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There are a lot of anime series out there that will make you cry, but none have affected the community as hard as Your Lie in April did. Even 11 years later, it’s one of the most memorable stories to grace us.

Your Lie in April is a masterpiece that combines music and storytelling. The romance between Kaori and Kosei isn’t the typical slice-of-life you’d expect from an anime. They never even got to confess their feelings for each other before Kaori tragically passed away.

Kaori and Kosei from Your Lie in April. [Credit: A-1 Pictures]

The story just knew exactly where to hit, and it executed the protagonists’ overcoming their past traumas well. From the soundtrack to the well-written cast of characters, there’s nothing you cannot find in Your Lie in April. If you haven’t watched it yet, here are five reasons you need to today.

When anime fans watch the Solo Levelinganime, they will mainly focus on the Op protagonist Sung Jinwoo himself. But even when Jinwoo fights as a solo leveler warrior, he might need some backup, and he can't ask for better backup than the S-ranked hunter Cha Hae-in. Cha is one of Korea's very best hunters, a tough and capable monster slayer who is at the top of her game. She is also the best female character in Solo Leveling so far.

Still, even if Cha is a fun character to watch and a terrific hunter, anime fans have seen better female warriors in similar series. For all her powerful skills and cool armor, Cha hasn't been developed very deeply, and she doesn't feel memorable or emotionally resonant just yet. Until the Solo Leveling anime can push Cha to the next level as a character, anime fans can point to other female fighters with cooler skills,...

From her character design to the menace she exuded as a villain, Tite Kubo got everything right with Tier Harribel in Bleach, except for one thing–her potential was never fully utilized. During the Fake Karakura Town and beyond it, Harribel could have easily played an integral role.

Sadly, we didn’t get much of her beyond the fights against Hitsugaya and her flashback. She was one of the few Espadas who survived the battle of Fake Karakura Town. She even appeared during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, and could have easily played a more important role.

Tier Harribel in Bleach anime | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

That couldn’t happen as the mangaka found himself physically unable to keep drawing, at least at that point in time. Kubo revealed how his medical condition made it difficult to expand the lore of Bleach, and made him cut short the manga’s run.

One Piece is currently one of the longest and most popular animanga franchises of all time. Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece started off a s a fun pirate manga and eventually turned into a global phenomenon that people around the world simply adore.

Fans cannot wait to see how Oda is going to finish his manga, but we’re still some time from that moment. Until then, we can enjoy the manga and the anime, and one of the elements that certainly helps in that is the music.

When the anime initially premiered, the first Op was “We Are!” by Hiroshi Kitadani. Now a timeless classic among anime fans, the song actually did a lot for Kitadani personally, as it, as he said in a recent interview, saved his life.

Related: ‘One Piece’ Fans Will Now Be Able to Taste Devil Fruits Themselves Thanks to Baskin Robbins

Kitadani’s...

While all of Bleach's villains are crafted using a blend of unique abilities and distinct character designs, fans generally care more about a villain's overall presentation than their powers alone. Many of the Bleach anime's best villains have a certain badass aura that makes just as much of an impression as their strength. The roughest Bleach anime villains make their hardcore personalities clear through their confidence, brashness, and toughness.

Bleach's badass villains are often presented either as cocky characters who play by their own rules like Sosuke Aizen or tremendous forces of darkness like Äs Nödt. Power levels aside, a captivating personality is enough to help Bleach villains eat up the spotlight every time they're onscreen. Some Bleach antagonists with relatively small influence are even recognized as cool characters because of the badass energy they bring to the story with every appearance.

Kaname Tosen's Hardcore Conviction Is Unmatched Debut: Episode 24 "Assemble!

Dragon Ball has introduced some of the most remarkable heroes in shonen anime, but the strongest Dragon Ball villains can face them head-on. The action-packed anime gets more intense as each arc progresses because the villains only become deadlier. The Dragon Ball series introduced the idea of "powering up" and getting stronger through rage, training, and evolving martial arts techniques. Without Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, there wouldn't be shows like Naruto, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and a hundred more. With the expected return of Dragon Ball Super in 2025, it seems the franchise will never end.

Goku and the Z Fighters are not the only ones who enhance the series. With an incredible rogues gallery comprised of bizarre aliens and interdimensional monsters, there's never a shortage of someone to fight. Over the years, Goku's fights have gotten more extreme. The hero's biggest concern used to be facing someone powerful enough to destroy a city,...

