Technology

An Interview with the Voice Behind BLEACH Protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki – Masakazu Morita: Thoughts on Brave Souls Coming to Xbox and the Nintendo Switch as well as the Game Reaching its 9th Anniversary

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

TOKYO , June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced that its hit 3D action game Bleach: Brave Souls will be available on Xbox consoles from today, Thursday, June 27.

The Nintendo Switch version is scheduled to be released at a later date.

This title supports English, Japanese, French, and Traditional Chinese, and can be enjoyed by players from around the world (excluding mainland China and other specific regions) with access to the Xbox Store.

To commemorate the release of Brave Souls on new platforms, an interview was conducted with Masakazu Morita, the voice of BLEACH protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki.

Details on the Xbox & Nintendo Switch Versions of Bleach: Brave Souls

Bleach: Brave Souls is an exciting 3D action game which was released as an application for smartphones in 2015 and is based on the highly popular manga and animation series, BLEACH. A long-running title loved by many anime and game fans alike, the game is also available on PC and PlayStation®4 and has achieved 90 million downloads worldwide.

Game Controller Support – A Must-Have for Smooth Gameplay

Support for game controllers is available in all game modes.

Players can now immerse themselves in the world of BLEACH, magnified on televisions and other large screens. Defeat Hollows and move around with ease by using a game controller.

Cross-Platform Play Available – Play Against Smartphone and PC Users from Around the World

Players can cross-platform play with Brave Souls users on other platforms.

Team up with other players to take down enemies in multiplayer “Co-Op Quests”, or join forces with up to five other players from around the world to defeat powerful bosses in the highly challenging “Epic Raid” quests.

All players will receive rewards by defeating enemies in Co-Op Quests and Epic Raids. Communicate with fellow players while playing by using the different template options available on the on-screen chat to devise a strategy.

Xbox Store
https://www.xbox.com/games/store/bleach-brave-souls/9nnrnx65nknb

*Total number of downloads includes users who have downloaded the game more than once.

*For the Xbox, support is provided for Xbox One with backwards compatibility also available for Xbox Series X|S.

*Support is not provided for use on multiple devices. Existing accounts on smartphones, etc. cannot be carried over to the Nintendo Switch or Xbox.

Masakazu Morita’s Thoughts on Brave Souls Reaching its 9th Anniversary & His Experience Playing the Game on Xbox and the Nintendo Switch

How do you feel about Brave Souls celebrating its 9th anniversary this coming July?

Morita: I have no words other than to express my gratitude towards Brave Souls.

In Brave Souls, there are parts that go beyond the story shown in the last anime series. I was able to have a very unique experience of learning more about my character and bringing more depth to my performance through Brave Souls before playing the part of Ichigo in the BLEACH TV Animation Series: Thousand-Year Blood War.

Fans seem to share similar feelings towards Brave Souls. The game alleviated that feeling of loss that came with the conclusion of the last series. I have even received letters from fans stating that they have continued to play Brave Souls for many years after its release, giving me a great sense of fulfillment.

Also, Brave Souls contains not only content from the original manga, but also content from the novels. Being able to bring together the world of BLEACH just shows how big of a role Brave Souls is managing to fulfill.

Could you share a few words on how you feel about Brave Souls expanding to other platforms such as Xbox and the Nintendo Switch after 9 years since its initial release?

Morita: There are so many ways for people to enjoy gaming. Some tend to play on their smartphones while out and about while others, of course, love to play from the comfort of their own homes. Now there are even more options for fans to choose from, so they can enjoy Brave Souls in a way that best suits their lifestyle.

Everything has been set in place so that gamers who prefer to use controllers and a big screen can enjoy playing Brave Souls on their day off. By playing the Xbox and Nintendo Switch versions, I believe that smartphone users such as myself can begin to understand the comfort of using a controller along with a big screen to play games. Support for home gaming platforms will likely be a good chance to deliver a new experience to players.

How was your experience playing the Nintendo Switch and Xbox versions?

