Could Bleach Be Getting a Remake?

by

Could Bleach Be Getting a Remake?

Key Takeaways

  • Era of remakes & sequels: Anime industry trends mirror Hollywood with remaking classic series.
  • Speculation on Bleach project: Fans eagerly anticipate remake for 20th anniversary.
  • Possibility of movie: Studio Pierrot may release a Bleach movie in line with the current anime landscape.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of anime-watching under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when it comes to the current trend of remakes and sequels. It seems like we’ve traveled back in time to the 80s and 90s, only this time in an animated world filled with nostalgia trips.

During the pre-screening of the first two episodes of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 anime, Studio Pierrot unveiled a new short teaser and a gorgeous key visual designed by Masashi Kudo for the 20th anniversary of the original anime. It had been previously announced that there’s something in the works for the occasion, which has fans speculating. The original Bleach anime is an example of a very lackluster adaptation of an iconic manga, just like it was for its two other Big 3 siblings, One Piece and Naruto.

Given the prevalence of anime remakes in today’s era, could it be that Studio Pierrot might be developing a remake of the classic Bleach series? Alternatively, could this just be another commercial venture or exhibition event, similar to past occurrences?

The Current Era of Anime Looks Familiar

Tons of Remakes, Tons of Sequels

Over the past few years, the anime industry has undergone a unique transformation. Many beloved old anime series have been reimagined, with varying levels of achievement. Most of these revivals are based on ’80s and ’90s originals. Notably, David Production, the team behind “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” has worked on both the “Captain Tsubasa” and “Urusei Yatsura” remakes.

Two cherished ’80s anime series: These two pieces didn’t gain widespread popularity, but were fondly embraced by fans. Liden Films brought us a remake of the iconic Shōnen series, “Rurouni Kenshin,” which, although superbly crafted, received mixed reviews because of the controversy surrounding its creator Nobuhiro Watsuki, an unfortunate stigma that has impacted the show’s reputation. On the horizon, there’s a remake of Rumiko Takahashi’s classic, “Ranma 1/2.” Additionally, fans eagerly await the remake of “One Piece,” produced by WIT Studio.

In recent times, the world of anime has been following the pattern of remakes popular in Hollywood and video games. This trend includes revamps of timeless anime series from past decades. However, the One Piece remake stirs some debate since the original series is yet to conclude, raising questions about its necessity. On the other hand, iconic shows like Black Butler, Spice and Wolf, Devil is a Part-Timer, and Bleach have received legacy sequels.

Bleach 20th Anniversary Anime Project

Remake or Movie? Or Just A Special Event?

Could Bleach Be Getting a Remake?

For some time now, Studio Pierrot and author Tite Kubo have been discussing a unique project in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original anime. This has sparked much speculation among fans about what this project might entail. While there’s certainly a lot of hopeful anticipation from fans, it’s important to note that the original anime was often criticized by dedicated manga readers for its subpar adaptation. The animation quality was questioned, there were excessive amounts of filler episodes, and most significantly, key characters like Orihime Inoue were severely misrepresented. Fans are yearning for a reboot that faithfully adapts the classic manga.

Contrarily to some speculations, the official announcements label this as an “anime” project, sparking curiosity among fans. They are not expecting another merchandise launch or art exhibition given the pattern of past anniversary projects for popular series. Instead, they anticipate it could be a new movie or even a complete revamp of the series. It’s surprising to consider a Bleach remake given its age, only being 20 years old. However, with the emergence of numerous remakes lately, particularly a One Piece remake, which is still ongoing, this possibility seems more plausible.

In recent times, Studio Pierrot has gone through some transformations. They established a new subsidiary called Pierrot Films to produce Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War. Interestingly, they abandoned the weekly format for Boruto and Black Clover, instead focusing on more serious production methods. This shift in approach could be attributed to the phenomenal success of series like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, which seem to have served as inspiration.

It’s highly possible that a Bleach film will happen, and it seems to be the most likely of the two possibilities. In recent times, anime movies have gained significant importance, as seen with the success of films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Train. The Evangelion series was concluded as movies, Jujutsu Kaisen had its prequel transformed into a movie, and now Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters is being edited into a film based on their two final specials. Given this trend, a Bleach movie seems quite logical in the current scene.

There seems to be considerable indication that a remake or film adaptation is in the works. It’s just a question of when Studio Pierrot and Tite Kubo officially reveal the details behind their upcoming project.

Read More

2024-09-25 20:03