Bleach and Naruto lie on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the female characters. Masashi Kishimoto’s characterization of female characters is hopeless. Even if the mangaka manages to introduce a good female character, their progression never lives up to the initial perception.

Tite Kubo fans must be proud of their favorite mangaka, as he seemingly doesn’t struggle with the same problem. Orihime Inoue is the best example of it. Her introduction set her up as a typical female shonen character. Her character development was brilliant and changed that perception for the better.

Orihime Inoue in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

There are some problematic aspects in her characterization, but the better parts of her character overshadow the flaws. Here’s a recollection of everything good and bad about her that make Orihime the best character in Bleach.

Orihime Inoue is the most well-rounded...

The easiest way to spark a heated discussion among anime fans is to mention shonen anime and female characters in the same sentence. Most mainstream Shonen titles have lackluster female characters, except for Tite Kubo’s Bleach.

This might shock some fans because the mangaka has a tendency to go all out with fan service. When it comes to fanservice, the first character who comes to mind is Rangiku Matsumoto. However, most female characters in Bleach are so well-written that the competition is fierce.

Orihime Inoue in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

The only thing dragging Rangiku down is the special emphasis on fanservice by the mangaka. She has some great traits, but the fanservice overshadows most of them, making it quite surprising that she still ranks among the best the animanga series has to offer.

Bleach has the best female characters among shonen titles

Every arc and group...

In a shocking turn of events, Japanese enka singer and self-trained musician Kousuke Atari, known for his theme song performances in anime series like Bleach and Natsume’s Book of Friends, has been arrested for alleged sexual assault in Tokyo around 2 Am. The singer was booked for allegedly assaulting a man in his sleep at a public bath.

Bleach Anime Series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Atari is a well-known singer in Japan and has released multiple albums and singles that earned him fame and recognition. He is best known for his song Tane wo Maku Hibi, which is the thirteenth ending theme for the Bleach anime series. His song was used for half of The Hueco Mundo arc Part 1 as the ending theme.

While police are investigating the incident, Atari’s social media team has released a statement regarding the allegations on Atari. The team has shared a post pointing out...

Ninjas are always cool, but the recent release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the long-awaited entry in the franchise that finally allows players to take on the role of an actual ninja, the Internet has had ninjas on the brain a lot lately. With that in mind, now seems like the perfect time to take a look at the most popular ninja-centric anime franchise in the history of the medium.

To briefly recap what we've already talked about in the previous anime recommendations from the Bam Smack Pow team: the three most popular and profitable manga series and their anime adaptations and collectively known as the Big Three. We've posted about two of those three in One Piece and Bleach.

Today, we're closing out our look at the Big Three of anime by taking a look at Naruto. Anime streamer Crunchyroll describes the series like this:

"The Village Hidden in the...

Live-action adaptations of anime are infamous for not living up to the mark for very apparent reasons. There are many factors in anime that become a hurdle to portray on the big screen with all their complexity.

This becomes more of an issue for an anime like Bleach, where we get plenty of fantasy elements and a variety of characters. There are also monsters and elaborate power structures that are essentially the soul of the story and are tough to reimagine in reality.

Ichigo from Bleach [Credits: Studio Pierrot]

Perhaps this is why Netflix’s Bleach adaptation missed the mark and could not do justice to the legacy of Tite Kubo as faithfully as the audience wanted. It was definitely not terrible, but it was not the greatest, either.

Bleach was a decent movie that had both positive and negative aspects

A live-action movie of Bleach was needed because it kept...

Bleach is undoubtedly one of the best Shonen anime that introduced its fans to some of the most well-written villains in the industry. Among them, Aizen and Ulquiorra stand out because of their complex personalities and intriguing dynamics.

Ulquiorra from Bleach [Credits: Studio Pierrot]

It is almost impossible to hide anything from Aizen because of his all-knowing and all-seeing nature. Thus, when it was revealed that Ulquiorra might have hidden something very important from the master manipulator, fans were shocked.

The question of whether Aizen really knew nothing about Ulquiorra’s second release remained amongst fans. There are many theories surrounding this mystery, and only Tite Kubo can clarify it.

Could Aizen really be in the dark?

Aizen, knowing everything happening in Bleach, is not just a meme but a fact that he has proven time and time again. It has been shown how he loves to manipulate situations in a...

More and more Japanese animation studios are coming out with original series, but most anime are based on successful manga. While there are countless publishers who’ve serialized some fantastic series, many of the most popular anime of the past few decades have originated from the printing press of Shueisha’s weekly manga magazine, Shonen Jump.

