Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2001, the manga series Bleach has become one of the best-selling series in history, with over 120 million volumes sold. During the Jump Festa 2022 event, it was announced that the manga’s final story arc, the Thousand Year Blood War, would receive an anime adaptation in October 2022. Along with the good news, a teaser visual and teaser trailer were announced. Comments from the main staff have also been released!

The new visual shows protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, wearing a torn version of his Soul Reaper uniform as he holds his Zanpakuto. 

The teaser video for Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War features looks at the main cast of the series at the time of the anime series’ conclusion. Protagonist and Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, his friends Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Soul Reapers Rukia, Yoruichi, Urahara, and Renji are featured. We also get a glimpse of captains Byakuya Kuchiki, Soi Fon, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Rose Otorimashi, Sajin Komamura, Jushiro Ukitake, Retsu Unohana, Kenpachi Zaraki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Shunsui Kyoraku, and Genryusai Yamamoto. The antagonist this time around is Quincy King Yhwach. If the music sounds familiar, it’s a new rendition of “Number One,” an iconic Bleach theme. 

Tomohisa Taguchi will direct the series, while Shiro Sagisu is returning to compose the music. Studio Pierrot will be in charge of the new arc.

Comments from Main Staff and Illustrators

Based on the Series by Tite Kubo

Comment from Tomohisa Taguchi (Director)

“I’m incredibly honored to contribute to such an incredible piece of work. I was just another reader when the manga series was first published, and I can remember thinking how amazed I was that something so cool existed. The staff and I are working hard every day to bring audiences the most exciting animation possible. Although there’s still some time to wait before the anime premieres, please look forward to it!”

Comment from Masashi Kudo (Character Designer)

“10 years. 

Since the series ended years ago, I’ve heard a single question not only from fans in Japan but from fans around the world. 

‘Will the series ever continue?’ 

For years, I could only respond with ‘I don’t know.’ 

After answering that way for so many years, I finally have a different response. 

‘Yes, more episodes of Bleach are coming!’”

Comment from Shiro Sagisu (Composer) 

“When I create music for Bleach, all the sounds just come pouring into my head as if they were coming from Soul Society. Now, all I have to do is keep listening and get it done. I don’t write music. The songs simply tell me ‘this is how I want to be written.’ 

Now, it’s time for me to experience that incredible feeling once again!” 

©久保帯人／集英社・テレビ東京・ｄｅｎｔｓｕ・ぴえろ

The Bleach Fair will take place at KIDDY LAND stores in Harajuku, Umeda, Kobe and Ikebukuro from July 14 to July 27. Fans can look forward to getting their hands on exclusive superdeformed merchandise of their favourite characters.

Bleach is a Japanese manga series created by Tite Kubo. It was serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump and ran for 15 years from 2001 through 2016. As of 2018, the manga has hold over 120 million copies worldwide. It has received many adaptations including an anime series, game, theatre production, novel and more. A live action movie is scheduled to be released in Japan on July 20, 2018.

To celebrate the release of the new Bleach movie, KIDDY LAND will focus on selling cute limited-edition merchandise, have early releases of forthcoming merchandise, give out bonuses to those who spend a certain amount, and more.

Those who spend over ¥1,000 (including tax) at participating stores will receive a sticker randomly selected from a possible 10 designs.

Limited Edition Merchandise

Mini Character Acrylic Keyrings (10 Designs) – ¥700 +tax each (Sold randomly – designs cannot be chosen)

Mini Character Badges (10 Designs) – ¥300 +tax each (Sold randomly – designs cannot be chosen)

Mini Character Lunch Tote Bag (2 Designs) ¥1,200 +tax each

Early Releases

Giant Badges (10 Designs) – ¥400 +tax each (Sold randomly – designs cannot be chosen)

Plate Netsuke – ¥400 +tax

Micro Fibre Hand Towel (4 Designs) – ¥1,500 +tax each

Lots of other merchandise will be sold too, so be sure to head to the Bleach Fair this summer!