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The best ways to digitize your documents

The best ways to digitize your documents

When you’re preparing to move, you can find yourself faced with a lot of paper documents. Holiday cards, leases, letters, tax documents, notes, doodles – whatever – can really stack up over time. If your choices are only “keep” or “trash,” it can be hard to let go, even if you choose one of the more responsible ways to get rid of your stuff. Digitization makes these decisions easier by adding a third option: create a virtual version for safekeeping and say goodbye to the physical paper.

These days, digitization only requires a smartphone or a tablet, but you’ll want to optimize the process while reducing the risk of data loss.

Decide what to do with your papers

In my experience – and I’ve been digitizing boxes upon boxes of documents for the past six months – there are only a few types of records worth keeping on hand after creating a digital version. These are original government documents, legal agreements such as a will or a current lease, items that might lose their form or meaning when reduced to images on a screen, and anything you may want to display in your home.

Of course, there will be exceptions. Maybe you decide to toss every birthday card but keep the one your grandmother sent before she died. Or maybe you just feel better retaining hard copies of every tax document, even though the IRS says it’s generally okay to scrap them after three years. You do you.

What you’ll need to start

After you’ve decided your documents’ fate, you can get to work. At minimum, you’ll need a mobile device and a flat, clean surface like a tabletop. While that’s technically enough to do the job, I recommend also having a computer, a way to transfer files between your devices (like a cable, AirDrop, or cloud storage), image editing software, and at least one backup drive.

If you have a truly overwhelming stack of papers, you may want to consider buying or borrowing a scanner to help. A scanner that comes with a feeder can quickly scan a bunch of documents at once rather than doing one at a time, and most scanners can save images directly to your computer or to your cloud storage. Home scanners that are meant mostly for documents can run about $100 to $500, depending on their features and capacity. Scanners that handle high-quality images may cost considerably more.

Personally, having used scanners in domestic, professional, and academic settings, I think they’re great for archival work, but are overkill for most people’s digitization needs. I’ve used my phone for my own digitization project and have no regrets.

Automatic scan using Google Drive.
Screenshot: Google

Automatic scan using Apple Notes.
Screenshot: Apple

Digitizing with your phone camera

There are three easy ways to capture a digital image of any paper using your phone: with your camera app, a built-in scanning app, or a third-party scanning app. I use whatever is most appropriate, depending on what my plans are for the digitized copy.

While you’re likely most familiar with your camera app, it’s not great for text documents and particularly cumbersome for multi-page ones. That said, I like to use my usual camera app for cards and art because it creates editable image files that I can organize with tags.

Scanning apps, meanwhile, usually only output PDFs. I use this method for text-heavy documents like leases and financial records. Both iOS and Android include built-in scanning tools that are quite capable of turning any document into a PDF. On an Android phone, you use the Drive app; with an iPhone, you can use either the Files or the Notes app. All of these allow you to simply hold your phone over the paper and wait; the app outlines the page and automatically creates a file.

There are also a number of third-party apps that offer additional features for capturing, editing, and storing PDFs. If you want more options than Drive, Notes, or Files can provide, it may be useful to check out what’s out there.

Best way to digitize images

Lay your document flat in a well-lit space with no shadows. Weight it down if necessary, but try not to block anything important.

An encyclopedic knowledge of camera angles won’t matter here. Hold your phone flat and level over your document, without casting shadows onto the page. I also recommend cropping your pics immediately to save time and make the images easier to see in previews when you’re organizing. If you’re capturing cards, you can photograph the cover and interior separately, then use image editing software to combine them into a single file.

If you’ve built a repository of digitized documents on your phone and are thinking of leaving them there — don’t. That’s like stashing your birth certificate in a folder at an open window and trusting it won’t blow away. To mitigate risk, transfer your digitized documents to a computer, a backup drive, and / or cloud storage. Despite advancements in storage technology, data loss still happens, and it’s safer to keep your important files in at least two locations in case something happens to one of them.