Shonen Jump is currently the most well-known manga magazine to date, and it’s still in the process of printing some hit series like Dandadan and Kaiju no. 8. With these hit series comes the debut of some truly unforgettable characters. The most iconic anime characters—both old and new—have risen to stardom after being popularized in Shonen Jump’s black and white pages.

Death Note's Light Yagami Will Forever be Shonen Anime's Darkest Protagonist Death Note, Shonen Jump 2004 Issue no. 1 Image via Madhouse

Death Note is one of the most well-known and referenced series in modern anime.

Compared to most shonen anime, Bleach is quite unique. It starts with a realistic setting, and even after the introduction of supernatural elements, Tite Kubo maintains that grounded feel to some extent. The incorporation of poetry and stylish characters elevates the storytelling. With that said Bleach as an experience is entertaining and irreplaceable once you watch it all the way through.

However, even the die-hard fans of the series would agree that there are some points where the quality dips. This would instantly remind the fandom of Fullbring Arc, but the Arrancar Arc has plenty of flaws that deserve a discussion of their own.

Aizen vs. Ichigo during the Arrancar arc in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd. The Arrancar Arc is what wasted potential looks like

The Bleach fandom has mixed opinions on the Arrancar Arc. Some remember it as one of the best arcs, while others believe this...

The old folks in anime usually hold a special place in fans’ hearts, and that includes Captain-Commander Yamamoto from Bleach as well. These characters are the best combination of wisdom, experience, and massive strength. Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was no different; he served as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for thousands of years. He fought against all the major villains in the series and showcased what he was capable of.

Both fights might not have concluded in his favor, but Tite Kubo highlighted what makes Yamamoto truly special. From planning ahead to being aware of his surroundings, he did more than just barrage his opponents with deadly attacks. This makes his losses all the more surprising, but there’s still a lot to appreciate about what he represented.

Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd. Captain-Commander Yamamoto and his unwavering resolve Yamamoto during his fight against Aizen | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co.

Bleach anime fans don’t know how good they have it. There are a lot of scenes that were filtered so that they could be seen by the normal audience. This means that a lot of creepy stuff was a no-go if they intended for Bleach to be for the kids.

The brutality and bloodshed in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Credits: Studio Pierrot

That is why even though Bleach seems like one of the adult shows, it lacks that bit of push from being considered a mature anime. In fact, with no gore and not even traumatic imagery, the Bleach anime did a good job of sugar-coating the horrors that Tite Kubo envisioned.

But sometimes, there are things that are cut from the anime that do not make sense, like the scene where Gin Ichimaru cuts Hiyori in half, literally, while smiling.

Gin’s attack on Hiyori was worse than...

Bleach is an uncrowned showstopper when it comes to the Shonen genre for various reasons. There’s action, there are stakes, there are powerful fights, and then there is the compelling storytelling. But there is an instance from the manga that the anime sadly did not render.

Byakuya Kuchiki in a still from Thousand-Year Blood War anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

To put it simply, the scene has to do with Byakuya’s realization of Ichigo’s character and trait. It is symbolic in every sense, especially with how it is written in the manga. But most of all, it draws the main character’s parallel with yet another goated character in the series.

Byakuya’s profound moment is omitted in the Bleach anime

Other than being one of the Gotei 13 captains, Byakuya is also a member of one of the noble families, the Kuchiki clan. He is also one of the powerful Shinigami in Seireitei,...

Tite Kubo’s Bleach is famous for its expansive roster of characters, with each having unique abilities, personalities, and power scaling. However, not all Shinigami are created equal in Kubo’s world. Some are gifted the spotlight with immense power and relevance in terms of stories while others are left to struggle and take Ls most of the time. Such disparity is nowhere more evident than in the treatment of Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Lieutenant Renji Abarai.

Yamamoto from Bleach. | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Yamamoto is definitely the strongest Shinigami of all time, and the story makes sure we know that. Right from the start, he’s presented as this unstoppable force of destruction, getting all this respect and scaring everyone.

He’s got that legendary warrior vibe going on, and his death just makes him a legend even more. Then there’s Renji, he’s got crazy potential, but honestly,...

Solo Leveling has become the biggest opening hit of 2025, and the amount of hype it received will be remembered for years. The extensive aura farming in the anime makes it worth a watch. But Tite Kubo’s Bleach mastered aura-farming ages before Solo Leveling was even conceived.

