Bleach’s Poems Get Their Own Card Collection

One of the things that makes the Bleach manga special is how each opens with a poem. In 2021, a karuta collection of these poems were offered to people who were part of “Klub Outside,” mangaka Tite Kubo’s official fanclub. But apparently there’s a larger interest, so the kurata collection will be made available to everyone.

Kurata is a word for Japanese card games. The Bleach kurata collection has the official title Bleach: Songs of the Soul (and, yes, that’s in English). People could start pre-ordering the collection last Friday, December 2. The Jump Festa event later this month will also offer copies for sale. On December 19, the collections will show up in Japanese toy stores as well as on Amazon, so people can buy them online.

The Bleach anime recently started up again with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which will finish the story in the manga. VIZ Media gave this description of the anime:

“Was it all just a coincidence, or was it inevitable?

Ichigo Kurosaki gained the powers of a Soul Reaper through a chance encounter. As a Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo became caught in the turmoil of the Soul Society, a place where deceased souls gather. But with help from his friends, Ichigo overcame every challenge to become even stronger.

When new Soul Reapers and a new enemy appear in his hometown of Karakura, Ichigo jumps back into the battlefield with his Zanpakuto to help those in need. Meanwhile, the Soul Society is observing a sudden surge in the number of Hollows being destroyed in the World of the Living. They also receive separate reports of residents in the Rukon District having gone missing. Finally, the Seireitei, home of the Soul Reapers, comes under attack by a group calling themselves the Wandenreich.

Led by Yhwach, the father of all Quincies, the Wandenreich declare war against the Soul Reapers with the following message: “Five days from now, the Soul Society will be annihilated by the Wandenreich.”

The history and truth kept hidden by the Soul Reapers for a thousand long years is finally brought to light.

All things must come to an end—as Ichigo Kurosaki’s final battle begins!”

Source: ANN

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.