If you use Google Drive to scan your documents, you’ve already automatically backed them up to the cloud. To send those documents to another device that doesn’t have access to your Google Drive, you can download them using Google Takeout.

If you use Files or Notes on iOS, you can check to make sure that your files are being backed up to iCloud by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. If you’re using Files and want to send those files elsewhere, tap the three dots in the top right, hit Select, pick the files you want to transfer, and touch the share icon in the bottom left (a box with an upward-pointing arrow). If you use Notes, tap the note you want to transfer and select Share Note. Then choose your preferred sharing method and ship ‘em out.

No matter where your files are — a computer, mobile device, or cloud storage — you really should organize them so you can find them later. If you have a system that works for you already, great. But if you need a strategy, I recommend creating top-level folders like “cards” and “records” that describe the broadest categories within your collection. Within these, make more specific folders, like “leases” and “identification.” When you get to the bottom-level folders where the actual files live, try to name them consistently. If you really want to go hard, you can add tags and other metadata to your files.

It’s important to understand that the goal here is not to completely eliminate anything that could be considered clutter — it’s to find an efficient solution to managing the items we accumulate as we live our lives. It’s okay to hold onto meaningful items and make a measured assessment of their value from time to time. After all, drowning in a sea of paperwork might be bad, but living a life devoid of meaning and mementos might be even worse.

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ASUS ExpertBook Deals During Flipkart GOAT Sale

The discounts span multiple price segments, making the lineup suitable for everyone from students and startups to enterprise users. ASUS says some models are available at up to 28.5% off, with prices starting at ₹45,990.

The biggest offers are available on the premium ExpertBook Ultra, where buyers can claim bank discounts of up to ₹20,000, exchange bonuses of up to ₹20,000, and up to 24 months of No Cost EMI. ASUS is also bundling its 5+5+5 service package with the laptop for a limited time.

Meanwhile, selected ExpertBook P-series models are available with discounts of up to ₹34,000 during the sale.

ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Is Built for AI Workloads

ASUS ExpertBook Laptops Get Discounts Up to ₹34,000 During Flipkart GOAT Sale
	
If you’ve been looking to buy a business laptop, ASUS has rolled out a bunch of discounts on its ExpertBook lineup as part of the ongoing Flipkart GOAT Sale. The company is offering deals across 42 ExpertBook models, including the flagship ExpertBook Ultra and the ExpertBook P1, P3, and P5 series. Alongside instant discounts, buyers can also take advantage of exchange offers, cashback, and No Cost EMI options.



ASUS ExpertBook Deals During Flipkart GOAT Sale



The discounts span multiple price segments, making the lineup suitable for everyone from students and startups to enterprise users. ASUS says some models are available at up to 28.5% off, with prices starting at ₹45,990.



The biggest offers are available on the premium ExpertBook Ultra, where buyers can claim bank discounts of up to ₹20,000, exchange bonuses of up to ₹20,000, and up to 24 months of No Cost EMI. ASUS is also bundling its 5+5+5 service package with the laptop for a limited time.



Meanwhile, selected ExpertBook P-series models are available with discounts of up to ₹34,000 during the sale.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Is Built for AI Workloads







Sitting at the top of the lineup is the ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine. 



It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.



The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.



ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget







While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.



Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.



Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.



Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals



Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:




ASUS ExpertBook P1403CVA – Available from ₹55,990, saving buyers ₹6,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P3406CCAP – Now priced at ₹84,990, down by ₹10,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P5405CAA – Available for ₹1,89,990 with a ₹25,000 discount.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra – Starts at ₹2,39,990 and qualifies for additional bank discounts, exchange offers, No Cost EMI, and ASUS’ bundled 5+5+5 service package.






#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus

Sitting at the top of the lineup is the ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine.

It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.

The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.

ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget

Asus ExpertBook P3 featured image

While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.

Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.

Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.

Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals

Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:

#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus">ASUS ExpertBook Laptops Get Discounts Up to ₹34,000 During Flipkart GOAT Sale
	
If you’ve been looking to buy a business laptop, ASUS has rolled out a bunch of discounts on its ExpertBook lineup as part of the ongoing Flipkart GOAT Sale. The company is offering deals across 42 ExpertBook models, including the flagship ExpertBook Ultra and the ExpertBook P1, P3, and P5 series. Alongside instant discounts, buyers can also take advantage of exchange offers, cashback, and No Cost EMI options.



ASUS ExpertBook Deals During Flipkart GOAT Sale



The discounts span multiple price segments, making the lineup suitable for everyone from students and startups to enterprise users. ASUS says some models are available at up to 28.5% off, with prices starting at ₹45,990.



The biggest offers are available on the premium ExpertBook Ultra, where buyers can claim bank discounts of up to ₹20,000, exchange bonuses of up to ₹20,000, and up to 24 months of No Cost EMI. ASUS is also bundling its 5+5+5 service package with the laptop for a limited time.



Meanwhile, selected ExpertBook P-series models are available with discounts of up to ₹34,000 during the sale.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Is Built for AI Workloads







Sitting at the top of the lineup is the ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine. 



It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.



The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.



ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget







While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.



Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.



Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.



Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals



Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:




ASUS ExpertBook P1403CVA – Available from ₹55,990, saving buyers ₹6,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P3406CCAP – Now priced at ₹84,990, down by ₹10,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P5405CAA – Available for ₹1,89,990 with a ₹25,000 discount.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra – Starts at ₹2,39,990 and qualifies for additional bank discounts, exchange offers, No Cost EMI, and ASUS’ bundled 5+5+5 service package.






#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus

ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine.

It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.

The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.

ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget

Asus ExpertBook P3 featured image

While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.

Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.

Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.

Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals

Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:

#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus">ASUS ExpertBook Laptops Get Discounts Up to ₹34,000 During Flipkart GOAT Sale

If you’ve been looking to buy a business laptop, ASUS has rolled out a bunch of discounts on its ExpertBook lineup as part of the ongoing Flipkart GOAT Sale. The company is offering deals across 42 ExpertBook models, including the flagship ExpertBook Ultra and the ExpertBook P1, P3, and P5 series. Alongside instant discounts, buyers can also take advantage of exchange offers, cashback, and No Cost EMI options.

ASUS ExpertBook Deals During Flipkart GOAT Sale

The discounts span multiple price segments, making the lineup suitable for everyone from students and startups to enterprise users. ASUS says some models are available at up to 28.5% off, with prices starting at ₹45,990.

The biggest offers are available on the premium ExpertBook Ultra, where buyers can claim bank discounts of up to ₹20,000, exchange bonuses of up to ₹20,000, and up to 24 months of No Cost EMI. ASUS is also bundling its 5+5+5 service package with the laptop for a limited time.

Meanwhile, selected ExpertBook P-series models are available with discounts of up to ₹34,000 during the sale.

ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Is Built for AI Workloads

ASUS ExpertBook Laptops Get Discounts Up to ₹34,000 During Flipkart GOAT Sale
	
If you’ve been looking to buy a business laptop, ASUS has rolled out a bunch of discounts on its ExpertBook lineup as part of the ongoing Flipkart GOAT Sale. The company is offering deals across 42 ExpertBook models, including the flagship ExpertBook Ultra and the ExpertBook P1, P3, and P5 series. Alongside instant discounts, buyers can also take advantage of exchange offers, cashback, and No Cost EMI options.



ASUS ExpertBook Deals During Flipkart GOAT Sale



The discounts span multiple price segments, making the lineup suitable for everyone from students and startups to enterprise users. ASUS says some models are available at up to 28.5% off, with prices starting at ₹45,990.



The biggest offers are available on the premium ExpertBook Ultra, where buyers can claim bank discounts of up to ₹20,000, exchange bonuses of up to ₹20,000, and up to 24 months of No Cost EMI. ASUS is also bundling its 5+5+5 service package with the laptop for a limited time.



Meanwhile, selected ExpertBook P-series models are available with discounts of up to ₹34,000 during the sale.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Is Built for AI Workloads







Sitting at the top of the lineup is the ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine. 



It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.