Morita: I was able to enjoy Brave Souls in a different way compared to when playing on a smartphone. My hands don’t get in the way of the screen, so the appearance of a wider display allowed me to feel more immersed in the experience. Not to mention the fact that I have been playing games since the NES era, so being able to use a controller was comforting.

It felt like I was wielding a strangely familiar Zanpakuto. Almost as if my past self that had begun with an Asauchi in the shape of an NES had now reached the Bankai stage by grasping the Switch and Xbox controllers (laugh). I felt some comfort from being able to press buttons on the Xbox, while the Switch allowed for smooth controls with its flexible joysticks.

Please share the appeal of the Xbox and Nintendo Switch versions to the players that are planning on playing on those platforms.

Morita: For the Switch, being able to play in handheld mode allowed me to enjoy Brave Souls in a similar way to when playing on a smartphone. Xbox and Nintendo Switch players can experience the feeling of slashing away with a Zanpakuto by pressing down on the controller buttons. And of course, there is definitely an impact that comes with playing on a large screen, so I definitely recommend trying out the game on these consoles.

Please share your thoughts on the design for the 9th Anniversary Renewed version of Ichigo Kurosaki.

Morita: I mean, the design is really, really awesome. The 9th Anniversary Renewed version of Ichigo Kurosaki portrays the power of Mugetsu taking form in Ichigo. This design only appeared very briefly in both the original manga and the anime, but it looks so cool. This form is very popular among fans, so I can see a great deal of significance in revealing it as one of the 9th anniversary celebration characters.

From his Special Move to his visuals, this version of Ichigo Kurosaki has been incorporated into the game in a way that results in a character that both beginners and long-term players would very much want to get their hands on. Also, the game mechanics and graphics – including the backgrounds – in Brave Souls have been tastefully brushed up on, making the design of the 9th Anniversary Renewed version of Ichigo Kurosaki look great in-game. I hope that everyone manages to receive the 9th Anniversary Renewed version of Ichigo Kurosaki. Be sure to keep trying your luck with the Summons (laugh).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6hA5OOl8kw

Lastly, please share a message for BLEACH and Brave Souls fans, as well as for any new players who are considering playing on the Xbox and Switch versions.

Morita: BLEACH has been around for a very long time. Time has passed, and children who had once watched BLEACH beside an older sibling have now grown-up. They are now capable of experiencing the BLEACH anime and manga themselves, as well as playing Brave Souls. I urge those long-time fans to take a chance with the game and experience what was not possible in the past; having the ability to control Soul Reapers and Quincies at your fingertips. The game properly captures the world of BLEACH, giving you an experience where it almost seems as though you yourself have become the character you are controlling. By reading into the details of BLEACH through the anime series and manga, I am certain that players will be able to further enjoy Bleach: Brave Souls.

With the addition of the Xbox and Switch versions to the existing available platforms, there are now more variations of playstyles to choose from. After nine years since the initial release, some potential players may feel hesitant to jump in on playing Brave Souls, but rest assured that the game has been designed in a way that allows players to have fun regardless of when they joined. There is even a system in place in-game where experienced players give support to beginners, so don’t hesitate to give Brave Souls a try. Also make sure to check out the video guides made for beginners available on the official YouTube channel.

As can be seen from the above, Brave Souls features a welcoming environment for beginners. Any fans of BLEACH should be sure to join the world of Brave Souls.

Reference: https://www.inside-games.jp/arti/R7nRSyg/

*This press release is a digest of the interview article released by the Japanese game media, “Inside”.

Campaign Information

In-Game Campaigns

9th Anniversary Celebration Summons

Event Period: Thursday, June 20 16:00 to Friday, July 19 15:59 (JST/UTC+9)

This Summons features the 9th Anniversary Renewed version of Ichigo Kurosaki and the Japanese Parasol 2024 versions of Shunsui Kyoraku and Nanao Ise.

