The official interview featuring Ryusei Nakao (Mayuri Kurotsuchi) and Rie Kugimiya (Nemu Kurotsuchi) from the popular anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict Arc has been released. The actors discuss the "profound love" that influenced Nemu's growth.

“What Makes Mayuri and Nemu Special?”

Kugimiya
At first, I wondered why Mayuri-sama was so strict with Nemu.

Nakao
That’s right (laughs). But everything is “because of love.”

Kugimiya
Exactly. That’s why I think Mayuri-sama’s love is also one of his charms. In the beginning, with just the information that Nemu was “a being created by Mayuri-sama,” I thought he was strict because he could always remake her. But once their past was revealed and I realized that Mayuri-sama’s strictness came from a “great love,” I understood that Nemu served him faithfully because she felt that love, even when he was harsh.

Nakao
When Mayuri created “Nemu No. 7,” as shown in the manga, I don’t think he believed it would be the last. He likely thought, “If it fails, I’ll just create the next one.” But the moment when those feelings shifted into something special—when “Nemu No. 7” became “Nemu”—was fascinating. That shift, I think, is one of Mayuri’s previously unseen charms.

Episode 36: A Turning Point for Mayuri and Nemu

Kugimiya
Nemu has always obeyed Mayuri-sama with “Yes, Mayuri-sama,” without revealing her feelings. However, this time, she acted on her own will, breaking through the constraints placed upon her. I felt that all her quietly accumulated emotions burst out at once.

During the recording for the BLEACH Brave Souls app, the same staff who worked on the anime mentioned, “The scenes depicting Nemu’s final moments in the anime are going to be incredible,” which put a lot of pressure on me. When I entered the studio for Episode 36, the staff again told me, “This is a fantastic scene,” and I was incredibly nervous. But after finishing the recording, I felt it was a truly fulfilling experience.

Nakao
Mayuri’s essential nature is both sadistic and masochistic, but this time, he went beyond that—he became the “ultimate sadist and ultimate masochist.” I aimed to express that “ultimate” quality, though I may not have achieved it perfectly (laughs).

First Impressions of Their Characters

Nakao
My first impression of Mayuri was that he’s a challenging character due to his lengthy and complex lines explaining his abilities. I sometimes had to ask the production team, “What does this mean?” (laughs).

Kugimiya
Until Episode 36, Nemu’s lines were mostly “Yes, Mayuri-sama,” so I initially thought of her as a robot-like character without emotions. However, after her interactions with Uryu following Mayuri-sama’s battle with Uryu, I realized that Nemu had some “thoughts” and feelings hidden within her.

Favorite Characters from BLEACH

Nakao
I like Isshin Kurosaki, especially after his past was revealed. Despite losing his powers as a Soul Reaper, he saved Masaki. His selfless decision to act without hesitation, saying, “I’ll do it!” (Volume 60, Chapter 535), made him incredibly cool.

Kugimiya
I like Kon. His adorable stuffed-animal appearance and his role as a fun, cheerful presence in BLEACH make him a healing character for me.

Source : ORICON NEWS