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One of the most pressing questions Bleach fans may have had for a while is: What will happen after the Thousand-year Blood War arc's adaptation? Since it's the final arc of Tite Kubo's manga, and the author hasn't explicitly mentioned whether he would continue the series with the elusive Hell Arc, some fans might feel the series may just end after the ongoing adaptation.
Yet recently, a comment from Ichigo Kurosaki's voice actor, Masakazu Morita, has sparked an interesting debate on the franchise's future. While sharing his thoughts regarding the Thousand-year Blood War arc's anime adaptation on the series' official site, the voice actor urged fans not only to look forward to the fourth installment but also to the future of Bleach.
Masakazu Morita's comments suggest Tite Kubo, Pierrot, and possibly Shueisha may want to capitalize on the franchise's popularity and continue the series in some form or the other. It's highly possible that spin-off light novels, like We Do KNOT Always Love You, Can't Fear Your Own World, or Spirits Are Forever With You light novels may receive anime adaptations down the line.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW arc, Can't Fear Your Own World, and the one-shot, No Breaths from the Jaws of Hell.
Ichigo's VA, Masakazu Morita's message to fans hint at Bleach's future after Thousand-year Blood War anime
The resurgence of Bleach in the mainstream media has been nothing but sensational. After more than ten years, the series returned with the Thousand-year Blood War arc's adaptation in 2022 and garnered critical acclamation from both critics and fans alike. Studio Pierrot ensured the series would get a high-quality treatment and would remain faithful to Tite Kubo's original vision.
Consequently, Kubo got involved in the production and supervised many scenes, angles/plotlines, and created storyboards for never-seen-before scenes. It was revealed the Thousand-year Blood War arc would run for four installments. Undoubtedly, the production team left no stone unturned to ensure the final arc's adaptation would provide fans with a cinematic experience.
Especially, the latest or third installment increased the series' "cinematic quality" a notch higher, under Pierrot's subsidiary studio, Pierrot Films. Yet, amid the glory and fun, an apprehension might have gnawed at fans from behind, prompting them to ask: What will happen to Bleach once Thousand-year Blood War arc's adaptation ends?
Most fans would say, Bleach could return to Jump with the Hell Arc. It is perhaps the ideal choice, given Kubo has already teased a spectacular narrative with the one-shot, No Breaths from the Jaws of Hell. However, Kubo's lack of comment on the arc has somehow buried the idea for many fans.
Yet Interestingly, the voice actor of Ichigo Kurosaki, Masakazu Morita has made an intriguing comment on the official website of Bleach TYBW anime. Prior to explaining Morita-san's comment, readers must note that the anime's website had been sharing interviews with the staff and the cast members throughout the third installment's broadcast.
So, following the finale, the website shared an interview with Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki's VA) and Noriaki Sugiyama (Uryu Ishida's VA). The esteemed voice actors shared their views on the adaptation, how much they enjoyed voicing their respective characters, and revealed their thoughts on the relationship Ichigo and Uryu shared.
Toward the end, the voice actors were asked to say a few words to the fans who visited the anime's website. After expressing his thoughts regarding the anime's second and third cour (he mentioned how the second cour unraveled the feelings of each character, while the third installment probed into the conflict among the characters), Morita-san mentioned how the fourth installment will instill fans with exhilaration.
Right after that, Masakazu Morita asked fans to look forward to the fourth season and the future of Bleach. The last phrase is extremely important in the context of the series. Morita-san comment may have indirectly suggested the series won't just end with the Thousand-year Blood War arc's adaptation.
Several theories fans have had til now may just become a reality. This includes a remake of the Bleach anime, the anime adaptation of the spin-off light novels, i.e, Can't Fear Your Own World, We Do KNOT Always Love You, Spirits Are Forever With You, and possibly, the continuation of the manga in the form of Hell Arc.
Considering how popular the Thousand-year Blood War arc's adaptation has become, Shueisha and Pierrot may want to capitalize on the franchise's goodwill. In other words, the TYBW adaptation was perhaps a litmus test for the official staff, including Kubo, to know whether the series would benefit from further projects.
The DVD & Blu-ray sales has significantly boosted the chances for Bleach's continuation in the form of other mediums. For example, an anime adaptation of We Do Knot Always Love You could illustrate Rukia and Renji's wedding and the surrounding plot.
Likewise, Ryogo Narita's Can't Fear Your Own World light novel series' anime adaptation could work in favor of the series, as the events portrayed in the series basically take place after the Thousand-year Blood War arc. Although Ichigo is absent in the light novels, fans would certainly love to see the series' continuation.
However, the best way to maintain the series' relevance for the long term could be to announce Bleach anime remake. Recently, the official staff shared a special video to celebrate the franchise's 20th year anniversary. The video contained the iconic moments in modern animation.
As such, it would be fascinating to relive the experience of the original anime in modern animation. Additionally, the Thousand-year Blood War arc's anime adaptation should give Tite Kubo the impetus to continue the original manga, with the Hell Arc. Notably, the said arc has a lot of scope in terms of the narrative.
The arc could see Ichigo and his friends go to Hell, an unknown territory, and face new challenges. Additionally, from the No Breathes from the Jaws of Hell one-shot chapter, it's evident that Ichigo's son, Kazui could play a pivotal role in the arc.
However, the possibility of Bleach manga's continuation with Hell Arc could be a subject for the distant future, as Tite Kubo has another project, Burn the Witch, up on his sleeves. At any rate, it remains to be seen how Kubo and Shueisha plan to prolong the franchise's relevance for the long term.
Conclusion
Masakazu Morita's comments have certainly ignited various possibilities concerning the Bleach franchise's future. Considering the series has generated positive responses from fans with the Thousand-year Blood War arc's anime adaptation, it would be wise for Shueisha and Tite Kubo to prolong its popularity with the necessary means.
Also read:
- Bleach TYBW part 3 finale review: Pierrot Films saves the best for the last
- Tite Kubo's new illustration for Furofushi Saito is the biggest hint for Bleach Hell Arc yet
- Where does Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 leave off in the manga? Explained