Official Showcase Video:
https://youtu.be/GgrNC9h99to

Free Thousand-Year Blood War Summons

Event Period: Thursday, June 20 16:00 to Wednesday, July 31 15:59 (JST/UTC+9)

Don’t miss out on a special one-time Summons that guarantees a 5 Star Thousand-Year Blood War character.

Free Seasonal Brave Souls Summons

Event Period: From Thursday, June 20 16:00 (JST/UTC+9)

One free x10 Summons every day for up to ten days.

In addition, the 9th Anniversary Celebration: New Platform Release Campaign is also currently underway. Various features celebrating the release of Brave Souls on new platforms are also available, beginning with free packs exclusive to the Xbox version of the game and more.

*Please note that campaign contents are subject to change without notice.

*Please check the in-game news for further details.

Promotional Campaigns

New Platform Release Gift Campaign

Xbox Release Gift Campaign Period:
Thursday, June 27 to Wednesday, July 10 23:59 (JST/UTC+9)

Switch Release Gift Campaign Period:
Coming soon

To celebrate the release of Brave Souls on the Nintendo Switch and Xbox, a repost campaign is being held where participants can win amazing prizes such as an Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and Brave Souls merch.

*Please note that campaign contents and the campaign period are subject to change without notice.

Read the original press release (https://www.klab.com/en/press/) for more information.

Overview of Bleach: Brave Souls

Platform: iOS /Android™/PC/PS4™/Nintendo Switch/Xbox One
*The Nintendo Switch release is scheduled for a later date
Genre: 3D Action
Price: Free-to-play (In-game purchases available)
Official Website:           https://www.bleach-bravesouls.com/en/
Official X Account:                   @bleachbrs_en
Official Facebook Page:           https://www.facebook.com/BleachBS.en
Official YouTube Channel:       https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1QJ4uNQeijEx0jlo4nqauA
Official Instagram:                    @bleachbravesouls_official
Official Discord: https://discord.com/invite/bleachbravesouls
Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bleachbrs_en_official
Copyright: © Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot
© KLabGames

Download Here:
App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1003168863
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klab.bleach
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1201240/BLEACH_Brave_Souls
PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/concept/10002097
Xbox Store: https://www.xbox.com/games/store/bleach-brave-souls/9nnrnx65nknb

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SOURCE KLab Inc.

Technology

CNN to bring its Global Perspectives events series to Bangkok

Published

36 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Conversations to be led by CNN journalists including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest and Kristie Lu Stout

HONG KONG, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNN will hold the inaugural Asia chapter of its Global Perspectives events franchise in Bangkok, Thailand, on 14 October 2026, reinforcing the network’s commitment to convene global leaders and fostering dialogue on the critical issues shaping international business, policy and economic development.

CNN will bring together dignitaries, visionaries, political and business leaders for Global Perspectives: In Bangkok, to explore big ideas, bold leadership and the dynamic economies at the forefront of global transformation. On-stage conversations will be led by CNN’s esteemed anchors and correspondents, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest, Kristie Lu Stout, Will Ripley and Hanako Montgomery, with editorial content and news-making interviews from the event featured across CNN platforms.

Expanding the Global Perspectives series with this Bangkok edition underscores CNN’s long-standing engagement in Asia. As a historic economic and cultural crossroads, Bangkok sits at the intersection of global economic dynamism, regional influence and vibrant cultural energy. The event will take place as global leaders, investors and policymakers gather in the city for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings, creating an exclusive platform for CNN to examine a world in transition and the forces reshaping power and influence.

Ellana Lee, Group SVP, GM APAC, & Global Head of Productions at CNN, said: “Global Perspectives: In Bangkok will reflect CNN’s deep commitment to Asia and will aim to foster conversations that matter most on the global stage. At a time of rapid transformation, this event will bring together influential voices to examine the ideas, opportunities and challenges shaping the region and the world.”

James Hunt, SVP, Head of Client Solutions & Business Lead, Global Perspectives, CNN International Commercial said: “Global Perspectives provides a unique platform for leaders and partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and connect with the forces driving global change. Hosting the event in Bangkok creates new opportunities for brand partners and sponsors to be associated with important conversations about collaboration, insight and impact at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”

Expanding its events franchise by holding Global Perspectives: In Bangkok builds on CNN’s long-standing presence in Asia which includes a network of bureaus and correspondents across Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Taiwan, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi and Islamabad.

