Bleach enthusiasts are well-acquainted with engaging in online debates alongside the Naruto, One Piece, and various other fan communities. Recently, a discussion arose on X regarding the impact of the series on modern battle shonen. The claim made was that Tite Kubo, the series’ author, and Bleach itself significantly inspired some of the most notable battle shonen in recent times, such as Demon Slayer, Black Clover, and Jujutsu Kaisen.
While creators of these three series have acknowledged Bleach as a vital influence, fans of Naruto and One Piece contend that this assertion lacks merit.
It’s evident that these three series have played crucial roles in shaping contemporary battle shonen. However, their respective fandoms continue to debate which series has exerted the most influence over the years.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.
Bleach fans assert this series inspired modern battle shonen, sparking reactions from Naruto and One Piece fans
A user on X recently claimed that Tite Kubo’s Bleach stands as the most influential of the Big Three regarding the modern generation of popular battle shonen, sharing an image featuring protagonists from Black Clover, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer.
Predictably, fans of Naruto and One Piece disputed this claim, asserting that their beloved series wield a more significant influence.
Although it’s true that Naruto and One Piece have outsold Bleach and likely have a more substantial global impact, it’s also a fact that the authors of Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Black Clover have credited Bleach as a major source of inspiration in their creative processes.
Consequently, there are valid arguments on both sides of this debate.
This conversation echoes the historical context surrounding Akira Toriyama, whose legendary series, Dragon Ball, also heavily influenced the Big Three, highlighting that significant lineage of impact.
However, drawing parallels is challenging since Dragon Ball became a global sensation that transformed the realms of manga and anime. Nevertheless, the appreciation among fans of Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions is understandable.
Online reactions
Reactions across social media were mixed; some individuals asserted that Ichigo and Bleach deserved recognition for their contributions. Conversely, others argued that Naruto and One Piece’s cultural significance, particularly in terms of sales and global reach, outweighed that of Bleach.
Some commentators even highlighted that Dragon Ball might not be the originator of battle shonen, referencing earlier works such as Astro Boy and Mazinger Z, which emerged in the early 70s and laid the groundwork for future giants in the industry.
This showcases the evolution and substantial growth of the medium throughout the years, culminating in its current prominence.
“This is more respect than Ichigo usually gets. Impressive to say the least,”someone noted.
“Dragon Ball Z is the father of Shounen. The father of Anime belongs to Speed Racer or Astro Boy. They established anime’s presence in the West before DBZ,”another user stated.
“Bleach is not close to being as iconic as One Piece or Naruto. It was good at the beginning,”someone else remarked.
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