BLEACH Episode 44 Brings Hitsugaya's Adult Form With Yuki Kaji as Voice
Episode 44 of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, titled "THE PERFECT CRIMSON," aired on August 15, 2026, and featured the long-awaited Bankai of Kenpachi Zaraki and the Complete Bankai of Toshiro Hitsugaya. In the episode, Kenpachi, Toshiro, and Byakuya Kuchiki continue their battle against Gerard Valkyrie. Yachiru Kusajishi appears in Kenpachi's mind and tells him he can win if he uses her, prompting Kenpachi to release his Bankai and cut Gerard in two. Hitsugaya draws out more power from Daiguren Hyorinmaru, and his body grows into an adult appearance. The voice for adult Hitsugaya is not Romi Park, who voiced him previously, but Yuki Kaji. Kaji said he was cast after multiple auditions supervised by Tite Kubo, and he recorded two patterns: a low-pitched version and one reproducing Park's tone. He passed with the direction leaning toward Park's tone, and he recorded together with Park on the day. The next episode, 45, airs on August 22.