Solo Leveling is popular for its protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, and his aura-farming tendencies. This means, that no matter what he does, he has to look cool while doing it whether he is in a tough spot or has the upper hand, his cool and handsome looks shall never diminish.

One Bleach scene that can teach Solo Leveling the definition of aura-farming Solo Leveling’s aura farming is nothing compared to Bleach | Credits: A-1 Pictures

Bleach: Tybw is a massive success in the anime industry. Everything from its animation to plot, direction, and original scenes stood out in the best way possible. But...

The following contains major spoilers. Proceed with caution.

The best kinds of anime plot twists are the ones fans remember even long after the anime in question came and went. This, however, doesn't exactly mean that the plot twist has to be good, or at least popular. In the case of these particular anime, their biggest plot twists caused more controversy than anyone could've anticipated or wanted.

These controversial plot twists had little to no middle ground. Either fans loved it, or they despised it. Defenders say these contentious narrative developments enriched their respective anime, and are confident time will be kind to these twists. On the other hand, critics see these plot twists as the worst possible writing choices imaginable that only made the anime they came from all the more questionable.

Ichigo Kurosaki's Overpowered Status Has a Canonical Reason Stream Bleach on HuluImage by Pierrot Films

Bleach was...

The story of Bleach concluded in 2016, and nearly a decade later, fans are still as invested as ever in the manga’s lore. The Arrancar hierarchy in particular keeps the curiosity high with the different classifications. From Menos Grande to Espada, there were many different characters to represent every category. However, the Vasto Lordes were the rarest of them all.

Ichigo in his Hollow form in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

For the longest time, fans have been questioning which of the characters have been confirmed to be Vasto Lorde. Although it’s difficult, it makes one hope for a potential spin-off dedicated to them. Interestingly, there’s some additional information available about them, but it’s all beyond the manga.

Everything we know about Vasto Lordes in Bleach

The Vasto Lordes are the highest class of menos. They are smaller in size compared to the other Hollows and...

There’s no doubt Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai have made banger movies that took anime films’ popularity to a global level, and they do get a lot of love for that. But how can we forget there was another genius in the Japanese anime film industry that even Japanese people don’t talk about much nowadays? It’s none other than Satoshi Kon!

Satoshi Kon’s last film Paprika | Credit: Studio Madhouse

His movies are truly one-of-a-kind, blending psychology, social commentary, and stunning visuals in a way that’s still hard to replicate. From the mind-bending surrealism of Paprika to the eerie social commentary of Perfect Blue, each and every Kon’s films is extremely thought-provoking and also visually stunning.

Recently, industry insiders like Mappa founder Masao Maruyama and anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa shared the same feeling of losing sight of Kon’s contributions. They also believe this is...

When it comes to villains in shonen action anime, Bleach is one that has its fair share. Villains like Grimmjow Jaegerjaques and pitiable Coyote Starrk are easier to forgive, but some of the series' most dangerous and vile characters revel in their darkness, scarecly thinking twice about exploiting, harming or terrorizing the people around them for their own benefit.

Villains of this caliper are remembered for committing some of the most atrocious and unjustifiable acts. Fans can't overlook the things they've done, even when they seemingly have a change of heart or switch sides. Fortunately, Bleach's heroes put themselves on the front line to stop those villains who would destroy everything in their path without a second thought. It's also a boon that the most unforgivable villains tend to have pretty thin plot armor, so they can be taken out of play quickly enough to satisfy anime fans who...

Metallica’s members are all in their 60s, and their music is way more physically demanding than anything their classic-rock forebears have had to tackle onstage — but lead guitarist Kirk Hammett tells our Rolling Stone Music Now podcast that he doesn’t see retirement on the horizon.

“As long as we have our health and our mind, I think we can just keep on going,” says Hammett, whose new coffee-table book, The Collection: Kirk Hammett, dives into his world-class arsenal of vintage guitars. “Sometimes I forget how old I am,...

Bankai is no cakewalk but Tite Kubo made some exceptions. This is true for Ichigo and Mayuri who defied the ironclad rules in their mastery of the form. It is crazy to see the abilities in their full glory and intensity. And while there are prodigies and geniuses, some took the road less traveled.

Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Interestingly, Kubo took the difficult way out for this Bleach character. It took almost decades for the character to get Bankai but we know one thing for sure. Even if it was delayed, it slayed. To top it off, the mangaka and Pierrot took it up a notch by giving us some of the stellar moments in the Tybw anime.

