On July 23, 2025, KLab Inc. marked a monumental milestone for its hit 3D action game BLEACH: Brave Souls — the game’s 10th anniversary. Originally launched in 2015, Brave Souls has captivated fans across mobile, PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms, amassing over 100 million downloads worldwide.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, we sat down with the iconic voices behind BLEACH: Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki) and Fumiko Orikasa (Rukia Kuchiki). In this intimate interview, they reflect on their shared journey, the global reach of Brave Souls, and how their relationship — like their characters’ — has evolved over the years.
🌍 Brave Souls: A Global Phenomenon Born from BLEACH’s Legacy
Reflecting on the game’s decade-long run, Morita was surprised at how quickly time flew:
“It makes me think, ‘It’s only been 10 years?’ The game started after the anime ended, and it gave me a reason to continue being involved with BLEACH.”
Orikasa added a heartfelt nod to the game’s passionate developers:
“There must be someone on the Brave Souls team who loves Chappy. The nostalgic touches show that fans of the original series are behind the game’s creation.”
The two acknowledged the game’s growing international fanbase, especially during the pandemic when anime streaming surged.
“I got so many messages like, ‘I discovered BLEACH through Brave Souls and watched the whole anime,’” shared Morita.
“Livestreams have more international fans now,” Orikasa added. “It really made me feel BLEACH is loved all over the world.”
💫 The Secret to Longevity: A Game That Grows with Its Community
While many mobile games come and go, Brave Souls has thrived for 10 years — a feat that even Morita recognizes as rare.
“Most mobile games don’t last this long. The BLEACH universe, along with original event characters and alternate outfits, gives fans new ways to engage.”
Orikasa praised the consistency in design:
“Even the original outfits stay true to BLEACH’s world. The care and detail really resonate with fans.”
✨ Sun and Moon: A Fresh Take on Ichigo and Rukia’s 10th Anniversary Outfits
Discussing the 10th Anniversary visuals, Morita mused:
“Ichigo as the sun and Rukia as the moon? It surprised me. I always associated Ichigo with the night because of Zangetsu.”
Orikasa offered a deeper symbolic interpretation:
“They’re like Yin and Yang. Ichigo has the dark within light, and Rukia has the light within dark. Together, they create balance.”
On the anniversary trailer, both actors admired its refined tone.
“It was grounded and calm — not flashy like before. The elegance suited a 10th anniversary,” said Morita.
Orikasa added:
“The song by Cö shu Nie gave it emotional weight. It expressed BLEACH’s grandeur beautifully.”
🧥 Favorite Outfits: From Horns to Kimonos to Swimsuits
Morita shared his love for Brave Souls’ creative takes on Ichigo:
“The Spirit Society version shocked me. Horns?! The New Year version is probably my favorite — Ichigo looking totally normal was comforting (laughs).”
Orikasa has a soft spot for Rukia in traditional styles:
“Her Japanese Parasol and Lunar New Year outfits are adorable. She really suits kimonos.”
The actors agreed on one fan-favorite:
“Everyone loves swimsuit outfits,” Orikasa said with a laugh.
“Rangiku’s fashion always stands out,” added Morita. “Mayuri’s are unforgettable too — in every sense!”
🤝 A 20-Year Bond: Ichigo and Rukia’s Connection, On and Off Screen
When asked about how their impressions of each other have changed after over two decades of working together, both actors echoed the same sentiment — not much has changed, and that’s a good thing.
“Masakazu has always been passionate. That hasn’t changed,” said Orikasa. “Even now during Thousand-Year Blood War recordings, I still feel that energy.”
“Fumiko has always been calm and collected,” Morita replied. “Like Ichigo and Rukia, our relationship has always been that of trusted partners.”
Discussing the evolution of Ichigo and Rukia’s bond, Morita offered a beautiful analogy:
“Even when they’re apart, I feel like Rukia is always behind Ichigo — like a guardian spirit.”
“She is a Soul Reaper, after all,” Orikasa added with a smile.
“Rukia can’t hide anything from Ichigo. Their emotional bond is unique — built on trust and understanding,” she concluded.
🎮 A Message to Brave Souls Players – New and Old
Masakazu Morita:
“Brave Souls helped bridge the gap between the original BLEACH anime and the Thousand-Year Blood War. It’s been 10 years and 100 million downloads — amazing! Whether you’re a longtime player or new, there’s so much to enjoy. Keep diving into the world of BLEACH!”
Fumiko Orikasa:
“Even if it’s your first time, don’t worry — Brave Souls is very welcoming. There’s no better time to join, and I’m excited to see how it evolves. Let’s enjoy the journey together.”
📱 Play BLEACH: Brave Souls Today
Available on iOS, Android, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
Free-to-play with in-game purchases.
🔗 Official Website
🔗 Download for iOS | Android
🔗 Steam
🔗 PlayStation Store
🔗 Nintendo eShop
🔗 Xbox Store
🎉 Visit the 10th Anniversary Site for celebratory events, trailers, and more.
