Interviews with Kubo Tite?

[Riekie]

Aww so cute to see him, he looks good! not as skinny as last time i remember. thank you so much for posting<3

[Enth]

This isn't really an interview, but an article of Kubo being asked questions by fans at a Comic-con panel, but it's very interesting all the same :) I've bolded the bits Kubo says, and I've underlined one part that made me really happy to know;

After a brief introduction by the Viz staff, questions written by panel attendees were read to Kubo-san. When asked to give his impressions of Comic-Con and America, he said "Compared to Japanese events it's immensely huge.

This is my first time in America as well as abroad. For this I obtained my passport!" When asked if he'd done any drawing or work on Bleach while he was in San Diego, Kubo was quick to joke "I work hard in Japan so I can come here!"

As a special treat to panel attendees, a visual tour of Kubo-san's studio was presented. Fans were held in awe of the nearly 2000 CD's in his collection. "I choose the music" he said with authority when asked who controls what his assistants listen to while working. Fans also got a good laugh about the extra clean kitchen on the premises. "It's very clean because we don't cook!" he laughed.

After the tour was over, it was back to the Q&A. When asked what he might have chosen as a career had he not become a manga artist, he responded "I decided to become a manga artist when I was in elementary school, so when you ask about other careers, I really don't have one." He also had a lot of advice for aspiring manga creators: "Believe in your talent, no matter what others may say. It is important for others to enjoy it, so you must enjoy it. If not, you're being dishonest."

The questions then turned to Bleach. Where did the inspiration come from? "I wanted to draw Soul Reapers wearing kimonos. Rukia at first wasn't wearing a kimono, so I put her in one. Bleach grew out of that." One attendee asked about Chad's Mexican background. "It wasn't intentional," Kubo replied. "When I first started drawing Chad, it just seemed that he should come from a Mexican heritage." When asked why he created the Quincy, he offered a lot of insight. "I created the Quincy to be Ichigo's rivals, which is why they wear white clothing. Also, they use bow and arrows, which makes them harder for Ichigo to fight."

(POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT) One fan asked if there would ever be a back story for Ichigo's dad. "I will draw it!" he responded to thunderous applause. "When I finished drawing the first chapter, I knew he was a Soul Reaper."

Some final questions dealt with his artistic style and ability. "Nobody poses for me when I'm doing action scenes. I usually have rock music playing and it comes out of that. When I think about the story, if it's something I want to draw, I usually have these random scenes I want to draw, so my real job is trying to connect those scenes."

[SOURCE] (http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/895/895998p1.html)

[WatanukiXXX]

thanks to Debbiechan and Jaina and Vaizado and Enth

Read the IGN interview and I don't believe for a second Kubo doesn't have a broad idea of how Bleach will end. The story, plots and characters have been developed in order to reach a particular resolution. No way is he gonna spin fillers after those stories are concluded.

IGN: What are your plans for the future of Bleach? Do you have an ending in mind?

Kubo: There is no ending for Bleach at the moment

Yeah of course not because he hasn't drawn it yet :p

[spacecat]

Thanks for all the interviews and great work Jaina, I can't wait to read your interview.

Kubo looks so pimp in that pic :lmao

[Velius]

Just because he doesn't have an ending planned, that doesn't mean the story isn't planned out, which we have seen that it obviously is. It's two different things people. He juat hasn't decided how it's going to end, not where the story is going.

[gigantor21]

To be frank, I'm more bothered by the aimlessness of the story now, which has persisted for a year and a half and looks to continue for a while. It may well mean nothing if he has an ending in mind or not. If he did, my view of the story would actually be worse. :/

[Rain]

Vel- I totally agree

its like being asked how your day will end

even if you don't know how exactly it will be concluded, you probably have a basic idea of what will be happening

gigantor- i don't think its aimless

I think its overly drawn out, but i don't get the feeling that Kubo is doing it all just to buy time or anything


I'm glad Isshin was planned to be a shinigami (lol @ soul reaper, i like that name more xD) from the beginning

[gigantor21]

^ Overly drawn-out or aimless...both arrows hit the same target. If Kubo had plenty of material than neither term would fit in the first place. :/

But, again, I don't know if having an ending would make any difference at this point.

[bradc]

Kubo Tite brewing up something, he has a ending but too much spoilers would just ruin the story entirely. We will find out soon enough, sooner or later it will be revealed. But I think every good story have good characterization where characters comes first, since they drive the story itself. Arrancars :lmao

Writing a letter to Kubo is awesome... Too chicken shit to even write one for my own favourite seiyuu :cry I love Japanese actors and creators; they come off as celebrities that makes you feel closer to them as normal people. Kubo Tite is definitely coming off as Aizen Sousuke cross with twist of Ishida Uryuu :love

[Warchef]

I was curious about something that I heard about Kubo's career as a manga artist. I forget where I read it from, but I read that Kubo's protege while he was getting his early start as a manga artist was Akira Toriyama.

Just wanted to confrim if this was true or not :sweat

[Rain]

Akira Toriyama was Kubo's protege, nah, that can't be right

and I don't think that Kubo was even an apprentice to Toriyama or anything

Kubo was still in school while toriyama was making DB and stuff, and he became an artist on his own (one of the US shonen jump's says somehting liek this, i think)

[Warchef]

Well, maybe I worded it wrong. Protege probably isn't the right word to use. What I should have said was that Kubo was given encouragement by AT while he was trying to sell Zombie Powder. Again, I'm curious as to what the connection between these two artists is, because some things in Bleach are interestingly similar to DBZ :lmao

Like Yamamoto and Master Roshi looking similar. Only difference is Yoshi is a perv and Yamamoto isn't wearing glasses :lmao

[Rain]

oh, yeah i recall reading soemthing similar to that as well

once Kubo submitted a work, but it was turned down, but he recieved words of inspiration from Toriyama

or something along those lines


oh, yeah, like ulquiorra/Yammy's arrival mimicing the Vegeta/Nappa arrival

[bradc]

oh, yeah i recall reading soemthing similar to that as well

once Kubo submitted a work, but it was turned down, but he recieved words of inspiration from Toriyama

or something along those lines


oh, yeah, like ulquiorra/Yammy's arrival mimicing the Vegeta/Nappa arrival

Szayel is definitely Majin Buu :rofl

Toriumi cracked the jokes on his own radio show too few months back.

I remember reading that somewhere online before I jumped into the Bleach Train Wagon... Kubo was turned down when sent his artwork to Shounen Jump, until Toriyama sent him a letter of encouragement to continue. And Bleach was born, and the rest was history.

[gigantor21]

^ I thought it was Togashi of HxH fame, not Toriyama. Hmm...

[Warchef]

Nah, I'm pretty sure it was Toriyama.

I could explain further, but bradc already explained it well enough himself. I believe that's what exactly what happened.

I also believe that it was either Zombie Powder itself or it might have been the first Bleach pilot. I'm not completely sure on that account however.

[bradc]

Zombie Powder was pretty short lived; it wasn't popular among readers.

So it was discontinued from Jump. Now we have Bleach to love :love

[vaizado]

So Im the only one who actually believes Kubo when he says he doesnt have an ending for BLEACH? You know cant handle the truth. ><

It's pretty obvious he plans some things that happen in the storyline, but it's also pretty obvious he just makes stuff up as he goes along. I dont believe he has an ending in my because as popular BLEACH is, it's pretty hard for a mangaka to think of an ending. He only probably knows where the story will go up to a certain point at the moment, but after that point he'll have to keep creating more things. I seriously doubt he;s got the whole story planned out at the moment.

And Im fine with that. I like writers who have a sense of where the story will go but are also spontaneous and dont have a vision of how it will end.

[Warchef]

Zombie Powder was pretty short lived; it wasn't popular among readers.

So it was discontinued from Jump. Now we have Bleach to love :love

Oh I know. :lmao

So, it WAS Zombie Powder that got canned?

I can understand how Kubo would be downtrodden about that. Good thing a famous manga-ka gave strong words of encouragement to a future famous manga-ka, otherwise we wouldn't have Kubo-sensei in America or Bleach to argue/discuss/fanboy/fangirl about :lmao

[Warchef]

So Im the only one who actually believes Kubo when he says he doesnt have an ending for BLEACH? You know cant handle the truth. ><

It's pretty obvious he plans some things that happen in the storyline, but it's also pretty obvious he just makes stuff up as he goes along. I dont believe he has an ending in my because as popular BLEACH is, it's pretty hard for a mangaka to think of an ending. He only probably knows where the story will go up to a certain point at the moment, but after that point he'll have to keep creating more things. I seriously doubt he;s got the whole story planned out at the moment.

And Im fine with that. I like writers who have a sense of where the story will go but are also spontaneous and dont have a vision of how it will end.

I agree with this here. I think he has a 'general' idea about the end of Bleach, but he hasn't condensed all of his ideas together yet. It's obvious Kubo has some general idea of the direction of the story, especially after revealing at Comic-Con that he knew Isshin was a shinigami from the moment he included him in the storyline. Heck, he's even going to do an Isshin gaiden to tie Isshin's currently mysterious past into the current happenings in the Bleach universe.

Overall, I'm curious as to what is going to happen to the major players in the plot line. Surely Kubo is going to kill off some of the captains. As much as I want some good guy deaths, I don't want Kubo to kill off Ichigo, Rukia, Inoue, Renji, Chad, or the rest of the main crew. I can never get it through my skull that Bleach would be Bleach without either Ichigo and Rukia and the other main characters. To me, it would just seem hollow.

[bradc]

Oh I know. :lmao

So, it WAS Zombie Powder that got canned?

I can understand how Kubo would be downtrodden about that. Good thing a famous manga-ka gave strong words of encouragement to a future famous manga-ka, otherwise we wouldn't have Kubo-sensei in America or Bleach to argue/discuss/fanboy/fangirl about :lmao

How Japan does things. If there's not even readers or somehow your manga is not popular; it's gets dropped immediately. When he resubmitted Bleach to Jump it got popular and there were readers following it.

The weekly-monthly manga is to see how well the manga does in order to sell to public; there's tons of those in Japan, not just Shounen Jump. Is basically its own business market. I guess Kubo was about to give up after he was rejected the first time and a veteran Mangaka such as Toriyama Akira gave the encouragement to continue.

