Bleach stands tall as one of the “Big Three” shonen anime, alongside Naruto and One Piece.
Created by Tite Kubo and animated by Studio Pierrot, the series ran from 2004 to 2012 with a whopping 366 episodes, and returned in 2022 with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.
While the anime adaptation is beloved for its intense battles and deep lore, it’s also infamous for its high filler count, nearly 163 episodes (about 45%) are non-canon.
So if you’re rewatching or starting Bleach for the first time, this detailed filler guide will help you separate the essential from the optional.
What Is a Filler Episode?
Filler episodes are anime-original stories not based on Kubo’s manga. These were often added to give the manga time to progress.
Some are fun side stories or character moments, but others completely derail the main plot.
Here’s what you should know before diving in:
Canon episodes follow the manga story directly.
Mixed episodes adapt manga with added filler scenes.
Pure filler episodes or arcs are anime-only.
How Many Filler Episodes Does Bleach Have?
| Total Episodes | Filler Episodes | Filler Percentage | Years Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 366 | 163 | 44.5% | 2004–2012 |
Bleach has one of the highest filler percentages among shonen anime, only behind Naruto Shippuden.
Thankfully, some of these filler arcs are worth watching for their creativity and lore expansion.
Complete Bleach Filler List (Chronological Order)
| Filler Arc / Episode Title | Episode Numbers | Should You Skip? |
|---|---|---|
| Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero | 33 | Skip |
| The Reviving Lion | 50 | Skip |
| The Bount Arc | 64–108 | Skip (long filler arc) |
| Stolen Hōgyoku Arc | 128–137 | Skip |
| Menos Forest Arc (Rukia’s Side Story) | 147–149 | Watch – nice Rukia backstory |
| The New Captain Arc | 168–189 | Skip – slow pacing and weak villain |
| Rurichiyo and Kenryu’s Feud | 204–205 | Skip |
| The Karakura-Raizer Omake Arc | 213–214 | Skip – short comedy filler |
| Summer! Sea! Swimsuit Festival! | 228 | Watch if you like fan service |
| Ikkaku and Yumichika’s Adventures | 229 | Skip |
| Zanpakuto Unknown Tales / Rebellion Arc | 230–265 | Must-Watch – strong story and fights |
| Recap of Hueco Mundo Events | 266 | Skip |
| Side Story! Ichigo and the Magic Lamp | 287 | Skip |
| Shinigami Film Festival (Hell Chapter Movie Promo) | 298–299 | Optional – tie-in with movie |
| Various One-Off Fillers | 303–305 | Skip |
| Various One-Off Fillers | 311–316 | Skip |
| The Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317–342 | Watch – exciting continuation |
| Shinigami at War (New Year Special) | 355 | Skip |
Total Bleach Filler Episodes: 163
Best Bleach Filler Arcs You Should Watch
Not every filler arc in Bleach is a waste of time. Some have top-tier animation, creative writing, and emotional beats that rival the main story.
Here are the three filler arcs actually worth watching:
Zanpakutō Unknown Tales / Rebellion Arc (Episodes 230–265)
This fan-favorite filler explores a fascinating concept — what if Soul Reapers’ Zanpakutō spirits rebelled against them?
Every sword gains a physical form, personality, and motive, leading to epic battles between wielders and their own spirits.
Why Watch: Great animation, character depth, and lore expansion.
Gotei 13 Invasion Arc (Episodes 317–342)
An action-heavy arc where fake copies of the Gotei 13 invade Soul Society.
It builds on the concept of identity and artificial souls introduced earlier in the series.
Why Watch: Fast-paced, emotional, and full of clever matchups.
Menos Forest Arc / Rukia’s Side Story (Episodes 147–149)
A short but emotional mini-arc that shines a light on Rukia’s role as a Soul Reaper and her bond with other squad members.
Why Watch: Character-driven and beautifully animated.
Bleach Arcs You Can Safely Skip
While not terrible, these arcs drag down pacing or offer little to the overall plot.
| Arc Name | Episodes | Reason to Skip |
|---|---|---|
| The Bount Arc | 64–108 | Filler villains, slow pacing |
| New Captain Amagai Arc | 168–189 | Unrelated story with weak antagonist |
| Stolen Hōgyoku Arc | 128–137 | Redundant side conflict |
| One-Off Specials | 303–316 | Comic relief episodes, no impact |
SEE ALSO:
(17) All Bleach Arcs in Order (Anime + Manga)
Quick Canon vs Filler Breakdown by Saga
| Saga / Major Arc | Episode Range | Canon or Filler |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute Shinigami Arc | 1–20 | Canon |
| Soul Society Arc | 21–63 | Canon |
| Bount Arc | 64–108 | Filler |
| Arrancar Arc | 109–127, 138–167 | Canon |
| New Captain Arc | 168–189 | Filler |
| Hueco Mundo Arc | 190–203, 206–212 | Canon |
| Zanpakutō Rebellion Arc | 230–265 | Filler (Recommended) |
| Fake Karakura Town Arc | 266–316 | Canon |
| Gotei 13 Invasion Arc | 317–342 | Filler (Recommended) |
| Fullbring Arc | 343–366 | Canon |
Why Bleach Has So Much Filler
During Bleach’s original run, the anime often caught up to the manga’s weekly chapters. Instead of taking breaks like modern shows, Studio Pierrot produced filler arcs to keep the broadcast consistent.
While this strategy maintained ratings, it also interrupted major storylines, leading to infamous pacing issues.
That said, the filler arcs gave animators room to experiment with tone, humor, and side stories, giving fans a breather between heavy arcs like Hueco Mundo and Fake Karakura Town.
SEE ALSO:
Final Words
With nearly half of its run being filler, Bleach can be daunting to binge-watch, but with this guide, you can enjoy the entire saga without wasting time.
If you only care about the manga’s story, skip the long filler arcs and stick to the core canon.
But if you’re here for the Bleach world, unique sword lore, and side stories that add flavor to Soul Society, give the Zanpakutō Rebellion Arc and Gotei 13 Invasion Arc a chance, they’re some of the best non-canon storytelling anime has ever done.
With Thousand-Year Blood War concluding in 2025, now is the perfect time to revisit Bleach and witness Ichigo Kurosaki’s complete journey, without getting lost in the filler fog.
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