Delayed but Slayed: The Arduous Bankai in Bleach

The power system in Bleach is unique and impressive in more ways than one. From Kido spells to Shunpo,...

Over the past 50 years, there's been no shortage of excellent action anime for people to watch. These iconic titles have stood the test of time in several ways. They are known for the great animation, choreography, and fight scenes on display. A fantastic fight from a currently airing anime feels like nothing compared to the astounding quality these titles maintain.

The best action anime are usually the most consistent. Fight scenes may be one thing, but without an interesting story or characters to back them up, they don't hit nearly as hard. Fortunately, these examples provide plenty of substance to balance their impressive style. It's unclear what the anime landscape would look like now without these series.

Trigun's Gunslinging Action Has Yet to Be Matched Streaming on Crunchyroll

Trigun's gunslinging action remains unique in a sea of action series focusing on hand-to-hand combat. Vash the Stampede may be an expert with guns,...

Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach had to go through some of the most intense fights throughout his career as a Soul Reaper. In each of these battles, Ichigo thrived and won even though his opponents were stronger than he was, at least at some point in time.

Ichigo from Bleach [Credits: Studio Pierrot]

One of his first deadly battles is, hands down, his fight against Ulquiorra, where Ichigo literally dies when trying to rescue Orihime. And later, he almost loses his humanity, when he once again goes after Ulquiorra.

However, this was not his toughest fight because he had the will to battle till the end, which he did not against Yhawch. It is not just about the physical damage that he bore but also the psychological impact, which broke him completely.

Death came to Ichigo twice against Ulquiorra in Bleach

Ulquiorra definitely physically overwhelmed Ichigo throughout all their fights. When they first fought in Hueco Mundo,...

In anime series of any genre, it's essential for the main characters to get major development so they can keep growing as cool, compelling, and heartfelt characters. Plenty of prominent anime characters get rich and meaningful development as the story continues, but others fall well short of that goal. Unfortunately, some notable anime characters had iffy growth arcs and weak development that made them less interesting in the long run.

Bad character development can take a few forms, such as a character changing their mind or viewpoint for unclear reasons, their development being slow or meaningless, or the character becoming less pleasant and likable over time. Bad development will rob a character of their potential and make their growth stall out, which is a real shame for anime fans who liked them and wanted them to become someone amazing.

Yamcha Got Redeemed, Then Did Nothing Important Yamcha Was Better Off...

Bleachhas introduced anime fans to a stunning variety of powerful characters, from Sosuke Aizen to King Yhwach of the Quincy tribe – but it naturally took time to introduce the franchise's powerhouses. Some of the strongest characters in Bleach had to wait a hot minute before their introduction, while others made their debut nice and early in the anime's story.

The Agent of the Shinigami arc added a lot of variety to the anime by introducing some cool characters of varying power levels. While many early Bleach characters faded into obscurity, others started off the story powerful enough to hold their own and leave an even stronger impression on fans.

Don Kanonji Put Showmanship Over Good Sense Bleach Episode 10: "Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip!" Image by Studio Pierrot.

Don Kanonji had just enough spiritual awareness to see Hollows and interact with various souls, and he could even make a mildly...

As an S-Rank Hunter, Cha Hae-In is one of the strongest Hunters in Solo Leveling. She is a master swordsman with enhanced physical abilities. Her dance-like movements can overwhelm most opponents, and she can cut through S-Rank monsters by transforming her sword into light. It's true Hunter Cha can clear high-level Dungeons by herself, but there are several villains from other anime series who can easily crush her in combat.

Most of these anime villains are not human, and several of them possess extraordinary regenerative abilities that would render Cha's attacks meaningless. Some of these villains are human, though, and one villain is part of an actual God. Each of these anime villains can crush Hunter Cha with their overpowered abilities and immense strength.

Hunter x Hunter's Meruem Is Another Powerful Ant King Who Would Easily Crush Cha Streaming on Netflix

The Chimera Ants from Hunter x Hunter are...

One thing that all Bleachfans can agree on is that The Bount Invasion Arc (colloquially known as "The Bount Arc") is the long-running anime's weakest filler arc. Given Bleach's filler arcs were a mixed bag which left a lot to be desired, this says quite a lot. The arc is so infamous, even general anime fans who aren't too familiar with Bleach have likely heard that The Bount Arc is one of the worst anime filler arcs ever made.

