Q: Was it hard for you to decide to end Bleach so abruptly?
A: I am the kind of person who can adjust to sudden changes really quickly, so the moment I knew it’s time to end it, I did so and didn’t overthink what could or could not have been done instead.
Q: Are Aizen, Mayuri and Yoruichi still your most favorite characters?
A: I do still love them, but there are few fun and new ones I’d add - Askin and Oetsu come first to mind - they’re so easygoing but at the same time you don’t know whether they’re about to mess around or murder you*laughs*
Q: Fans were speculating that Urahara Kisuke might become the main antagonist. Was there any possibility of this happening?
A: While I find these theories interesting, I had Urahara Kisuke’s story planned from day 1, and him becoming a villain was never something I even considered. I can see where those ideas are coming from though, since his moral code is quite complex.
Q: Which characters were the most fun for you to draw in the last arc?
A: *thinks* Besides Orihime, Yoruichi, Mayuri - from the new line-up Askin, Yhwach and Bambietta were fun for me.
Q: Some fans were delighted to see their favorite Espada characters returning, but in the end they didn’t get much show-time. Why?
A: I had some bigger plans for Grimmjow and Hallibel especially, but due to time constraints I could not fully execute those, which I am quite disappointed about. All I can say to those fans is to look forward to the new season of anime.
Q: Was Unohana truly the strongest Shinigami? Can she beat everyone?
A: She was the best in terms of raw power, but that’s not the only thing which matters in a fight. Thanks to their cunningness or special abilities, Shinigami like Royal Guard, Commander or Urahara are on her level or above.