Ichigo VA Masakazu Morita Recounts His Best Memory of Working on BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War

by

Key Takeaways

  • Voice actor Masakazu Morita reflects on working with BLEACH creator Tite Kubo for the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
  • Morita’s evolving approach to voicing Ichigo includes using a deeper voice and aiming to embody the character better.
  • Cherished interactions with fans, including inspiring a fan to become a firefighter, motivate Morita’s performance as Ichigo.

As a lifelong Bleach fanatic who’s grown up with Ichigo Kurosaki as my spiritual guide, hearing Masakazu Morita talk about his experiences voicing the character is like listening to an old friend share tales of their adventures. The man behind the voice has always been such a humble and dedicated individual, pouring his heart into every line he delivers.

At the New York Comic Con held in October 2024, one of the main attractions was a panel for “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War,” where voice actors from Tite Kubo’s renowned work shared their experiences working on the series’ concluding arc. The anime adaptation has been commemorating its 20th anniversary with a nationwide tour across the U.S., and Masakazu Morita, who lends his voice to protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, discussed his personal thoughts and favorite memories of working on the “Thousand-Year Blood War” arc at a VIZ Media interview. At a subsequent LA Fireside Chat event, the seasoned voice actor reminisced about how his vocal abilities had evolved over the past two decades while being part of the production.

Among the many rewarding experiences Morita had while working on “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War,” there’s one specific aspect that is bound to bring joy to fans, especially those who may have harbored disappointment over the initial handling of the “BLEACH” anime. So, what stood out most to Ichigo during the return of “BLEACH”?

Kubo-sensei’s Involvement

Morita Relishes Receiving Guidance From the Author of BLEACH

When asked about his most treasured recollection while working on BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, Morita found himself unable to pinpoint a specific “discovery” as such, since he doesn’t consider his favorite aspect of the project as something newly discovered. Instead, what stands out most to him is the active participation of the series creator, Tite Kubo, in the production process.

As per Morita’s statement, Kubo has been deeply engaged in the making of the series, participating remotely during the recording sessions for the initial part and physically present during all voice recordings for Part 2. For Morita, having the opportunity to ask Kubo questions directly during these recording sessions was extremely beneficial.

During a recent Q&A session at Japan House in Los Angeles, known as the LA Fireside Chat, Morita discussed his evolving vocal style and portrayal of Ichigo. Initially, the voice was tailored to suit the character, but Morita felt it didn’t fully capture Ichigo’s essence at that point.

Even though he hasn’t quite reached the desired level of performance, he believes he’s getting closer to the perfect voice for the character. To showcase this improvement, particularly his ability to reach lower tones, he utilized the well-known phrase “BAN-KAI,” pausing dramatically between syllables, a trait that truly embodies Ichigo’s voice.

I believe that within each of you, there lies a character from Bleach – be it Ichigo, Rukia, or Uryu. With our continued efforts, we’ll strive to make this season and the next even more captivating. Our hope is that Bleach remains a cherished memory in your hearts for all time.

– Masakazu Morita, voice actor of BLEACH protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki

Morita’s Most Cherished Moments

What Fans Take Away From BLEACH

At the LA Fireside Chat previously mentioned, Morita offered some thoughts to fans of the series, reminiscing about special moments with fans at Anime Expo 2023 that he deeply valued and respected. Enthusiastic fans shared how they had been following BLEACH since their childhood, and found inspiration in the show’s characters, dedicating their lives to helping, nurturing, or leading others as a result.

During AX 2023 autograph sessions, Morita encountered a tearful man who admitted to being inspired by Ichigo’s determination to protect others and his unwavering gaze when he senses danger. These heartfelt fan encounters are among Morita’s most cherished moments in the two decades he’s played Ichigo Kurosaki, and he plans to harness that enthusiasm to enrich his portrayal of the beloved character moving forward.

The currently-airing BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 is available on Hulu and Disney+.

Read More

2024-11-13 23:34