Because you shouldn't give up for the things you enjoy doing :love

[Black Dahlia]

Kubo's interviews are like trying to watch paint dry most of the time. It's clear in some way that he tends to be uncomfortable doing the process or the person who's trying to interview the man can't think of anything interesting to ask that might warrant a good/decent response. You can't get the grasp of what the man is which is why interviews do happen and was created in the first place IMO.

Anyway, thanks for the links provided in this thread.

P.S. I think SJ rejected Bleach at first because it was being compared to Yu Yu Hakusho. Kubo though got some encouragement from A. Toriyama via letter AFAIK.

[bradc]

A lot of other manga gets compared to others cause they have been around longer. Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon... etc have been around for decades. Not a surpriise,.. Is hard to coming up something new when it has been done repeatedly.

Jump probably felt that way and it probably caught Toriyama's eye that Kubo could do something different and empowering series like Bleach. Look where it is now... Bleach is THIS BIG XDDDD!!!

[Black Dahlia]

All major plots were from the bible anyway and the dudes who wrote for that piece ain't getting royalties. Poor guys, tsk tsk.

I don't think there's any problem if he doesn't have any ending yet for Bleach. He tends to be instinctive with his writing and plotting which can bite him in some ways. Hell, he listens to Annihilator (lollerz) and you have to be really spontaneous to create something worthwhile while listening to Annihilator.

It's gonna be fun to see him fall in his face or be more acclaimed than he is now. That's what makes his stuff cool most of the time.

[Warchef]

Well, to be honest bradc.. if everyone compares Bleach with other anime/manga, then it's only fair that I mention that Bleach isn't just big, it's over 9000! (DBZ reference for anyone who watches or watched the anime/manga :lmao)

[bradc]

Bleach made it to the top; it's time it gets compared with other manga too :mwhaha

Go Kubo Tite!!! You show 'em you recluse man :yell

[vaizado]

especially after revealing at Comic-Con that he knew Isshin was a shinigami from the moment he included him in the storyline.

I actually have a hard time believing that. If he had plans of Isshin being a Shinigami from the beginning, he wouldnt have shown this:

http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/1/29/

Hell, with the influence he has in the anime, I wouldnt be surprise if he asked the studio to not include that shot. Cause it's not in the anime. Im pretty sure the idea of Isshin being a Shinigami came later on in the series.

[bradc]

Is more like suddenly being attacked without warning and oldbies aren't like they are used you know, they get rusty or something to hide from their kids. Until they finally figure out what was going on. A crazy dad like Isshin, usually pretends nothing has ever happened. :oops

[Black Dahlia]

Err, what does that page really say to warrant doubt about what he said on Comic-con?

[NakeBenihime]

Isshin lost his powers, so of course he was attacked by a hollow. Until he saved Kon from the Grand Fisher Arrancar, he hadn't had them for 20 years.

[Lady Scaper]

After all Isshin couldn't even save his wife.

[Rain]

well, even if Isshin didn't ahve his powers, he wouldn't lose to that level of hollow just as is, he wouldn't be caught off guard

I think, if I'm going to believe Kubo (which i might as well), he had Isshin know Rukia was there to take care of it, afterall he saw her talking to ichigo so he didn't worry about anything, and he couldn't blow his cover:crazy

[Warchef]

I am agreeing with NakeBenihime.

He lost enough of his power that he wasn't able to actual change into shinigami form and fight hollows, however, he could still see hollows and other spirits. I believe he started getting the majority of his powers back when Ichigo's own powers were awakened. After all, his friends were pretty much in the same boat as Isshin (minus Ishida), in that they didn't have their powers awaken until they were awakened with Ichigo's reiatsu.

I still believe that Kubo know Isshin was a shinigami before everyone else knew. After all, Zangetsu DID tell Ichigo that although most of the power from Rukia was lost, he had Soul Reaper power of his own that he inherited. It's easy to deduce that it was Isshin. In fact when I saw the manga and anime episode, I started wondering about Isshin.

Kubo is a genius, and I don't believe for a second that he didn't know Isshin was a shinigami. This is the same guy who drew Shinji in Chapter 1 :lmao

[bradc]

Isshin also knew that Gigai Ichigo was actually Kon ;)

Kurosaki family reiatsu/spiritual power is powerful than most average Shinigami as Uryuu stated when he was saving Ichigo; why the Hollows are constantly after his family in the first place. A backstory for Isshin would cover what happened when he was trying to save his wife at that time.

[Warchef]

I think it will cover his history before his human life started first, then it will pan into what happened the day Ichigo's mother died. It will finally be interesting to see if Isshin was really a captain or a member of the Royal Guard.

Great, now I'm getting impatient for the gaiden :crazy

[~Vizard/Espada~]

I didn't see this posted so here is an interview from IGN

http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/895/895983/bleach-20080801045801068-000.jpghttp://
August 1, 2008 - Alongside Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Death Note and Naruto is Bleach, one of the biggest and most successful manga franchises in the world (and specifically North America).

During last week's San Diego Comic-Con, IGN had the rare privilege to speak with the creator of the series, Tite Kubo. We tried to make the most of our few minutes with the creator before his busy schedule pulled him back to signings and meetings.

IGN: What's your reaction to the success of Bleach in the United States? Did you expect it to be as well-received as it has been?

Kubo: I didn't think it would be such a big hit in the US. I don't even think it's a big success yet!
IGN: Currently in the U.S. we've seen an abundance of manga on bookstore shelves. While some see this as a good thing, it's caused some companies to re-do their business plans. What are your thoughts on this? Does a similar situation exist in Japan?

Kubo: In Japan there is a lot of manga, but around manga there are video games, manga on cellphones, manga in card games…so people not only enjoy manga but also the products around it. I think that eventually in the U.S. bookstores will have a lot of manga that are not of good quality. Fans are clever, and fans are smart enough to tell the quality of them, and over time the quality titles will stay, while the not-so-quality titles will go away.

IGN: Viz recently released some beautiful artbooks for Naruto and Angel Sanctuary. Now they're releasing All Colour But the Black, the artbook for Bleach. What's your reaction to that?

Kubo: I'm very happy about it.

IGN: What are your plans for the future of Bleach? Do you have an ending in mind?

Kubo: There is no ending for Bleach at the moment.

IGN: What you would you like to do as a next project when Bleach does eventually end?

Kubo: Take a vacation! (laughs)

IGN: Creating manga is rarely a one person job. How heavily do you rely on your assistants?

Kubo: I have three assistants, but there isn't a head assistant. All the important drawings I do myself. Every single character is also done by me.

IGN: What are some things that go into creating a manga that readers might take for granted?

Kubo: The hardest thing about being a manga-ka is that it's a weekly thing. I have to finish (19 pages) a week. If I want to draw more in a particular scene that I think is important, because of time I cannot. That's hard for me. But I've always wanted to be a manga-ka so I'm doing what I love.


http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/895/895983/bleach-20080801045741772-000.jpghttp://http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/895/895983/bleach-20080801045801068-000.jpg
Link:http://comics.ign.com/articles/895/895983p1.html
Kubo is cute.

[vaizado]

~Vizard/Espada~, thats the same one I posted earlier.

[NakeBenihime]

Yeah, vaizado already posted the same article a couple of days ago...

[~Vizard/Espada~]

* hits forehead* Thanks vaizado and NakeBenihime I guess I missed it. I thought it was a good interview with great pics.

[NakeBenihime]

Yeah, it really is a great interview with awesome pics. Kubo looks like a total rock-star in them!!

[debbiechan]

Another Kubo interview from SDCC. I remember Jaina talking about overhearing this one because Kubo was dodging the romance questions. That makes all the interviews he gave that are out except for hers which comes out in Anime Insider on Sept 17 and the "leftover" questions from the panel which will be out in the October issue of America's Shounen Jump.

From here: http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo.htm
It appears to incorporate the panel questions as well.


Q: First of all, welcome to San Diego. It's been so exciting to have you here at Comic-Con!

Tite Kubo: Thank you! It's great to be here. I was really looking forward to coming to America. This is really my dream come true.

Q: You got this incredible rock star-type reception from your fans today! Did you expect that?

Tite Kubo: I had heard before that American fans are very, very enthusiastic, but I didn't expect this much!

Q: When did you realize that you had such a broad fan base in America?

Tite Kubo: Yesterday. (laughs)

Q: What are your impressions of San Diego Comic-Con so far? Is there anything like this in Japan?

Tite Kubo: This is really impressive. Compared to Japanese events, Comic-Con is immense! I go to Jump Festa, but compared to that, Comic-Con is many times larger.

Q: Is this your first visit to the U.S.? What do you think?

Tite Kubo: It's the first time for me to be abroad from Japan. I got my passport just so I could come to this event. Compared to Japan, the sunlight is very different and it's very strong. It makes things look very colorful as well.

Q: I heard that you have to draw 19 pages of manga every week, and that you drew ahead so you could take a break to come out to San Diego. Have you done any drawing since you've been here?

Tite Kubo: I worked really hard so I could take the time to come here, so no, I haven't worked on any drawing since I've been here (big smile).

EARLY INFLUENCES AND THE BEGINNINGS OF BLEACH

Q: When did you decide to become a manga artist?

Tite Kubo: I had already decided when I was in elementary school. When I became a manga artist, I became interested in architecture and design, but I've really only wanted to become a manga artist.

Q: Which artists influenced you then, made you feel like it would be really cool to become a professional manga artist?

Tite Kubo: Hmm. My number one favorite manga then was Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro (by Shigeru Mizuki)! I've always liked the yokai (monsters) in that series. The other one that I liked a lot is Saint Seiya (a.k.a. Knights of the Zodiac by Masami Kurumada) -- the characters all wear armor and have interesting weapons.

Q: Huh! I guess that makes sense. I can kind of see some of the influence of both series in Bleach -- the Japanese supernatural themes from Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro and the weaponry and battle scenes from Saint Seiya.

Tite Kubo: Yes, I think so, definitely.

Q: What was your inspiration for Bleach?

Tite Kubo: I wanted to draw Soul Reapers wearing kimono. When I first designed Rukia, she wasn't wearing kimono, but i wanted to create something that no one has seen before. From there I created the world of Bleach.

Q: You've been drawing Bleach since 2001, seven years now. Has it changed dramatically from what you thought this story would be when you first started drawing it?

