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Tite Kubo's latest illustration for Furofushi Saito, the first Captain of Gotei 13's 6th Division, has sparked new speculations on Bleach Hell Arc's future. The renowned mangaka has drawn the visual as part of a special project with the fashion brand, Maison Margiela. The December 2024 issue of UOMO Magazine shared the full illustration on October 24, 2024.
Without a doubt, Tite Kubo could have used any other character from his magnum opus for the project. However, he chose to draw a least likely character, who has connections to the speculated narrative for Bleach Hell Arc. Kubo's decision strongly suggests it's a marketing strategy to heighten the anticipation for the eagerly anticipated arc.
Disclaimer: This article contains author's opinions and spoilers from the series.
Exploring Tite Kubo's latest illustration of Furofushi Saito for Maison Margiela and why it's a sign for Bleach Hell Arc
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Recently, a collaboration was announced between mangaka Tite Kubo and the luxury fashion brand, Maison Margelia. According to the collaboration, Kubo's new illustrations will be featured in a window installation at Dover Street Market, Ginza, Japan, from October 26, 2024, to November 24, 2024.
Interestingly, just days before the project's beginning, on October 23, 2024, Tite Kubo's official X (formerly Twitter) handle shared a new illustration of Furofushi Saito, the first Soul Reaper Captain of the original Gotei 13's 6th Division (currently helmed by Byakuya Kuchiki in the Thousand-year Blood War arc).
The tweet only shared a close-up version of the original illustration, which was eventually released on October 24, 2024, in UOMO Magazine's December 2024 issue. The magazine unveiled the full visual, showcasing Furofushi Saito in fashionable ensembles, with a long-sleeved olive green crop top, a corset belt, and a black tight skirt.
She has her hair styled in pig-tails and carries her Zankaputo, sheathed in a lavender casing. Furofushi also has her eye patch on and wears a mischievous smile on her face. Undoubtedly, the visual reflects Tite Kubo's fashion sense, and at the same time, heightens the anticipation for Bleach Hell Arc.
So, the question is, why does Tite Kubo's new visual for Furofushi Saito signal the possibility of Bleach Hell Arc? As fans would recall, Kubo had never properly introduced the original Gotei 13 members in the manga, prior to the Thousand-Year Blood War arc's adaptation.
During the broadcast of Bleach Thousand-year Blood War anime's first cour, Kubo released the character designs and names for every original Gotei 13 member. Those characters eventually featured in one of the flashback scenes in the anime, showcasing their onslaught against Yhwach and the Quincies in the Quincy vs. Soul Reapers war a thousand years ago.
Although it wasn't specified how or whether those characters died, fans speculated Kubo may eventually bring them back for the Bleach Hell Arc. If some of those characters had truly died, a new arc would have a great way to introduce them.
According to the one-shot chapter (Bleach: No Breathes from Hell), released to commemorate the series' 20th-year anniversary, the souls of the beings with high Spiritual Pressure or Reiatsu, such as Captains or Arrancars, are sent to Hell after their demise to maintain the world's balance.
The one-shot chapter confirmed that Jushiro Ukitake, who died in the Thousand-year Blood War arc, was sent to Hell. Likewise, it's possible that the other Captain level characters, like Genryusai Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana, were sent to the same place.
As such, it won't be farfetched to assume that the members of the Original Gotei 13, who died during their tenure, must have been sent to Hell as well. In that case, a Bleach Hell Arc would be the best way to introduce those characters. Now, the latest Furofushi Saito illustration has nicely set up the arc's future.
It seems strange for Kubo to use Furofushi Saito, an arguably off-beat character from the series, to feature in a special collaboration with a big fashion brand such as Maison Margiela, if not for marketing purpose for Bleach Hell Arc. It's not that Kubo has less popular female characters in the series.
From Rukia Kuchiki to Rangiku Matsumoto, Tite Kubo's magnum opus has an array of widely-popular female characters. Therefore, the fact that he used Furofushi Saito for the special project, seems to a hint that Bleach Hell Arc might not be that far than fans realize.
Conclusion
Fans have been waiting with bated breath for Bleach Hell Arc. Although it's not confirmed whether the mangaka would follow up his one-shot chapter with such an arc, the possibilities in terms of the narrative are immense.
Aside from featuring the original Gotei 13 members, including Furofushi Saito, the arc could mark the return of other familiar characters, including Ulquiorra Cifer, Stark, and others. Now it remains to be seen whether or not the arc gets green-lit.
Also read:
- Tite Kubo's latest comment gives hope for Bleach Hell Arc
- Bleach TYBW part 3 all but confirms Hell Arc
- Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 complete release schedule
