Bleach creator’s treatment of editor was called out by Shonen Jump

The creator of Bleach has admitted that he did not allow anyone, including his editor, to influence his story during its serialization.

Despite ending in 2012, Bleach remains one of the most adored series of all time. After a hiatus of over ten years, the anime is finally adapting the final arc. Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, has maintained a firm control over his story throughout.

Despite the common practice in Shonen Jump for editors to make suggestions and collaborate with authors to cater to readers’ preferences, Kubo has stated that he never allowed his editor to influence the story.

#BLEACH 🚨part from the latest Tite Kubo interview with Sakuma:Sakuma: “So when it comes to writing manga, is there anything particularly important or something you’re especially conscious of? … Just kidding, of course there is.”Kubo: “Not really…”Sakuma: “What!?… pic.twitter.com/XDsWoy27vy

— #BLEACH | Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi (@3z_0q0q) August 31, 2024

During an interview with Daisuke Sakuma, a popular YouTuber and Japanese idol, Tite Kubo reveals, “I’m not the kind of writer who frequently has meetings with my editor.”

Furthermore, Kubo continues to elaborate, stating, “During the serialization process, my editor would regularly come to collect the completed manuscript. I would then inform them, ‘Next week’s chapter will follow this plot,’ before they departed.”

Sakuma inquires about the editor’s acceptance and Kubo replies, “It’s more of a situation where… [laughs] I didn’t leave them any alternative.”He also states, “As long as the editor continues to inspire me, that’s sufficient.”

Kubo recounts a time when his editor-in-chief at Shonen Jump reprimanded him for his treatment of his editor. He recalls a party where he would only go with his previous editor, and the editor-in-chief would comment, “You only see this person as a manuscript pickup guy, don’t you?”

As the original interview is in Japanese, a Bleach account has shared the translation on Twitter/X. In response, one fan notes, “So the author already had the entire story and ending planned out. The fact that the editors did not interfere indicates that this is entirely his own creation, without any outside influence. This shows that the author has a clear vision for how his own series will conclude.”

Although he may not be perfect, Kubo’s manga tells a unique story. For those who truly immerse themselves in his work and are willing to explore various topics such as literature, lifeforms, astrology, and ancient legends, they will find that his story is interconnected. It does require some thought and logic to uncover the subtle layers, but it is an enjoyable experience. As mentioned by yet another fan on Twitter.