BLEACH VAs, New Game, Future Anime

Original article HERE:
http://jp.news.gree.net/news/entry/1618366%3Ffrom_ggpnews%3Dtop_category_news_7&usg=ALkJrhgnALWttoNO11aPpig4s1Sz0-QPdA
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Masakazu Morita & Kentarou Itou & Fumiko Orikasa's thoughts on Bleach anime continuation

On August 29th, Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki), Kentarou Itou (Renji Abarai) and Fumiko Orikasa (Rukia Kuchiki) appeared on the "Bleach Bankai Battle Special Live Broadcast" that was streamed on Niconico Live.
It has been a while since the three VAs last got together, but it was a lively hour-long event with lots of laughs from start to finish.

After a walkthrough of GREE's social network game "Bleach Bankai Battle", the VAs took on an intense quiz battle.

When answering the "Guess That Character" questions, Itou also sketched the characters. Starting with Retsu Unohana, his detailed drawings for Rangiku Matsumoto and Rukia Kuchiki drew lots of praise from the Nico viewers.

There was an awkward moment when the program staff goofed and the answer to the final question was revealed to Morita only. The studio was filled with laughter as Morita said, "I guess I'll have to play dumb, then!"

When Orikasa appeared halfway into the program, viewers flooded the stream with "kawaii!" Among other things, they had a fantastic time with Orikasa uttering Rukia's favorite phrase "tawake!"

After the program, all three VAs agreed to an interview.

Even after leaving their roles, they maintain a strong relationship with one another and have connections with their respective characters.

Orikasa, on Morita: "We were together for so long during afureko sessions, and I couldn't help teasing him. I'm usually not that kind of person (laughs). I guess that's similar to Ichigo and Rukia's relationship. And deep down, I find him very reliable."

On Itou: "Whenever I'm teasing Morita-kun, I have him watch - and it's like, "What d'you think?" And he always gives a great reaction (laughs). That's how it is between Rukia and Renji too, I think."

Morita and Itou also said that they trusted and depended on everyone. While looking slightly bashful, they expressed a strong bond between the three.

Two years after the anime ended, the manga has entered its final arc with riveting new developments. The VAs revealed that as they enjoy the manga, they are also eagerly anticipating the continuation of the anime.

Morita said he's aware that the fans' excitement for an anime continuation is mounting higher every year. "I'm doing my best not to let Ichigo "degenerate/change in quality. As an actor, I'm excited to see how my accumulated experience will come to life. I think it'll be a richer BLEACH."

Orikasa: "I want to yell 'Bankai!' (laughs) When Rukia finally got a Bankai in the manga, Nii-sama (Kuchiki Byakuya)'s VA Okiayu Ryuutarou texted me 'Congratulations'. So I definitely want to shout 'Bankai' in the anime."

And a strong response from Itou: "We have a long history with this work, so I'm reading the manga while playing everyone's voices in my head. I can't wait to figure out how to express these new powers I have."

Finally, Morita delivered a passionate message to the viewers who would play Bleach Bankai Battle: "We don't know when the anime will resume, but please play the game and raise your Reiatsu until then!"

Like the original manga, Bleach Bankai Battle is getting people fired up! The game effectively condenses the world of Bleach, so both fans and people new to the franchise should definitely check it out.