Few anime series have managed to define an era the way Bleach did. With its razor-sharp sword fights, unforgettable soundtracks, and stylish blend of action and emotion, Bleach remains one of the cornerstones of shonen anime.
Alongside Naruto and One Piece, it formed the legendary “Big Three”, and even in 2025, it’s still going strong with the Thousand-Year Blood War (TYBW) arc adaptation.
If you’re starting Bleach or looking to revisit Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey, this guide gives you all Bleach arcs in order, covering both anime and manga versions with clear canon and filler distinctions.
How Many Arcs Are There in Bleach?
Bleach, created by Tite Kubo, ran from 2001 to 2016 in manga form, totaling 686 chapters divided across 17 major arcs.
The anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot originally aired from 2004 to 2012, and later returned in 2022 with the Thousand-Year Blood War continuation.
However, because Bleach features a mix of canon arcs (based on the manga) and anime-only filler arcs, watching it in the right order ensures you experience the story as intended.
Bleach Arcs in Order (Anime + Manga)
| Arc Title | Anime Episodes | Manga Chapters | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent of the Shinigami Arc | 1–20 | 1–70 | Canon |
| Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc | 21–41 | 71–117 | Canon |
| Soul Society: The Rescue Arc | 42–63 | 118–183 | Canon |
| 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 | Canon |
| Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc | 132–151 | 229–251 | Canon |
| Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc | 152–167 | 252–286 | Canon |
| The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc | 168–189 | Anime-only | Filler |
| Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc | 190–205 | 286–315 | Canon |
| The Past Arc | 206–212 | -108 to -97 | Canon |
| Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc | 213–229 | 316–340 | Canon |
| Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc (Beast Swords Arc) | 230–265 | Anime-only | Filler |
| Arrancar: Downfall Arc | 266–316 | 340–423 | Canon |
| The Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317–342 | Anime-only | Filler |
| The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc | 343–366 | 424–479 | Canon |
| Thousand-Year Blood War Arc | 367–379 | 480–542 | Canon |
| Thousand-Year Blood War: The Separation Arc | 380–392 | 542–608 | Canon |
| Thousand-Year Blood War: The Conflict Arc | 393–Ongoing | 608–686 | Canon |
Total: 17 Arcs | 686 Manga Chapters
Bleach Anime Filler Arcs Summary:
| Filler Arc Name | Episodes | Worth Watching? | Why / Why Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bount Arc | 64–91 | Optional | Decent pacing, connects Soul Society to Arrancar |
| Bount Assault Arc | 92–109 | Skip | Slow pacing, repetitive plot |
| Shusuke Amagai Arc | 168–189 | Optional | Original story with emotional depth but low stakes |
| Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc | 230–265 | Recommended | Great animation and explores Zanpakuto personalities |
| Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317–342 | Skip | Interesting idea, but lacks overall impact |
Bleach Saga Breakdown
| Saga / Storyline | Included Arcs | Episodes | Focus / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute Shinigami Saga | Agent of the Shinigami Arc | 1–20 | Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, introduction to Hollows and Soul Society |
| Soul Society Saga | Sneak Entry Arc, Rescue Arc | 21–63 | Ichigo invades Soul Society to rescue Rukia, Aizen’s betrayal revealed |
| Bount Saga (Filler) | Bount Arc, Assault on Soul Society Arc | 64–109 | Anime-only storyline introducing soul-absorbing Bounts |
| Arrancar Saga | Arrival, Hueco Mundo, Fierce Fight, Decisive Battle of Karakura, Downfall | 110–316 | Aizen’s Espada war, Ichigo vs Ulquiorra, final battle with Aizen |
| Zanpakuto Rebellion Saga (Filler) | Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc | 230–265 | Zanpakuto spirits rebel against their wielders |
| Gotei 13 Rebellion Saga (Filler) | Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317–342 | Artificial Reigai Soul Reapers attack Soul Society |
| Substitute Shinigami Reborn Saga | Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc | 343–366 | Ichigo regains his powers with help from Xcution |
| Thousand-Year Blood War Saga | Blood War, Separation, Conflict | 367–Ongoing | Soul Reapers vs Quincy, Yhwach’s invasion, Ichigo’s true heritage |
All Bleach Arcs Explained (Chronological Order)
Below is a quick yet detailed breakdown of every Bleach arc, its storyline focus, and what makes it significant.
