Key Insights from Masakazu Morita on BLEACH
- Masakazu Morita shares reflections on collaborating with Tite Kubo during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
- The voice actor reveals his evolving technique of portraying Ichigo, introducing a deeper vocal tone to better personify the character.
- Meaningful interactions with fans, including inspiring a young admirer to pursue firefighting, fuel Morita’s dedication to his role as Ichigo.
The recent 2024 New York Comic Con, held in October, showcased highlights such as the BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War panel. This engaging discussion eluded to the experiences of voice actors from Tite Kubo’s seminal work as they reflected on their contributions to the series’ grand finale. The event marked a significant celebration of the anime’s 20th anniversary in the United States. During the LA Fireside Chat, veteran voice actor Masakazu Morita, who lends his voice to the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, shared insights about his journey throughout the production of the beloved series.
Morita’s fondest memory from the Thousand-Year Blood War arc resonates powerfully with fans, particularly those who might have grievances about the series’ past adaptations. Curious about his cherished moments, Morita expressed how the essence of BLEACH has evolved alongside his personal growth.
Kubo-sensei’s Influence on the Production
Morita Revels in Kubo’s Directive Input
During the dialogue, when prompted about his most memorable discovery while dubbing BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, Morita emphasized that his greatest takeaway was the active involvement of series mastermind Tite Kubo. This connection has been pivotal, facilitating direct interactions, especially during recording sessions.
Kubo’s presence has been felt throughout the production; he attended recording sessions remotely for Part 1 and was physically present for Part 2. Morita expressed how this direct access to Kubo’s insights was “a huge help”in refining his portrayal.
At the LA Fireside Chat, Morita addressed his evolving vocal technique, revealing that his original depiction of Ichigo stemmed from a vision to match the character but lacked a deeper connection. Recently, he feels closer to achieving the embodiment of Ichigo and demonstrated this by showcasing how his vocal timbre has deepened.
“I believe within every fan lies an Ichigo, a Rukia, or an Uryu. We will continue striving to uphold BLEACH in your memories for years to come,”Morita stated, resonating the heartfelt dedication he carries for his role.
Morita’s Most Cherished Experiences
Impact of BLEACH on Fans’ Lives
At the LA Fireside Chat, Morita fondly recalled memorable exchanges with dedicated fans during Anime Expo 2023, emphasizing how deeply they’ve connected with the series. Many conveyed that their lifelong admiration for BLEACH characters inspired them to protect and uplift others.
In an emotional encounter at AX 2023, Morita met a fan moved to tears, who shared that his resolve to become a firefighter was ignited by Ichigo’s protective spirit. These impactful moments have permeated Morita’s experience throughout two decades of voicing Ichigo Kurosaki, using this positive feedback to enhance his dedication to the character.
Don’t miss out on the latest episodes of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3, available exclusively on Hulu and Disney+.
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