Unveiling the Truth: The Untold Story Behind the Original Bleach Anime's Sudden Conclusion

Once a dominating force in the anime world, Tite Kubo's Bleach anime held its ground as one of the Big Three alongside One Piece and Naruto. However, various factors led to its downfall, ultimately resulting in its abrupt conclusion in 2012.

Questions surrounding the cancellation of the series arose, leaving fans pondering whether it was indeed canceled or not. This topic has only further intrigued fans, especially with the recent release of the Bleach TYBW anime.

Exploring the reasons why the original Bleach anime was canceled

Fans would love to be aware that the initial Bleach anime never had plans to be discontinued, but instead, it experienced a lengthy hiatus that ultimately resulted in its cancellation.

The cancellation of the original Bleach anime is often attributed to poor sales and ratings, a view shared by many fans. However, the actual reason behind its discontinuation goes beyond these factors. Surprisingly, the anime was never intended to be axed but rather went on an extended hiatus, which ultimately resulted in the series being canceled.

So, what led to the original Bleach anime going on hiatus initially? The primary factor behind this decision was the scarcity of manga content available for adaptation. To ensure a satisfactory anime adaptation, an animation studio needs a sufficient amount of source material. However, the anime series was rapidly closing in on the manga, leaving little room for further progression.

Ichigo, as seen in Bleach (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Consequently, Studio Pierrot found themselves compelled to invest in the production of filler episodes. Remarkably, these fillers accounted for over 45 percent of the total episodes in the series, leading to a consistent decline in viewership. These filler episodes frequently diverted attention from the main storyline, making it challenging for the audience to stay engaged.

Despite this setback, Studio Pierrot opted against abruptly concluding the series. They chose to continue with the Bleach anime, fully aware of its esteemed reputation and immense popularity. However, the final arc of the original anime, known as the Lost Agent Arc, failed to generate the same level of enthusiasm as the Arrancar Saga, ultimately contributing to the series meeting its demise.

This image features Ichigo from the anime series Bleach, produced by Studio Pierrot.

During this period, the anime had nearly reached the same point as the manga. It was during the adaptation of the Lost Agent Arc that Studio Pierrot made the decision to temporarily pause the series. They also notified Tite Kubo, the creator, who then used this opportunity to work on the Thousand Year Blood-War arc with more creative freedom.

The BlueRay sales steadily declined during the hiatus, causing many fans of the Bleach anime to abandon the series altogether. It was eventually confirmed that the show had been canceled, although neither Kubo nor Studio Pierrot officially confirmed this fact.

Ichigo in Bleach TYBW (Image via Studio Pierrot)

However, the truth remains that the lengthy absence ultimately led to the show's demise. Nevertheless, the series continued to garner a strong following from fans across the globe. Even after the anime came to an end, fans eagerly awaited the weekly release of the manga in Shonen Jump.

Following the conclusion of the manga, numerous fans turned their attention to various other forms of Bleach-related media. All of these instances serve as evidence that the passion for the Bleach anime never waned. Despite a gradual decline in viewership and sales for the original anime, fans never lost faith in the possibility of its return.

The long-awaited moment came when the final arc of Bleach was officially announced to be adapted into an anime series. The overwhelming excitement from fans was a testament to the ongoing popularity and enduring legacy of Tite Kubo's masterpiece. It solidified its place as one of the Big Three alongside One Piece and Naruto.

Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2023 progresses.

Editor's P/S

The article "Unveiling the Truth: The Untold Story Behind the Original Bleach Anime's Sudden Conclusion" provides an in-depth analysis of the factors that led to the abrupt conclusion of the once-dominant anime series Bleach. The article highlights the scarcity of manga content, the overreliance on filler episodes, and the decline in viewership and sales as key reasons for the anime's cancellation.

As a passionate fan of Bleach, I found the article to be both informative and thought-provoking. It sheds light on the challenges faced by the animation studio, Studio Pierrot, in adapting the manga series into an anime. The article also highlights the dedication of the fans who remained loyal to the series despite its flaws.

Overall, I believe that the article provides a valuable perspective on the behind-the-scenes factors that contributed to the cancellation of the original Bleach anime. It is a must-read for any fan who wants to understand the reasons behind the series' sudden conclusion.