1. Agent of the Shinigami Arc (Episodes 1–20)
Ichigo Kurosaki accidentally obtains Soul Reaper powers from Rukia Kuchiki to save his family from a Hollow attack.
This arc introduces the concept of Hollows, Soul Society, and the duties of Soul Reapers.
It sets up Ichigo’s dual life between the human and spirit worlds.
2. Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc (Episodes 21–41)
Rukia is arrested and sentenced to execution for giving her powers to a human. Ichigo, along with Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Yoruichi, infiltrates Soul Society to rescue her.
This arc expands the world-building and introduces key captains like Byakuya, Kenpachi, and Hitsugaya.
3. Soul Society: The Rescue Arc (Episodes 42–63)
The climax of the Soul Society saga.
Ichigo’s intense duels against captains, especially Byakuya, and Aizen’s shocking betrayal make this one of the greatest arcs in shonen history.
4. The Bount Arc (Episodes 64–91) (Filler)
The anime-original Bount arc introduces immortal humans who absorb souls to gain power.
While non-canon, it bridges the Soul Society and Arrancar arcs with decent standalone fights.
5. The Bount: Assault on Soul Society Arc (Episodes 92–109) (Filler)
The Bounts invade Soul Society for revenge.
Despite being filler, it has some creative battles and character interactions.
6. Arrancar: The Arrival Arc (Episodes 110–131)
The real war begins. New villains called Arrancars, Hollows fused with Shinigami powers, appear under the command of Sosuke Aizen.
Ichigo faces the Espada for the first time, including Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
7. Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc (Episodes 132–151)
To save Orihime from Aizen’s clutches, Ichigo and friends infiltrate Hueco Mundo.
The setting shifts to the Hollow world, adding darker visuals and higher stakes.
8. Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc (Episodes 152–167)
The battles escalate with Ichigo’s epic fight against Ulquiorra and Grimmjow.
Character development deepens for both heroes and villains, especially Ichigo’s internal Hollow conflict.
9. The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc (Episodes 168–189) (Filler)
A new captain, Shusuke Amagai, joins Squad 3, but his hidden motives soon unfold.
A filler arc with emotional undertones, though not connected to the main story.
10. Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc (Episodes 190–205)
The Soul Reapers launch their counterattack against the Espada.
Intense duels dominate this arc, highlighting captains like Hitsugaya, Kyouraku, and Ukitake.
11. The Past Arc (Episodes 206–212)
A flashback to Soul Society’s past, revealing how Aizen betrayed his comrades and created the Visoreds.
This arc fills in major narrative gaps, showing why certain captains became exiled.
12. Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc (Episodes 213–229)
Aizen’s full-scale invasion of Karakura Town begins.
The captains and Espada face off in high-stakes battles that define the mid-series climax.
13. Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc (Episodes 230–265) (Filler)
The zanpakuto spirits manifest as physical beings, rebelling against their wielders.
This filler arc is creative and visually engaging, offering fresh insights into each character’s weapon spirit.
14. Arrancar: Downfall Arc (Episodes 266–316)
The grand finale of the Arrancar saga.
Ichigo’s final confrontation with Aizen culminates in an unforgettable transformation — Mugetsu — that seals Aizen’s fate and ends an era.
15. The Gotei 13 Invasion Arc (Episodes 317–342) (Filler)
A filler arc that takes place after Aizen’s defeat, involving Reigai (artificial Soul Reapers).
It’s a standalone story focusing on internal Soul Society conflicts.
16. The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc (Episodes 343–366)
After losing his powers, Ichigo returns to normal life until mysterious Fullbringers appear.
This arc reboots Ichigo’s journey, leading into the TYBW events.
17. Thousand-Year Blood War Saga (Episodes 367–Ongoing)
The long-awaited final saga where Soul Society faces its greatest enemy yet: Yhwach, the king of the Quincy.