The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.



ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget







While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.



Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.



Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.



Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals



Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:




ASUS ExpertBook P1403CVA – Available from ₹55,990, saving buyers ₹6,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P3406CCAP – Now priced at ₹84,990, down by ₹10,000.



ASUS ExpertBook P5405CAA – Available for ₹1,89,990 with a ₹25,000 discount.



ASUS ExpertBook Ultra – Starts at ₹2,39,990 and qualifies for additional bank discounts, exchange offers, No Cost EMI, and ASUS’ bundled 5+5+5 service package.






#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus

Sitting at the top of the lineup is the ExpertBook Ultra, ASUS’ flagship business laptop aimed at executives, creators, and professionals who need workstation-level performance without carrying around a bulky machine.

It features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor with built-in Copilot+ AI capabilities, allowing users to accelerate AI-powered workloads, meetings, and productivity tasks. ASUS has paired it with a 3K Tandem OLED display for vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the lightweight magnesium alloy chassis keeps the laptop portable enough for frequent travel.

The laptop also includes enterprise-grade security, fast charging, long battery life, and ASUS’ premium support package, making it the company’s most feature-packed business notebook.

ExpertBook P Series Covers Every Budget

Asus ExpertBook P3 featured image

While the ExpertBook Ultra targets power users, the ExpertBook P series is designed for everyday business computing. The lineup consists of the P1, P3, and P5, giving buyers multiple options depending on their performance needs and budget.

Across the range, ASUS offers the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, multiple display sizes, upgradeable RAM and SSD storage, and AI-powered productivity features. Business users also get enterprise security features, military-grade durability, AI-enhanced video conferencing tools, reliable battery life, international warranty coverage, and on-site service support.

Whether you’re handling spreadsheets, attending video meetings all day, or managing multiple applications simultaneously, the P-series is built to deliver dependable everyday performance while remaining easy to upgrade in the future.

Best ASUS ExpertBook Deals

Some of the best offers currently available during the Flipkart GOAT Sale include:

#ASUS #ExpertBook #Laptops #Discounts #Flipkart #GOAT #SaleAsus
Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc.

Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today.

Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

Ichigo’s Voice Actors Are Ready to Feel Like ‘#1’ One Last Time in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
                It’s been four years since Bleach fans rejoiced when the anime made its grand return at Anime Expo 2022 with Viz Media and Pierrot Film’s sequel series, Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc. Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today. Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRjhptssns[/embed] Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

 Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9  Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life? Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

 Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcG93FZupiA[/embed] io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits? Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

 Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…? Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have. Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzypzOIG8I4[/embed] io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki? Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it. Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHR0OPqCbs[/embed] io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years?  Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary. Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

 Bosch: I was acting. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9TwZdWpjw[/embed] io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo? Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

 Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that. When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

 Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear. © Pierrot Films  Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.  io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9

Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life?

Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process.

io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits?

Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…?

Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have.

Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki?

Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it.

Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years? 

Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary.

Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

Bosch: I was acting.

io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo?

Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that.

When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War collage of Ichigo Kurosaki.
© Pierrot Films

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.


io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War">Ichigo’s Voice Actors Are Ready to Feel Like ‘#1’ One Last Time in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
                It’s been four years since Bleach fans rejoiced when the anime made its grand return at Anime Expo 2022 with Viz Media and Pierrot Film’s sequel series, Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc. Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today. Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRjhptssns[/embed] Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

 Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9  Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life? Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

 Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcG93FZupiA[/embed] io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits? Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

 Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…? Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have. Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzypzOIG8I4[/embed] io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki? Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it. Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHR0OPqCbs[/embed] io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years?  Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary. Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

 Bosch: I was acting. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9TwZdWpjw[/embed] io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo? Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

 Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that. When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

 Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear. © Pierrot Films  Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.  io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc.

Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today.

Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

Ichigo’s Voice Actors Are Ready to Feel Like ‘#1’ One Last Time in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
                It’s been four years since Bleach fans rejoiced when the anime made its grand return at Anime Expo 2022 with Viz Media and Pierrot Film’s sequel series, Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc. Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today. Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRjhptssns[/embed] Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

 Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9  Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life? Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

 Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcG93FZupiA[/embed] io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits? Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

 Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…? Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have. Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzypzOIG8I4[/embed] io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki? Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it. Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHR0OPqCbs[/embed] io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years?  Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary. Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

 Bosch: I was acting. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9TwZdWpjw[/embed] io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo? Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

 Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that. When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

 Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear. © Pierrot Films  Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.  io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9

Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life?

Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process.

io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits?

Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…?

Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have.

Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki?

Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it.

Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years? 

Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary.

Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

Bosch: I was acting.

io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo?

Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that.

When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War collage of Ichigo Kurosaki.
© Pierrot Films

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.


io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War">Ichigo’s Voice Actors Are Ready to Feel Like ‘#1’ One Last Time in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’

It’s been four years since Bleach fans rejoiced when the anime made its grand return at Anime Expo 2022 with Viz Media and Pierrot Film’s sequel series, Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc.

Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today.

Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

Ichigo’s Voice Actors Are Ready to Feel Like ‘#1’ One Last Time in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
                It’s been four years since Bleach fans rejoiced when the anime made its grand return at Anime Expo 2022 with Viz Media and Pierrot Film’s sequel series, Thousand-Year Blood War. Now, fans are preparing for the beginning of the end with the imminent arrival of The Calamity, its fourth and final season. The Calamity gives the shonen epic the proper farewell fans thought would never come after the original anime ended in 2012, before it reached its climactic final arc. Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who moonlights as a substitute Soul Reaper, a type of samurai who defends humanity from evil spirits called “Hollows.” He’s sort of a big deal, not only in his own series but in Shonen Jump history, with Bleach being part of Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece, heavy hitters that ran in the magazine concurrently whose impact continues to be felt in the industry today. Thousand Year Blood War, though polarizing amongst manga readers, sees Ichigo’s tale finally come to an end in an aptly titled all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincy—the archer yin to Soul Reapers’ sword-wielding yang, with which Ichigo has deep, complicated ties. As far as its anime adaptation is concerned, the show continues to find new ways to exceed expectations with the inclusion of original scenes, cementing its status as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRjhptssns[/embed] Ahead of the final season’s premiere, io9 spoke with Ichigo Kurosaki’s English and Japanese voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch and Masakazu Morita, about getting back in the booth for Bleach one last time, as well as a humbling conversation that’s bound to put a moratorium on the eternal subs vs. dubs anime debate in the most wholesome way possible.

 Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9  Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life? Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

 Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcG93FZupiA[/embed] io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits? Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

 Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…? Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have. Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzypzOIG8I4[/embed] io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki? Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it. Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHR0OPqCbs[/embed] io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years?  Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary. Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

 Bosch: I was acting. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9TwZdWpjw[/embed] io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo? Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

 Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that. When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

 Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear. © Pierrot Films  Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.  io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Left: Johnny Yong Bosch, right: Masakazu Morita © Isaiah Colbert/io9

Isaiah Colbert, io9: Of all the heroes in shonen anime, especially in the “Big Three,” Ichigo Kurosaki always felt like someone effortlessly cool. For both of you, how has Ichigo differed from other anime roles you’ve played, and what has made him feel special compared with other characters you’ve brought to life?

Johnny Yong Bosch: Ichigo is still very early in my career as far as voicing in anime. Almost immediately, he became a very iconic character in the story and how he wants to protect his friends and his loved ones. And really, most of it is the story, the spiritual aspect of it. For me, it cemented a place pretty early on.

Masakazu Morita: I think he was a really smart character. He’s always thinking ahead of what someone’s gonna do next, and next, even after that. So sometimes when other people hear what he has to say, they don’t know what to do, but it’s because of his insight. So I really try to bring out that smartness around him and chase after thinking like him, and it’s really challenging to follow his thought process.

io9: I’d be remiss not to note that one thing that sets Ichigo far and away from the other members of the “big three” shonen anime is that his theme song, “Number One,” is arguably the greatest piece of anime music of all time. Whenever you hear that theme song kick in, does it give you goosebumps and make you feel like you can walk through a wall? What goes through your mind when his song hits?

