How to Watch Bleach in Order: The Ultimate Guide

Ever felt lost in the vast, spiritual world of Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Quincies? You’re not alone! The anime adaptation of Tite Kubo’s “Bleach” is a sprawling epic with over 360 episodes, multiple seasons, and even a few movies thrown in for good measure. Knowing where to start, what to skip, and what to watch when can be a daunting task for newcomers and even returning fans looking to revisit this beloved series. Navigating the filler arcs and ensuring you experience the core storyline in the most impactful way is key to truly appreciating the grand scope and intricate character development that “Bleach” has to offer.

Getting the viewing order right is crucial because “Bleach” builds upon itself. Missing key episodes or watching content out of sequence can lead to confusion and a diminished appreciation for the overarching narrative. Characters, plotlines, and power systems are introduced gradually, and understanding their context is vital for fully engaging with the later, more intense arcs. This guide is designed to provide a clear, concise pathway through the anime, ensuring you experience the best of what “Bleach” has to offer without getting bogged down in unnecessary tangents.

What is the best way to watch Bleach?

What’s the correct chronological order to watch Bleach?

The best way to watch Bleach is generally considered to be in release order, as this preserves the intended storytelling and avoids spoilers for later plot developments. This means following the main anime series from episode 1 to 366, and then watching the four movies and any OVAs in their release order which falls roughly within the timeline of the main series.

While some fans suggest skipping filler arcs, especially on a first viewing, understanding the context of the entire series is vital. Filler episodes can often offer character development or world-building elements, even if they don’t directly advance the main plot. If you decide to skip filler, consult a filler list to ensure you’re not missing crucial information interwoven into canon episodes.

After finishing the original 366 episodes, it’s time to watch the *Thousand-Year Blood War* arc. This arc was adapted into anime starting in 2022 and continues the main story. Finally, the four Bleach movies (*Bleach: Memories of Nobody*, *Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion*, *Bleach: Fade to Black*, and *Bleach: Hell Verse*) can be watched at any point after the Soul Society arc concludes in the main series, as they are stand-alone stories that don’t significantly impact the overall narrative.

Should I watch the Bleach movies and OVAs in a specific order?

Yes, the Bleach movies and OVAs should generally be watched in release order to avoid spoilers and to best understand the power levels and relationships of the characters as they develop throughout the main series. While they are largely considered non-canon, they often include characters and abilities introduced in later arcs of the anime.

The main reason for watching in release order is to avoid spoilers. The movies, while mostly self-contained stories, often feature characters who gain new abilities or appearances in later parts of the anime’s timeline. Watching a movie before reaching that point in the series can reveal plot points or character developments that are best experienced in the intended order within the main storyline. This will ensure that any references or cameos by characters that may not appear as often are properly appreciated and that you have the full context to understand the movie’s plot.

Here’s a suggested viewing order incorporating the movies and OVAs alongside the main series, based on their release dates and appropriate placement within the anime’s timeline:

1. Bleach Episodes 1-41
2. Bleach: Memory of Nobody (Movie 1)
3. Bleach Episodes 42-91
4. Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (Movie 2)
5. Bleach Episodes 92-167
6. Bleach: Fade to Black (Movie 3)
7. Bleach Episodes 168-229
8. Bleach: Hell Verse (Movie 4)
9. Bleach Episodes 230-366
10. Bleach: Memories in the Rain (OVA)
11. Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy (OVA)

What are the filler episodes and are they worth watching or should I skip them?

Filler episodes in *Bleach* are anime-original content not adapted from Tite Kubo’s manga, inserted to avoid overtaking the source material or to allow the manga to progress. Whether they are worth watching is subjective; they generally don’t advance the main plot and often feature self-contained stories with varying degrees of quality, but some viewers enjoy them for additional character development and world-building, while others find them skippable and prefer to stick to the core narrative.

