Bleach Arcs in Order: The Complete Guide
Bleach is one of the big 3 anime of all time. Designed by Tite Kubo and produced by Studio Pierrot, Bleach started airing in October 2004 and ran for 8 years till March 2012. The anime was canceled till March 2020 when it was announced that the final arc would receive a television adaptation, which is set to premiere in October 2022.
Bleach follows the story of Kurosaki Ichigo, a high-school teenager who becomes a Soul Reaper after being stabbed by Kuchiki Rukia with a Soul Reaper blade and obtaining the powers of a Shinigami. Discovering an entire shadow world of Shinigami and Hollows, he takes on the responsibility of protecting humans from the Hollows together with his friends who possess similar abilities.
With 16 anime seasons and 74 manga volumes, Bleach is among the longest-running anime series. In this article, I will compile a complete guide on all the Bleach arcs and the order to follow.
1. Agent of the Shinigami Arc (Season 1)
Manga Chapters: 1 – 70
Anime Episodes: 1 – 20
Kurosaki Ichigo is just a high-school boy who can see spirits. This is until he meets Kuchiki Rukia, a Soul Reaper, who explains to him about Soul Reapers (Shinigami), the monstrous evil spirits (Hollows), Soul Society, and how they are all connected. He obtains the powers of a Shinigami through Rukia and meets other characters, such as Renji, Yoruichi, and Urahara, that guide him on how to become a Shinigami.
2. Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc (Season 2)
Manga Chapters: 71 – 117
Anime Episodes: 21 – 41
After Ichigo becomes a Shinigami, he learns about Soul Society. Shortly after, he is confronted by Kuchiki Byakuya, Rukia’s brother and a captain from Soul Society, and Abarai Renji, a squad lieutenant.
Having transferred her powers to Ichigo, a human, Rukia violates the laws of Soul Society. She is therefore seized and taken back to Soul Society for her scheduled execution. Ichigo and his friends, Chad, Orihime, Ishida, and Yoruichi, prepare themselves to invade Soul Society and rescue Rukia.
3. Soul Society: The Rescue Arc (Season 3)
Manga Chapters: 118 – 183
Anime Episodes: 42 – 63
Ichigo encounters and defeats two captains of Gotei 13, but becomes gravely wounded in the fights. To have a chance to defeat the remaining captains, Kuchiki Byakuya in particular, Ichigo meets up with Urahara Kisuke to learn the ultimate Zanpakutou release: Bankai. However, a captain is killed and Rukia’s scheduled execution is brought forward, prompting suspicions of a sinister plot at play by some captains and splitting the Gotei 13.
4. The Bount Arc (Season 4)
Manga Chapters: Anime Filler Arc
Anime Episodes: 64 – 91
The first filler arc, Rukia has been rescued from her execution and Ichigo has saved the day and been formally declared a Substitute Shinigami.
After returning to Karakura Town with his friends, humans begin to mysteriously disappear, and Yoruichi and Soi Fon begin investigating these disappearances. The culprits are the Bount: human beings that consume human souls to gain immortality.
5. Bount Assault on Soul Society Arc (Season 5)
Manga Chapter: Anime Filler Arc
Anime Episodes: 92 – 109
The Captain Commander, Genryusaai Yamamoto tasks the captain of the 10th division, Hitsugaya Toshirou, with eliminating the Bount who have invaded Soul Society. Ichigo and his friends are apprised of the situation and assist the Gotei 13 in fighting the Bount.
6. Arrancar: The Arrival Arc (Season 6)
Manga Chapters: 184 – 229
Anime Episodes: 110 – 131
Following the events of the Soul Society Rescue Arc, Sosuke Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tosen Kaname are revealed to be traitors who have allied themselves with the Hollows and retreat to Hueco Mundo. Ichigo later encounters the Vizards who help him learn to control his inner Hollow, while Ishida regains his powers after he learns that his father is a Quincy.
7. Bleach: Memories of Nobody (2006)
The first film adaptation of the series. Watch it after episode 117.
8. Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion (2007)
The second film adaptation of the series. Watch it after episode 125.
9. Bleach: Fade to Black (2008)
The third film adaptation of the series. Watch it after episode 125.
10. Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc (Season 7)
Manga Chapters: 230 – 251
Anime Episodes: 132 – 151
Sosuke Aizen, now in command of the Arrancar in Hueco Mundo, makes a move and tasks the 4th Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer with abducting Inoue Orihime. Intrigued by her powerful healing abilities, Aizen holds Inoue hostage and Ichigo requests help from Urahara to gain access to Hueco Mundo and rescue Inoue.
