Bleach is one of the most unique names in anime, but how did it originate? Discover the meaning behind the name and its origin.
Bleachhas become extremely popular as part of the Big Three anime and has blown fans away with its likable characters, intense fights and memorable soundtracks.
A massive reason whyBleachgot so popular is its name. As a name that seems uncharacteristic of an anime, many have pondered the question – why is this anime calledBleach?
Bleachis a representation of the robes worn by Shinigamis and aims to find a contrast between Black and White.
How didBleachGet its Name?
Tite Kubo’s breakout hitBleachwas originally inspired by the legend of the Japanese Death Gods, Shinigami. He decided to create this series, being awed by the soul-collecting powers of the Shinigami.
Fans might be surprised to know that the original protagonist of the series was not meant to be Ichigo, but rather Rukia Kuchiki. As the first character he designed, Rukia was made to wear a robe of Black and White, depicting the Shinigami.
Hence, when thinking of a name for the series, Kubo initially thought of “Black” and later changed it to “White.” However, neither name satisfied him completely. Finally, he settled onBleach, which could easily be associated with White and symbolize the transformation from Black.
Fans also agree that Bleach symbolizes the soul’s cleansing, which is also a duty of the Shinigami. While being metaphorical, it captures the essence of a “transformation from Black to White.”
Common Misconceptions About Bleach’s Name in the Fandom
A very popular misconception aboutBleach’sname in the fandom is that it was named after a music album. Tite Kubo’s favorite music band is Nirvana, and his favorite album from the band is also titled Bleach.
This comes from the fact that Kubo has another manga calledBurn the Witchwhich derived its name from a Radiohead song. However, apart from him being a fan of music, there are no other facts or evidence to support this theory.
Other popular theories aboutBleach‘s title include connections to Ichigo’s “bleached” hair color or the use of black-and-white colors in the manga. Since Rukia was the story’s original protagonist, the name is likely not based on Ichigo’s design. Additionally, almost all manga are written and drawn in black and white, which massively reduces the chances of this theory being true.
Is the NameJustified?
Now that we know how the nameBleachoriginated, it raises the question of whether it is justified. The answer to this is a resounding yes.
The story ofBleachfollows Ichigo and his friends performing the duties of Soul Reapers and cleansing souls. On the other hand,Bleachrefers to purifying something corrupted.
The Black and White Soul Reaper uniforms add to the series’ aesthetic appeal.
Since the name is abstract enough to awaken curiosity but has an equally convincing reason behind it, the nameBleachis justified.
What isBleach About?
For those unfamiliar,Bleachtells the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a young boy with the ability to see ghosts. His life changes when Rukia grants him powers of a Soul Reaper, tasking him with guiding souls to the afterlife.
With dangerous Hollow Spirits and the Soul Society threatening his loved ones, Ichigo embarks on a journey to master his newfound powers and face powerful enemies.
Bleach deals with themes ranging from courage, friendship, and loss while featuring explosive action sequences. The series pays homage to several cultures e.g. Hispanic and German.
you may read all 705 completed chapters of the Bleach manga on theViz Shonen Jump Websiteand theMANGA Plus App.
The originalBleachanime has ended with 366 episodes. Its sequel,Bleach: Thousand Year Blood Waris ongoing with over 30 episodes. You can watch all episodes ofBleach and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood Waron Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.
Conclusion
The title ofBleachis undoubtedly among the most distinctive in the anime industry and completely captures viewers’ attention. It is simplistic, unique, and symbolic of what fans can expect when diving into a series.
Although fans have various assumptions about the title, Kubo’s vision helps them understand the series’ intended meaning on a deeper scale. Ironically, thoughBleachis en route to being one of the most iconic names in anime, Kubo had reservations on whether the show would cut it, owing to its plain title.
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