Tite Kubo: At first, I didn't plan that there would be Taicho, the head Captain of the Soul Society. The captains, they didn't exist at first.

ICHIGO, CHAD, URYU AND KON: CREATING THE MANY CHARACTERS OF BLEACH

Q: What comes first? the characters, or the story's plot?

Tite Kubo: (emphatically) Characters first!

Q: Bleach has so many characters with so many different powers, weapons, personalities and relationships! How do you come up with them?

Tite Kubo: I really don't intend that characters have certain personalities when I come up with them. Sometimes I can't think of any new characters. Then other times, I come up with 10 or more new characters.

Q: Are there any characters that you thought fans would love but didn't, or a character that caught on with fans in a way that you didn't expect?

Tite Kubo: I don't really recall any characters that I've created that I thought fans would love but didn't, but usually I notice that when I start describing a character's personality or back story, the fans start to really respond to them, and really start liking them.

However, in the case of Suhei Hisagi (Lieutenant / Acting Captain of Squad 9), fans got hooked on him before I even started describing his personality, so that was very unusual.

Q: Are there any characters that are most like you?

Tite Kubo: I feel like all the characters have a little bit of me in them! (laughs)

Q: How do you come up with the clothes for the characters in Bleach?

Tite Kubo: I just put the characters in the clothes I wish I could buy, but can't find in stores.

Q: What do you consider to be Ichigo's greatest strength and his greatest weakness?

Tite Kubo: His strength is that he is always considerate and thoughtful. He always thinks about other people's needs. That is a great strength, but it's also his greatest weakness, because worrying about his friends puts him in danger too, sometimes.

Q: Speaking of Ichigo's relationships with his friends, there seems to be a love triangle between Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime. Do you delve more into this in later volumes?

Tite Kubo: (laughs) I get asked about that a lot! I don't want to make Bleach into a love story because there are much more exciting things about their personalities and things that they can do instead of getting into the romance aspect of their relationships.

Q: Your male characters are great, but your female characters are also very strong, interesting women. Are you influenced by strong women in your life when you create these characters?

Tite Kubo: I have quite a few female friends who are not physically strong, but mentally, they are really very strong people.

Q: Do you have a favorite female character in Bleach?

Tite Kubo: Hmm. Yoruichi and Rangiku! Their attitude is like, they just don't care what people think of them! (laughs) I have a lot of fun drawing them and creating stories with them.

Q: What inspired you to have a Mexican character like Chad and to include Hispanic culture in Bleach?

Tite Kubo: It wasn't something intentional. When I designed Chad, he looked like he had a Mexican heritage, so I just wrote that in.

Q: How did you come up for idea of the Quincies?

Tite Kubo: I created Qunicies to be Ichigo's rival characters, so i put Uryu in white clothing (compared to the black kimono worn by the Soul Reapers). Qunicies use arrows because they're long range weapons, so it's difficult for Ichigo to fight them with his sword, which is more for short range combat.

The Quincy cross has 5 points, kind of like the the Japanese 5-pointed star. 5 points, quintet, Quincy! Quincies use arrows, so if you call them Qunicy archers, it sounds like a name, so I kind of liked that.

Q: Is the Kon doll based on anything from your childhood?

Tite Kubo: I wanted to create something that looks fake, that looks like something that was just random things put together. Normally you don't have a sewing line in the middle of a stuffed doll's face unless it's done to make the face look more three-dimensional. But look at Kon! His face is flat so that line is unnecessary -- so I kind of like that fact.

Ichigo and Rukia first find Kon on the street, so I made up a back story about how he got there. At a festival, a child wanted a stuffed animal, but since the one that he wanted was too expensive, so the parent bought a cheap one instead. The child didn't like it and threw it away, so that's why the Kon doll was found on the street!

BLEACH STORY DEVELOPMENT AND THE FUTURE OF BLEACH

Q: One thing your fans love about your manga is that you always keep them guessing. Do you plan very far ahead how your characters will interact with each other, and the various plot twists you throw into your stories?

Tite Kubo: After i finished drawing chapter one, I already knew that Ichigo's dad Isshin would be a Soul Reaper. At the time, I didn't plan on having leaders in the Soul Society, so I didn't plan on him being one of the leaders.

Q: Will you feature a back story about Isshin?

Tite Kubo: Yes, I will draw it!





Q: One thing I enjoy about Bleach is that there are many moments of humor as well as drama. Is that intentional to break up some of the heavier moments in the story?

Tite Kubo: I don't really plan on it, but when I get bored drawing battle scenes, then I throw in a joke or two to make it more fun for me.

Q: How do you draw your action scenes? Do you have models?

Tite Kubo: Nobody poses for me -- I just have rock music going in my head and just imagine the action scenes. I pause the action and rotate the characters and find the best angle, and then I draw it.

Q: What part of the creative process do you enjoy most?

Tite Kubo: When I think about the story, if it's something I've wanted to draw for a long time, it's fun.

I usually have this rundown of scenes I want to draw in my head. My job is to try to make it interesting. When it comes to drawing a scene I really want to do it's fun. When I draw the connecting scenes, I try to make it lively. And when it comes to inking, I really enjoy doing that work too.

Q: You're already up to 33 volumes of Bleach -- how much longer do you think this story will go?

Tite Kubo: I can't really say how long this story will be by the time it ends, but I have a few more stories that I want to tell, so this series will go on for a while. (laughs)

MEETING HIS FANS AND A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MANGA-KA

Q: Let's talk a bit about your encounters with your fans this weekend. Are there any memorable experiences, or anything that stands out in your mind as your favorite memory so far?

Tite Kubo: One of my favorite experiences so far was seeing the artwork from the winners of the fan art contest. The color illustration (by Christy Lijewski) was especially impressive. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet the artists, but it was really great to see their work.

Q: So as you can see, there are a lot of American fans who love manga and who would love to be a professional manga artist like you are. Do you have any advice or secrets to your success that you could share with them?

Tite Kubo: Just believe in your talent. Maybe others will tell you otherwise -- but just believe in it. It's very important for readers to enjoy what you create, so you must do something that you find enjoyable too. Otherwise, it's dishonest to charge people for something that you don't enjoy.

Q: Do you have any message that you'd like to pass on to your fans who weren't able to meet you here today?

Tite Kubo: I really get it now that American fans are really enthusiastic (about my work). I would love to come back to America again to meet more of my fans and maybe see them where they live next time.

[bradc]

:glomp Debbiechan

Kubo Tite is just adorable... And he's right about in believing in talent. Go Kubo! Break those borders and show what Bleach is made of (aside Aizen, of course).

[gigantor21]

I don't want to make Bleach into a love story because there are much more exciting things about their personalities and things that they can do instead of getting into the romance aspect of their relationships.

FUCK YES KUBO. Good man.

[Black Dahlia]

Kubo's a crafty dodger...he's not gonna show his cards yet since he probably knows that he won't be able to dodge these types of inquiries for too long. Sooner or later, a resolution will be shown in the 'romantic triangle' debacle he himself started.

For now, people will have to deal with pretentious interpretations of who is gonna end up with who by digging into the manga with a comb.

Hmm, he likes Saint Seya - nice... that series doesn't get enough press.

[NakeBenihime]

Thanks, debbiechan! I love that he's always dreamed of coming to the U.S. and he finally made that dream come true. How awesome! And, seriously, the best part is where he says he wants to come back and see where his American fans live!

You can come over to my house, Kubo-sensei! He really must be curious about Americans and how we live...:D

[Hyrule]

So Ishida is suppose to be Ichigo's rival. Rival him in what exactly?

[spacecat]

Thanks for sharing the interview XD Lot's of interesting things and lots we heard before.

[Rain]

thanks for posting debbie


[B]
Q: Speaking of Ichigo's relationships with his friends, there seems to be a love triangle between Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime. Do you delve more into this in later volumes?

Tite Kubo: (laughs) I get asked about that a lot! I don't want to make Bleach into a love story because there are much more exciting things about their personalities and things that they can do instead of getting into the romance aspect of their relationships.


:lmao and yet, I still don't see the overexamination of every panel stopping anytime soon :lmao


but its nice hearing he has more stories he wants to draw, that means he has something planned :XD

*just revived two debates* :rofl

[Shokolot]

Yesterday I was searching for Kubo Tite interviews, and I found something kind of funny instead.

It's sort of like a spoof on the Bleach series, about how Kubo Tite has some kind of fashion line called Bleach and the Bleach characters are his models..

The thing is, I'm so gullible, I actually thought it was real for the first half of the page, like Kubo had a fashion line that sells replicas of the clothes that the Bleach characters wear to real people...

Then it was talking about Kubo meeting the characters and for some really stupid reason, I thought it was talking about him meeting the people who inspired the characters and I was thinking things like, "Wow, I didn't know a real person inspired Ichigo's character"...

Then I was just really confused about the characters being his models because they're supposed to be fictional....

And then when it talked about a Renji and Matsumoto scandal, finally I realised how stupid I was and that it was fake ! LOL

But anyway you guys should check it out. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it's definitely amusing. I guess it just depends on what kind of humor you have.

Here's the link:

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Bleach

[Kreed]

yes i read that exact same thing a few months ago and was thinking in my head "wow, i can't belive Kubo would take the time to do something like this, its a little weird", but then upon further reading i put two and two together:p who ever wrote it out though sure does have a lot of free time on their hands. :rolleyes:

[Notneeded]

Yesterday I was searching for Kubo Tite interviews, and I found something kind of funny instead.

It's sort of like a spoof on the Bleach series, about how Kubo Tite has some kind of fashion line called Bleach and the Bleach characters are his models..
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Bleach
Found that a while ago and nearly fell off the bed laughing when I read it. Still it was one of the best thought out hoaxes I have ever read.

Anyways, thank you for posting that Debbiechan. When I first heard he was coming to Comic Con I was wondering if Viz had made a mistake and was going to to traumatize him with his first visit to America and make sure he never came back. Interesting the part about Isshin. He had not written about how the leadership in Soul society worked yet when he designed Isshin but now that he has defined it he hasn't said he is not one of the leaders so maybe our conjecture on his position in soul society could be actually right.

[sakura.kuchiki]

Q: Speaking of Ichigo's relationships with his friends, there seems to be a love triangle between Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime. Do you delve more into this in later volumes?

