Summary
Johnny Yong Bosch made his triumphant return as Ichigo in the latest Bleach episodes, completing the story of a character fans weren’t sure they would see or hear about again. Bosch has also returned to voice other beloved characters like Vash in Trigun Stampede, and there are many other characters from his career that he would love to return to voice. Bleach resonated with fans because of the fun show, the main character’s passion for protecting his loved ones, the action, and the fact that the entire story had never been seen before, making fans Excited for its return.
Johnny Yong Bosch has inspired an entire generation of voice actors and he shows no signs of slowing down as he returns as Ichigo in the latest installment. Bleach: The thousand-year blood war episodes. Although the Bleach anime was canceled in 2012 before it could adapt the manga’s final and arguably best arc, it returned with incredible improvements in quality and pacing. Most of the series’ cast returned to voice their iconic characters, including Johnny Yong Bosch, who voiced the orange-haired Soul Reaper himself, Kurosaki Ichigo, but the main character of Bleach wasn’t the only character Bosch helped bring to life.
Bleach isn’t the only beloved anime series to recently return in a big way. Earlier this year, Trigun Stampede delivered an incredibly stylish reboot of the story of the mysterious Vash the Stampede, who also saw Johnny Yong Bosch return to voice the battle-hardened pacifist . His work can be appreciated in many iconic franchises such as Devil May Cry, Dragon Ball Super, One Piece, Power Rangers and many more. However, his return to help complete Ichigo’s story in Bleach: TYBW is a glorious return for a character that fans weren’t sure if they would see or hear from again.
Throughout the Bleach series, Ichigo and his friends battled Soul Reapers, mutated souls transformed into powerful Hollows, and even God-like enemies such as one of the villains. anime’s most infamous character, Sōsuke Aizen. However, the final Bleach arc finds Ichigo and the Shinigami facing an enemy even more threatening than Aizen, the mysteriously powerful and cunning King of the Quincy, Yhwach. Johnny spoke with Screen Rant about what makes Bleach unique, his favorite episode to film and more.
Johnny Yong Bosch talks about Bleach and Ichigo’s return
What challenges come with a Voice Actor returning to voice a high school student after ten years? And what was your favorite moment while recording new lines for Ichigo?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I haven’t reached puberty yet so I’m fine. Favorite moment so far in TYBW is episode 7.
You recently returned to voicing beloved characters like Vash in Trigun Stampede and Ichigo in Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War. Are there any other characters in your career that you would like to return to voice like you did for Vash and Ichigo? Is there a character that sticks in your mind whose journey you would like to continue?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Yes, most of them. Kaneda in Akira, Lelouch in Code Geass, I could go on but we’ll be here all night. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some great franchises and would love to return to many of them.
What do you think it is about Bleach that resonated so much with fans that it would receive such a strong reaction 10 years after the anime’s cancellation?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Besides it being just a fun show, maybe his passion for protecting his friends and family, the action, the hollows… but it also ends before it all We get to see the whole story. I think we’re all glad to see that.
What is the most significant difference when voicing an anime character versus a video game character? Which do you find more fun?
Johnny Yong Bosch: A lot depends on the story and the characters. I like both, but usually the games have more screaming and yelling and you don’t always know exactly why you’re doing it. Maybe you’re being punched, slapped, electrocuted, falling over because you don’t know what’s going on, etc. In anime, you usually know what’s going on or at least have a clearer context. So both can be fun, you can get exhausted faster while playing the game.
What advice would you give to those wanting to pursue a voiceover career in 2023?
Johnny Yong Bosch: I recommend pursuing your dreams with a primary focus on acting but also keeping other opportunities open. You may discover your passion for writing or directing along the way.
I’d love to hear about games, shows, or movies you’ve been enjoying lately. What has brought you joy lately?
Johnny Yong Bosch: Recently…Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Perfect Strangers, [and] 80s movies.
Introducing Bleach: The Thousand Year Blood War
Ichigo Kurosaki and what’s left of the Shinigami attempt to recover and prepare for the next battle against the fearsome Yhwach and his mighty army of Quincy. However, potentially deadly training, betrayal and shocking origins are revealed throughout. Bleach: The thousand-year blood war with the promise of adapting the final season of Tite Kubo’s Bleach manga into four separate seasons, with the season 2 finale premiering on September 30, 2023.
See Bleach: The thousand-year blood war anime on Hulu and Disney+.
Source: AnimeStudio/YouTube