Now that it's been more than 20 years since Bleach first aired, grateful fans who are currently enjoying and loving Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War can't help but look back at missteps like The Bount Arc and appreciate just how far their favorite anime has come. Although the arc's infamy and negative reception aren't unjustified, it's about time Bleach fans admit that The Bount Arc wasn't all that bad.

The Bount Arc...

Bleach is considered one of the Big Three Shonen anime. Thus, it has a huge number of heroes and villains in its roster. Black Clover could be on a smaller scale, but that does not mean it is lagging behind when it comes to powerful protagonists.

Pitting a Black Clover character against that of Bleach seems a bit out of hand. But the Goku vs. Saitama debate has been ongoing for years but there’s still no end to it. So who amongst the two most powerful captains in Black Clover are going to win?

Black Clover and Bleach fans are putting Kenpachi and Yami against each other

It might seem ridiculous, but anime fans spend their leisure time debating about which anime character is more powerful when pitted against another. Both characters could belong to two completely different series that have no relation to each other. But it simply never matters.

The upcoming Devil May Cry animated series on Netflix has sparked excitement and even debate among fans, particularly due to a major casting change. Johnny Yong Bosch is stepping in as the voice of Dante. Reuben Langdon has been the definitive voice of Dante for years, making this transition quite a significant moment for the franchise.

Dante, Devil May Cry: Netflix Adaptation [Capcom, US Funimation]

Reuben’s portrayal of the demon hunter, with its signature mix of haughtiness and sharp wit, has left an indelible mark on the character. For many fans, Langdon is Dante, and replacing him is no small feat.

This casting change has divided fans in the gaming and anime communities. Some fans are open to the shift, especially considering Bosch’s prior experience with the series. Others, however, remain skeptical, fearing that Dante’s signature personality may not translate as well under a new voice.

Who is Johnny Yong Bosch?...

Shonen anime have instilled the fear of painful deaths in fans’ minds, but not Bleach. Tite Kubo spoiled fans by keeping most of the main cast alive. Even Byakuya returned from the brink of death when most of us expected it to be the end for him.

This makes one wonder why the mangaka didn’t even flinch before off-screening the Arrancars. After all, the Espada had great character arcs. A fan on Reddit suggested an interesting way to incorporate them into the main storyline.

Byakuya Kuchiki in Bleach anime | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

This suggestion is perfect for Coyote Starrk given his backstory. All that he desired, along with his chemistry with Shunsui, suggests that he should have stuck around for longer. But, how?

The perfect way for Starrk to stick around until the end

Coyote Starrk was the Primera Espada, placing him at the top of the Espada hierarchy.

The anime hype is real and it is taking over the world at a rapid pace that no one had expected. From legendary anime projects like One Piece and Bleach to new additions of series like Solo Leveling and Sakamoto Days, the community is growing with each passing day and fans have new series, movies, and seasons to look forward to every month.

Solo Leveling Season 2 | Credit: A-1 Pictures

And 2025 seems the perfect year for it as the industry has never been as jam-packed as it is this year. There have been many series and movies that have been already making it big, and the year has only started. Plus, considering the lineup for summer, it is safe to assume that the hype is going to grow even more and fans are not ready for it all.

The list contains a lot of big names from the past and also...

Anime series are regularly known for having a lot of episodes compared to traditional television series. That said, several of the longest anime are also the most popular. One Piece began airing in 1999 and won't be ending any time soon. The beloved anime series now has over a thousand episodes.

Much longer anime series aren't completely linear and can easily jump between storylines. Crayon Shin-Chan follows the antics of Shinnosuke Nohara as he manages the day-to-day of child life. Surprisingly, this concept has spanned over 1,267 episodes. Several prominent anime have the most episodes of any televised series, but some aren't worth the dedication it takes to finish them.

Sgt. Frog Is The Perfect Balance of Action & Weird Comedy Anime Streaming on Crunchyroll

Sgt. Frog has a lot of episodes. Yet, this number doesn't seem so great when considering the anime isn't linear. Fans of the series do not watch the series for the plot,...

The Bleach anime and Japanese rock band Aqua Timez are pretty much inseparable. The group has performed multiple theme songs across the series's history, and now the band is back with a new track following the anime's 20th anniversary. The Jump Mv project consists of music videos for major Shonen Jump titles to coincide with announcements, finales, anniversaries and other special occasions. Bleach , naturally, has had several entries in this list. Now you can check out the latest, setting 20 years of anime history to the new song "Oldrose." Related: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 - The Calamity Anime Officially Announced "Oldrose" will be available on a variety of digital platforms starting tomorrow, March 22. "Oldrose" single jacket Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War , which adapts the concluding arc of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga series, streamed on Disney+ and Hulu worldwide from October to December 2022. Part 2, subtitled The Separation , premiered from July to...

