The filming of Bleach was moving forward at a relentless pace, almost aggressive, as if the entire project were racing against time- or perhaps against fate itself.
Alex hadn't poured massive sums into traditional advertising. No billboards, no television spots, no extravagant marketing campaigns. Not out of negligence, but conviction. After more than a decade navigating the glamorous yet ruthless entertainment industry, he knew exactly where to place his bets.
His real leverage was people.
Gathering so many heavyweight actors into a single project was, in itself, the strongest form of promotion imaginable. Recognizable names, familiar faces, established careers- all orbiting one production. This wasn't just a series; it was an event.
And the internet picked up on it immediately.
From the very first day of filming, discussions never stopped. Forums, social media platforms, fan groups- Bleach became a recurring topic, something people simply couldn't avoid.
On the official profiles of Mark, Emily, and the rest of the main cast, comments piled up at a frantic pace, each one tugging the narrative in a different direction.
- "Alex's first series written, directed, and starring himself? This isn't a project, it's a declaration of war. Of course I'm watching."
- "I heard he sold his house and car to fund this. That's not bravery- that's all-in."
- "He put Emily, Summer Johnson, and half his exes on the same set. Is this a TV series or a public execution request?"
- "That title, Bleach… doesn't sound very kid-friendly. Is this even suitable for children?"
- "You can question Alex's character all you want, but doubting his talent is just ignorance."
- "Let's be honest: he changes girlfriends every project, but he's never delivered a bad performance."
- "Why isn't Yasmim Banner in it? I wanted to see that classic duo again."
- "Apparently her mom vetoed it."
- "She's a film actress- she won't lower herself to television."
- "Film actress? How many box-office flops again? Selective memory is a blessing."
The debates seemed endless, and the more chaotic they became, the more attention they attracted.
Inside the studio, however, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Filming had already reached the latter half of the story, and the scene scheduled for the day carried a particular weight.
The captain of the Tenth Division, Toshiro Hitsugaya, confronts Sosuke Aizen- only to discover Hinamori Momo gravely injured, her body lying on the ground like a silent answer to every belief he had held.
The actor cast as Hitsugaya was one of the most promising names of the new generation. Young, talented, praised by critics- and utterly unprepared for the pressure awaiting him.
Standing before him wasn't just Alex.
It was Sosuke Aizen.
All the gentle refinement, the scholarly elegance the character had displayed until now had vanished. In its place stood something cold, oppressive, intangible- a presence that seemed to bend the space around it.
The young actor felt his chest tighten.
Breathing became an effort.
The silence between lines was more suffocating than any scream.
This wasn't just acting.
It was absolute control of the scene.
- "There's something you need to remember, Hitsugaya."
Alex slightly lifted the corner of his lips. A controlled smile- almost kind, yet deeply unsettling.
Then came the line.
Not raised in volume. Not dramatized.
Simply delivered, like an unavoidable truth.
- "Admiration… is the emotion farthest from true understanding."
When the director finally called cut, the silence that followed lasted barely a second before being swallowed by spontaneous applause.
The actor playing Hitsugaya simply let himself drop to the floor, sitting down without the slightest concern for appearances, gulping in air as if he'd just surfaced from underwater.
For a brief moment, he had been absolutely certain he wasn't acting opposite Alex.
It was Aizen.
Truly.
- "Hey, you alive?" Mark walked over, extending a hand with a half-smile.
- "Yeah… I think so." He stood with effort, letting out a nervous laugh. - "Another half second and I swear I'd have forgotten my lines. Alex's acting isn't normal."
Summer Johnson, still processing the impact of the scene, murmured softly:
- "That twist is insane. Not even those conspiracy-heavy historical dramas went this far."
When they'd first received the script, everyone had assumed the same logical path: Jasper Quin, as Byakuya Kuchiki, would be the main antagonist.
It was obvious.
Comfortable.
No one- absolutely no one- imagined that the true villain would be Sosuke Aizen, the gentle, polite, ever-smiling captain.
Memories of other stories with hidden villains crossed several actors' minds… but this went beyond a simple narrative trick.
This wasn't just surprise.
It was emotional betrayal.
- "The pacing is excellent," Alex said, rolling his neck slightly, as if the scene had been nothing more than routine. - "We can start preparing the first PV."
He was certain.
That very morning, after checking his phone, he'd seen it clearly- the audience's curiosity was stretched to its limit. People wanted something tangible. A glimpse. A signal.
It was time to serve an appetizer.
Not the main course.
The first promotional video would introduce the world, the characters, the aesthetic, and the most striking action scenes.
Revealing that Aizen was the true final enemy?
Never.
Even so, it would be more than enough to hook the audience by the collar.
In a mansion in the capital, after wrapping up a long day of filming, a famous actress lounged on the sofa, her mother seated nearby.
She had barely settled in before instinctively picking up her phone- a long-standing habit, hard to break.
- "It's late. Don't spend all night scrolling," her mother warned without even looking up.
She pouted slightly.
- "I'm already twenty-five…"
The response came only as a look. One that clearly said: age changes nothing.
The next instant, a notification appeared on her screen.
"Over one million views in thirty minutes! Star-studded cast releases Bleach's first PV!"
She blinked, surprised.
She remembered this project well. Months earlier, Alex had tried to cast her. The answer had been polite but firm: full focus on cinema.
There had been another reason, too.
One no one said out loud.
Alex had too much of a reputation… and too many intentions.
Still, curiosity won.
She pressed play.
The first thing to explode from the speakers was an intense, vibrant electric guitar- music that made the blood surge without asking permission.
Number One.
Then Mark appeared on screen as Ichigo. Samantha Burnes as Rukia. Other familiar faces followed in sharp, precise cuts.
Zanpakutō slicing through Hollows. Bursts of energy. Fluid, violent, almost hypnotic movements.
It was impossible to remain indifferent.
She realized she was nodding to the rhythm before even noticing it.
- "This is… better than I expected," she murmured, surprised at herself.
Then she frowned.
Something was wrong.
Or rather… something was missing.
- "Wait…" she said quietly, leaning closer to the screen. - "Isn't Alex supposed to be the protagonist?"