Why is Bleach Anime called Bleach?

Bleach is one of the most unique names in anime, but how did it originate? Discover the meaning behind the name and its origin.

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime
Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach has 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 why Bleach got so popular is its name. As a name that seems uncharacteristic of an anime, many have pondered the question – why is this anime called Bleach?

Bleach is a representation of the robes worn by Shinigamis and aims to find a contrast between Black and White. 

How did Bleach Get its Name?

Tite Kubo’s breakout hit Bleach was 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 on Bleach, 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

Sosuke Aizen as seen in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Sosuke Aizen as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (image via Studio Pierrot)

A very popular misconception about Bleach’s name 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 called Burn the Witch which 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 about Bleach‘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 Name Justified?

Now that we know how the name Bleach originated, it raises the question of whether it is justified. The answer to this is a resounding yes.

The story of Bleach follows Ichigo and his friends performing the duties of Soul Reapers and cleansing souls. On the other hand, Bleach refers 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 name Bleach is justified.

What is Bleach About?

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in the Bleach anime (image via Studio Pierrot)

For those unfamiliar, Bleach tells 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.

Where to Read and Watch Bleach?

Yhwach as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

You can read all 705 completed chapters of the Bleach manga on the Viz Shonen Jump Website and the MANGA Plus App.

The original Bleach anime has ended with 366 episodes. Its sequel, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War is ongoing with over 30 episodes. You can watch all episodes of Bleach and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.

Conclusion 

The title of Bleach is 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, though Bleach is 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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