Tite Kubo: (laughs) I get asked about that a lot! I don't want to make Bleach into a love story because there are much more exciting things about their personalities and things that they can do instead of getting into the romance aspect of their relationships.


why on earth he made inoue to fall in love with ichigo? I mean if he doesn't care about romance. Somehow he has to give us a conclusion about inoue's feelings toward ichigo. He gave us hope about ichiruki T.T and then he said that? Well I hope he just said that to avoid the topic for any spoiler, I'll believe then that he's planning something about that and it's gonna be a surprise

:cry

[Syn]

I think 'love' in Bleach has never been a goal, except for Inoue (which is why she has trouble fitting in there).
Ichigo and Rukia share a deep bond, maybe love, maybe not yet, but that's not what they seek; to them, there will be always priorities (each other's well being, yes, but also their friends, their duties, etc). "Love" is not the word that defines them, and I think that's what Kubo meant.
As for Inoue, it's a bit different because she has been defined by her love for Ichigo for a long time, but I think that Kubo is seeking something else with her; her love brought her down, but will also make her stronger when she'll be able to overcome it. And then, when she will no longer seek love, she will fit. I think she made a baby step in that direction in ch317, but that's still a baby step, and Inoue's development is rather slow so I don't want to make any kind of prediction right here and there.

Love is certainly a part of Bleach, but it's not the goal, nor the focus. But I think that if Kubo worked more on the plot, maybe the fans wouldn't be always about pairings :p

[Guildenstern]

why on earth he made inoue to fall in love with ichigo? I mean if he doesn't care about romance.

Because people falling in and out of love is a powerful motivator for character development or lack of same. There's more than one reason to write someone as having feelings for somebody else. Think of all the books you've read where character A falls in love with character B. Now, completely separate from whether B feels the same about A, A's feelings can start a chain of events for A that results in them being a very different character later on in the story than they were when they started. There's lots of possible reasons he included Orihime's thing for Ichigo into the narrative-- I just hope he goes somewhere positive with it beyond "Kurosaki-kun kurosaki-kun kurosaki-kun kurosaki-kun" which developments with her in recent chapters have made me confident he will. (I <3 you 'Hime, keep being awesome)

...And from a purely cynical and bitter standpoint, people just eat that kind of "Alas! My fruitless love!" plotline up. Everybody loves the Eponine, although I'm hoping it ends up way better for 'Hime than Eponine, God knows. O__O;

[debbiechan]

Because people falling in and out of love is a powerful motivator for character development or lack of same.

...And from a purely cynical and bitter standpoint, people just eat that kind of "Alas! My fruitless love!" plotline up. Everybody loves the Eponine, although I'm hoping it ends up way better for 'Hime than Eponine, God knows. O__O;

Haha. Don't remind me of Éponine. Oh Lord, I never saw the musical but I must've read Les Miserables when some of you whippersnappers were still in grade school. I'm sure Kubo-sensei will treat Inoue Orihime more kindly. Sure of it!

And I think people make too much of a few words here and there from Kubo's interviews. I really believe he was dodging the romance issue and trying not to give spoilers. Most of his answers, if you'll notice, state the obvious in his own quirky voice. Bleach isn't a love story. That doesn't mean it doesn't have elements of romance (it does! All over the place!) and not making Bleach into a love story doesn't mean that there won't be resolution to many of the romantic interpersonal dramas in the story. It just means that the fighting and other stuff will take precedent. That's nothing new. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

I find it funny that people pour over Kubo's words like they're bible verses and try to extract absolute meaning from them--I think they're mostly general statements, nothing very committing.

Although I do like to think that there's more to Orihime than her being in love. I've always hoped that her character would grow beyond that. But that's just me. :D *chants Tsubaki, Tsubaki, Tsubaki!*

[gigantor21]

I don't know, Guild...it hasn't helped much IMO.

Most of the inner strength we're starting to see out of her comes from a general love of her friends. With Ichigo, she's the same naive, helpless devotee as before. Hell, I'd say she showed far more courage in the beginning--remember how she stood up to the Bitch Hollow for Tatsuki? How she hugged her brother when he was about to eat her? Not to mention how she actually challenged Ichigo's motives for going to SS, which helped solidify his resolve.

That 3rd scene, IMO, was where she most looked like girlfriend potential. It was where she really showed how she could be useful without being a damsel in distress or a plot device. I'd love to see Orihime give him more of that support, since he REALLY needs it.

And, while I might be lynched for saying this, I suspect Kubo shirked away from that to placate the IchiRuki fans. Rukia is way more popular, after all. That'd also explain why the Renji-Rukia angle was never really developed. Given how the main crux of the fanbase is the cast, I'm sure the romantic end is handled much more methodically than Kubo's answer suggests.

He did say he got asked about it a lot.

Debbie, I'm surprised at you. Aren't you Kubo's concubine? I'd think you'd understand more than anyone else how much people love this man and the series he's created. Any hints about how he put it together and where he's going are always intriguing--even for me, while I bang my head on the wall due to the latest chapters. :p

[BleachOD]

Haha. Don't remind me of Éponine. Oh Lord, I never saw the musical but I must've read Les Miserables when some of you whippersnappers were still in grade school. I'm sure Kubo-sensei will treat Inoue Orihime more kindly. Sure of it!

And I think people make too much of a few words here and there from Kubo's interviews. I really believe he was dodging the romance issue and trying not to give spoilers. Most of his answers, if you'll notice, state the obvious in his own quirky voice. Bleach isn't a love story. That doesn't mean it doesn't have elements of romance (it does! All over the place!) and not making Bleach into a love story doesn't mean that there won't be resolution to many of the romantic interpersonal dramas in the story. It just means that the fighting and other stuff will take precedent. That's nothing new. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

I find it funny that people pour over Kubo's words like they're bible verses and try to extract absolute meaning from them--I think they're mostly general statements, nothing very committing.

Although I do like to think that there's more to Orihime than her being in love. I've always hoped that her character would grow beyond that. But that's just me. :D *chants Tsubaki, Tsubaki, Tsubaki!*

I agree...I said this before...in several forums
I wanted to add my thoughts on Kubo's Interview...


he didn't confirm or deny...he just said he didn't want to go into the romance aspect of their personalities.

However he never said there wasn't any romance aspects... In their personalities. He just said there are more exciting things. Then that aspect... It's not a love story.. it just has elements of romance in it.
Kt says this...He said it's not a love story He did not say that it isn't Romantic or has no Romance in it.. It's just he rather not delve into it because he finds it the least exciting...BIG differences,

Great dodge Kubo..
:fu :fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu:fu

[Velius]

Waaaaaaaaaay off topic. Lets bring it back to focusing about Kubo's interviews.

[Aalicia]

Basicly, he just said what we all know: it's a shonen, not a shoujo (I probably spelt these wrong, but I think you guys get the idea). I've read somewhere that on another interview, he said Bleach was a story about friendship, courage, love, unrequited love, so on and so forth, so he deliberatly placed love elements on the series. He's just stating Bleach isn't a love story, or it would be coming out on the wrong magazine, eh. ... (which probably explains the centuries long abstinence and chastity of most characters, aye. I personally find it the most unrealistic feature in the whole fiction)

Edit: Oops, just saw your post now, Velius >.< Sorry! 8o

[Ileenka]

Thanks, Deb.

Q: Bleach has so many characters with so many different powers, weapons, personalities and relationships! How do you come up with them?

Tite Kubo: I really don't intend that characters have certain personalities when I come up with them. Sometimes I can't think of any new characters. Then other times, I come up with 10 or more new characters.



That is definitely evident. Characters he created out of whim are mostly expendable like the case with arrancar fodders. Bishies stay a bit longer, like Tesla and IylForte (can't spell) but uglies die fast. But doesn't it somehow contradict his statement of 'characters coming first before plots' ?!

[gigantor21]

^ Eh, not really. I see that as being part of his larger planning method, which he himself says is all over the place sometimes. The characters are the crux of the series, and he takes far more care with them than anything else--maybe too much IMO.

No one reads for the backgrounds, and Kubo knows it. :p

[debbiechan]

No one reads for the backgrounds, and Kubo knows it. :p

Ah! But Kubo has said in interview that he draws empty space to "illustrate the air" and draw attention to the characters--hence the absence of backgrounds.:D

Oh you mean character's backgrounds. :confused: This recent gaiden showcased some of the best of Kubo's writing--the public ate it up. Isshin background, BRING IT ON!

I lived through the Ichigo/Byakuya fight just so I could get Byakuya's backstory (I really disliked that fight--so many other fights in SS were better--Kenchan vs Tousen is still my fave) and then Kubo teased us with Bya not giving it after Icchigo won; Kubo FINALLY told it though. He's a terrible tease with the backstories. I figure that this reveal about an Isshin backstory is meant to tantalize his readers for the better part of a year or more.

[gigantor21]

^ No, no, I meant the physical backgrounds (or lack thereof). Character insight is my favorite aspect of fiction; I'd never complain about that. :XD

As much as I love Kubo's artstyle, the environments are soporifically bland. And after seeing Mt. Koifushi in 268, I know for a fact he can make kickass settings--the most striking piece of evidence being on the cover:
http://i34.tinypic.com/oqezhc.png
Beyond that, well detailed settings can do loads for setting the tone of any particular scene, and are a big help in fleshing out the world of the story and making it feel real. That's what I loved about Memories of Nobody--the studio threw off Kubo's bland maze of sidestreets and backlots, replacing them with a vibrant city that felt like a real place.

Kubo's doing us dirty by not giving us richer environments when he's so good at it. Just look at the color spreads. Wouldn't you love to see more of that detail in the manga as a whole? I know I would.

[debbiechan]

I love that cover. One of my favorites. One of my favorite chapters too because it's all about the relationship between two characters.

But look at the cover again. It's very simple. It's largely defined by blank space.
The trees could be a repeat brush. The grass is very simply suggested. It's not elaborate at all. It's very suggested.

The place is more focused upon, though, than usual. The bucolic scene was probably really important to the whole flashback of Kaien-wonderfulness. I think the spare high-modern settings in Hueco Mundo have just as much detail and suggestion when necessary.

[NakeBenihime]

Kubo said in one of the interviews that he definitely illustrates all the characters, but not necessarily everthing else. He has his three assistants doing some of the other stuff we see drawn in the manga, so this background may have been done by one of them.

[debbiechan]

Kubo said in one of the interviews that he definitely illustrates all the characters, but not necessarily everthing else. He has his three assistants doing some of the other stuff we see drawn in the manga, so this background may have been done by one of them.

Hmm, I doubt it. His chapter covers especially seem very graphically balanced. The trees and grass here seem less like a background than part of the whole design. The characters seem like part of the form of the landscape rather than foreground. I'd guess he composed this one all on his own.

I was surprised that Kubo says he does his own inking--I'd be really surprised if he does ALL of it. His assistants probably do inking and windows and stuff like that. If he says he does every character, then I'm sure he does. I appreciate that. I love his characters and his love for them shows.

[gigantor21]

But look at the cover again. It's very simple. It's largely defined by blank space.
The trees could be a repeat brush. The grass is very simply suggested. It's not elaborate at all. It's very suggested.

The place is more focused upon, though, than usual. The bucolic scene was probably really important to the whole flashback of Kaien-wonderfulness.

Yeah, that's what really matters. He doesn't need Claymore or Berserk level settings--those few extra details made for a beautiful composition. The blank space in the sky actually helped IMO.That was the only time I've every been stricken by the environments in Bleach.

Personally, I found the HM-settings yawn inducing. Someone on NarutoForums summed it up best when he called Las Noches a bunch of toy blocks in a sand box, blown up to city size. Rather than looking edgy or avant-garde or whatever, it just looked lazy--and there wasn't much thought put into mapping, or what all the buildings were for. He seemed to be making it up as he went along.

SS and Karakura aren't much better, though.

[Darkcountessb]

The buildings in Hueco Mundo kind of give me a spanish mission feel a little. But without all the crosses. I kind of like the lack of backgrounds it makes him focus on the characters then what else is going on around them. But that's just me. (DCB sucks at drawing backgrounds anyways)

[debbiechan]

Personally, I found the HM-settings yawn inducing. Someone on NarutoForums summed it up best when he called Las Noches a bunch of toy blocks in a sand box, blown up to city size.

:lmao

That pretty much describes a lot of high modern architectural design. I do think that Kubo-sensei put a lot of planning into HM, though--it doesn't seem lazy. After all, he named all his Arrancar after designers and went around giving Las Noches this distinctly "unreal" detached feel. I agree that the settings in manga like Claymore are more accessible--but they're meant to be lived-in villages and recognizable places. Hueco Mundo is a dead world with those trees that Ishida observed were made of quartz... a ghostS place, not a real place.

Soooooorrrrry Vel, this is getting OT again but since it's not stirring the shipping waters, you probably won't hear complaints about it. Hey, sometimes Kubo's interviews stimulate reactions about his manga! :D Nothing wrong with that, is there?

[debbiechan]

from here:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6584260.html

*braces self for moans of "he's been making it up as he goes along!!!! :mad:*

Wait for Anime Insider interview for the fun scoop!

PW Comics Week: When you were first creating Bleach, did you think it would be this successful?

Tite Kubo: I don’t think it’s a success yet. But I’m very, very happy to learn that lots of fans are enjoying it in a place where I’d never imagine [it would be popular]. It’s very rare and difficult for me to see fans because I’m so busy, so this is a rare opportunity for me.

PWCW: What do you think of the U.S.? And Comic-Con?


TK: My first impression is that America is so huge, so big, and the sun is very strong, very bright. Thanks to the intense light, you can see the vivid color of trees, the buildings.

Comic-Con is huge, too. It’s very interesting to see big major publishers and also independent artists drawing and selling [their comics] on the same floor. That doesn’t really happen in Japan. Also artists are close to their audience, which doesn’t happen in Japan, either. I feel envious of this situation. Artists and fans are so close, and they can get closer to each other. In Japan, artists and fans are rather far apart from each other.

PWCW: Now that Bleach has been going on for a bit, how do you keep the adventure and the story fresh?

TK: I think it maintains a freshness because when I create manga, I don’t think about what’s going to happen—I just come up with an idea and let it flow. It’s a weekly installment, so I have a very short time to create manga, but the good thing is that because it’s short, I can come up with the idea and start creating it.

PWCW: Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation that made you say, “Uh-oh”?

TK: I don’t really face that kind of situation because it’s a long story and sometimes I forget what’s happened in the past, but I read the previous volumes of Bleach and that usually helps me to create and have a new idea.

PWCW: What is your favorite aspect of creating Bleach?

TK: When I draw the scene that I’d been dreaming about or had always wanted to draw, that is the time that I’m happiest. The other time that I really enjoy is when I create new characters. But when I create new characters, it’s not usually when I’m working. When I’m running errands, it will come up in my mind, and then I’ll develop it. It’s one of the most enjoyable parts. But I enjoy drawing and creating manga, so it’s always fun.

PWCW: In both Bleach and Zombie Powder 9 [an early, unfinished work by Kubo], the theme of death is prevalent. People are haunted, family members are killed. Why is this theme important to you?

TK: When I was very small, three or four years old, I remember wondering what was going to happen to me or other people when they die. When I saw babies’ images in mothers’ wombs, I wondered where we all came from. For me, life and death are very important themes. There is no life without death. That’s why it’s very important to me.

PWCW: You mentioned that when you draw action, you choose the best angle in your head. How do you decide which is the best angle?

TK: I select the angle based on its looks. It has to be cool. And at the same time, it has to be realistic. If it’s not realistic, the reader cannot feel the pain. In a battle scene, it’s most important to make it realistic so that readers can feel the pain. I choose the action where if I were the character, I would feel the most pain.

If the flow of power or impact is not right, then the impact cannot be communicated to the reader. Otherwise it’s incomplete, and it needs to be perfect.

PWCW: How do you maintain such a demanding schedule?

TK: Hard work. (laughs) I don’t think it’s too hard. I draw faster than others so I don’t really think it’s an issue.

PWCW: You also had a message for aspiring mangaka, advising them to believe in their work, otherwise it’s dishonest to charge money for it. What do you mean by that?

TK: The message is that if you believe in what you create, it’s enjoyable and people will follow. The talented mangaka should know that, otherwise no one would read or enjoy it. So believe in yourself. Believing in yourself is important.

[gigantor21]

*braces self for moans of "he's been making it up as he goes along!!!! :mad:*

LOL Don't worry, I'll lay off him this time. But he's still on notice. ;)

I'm much more interested in how he started contemplating the afterlife when he was just 3. And that he doesn't consider Bleach a success yet. What benchmark is he waiting for? There are very few series that ever get so much hype and money thrown at them. I don't know if that's just modesty or really high aspirations. :p

His points about creating the right angles to portray impacts is also interesting. While he is better than many mangaka at making the attacks look painful, I find the way he draws the actual attacks awkward at times--specifically, in the way they flow (or don't flow) together. There are times when I'll wonder how Kubo thought that was the "best" way to present the (sequence) of attacks.

Zaraki vs. Nori is a really good example--I found many, many parts of that fight awkward, as Kubo seemed to struggle with presenting Nnoi's ridiculous weaponry during battle (both released and unreleased). So it often looked random and/or crowded whenever they clashed swords. But you see traces of that awkwardness all over the place IMO.

[debbiechan]

LOL Don't worry, I'll lay off him this time. But he's still on notice. ;)

I'm much more interested in how he started contemplating the afterlife when he was just 3.

I thought that was adorable. Reminds me of my son who was arguing with our Rabbi at age 4 about the existence of G-d.


His points about creating the right angles to portray impacts is also interesting. While he is better than many mangaka at making the attacks look painful, I find the way he draws the actual attacks awkward at times--specifically, in the way they flow (or don't flow) together.

I've always found shounen fights difficult to read and blamed this on my having grown up watching animated fights before coming to manga. I find Kubo's fights easier to read than those of other manga-ka's lately, but they're not as interesting--Bleach's fights aren't the best part of the manga for me.

Zaraki vs. Nori is a really good example--I found many, many parts of that fight awkward, as Kubo seemed to struggle with presenting Nnoi's ridiculous weaponry during battle (both released and unreleased).

Nnoitra's release looked really cool but it made no sense absolutely whatsoever in terms of practical physics. My husband explained it to me, the party pooper.

[Rain]

thanks for that interview debbie:hug

TK: I think it maintains a freshness because when I create manga, I don’t think about what’s going to happen—I just come up with an idea and let it flow. It’s a weekly installment, so I have a very short time to create manga, but the good thing is that because it’s short, I can come up with the idea and start creating it.

that doesn't bug me at all, we've seen he can do both great and not so graet stuff, the lack of planning isn't a flaw:cool:

what bugs me more:
TK: I don’t really face that kind of situation because it’s a long story and sometimes I forget what’s happened in the past, but I read the previous volumes of Bleach and that usually helps me to create and have a new idea.

this proves to me that half of us here at BA know more about bleach than the author, obsessiveness, thy name is BA

but then again, with that, at least he bases stuff not on what he thinks it was, but rather he knows what he did, so its all good

[Darkcountessb]

Wow he sounds like me when I was trying to get into the comic book industry. LOL It doesn't surprise me that he forgets what happened in the past and has to look back. Almost everyone has to do that for continuity's sake. It's tough having to remember everything you've done in the past to keep up with the future so I feel his pain.

Thank you for that interview Debbie :hug

[spacecat]

lol same quote as rain:


PWCW: Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation that made you say, “Uh-oh”?

TK: I don’t really face that kind of situation because it’s a long story and sometimes I forget what’s happened in the past, but I read the previous volumes of Bleach and that usually helps me to create and have a new idea.


I was lmao I figured he must forget sometimes, ah well he's only human :lmao

[Miyona]

Its easy to forget things you wrote...when you half make it up as you go >_>

Im sure he went Uh-oh plenty of times...thats why theres the "but" in his sentence

[WatanukiXXX]

First off thanks Debbie :hug for posting the interview. Your rock!

PWCW: In both Bleach and Zombie Powder 9 [an early, unfinished work by Kubo], the theme of death is prevalent. People are haunted, family members are killed. Why is this theme important to you?

TK: When I was very small, three or four years old, I remember wondering what was going to happen to me or other people when they die. When I saw babies’ images in mothers’ wombs, I wondered where we all came from. For me, life and death are very important themes. There is no life without death. That’s why it’s very important to me


This certainly applied to the early part of Bleach, when Kubo did deal with the issue of death and loss in early chapters. Orihime and her brother, Ichigo and his mum, the parakeet kid, even the soul of the little girl who was devoured by a Hollow in the beginning. Even the Kaien x Rukia flashback.

But now and for some time this element hasn’t been highlighted much. Especially with the SS-HM feud taking over and Kubo’s apparent no-good-guy gets-killed policy seemingly in effect (along with Orihime’s death-defying powers), the impact of the theme of death and loss has been diluted somewhat.

To all intents and purposes, the Shinigami and the Arrancar are not disembodied spirits. They act and react like living beings. They eat, bleed and breathe just like people do. There is a disconnect between the idea of early Bleach where Sora fades away and we never meet him again, to the SS crew running about in Karakura whenever they want (or Yama orders them too)

And since the Bleach dead act like they’re alive, one has to ask why not have them deal with real death and loss? Preferably ones that do not take place in flashbacks please

If characters aren’t killed, we don’t see how their loss impacts others. Also how those who are still alive can cope and grow either stronger or weaker in the wake of their passing.
Kira being emo over Gin and Hinamori going crazy over Aizen are not the same. Or maybe Kubo is suggesting it is? Either way it’s a poor substitute in my view.

Still I try to be optimistic. If even at this juncture, well aware that he wrote fraccion fodder fights and hasn’t yet killed a named good character, yet still wants us to believe that in Bleach “there is no life without death”, then I’m gonna assume he will address the issue eventually and we will see actual death in Bleach. If not then he has just misrepresented Bleach :hm


TK: I select the angle based on its looks. It has to be cool. And at the same time, it has to be realistic. If it’s not realistic, the reader cannot feel the pain. In a battle scene, it’s most important to make it realistic so that readers can feel the pain. I choose the action where if I were the character, I would feel the most pain.

If the flow of power or impact is not right, then the impact cannot be communicated to the reader. Otherwise it’s incomplete, and it needs to be perfect.

Isn’t the point of this statement, the reality of the pain, somewhat negated by how easily characters shrug off damaging cuts and blows when it is convenient for them to do so? Never mind Kenpachi still on his feet after having two Nnoitra-sized fists through his chest, and slash wounds from scythes bigger and wider then he is.

(Oh and the Ichigo vs Grimmjow fight was a load of tripe. They exchange blows and pummel each other in a blur of banality that ends when for no reason one of them falls just because the author has no idea how to end a fight)

Renji and Ishida could still banter when their stomachs were crushed. I mean wow. And Ichigo losses more blood than some populations lose in a war and can still walk and run when need be.

But I guess it’s shonen and they are spirits after all so physical laws don’t apply…no, wait they do when the author wants them too. Right :lmao :D

[Syn]

TK: I select the angle based on its looks. It has to be cool. And at the same time, it has to be realistic. If it’s not realistic, the reader cannot feel the pain. In a battle scene, it’s most important to make it realistic so that readers can feel the pain. I choose the action where if I were the character, I would feel the most pain.

Meanwhile, in a French forum, someone wrote on Renji's description: 'he also has 137 litres of blood' XDD

@Miyona: remembering everything, when you have so many characters and so little time to write, is definitely difficult. I'll be all over the place if I were him - and I plan carefully. There are just things that every author is bound to forget. I'll give Kubo a rest for that :lmao

[debbiechan]

Lucia just posted these links in the IchiRuki fanclub to translations by sketchbaka of Bleach B Station 112 and Bleach B Station 103 when Kubo and Morita were guests.


Btw, I just read something really interesting from Sketch's LJ. Bleach B Station 112's guest was Kubo. He did an interview with Morita Masakazu (Ichigo's seiyuu) during the show last year. In case anyone doesn't know, Bleach B Station is a Bleach-related radio program in Japan. Sketchbaka heard the interview and did a translation of it. There are info about Rukia and where Kubo got her name from. But nothing about the meaning for it. There's also another interview from Fumiko Orikasa (Rukia's seiyuu) last year on Bleach B Station 103 as well. There are some info about Rukia and IchiRuki on it.

the Bleach B Station 112 is here: http://sketchbaka.livejournal.com/3763.html

This one is particularly interesting because the blogger seems to infer that Kubo listens to fan wishes in determining the course of his manga!


the Bleach B Station 103 is here: http://sketchbaka.livejournal.com/4032.html

Re Rukia's zanpakutou: Morita mentioned that Kubo-sensei told him before that her zanpakutou is the most beautiful. Fumiko added, "He keep telling me he has a 'totteoki' (special/most valued) feeling for it." Fumiko was very happy for it.

There are some other things the seiyuu say that shippers can go to town on but the transcripts are very fun and presented here for your enjoyment.

[Syn]

Yup, I already read them this morning. What can I say? I didn't expect Rukia to be at the start of everything :D I thought he had already the idea of shinigami when he created her, but he decided after creating her character ahah ^^'

[Rain]

thanks debbie, and thanks to Lucia, those were really cool


Rukia was the first character he made, damn, i didn't call that, i was sure she was second to Ichigo:rotflmao (and it seems as if orihime wasn't even in the first 5 :nuts:lmao j/k)

that is honestly really cool to know, i would never have guessed he made rukia before everything else

[spacecat]

lol those were funny to read, thanks for sharing them xD

[debbiechan]

My favorite part was the bit about him wanting more fanmail. Honey, I did NOT KNOW. I've been slacking! I must send my Kubo-sensei more chocolate! <3

[WatanukiXXX]

I see...:hm

thanks Debbie and Lucia :D

Oh well I better start writing letters to Kubo asking for Stark awesomeness now :lmao :fu

[spacecat]

lol I still owe him that ferrari bribe :lmao

Oh well he wants a letter he shall get a letter :fu he may regret asking for them :lmao

[bradc]

This one is particularly interesting because the blogger seems to infer that Kubo listens to fan wishes in determining the course of his manga!

Also referring to someone else who missing in the manga right now, who Kubo Tite seem to have change the title of his Radio Station name too, being place on Wednesday and being aired on Fridays. The Radio Program is responsible for changing the fate of the manga with its pop quiz :heehee

[WatanukiXXX]

From the interview with Morita and and Fumiko
http://sketchbaka.livejournal.com/4032.html

Next discussion is about Genteikaijou (the release of power for taichou and fukutaichou). That it only applies to taichou and fukutaichou; how it affects their power (mostly the same with manga). They also commented that arrancars are powerful because even taichou and fukutaichou couldn't do a thing before their release.

The last sentence, does it mean that captains and vice-captains couldn't do anything before they (as in themselves) released? Or does it mean in the presence of the arrancar release? Just curious

and lol at the 'arrancar are powerful' comment :lmao

He asked what is the theme for this Arrancar Arc. Fumiko also wonders.

So, even the seiyuu aren't sure :facepalm Kubo better enlighten them then :D

[Rain]

The last sentence, does it mean that captains and vice-captains couldn't do anything before they (as in themselves) released? Or does it mean in the presence of the arrancar release? Just curious

and lol at the 'arrancar are powerful' comment :lmao

lol, yeah, who and what does this "their" refer too D:

although it pretty much means the same thing, i think its referring to the capatins release (of the limit seal;))

So, even the seiyuu aren't sure :facepalm Kubo better enlighten them then :D

:lmao

[Aalicia]

Oh well he wants a letter he shall get a letter :fu he may regret asking for them :lmao

If he wants more fan letters, he could tell the address where to send them to... I'd write him one myself, if only I knew where to send it. ... though he would need someone to translate the English too...

[chbimun]

I don't have SJ's or Shueisha's but here's Viz

Tite Kubo
c/o VIZ Media, LLC
P.O. BOX 77010
San Francisco, CA 94107

[Akutabi]

Morita asked him how he came up with kimono/shihakusho. Kubo explained that the first idea was girls are wearing black uniform and guys are wearing black suits. (Morita: "Suits?!") And that their weapons are guns. (Morita: "Zanpakugun?!") But then he realized that there's another similar idea out there (George Black ni Yoroshiku?) so he scrapped the idea.

I still want someone to whip out a Zanpakugun. No other Kubo creation has blown up heads smother than CT Smith :hm

Maybe it could be something in the Quincy arsenal

[Lax_Duke]

Its nice to know because of Rukia the whole Shinigami story started :D

[debbiechan]

Grrrrr. Advance copies of America's Shounen Jump's October issue are out and the Kubo "leftover" questions from the panel that were promised are NOT THERE. :mad:

Just an overview of the conference and some shots of Kubo's studio (they may be available elsewhere online--haven't looked and don't have a scanner). No questions.

Guess we have to sit tight until Anime Insider's interview comes out mid-September. :) Jaina did say he told her why Bleach is called Bleach. :lmao At least that one will be settled once and for all.

[gigantor21]

^ Really? Where did he get the name from? I've always been curious about that.

[Rain]

Is it something different than the nirvana album by the name (and how they cleanse/purify the souls:wha)?

I read that and assumed that it had settled it way back then, lol

[NakeBenihime]

Oh, I can't wait to find out why Bleach is called Bleach! That will be the answer to answer all Bleach questions!!! :yay

[michgael]

was it not called bleach cause of ichigo's hair?

[Slev]

That's his natural hair color, so it would be kind of odd to name it Bleach because of that when he doesn't bleach his hair. :x

[michgael]

i just thought the whole thing was ironic :T
maybe it has something to do with the hollow ichigo.. :O!

[JadeRent13]

Knowing Kubo, he'd call it Bleach because it's ironic and because it sounded cool for a title. :XD

[furato]

Not interview, but if anyone here can't get enough of seeing Kubo Tite, there are some shots of him in this Rock Musical Bleach DX backstage screencaps: http://fencer-x.livejournal.com/420339.html#cutid1

Just ctrl+F for Kubo to see him stand with the cast and being tossed by the cast :D

[debbiechan]

Thanks Furato! Haha, they tossed Kubo! That cast of nutters! :rofl

[NakeBenihime]

Kubo toss! Was it "Toss Your Manga-ka Day," or something? :confused:

I love how that guy took his Shuuhei roll so far as to play Shuuhei-sensei for fun! And, he was even shirtless!! :eek: :D

[vkikay]

Oh, I can't wait to find out why Bleach is called Bleach! That will be the answer to answer all Bleach questions!!!

I thought i was the only one who didn't know why!!! and yeah, initially i thought it was because of Ichigo's hair - then it was mentioned that it was his natural color... so Kubo!!! tell us why!

