There was a time when the Big Three used to reign supreme in the realm of shonen manga. Out of these three, One Piece is the only series still going strong to this day... although Naruto's legacy is also being extended through the Boruto manga. So, the only odd one out in this regard is Bleach, a shonen series drawn by the brilliant Tite Kubo that, unfortunately, ended up faltering in its latter half before experiencing one of the most underwhelming endings of all time.
However, regardless of the opinion that people might have about Bleach's dwindling quality, there's no denying that the manga is still a must-read for any fan of shonen manga. Tite Kubo is a master of his craft, and most fans would go on length to talk about the merits of the manga over the anime. Here are several reasons that are cited to strengthen this point.
8 The Artwork Is Sublime
Regardless of what people might think about Tite Kubo's storytelling chops, readers can't deny that his artistic skills are beyond compare. Watching this mangaka develop his artistic skills over the course of the manga is an absolute treat.
Some of the best fights in Bleach feel all the more epic as a result of Kubo's art style. Readers can argue that his artwork is the only reason why the final arc was slightly bearable.
7 There's No Filler In The Manga
A rather obvious benefit of reading the manga is that readers can avoid any of the filler present in the anime. While some people actually like watching this filler, the majority of viewers would want their experience to not be marred by these inconsequential arcs.
As a result, the manga's story has a better flow and feels more natural. The lack of filler means that important story events can be touched upon without having to waste the reader's time.
6 Ichigo's Backstory Is Elaborated Upon Quite A Bit
Most people consider Ichigo to be one of the most boring protagonists in shonen anime history. This is understandable from an anime viewer's point of view, who is unaware of the developments in the manga itself.
In the manga, Ichigo's character is expanded upon, with the identity of his mysterious mother also being revealed. It might not be enough for most fans to redeem this protagonist in their eyes, but it's still a moment of character development that the anime lacks.
5 Yhwach Is An Amazing Antagonist
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc is yet to be captured in the anime. Thankfully, the announcement of a new Bleach anime will finally put the endless fan demands and complaints to an end once and for all.
Regardless of what manga readers might've felt about the quality of this arc, there's no denying the fact that Yhwach is an excellent antagonist who finally fills the gap left by the intimidating Aizen. Watching this character in the manga was eerie yet awe-inspiring, and fans can't wait to see how his character will be portrayed in the new anime.
4 Several Notable Bankai Are Only Present In The Manga
The Bankai of Bleach are undoubtedly some of the most awe-inspiring attacks in the entire series. From high-powered attacks to complete transformations — the sheer range and power of these Bankai are not to be taken lightly.
The anime ended before some of the most powerful Bankai in the series were revealed, which was quite a shame. Fans of Bleach who want their favorite characters to get the powerups they deserve need only read the manga to witness the same.
3 The Manga Doesn't Shy Away From Any Gore
Given the popularity of Bleach, it was only a given that the anime adaptation would be featured on a timeslot where extreme gore and violence were banned. As a result, some of the more brutal moments in Bleach lack the intensity featured in the manga.
Viewers who want their experience of Bleach to be devoid of any censorship should ideally read the manga. It's a great way to enjoy the series without any compromises in terms of the level of brutality shown in the series.
2 The Story Is Presented Exactly How Kubo Wanted It To Be
Perhaps the biggest draw of reading the manga is that the reader will experience the story exactly how Kubo wanted it to be. After all, no anime adaptation is completely faithful to the manga, and Bleach is no exception.
For starters, the anime treats Isshin Kurosaki like a joke character, while he has his moments near the start of the manga where it's shown that Ichigo clearly looks up to him. Along with this, the relationship between Ichigo and Orihime is fleshed out in the manga, while the anime treats it more like a footnote.
1 The Manga Has A Proper Conclusion
A rather obvious reason to read the manga over the anime is that the manga has a proper conclusion. Of course, given the rather disappointing nature of Bleach's ending, the definition of 'proper' might be stretched a bit here.
However, it's still miles ahead of the anime's conclusion, which comes out of nowhere after a pretty inconsequential Fullbring arc that ultimately accomplishes nothing. Fans of Bleach who want a more satisfying and complete ending should definitely opt for the manga.