The enduring popularity of series like Naruto and Bleach remains a testament to their cultural impact on the anime community.

However, recent revelations from Pierrot president Michiyuki Honma have shed light on the uncertain timeline of these beloved Shounen titles, revealing that both Naruto Shippuden and Bleach are on the brink of cancellation after a devastating natural disaster.

In an interview with Natalie, Honma recounts the challenges Pierrot faced after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami wreaked havoc across Japan, disrupting broadcasts frequently and causes production schedules to be disrupted.

Pierrot's Naruto and Bleach were almost canceled due to natural disasters

With more than four projects in the works every week, including top series like Naruto Shippuden and Bleach, Pierrot found itself in serious trouble as revenue streams dried up and the possibility of default grew.

“At that time, we were producing more than four projects a week including Naruto Shippuden and Bleach. But soon production fell into chaos as several stations stopped airing regular broadcasts. Our income became unstable. This lasted for two months and we could barely pay the workers. We were in a situation where we had no choice but to dissolve the company,” Honma recalls.

Despite the looming threat of closure, Pierrot remains buoyed by the support of industry allies and financial backing from banking institutions.

“We were supported by industry allies and banks lent us money. Additionally, there is other income earned outside of production,” Honma explains.

The near cancellation of Naruto Shippuden and Bleach is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most iconic anime series in the face of unforeseen disasters.

The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, claimed thousands of lives and caused enormous devastation, leaving a profound impact. to Japan and the world in general.

Following this disaster, Pierrot implemented measures to protect against similar financial crises, ensuring continued production of beloved anime titles while honoring the memories of those affected by the disaster. tragedy.