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Biography:

Kubo was born in Hiroshima, Japan on June 26, 1977 as Noriaki Kubo. Though his birth name was Noriaki Kubo, he is known by Kubo Tite, Kubo Taito, Kubotite, as well as Taito Kubo. Though not much information is given about his family background, we do know he has a younger sister named Hiromi and a younger brother whose name is unknown at the moment. Kubo began creating manga during high school (in his school anime club) where he made his first series "Zombie Powder" during his third year. He submitted Zombie Powder to The Weekly Shonen Jump (Shonen Jump) but it was rejected. He was later contacted by Shonen Jump editors and managed to improve the series and got Zombie Powder published in Shonen Jump in 1999. But unfortunately for Kubo, it was stopped after 4 books due to unpopularity and high sexual content. He did manage to make some short stories as well which are featured in the back of the Zombie Powder volumes. The titles are: Ultra Unholy Hearted Machine, Rune Master Urara, and Bad Shield United.


Kubo later began working on the series Bleach in hopes that he would finally get one of his own manga accepted by Shonen Jump, but it was sadly rejected as well. This was due to its similarities to the series Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi. Times got very depressing for Kubo at this point until he receive a letter of encouragement from Akira Toriyama, the creator of the hit series Dragon Ball. It was then that Kubo found renewed hope and in 2002 Bleach was finally published and began serialization in Shonen Jump. The manga has risen to the tops of the charts and is now known worldwide. This led to the production of the anime series, which is now over 90 episodes long! Kubo says he will not release a live action version of Bleach because it was meant to be manga and anime, and nothing more. Surprisingly, he draws all of the character designs for the anime series instead of letting his editors and workers do the job. Bleach's popularity has been skyrocketing, and shows no signs of slowing down.(Taken from Bleach 7)

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JUMP 1 (chap 17)
Did you see the Leo meteor shower!! It was amazing!! This year's was really amazing!! I stood outside my balcony in the freezing weather for over 30 minutes. While plotting.

JUMP 2 (chap 18)
I finally found the new book by Edward Gorey. . . . so I thought, and what do I see, the next book is already out. I want to read "The Glorious Nosebleed".

JUMP 3 (chap 19)
I went to the festival in Asakusa where they sell a lot of rakes for business prosperity. I ignored the rakes and went around eating around at the street venders. I definitely got fat.

JUMP 4-5 (chap 20)
1st book is going to be out January 5th. It also has character profiles that was requested a lot in letters. How about a book for a celebration for the new year?

JUMP 6-7 (chap 21)
Happy new year. Last year was a very fun year so I hope this year will be just as fun.

JUMP 8 (chap 22)
I was late to say this, but the JUMP festa at the end of the year made me so nearvous, but it was very fun. I hope I can talk better next time~

JUMP 9 (chap 23)
First airing of Trick 2!! And I went to see "Harry Potter" as well. Rupert Grint who played Ron was really good. Kind of like Buscemi.

JUMP 10 (chap 24)
I went to the New Years party for JUMP. I was happy to be able to speak to a lot of people. Bluntly saying, me and Sawai-sensei are now best friends. (one sidedly, that is)

JUMP 11 (chap 25)
Umm, in the end of book 1, Ichigo's seat number is 13 and not 12. It's my mistake. I'm sorry. I fixed it on the republication so please forgive me.

JUMP 12 (chap 26)
Um, I'm really late saying this, but thank you so much for the New Years card. I'm really sorry for not being able to respond!! (I'm doing nothing but apologizing lately)

JUMP 13 (chap 27)
I'm lightly thinking about my plans for moving. I wonder how much of this plan I will be able to do since I'm lazy and gets bored easily.

JUMP 14 (chap 28)
My friend was hospitalized due to an accident. He/she said "I don't have any memory of the accident", it's scary I tell you. Get well soon, Kuro-chan.

