'Always Wanted To Say Bankai At least Once': Ukitake's VA In Bleach Shares His Long-Standing Wish

Hero Image

In a recent interview with Oricon, Hideo Ishikawa, who voices Captain Jushiro Ukitake in Bleach, expressed a long-standing wish he’s had for over two decades, i.e., to say Bankai at least once.

Ukitake was the only captain in the Gotei 13 who has never used his Bankai.

This was revealed when Ishikawa was asked about a line from Bleach that left a significant impression on him.

Do I dare say it? Ukitake is the only current Gotei 13 captain who hasn’t used his Bankai! I’ve always wanted to say ‘Bankai’ at least once,” he admitted with a laugh.

He added that he has spent years hearing other characters unleash their Bankai, particularly Masakazu Morita, who voices Ichigo Kurosaki. He admitted that this has filled him with envy.

I’ve heard others say it countless times in the recordings and in the anime. I especially heard Morita say it so many times—I was so envious

.”

However, he revealed that the most memorable line for him was the one where Ukitake says to Rukia in the manga’s 135th chapter, “There are two types of battles. As long as we find ourselves in battle, we must always distinguish between them. The battle to protect life and the battle to protect honor.

Ishikawa emphasized that this line captures the essence of Ukitake’s character and reflects what he values most.

Reflecting on his journey as Ukitake, Ishikawa shared an amusing story about his initial encounter with the character.

My first time playing Ukitake was during an event called the ‘Jump Festa Anime Tour’. This was before the anime was aired, and they showed a special OVA where Ukitake appeared. Back then, I was reading the original manga in volume form, but Ukitake hadn’t appeared yet, so I didn’t know him. I remember asking Masakazu Morita, who played Ichigo, ‘Who is this Ukitake guy?’ He responded, ‘Maybe he’s an original character?’ [laughs]. I believed him, but when I showed up to record, Kubo-sensei was there and clarified that Ukitake wasn’t an original character at all—he was a captain in the Gotei 13. I still remember that episode vividly. [laughs]

The third cour of Bleach TYBW has started airing on Oct 5, 2024. Ukitake has played a key role in the initial episodes of the third cour.

Hikaru Murata is directing the third cour of TYBW anime.

Six Lounge’s Without Any Words will be the opening song of the third cour, whereas Monochrome by Suisoh will be the ending song.

Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War cour 1 aired in Japan on Oct 10, 2022, and , combining episodes 12 and 13 of the anime.

Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War cour 2 started airing on July 8, 2023.

It was previously revealed that  anime will be .

Source: