Summary
- Johnny Yong Bosch has made a glorious return as Ichigo in the latest Bleach episodes, completing the character's story that fans were unsure they would see or hear again.
- Bosch has also returned to voice other beloved characters like Vash in Trigun Stampede, and there are many other characters from his career that he would love to return to voicing.
- Bleach resonates with fans because of its fun show, the protagonist's passion to protect his loved ones, the action, and the fact that the complete story hadn't been seen before, leaving fans excited for its return.
Johnny Yong Bosch has already inspired a whole generation of voice actors, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down with his return as Ichigo in the latest Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War episodes. Although the Bleach anime was canceled in 2012 before it could adapt the manga's final and arguably best arc, it returned with incredible improvements to its quality and pacing. Most of the series' cast has returned to voice their iconic characters, including Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices the orange-haired substitute Soul Reaper himself, Kurosaki Ichigo, but Bleach's main character is far from the only character Bosch has helped bring to life.
Bleach isn't the only beloved anime series to recently return in a big way. Earlier this year, Trigun Stampede provided an incredibly stylish reboot to the story about the mysterious Vash the Stampede, who Johnny Yong Bosch also returned to give the sharpshooting pacifist's voice. His work can be appreciated in many iconic franchises like Devil May Cry, Dragon Ball Super, One Piece, Power Rangers, and many others. However, his return to help complete Ichigo's story in Bleach: TYBW has been a glorious return of a character fans were unsure if they would see or hear again.
Throughout the Bleach series, Ichigo and his friends have battled Soul Reapers, mutated lost souls that transform into powerful Hollows, and even God-like foes like one of anime's most notorious villains, Sōsuke Aizen. However, the final Bleach arc finds Ichigo and the Soul Reapers up against an enemy even more threatening than Aizen, the mysteriously powerful and cunning King of the Quincy, Yhwach. Johnny spoke with Screen Rant about what makes Bleach unique, his favorite episode to record, and more.
Johnny Yong Bosch Talks Bleach & Ichigo's Return
What challenges come for a Voice Actor in returning to voice a high schooler after ten years? And what were some of your favorite moments when recording new lines for Ichigo?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I haven’t hit puberty yet so I’m good. Favorite moment so far in TYBW was episode 7.
You've recently returned to voice beloved characters like Vash in Trigun Stampede and Ichigo in Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War. Are there any other characters from your career that you'd love to return to voicing like you've done for Vash and Ichigo? Any characters that have stuck in your mind whose journeys you'd love to see continue?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Yes, most of them. Kaneda in Akira, Lelouch in Code Geass, I could go on but we’d be here all night. I’ve been fortunate to participate in some amazing franchising and would love to return to many of them.
What do you think it is about Bleach that resonates so well with fans that it would have such a strong response ten years after the anime was canceled?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Besides it just being a fun show, maybe his passion to protect his friends and family, the action, hollows… but also it ended before we all got to see the complete story. I think we’re all just excited to see that.
What are the most significant differences when voicing a character for an anime versus a character in a video game? Which do you find more fun?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Sort of depends on the story and the character. I enjoy both, but typically games have more screaming and shouting, and you don’t always know exactly why you’re doing it. Maybe you’re getting punched, slapped, electrocuted, falling from who knows what, etc. In an anime, you usually know what’s going on or at least have better context. So they both can be fun, you may just burn out quicker on games.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a voice acting career in 2023?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I recommend pursuing your dreams with acting as your primary focus but also remain open to other opportunities. You could discover a passion for writing or directing along the way.
I would love to hear about what games, shows, or movies you've enjoyed lately. What things have brought you joy recently?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Recently…Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Perfect Strangers, [and] 80’s movies.
About Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Kurosaki Ichigo and what remains of the Soul Reapers attempt to recover and prepare for their next battles against the fearsome Yhwach and his powerful Quincy army. However, potential lethal training, betrayals, and shocking origins are revealed throughout Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War with promises to adapt the final arc of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga in four separate parts, with the finale of part 2 set to release September 30, 2023.
Watch the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime on Hulu and Disney+.
Source: AnimeStudio/YouTube