“BLEACH (TYBW)”: Why is Mayuri Strict with Nemu? Ryusei Nakao Says, “It’s All Because of Love” – An Interview with Rie Kugimiya

Favorite Mayuri Visuals

Kugimiya
“Bankai.” It’s amazing how this word, created within the series, has become widely recognized by fans. Even though Nemu doesn’t fight with a Zanpakuto, hearing other captains unleash their “Bankai” always made me think, “That’s so cool.”

Nakao
There are too many of Mayuri’s lines to choose just one, but I particularly like, “Farewell for the next hundred years” (Volume 34, Chapter 305). Another favorite is, “You don’t have to remember. You’ll soon forget everything anyway” (Volume 14, Chapter 121), spoken during his fight with Uryu. Mayuri’s lines are all so striking that I sometimes send them as stamps in messages to friends (laughs).

Favorite Mayuri Visuals

Kugimiya
Why does Mayuri-sama’s appearance change so often?

Nakao
His face is all makeup (laughs).

Kugimiya
He applies it himself?

Nakao
His unmasked face was shown only once during the “Soul Society Arc.” If that face had been revealed earlier, maybe someone else would’ve been cast as Mayuri (laughs).

Kugimiya
Seeing Mayuri-sama’s ever-changing visuals during recordings always intrigued me. It made me wonder if there could be different “generations” of Mayuri-sama, like with Nemu No. 7.

Nakao
When the glowing Mayuri appeared in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, I thought, “What is this? A sun!?” (laughs). Although I like his unmasked look, the glowing Mayuri from this arc is my favorite.

A Message to Fans

Kugimiya
It’s been over 10 years since the original manga depicted Mayuri-sama and Nemu’s story, and being able to portray Nemu’s voice in the anime is a blessing. Sharing these scenes with Ryusei-san and delivering them to fans is a joy. Please enjoy BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War and immerse yourself in its incredible world.

Nakao
Even after the anime concludes, I hope Mayuri and Nemu will remain in your hearts. Please don’t forget these two characters moving forward.

Source : ORICON NEWS