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Bleach stands as a cornerstone in the realm of anime, revered as a timeless classic and a resounding success. Derived from Tite Kubo’s sprawling 74-volume manga, the anime chronicles the journey of Ichigo Kurosaki, a young adolescent thrust into the role of a Soul Reaper following a fateful encounter with a fellow Reaper named Rukia.
The manga’s publication spanned from 2001 to 2016, spawning various adaptations ranging from stage productions, films, to interactive video games. Yet, it was the 2004 anime adaptation that truly captured the hearts of audiences, running until 2012 in Japan. Regrettably, the animated series concluded before fully adapting the manga’s final arc, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the sequel, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Fortunately, the wait proved worthwhile, as the sequel delivered exhilarating combat sequences and captivating animation, reigniting interest among both new and longtime fans, thereby revitalizing the series’ popularity.
Given the extensive narrative of Bleach, a structured approach is essential, with the story divided into 17 distinct arcs, akin to many other anime and manga series. For those wishing to revisit specific arcs or explore them for the first time, a comprehensive list detailing each arc alongside corresponding chapters and episodes has been compiled. Notably, some arcs are exclusive to the anime, serving as filler content and deviating from the manga canon, yet they are included for the interest of fans. These arcs are clearly denoted as “anime only” within the list.
Bleach Arcs in Sequential Order:
- Agent of the Shinigami Arc – Chapters 1-70, episodes 1-20
- Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc – Chapters 71-117, episodes 21-41
- Soul Society: The Rescue Arc – Chapters 118-183, episodes 42-63
- The Bount Arc – Anime only. Episodes 64-91
- Bount Assault on Soul Society Arc – Anime only. Episodes 92-109
- Arrancar: The Arrival Arc – Chapters 184-229, episodes 110-131
- Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc – Chapters 230-251, episodes 132-151
- Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc – Chapters 252-286, episodes 152-167
- The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc – Anime only. Episodes 168-189
- Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc – Chapters 287-315, episodes 190-205
- The Past Arc – Chapters -108 to -100, episodes 206-212 (The Past Arc chapters are published with negative numbers, reflecting events predating the main plot.)
- Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc – Chapters 316-340, episodes 213-229
- Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale Arc – Anime only. Episodes 230-265
- Arrancar: Downfall Arc – Chapters 341-423, episodes 266-316
- Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc – Anime only. Episodes 317-342
- The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc – Chapters 424-479, episodes 343-366
- The 1000-Year Blood War Arc – Chapters 480-686, episodes 367-present
Bleach offers an unparalleled journey, making it challenging to bid farewell once the final chapter unfolds. Nevertheless, embracing other series is encouraged, as there exists a plethora of exceptional manga with resonant tones and themes akin to Bleach, ensuring there’s a vibrant world of storytelling awaiting exploration.