🎬 Anime Overview
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Japanese Title: ブリーチ (Bleach)
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Genres: Action, Supernatural, Adventure, Shōnen
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Studio: Pierrot
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Original Run: Oct 2004 – Mar 2012 (366 episodes)
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Series Continuation: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (TYBW)—part 1 (Oct–Dec 2022), part 2 (Jul–Sep 2023), part 3 (Oct–Dec 2024), part 4 “The Calamity” upcoming
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Manga Source: Tite Kubo’s Bleach, serialized 2001–2016
🎭 Plot Summary
Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teen who gains Soul Reaper (Shinigami) powers from Rukia Kuchiki. From defending Karakura Town against Hollows to battling the Soul Society’s elite, Arrancar, and the Quincy-led Wandenreich in TYBW, Ichigo’s journey encompasses loyalty, sacrifice, and the fate of worlds.
🧍 Main Characters
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Ichigo Kurosaki: Protagonist with hybrid powers
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Rukia Kuchiki: Catalyst for Ichigo’s Shinigami journey
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Orihime, Chad, Uryū: Core companions
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Bankai users & captains: Byakuya, Yamamoto, Shunsui, etc.
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TYBW antagonists: Yhwach, Sternritter, Fullbringers
📘 Original Bleach Series (2004–2012)
🌀 Season 1: The Substitute
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Episodes: 1–20
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Aired: Oct 2004 – Mar 2005
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Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a Soul Reaper and faces Hollows for the first time.
Episodes: 1–20
Aired: Oct 2004 – Mar 2005
Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a Soul Reaper and faces Hollows for the first time.
🔥 Season 2: The Entry
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Episodes: 21–41
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Aired: Mar 2005 – Jul 2005
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The journey to Soul Society begins as Ichigo sets out to rescue Rukia.
Episodes: 21–41
Aired: Mar 2005 – Jul 2005
The journey to Soul Society begins as Ichigo sets out to rescue Rukia.
⚔️ Season 3: The Rescue
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Episodes: 42–63
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Aired: Jul 2005 – Jan 2006
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The epic Soul Society arc continues with Ichigo battling powerful captains.
Episodes: 42–63
Aired: Jul 2005 – Jan 2006
The epic Soul Society arc continues with Ichigo battling powerful captains.
👹 Season 4: The Bount
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Episodes: 64–91
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Aired: Jan 2006 – Aug 2006
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Filler arc introducing the Bounts, soul-absorbing humans.
Episodes: 64–91
Aired: Jan 2006 – Aug 2006
Filler arc introducing the Bounts, soul-absorbing humans.
🧛 Season 5: The Assault
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Episodes: 92–109
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Aired: Aug 2006 – Jan 2007
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The Bounts invade Soul Society in a filler continuation.
Episodes: 92–109
Aired: Aug 2006 – Jan 2007
The Bounts invade Soul Society in a filler continuation.
👁️ Season 6: The Arrancar - The Arrival
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Episodes: 110–131
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Aired: Jan 2007 – Jun 2007
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The Arrancars appear, led by Sosuke Aizen. Introduction of Vizards.
Episodes: 110–131
Aired: Jan 2007 – Jun 2007
The Arrancars appear, led by Sosuke Aizen. Introduction of Vizards.
💀 Season 7: The Arrancar - The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry
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Episodes: 132–151
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Aired: Jul 2007 – Dec 2007
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Ichigo and friends enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime.
Episodes: 132–151
Aired: Jul 2007 – Dec 2007
Ichigo and friends enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime.
🏯 Season 8: The Arrancar - The Fierce Fight
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Episodes: 152–167
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Aired: Dec 2007 – Apr 2008
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Fierce battles with Espada unfold in Hueco Mundo.
Episodes: 152–167
Aired: Dec 2007 – Apr 2008
Fierce battles with Espada unfold in Hueco Mundo.
🔮 Season 9: The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai Arc (Filler)
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Episodes: 168–189
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Aired: Apr 2008 – Oct 2008
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A completely original filler arc with a new Soul Society captain.
Episodes: 168–189
Aired: Apr 2008 – Oct 2008
A completely original filler arc with a new Soul Society captain.
☠️ Season 10: The Arrancar - The Hueco Mundo Ultimate War
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Episodes: 190–205
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Aired: Oct 2008 – Feb 2009
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Final confrontations with Espada intensify.
Episodes: 190–205
Aired: Oct 2008 – Feb 2009
Final confrontations with Espada intensify.
🌀 Season 11: The Past
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Episodes: 206–212
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Aired: Feb 2009 – Mar 2009
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A flashback arc revealing the truth behind the Vizards and Aizen.
Episodes: 206–212
Aired: Feb 2009 – Mar 2009
A flashback arc revealing the truth behind the Vizards and Aizen.
👊 Season 12: Arrancar - Decisive Battle of Karakura
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Episodes: 213–229
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Aired: Apr 2009 – Jul 2009
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The captains vs. Espada showdown begins in Karakura Town.
