Manga of the Week: Bleach FAQ

HAS THE BLEACH MANGA ENDED?

Yes, the Bleach manga has ended. The final chapter was published in August 2016, bringing the series to a close after a run of over 15 years. While the ending was somewhat controversial among fans, it provided closure for the various plot threads and character arcs that had been established throughout the series. With a total of 74 volumes, the Bleach manga is a complete and comprehensive story that remains beloved by fans to this day. And with the anime set to return with a new adaptation of the manga's final arc, it's a great time to revisit the series or discover it for the first time.

IS THE BLEACH ANIME BACK?

Yes, the Bleach anime is back! In March 2020, it was announced that the anime would be returning to adapt the final arc of the manga, which was not included in the original anime series. This news was met with excitement from fans who had been waiting for years to see the conclusion of the story animated. The new anime adaptation, titled "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc," is set to premiere in 2021 and will cover the events of the manga's final arc, which takes place after the defeat of the main villain Aizen. With new animation and updated character designs, the return of the Bleach anime is sure to be a treat for fans of the series.

WHY DID THE BLEACH ANIME GET CANCELLED?

The Bleach anime ended its run in March 2012 due to a combination of factors. One of the primary reasons was that the anime had caught up to the manga, which meant that there was no more source material to adapt. Instead of creating filler arcs that were not canon to the original story, the producers of the anime decided to put the series on hiatus until more manga chapters were available. However, the manga's final arc was not completed until August 2016, meaning that there was a gap of four years between the end of the anime and the conclusion of the manga. Additionally, there were reportedly issues with the production company, Studio Pierrot, and their relationship with the manga's author, Tite Kubo. These issues may have contributed to the decision to end the anime rather than continue producing filler episodes. Despite the hiatus and eventual cancellation of the anime, Bleach remains one of the most popular and influential anime series of the 2000s, and its impact can still be seen in the genre today.

WHY IS BLEACH CALLED BLEACH

The exact reason why the Bleach anime and manga are called "Bleach" is not entirely clear, as the author, Tite Kubo, has not given a definitive explanation. However, there are a few theories about the origins of the name. One popular theory is that the title is a reference to the fact that the protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki, has white hair, which may be reminiscent of bleach. Another theory is that the name comes from the idea of purifying or cleansing, which is a recurring theme in the series. In Japanese, the word for bleach is "burīchi," which sounds similar to "Bleach" in English. It's possible that Kubo chose the name for its sound and connotations, rather than a specific meaning. Whatever the reason for the title, it has become synonymous with the series and is instantly recognizable to fans around the world.

GET YOUR COPIES OF BLEACH TODAY