Bleach Live-Action Movie Confirms 2018 Release

If you weren’t already aware, Bleach is heading out out of retirement to waltz right onto the big screen. Tite Kubo’s beloved series it getting its own live-action movie, and fans finally got an update about the project after a very long dry spell. The movie’s official Twitter went live today to confirm the movie’s release schedule, so otakus know they should free up next summer.

Over on Twitter, the Bleach account revealed the movie’s minimalist logo alongside an anticipated release point. The black-and-red poster says Bleach is expected to premiere in summer 2018 but no specific month has been targeted as of yet.

UP NEXT: Bleach Live-Action Movie Reveals First Official Look At Ichigo

Aside from the logo, fans were also asked to anticipate some very important Bleach announcement. The Twitter account confirmed more information about the film will be released on July 7 to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Tanbata. Oh, and the film’s first visual of Ichigo Kurosaki was also released.

Weekly Shonen Jump‘s newest issue hit shelves today, and the magazine had a first-look of Ichigo in real life. The character, who is being played by Sota Fukushi, can be seen wearing Ichigo’s Soul Reaper robes and carrying his massive Zanpakuto. The actor is mostly hidden away in shadow, but his bright orange hair is a dead-giveaway of who he is playing. Anime leads may be known for their eccentric hair and all, but Ichigo’s carrot-top isn’t something fans can mistake.

You can read Viz Media’s synopsis of Bleach below:

“Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts—he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow—a malevolent lost soul—Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace.”

MORE: Here’s Tite Kubo’s Explanation For Bleach’s Plot Holes

Bleach is author Tite Kubo’s second title. Kubo made his debut with ZOMBIEPOWDER., a four-volume series for Weekly Shonen Jump. To date, Bleach has been translated into numerous languages and has also inspired an animated TV series that began airing in Japan in 2004. Beginning its serialization in 2001, Bleach is still a mainstay in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. In 2005, Bleach was awarded the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in the shonen (boys) category.