A Comprehensive Guide to Bleach: Arcs, Seasons, Episodes, and Fillers
Bleach stands out as one of the most influential shonen titles of the past decade, alongside heavyweights like Naruto Shippuden and One Piece. This popular anime series continues to capture the hearts of fans with its expansive storyline, filled with numerous arcs, seasons, episodes, and filler content. While the manga concluded some time ago, the Bleach anime is set to make a triumphant return in 2021, promising to wrap up the Soul Society saga in a definitive way.
For both new viewers and long-time fans, a fresh viewing of Bleach is an excellent way to immerse oneself in its rich narrative. However, with so many episodes, distinguishing between canonical content and filler can be challenging. This guide is designed to provide a detailed overview of each arc and episode, highlighting which fillers can be safely skipped.
Season 1: The Substitute (Episodes 1 to 20)
Episodes: 1 to 20
Filler: None
The story begins with Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see spirits. After a chance encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper, Ichigo receives shinigami powers to protect his family from a Hollow. He takes on the role of a temporary Soul Reaper, battling various Hollows in his town and forming alliances with characters like Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue, and Yasutora "Chad" Sado.
Season 2: Soul Society: The Entry (Episodes 21 to 41)
Episodes: 21 to 41
Filler: Episode 33
Rukia is taken back to the Soul Society, where she faces execution for transferring her powers to Ichigo. Determined to save her, Ichigo and his friends infiltrate the Soul Society, confronting the military might of the Gotei 13.
Season 3: Soul Society: The Rescue (Episodes 42 to 63)
Episodes: 42 to 63
Filler: Episode 50
As Ichigo races against time to save Rukia from execution, he faces off against several Soul Society captains. This arc also reveals Aizen’s betrayal, which significantly alters the course of the story.
Season 4: The Bounts – Filler Arc (Episodes 64 to 91)
Episodes: 64 to 91
Filler: All episodes
A new threat emerges in the form of the Bounts, modified humans who absorb souls to gain power. Seeking revenge against the Soul Reapers, Ichigo must confront these foes to protect the human world.
Season 5: The Bounts’ Attack on the Soul Society – Filler Arc (Episodes 92 to 109)
Episodes: 92 to 109
Filler: All episodes
The Bounts invade the Soul Society, forcing Ichigo and the captains into battle against their strongest members. The arc culminates in a showdown with Jin Kariya, the leader of the Bounts.
Season 6: Arrancar: The Arrival (Episodes 110 to 131)
Episodes: 110 to 131
Filler: Episodes 128 to 131
Aizen reveals his alliance with the Hollows and introduces the Arrancars. As Ichigo grapples with maintaining his powers, he faces new adversaries while the Visoreds make their debut.
Season 7: Arrancar: The Sneaky Entry into Hueco Mundo (Episodes 132 to 151)
Episodes: 132 to 151
Filler: Episodes 132 to 137, 147 to 149
Orihime is captured by Aizen and taken to Hueco Mundo. Ichigo and his comrades prepare a rescue mission, featuring a blend of battles and character-focused episodes.
Season 8: Arrancar: The Fierce Fight (Episodes 152 to 167)
Episodes: 152 to 167
Filler: None
Ichigo and his allies invade Hueco Mundo, where they face off against the Espadas. The highlight of this arc is Ichigo’s intense battle with Grimmjow, showcasing his growth as a warrior.
Season 9: The New Captain Amagai Shūsuke – Filler Arc (Episodes 168 to 189)
Episodes: 168 to 189
Filler: All episodes
A new captain is appointed to the 3rd Division, and Ichigo finds himself protecting a noble from the Soul Society. The arc builds up to a final confrontation between Ichigo and Amagai.
Season 10: Arrancar VS Shinigami (Episodes 190 to 205)
Episodes: 190 to 205
Filler: Episodes 204 and 205
The war escalates as the Arrancars invade Karakura. Soul Society captains face the Espadas directly while Ichigo continues his mission in Hueco Mundo.
Season 11: The Past (Episodes 206 to 214)
Episodes: 206 to 214
Filler: Episodes 213 and 214
This arc delves into the past, revealing the origins of the Visoreds, Aizen’s illegal experiments, and the exile of Urahara and Yoruichi.
Season 12: Arrancar: The False Karakura Town (Episodes 215 to 229)
Episodes: 215 to 229
Filler: Episodes 227 to 229
While Ichigo battles Ulquiorra in Hueco Mundo, Karakura Town is replaced with a replica to shield its inhabitants. The clashes between the captains and the Espadas intensify.
Season 13: The Tale of the Unknown Zanpakutō – Filler Arc (Episodes 230 to 265)
Episodes: 230 to 265
Filler: All episodes
In a unique storyline separate from the manga, the Zanpakutō manifest as human forms and rebel against their wielders. Ichigo and the captains must confront their own swords in this original arc.
Season 14: Arrancar: The Fall (Episodes 266 to 316)
Episodes: 266 to 316
Filler: Episodes 266, 284, 298, 299, 311 to 316
The climactic confrontation against Aizen draws near. Ichigo battles Ulquiorra and ultimately reaches the pinnacle of his powers, using Mugetsu to seal Aizen, albeit at the cost of his own abilities.
Season 15: The Invasion Army of the 13 Divisions! – Filler Arc (Episodes 317 to 342)
Episodes: 317 to 342
Filler: All episodes
New enemies create replicas of the captains, aiming to obliterate the Soul Society. Ichigo, still powerless, finds himself embroiled in yet another crisis as the conflict unfolds.
Season 16: The Disappearing Substitute Shinigami (Episodes 343 to 366)
Episodes: 343 to 366
Filler: Episode 355
As Ichigo attempts to live a normal human life, he becomes entangled in a new conflict involving the Fullbringers. He eventually regains his powers with the assistance of the Soul Society and faces Ginjō, the first substitute Soul Reaper.
This guide serves as a helpful resource for navigating the expansive universe of Bleach, allowing fans to focus on the core story while skipping the filler episodes. For those eager to revisit or explore this classic anime, knowing which episodes to watch can enhance the viewing experience.
Bleach, created by Tite Kubo, originally aired from 2004 to 2012, with a total of 366 episodes. The series follows Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey as he transitions from an ordinary teenager to a Soul Reaper, tasked with guiding good souls to the afterlife while battling malevolent spirits known as Hollows. You can binge-watch the entire series on platforms like Crunchyroll, where the captivating adventures of Ichigo and his friends await.
