The long-running "Bleach" manga concluded after 15 years of serialization, but that does not mean fans will no longer see Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia, and their friends on Earth and Soul Society. There is a musical stage play as well as an upcoming live-action movie.
The "Bleach" movie is under Warner Bros., the same company behind the well-received and highly praised "Rurouni Kenshin." It stars Sōta Fukushi as the high school student who inadvertently becomes a substitute Shinigami, Kotaku reported last week. Taking the helm is Shinsuke Sato, who also directed the live action adaptations of "I Am a Hero" and "Gantz."
Mangaka Tite Kubo is also taking part in the production so both new and long-time fans will be able to appreciate the film.
"My only concern is perhaps the hair color," Kubo was quoted by Kotaku as saying. "If that color is in the live-action movie, it'd be strange, so I wonder what they're going to do!"
Kubo, according to Japan Today, hopes that even people who are not familiar with "Bleach" will be able to enjoy the film. The publication surmises that the movie will cover the earlier arcs of the manga. These would properly introduce the characters to those who do not know Ichigo and how he gets involved in the affairs of the Soul Reapers.
Fukushi, meanwhile, said that fans can expect to see Hollows and the Zampakuto sword fighting techniques, something that long-time fans would undoubtedly want to see on the big screen.
The production is currently recruiting volunteer extras for the movie, and the Warner Bros. Japan Facebook post says filming will start mid-September until mid-November. More details are also available on extra.mport.info.
On related news, the "Rock Musical Bleach" is back onstage this summer after four years of hiatus, reported Crunchy Roll. It is a musical adaptation of the manga, the first theme "Rock and Swordplay" first performed in Japan in 2005.
The "Bleach" movie is set to be released in 2018.