Key Takeaways:
* Derek Stephen Prince, the voice actor for Uryu Ishida, admitted he did not research the character before starting the role in ‘Bleach’.
* It was only in 2020 or 2021, with rumors of the adaptation of ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’, that Prince began researching the franchise.
* Despite his late start, Prince skillfully portrays the character’s development from good to ambiguous.
* ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’ is now available for streaming on Disney+.
Introduction
In the world of anime, ‘Bleach’ reigns as one of the monumental Shonen Big Three. The recent series, ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’, has not only reignited the franchise but also placed its creator, Tite Kubo, back in the limelight. Involved in this reawakening were all the casts and staff, acknowledging the true might of the anime series. Interestingly, the English dub of ‘Bleach’, admired for its high caliber, was the key to the anime world for many. Yet, one voice actor admitted that when recording began, he had no clue about the series.
The Untold Story of Uryu Ishida’s Voice Actor
Derek Stephen Prince, the voice actor for Uryu Ishida, recently admitted in an interview that he did not research his character when first taking on the role in the original ‘Bleach’ series. Like many other voice actors, Prince often had to voice many characters at once, quickly researching each character before delivering his lines and moving on to the next task.
Only when rumors started circulating about the anime adaptation of the ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’ arc in 2020 or 2021 did Prince get the urge to further explore the franchise. He intended to come to grips with the extensive world of ‘Bleach’, to revive his character with a clean slate, and to fully understand the buildup that Uryu has experienced throughout the story.
Delving into the World of ‘Bleach’
The gap between ‘Bleach’ and ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’ spans 13 years. Upon the chance to reunite and record again, Prince decided to plunge into the universe of ‘Bleach’. He confessed to watching almost every episode except a few fillers. His diligence certainly bore fruit.
The “New” Uryu
Uryu’s character development throughout the series is impressive. His role in the ‘Thousand Year Blood War’ is a stark departure from his days in the original anime series. Previously solidly on the side of good, Uryu’s stance in the latest season is indeterminate. Deciphering this shift requires a full comprehension of the ‘Bleach’ series, as well as of the origins and personality of the character.
Despite his late start, Prince made a stunning comeback in his voice acting career, with no fans expressing discontent about his performance.
Conclusion
‘Bleach’ fans now have a deeper insight into what goes on behind the character of Uryu Ishida. Regardless of the initial lack of familiarity with the series, Derek Stephen Prince has demonstrated remarkable prowess in his voice acting career, bringing to life the character’s thrilling transformation throughout the series. ‘Bleach’ fans can now enjoy the latest season, ‘Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War’, available on Disney+.
