Tite Kubo's hit shonen manga, BLEACH, saw its final arc, "Thousand-Year Blood War," adapted into an anime with two consecutive seasons airing in 2022 and 2023. The third season, "BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict," wrapped up late last year, with more confirmed to be in production.
Recently, the official "BLEACH WORLD" immersive event has begun rolling out across Tokyo and other parts of Japan. The official X (formerly Twitter) account has been teasing event-exclusive merchandise, but one item, in particular, has unexpectedly stolen the spotlight: a ruler inspired by Gin Ichimaru's iconic "13km" line! This bizarre yet brilliant piece of merchandise instantly sparked a frenzy among fans, who are both surprised and praising the official team's creativity.
The eye-catching item is an acrylic keychain designed like a ruler, directly inspired by Gin Ichimaru's Bankai, "Kamishini no Yari" (God-Killing Spear). During the Arrancar arc, when Gin confronted Ichigo in Karakura Town, he first revealed his Bankai's supposed ability: "It can extend up to 13 kilometers at 500 times the speed of sound." While it was later revealed to be a misdirection (it wasn't actually that fast or long), the sheer audacity of the claim made it an instant classic among fans.
The keychain even features his legendary declaration when he first unleashed his Bankai: "I can't help it / I'll let you / Understand in a way / You can comprehend / 13 kilometers." The punchline? It's a tiny 13-centimeter ruler! This level of meta-humor and sheer audacity is just *chef's kiss*.
This ruler-shaped keychain isn't just a nod to an iconic scene; it's surprisingly practical. Sure, it won't stretch 13 kilometers (obviously), but for measuring small everyday items, pulling out this "Gin Ruler" is perfectly handy and undeniably stylish. A must-have for any die-hard fan.
▼ Many netizens also chimed in, jokingly asking what exactly people would measure with it.
The "BLEACH WORLD" event kicks off in June, making stops in Tokyo, Hakata, Yokohama, and other locations. If you're interested, you can check it out, and for those looking to snag some merch, keep an eye out for ways to get your hands on it. For more details, visit the official website.