fact Check: Is Sosuke Aizen from Bleach based on Tite Kubo's father?

Mangaka Tite Kubo is celebrating his 47th birthday on June 26, 2024, and Bleach fans only have admiration for him. However, on the eve of his birthday, an alleged letter from sensei's father, "Noriaki Kubo," has been circulating online, which suggests that Sosuke Aizen, the major antagonist of the series, is based on Tite Kubo's father.

The alleged letter further hints that the much-desired Bleach: Hell Arc is in the works. Undoubtedly, the post has been making rounds on X and Reddit, with fans wondering about its authenticity.

They should know that the letter is fake, and Noriaki Kubo is the original name of Tite Kubo, with the latter being his pen name. In other words, Sosuke Aizen is not based on Tite Kubo's father, and an official confirmation regarding the Bleach: Hell Arc is yet to come. Follow along with this article to learn more about the viral claim.

Bleach: Debunking the myth about Sosuke Aizen being based on Tite Kubo's father

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The rumor about Sosuke Aizen being based on the Bleach mangaka, Tite Kubo's father started after a renowned Arabian fan of the series, @IchigoTaicho9, shared a tweet on X. The post contained a letter from Kubo's father, "Noriaki Kubo," in Arabic, which follows as thus when translated into English:

"Dear Tate, happy 47th birthday, my dear son!, it fills my heart with joy and great pride to see the wonderful person you have become. Your creativity, dedication, and passion have not only brought joy to millions of fans around the world, but also made me the proudest father."

The alleged letter continues:

"Your journey as an artist has been nothing short of inspiring, and I am always amazed by your accomplishments and the beautiful worlds you create. I also want to thank you for the special honor you gave me by putting me in the story of Aizen. Your addition to me is a unique and dear honor that means a lot to me."

The letter adds:

"As you celebrate this special day, know that I am always here, cheering you on and proud of every step you take. I'm vey excited for the Hell Arc, so don't take too long. May this year bring you more success, happiness, and unforgettable moments." - from @IchigoTaicho9, X

The letter suggests that the Bleach creator, Tite Kubo, took his father as inspiration while creating the character of Sosuke Aizen, the major antagonist of the series. Additionally, the letter's content hints that Kubo is working on the Hell Arc.

However, as mentioned earlier, none of these two facts are true. Firstly, Noriaki Kubo isn't Tite Kubo's father, but the mangaka's original name. "Tite" is Kubo's pen name, one with which most fans are familiar.

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Secondly, the letter is a prank created by the said user, which went viral among Western fans. Kubo hasn't revealed in any interview whether Sosuke Aizen is based on a real-life person.

As such, without any verifiable proof, it cannot be said that Sosuke Aizen from Bleach is based on Kubo's father. Moreover, Kubo hasn't revealed whether or not he plans to continue with the Hell Arc after publishing the one-shot Howl from the Jaws of Hell.

Howl from the Jaws of Hell one-shot chapter (Image via Tite Kubo/Shueisha)

That said, there's a good chance the author may continue, especially if the Thousand-Year Blood War arc's anime adaptation generates exceptional feedback from fans.

When once asked whether he would continue the Hell arc in his Klab Outside forum, Kubo explicitly stated that he didn't like drawing when being told to. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the author picks up his pen again to draw the familiar characters one more time.