Creating a successful manga is not an easy feat, on top of that, delivering the manga for years and years adds another burden for the mangaka. The stories of Bleach‘s creator Tite Kubo and One Piece‘s Eiichiro Oda shed light on the often gruesome journeys behind the carefully crafted pages we consume, and it is anything but glamorous.
For Kubo, the pressure of meeting strict serialization demands and editorial expectations nearly derailed his career. His struggles provide a glimpse into the darker side of manga creation, where burnout, stress, and creative constraints are constant challenges. And it surprises us how Oda has managed to deliver consistently for decades amid such work pressure.
Tite Kubo’s Struggle with Bleach
Since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001, Tite Kubo’s Bleach quickly became one of the heavyweights within the manga industry, becoming one of the “Big Three” Shonen manga alongside One Piece and Naruto. However, as Kubo recently shared in an interview, his journey to success was filled with difficulties.
Kubo’s experience revealed a lot, one of which was how unprepared he was for the first Bleach serialization. Despite having a rough idea for the story, he hadn’t fully fleshed out his world or characters before it was accepted for publication. In his own words, Kubo shared the challenge he faced at that time,
The most challenging part was definitely the schedule during the first serialization meeting. When they decided to serialize, there’s this meeting called the serialization meeting. I had to send my work from my family home in Hiroshima. So, I sent it, and once they reviewed it, I got the confirmation that it was accepted. But I wasn’t fully ready yet. The work wasn’t complete, and I didn’t have Bleach set up properly at that time.
This early struggle is something many manga fans may not realize. Behind the polished art and thrilling storylines, manga artists are often under immense pressure to deliver content at a rapid pace.
In addition to this, Kubo also recalled how, during his rookie days, the editor-in-chief at Shonen Jump didn’t hold back in his criticism. After presenting his initial idea for Bleach, Kubo was met with harsh feedback and was told it wasn’t good enough. Reflecting on that experience, Kubo admitted he sulked and stepped away from writing for a year.
Eiichiro Oda’s Miraculous Consistency with One Piece
While Tite Kubo‘s story of burnout is a common factor among manga artists, Eiichiro Oda’s ability to deliver consistently for 25 years stands as a near-miracle. Since One Piece‘s first serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997, Oda has consistently delivered thoughtfully crafted chapter after chapter with very few breaks. His journey through One Piece is proof of his dedication, perseverance, and discipline.
However, it doesn’t mean Eiichiro Oda hasn’t faced immense challenges. Similar to Tite Kubo, Oda is known for working long hours, and rarely having time to spend with his family. Despite the grueling schedules and the physical toll it has taken on him, he continues to produce some of the most detailed storytelling in manga history. His dedication to One Piece has made it a cultural phenomenon, with over 1000 chapters and still ongoing after more than two decades.
Both Kubo and Oda’s experiences are a testament to the intense pressure that the manga industry, especially Weekly Shonen Jump, places on its creators. The competition is fierce, and only the most popular series are given room to grow. The mangaka’s stories serve as a reminder of the hidden toll behind some of the manga’s most beloved series, offering fans a deeper appreciation for the creators who bring their favorite tales to life.
Bleach and One Piece manga are currently available to read on Viz Media. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3 is set to release on 5th October on Hulu.