Bosch: Yeah, absolutely. It’s funny because when I first heard it, it wasn’t something I would expect. But the more I heard it, I was like, “Oh yeah, this is what it is.” It just took that on for me. So anytime I hear it, it feels like we’re about to get into some action.

Morita: (Laughs) What kind of song did you think it was gonna…?

Bosch: (Laughs) I don’t know. I didn’t expect lyrics, maybe. I was thinking more like a film score or something, which it does have.

Morita: Ah! I’ve had a long history with this song, just like you, Johnny. Ichigo’s theme song, for Bleach fans, you have to have it. In Japan, when we’re recording, usually, there’s no music. But just for Thousand-Year Blood War, the staff has actually put the song in for us when it’s in the series, so it really gets us riled up. The song really brings out a lot of the emotion within me, too.

io9: The Bleach anime is finally finishing its story after so many years, when fans had a looming sense that it wouldn’t follow the Fullbringer arc. What’s more, Pierrot Films is putting its whole foot into its animation to meet the moment with each part as we march toward its series finale. What has that culmination felt like for you, especially after returning to the series after such a long break as Ichigo Kurosaki?

Bosch: (Laughs) That’s a great question. It’s almost like seeing an old friend that you thought had died. It’s like, “Whoa, you’re still alive? Let’s catch up!” Yes, we get to do it. But then to see the animation, it’s just amazing. For me, sometimes, when I record, it’s just three beeps, but sometimes I’m just watching like, “Oh wait, wait, wait. Sorry!” I get caught up in the animation. I always say I need to work, but I just want to watch it.

Morita: What we now say is “the old series,” that was for seven years. So there was a bit of a gap in the anime, but even throughout that time, I was working on the mobile game, so I never really forgot about [Ichigo]. All the other voice actors were doing the same working on the app. So it was really nice that we never got to leave those characters. At the same time, when Thousand-Year Blood War started back up, we saw Ichigo moving in animation form, it gave me goosebumps.

io9: How long has it been since you both last met? What was it like finally meeting each other after voicing the same character for so many years? 

Bosch: The very first time we met? I don’t remember the exact year, but I met him in Hawaii. For me, because it’s such an important role in my list of voiceovers—it’s one of the most popular ones—it was a little scary meeting the man who’s carved out this character. It was an honor, but scary.

Morita: (Laughs) When I first met you, I actually thought you were a very powerful person who was just so extroverted, coming out and doing all these things. I didn’t think you were scared!

Bosch: I was acting.

io9: While the subs versus dubs argument will likely outlive all of us, your embodiments of Ichigo as his seiyuu and as his English voice actor are less a point of comparison for anime fans to debate and more one where they have trouble deciding which they love more. What do you appreciate about each other’s portrayal of Ichigo?

Bosch: I love it. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that he’s setting the stage for me. He makes these choices based on the script that he’s got, and he gets to develop the character. For me, when I walk into the booth, it is the first time I’m seeing it. So once I see it, there’s an excitement for the choices he’s made. It’s almost like rooting for whatever he’s doing because he’s just laid out the playground for me to play in. It’s absolute excitement each time.

Morita: Before we met, I did hear once what you thought of Ichigo and your portrayal of him as a character. I’m not sure you remember. Apparently, you heard me and heard a very passionate character. But you said then that you were trying to give him a little more street hardness in the English portrayal, and that really stuck with me. I was really blown away by the fact that you were not just trying to imitate in another language, but to give him another layer of identity. I really appreciate and was blown away by that.

When I dub a Hollywood movie, I take what I learned from you and try to give it a little bit of my own color to the character. In Japan, there’s not really a culture of doing that, so I really took to heart what you said and learned from that.

Bosch: Wow, thats very cool to hear.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War collage of Ichigo Kurosaki.
© Pierrot Films

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premieres July 25, on  Hulu and Disney+.


io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ichigos #Voice #Actors #Ready #Feel #Time #Bleach #ThousandYear #Blood #WarAnime,Anime Expo,bleach,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

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