Bleach is considered one of the most popular and long-lasting manga and anime series, comparable to big names like Naruto and One Piece. It has secured a top spot among the highest-rated “shonen” series, a genre aimed at teen boys.
However, some fans of the Shonen series do not accept Bleach as belonging to that top tier. As a result, Bleach has faced criticism and negative comments from parts of the Shonen fanbase over the years.
For example, one fan dismissively tried to explain why Bleach has not reached the heights of series like Naruto or One Piece in their opinion. This person felt Bleach did not have the same ability to create an emotional connection and impact with the audience.
While stated provocatively, they were arguing series like Naruto formed a deeper bond with fans through characters that felt more relatable and stories that packed more of an emotional punch.
Essentially, in this person’s view, Bleach failed to match the resonant or cathartic moments that defined the most acclaimed Shonen series for many fans.
Bleach Voice Actor Michelle Ruff Defends Series Against Online Critic’s Trolling
After this fan posted their critical trolling message about Bleach online, voice actor Michelle Ruff, who plays the character Rukia in the English dub of the Bleach anime, replied to defend the series.
She asked if this person happened to miss Rukia’s major character arc that occurs in Season 2 of the original Bleach series.
Ms. Ruff shared that she herself shed real tears while recording the dialogue for those emotional Rukia scenes. Her point was that there are in fact very moving, cathartic moments in the Bleach storyline, especially during a key part of Rukia’s development.
So this prestigious voice actor who helped portray such an iconic Bleach character clearly connected strongly to Rukia’s story arc as having real poignancy, depth, and relatability.
The implication was that if such a seasoned acting professional was so impacted by Rukia’s journey, then clearly Bleach as a series is capable of delivering an emotional punch after all.
So Ms. Ruff seemed to be refuting the notion that Bleach universally failed to form profound connections with audiences through resonant moments or relatable characters. At least in Rukia’s case, Ms. Ruff’s first-hand experience voicing that role indicated otherwise.
Bleach’s Rukia Rescue Arc: A Pivotal Moment in the Series
A major conflict erupts when Ichigo and his companions, known as the Ryoka, attempt to enter the Soul Society’s Seireitei fortress city to rescue Rukia Kuchiki before her scheduled execution.
They are blocked from passing through the gates surrounding the Seireitei and seek assistance from Kūkaku Shiba, who uses her cannon to blast them over the protective barrier into the city.
Now separated inside, the Ryoka begin battling their way toward Rukia, defeating multiple Soul Society captains and lieutenants along the way in intense fights.
Shockingly, Captain Sōsuke Aizen is found murdered in suspicious circumstances, fracturing the 13 Court Guard Squads as accusations fly while the remaining captains are granted authority to release their full powers against the invaders.
The Ryoka succeeded in rescuing Rukia on the day of her planned execution after achieving new power levels, but not without painful costs.
However, the execution date battle brings the startling revelation that Aizen has been manipulating events all along, faking his death to conceal his plot to retrieve the Hōgyoku orb hidden in Rukia.
Having succeeded in his secret mission, the traitorous Aizen escapes the Soul Society for Hueco Mundo, now a dangerous threat allying with fellow rogue Captains Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.
With Aizen’s illusions shattered, the Soul Society and the Ryoka are left to brace themselves for the next phase in this escalating conflict.
The Rukia rescue saga establishes the foundations of the broader Bleach narrative – the bonds between the heroes, the ascending threats they face, and the grand scale of adventures awaiting them.
More About Bleach
The Bleach series follows teenager Ichigo Kurosaki, who becomes a “Substitute Soul Reaper” defender after a true Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki is injured protecting him and transfers her powers so he can fight in her stead.
In the process, Ichigo discovers several of his high school classmates also have spiritual gifts – Uryū controls spirit particles, Orihime has protective Sprite allies, and Chad has arm-based strength matching the ghostly Hollow monsters.
However, Soul Society laws forbid transferring Soul Reaper abilities to humans, and they sentence Rukia to death while stripping her powers.
A remorseful Ichigo joins forces with exiled Soul Reaper allies Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin, who help Ichigo and his friends enter the afterlife domain to rescue Rukia before her execution.
