Noriaki Kubo, known by his pen name Tite Kubo, is a Japanese manga artist and character designer. Born on June 26, 1977, in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, Kubo has made significant contributions to the manga industry. His most notable work, the manga series Bleach, which he started in 2001 and concluded in 2016, has seen unprecedented success with over 130 million copies in circulation as of 2022. Kubo embarked on his manga artist journey with high aspirations, inspired by the manga series Dragon Ball. Initially, he faced rejection with his first concept for the series Zombiepowder, which was turned down several times. However, persistence paid off, and Zombiepowder was eventually accepted by Shonen Jump, although it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

Kubo's breakthrough came with Bleach, a story about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows. This series not only cemented his reputation as a prominent manga artist but also showcased his talent in character design. Despite the challenges faced in the early years, Kubo's dedication to his craft has made him a celebrated figure in the manga community, with Bleach standing as a testament to his artistic vision and determination.