Ichigo, Ishida, and Chad enter Hueco Mundo and make friends with Nelliel, Pesche, and Dondochakka, three Hollow siblings. Rukia and Renji join them too, and they head for Las Noches, the headquarters of the Espada Army.
11. Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc (Season 8)
Manga Chapters: 252 – 286
Anime Episodes: 152 – 167
Aizen senses the presence of the invaders and tasks the Espada to stop them. Ichigo and his friends get separated and each encounters powerful opponents.
Rukia encounters the 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arurruerie, Chad faces 5th Espada Nnoitora Gilga, Renji and Ishida face 8th Espada Szayelaporro Grantz and Ichigo faces Ulquiorra Schiffer and 6th Espada Grimmjow Jeagerjaques. Ulquiorra easily defeats Ichigo, but Grimmjow asks Inoue to heal Ichigo so that he can fight him again.
12. The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc (Season 9)
Manga Chapters: Anime Filler Arc
Anime Episodes: 168 – 189
In the second filler arc, we’re introduced to Shusuke Amagai, the new captain of the 3rd Division after Ichimaru Gin betrays Soul Society.
13. Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc (Season 10)
Manga Chapters: 287 – 315
Anime Episodes: 190 – 205
As the fight in Hueco Mundo intensifies, Nnoitra attacks Ichigo and Nel protects him, revealing her true identity. Captains Kenpachi and Byakuya join the fight and defeat several Espadas. Aizen uses the 1st Espada Coyote Starrk to retrieve Inoue and reveals that he lured Ichigo and the captains to Hueco Mundo.
14. The Past Arc (110 Years Back) (Season 11)
Manga Chapters: 12 Chapters
Anime Episodes: 206 – 212
The Past Arc tells the story of the Vizards and how they came to become Vizards through a flashback. Urahara is promoted to 12th Division Captain following Yoruichi’s recommendation. Urahara later reveals Aizen’s hollowification experiments.
15. Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc (Season 12)
Manga Chapters: 316 – 340
Anime Episodes: 213 – 229
Aizen, Tosen, Gin, and the Espada Army make their entrance into Karakura town from Hueco Mundo after Aizen reveals his plan to use Karakura Town to invade Soul Society. The remaining Gotei 13 captains are led by the Captain Commander to form an offensive against Aizen’s army. Meanwhile, Ichigo heads to Las Noches which was left under the care of Ulquiorra to rescue Inoue.
16. Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale Arc (Season 13)
Manga Chapters: Anime Filler Arc
Anime Episodes: 230 – 265
In the third filler arc, the Shinigamis’ zanpakutos assume human form and rebel against their wielders, declaring war on them and being led by Muramasa, a mysterious man who was a former zanpakuto.
17. Arrancar: Downfall Arc (Season 14)
Manga Chapters: 341 – 423
Anime Episodes: 266 – 316
In the final showdown of the Arrancar Arc, Ichigo successfully defeats Ulquiorra and heads back to Karakura Town to join the fight against Aizen. Aizen proves too powerful to defeat after he merges with the Hogyoku and Ichigo has to confront his zanpakuto, Zangetsu, and find a way to defeat Aizen.
18. Bleach: Hell Verse (2010)
The fourth film adaptation of the series. Watch it after episode 299.
19. Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc (Season 15)
Manga Chapters: Anime Filler Arc
Anime Episodes: 317 – 342
In the last filler arc, Shinigamis begin to disappear without a trace, prompting Ichigo to investigate the mystery that seems to have a hand in a much bigger conspiracy.
20. The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc (Season 16)
Manga Chapters: 424 – 479
Anime Episodes: 343 – 366
It has been 17 months since Ichigo defeated Aizen and in the process lost his Shinigami powers. Being an ordinary human again, Ichigo meets a man named Kugo Ginjo, the leader of a group called Xcution who offers to help Ichigo regain his powers. However, he learns there is more to Ginjo than meets the eye.
This was the last arc that received an anime adaptation before the series was canceled.
21. The 1,000-Year Blood War Arc
Manga Chapters: 480 – 686
Anime Episodes: Currently under development
The final and longest-running arc of Bleach, The 1,000-Year Blood War Arc reveals the Quincy, the same race as Uryu Ishida, having been hiding in the shadows, waiting to gather their strength and declare war on their arch-nemesis, the Soul Society.
The arc is set to receive an anime adaptation slated to begin airing in October 2022.
22. Specials
Bleach: Memories in the Rain (2004)
Bleach: 13 Court Guard Squads Omake (2005)
Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy (2006)
23. OVAs
Bleach Jump Festa Anime Tour 2008 (2008)