JUMP 15 (chap 29)
I'm late to say this, but thank you so much for the Valentine gifts. I ate the chocolate and the rest of the stuff I'm storing it preciously.

JUMP 16 (chap 30)
Finding some time between work, I went to Nikkou. I saw the Toushou-guu and took a picture at the Kengo falls. But even after I developed it, there were no ghosts in the pictures. . . damn.

JUMP 17 (chap 31)
My mom read the author's comments on book 2 and she seriously thought I got fat and called me all worried. Umm. . . that was a joke. That comment.

JUMP 18 (chap 32)
That comment I mentioned on book 2, it seems like I seriously made many people worried. I'm really sorry. I'm seriously fine.

JUMP 19 (chap 33)
"Trick 2" became a movie, Andrew W.K came to Japan, all these good news is coming, so I thought until "Jackal who Feels" ended. I'm sad. . .

JUMP 20 (chap 34)
I went to see "Monsters Inc."! When I saw the kid in the picture, she looked scary but in the animation, I was surprised she looked so cute. And, I cried.

JUMP 21 (chap 35)
My younger brother who came over for spring break in college just went home. I was so busy with work that I wasn't able to pay attention to him. I wanted to play with him more. . .

JUMP 22-23 (chap 36)
Yay! "Jackal who Feels" didn't end!! So I thought, until I found out MEGADETH disbanded. . . Seems like good news and bad news come at the same time.

JUMP 24 (chap 37)
T. . . The orange flavored Kit-kat disappeared from stores!! That was like my ultimate favorite snack that I've been searching for all these years. . .

JUMP 25 (chap 38)
I moved. Manabe-san, you've helped me out so much for everything. But moving really does cost a lot of money, to a point I get depressed.

JUMP 26 (chap 39)
I hurt my right hand. There's no effect to my work, but my assistants are excited about "Who will draw which character for the what-if moments" apparently.

JUMP 27 (chap 40)
This week's cover image is not the memorial for the opening of the World Cup, but the the memorial for the exhibition of "Shaolin s*ccer". Sigh~ . . . I want to go see it. . .

JUMP 28 (chap 41)
I'm looking for the CD that has the song "Mr. Blue" that I sang at the chorus competition in Junior High. If anyone knows the original song and who's song it is, please tell me.

JUMP 29 (chap 42)
After moving this time, I bought a cell phone for the first time in my life. Recently, I finally learned how to change the waiting screen.

JUMP 30 (chap 43)
The world cup; I want a video that has collected clips of the reactions of the directors of each country when their team scores. I wonder if they sell something like that.

JUMP 31 (chap 44)
The orange kitkat that I wrote about here previously, a lot of people sent it to me. I thought I wasn't going to be able to eat it anymore so I'm happy!!

JUMP 32 (chap 45)
My editor changed. Asada-san, thank you so much for all this time!! I really appreciate it. Nakano-san, let us work well from now on!

JUMP 33 (chap 46)
Thank you everyone who gave me a lot of information of "Mr.Blue". I'm sorry I cannot thank each and everyone who even gave me MDs and tapes.

JUMP 34 (chap 47)
I was debating whether to buy a new chair for work, but I finally got the guts and bought a really expensive chair. I am so excited more than you think.

JUMP 35 (chap 48)
I watched "Beverly Hills" on NHK after a long time not watching it and it surprised me. W. . . Where did Brandon go?! Who's the main character?!

JUMP 36 (chap 49)
The TV shows I'm into now is "Hama Mike" and "pitagora switch", which was educational TV shows. For those who like funny stuff, check out the 2nd one quickly.

JUMP 37-38 (chap 50)
The cover this time is the "ping pong" opening memorial. Sigh. . . I want to go see it. . . By the way, I was able to see "Shaolin s*ccer" afterwards.

JUMP 39 (chap 51)
It's the first anniversary!! I thought this year was really fast. . . Please wish me luck from now on as well. And please vote for the popularity poll.