Some anime fans like to watch a good anime series at a leisurely pace, such as a few episodes per day, and other fans are fond of binging. Both approaches are valid, but some anime series are not meant to be rushed like that. Anime with simple plots and constant action are fine to binge, such as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Bleach, while other lengthy anime would feel unsatisfying if the fan rushes through them too fast.

When an anime is quite lengthy, or at least 24+ episodes long, anime fans may be tempted to binge the whole thing and get to the good stuff as soon as possible, but that's not always the right call. Certain long anime are bad for binging, usually because they have complex plots or because the narrative is meant to have a deliberate pace with room to breathe. A complex plot is easier to follow...

Arrogance is hardly pleasing, but when a character can back it up with their abilities, one can’t help but feel some admiration for it. Baraggan, the Segunda Espada in Bleach, evokes a similar feeling in fans. He wasn’t the most likable, but his character design and abilities were some of the best.

Tite Kubo created a great character with an interesting backstory. Baraggan stood out among the other Espada, who were quieter and only spoke through their actions. Despite how obnoxious he was, Baraggan arguably had the most overpowered abilities.

Baraggan Louisenbairn in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

The mangaka used an overused shonen trope to sideline him, which made his conclusion feel abrupt. He deserved a more satisfying end given his overwhelming capabilities.

Baraggan was the King of Hueco Mundo for a reason in Bleach

Baraggan was proud of his powers and his status as the King of Hueco Mundo.

If you've been following the Bam Smack Pow team's ongoing anime coverage, you've probably seen us mention the "Big Three" of anime and manga a few times now. The term refers to three of the most successful anime and manga series of all time and easily the three most popular of the early years of the 21st century. Those three series are One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, which together total nearly a billion (with a b) copies sold.

We've already shared our recommendation of the most popular anime series with our look at One Piece. Today, we're going to be taking a quick look at the second of the Big Three of anime, the stylish supernatural action series Bleach. The original Bleach manga by artist Tite Kubo ran from 2001-2016, with an anime series that debuted in 2004.

Your quick introduction to Bleach

The opening scene of the very first episode...

The anime community has undeniably gotten bigger in the past few years, and some series in particular are responsible for it. Most seasoned anime fans grew up watching either Naruto, Bleach, or One Piece. Recently, most new fans have started their journey with Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan.

Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. [Credit: Mappa]

I personally grew up watching Fairy Tail and One Piece, but I still remember watching the first episode of Attack on Titan in 2013. From the get-go, it was a unique, one-of-a-kind series. I also never would’ve predicted Eren’s arc would go the Lelouch route. It’s what makes Attack on Titan so amazing.

That, however, is the downside of having Attack on Titan as your first-ever anime. This industry has several genres to explore, from slice-of-life to horror. Not all of them will live up to the high-quality animation and intense storytelling of Isayama’s story.

Anime appeals to a wide variety of different demographics, but younger ones are more drawn to it. The number of adolescents and teens who watch anime is growing by the day. The constant influx of new series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren, and Solo Leveling only encourages more people to get into anime and make the community grow. However, some titles make references that many younger audience members won't catch onto.

These nods to older works aren't inherently a bad thing. It's perfectly fine to reference an older anime or show that was a clear inspiration for a modern-day classic. Often, older audiences can appreciate a subtle homage when it's done well. But it's also apparent that whatever is being referenced won't resonate with young audiences.

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For a story that spanned over a decade, Tite Kubo’s Bleach has a huge cast of characters. With so many of them, it’s nearly impossible to give every character the same attention while maintaining the quality of the overarching narrative. Even then, some characters in the story deserved more from the mangaka.

Coyote Starrk is the poster boy for that category. His character arc could’ve easily been expanded. Within a short period, the anime explored themes of loneliness and companionship through him. It would have been great to have him around for longer.

Coyote Starrk | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

But Kubo clearly had favorites, as he seemingly dedicated all his attention to Ulquiorra. There’s also a canonical reason that could explain why Starrk’s screen time was so limited.

The exploration of Starrk’s backstory in Bleach

Coyote Starrk was the strongest Espada according to his rank.

