Summary
Bleach manga covers showcase detailed character art with a consistent style and focus on each character. The volume covers reflect key moments in the series, such as Mayuri's defeat of Szayelaporro and the reveal of Ichigo's hollowness. The cover art for each volume sets the tone for the story within, hinting at character arcs and major battles.
One of the most exciting aspects of a new manga volume coming out is the chance to see some colorful, vibrant and new artwork. Bleach no different from other manga in that regard. The series has had some impressive covers over the years, especially as it continued to grow and Tite Kubo's skills as an artist grew.
Unlike some other manga, which can change cover designs quite a bit, Bleach has a very consistent style that more or less follows every volume. The cover depicts a character, usually one important to that episode, placed on a white background with the series' logo at the top or bottom. Episodes generally also have titles, usually taken from the chapter titles in that episode. Therefore, the focus is on the art of each character rather than the overall layout of the cover.
10 Mayuri looks particularly deranged
Episode Name: Higher Than the Moon
The cover of volume 35 features the often controversial (and author's favorite) Mayuri Korotsuchi, Soul Society's resident mad scientist and absolutely untrustworthy person. Kubo's fondness for Mayuri is reflected in the level of detail in the artwork, paying attention to every last aspect of Mayuri's intricate outfit.. Although only one eye could be seen, Mayuri's gaze seemed to be looking in two different directions, making him look especially confused.
Episode 35 is set in the middle of the Arrancar arc and opens with Mayuri's historic victory over Szayelaporro Granz, the Espada's own mad scientist character, proving once and for all who is the best.
9. Ichigo's inner self is scary
Episode name: Don't Shake the Throne
The cover of Volume 25 depicts Ichigo's hollow insides on the cover, large and prominent. The character is shown licking his lips with a malicious expression, conveying the idea that he has no good intentions towards Ichigo. Because the hollow inside looked so much like Ichigo, it gave the volume a distorted feeling, as if everything was wrong. While fans now know the truth about Ichigo's hollow insides, at this point it's still a mystery and the cover does a great job conveying that uncertainty.
Set during the Visored arc, Ichigo's internal hollow and hollow abilities in general clearly play a large role, as he learns that he is not alone in being part hollow and part Soul Reaper. Even so, the hollow interior is still an interesting choice for a cover character and perhaps foreshadows the larger role it will have later in the series.
8. The Hollow King's Obsession
Episode Name: Kingdom of the Empty Ones
Episode 43 depicts the character known as Baraggan Louisenbairn, AKA the King of the Hollow Men. Featured is Baraggan's resurrected form, rather than his Arrancar form—reflecting his original appearance as King of the Hollows. Baraggan's skeleton head is laughing maniacally in the cover art, showing confidence when facing the Soul Reapers. Baraggan sees himself as a god and faces his enemies without fear of defeat.
The episode is set in the fake Karakura Town arc, and opens with Baraggan's battle with Hachi and Sui Feng, and goes into Baraggan's backstory before he was transformed by Aizen.
Captain of the 7 Yamamoto leaders demonstrated
Episode name: Exhausted Hell
The cover of volume 45 shows Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto shirtless, gritting his teeth and looking very angry. Looking at the image, one can see how experienced Yamamoto must have been in combat, as his body is covered in scars and marks from previous battles.. One of Yamamoto's eyes is in darkness, while the other is glowing red, making him look even scarier than he already does.
This episode takes place near the end of the Fake Karakura Town arc, and sees Captain Yamamoto draw out his true power to face Sosuke Aizen himself. Even as the scary old man looks here, one can't help but wonder if his power is enough to defeat Aizen.
6 Memorial to a fallen captain
Episode Name: The Fire
Incidentally, the cover of volume 58 also features Captain Yamamoto, although this time the focus is on his face rather than his powerful body. This, Yamamoto no longer looked dangerous but instead was a tired, seemingly sad old man.. The image is colored exclusively in red, echoing the episode's title and recalling Yamamoto's fire-based abilities.
Given that this volume includes the prologue to the Thousand Year Blood War arc, which saw Yamamoto's death at the hands of Yhwach, the solemn cover feels appropriate, as if Yamamoto is looking back his death with regret.
5 Uryu's contemplative view
Booklet title: My last words
Volume 72 of Bleach features Uryu's cover, the second time he has appeared on the cover, although the last cover was receded in volume 4. Uryu was dressed in a white Sternritter outfit, holding his cape in one hand as if about to dramatically take it off. However, Uryu's expression didn't seem pleased at all about what was about to happen, he was looking thoughtfully into the distance.
This volume includes Uryu's big confrontation with Ichigo following his apparent defection to Yhwach's side, something he certainly wasn't expecting, which makes the sad-looking cover art very fitting.
4 Gremmy disappeared
Episode name: Death in sight
The cover of Volume 64 depicts Sternritter V, Gremmy Thoumeaux, along with a very prominent title contrasting his artwork. Gremmy is shown looking down and away, mouth open as if saying something. What's interesting is that the artwork has an almost unfinished quality, with Gremmy's white uniform blending into the white background, as if Gremmy is disappearing, and may hint at his true nature.
This episode is set right in the middle of the Quincy invasion of Soul Society, and naturally features a fight in which Gremmy appears against Kenpachi Zaraki.
3 Komamura looks fierce
Episode name: Heart of the Wolf
The cover of volume 62 shows Sajin Komamura's wolf-like face, taking up most of the cover and leaving very little white space. The effect of this is that it feels like Komamura is right in front of the reader, dangerously close. Komamura is shown growling like a wolf and shows no signs of his usual cold man on his face. This could also hint at Komamura's ultimate fate in this arc.
Volume 62 is of course also set during the Quincy Invasion, and specifically features chapters where Komamura fights against Sternritter E, Bambietta Basterbine. Komamura's secrets are finally revealed so it's fitting to feature him prominently on the cover.
2 Kenpachi Zaraki is extremely evil
Episode name: Undead
Returning to volume 13, the cover features Kenpachi Zaraki, again dominating the image and leaving very little white space, helping to emphasize the man's enormous size. Zaraki was smiling sinisterly, looking like he was enjoying himself. Zaraki's robe appears to be tattered, as if the image came from the middle of battle and uses an unusual angle to highlight his massive physique.
This episode depicts Zaraki's first battle with Ichigo in the Soul Society arc, a battle in which Ichigo struggled greatly and eventually won the Captain's respect.
1 Volume 1 of Ichigo The Art is a classic
Episode name: Death and strawberries
Of course, it's difficult to talk about manga covers without going back to its origins: volume 1. Episode 1 features a young Ichigo in his Soul Reaper outfit, holding his sword pointing downwards. What's interesting is that he appears with some kind of strap or bracelet on his arm, which is very similar in color to the colors used in the logo. As the first artwork many people saw from the series, this cover has become incredibly iconic.
Volume 1 naturally covers the beginning of the series, where Ichigo first meets Rukia and uses his Shinigami powers for the first time. Having Ichigo in his Soul Reaper outfit on the cover conveys the idea of the series very quickly and is more than enough to convince someone to pick it up off the shelf. These factors make the cover probably original best Bleach manga covers of them all.