The Japanese voices of Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryu Ishida turned the spotlight on each other's characters in a new Bleach video. VIZ Media shared a clip yesterday of Masakazu Morita, who voices Ichigo, and Noriaki Sugiyama, who voices Uryu, talking about what defines the 2 rivals, and Morita started with the glasses. Check out the official post down below:
"Uryu is an exceptionally rare case of such a glasses-centric character," Morita said, before Sugiyama repeated, "Glasses..."
"His glasses are central to his character. It's all in the glasses," Morita continued. "He is a serious character... In fact, I don't think anyone can pull off a pair of glasses as well as he can. But while he's definitely serious, he's not hard-headed."
Sugiyama agreed, adding that Uryu seems that way "in the beginning." Morita then said, "He's extremely... He's incredibly passionate. I really get that from him."
Sugiyama On Ichigo
Sugiyama then took his turn on Ichigo. "He's not at all pretentious. He has a gentleness and strength... but he doesn't parade that strength... He doesn't flaunt that kindness," he said. "He has naturalness, calmness... He's able to manifest all that in a relaxed way. I think that's part of what makes him so appealing."
Morita described his own character as "this archetypal male figure," and Sugiyama agreed. "Women might call him the ideal boyfriend," Morita added.
Morita then pointed at the people behind the camera. "We're talking about ideal this, ideal that... Meanwhile, in front of us... The four women on staff... They're all nodding deeply... like this... Like head banging at a concert," Morita said. "Makes you wonder... What kind of heart ache have they gone through..." He followed it with "No comment" and "I know, what a thing to say."
Who Ichigo And Uryu Are
Ichigo is the main character of Tite Kubo's Bleach, a teenager from Karakura Town who receives Soul Reaper powers after meeting Rukia Kuchiki and works as her stand-in, fighting evil spirits called Hollows. Uryu is a Quincy, a descendant of a near-extinct line of priest-like, Hollow-hunting archers who were historical enemies of the Soul Reapers. He starts out holding a deep grudge against all Soul Reapers, Ichigo included, and is an early antagonist before he becomes a valuable ally and friendly rival.
As a Quincy, Uryu gathers spirit particles called reishi from the air and shapes them into weapons, most often a bow and arrow. In the English dub, Ichigo is voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch and Uryu by Derek Stephen Prince.
More Than 20 Years With Bleach
Both actors have been with the Bleach anime since it started in 2004. The video arrives just a few weeks after the TV anime came to an end. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity aired its 50th and final episode in late October, closing out the series after 22 years with a special ending and messages from the cast.
The cast has been looking back since the finale, including Ichigo's Japanese and English voices reflecting on more than 20 years with the character.
Outside of Bleach, Morita voices Whis in Dragon Ball Super and the new Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, Marco the Phoenix in One Piece and Tidus in Final Fantasy X. He also hosts the radio show Bleach B-Station and won Best Rookie Actor at the first Seiyu Awards.
Sugiyama is also the voice of Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, Shiro Emiya in the Fate franchise and England in Hetalia: Axis Powers. He started voicing Sasuke in 2002 and Uryu in 2004.
Which detail about Ichigo or Uryu will you never forget, and do you agree that nobody wears glasses like Uryu?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.