Divided into three parts — The Blood War, The Separation, and The Conflict — this arc features stunning animation, character revelations, and the true origin of Ichigo’s powers.
Bleach Power Evolution Timeline
| Transformation / Power | Arc Debut | Key Battles / Enemies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinigami Form | Agent of the Shinigami Arc | Grand Fisher | Ichigo gains Soul Reaper powers from Rukia |
| Bankai (Tensa Zangetsu) | Soul Society: Rescue Arc | Byakuya Kuchiki | First major power-up; classic black Bankai cloak |
| Inner Hollow Form | Arrancar: Arrival Arc | Grimmjow, Ulquiorra | Begins losing control to his Hollow side |
| Vasto Lorde Form | Arrancar: Downfall Arc | Ulquiorra | Fully unleashes Hollow side to protect Orihime |
| Final Getsuga Tenshō (Mugetsu) | Arrancar: Downfall Arc | Sosuke Aizen | Sacrifices powers to end Aizen’s reign |
| Fullbring Form | Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc | Kūgo Ginjō | Regains new strength as a human Fullbringer |
| True Shinigami-Quincy Hybrid Form | Thousand-Year Blood War Arc | Yhwach | Discovers his Quincy lineage and merges all powers |
Bleach Anime Movies in Chronological Order
| Movie Title | Release Year | Watch After |
|---|---|---|
| Bleach: Memories of Nobody | 2006 | Episode 117 |
| Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion | 2007 | Episode 125 |
| Bleach: Fade to Black | 2008 | Episode 125 |
| Bleach: Hell Verse | 2010 | Episode 299 |
| Bleach Live-Action Film | 2018 | After finishing main series |
Most Bleach movies are standalone and non-canon, but “Memories of Nobody” contains hints of canon material.
Bleach Movie Chronology & Canon
| Movie Title | Release Year | Watch Order Placement | Canon Status | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memories of Nobody | 2006 | After Episode 117 | Semi-canon | Introduces Senna; Soul Society connection |
| The Diamond Dust Rebellion | 2007 | After Episode 125 | Filler | Hitsugaya-centric story |
| Fade to Black | 2008 | After Episode 125 | Filler | Rukia’s memory loss arc |
| The Hell Verse | 2010 | After Episode 299 | Filler | Explores Hell dimension; stunning animation |
Bleach OVAs and Specials
| OVA Title | Recommended Watch Order |
|---|---|
| Memories in the Rain (2004) | After Episode 9 |
| The Sealed Sword Frenzy (2005) | After Episode 63 |
Where to Watch and Read Bleach
Anime: Bleach and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War are available on Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and Jio Cinema (India).
Manga: Officially available via Viz Media’s Shonen Jump and Manga Plus by Shueisha.
SEE ALSO:
All One Piece Arcs in Order (2025 Guide)
Top 40 Most Beautiful Bleach Female Characters
Top 20 Bleach Strongest Characters Of All Time Ranked
FAQs
Q1. How many arcs are in Bleach?
Bleach has a total of 17 arcs (13 canon and 4 filler) spanning 686 chapters and over 380 episodes.
Q2. Which arcs can I skip in Bleach?
You can safely skip the filler arcs: Bount Arc, Bount Assault Arc, Shusuke Amagai Arc, Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc, and Gotei 13 Invasion Arc.
Q3. Is the Thousand-Year Blood War the final arc?
Yes. It’s the grand finale of Bleach and is currently airing its final cour, The Conflict Arc, as of late 2025.
Final Thoughts
Bleach is more than just a classic shonen, it’s a saga of redemption, rivalry, and self-discovery.
From Ichigo’s first swing of Zangetsu to the divine-scale battles of TYBW, every arc adds something vital to its world.
Whether you’re a new fan or revisiting it years later, Bleach still delivers that same mix of heart and adrenaline that made it timeless.
Engineering edified me dreams’ propelling. And being an Otaku, a superlative dream of mine engulfs experiencing anime to its deepest quintessence and inditing my perspective towards it. Ultimately, anime blogging carved a path towards my desire and made me stand up to you.