‘Bleach’ Manga Gets Live-Action Adaptation For 2018 Release

If you’re a manga or anime fan, this one is for you: Bleach, one of the best-selling mangas in the world, is getting a Japanese film adaptation. The news comes courtesy of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine (2016, Issue 38), via the AnimeNewsNetwork, which revealed that the manga’s long-awaited live-action movie will hit Japanese theaters sometime in 2018.

Shinsuke Sato (Gantz, Gantz II: Perfect Answer) directs with Sota Fukushi (Toshokan SensoLibrary Wars, Strobe Edge) in the starring role. International release plans have not yet been announced.

Written and illustrated by Tite Kubo, the manga follows hot-headed teenager Ichigo Kurosaki who absorbs the power of the Soul Reaper from another, Rukia Kuchiki. Armed with the superpowers of Death himself, Ichigo becomes a defender of humanity, fighting evil spirits and helping others on their way to the afterlife, which takes him to otherworldly realms beyond ours.

Since the series’ debut in 2001, it has spawned a massive media empires akin to Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh, complete with an anime series (366 episodes from 2004 to 2012), various video games and even a rock musical. Last month, it was announced the series would conclude with its 74th volume.

As Hollywood cycles through sequels, reboots and adaptations, manga and anime was new frontiers Hollywood is exploring (like Ghost in the Shell or the Pokemon movie). Are you a manga or anime fan? What do you think of Bleach coming to big the screen? I’m not a big reader of them myself so I rely on you guys to tell me: should I be excited?

SOURCE: AnimeNewsNetwork (via ComicBook)

Sam Flynn

Sam Flynn

Sam is a writer and journalist whose passion for pop culture burns with the fire of a thousand suns and at least three LED lamps.