Noriaki Kubo

Tite Kubo (http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/TiteKubo.htm)

A hero is someone who inspires you. Inspiring not only your actions, but your outlook on life. They affect your creativity, morals, and beliefs. Yet they don't need to do this through public speaking, rebellious action, or just getting down and dirty. A hero can inspire one from the confines of a room with a pencil and a sketch pad. The person I have chosen is Noriaki Kubo, known by his pen name Tite Kubo, author and illustrator of the continuing manga Bleach. Noriaki is my hero because, since the day I put his novel in my hands, my morals changed and I have been inspired to draw just as he has and express my creativity. His graphic novels have changed my ways of using my strengths not to just benefit me, but others as well.

The First Cover Of Kubo's Manga Bleach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bleach_cover_01.jpg)

Noriaki Kubo was born in Hiroshima, Japan on June 26, 1977. Kubo’s career unknowingly started in high school when he first started writing manga. In his third year of high school, going against all odds, he entered a contest in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. After losing the contest, due to his lack of experience, an editor from the magazine called him suggesting they work together on it. By 1999 Zombie Powder had finally made it to shelves. It ran only for four tankoubon, graphic novels, being discontinued by lack of readers and over use of inappropriate content. He is known better for his longest running series Bleach. It was originally discouraged for its similarities to another hit manga Yu Yu Hakusho. In his time of discouragement Akira Toriyama, author of Dragon Ball, sent Kubo a letter encouraging him to publish Bleach. So once again in 2002 Kubo went against all odds to publish one of his manga. It still runs until today with over 300 chapters and 200 episodes on its seemingly endless series.

The First Bleach Movie Cover

Starting as an inexperienced high school student, Kubo has become one of the most famous manga artists and writers in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. His series has become so popular that it has been made into three movies and seven musicals. He followed his dreams knowing that he had little chance of making it. He's made it this far and he still continues to write, following his dreams and passion. One of his biggest hits was created from his dream to use a traditional kimono in his work. This brought him to incorporate Japanese folklore of the Shinigami, or what is called the grim reaper in America.

Kubo is much like Atticus Finch. He goes against all odds to protect his beliefs and reach his goals. When Atticus had no chance of saving Tom Robinson, he fought for him until the very end. Noriaki continued to write even when he was told he wouldn't sell or he was too inexperienced. Yet he made it to the top and will continue to succeed.

Noriaki has always shot for his dreams, going has high as possible. Even he was down he got back up and kept trying. When he was told his books would never sell, he still published them. He just kept working towards his dreams. He never gave up, he was always in the game. I admire him for his determination. I would like to be able to have his determination to continue to reach my goals even when they say I can't. That is why Noriaki Kubo is my hero.