Tite Kubo’sBleachis by far one of the most beloved and memorable series in history. The manga series has been praised countless times for its amazing art and charming cast, while the anime adaptation is one of the few that have become instant classics. No one in the community can deny the impact of Ichigo’s adventures on the industry.
The nearly completedThousand-Year Blood Waradaptationserved as a reminder for fans about the incredible legacy that Kubo’s work will leave behind. Nonetheless, despite how beloved this amazing series can be, there are several aspects that most fans agree do not work in its favor.
10The Pacing Can Be Upsetting
The Story Moves Too Slow or Too Fast
While the story ofBleachis remembered fondly by many fans for the hours of entertainment it provided over the years, it is by no means perfect. Among its few but significant flaws is the uneven pacing that is often referred to as the most noticeable by viewers. Some arcs,such as the beloved Arrancar storyline, have frequently been criticized for dragging the plot more than necessary.
Other moments did not have the development they needed to be successful, such as the finale, which most members of the fandom agree was rushed. The series is still quite enjoyable for most, with it still being consideredone of the best Shōnen Jump manga of all time, but the pacing can cause some fans to abandon it prematurely.
9There Are Almost No Meaningful Consequences
Death and Sacrifice Are Mostly Irrelevant
As most anime fans must be aware, there are many traits that a show needs to have to become a success. Among the most important ones, tension and drama are near the top, as they are often what help keep audiences engaged.Bleachis no stranger to this concept, as many of itsbest episodes relied heavily on dramatic scenes and shocking revelationsthat fans love to this day.
Lamentably, these moments were made less impactful on several occasionsdue to the lack of consequences they would bring. For example, after losing his powers to defeat Aizen,one of the series’ greatest villains, Ichigo returned to his normal life, leaving fans to wonder about his future. A few episodes later, the hero got his abilities back, making his big sacrifice meaningless to the overall plot.
8Humor Is Not Balanced
The Series Never Found the Right Timing
Even though Shōnen series such asBleachare best known for their exciting and impressive battles, this genre is also famous for its hilarious jokes. Ichigo’s quest has never been shy about giving fans a couple of laughs during each arc, with several iconic moments and characters becoming synonymous with comedy gold. Woefully, despite how good the jokes in the series can be,Bleachnever found the right balance between action and humor.
During the early stages of the story, comedy was everywhere, even during the most serious battles. Fans would complain constantly about jokes ruining the tension, as this occurred on more than one occasion. By the end of the series,Bleachbecame a somber and humorless show, with jokes being almost nonexistent. The story never managed to find the right balance between serious fights and comedic scenes.
7Many Characters Feel Wasted
The Cast Is Too Extensive
As is the case with many Shōnen series,Bleach’s cast never stopped growing until the story came to an end. This was an amazing treat for fans, as each new arc would introduce a plethora of friends and foes for Ichigo and his group. Thanks to this ever-growing group of fighters, viewers metsome of the best characters in the series, like Kenpachi and Grimmjow, who are fan favorites to this day.
However, the massive size of the cast also caused several important characters to become quite irrelevant, as the series did not have the time or resources to develop them properly. From Orihime, whose powers and abilities were seldom used despite being among the strongest in the show, to Chad, who became a side character almost immediately. If a character was not directly involved with the plot, they were either sidelined or completely ignored for the duration of the arc.
6Rukia Is Not the One for Ichigo
Shippers Need To Accept Ichigo’s Decision
Shipping wars are quite common among anime fans, as most viewers tend to pair their favorite characters. Ichigo was paired with several cast members duringBleach’s time on air, with one of his most popular possible partners being his best friend, Rukia. This couple ultimately did not become a reality, asthe protagonist married Orihime during the epilogue of the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Although not many fans were happy with this choice, there are many reasons why pairing Ichigo with Rukia would not have been a good idea. The two warriors have great chemistry among them, but they see each other more like siblings than potential partners, as proven by their constant arguments. Ichigo was also never meant to live as long as Rukia would, meaning he would have died much earlier than his partner if they were to ever become a couple.
5The English Dub Is Overheated
The Voice Actors’ Work Is Impressive
As long as anime has existed in the West, fans have claimed that the dub versions of their favorite shows are inferior to the original Japanese.Bleachwas not safe from this trend, as its English dub is considered one of the worst entries in the franchise, according to most of the fandom.
There are many traits about the translation that can lead a viewer to this conclusion, as most characters did not manage to transmit the same emotions as the original. Still,Bleach’s dub is far from the worst ever created, and it has a degree of quality that is hard to find. Thevoice actors that gave life to the characters did an amazing job that needs to be appreciatedmuch more by fans.
4Ichigo’s True Bankai Was Underwhelming
The Hero Deserved Better
In the world ofBleach, Bankais are an essential part of any Shinigami’s essence, as these hidden abilities are the culmination of a warrior’s training. Ichigo spent a large portion of the series without being able to use this technique, despite it being teased in several episodes. Fans waited patiently for many years to see the protagonist achieve this state, hoping to see an amazing power.
The truth was far less spectacular than readers imagined, as Ichigo’s true Bankai ended up being just a second sword that could be used with Zanpakuto. This skill looks amazing in battle, and it does give the hero a boost in physical abilities. Yet, whenthe best Bankai in the seriescan give their users abilities that defy the laws of nature, having a second sword is not as memorable.
3The Story Can Be Repetitive
Many Arcs Follow Similar Formulas
AlthoughBleachhas often been praised for its unique approach to the Shōnen genre, there have been many complaints raised by fans about its cyclical nature. The biggest example of this issue can be seen during two of the best and most beloved arcs in the franchise:The Soul Society and Hueco Mundo’s storylines. Both events begin with one of Ichigo’s female friends being kidnapped by a group of powerful spirits.
The heroes go to their rescue, only to be defeated quickly by their mighty opponents, forcing the protagonist to train and become stronger than the rest. After fighting against their enemies again, the heroes managed to rescue their friends and enjoy a moment of peace. This trend, while not as noticeable by regular viewers, can be upsetting at times. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Bleach is not the only Shōnen that struggles with repetitive storytelling.
2Filler Greatly Helped the Series
Many Side Characters Were Developed via Filler
If there is an aspect of anime that most fans hate, it is the existence of long and unimportant filler arcs. These storylines are often used to keep the show going even through periods of waiting for the manga to advance.Bleachhas several filler arcs, many of which have become quite infamous among viewers.
What many fans do not take into consideration is that Kubo’s series used these non-canonical events to flesh out and expand the lore of characters who were often ignored by the original manga. For many viewers, fillers were what made them so attached to the many side characters that were a part of the series’ extensive universe.
1Yhwach Powers Completely Broke the Story
The Villain Drove the Author Into a Corner
Also known as the Father of all Quincy, Yhwach acted as the main antagonist of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc of theBleachseries. This sinister man has been regarded as Shōnen Jump’s most powerful antagonist for several years, thanks to his impressive abilities. His main skill, The Almighty, allowed him to see and alter the future according to his desires, as well as modify the past whenever he was in need.
This powerset was far beyond anything Ichigo and his friends had fought against during the story, a fact that became noticeable quickly during the story. Despite their best efforts, the heroes were unable to even harm Yhwach, implying that it was almost impossible for them to win. This causedthe villain’s ultimate defeat to feel undeserved, as there were no realistic ways the heroes would have been able to kill the near-omnipotent Yhwach.
