BLEACH | Fireside Chat with Ichigo and Uryu

In recent decades, anime has become a global phenomenon, with Japanese voice actors celebrated for their ability to convey deep emotion and character. While fans worldwide know their voices, they might have never seen the talented actors who bring these beloved characters to life. This event offers a rare glimpse into the dedication and craft of anime voice actors, and highlights their significant role in promoting Japanese culture far and wide.

On October 13, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in partnership with VIZ Media invites you to an exclusive event featuring two renowned voice actors from the anime sensation BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War: Masakazu Morita (voice of Ichigo Kurosaki) and Noriaki Sugiyama (voice of Uryu Ishida). Moderated by Japanese pop culture influencer Risa Light (host of the viral “Risa’s Nihongo” series on Instagram), this will be an exciting afternoon for anime superfans and newcomers alike.

The afternoon begins with a special screening of three episodes of the latest BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War series (Episodes 1-2 and the world premiere of Episode 3 of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War) , followed by Risa Light leading a lively discussion with stars Morita and Sugiyama. As well as sharing behind-the-scenes insights, the actors will also give a live voiceover demonstration. Together, they’ll explore the art of Japanese voice acting, their roles in the anime production processes, and the cultural influences that shape this unique craft.

Join us for this fun and vibrant afternoon celebrating the artistry and global impact of Japanese voice acting.

Program Outline

*Subject to change.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Screening

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM | Fireside Chat & Voiceover Demonstration

About the Speakers

Masakazu Morita

Masakazu Morita made his voice acting debut in 2001 as the protagonist Tidus in the video game “Final Fantasy X.” His notable roles include Ichigo Kurosaki in “BLEACH,” Shin in “Kingdom,” Barnaby Brooks Jr. in “Tiger & Bunny,” and many others. He also works as an actor, stage performer, and narrator, among other activities.

Noriaki Sugiyama

Noriaki Sugiyama gained widespread recognition for voicing Sasuke Uchiha in NARUTO. His notable roles include Sasuke Uchiha in “NARUTO”, Shirou Emiya in “Fate/stay night”, Uryu Ishida in “BLEACH”, and many others.

About the Moderator

Risa Light

Risa Light is a passionate enthusiast of Japanese Pop Culture. Her series "Risa’s Nihongo," which offers Japanese slang lessons, connects with audiences worldwide on Instagram. She is also recognized as an event organizer, MC, translator, and content creator.

About BLEACH

BLEACH is a smash-hit sword-battle action manga that ran in the pages of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 2001 to 2016. Since its debut, the 74-volume manga series has received tremendous support from fans, selling over 130 million copies worldwide. The series was also adapted into an animated TV series that aired in Japan from 2004 until 2012 and that included four feature films.

Part 1 of the new animated series Thousand-Year Blood War, based on the manga’s final arc, premiered on the TV-Tokyo Network in October 2022. Part 2, titled BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation, premiered in July 2023. The new series features updated character visuals and animation that surpasses the previous series. Part 3, titled BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict, is scheduled to premiere in 2024. The popularity of BLEACH continues to grow as it receives strong support not only in Japan but across the world.

Artwork Credit: © Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot

Co-Presented by

Host or Publisher JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles