Toonami is set to electrify its programming block with the addition of two highly anticipated anime series: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga. Anime fans can mark their calendars for May 17th, as that’s when both series will debut on the popular programming block.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War on Toonami
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is the highly anticipated continuation of the Bleach anime series, adapting the final arc of Tite Kubo’s manga. This arc sees Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends facing off against the Wandenreich, a hidden empire of Quincies seeking to destroy the Soul Society.
Storyline
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc plunges into a conflict that threatens the very foundation of the Soul Society. Here’s a breakdown of the key events:
- The Wandenreich’s Assault: The Wandenreich, led by Yhwach, launches a full-scale invasion of the Soul Society. Their goal is to eradicate the Soul Reapers and rewrite the balance between the worlds.
- Loss of Ichigo’s Powers: In the initial attack, Ichigo’s Bankai is stolen by Yhwach, leaving him weakened and vulnerable. This sets him on a path to reclaim his powers and understand the true extent of his abilities.
- Unveiling the Past: The war reveals long-hidden truths about the Soul Society’s history, the Quincy’s origins, and the connection between Soul Reapers and Quincies. These revelations add layers of complexity to the conflict.
- Intense Battles: The Soul Reapers face overwhelming odds as they clash with the Sternritter, the elite Quincy warriors of the Wandenreich. Each Sternritter possesses unique and formidable abilities, leading to intense and strategic battles.
- Ichigo’s Resolve: Driven by the desire to protect his friends and the balance of the world, Ichigo undergoes rigorous training to master his powers and confront Yhwach. His journey tests his limits and forces him to confront his inner demons.
Characters
- Ichigo Kurosaki: The main protagonist, a Substitute Soul Reaper with vast spiritual powers. He is determined to protect his friends and the balance between the human world and the Soul Society.
- Rukia Kuchiki: A Soul Reaper and Ichigo’s close friend. She plays a crucial role in supporting Ichigo and fighting against the Wandenreich.
- Yhwach: The leader of the Wandenreich and the main antagonist of the arc. He seeks to destroy the Soul Society and establish a new world order.
- Sternritter: The elite Quincy warriors serving under Yhwach, each possessing unique abilities and representing a letter of the alphabet.
Production
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is produced by Pierrot, with direction by Tomohisa Taguchi. Masashi Kudo returns as the character designer, and Shiro Sagisu provides the music. The anime aims to faithfully adapt the manga’s final arc, bringing its epic battles and emotional moments to life with updated animation and sound.
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga on Toonami
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is the second season of the Blue Exorcist anime series, adapting the Kyoto Impure King Arc from Kazue Kato’s manga. This season sees Rin and his fellow Exwires facing a new threat in Kyoto while uncovering dark secrets about the Order of the True Cross.
Storyline
Kyoto Saga picks up after the events of the first season and delves into a new chapter of Rin Okumura’s journey as an exorcist. Here’s what you can expect:
- The Impure King’s Eye: The story revolves around the recovery of the “Left Eye of the Impure King,” a powerful relic stolen from the True Cross Academy’s Kyoto Branch. This eye contains a portion of the Impure King’s power, a demonic entity that once ravaged Kyoto.
- Secrets of the Myodha: The Kyoto Branch is home to the Myodha Sect, a group of exorcists with a long and complicated history. As Rin and his friends investigate the theft, they uncover hidden truths about the sect and its connection to the Impure King.
- Internal Conflict: The Exwires face mistrust and prejudice from the Kyoto Branch exorcists, who are wary of Rin’s demonic heritage. This creates tension within the group and forces Rin to prove his loyalty.
- New Antagonists: The Exwires confront new enemies, including members of a mysterious organization seeking to revive the Impure King. These antagonists possess formidable demonic powers and pose a significant threat to Kyoto.
- Rin’s Growth: Rin struggles to control his demonic flames and prove himself as a capable exorcist. He undergoes rigorous training and confronts his inner demons, growing both in power and maturity.
Characters
- Rin Okumura: The protagonist, son of Satan and an aspiring exorcist. He struggles to control his demonic powers while protecting his friends and fighting against evil.
- Yukio Okumura: Rin’s twin brother, an accomplished exorcist and teacher at True Cross Academy. He is often conflicted between his loyalty to his brother and his duty to the Order.
- Ryuji Suguro (Bon): Rin’s rival and fellow Exwire. He is determined to become a powerful exorcist and restore his family’s temple.
- Shiemi Moriyama: A kind and gentle Exwire with a talent for plant manipulation. She provides support to Rin and his friends.
- Izumo Kamiki: A skilled barrier user and one of the top students at the Kyoto Branch. She initially distrusts Rin but eventually becomes a valuable ally.
Production
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is produced by A-1 Pictures, with direction by Koichi Hatsumi. The season features updated animation and a compelling storyline that delves deeper into the world of Blue Exorcist.
Why These Anime Are Perfect for Toonami
Toonami has long been a destination for action-packed and visually stunning anime series. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga fit perfectly into this lineup, offering viewers a mix of intense battles, compelling characters, and intricate storylines.
Action
Both series are known for their thrilling fight sequences and dynamic animation. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War features epic clashes between Soul Reapers and Quincies, while Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga showcases the Exwires’ battles against demons and rogue exorcists.
Characters
The characters in both Bleach and Blue Exorcist are well-developed and relatable. Ichigo’s determination and Rin’s struggles resonate with viewers, while the supporting cast adds depth and complexity to the stories.
Story
The storylines in Thousand-Year Blood War and Kyoto Saga are both engaging and thought-provoking. They explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil, keeping viewers hooked from beginning to end.
What This Means for Toonami
The addition of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is a major win for Toonami. These series are sure to attract a large audience and solidify Toonami’s position as a leading destination for anime fans.
Increased Viewership
With their established fan bases and critical acclaim, Bleach and Blue Exorcist are likely to bring in a significant number of viewers to Toonami. This will help boost the block’s ratings and increase its overall popularity.
New Opportunities
The addition of these series opens up new opportunities for Toonami to expand its programming and reach a wider audience. Toonami may consider adding more action-oriented anime series to its lineup in the future, further solidifying its reputation as a destination for high-quality anime.
In Conclusion
Toonami’s decision to air Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is a smart move that is sure to delight anime fans. With their thrilling action, compelling characters, and intricate storylines, these series are a perfect fit for Toonami’s programming block. Be sure to tune in on May 17th to catch the premieres of these exciting new additions!