Episodes: 213–229
Aired: Apr 2009 – Jul 2009
The captains vs. Espada showdown begins in Karakura Town.
🎭 Season 13: Zanpakuto - The Alternate Tale (Filler)
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Episodes: 230–265
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Aired: Jul 2009 – Jun 2010
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The Zanpakuto spirits rebel against their Soul Reapers.
Episodes: 230–265
Aired: Jul 2009 – Jun 2010
The Zanpakuto spirits rebel against their Soul Reapers.
🌌 Season 14: Arrancar - Downfall
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Episodes: 266–316
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Aired: Jul 2010 – Mar 2011
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The final battle against Aizen and the Espada reaches its climax.
Episodes: 266–316
Aired: Jul 2010 – Mar 2011
The final battle against Aizen and the Espada reaches its climax.
👼 Season 15: Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc (Filler)
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Episodes: 317–342
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Aired: Apr 2011 – Oct 2011
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Mysterious doppelgängers attack Soul Society.
Episodes: 317–342
Aired: Apr 2011 – Oct 2011
Mysterious doppelgängers attack Soul Society.
🌠 Season 16: The Lost Agent (Fullbring Arc)
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Episodes: 343–366
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Aired: Oct 2011 – Mar 2012
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Ichigo regains his powers with the help of Fullbringers.
Episodes: 343–366
Aired: Oct 2011 – Mar 2012
Ichigo regains his powers with the help of Fullbringers.
🌌 Thousand-Year Blood War Arc (2022–2026)
Bleach returned with the final arc of the manga adapted into a beautifully animated saga by Studio Pierrot.
🩸 Season 17 / TYBW Cour 1: The Blood Warfare
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Episodes: 367–379 (13 episodes)
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Aired: Oct 2022 – Dec 2022
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The Quincy Wandenreich declare war on Soul Society.
Episodes: 367–379 (13 episodes)
Aired: Oct 2022 – Dec 2022
The Quincy Wandenreich declare war on Soul Society.
💔 Season 18 / TYBW Cour 2: The Separation
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Episodes: 380–392 (13 episodes)
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Aired: Jul 2023 – Sep 2023
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The emotional fallout of battles and Ichigo’s evolution continues.
Episodes: 380–392 (13 episodes)
Aired: Jul 2023 – Sep 2023
The emotional fallout of battles and Ichigo’s evolution continues.
🔥 Season 19 / TYBW Cour 3: The Conflict
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Episodes: 393–406 (14 episodes)
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Aired: Oct 2024 – Dec 2024
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Final preparations and massive battles escalate.
Episodes: 393–406 (14 episodes)
Aired: Oct 2024 – Dec 2024
Final preparations and massive battles escalate.
⚡ Season 20 / TYBW Cour 4: The Calamity
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Episodes: TBD
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Airing: Scheduled for 2026
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The climactic end of Bleach and the showdown with Yhwach.
Episodes: TBD
Airing: Scheduled for 2026
The climactic end of Bleach and the showdown with Yhwach.
🔊 Dubbed Status & Where to Watch
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Japanese (Original): Entire series & TYBW
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English Dub:
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Original 366 episodes fully dubbed
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TYBW Part 1–3 English dub streaming on Hulu/Disney+ since Nov 2022
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Toonami broadcast began May 18, 2025
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Other Languages: Spanish dub on Disney+ LATAM; French/German via Disney+ EU
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Where to Watch:
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Hulu (US): Full Bleach & TYBW
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Disney+ (Intl): TYBW; full series via Star branding in some regions
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Crunchyroll: Subbed episodes of 1–366
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Adult Swim Toonami: TYBW dub airing weekly
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🏆 Achievements & Popularity
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Over 120 million manga copies sold globally
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Multiple Top 10 TV anime rankings in Japan; DVDs consistently bestselling
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TYBW adaptation lauded for faithfulness and quality; dubbed version earned Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations
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Troll media coverage: IGN Top‑100, Hulu viewership, Guinness recognition for character games
🎥 Upcoming Projects & What's Next
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TYBW Part 4 “The Calamity” confirmed; likely airing Fall 2025 on Disney+/Hulu
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New information panel at Anime Expo Jul 4, 2025
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Bleach Rebirth of Souls fighting game released Mar 21, 2025 on PS5, XSX, PC
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20th anniversary video released in 2024 featuring modern animation
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Possible new OVAs, movie, or spin-offs beyond the TYBW completion
🖼️ Gallery Section (Screenshots)
💭 Final Thoughts
Bleach remains an iconic anime—its journey from quirky high school hero to cosmic-scale battle epic is unforgettable. With TYBW finally concluding the saga by 2025, Sword-wielding, soul-stirring ninja spirit is alive more than ever. Whether you’re revisiting the series or watching TYBW for the first time, this is the Blade’s end—and an ideal entry for newcomers.