JUMP 40 (chap 52)
Since there are so many requests, I wonder if I should make a questionnaire corner in the books. . . is what I'm thinking. More like, I wonder if there will be postcards sent just by asking here.

JUMP 41 (chap 53)
First time! "Honey and Clover" book 2 is sold!! I honestly thought book 2 wasn't going to come out so I was really worried. I'm happy it's out!!

JUMP 42 (chap 54)
First time!! Bon Jovi's "BOUNCE" is sold!! If I was selected to go to the secret gig, I would probably be planning on soaking myself in the reverberation. Although, I doubt I would be selected.

JUMP 43 (chap 55)
I bought a bike. Somehow at a clothing store. "It would be stolen since there are small amounts of it" threatened the person at the store so, I have it in my room now.

JUMP 44 (chap 56)
I previously wrote about the postcards to the questionnaire corner is gathering is pretty nice amounts. But, bluntly, it won't make it onto book 5. I'm sorry!

JUMP 45 (chap 57)
When it's autumn, I'm happy that chesnut flavored snacks increase. I prefer Mont Blancs to be yellow rather than brown! But if I loosen up a bit, I will most likely get fat for real this time.

JUMP 46 (chap 58)
I started growing a beard. I think it looks good on me, but no one around me compliments me. I think I should shave it. . .

JUMP 47 (chap 59)
My keychain that I liked so much (my 3rd one) broke. It troubles me when I don't have it, but it breaks so easily. . . I wonder if I'm using it bad. . .

JUMP 48 (chap 60)
Mitani Kouki's "HR" is very funny!! The cast is really good!! But it's a secret that I thought until the middle, Nakamura Shidou was Baba-san, who played Robert.

JUMP 49 (chap 61)
My first popularity poll was very fun. Thank you everyone who voted!! The ranking will be announced in the books!!

JUMP 50 (chap 62)
I finally finished reading the postcards that people sent for the popularity poll!! I love seeing people draw my characters.

JUMP 51 (chap 63)
Firs time!! HALO "Lunatic Ride" Japanese version is being sold!! The sound is like a smoothed out MUSE, so if anyone likes those kind of stuff, I would like for you to listen.

JUMP 52 (chap 64)
I finished the work for book 6. . . . but, due to the lack of space, the questionnaire corner will be moved to the next book. . . I'm sorry!! Wait just a bit!

JUMP 36-37 (chap 1)
It's been a while since I did a serialized story. I'll work hard so wish me luck. . . . and it's been a while since I left a comment here so it's making me a little nervous.

JUMP 38 (chap 2)
Currently 7/30, I don't plan on going to SONIC MANIA. I wanted to see the GORILLAZ

JUMP 39 (chap 3)
I went to see "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikaushi" (Spirited Away). Woaah!! It's so cool! Monsters! Monsters!

JUMP 40 (chap 4)
I got fanletters from chapter 1!! Thank you! It's been a while since I got any so I nearly cried.

JUMP 41 (chap 5)
I started playing "Final Fantasy X". I can't even go forward even more.

JUMP 42 (chap 6)
My hair is growing longer. Since my bangs are annoying, during work I pin it up with a duck billed clip. The unpopularity of it increases.

JUMP 43 (chap 7)
I bought the best of Cocco. W. . . Why isn't "Utakata" not in it?!

JUMP 44 (chap 8)
I spoke about Japanese music with my editor so I suggested "K." by Bump of Chicken. Get into it!!

JUMP 45 (chap 9)
I finally cut my hair. I tried dying my eyebrows for the first time. It burns, it burns!!

JUMP 46 (chap 10)
I went to Tokyo Disney JEEEE (Sea)!! I! Love! DISNEYYYYYYYY~~~~~~~!!!!

JUMP 47 (chap 11)
I went to go buy clothes for Autumn. I went to LAFORET after renovation. It became so pretty, I was surprised

JUMP 48 (chap 12)
I went to the Takayama festival in Gifu prefecture. The trick danjiri (a large monumental structure on a big cart used in festivals) was very beautiful! And Sakura mountain (to be continued)

JUMP 49 (chap 13)
My 2nd time having a colored cover. This is all thanks to all the readers who cheer me on. Really, I'll work hard. From my heart.

