One of the Big 3 and most beloved shonen anime, Bleach is based on Tite Kubo’s original manga series. It’s been more than seven years since Bleach ended its manga, but fans continue to engage in conversation about the departure of the shonen series.
After a fifteen-year run, Tite Kubo brought his acclaimed series to a close within the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. Yet, there was speculation among many whether the magazine and its publisher hurried the storyline’s conclusion. However, in one interview with Kubo, fans have learned that was not the case.
The controversial ending of Bleach has a real-life explanation that will break fans’ hearts. With the recent arrival of the Bleach anime, specifically the adaptation of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, gaining prominence, there is an increased significance in comprehending the precise reasons behind how Bleach concluded.
Was Tite Kubo Forced to End Bleach Manga Early?
Upon the conclusion of the Bleach manga in 2016, fans of the series found themselves with a sense of disappointment. The anime had ended four years earlier marking a rare instance of an anime adaptation concluding before the source manga.
The final arc of the manga, the Thousand-Year Blood War, is often regarded as one of the weakest, owing to its numerous plot holes, underdeveloped characters, and unresolved narrative threads, especially following the initial Quincy invasion of Soul Society.
Fans are aware that, in 2015, author Tite Kubo was given by publisher Shueisha one year to conclude the manga, but the details of why that happened are still vague, and many theories have cropped up over the years. A prevalent misconception is that Kubo was forced by Shueisha to end the manga due to poor sales, but the truth is very different.
Tite Kubo’s Health is the Reason Why Bleach Ended So Badly
In an interview with TBS Radio, the manga creator revealed details about his extensive profession, and he tackled the ongoing controversy regarding the conclusion of Bleach.
Technically, Bleach concluded precisely as Kubo intended. The ultimate arc followed particular storyline points and ultimately resolved longstanding inquiries. However, the story’s pace was hurried because Kubo prematurely ended Bleach due to his declining health.
According to Kubo, he didn’t sense any pressure from Shonen Jump to end Bleach prematurely. If the decision had been made, Bleach would have wrapped up considerably earlier than anticipated. The only reason why Kubo pushed himself to keep writing and drawing Bleach was because he wanted to conclude his manga on a high note that he would be proud of.
Source: Comic Book