Global Perspectives is an invitation-only gathering for international decision-makers and influential leaders from across industries, including technology, finance, investment, trade, geopolitics, healthcare, media, entertainment and more. The event will be attended by heads of state, regional and global leaders, and participants can expect to form meaningful connections that will last well beyond the event itself. Global Perspectives will be hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.

Further details on speakers and programming will be announced in due course. People interested in attending Global Perspectives: In Bangkok can register their interest at: https://cnnicevents.cnn.com/gpbangkok/prl

About CNN Worldwide

CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals through television, streaming and online than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, people across the world can watch CNN International, which is widely distributed in over 200 countries and territories. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination, with more unique visitors than any other news source. HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, features CNN Max, a 24/7 streaming news offering available to subscribers alongside expanded access to News content and CNN Originals. CNN’s award-winning portfolio includes non-scripted programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films for broadcast, streaming and distribution across multiple platforms. CNN programming can be found on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español channels, via CNN Max and the CNN Originals hub on discovery+ and via pay TV subscription on CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world’s most extensively utilized news service partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cnn-to-bring-its-global-perspectives-events-series-to-bangkok-302748000.html

SOURCE CNN International

Technology

Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® Announces Exclusive Partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to Accelerate Workforce Development in India’s Huge Pharmaceutical Sector with Virtuosi®

Published

36 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

ATLANTA and BENGALURU, India, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP), a global leader in pharmaceutical quality, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing consulting, today announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to introduce and scale Virtuosi® across the Indian biopharmaceutical market.

Virtuosi helps biopharmaceutical manufacturers to solve one of their most critical operational challenges—the readiness of the workforce to perform in high-risk, high-complexity GMP environments—by building and sustaining operational capability across the employee lifecycle.

Under this agreement, Vienni will be QxP’s exclusive partner for Virtuosi in India, leading market engagement, client identification, and commercial activities.

Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP: Enabling Scalable Training Excellence Across India

Vi’eNnI® is a recognized leader in pharmaceutical training and capability development in India, with a strong track record in GMP education, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement. Vi’eNnI® through its association with Eduoriens Skill Development LLP and professional bodies such as Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) India, Vienni operates at the center of India’s pharmaceutical training and compliance ecosystem.

With this established network, operational credibility, and relationships across India’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Vienni is uniquely positioned to drive the adoption of Virtuosi at scale across the Indian market.

“This alliance is intended to deepen, enrich, and embed the field of training. The advantage of this collaboration is expected to make learning stick, with recall much higher when a participant leaves the learning zone,” said Vishal Sharma, Co-Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“This marks the beginning of driving innovation and shaping outcomes that matter. Together, we forge a partnership that speaks the language of impact, influence, and enduring progress for teaching-learning & implementation,” said Ivy Louis, Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“Vi’eNnI®’s mission is to empower doers to excel in their craft. This association with QxP for Virtuosi marks a pivotal step in advancing workforce capability and highlighting the strategic value of immersive training in India. We are proud to continue driving this mission forward.”

“We are honored to partner with Vi’eNnI® , a highly respected organization with deep roots in the Indian pharmaceutical industry,” said Crystal Mersh, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Executive Partners, Inc. “Together, we are enabling broader access to Virtuosi in a way that allows clients to build and sustain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to perform under real operating conditions. This embeds compliance and capability into daily execution in order to deliver high quality medicines to patients around the world.”

Virtuosi by QxP: Advancing Workforce Capability in India’s Globally Critical Pharmaceutical Hubs

India is one of the most critical pharmaceutical manufacturing markets globally and is poised for significant growth in the coming years, particularly across biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies. As manufacturers expand into more complex product categories and face increasing scrutiny from global regulatory agencies—including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) —the ability to rapidly build, standardize, and sustain a high-performing, inspection-ready workforce has become a strategic priority.

cGMP experts at QxP created Virtuosi to address this exact challenge. Virtuosi is an immersive workforce readiness program accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), aligning with globally recognized standards for continuing education and distinguishing it as the only virtual reality–based training program to achieve such accreditation.