Bleach anime is a fairly good adaptation of its source material, especially when one remembers the godly soundtrack and the stunning visuals. But, I still have some major gripes with how it toned down Tite Kubo’s vision, butchering the intensity and thrill of numerous exciting fights in the series.

The anime also added fillers that created some narrative differences from the manga. All these problems aside, there’s one fight in the anime with filler additions that was quintessential Kubo. Whether it’s the characters, their conclusions, or the general way of life in Bleach, poetry is an indispensable aspect of it all.

A still from the fight between Shunsui and Starrk in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

The fight between Starrk and Shunsui was slightly altered in the anime. The changes led to a more poetic end compared to the manga, which was a beautiful turn of events in my opinion.

Anime has many notable powerhouses that have muscles upon muscles. Many of these characters represent the peak of human capabilities and beyond. Yet, not every anime physique can be replicated in the real world. Characters like Naruzo Machio can hide their gargantuan physique with just a shirt. While this works on an anime level, it makes zero sense in reality.

Several of anime's most popular shonen anime feature body types that are questionable. Many One Piece characters could be accused of skipping leg day, but this is most apparent in the villain Kaido. His hulking torso and arms do not match the shorter stature insinuated by his smaller legs. Many popular anime characters have commendable physiques, but several aren't remotely attainable in the real world.

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Goku from Dragon Ball...

Any action anime series will need some cool and strong villains to threaten the world and challenge the heroes. Weak, forgettable, or generic villains are sure to hold back the narrative somewhat, but truly great villains will make an action anime shine and keep viewers coming back for more. Whether those villains are halfway sympathetic beings or unforgivable monsters, they will be entertaining if they're stylish and strong.

A variety of action anime titles absolutely deliver on that front, and at times, the villains are more interesting than the heroes themselves. The best action anime with the best villains treat viewers to not just excellent fight scenes between good and evil, but also some thoughtful dialogue and ideological views from the villains. It's not enough for the antagonists to be strong — they also need an interesting why with what they do, and they should have strong personal convictions or even vulnerabilities to round things out.

Something is coming to Bleach fans. For the past few days, franchise creator Tite Kubo has been posting a cryptic countdown on his official Twitter/X account. Fans know that it's Bleach-related not only because it's Kubo posting, but also because it's always the same image: Ichigo's substitute Soul Reaper badge. While no further information has been revealed at this point, there is a specific date that the mangaka is counting towards: March 21, this Friday.

The first villains to be introduced in Tite Kubo’s Bleach were the Hollows. From that introduction to the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, their portrayal has undergone many changes. They added a supernatural threat to a story that was initially rooted in a realistic human world. As the story progressed, the different categories of Hollows were explored and that terror vanished.

More and more Hollows with complex backstories were introduced including the Arrancars, Espadas, and the Vasto Lordes. These characters were interesting; however, the initial appeal of Hollows could no longer be felt.

Rukia fights off a Hollow in the first episode of Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Considering how Kubo is a master of crafting memorable characters, this was probably the one point where he faltered. The characterization of Hollows was much better at the beginning compared to how they evolved with the story.

Tite Kubo’s initial...

The battle between the Big Three of the anime world is something that every anime and manga fan enjoys. From characters to storylines, fans like to compare everything to figure out which is the better series out of the two. One such battle that has been going on for a long time is to figure out the better power structure between One Piece and Bleach.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Tite Kubo’s Bleach and Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece are two of the biggest names in the anime and manga industry right now. While Bleach is trending for its Thousand-Year Blood War arc, One Piece is earning fame and recognition because of its Elbaph arc. Thus, the competition between the two out of the Big Three has begun once again.

One aspect of the competition is the power structure of the two series which is one...

This week, Disney+ releases a new kind of Star Wars series that we’ve yet to see the likes of before. That’s Star Wars: Visions. And its nine shorts are all set to release on the streaming platform on Sept. 22.

The nine standalone episodes come from seven studios: Kamikaze Douga, Geno Studio, Studio Colorido, Trigger (two shorts produced), Kinema Citrus, Science Saru (two shorts produced) and Production I.G. And with that, they all bring their own, unique style to this creative endeavor that’s new to Star Wars as we know it.

Essentially, the pitch is that each studio has the chance to tell a story in the world of Star Wars using anime. The canon status of these shorts has not been 100 percent confirmed or denied, but at the moment, the show does not seem to be canon. But because of that, it gives the creators the chance...