Bleach: Memories of Nobody is the very first feature-length film in the Bleach franchise, directed by Noriyuki Abe. Set shortly after the Soul Society arc and before the Arrancar storyline, it blends action, character emotion, and worldbuilding into a standalone but emotionally resonant story.
Detailed Summary
The Mysterious Appearance of the “Blanks”
Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki begin their day like any other—hunting Hollows in Karakura Town—when they suddenly encounter strange, ghostlike entities called Blanks. These beings possess no memories and cause distortions between the human world and the Soul Society. Their appearance signals that something is very wrong.
Enter Senna: The Enigmatic “Shinigami”
Amid the chaos, Ichigo meets Senna, a mysterious girl dressed like a Soul Reaper but not officially registered in the Soul Society’s records. Senna is stubborn, fiery, and immensely powerful. Ichigo takes responsibility for her after realizing she is being hunted by a group of exiles known as the Dark Ones.
The Dark Ones’ Plan: Collapse Both Worlds
The Dark Ones are revealed to be former residents of the Soul Society who were cast out centuries ago. They intend to merge the Soul Society and the human world using the Shoen, a device powered by Senna’s forgotten identity. This merging would cause catastrophic destruction, so Ichigo and his allies race to stop them.
Senna’s Lost Memories
As Ichigo spends more time with Senna, he learns she is a “Memory Rosary,” a special being created from the combined memories of countless Blanks. This makes her the key to the Dark Ones’ plan. Her personal memories—family, childhood, identity—are fabricated impressions from the souls that formed her. This gives the film its emotional core: she desperately wants to matter, even if her existence is unstable.
The Final Battle at the Valley of Screams
The Dark Ones activate the Shoen, opening a portal to the Valley of Screams, a dimension filled with unstable spiritual energy. Soul Society forces arrive, and an all-out battle begins. Ichigo confronts the Dark Ones’ leader, Ganryu, in a fierce clash while the worlds begin to merge overhead.
This sequence is visually intense and emotionally charged, setting the stage for the film’s most dramatic moments.
Movie Ending
Ichigo defeats Ganryu, but the unstable Shoen continues its catastrophic activation. The only way to stabilize and shut it down is for the Memory Rosary—Senna—to willingly sacrifice herself, using her unique spiritual composition to disrupt the device from inside.
Senna chooses to do so. She asks Ichigo to take her to a field where she once believed she had played as a child. Although her memories were never real, she wants something in her final moments that makes her existence meaningful. Ichigo carries her to the site as the world around them collapses into light.
With her last remaining strength, Senna asks Ichigo one final question:
“Will you remember me?”
Ichigo assures her that he will, and she closes her eyes, disappearing.
After the collapse is halted and the worlds returned to normal, the Soul Society reports that no one remembers Senna—her existence has been erased, as if she never lived. Only Ichigo remembers, though he cannot explain why.
In the film’s final bittersweet moment, Ichigo walks through Karakura Town and sees a girl with a purple ribbon—the same ribbon Senna wore. It is not truly Senna, but it’s an echo, a suggestion that some trace of her lived on.
This ending is deliberately ambiguous and emotional. It leaves viewers with the idea that even beings created from lost memories can leave a lasting impact.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Bleach: Memories of Nobody does not include a post-credits scene. Once the credits finish, the film ends completely.
Type of Movie
This is a supernatural action-adventure anime film with emotional drama woven into high-energy battles. It expands the Bleach universe while remaining accessible as a standalone story.
Cast (Japanese Voice Actors)
- Masakazu Morita as Ichigo Kurosaki
- Fumiko Orikasa as Rukia Kuchiki
- Chiwa Saitō as Senna
- Kentarō Itō as Renji Abarai
- Hiroki Yasumoto as Yasutora “Chad” Sado
- Aya Hirano as Lilith (Dark One)
- Tōru Furuya as Ganryu
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack was composed by Shirō Sagisu, who also scored the TV series and Neon Genesis Evangelion. The film’s score blends dramatic orchestration with tense, atmospheric tracks that support both the emotional and action-driven sequences.
Filming Locations
As an animated film, there are no live-action shooting locations. However:
- Produced at Studio Pierrot
- Backgrounds and world design draw inspiration from modern Tokyo, traditional Japanese architecture, and bleak, surreal dimensions like the Valley of Screams.
These influences help contrast the grounded realities of Karakura Town with the haunting, dreamlike spaces tied to the Blanks and Senna.
Awards and Nominations
While the film did not win major international awards, it was positively received within anime communities and contributed to Bleach’s global expansion during the mid-2000s.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Noriyuki Abe received permission from Tite Kubo to create an entirely original heroine, Senna.
- Senna’s design required multiple iterations because she needed to feel familiar but distinct from existing Soul Reapers.
- The film was intentionally placed before the Arrancar arc to avoid interfering with manga continuity.
- Many of the Valley of Screams concepts were later expanded in non-canon novels.
- The animators created over 100 new Hollow designs specifically for the opening sequence.
Inspirations and References
- Based on Bleach by Tite Kubo.
- The concept of the Valley of Screams was inspired by unused story elements Kubo had drafted early in the manga’s conception.
- Senna’s role mirrors themes from Japanese folklore about forgotten spirits searching for remembrance.
- Several fight sequences were inspired by classic shonen films from the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate endings have been publicly released, but several minor cuts existed during production:
- A longer introduction explaining the origins of the Blanks.
- A more detailed confrontation between Soul Society captains and the Dark Ones.
- An extended emotional final scene between Ichigo and Senna, ultimately shortened for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a specific Bleach manga arc, but a light novel adaptation exists. The novel:
- Expands on Senna’s internal thoughts.
- Provides more background for the Dark Ones.
- Gives additional worldbuilding around the Valley of Screams.
The movie, however, focuses more on action and visual storytelling.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ichigo first encountering Senna as she jumps through the air attacking Blanks with surprising skill.
- The Dark Ones revealing their grand plan in the Valley of Screams.
- Ichigo carrying Senna through the collapsing world—a moment both tragic and cinematic.
- The captains of Soul Society arriving in dramatic fashion during the final battle.
Iconic Quotes
- “Will you remember me?” – Senna
- “No matter what you are, you deserve to live.” – Ichigo
- “Memories make us who we are, even the ones we forget.” – Senna
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Senna’s purple ribbon is drawn similarly to the ribbons representing spiritual bonds in the main series.
- Urahara’s shop shows subtle visual references to early manga chapters.
- The design of the Dark Ones’ armor borrows elements from early drafts of Soul Society uniforms.
- The final scene’s “Senna look-alike” is animated with the same color palette, hinting at lingering memory resonance.
Trivia
- This film marked the first time Bleach introduced a new main character exclusive to a movie.
- It premiered at Jump Festa 2007.
- The English dub slightly rewrote Senna’s dialogue to emphasize her emotional connection with Ichigo.
- The movie’s production overlapped with the creation of the Arrancar arc for the anime.
Why Watch?
Because it’s one of the rare anime films that mixes high-stakes action with a surprisingly intimate emotional story.
For Bleach fans, it offers a self-contained adventure with one of the franchise’s most memorable original characters.
For newcomers, it’s accessible, beautifully animated, and introduces the world without requiring full series knowledge.
Director’s Other Movies (Noriyuki Abe)
- Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (2007)
- Bleach: Fade to Black (2008)
- Bleach: Hell Verse (2010)
- Yu Yu Hakusho: Poltergeist Report (1994)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)
- Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011)
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)
- Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time (2001)
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