Combining virtual reality interactive experiences with digital course content, Virtuosi enables professionals to practice critical manufacturing and quality processes—such as aseptic operations, microbiology, and advanced therapies—in realistic, risk-free environments. The platform includes over 100 hours of education, 56 technical courses, and 20 immersive VR experiences, and is available in seven languages—English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, and Swedish—to support global workforce standardization. Virtuosi helps organizations reduce human error, accelerate time to competency, and improve compliance and operational performance across global pharmaceutical operations.

By shifting training from passive instruction to experiential learning, Virtuosi helps reduce time to competency and human error, improve inspection readiness, and drive measurable quality outcomes which translates directly to revenue protection and growth. This partnership strengthens not only the competitiveness of individual organizations, but also the long-term resilience, regulatory standing, and global leadership of India’s pharmaceutical sector.

About Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP)

Quality Executive Partners, Inc. (QxP) is a premium CGMP consulting firm focused on solving complex operational and regulatory challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing. QxP services pharmaceutical manufactures and CDMOs globally across all major modalities – OTC, oral solid dosage, sterile, biologics, ATMPs, clinical-stage manufacturing, and combination products. We support clients throughout the product lifecycle, including clinical operations, commercial readiness, regulatory strategy, quality transformations, and remediation. Through our ‘Teach and Do®’ model, QxP embeds senior GMP experts / former regulators into day-to-day operations to execute alongside client teams and build internal capability. This model ensures solutions are effective in practice, sustainable, and directly reduce operational risk. .

About Vi’eNnI®

Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP is a pharmaceutical training and consulting organization based in Bengaluru, India, focused on advancing workforce capability, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across the life sciences sector, for the past 16 years. The company delivers targeted training and consulting services across GMP, quality systems, aseptic processing, microbiology, and inspection readiness, competency and culture building initiatives, helping organizations strengthen performance, consolidate efficiency and achieve sustainable compliance. Known for its practical, implementation-focused approach, Vi’eNnI® enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to translate training into measurable improvements on the shop floor, supporting continuous improvement and long-term capability development across India’s pharmaceutical industry with a variety of options and tools.

Media Contact (Global)
Robin Mersh
SVP, Virtuosi Sales
Quality Executive Partners, Inc.
Email: RobinMersh@QualityExecutivePartners.com
Phone: (+1) 678-496-7503

Media Contact (India)
Ivy Louis
Founder-Director
Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP
Email: Ivy_louis@vienni.com
Phone: +91 9986821045
WhatsApp: +91 9986821045

Vi’eNnI® & Virtuosi® are registered trademarks for VIENNI & Quality Executive Partners, Inc., respectively.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2790799/5926395/Virtuosi_Logo.jpg

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Technology

Tuniu Corporation Files Its Annual Report on Form 20-F

Published

36 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

NANJING, China, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) (“Tuniu” or the “Company”), a leading online leisure travel company in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time. The annual report can be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.tuniu.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Investor Relations Department at 12th floor, building 6-A, Juhuiyuan, No.108 Xuanwudadao, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210023, The People’s Republic of China.

About Tuniu Corporation

Tuniu (Nasdaq: TOUR) is a leading online leisure travel company in China that offers integrated travel service with a large selection of packaged tours, including organized and self-guided tours, as well as travel-related services for leisure travelers through its website tuniu.com and mobile platform. Tuniu provides one-stop leisure travel solutions and a compelling customer experience through its online platform and offline service network, including a dedicated team of professional customer service representatives, 24/7 call centers, extensive networks of offline retail stores and self-operated local tour operators. For more information, please visit http://ir.tuniu.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tuniu-corporation-files-its-annual-report-on-form-20-f-302747995.html

SOURCE Tuniu Corporation