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

Yet, recent revelations from Pierrot president Michiyuki Honma shed light on a period of uncertainty for these beloved shonen titles, revealing that both Naruto Shippuden and Bleach were on the brink of cancellation in the wake of a devastating natural disaster.

In an interview with Natalie, Honma recounted the challenges faced by Pierrot in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami wreaked havoc across Japan, disrupting regular broadcasts and plunging production schedules into disarray.

Pierrot’s Naruto and Bleach Nearly Cancelled Due to Natural Disaster

With over four projects in progress each week, including flagship series like Naruto Shippuden and Bleach, Pierrot found itself in dire straits as revenue streams dried up and the prospect of insolvency loomed large.

“At the time, we were producing more than four projects a week including Naruto Shippuden and Bleach. But soon, the productions fell into disarray as several stations stopped airing regular broadcasts. Our income became unstable. This continued for two months, and we almost couldn’t pay our workers’ salaries. We found ourselves in a situation where we had no option but to dissolve the company,” Honma recalled.

Despite the looming threat of closure, Pierrot was granted a lifeline through the support of industry allies and financial assistance from banking institutions.

“We were supported by our allies in the industry, and the bank provided us with a loan. Plus, there was other income being earned outside of production,” Honma explained.

The near cancellation of Naruto Shippuden and Bleach serves as 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 immense destruction, leaving a profound impact on Japan and the world at large.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe, Pierrot has implemented safeguards to protect against similar financial crises, ensuring the continued production of beloved anime titles while honoring the memory of those affected by the tragedy.