[furato]

Kubo toss! Was it "Toss Your Manga-ka Day," or something? :confused:

I love how that guy took his Shuuhei roll so far as to play Shuuhei-sensei for fun! And, he was even shirtless!! :eek: :DShuuhei-sensei is actually part of the Live Bankai show. :) Quoting this blog (http://www.akiba-station.com/blog/?p=528), "A highlight of the evening was “Oshiete, Shuuhei-sensei!” in which Hisagi read fan letters requesting songs from previous Bleach musicals. " as opening part before they reprise songs from previous shows.

[spacecat]

lol those pics were amusing, thanks for sharing them, Kubo looks like he is having so much fun xD

[rvngu]

interesting stuff, the SS arc was so well-written and the characters so well-developed, it's hard to imagine he didn't plan that far ahead. the twist ending, never saw it coming, extremely well-done. of course nowadays, it's pretty obvious he doesn't plan ahead but that's another story

[Kreed]

ever have one of those moments where you "lol" and people just stare at you? yeah well that just happened to me right now, after i saw the "Kubo Toss" i laughed to myself in a giddy way, and my co-workers were just like :scared. ah, poor,shy, Kubo, although he does look like he's having a blast ^^ i can't wait for the info on why Bleach is so named. i want it to be some epic reason, but its probably gonna be something simple. he was probably drinking coffee, spilt it on himself, went to clean up, saw the laundry bleach, thought "hmmmm bleach, what an interesting name" and the rest is history:rolleyes:

[dattebayo]

i can't wait for the info on why Bleach is so named. i want it to be some epic reason, but its probably gonna be something simple.

Tite Kubo has already said in interviews that Bleach came from Nirvana's 1989 album of the same name.

[Velius]

Tite Kubo has already said in interviews that Bleach came from Nirvana's 1989 album of the same name.
One of many reasons that people have said. We are going to need a link to some kind of source for that, before anyone believes it buddy.

[NakeBenihime]

All we need to do is wait for a link to the interview to appear in this thread. Then, we'll know for sure why Kubo named it Bleach. Until then, I'm not inclined to believe anything anyone else says about it...

[furato]

Kubo's comments on the booklets of Bleach The All and The Live Bankai Show: Code 002 DVDs. Maybe our resident fan-translators can tell if there's anything interesting here?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v705/furato/bleach/kubotheall.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v705/furato/bleach/kubocode002.jpg
Spiffy new icon comes from the same source.

[gigantor21]

Well, based on the English bits, I see that his handwriting is chicken scratch.

Does that help? :p

[Aalicia]

Does that help? :p

It must have helped the chicken...

[vaizado]

Has this one been posted yet?

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-etw-kuboweb28-2008aug28,0,3099871.story

[gigantor21]

When asked about the process of creating his popular manga, Kubo explained, "Sometimes, I have ideas for the characters' appearances, sometimes for their personalities. The first time I drew Chad's face, I thought, 'He's Mexican,' so I start creating a story around him. Once you get the characters set, then the story kind of moves on by itself. The key thing is that I come to love the characters, as if they were real."

LOL that's exactly what happens when I draw my own characters. Hiroyuki Takei (the author of Shaman King) also cites a similar approach. Nice. :p

Thanks, vaizado.

[NakeBenihime]

Wow, I can't believe an article about Kubo made it into the Los Angeles Times! That's pretty huge!! Bleach is a superpower now...

Thanks, vaizado for the link! It's a great article...:D

[spacecat]

Thanks Vaizado though it's all the same usual info haha I dunno what I expect from interviews lol

[debbiechan]

I never think of my work as being targeted at certain readers or at readers in certain countries. I hope as many people as possible will enjoy what I create.

Aww. That explains a lot. :love

[gigantor21]

Wow, I can't believe an article about Kubo made it into the Los Angeles Times! That's pretty huge!! Bleach is a superpower now...

LOL yeah, that's what I was thinking. Who knows? Maybe he'll be in the New York Times next. That'd be awesome. :p

[La`Punyeta]

n recent years, rumors have proliferated within the U.S. entertainment industry about deals to make popular manga into live-action films. Kubo dismissed the idea of turning "Bleach" into a film with real actors. "If it were possible to do 'Bleach' as a live-action movie, I wouldn't have drawn the manga. I want to draw something that can only be done as a manga."

well that's a relief....:lmao I'm glad bleach isn't gonna made into a real live action movie..

[Rain]

I never think of my work as being targeted at certain readers or at readers in certain countries. I hope as many people as possible will enjoy what I create.

Aww. That explains a lot. :love

So that means Kubo draws him women like that not because of the demographic, but because he thinks everyone will enjoy it :lmao

I like that he doesn't think of Bleach as being targetted to certain readers, that means to me that he is willing to put in whatever he thinks is best, regardless of what just one demographic may like

now if only his words matched his actions:rotflmao j/k

[debbiechan]

Rain I for one looooove big-boobed womens! :)

I never for one moment thought Kubo was just writing for 13 year old Japanese boys! Bishies straight from BL covers, allusions from world mythologies and your kitchen sink, pedo and inflation and kink jokes out the wazoo. Haha, that's my Kubo-sensei. I love him so. :love

[spacecat]

lol yeah I hate it when people tell me Bleach is written for 13 year old Japanese people especially when it's used as a defense in an argument lol I shall now point them towards that quote :lmao

[Isaiah1989]

Has this one been posted yet?

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-etw-kuboweb28-2008aug28,0,3099871.story

I had no idea Kubo had an article in the LA Times. That's big!

[gigantor21]

Rain I for one looooove big-boobed womens! :)

Well, isn't that a coincidence? So do I! :XD

As far as age demographics go, I think it fits squarely into the shonen framework regardless of it's wide appeal. That applies to all the Jump stuff I've seen. It wouldn't fly with the kodomo demographic, but it doesn't have the moral ambiguity, graphic content or realistic grounding of a seinen series.

It's like the Spider-Man movies. Those have very wide appeal, but they fit very neatly into the PG-13 rating--both in terms of content and general approach.

[debbiechan]

Jaina's interview with Kubo-sensei in Anime Insider hits the newstands soon. Run to your local bookstore and buy a copy. In the meantime, she was gracious enough to let me post a teaser. Here is Kubo-sensei's answer as to why Bleach is called Bleach at my fanblog:

http://community.livejournal.com/bleachness/182821.html

[spacecat]

Oh well all my guesses were wrong, I just thought it was cos ppl said Ichigo bleaches his hair and he doesn't :lmao Thanks for sharing.

[Syn]

Haha yes, his answer is amusing - everybody guessed wrong!!! Basically, it's just because he loves his black and white theme so much, y/y? :lmao

[debbiechan]

To think! The manga could've been called "Black and Bleach!"

I still believe that Nirvana's album had some influence, though. Just as Metallica's Fade to Black album had something to do with his recent naming of the last Bleach movie, even though he hasn't said that.

[Akutabi]

Why not call it something that makes you think black?

like INK :wha

What else makes you think Black or White?

[Rain]

lol, we were all way off :XD

At least the title isn't a reference to antyhing else, thats pretty nice

but bleach seems like such a random word to think off for a black/white theme :XD

[Amaranth]

THE OCTOBER ANIME INSIDER ISSUE WITH KUBO'S INTERVIEW IS OUT! :crazy

Is there a reason the manga is called Bleach, or is that a secret?
The Soul Reaper - the color that you associate with the Soul Reaper is black. But "black" is too straightforward. So I thought about "white", but white is too simple. So if you put "bleach", somebody can associate that with white. So that's how Bleach came.

If you become a Soul Reaper, what division would you want to be in?
The fourth [medical], because you don't get hurt there!

One thing a lot of people have noticed is that Bleach has many different female characters, each with a distinctive strength. Is that something you took a lot of care in doing?
Usually, I don't intend to create personality before I draw. Usually I draw a character and then I know which side of her is strong and which side is weak. But sometimes the personality and the design come at the same time. I don’t think that the artists should create the character that you want it to be. I think that the character should have its own character. Let them grow: that’s my belief.

What do you think is the main theme of Bleach?
In my work, I don’t like to impose a message or theme onto the reader. I want the characters to develop on their own and create the story themselves, and it usually turns out very clever. So I tend to do that sort of thing.

Way back in the beginning of the manga, when Ichigo was first using Rukia’s powers, was he also wielding her actual sword, just much bigger? A lot of people have noticed that the marking on it were the same.
The design is the same because at that time he was bearing her power. So yes.

Was the spirit of her zanpakuto in him also?
The outside [of the zanpakuto] has the design of Rukia’s but when he was fighting at the beginning, the spirit was his – Ichigo’s. At one point during some battle, Urahara tells him that Ichigo’s zanpakuto is big, but there’s nothing in it. So at that time he hasn’t really developed his spirit in it, but he gradually starts to.

For a shonen series, Bleach spends a lot focusing on the emotions and different bonds between the characters. I’m sure you’re asked this a lot, but will we ever see any romance by the end of the series?
I don’t really intend to make it a romantic story, but it’s one of the aspects of the series, so I put it in here and there.

In some of the earlier collected volumes, you list a theme song for each character in the character profile. Do you have any songs picked out for some of the newest characters?
Usually when I draw, when I create a character, I’m playing some music in my head and that’s why I assign that music, for example, to Ichigo. So even if I don’t list it now, I do assign it, I just don’t put it on paper. But every character has a theme song.


When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!

From the beginning of the series, the team-up of Ichigo and Rukia was very important to making the series work. How did you plan it out?
Ichigo obviously needed help because he was developing his talent and strength, and here she was, so I thought they’d be a good match to help each other.


Finally, can you tell us why Aizen’s couch is so big?
The bigger, the more beautiful!

KUBO'S SO ADORABLE :XD

I might scan the pages in when I can get my scanner working.

Also, when I first read the interview, I misread "Aizen's couch" as "Aizen's crotch"

[WatanukiXXX]

thanks! was looking forward to this interview :D

every character has a theme song

I wonder what Stark, Wonderweiss and the other arrancar themes are. Hope he lists them and publishes it soemday

[vkikay]

WHOA!!!

*kneels down and worships Kubo* Genius, truly you are. *worships Kubo some more*

When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!

I am dying to knowww!!!! I hope he will put this in the mnga or maybe in a special chapter (like Hitsu's b4 DDR) before the release of Fade to Black.