JUMP 50 (chap 14)
(continuing from 2 weeks ago) The Hida-beef croquette they sell on the side of the Hachimangu was really good~

JUMP 51 (chap 15)
I love the song for the commercial for Hot Noodle (the one with Shinjou on it). I wish they would make it into a CD. . .

JUMP 52 (chap 16)
The city is slowly turning into Christmas colors. Ahh! It's exciting! It's making me excited!!

Quote:

 

Kurosaki Ichigo
When Ichigo goes to the hair dresser, people ask him about his hair color and since he hates that, he doesn't go to the hair dresser. Normally, Yuzu cuts it.

Kuchiki Rukia
Sometimes people ask me this, in book 5 they announced the semester's final exam scores and regarding Rukia's rank, out of 322 people in the 1st grade, she's 302nd. Besides Japanese, she flunked most of it.

Kon
The plushie body of his is the fake copy of the main character of the popular TV show, "Carnivor Kingdom" named "Ponkichi". It was a prize from the shooting game in the Karakura Town Festival.

Inoue Orihime
Tied with Ichigo, her face is the hardest to draw. She's going to be a very important character later on so, I want to get used to drawing her faster.

Sado Yasutora
He likes music so he rarely watches TV, but the only program he likes the "Carnivor Kingdom" that starts at 8 AM on Sundays. He likes it so much that he bought the DVDs for it.

Ishida Uryuu
The TV program he likes is Don Kanonji's "Spontaneous Trips". It's not mentioned in the comic, but in chapter 29, the shadow that tried to jump in before Ichigo was Uryuu.

Urahara Kisuke
The rare candy sold only in Urahara shouten, "Soul candy". From the name, it sounds like it'll have some strange taste, but inside is only a coca cola tasting candy.

Shihouin Yoruichi
Yoruichi-san cannot drink so much alcohol (? i think he meant she doesnt drink a lot). She likes milk the most. When she's tired, first she starts with milk. As long as there's milk, she's in a good mood.

Zangetsu
Zangetsu was the most difficult to decide for the appearance. After nitpicking on his hair style and his clothes, the only thing that remained from the original sketch were his shades.

Shiba Ganjyu
He looks good with goggles, so every time he came out with new clothes, I put a new goggle hanging from his neck, but by the next week I forget to draw it.

Ichimaru Gin
In my opinion, I was trying to draw him all creepy since his first appearance, but for some reason he is a man who is very popular amongst women. I envy him.

Kuchiki Byakuya
Within the seireitei, there're only four major noble families including the Kuchiki family that are considered high class noble men. Besides them, the life style of the other nobles are not much different from normal city people.

Zaraki Kenpachi
Tied with Tousen Kaname, out of the BLEACH characters, he has the hardest hair style to draw. I think I'll continue to regret eternally for giving him that hair style.

Hitsugaya Toushirou
He's from the West Rukongai 1st area "Jyunrinan". He is actually friends with Jidanbou and was the one who taught him the "city rules".

Abarai Renji
All his sunglasses are from Seireitei's popular glasses store "Silver dragon fly glasses store" (megane no gin tonbo). Every time he wears it, he gets it broken, but that costs half a year worth his paycheck.

Kira Izuru
All of Seireitei's shinigami are all considered "nobles", but it also has a high, middle, and low class and Izuru is from a low class noble family. He's had a pretty tough time.

Hinamori Momo
I had a tough time trying to decide her name. The name "Hinamori Momo" was decided right before drawing the official comic. During the sketch stage, she had a totally different name.

Yamada Hanatarou
A rather pitiful Hanatarou whose birthday lies on April Fools. Every year, on his birthday a bunch of people keep tricking him the entire day."