Once heralded as a colossal titan in the anime realm, ‘Bleach’ is a name synonymous with the golden era of anime that adorned the early 2000s. Tite Kubo, the mastermind behind the saga, had crafted a tale that transcended cultural barriers, becoming a part of the prestigious ‘Big 3’ club along with ‘Naruto’ and ‘One Piece’. ‘Bleach’ took us on a riveting journey alongside Ichigo Kurosaki, a high schooler with a valorous heart, battling malevolent spirits and escorting departed souls to the afterlife. With its humble beginnings on TV Tokyo back in October 2004, the series propelled itself into an epic voyage spanning 366 enthralling episodes until March 2012.
‘Bleach’ – An Unforgettable Venture to the West
The monumental expedition of ‘Bleach‘ beyond Japanese shores commenced with VIZ Media securing the cherished home video and television distribution rights abroad in March 2006. The following September, American audiences were treated to this supernatural adventure on Adult Swim, a rendezvous that lasted till November 2014, creating a legacy etched in the late-night lineup.
The Bleach phenomenon, however, was far from over. In 2022, after a decade-long hiatus, the echoes of Soul Reapers resonated once again with a new sequel series, ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’. This latest entry delineated the climactic closure of Tite Kubo’s 74-volume magnum opus, heralding the 17th season of the original anime tale. As anticipation soared, one pressing inquiry lingered – where would this celebrated sequel find its digital abode?
#BLEACH Is now trending number 1 Worldwide. pic.twitter.com/H95DyoQ7qm
— BLEACH (@BleachJet) October 10, 2022
The Streaming Conundrum: Disney Plus Vs Crunchyroll
As whispers of ‘Bleach’s return cascaded through the fanbase, the excitement reached crescendo levels. The ensuing tussle for streaming rights saw industry behemoths Disney Plus and Crunchyroll locked in a cut-throat bidding duel. It was Disney Plus that emerged victorious, ostensibly having deeper pockets than Crunchyroll, whose attention was presumably divided with the Fall Anime releases on the horizon.
The veil of speculation was lifted on August 12, 2022, when James Hanson, a revered ‘Bleach’ YouTuber, disclosed that Disney Plus had outmaneuvered Crunchyroll in this digital tug of war. VIZ Media put the stamp of approval on October 3, 2022, announcing that English-speaking aficionados in the United States could bask in the ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’ saga on Hulu USA, while international audiences would find it on Disney Plus.
‘Bleach’ and its New Digital Homes
On October 26, 2022, Disney Plus orchestrated a grandiose debut, releasing all 16 enthralling seasons of the original ‘Bleach‘ series to a plethora of countries including Canada and the UK. This move enthralled fans globally, and come November 30, 2022, the anime saga made its way to the libraries of Disney Plus Australia and New Zealand.
As of now, the ‘Bleach’ legacy and the riveting ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’ continue to enrapture audiences on Disney Plus on an international scale, while its U.S audience finds solace on Hulu. The resurrection of ‘Bleach’ is not just a nostalgic jaunt down memory lane but a testament to the undying allure of a well-spun narrative that transcends time and space, continuing to enchant the hearts of anime enthusiasts globally.