Thanks Amaranth :hug that was a joy to read.

[debbiechan]

Why is Aizen's crotch so big?

:rotflmao

I'm sure Kubo-sensei would have loved it if Jaina had really asked that!
I wonder if she hadn't first phrased the question about the name of Bleach possibly being a secret if he wouldn't have pulled that bit about when the hougyoku was put into Rukia being a secret! Kubo loves to torture people. Oh, it was plain from chapters 0a-b where we're heading on the answer to that one--he could've given us a CLUE. :lmao

And a little less vague on the romance issue, honey? Haha, I love Kubo-sensei.

I'm so glad someone finally posted this--I was digging my fingernails into my palm waiting for someone to post! Go out and buy the latest issue of AI and support Jaina's career anyway! She recently got a promotion and she'll do all she can to bring you to coolest and latest inside info! (Next time she gets Kubo-sensei, I'm a gonna make her hog-tie him and tickle-torture him for information about Isshin, the hougyoku, and the ultimate fate of Shirosaki!)

[Jaina]

I about died when he said it was a secret how Rukia got the hogyoku in her. It was pretty apparent to me that he was going to show more of it down the line, and I think I mumbled something about being excited to see that when he gets to it, but he didn't give anything else away on that one!

btw, there wasn't a lot of editing done to the article so you've got like 95% of what was said in the interview room, but if anyone has questions, feel free to throw 'em at me.

[debbiechan]

So when you mumbled about the hougyoku, did he say anything else or did he just look cruel and charming? XD

[spacecat]

Finally, can you tell us why Aizen’s couch is so big?
The bigger, the more beautiful!

:lmao Next time she can ask the crotch question xD

Cool interview even though he's so secretive of course haha

Thanks Jaina.

[Jaina]

He basically looked cool and cruel when I said I was looking forward to it. Well...cool, anyway. :)

:lmao Next time she can as the crotch question xD

Cool interview even though he's so secretive of course haha

Thanks Jaina.

ROFL I am NOT asking that! Who knows if I'd ever get another chance to interview him anyway-this is such a rare thing for him. Though I'd certainly jump at the chance.

Oh, and the question he had to think about the longest was the "4th division so I wouldn't get hurt" one, which was hilarious.

[Rain]

:lmao @ "why is Aizens crotch so big"

the Aizen FC is going to love that line



so the hougyoku thing is a secret :crazy as if there weren't enough secrets in bleach :lmao

[debbiechan]

I remember bugging you about asking about strong female characters and I'm thrilled that you actually formulated a question (as did other interviewers that day! Kubo is famous for his strong women!). His answer is wonderful:
Usually I draw a character and then I know which side of her is strong and which side is weak.

That seems to suggest that a character evolves from her design, and that Kubo is very conscious of both the strengths and weaknesses of his characters--a wonderful thing because that's what makes them real.

The main cast, because they get the most panel time, have the most apparent strength and weaknesses, but of the super-babes in the Shinigami--wow.
Matsumoto's weaknesses are apparent but now I want to know Yoruichi's. I guess we know Soi Fong's.

[spacecat]

lol Jaina but at least you asked an Aizen question, I am proud of you :lmao

I think it's for the best that Kubo will never be subjected to my questions. :lmao

[Jaina]

As the co-creator of Capslock Bleach, I HAD to ask about the bancouch.

[Darkcountessb]

LMFAO! :rofl @"Why is Aizen's crotch so big" I'd so ask that question but then Kubo would probably get up and leave.

Although I like his answer to the couch question :rofl I'll have to pick up AI tonight at work.

[furato]

Thanks Jaina for asking questions no other interviewers ever asked! I'd say, if you're in the US, send AnimeInsider some fan letters to let them know we like these kind of interviews, conducted by people who actually love the source material.
When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!I take it he's gonna write it in, then? Yay for more flashbacks :D

[Kreed]

quick question where would one purchase a copy of AI? the interveiw sounds totally worth picking up, but i don't know if my local barns and noble would sell them. and thank you so much Jaina for asking about that darned Hogyoku, it just backs up my theory that something more will be discussed about it and Rukia in the future.

[Jaina]

Right now the issue has only hit the direct market, which means subscribers and comic shops. It'll be in bookstores and the like next Wednesday.

[Kreed]

oh ok thats good to know thanks Jaina, and great job by the way. we're lucky someone who is actually a fan of the show was able to ask some very good questions, though i have to admit, i'm jealous you got to behold the hotness that is Kubo :p

[furato]

Why not call it something that makes you think black?
We are totally in the same wavelength, I don't get it either.:headscratch

[Syn]

4th division? Hahaha :lmao Kubo, you clever man ;)

Thanks Jaina for this fannish interview, it was one of the most interesting to read actually :D


Was the spirit of her zanpakuto in him also?
The outside [of the zanpakuto] has the design of Rukia’s but when he was fighting at the beginning, the spirit was his – Ichigo’s. At one point during some battle, Urahara tells him that Ichigo’s zanpakuto is big, but there’s nothing in it. So at that time he hasn’t really developed his spirit in it, but he gradually starts to.
So basically it had Shirayuki's looks but Zangetsu's soul... in the end, he only kept Shirayuki's design :lmao Awesome, I've been wondering for the whole time =)

In some of the earlier collected volumes, you list a theme song for each character in the character profile. Do you have any songs picked out for some of the newest characters?
Usually when I draw, when I create a character, I’m playing some music in my head and that’s why I assign that music, for example, to Ichigo. So even if I don’t list it now, I do assign it, I just don’t put it on paper. But every character has a theme song.
I hope one day he'll tell us :D I'm curious about some characters' themes songs :D

When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!
Yay, I can't wait 'til this is revealed :D I want to see how much my crack theory is true :lmao


Finally, can you tell us why Aizen’s couch is so big?
The bigger, the more beautiful!
*snorts* Oh Kubo, RLY? :XD

I must say, this interview pretty much confirms of how much he takes care of his characters. And I'm happy he does, because their interactions is probably what he is the best at :)

[spacecat]

As the co-creator of Capslock Bleach, I HAD to ask about the bancouch.
lol ok then that explains it :lmao Not that I'm a member but people on DA and bring it up all the time lol I love Aizen jokes so I always remember that one :lmao

[Slev]

When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!

:hm Kubo Tite

[Melodymix]

Lol Slev, you may as well let him answer in the manga than the interview :heehee

And thanks Jaina!

Anyway thanks for posting that. Now he is making me very curious about the Hougyoku thing.

Hope you can scan the interview soon :wha

[mori]

When did Rukia have the Hogyoku put inside her?
It’s a secret!

Can I read that as "I've not worked it out yet" =p

[Sol]

Jaina I thank you for such an amazing interview :wtf It is the best one I have read :wtf

Kubo now has me excited about the Rukia and Hogyoku thing :crazy We have so much to look forward to now a Rukia and Hogyoku explanation and the Isshin backstory!!! Oh I can't wait!!

And so the life long question of why BLEACH is called Bleach has been answered :wha the answer was so simple :D

The Aizen and the BIG COMFY COUCH question was win :D :h5 I always wondered why it was so ginormous. :lmao

Thank you so much once again :D :hug

[Air]

Thank you Jaina! ^_^

[chibihana]

Arigato Jaina:)

Now I more curious why Rukia had Hougyoku things inside her...:nooo maybe there are some awesome reason why Isshin acknowledge her present in Kurosaki's? :eek: Thats probaly interesting to wait:jk

[Sheryl Nome]

Do I just post the interviews here? If so, here's one from American SJ.

"Tite Kubo's Big Comic-Con Adventure!"
Drawing Inspiration
Shonen Jump: Did anyone inspire you to draw?
Kubo-sensei: When I create characters, I'm inspired by music rather than stories, other manga or movies. The characters then create the story. So for me, my creativity comes from music.

SJ: Are any of the characters based on people you know?
Kubo-sensei: Well, I haven't mentioned this before, even in the Bleach SOULs Official Character Book, but Kisuke Urahara is based on Snufkin. Snufkin is so cool.
[The character appears in Tove Jansoon's Moominvalley novels.]

SJ: You seem to use mythical content about death and the afterlife from Japanese folklore. Did any books influence you?
Kubo-sensei: I can't point to a particular book, but one manga that influenced me when I was small was Saint Seiya [published in the U.S. as Knights of the Zodiac], which is based on Greek mythology. Because of it, I started looking into things like myths, monsters and the afterlife. I was reading about them until around junior high school, so they might have been the basis.

SJ: What does Rukia's name mean, and why is it written in katakana?
Kubo-sensei: When I'm working, I jot down names in the margins of my notebook as they come to me. Once on TV, I saw the original type of cosmos in South America.

SJ: You mean, the flower?
Kubo-sensei: Yes. The show mentioned the name of the flower in Latin or something-like "rukia." It sounded like "Kuchiki Rukia" to me, and I wrote this down. When I created the character, I thought Kuchiki really fit as a Soul Reaper (Shinigami) name and called her Kuchiki Rukia. She had her full name from the very beginning. Later on, I learned that the word "rukia" means "light." She's like a ray of light for Ichigo, which makes the name really suit her.
[In English, the name is read "Rukia Kuchiki." The meaning of the kanji for Kuchiki is "decayed tree." When Kubo-sensei talks about light, he may be referring to the word "lucia."]

SJ: Why did you pick Bleach as the title?
Kubo-sensei: The title wasn't Bleach when I decided to draw a story about Soul Reapers. (Shinigami) This was before I drew the one-shot manga that appeared in Akamaru Jump. The weapon wasn't a sword, but a scythe. Only Rukia had a scythe and the other characters used guns. At that point, the title was Snipe [as in "sniper"]. Right before I started drawing, I began to think that a sword would be better and realized I couldn't use Snipe as a title anymore. I began looking for a title that grasped the bigger picture. Soul Reapers (Shinigami) are associated with the color black, but it would have been boring to use "black." "White," on the other hand, can suggest black as a complementary color. So I chose "bleach" to evoke the impression of the color white.
[Kubo-sensei explained to us how he chose English chapter titles for the manga. He uses a dictionaru to look up words that match his idea for the title, and ogten replaces a word with one that has a similar meaning but sounds better. Kubo-sensei didn't use a dictionary to choose "bleach" because the Engl