Tite Kubo, the author of one of the big three anime, Bleach, has successfully put out 74 tankōbon volumes between January 2002 to November 4, 2016. The mangas having sold over 130 million volumes worldwide, the unique and appealing visuals with interesting world-building, with around 14 different story arcs make Kubo’s manga and anime one of the most beloved across the globe.
Among them the Arrancar arc seems to be one of the most intense arcs in the Bleach Series. But the arc that followed right after had a whole change of setting in the story. The 46-year-old would open up on the decision during an interview.
Tite Kubo explains his thought process for The Lost Agent arc in Bleach
The Lost Agent arc in Bleach followed the highly intense Arrancar arc. The arc felt like a breath of fresh air, especially after the long drawn-out fights in the previous arc. Tite Kubo made sure to delve into Ichigo’s human life in the arc as he struggled to get back his Shinigami Powers which he had lost after his fight against Aizen.
During an interview, Tite Kubo explained the thought process behind writing The Lost Agent arc. To everyone’s surprise, The 46-year-old mangaka claimed to have actually been trying to “reboot” what he had created with Bleach over his long time writing. In the interview with Viz, Kubo stated;
“In the story arc, I was trying to reboot and recreate what I have done in Bleach up until now. In Bleach chapter one, Ichigo gained the power of a Soul Reaper. But now that he has lost his power, Ichigo must get it back. It’s like starting all over. The Lost Agent arc is important because it leads into future chapters. “
Kubo managed to give the Bleach fans an interesting story plot to follow over the years. However, what sets Bleach apart from the rest is the amazing cast of characters. Here are three characters that fans just can’t get enough of.
3 characters in Bleach that make the manga better
1. Ichigo Kurosaki: The Substitute Shinigami and the main protagonist of the show himself! Ichigo really isn’t your typical Shounen hero. His character is brash, protective of his friends, even to a hilarious degree sometimes, and struggles to balance his human life with his supernatural duties. But his unwavering determination, inner strength, and that awesome Zangetsu, which is his soul-cutting sword, make him a character you can’t help but root for.
2. Sosuke Aizen: This former Captain of the 5th Division is the epitome of the charming villain. Aizen is intelligent, charismatic, and unsettlingly polite. Given that he masterfully manipulated all those around him, makes him a formidable opponent who throws the Soul Society into chaos. Aizen’s descent from being a respected leader to a villainous mastermind is not just captivating but chilling.
3. Uryu Ishida: Ichigo’s rival and fellow protector of Karakura Town, Uryu is a Quincy, a clan of warriors who use bows and arrows to combat Hollows. He’s a prodigy with great pride in his heritage. However, despite their initial clashes, Uryu and Ichigo develop a grudging respect for each other, forming a powerful alliance against common enemies. Uryu’s sharp wit, unwavering principles, and impressive archery skills make him a valuable addition to Bleach’s hero roster.
You can stream the Bleach series on HULU
Frequently asked questions
Which Bleach arc did Tite Kubo say he made to ‘reboot and recreate’ the series?
Tite Kubo was referring to the Lost Agent arc (also known as the Fullbring arc), which followed the Arrancar arc. In a Viz interview, Kubo said, ‘I was trying to reboot and recreate what I have done in Bleach up until now.’ Because Ichigo had lost his Soul Reaper powers after the fight with Aizen and had to win them back, the arc echoes chapter one, where Ichigo first gained those powers. Kubo described it as ‘like starting all over.’
Why did Tite Kubo strip Ichigo of his powers in the Lost Agent arc?
According to Kubo’s Viz interview, it was deliberate. By having Ichigo lose his Shinigami (Soul Reaper) powers after defeating Aizen and then work to regain them, Kubo recreated the journey from the manga’s beginning. He called the arc important because it ‘leads into future chapters,’ setting up later developments in the story.
How long did the Bleach manga run, and how popular is it?
Tite Kubo’s Bleach ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from August 2001 to August 2016, collected into 74 tankobon volumes, and has over 130 million copies in circulation worldwide. It is widely grouped with Naruto and One Piece as one of the ‘Big Three’ shonen series of its era.
