Ahead of Its New Season, Bleach Fires One of Its Best Directors In a Shocking Move

Ever since it first debuted in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2001, creator Tite Kubo’s Bleach has captivated fans with its dynamic action sequences and dramatic storytelling. The manga’s immense popularity paved the way for an anime adaptation that premiered in 2004 and has continually wowed audiences with its thrilling battles and intricate plot arcs. In 2022, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War began airing as a four-part series intended to conclude the epic saga. Recently, however, reports suggest that production difficulties and internal conflicts are causing behind-the-scenes drama, adding an unexpected twist to this beloved franchise.

Leo Kawamoto, an animation director who has participated in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War since the beginning, recently posted on X that he had been fired from the production. Kawamoto stated, "I was fired from Bleach, so it will be hard to work on cour four." He mentioned not being in line with the studio's workflow as a reason, but this news is surely troubling for fans waiting to see the epic conclusion of the Bleach saga.

Bleach Animation Director Had a Celebrated Career and a Surprising Exit

Kawamoto Explains His Dismissal

Leo Kawamoto has an extensive list of credits as an animator and animation director. His career highlights include work on One Piece, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, and Pokémon Sun & Moon. However, Bleach fans were surprised to learn that Kawamoto would not be returning to work on Thousand-Year Blood War—even though his contributions to the series as an animation director, including overseeing the opening title sequence, had cemented his reputation as a star animator.

When pressed by followers for more details, Kawamoto explained, "Even if you're an animation director, you can be fired if the studio's workflow doesn't suit you. I don't know if others were fired from the show." Addressing his creative aspirations, he added, "I wanted to do a fourth cour. However, the studio's policy and the way I work were too different, so it cannot be helped." He concluded with an old Japanese proverb,"I guess it's true what they say about the nail that sticks out getting hammered down."

Bleach's Final Arc's Original Vision

Uncertainty Over the Franchise’s Future

Originally conceived as a four-season finale to wrap up Tite Kubo’s epic saga, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War was planned to unfold in four distinct parts, each designed to delve deeper into the final arc's escalating conflicts and intricate storytelling.

Image from the teaser for Part 4 depicting Ichigo.

Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 Teaser, Latest News, and Everything We Know So Far

The final part of Bleach's Thousand-Year Blood War is on the way. Here's everything a fan needs to know about the upcoming release.

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Now, the departure of key talent like Leo Kawamoto raises concerns about the franchise’s future. With production hurdles and creative differences, fans now wonder whether season 4 will honor Bleach’s legacy or chart a new course.