Informed Practice 3 – Visual Effects FMP 2022/23

7th December 20227th December 2022

IP3 – Theories & concepts

Articles

9th November 20229th November 2022

IP3 – Research (continued)

How does politics influence Bleach?

What am I researching?

Bleach is a manga and anime that first began publishing/airing around August of 2001 and October of 2004, respectively. The mangaka (manga writer & illustrator) Tite Kubo is known worldwide for his hit series Bleach, crowning the title as a member of the Big 3 of Shonen manga during the 2000’s, but his experience didn’t start with Bleach, instead it started with it’s predecessor Zombiepowder. Unfortunately it’s lifespan only lasted four volumes before being cancelled due to mediocre reception. However, Bleach and it’s spin-off Burn the Witch lasted a total of 74 volumes, plus the ongoing spin-offs, and received the moniker as a member of the Big 3 due to it’s success. Becoming a member of the Big 3 wasn’t easy as high sales weren’t easy to achieve in an age of piracy, but Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach were able to carry Shonen Jump’s popularity through the 2000’s, dominating any competition.

I have chosen Tite Kubo’s Bleach to dissertate for my final year because it is a series I have grown to love since I was a teenager and is a story I appreciate more with every read through. After 10 long years the anime has returned for it’s, possibly, final season and I want to share my thoughts and critical analysis on the flawed world Kubo has written.

How will I research it?

14th October 202214th October 2022

IP3 – Research

Subject

Cultural and ethical differences in Japan from the perspective of a British citizen.

Issues – Japanese ethics

Assault
Xenophobia
Racism
Overworking

Examples

Chikan
Emigrating to Japan
Kenatro Miura’s death
Yoshiro Togashi’s illness
Tite Kubo’s illness
High suicide rate
Shaming/Bullying in the workplace
Bleach
Hunter x Hunter
Berserk
Naruto

Questions

What, when, where, who, how, ~~why~~?

How is race represented through anime?
How are foreign cultures represented in Japan?
How is sex handled in Japanese media?
How is sexuality handled in manga?
How does Japanese media affect the country’s views on treating women.
How did Studio Pierrot ruin their reputation?
How did Bleach inspire the next generation of Japanese media?
How does politics influence Bleach?
How does Bleach handle life after death?
How does Bleach handle religion?
How does Bleach handle the representation of sexuality and gender in the modern world?
What are the consequences for the lack of sexual censorship in Japan?
What caused the return of Bleach?
What caused the early conclusion of Bleach?
What were the consequences for Bleach’s anime adaptation?
What did the politics provide to the world of Bleach?
What are the physical and mental risks in becoming a mangaka?
Who ruined Bleach’s reputation?
When did Bleach start becoming influential?
When did Bleach stop becoming influential?
Where did Bleach go wrong as an anime adaptation?
Where does Tite Kubo stand politically?