Introduction to Bleach Arcs in Order
Bleach has captivated Shonen fans for years with its intense action, compelling narrative, and unforgettable characters. Alongside One Piece, it stands tall as one of the remaining “Big 3” anime still in production, thanks to the adaptation of the Thousand-Year Blood War (TYBW) arc. If you haven’t yet embarked on Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey as a Soul Reaper, now is the perfect time to dive in. This guide will walk you through all the Bleach arcs in order, making it easy to binge-watch the anime or catch up with the manga.
How Many Bleach Arcs are there?
Bleach, created by Tite Kubo, follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper after encountering Rukia Kuchiki. His mission? To protect the living world from monstrous spirits known as Hollows. Bleach arcs boasts a sprawling storyline that spans 17 arcs, with 686 manga chapters and over 380 anime episodes.
Complete List of Bleach Arcs
The Bleach anime has adapted almost every arc from the manga, and the adaptation of the final arc is currently in progress. Some arcs, however, consist of filler content exclusive to the anime. Below is a breakdown of all the Bleach arcs in chronological order:
| Arc Title | Anime Episodes | Manga Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Agent of the Shinigami Arc | 1-20 | 1-70 |
| Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc | 21-41 | 71-117 |
| Soul Society: The Rescue Arc | 42-63 | 118-183 |
| The Bount Arc | 64-91 | Anime-only Filler |
| The Bount: Assault on Soul Society Arc | 92-109 | Anime-only Filler |
| Arrancar: The Arrival Arc | 110-131 | 183-229 |
| Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc | 132-151 | 229-251 |
| Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc | 152-167 | 252-286 |
| The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc | 168-189 | Anime-only Filler |
| Arrancar Vs. Shinigami Arc | 190-205 | 286-315 |
| The Past Arc | 206-212 | -108 to -97 |
| Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc | 213-229 | 316-340 |
| Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc/Beast Swords Arc | 230-265 | Anime-only Filler |
| Arrancar: Downfall Arc | 266-316 | 340-423 |
| The Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317-342 | Anime-only Filler |
| The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc | 343-366 | 424-479 |
| Thousand-Year Blood War Arc | 367-379 | 480-542 |
| Thousand-Year Blood War: The Separation Arc | 380-392 | 542-608 |
| Thousand-Year Blood War: The Conflict Arc | 393-ongoing | 608-686 |
Bleach Movies in Order
For those interested in the Bleach movies, it’s important to note that most are not canon. Only the first movie contains elements that align with the manga’s storyline. Here’s a list of Bleach movies in chronological order:
- Bleach: Memories of Nobody (2006)
- Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion (2007)
- Bleach: Fade to Black (2008)
- Bleach: The Hell Verse (2010)
- Bleach: Live-Action Film (2018)
Bleach OVAs in Order
Bleach also has OVAs (Original Video Animations) that provide additional insights into the Bleach universe. These OVAs can enhance your understanding of the storyline and characters:
- Bleach Jump Festa 2004 Anime Tour: Memories in the Rain (Watch after episode 9)
- Bleach Jump Festa 2005 Anime Tour: The Sealed Sword Frenzy (Watch after episode 63)
Current Arc in Bleach Anime
Following its revival in 2022, Bleach is currently adapting the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. Studio Pierrot, known for their work on Naruto and Black Clover, is handling the production. At present, the anime is in the midst of adapting the latter half of this arc, depicting Ichigo’s climactic battle with Yhwach after the fall of the Soul King. Fans can look forward to Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 in 2025.
Where to Watch Bleach Anime
Newcomers to Bleach will be pleased to know that the anime is available for streaming on major platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and Jio Cinema (for Indian viewers). Availability may vary by region, so be sure to check the platform offerings in your area before subscribing.
Where to Read the Bleach Manga
If reading the Bleach arcs manga is more your speed, you can access it through platforms like Viz Media’s Shonen Jump and Shueisha’s Manga Plus. The manga concluded in 2016 with chapter 686, but there are rumors that Tite Kubo may revisit the series soon. Like the return of Hunter x Hunter, Bleach arcs fans eagerly await potential new projects from Kubo.
Don’t let the vast number of episodes or chapters deter you. Bleach is filled with unforgettable moments and characters that make the journey worthwhile. Whether you’re reading the manga or watching the anime, you’re in for an epic ride through the Bleach universe.
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