Filler arcs in *Bleach* can range from humorous slice-of-life episodes to entirely new storylines featuring original characters and villains. While some filler arcs are generally considered poor in terms of writing and animation quality, others offer interesting insights into the *Bleach* universe or provide entertaining diversions. For instance, the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc offers a unique premise, exploring the materialized forms of the Soul Reapers’ swords, although it deviates significantly from the established canon. Ultimately, the decision to watch or skip filler episodes depends on your viewing preferences. If you are primarily interested in the main story arc and want to experience the core narrative as quickly as possible, skipping filler is recommended. However, if you enjoy spending more time with the characters, are curious about non-canon storylines, or simply want more *Bleach* content, some filler arcs might be worth exploring. Many online resources and fan communities offer episode guides specifically marking filler content, allowing you to easily identify and choose which episodes to watch or skip. Here’s a list of main filler arcs:

• Bount Arc (Episodes 64-109)
• Amagai Shuusuke Arc (Episodes 168-179)
• Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc (Episodes 230-265)
• Reigai Uprising Arc (Episodes 317-342)

How does the new “Thousand-Year Blood War” arc fit into the original series order?

The “Thousand-Year Blood War” arc is the definitive conclusion to the *Bleach* anime and manga series, serving as the final story arc. It comes directly after the “Lost Agent” arc (also known as the “Fullbringer” arc) and should be watched last, completing the canonical narrative.

The original *Bleach* anime series, which ran from 2004 to 2012, prematurely ended before adapting the entire manga storyline. The “Thousand-Year Blood War” arc was left unadapted at that time. This new adaptation, beginning in 2022, finally brings the concluding chapters of Tite Kubo’s story to the screen. Ignoring it would leave the story incomplete, particularly concerning the fates of Ichigo, his friends, and the Soul Society. Therefore, to watch *Bleach* in its proper order, you would proceed through all the previous arcs, including the Substitute Shinigami arc, the Soul Society arc, the Arrancar arcs, and the Lost Agent arc, culminating in the “Thousand-Year Blood War.” Think of it as the final season that was initially missing; it ties up all the loose ends and provides the ultimate resolution to the series’ central conflicts.

Where can I stream Bleach legally in the correct order?

You can stream the original *Bleach* anime (episodes 1-366) and *Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War* legally on Hulu in the United States. Crunchyroll also offers the entire series, including *Thousand-Year Blood War*, in many regions. Both platforms generally stream episodes in the correct chronological order as they originally aired.

While both Hulu and Crunchyroll provide access to *Bleach*, availability can vary depending on your geographical location due to licensing agreements. Always check the specific streaming service in your region to confirm that *Bleach* and *Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War* are available. Furthermore, subscribing to either service gives you the benefit of watching *Bleach* legally and supporting the creators, ensuring the continued production of high-quality anime. To watch *Bleach* in the correct order, simply start with episode 1 of the original series and proceed sequentially through episode 366. Once you’ve completed the original series, you can transition directly into *Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War*. Streaming services typically organize the episodes in the intended viewing order. If you are unsure just google the order, there are no official filler lists from the producers so fan made lists may vary.

Is there a recommended watch order for a first-time Bleach viewer?

Yes, the generally recommended watch order for Bleach is primarily chronological based on the anime’s airing schedule, but with a careful consideration of filler arcs. Watching in this order ensures you experience the main storyline without getting bogged down in non-canon content that can disrupt the pacing and character development.

The main issue with Bleach’s anime adaptation is the inclusion of numerous filler arcs. While some filler episodes can be entertaining on their own, they often detract from the overarching plot and can cause confusion regarding power levels and character relationships. Most experienced viewers recommend skipping these arcs on a first viewing to maintain a more focused and coherent narrative. After completing the core storyline, you can always return to the filler content if you desire.

Therefore, a good approach is to watch the main story arcs in order, skipping the filler arcs. Common filler arcs to skip include the Bount arc (episodes 64-109), the Amagai Shuusuke arc (episodes 168-179), the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc (episodes 230-265), and the Reigai Uprising arc (episodes 317-342). After completing the final canon arc (The Lost Agent arc, episodes 343-366), you can then proceed with *Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War* (2022-Present), which adapts the final manga arc faithfully without filler.

Does the manga order differ from the anime watch order?

Yes, the anime adaptation of Bleach deviates slightly from the manga’s original order due to the inclusion of filler arcs, which are anime-exclusive storylines not present in Tite Kubo’s manga. Therefore, to experience the story as originally intended, following the manga’s chapter order is recommended. However, if you’re watching the anime, you’ll need a watch order that excludes filler content if you want a purely canon experience.

The main difference lies in the placement and existence of these filler arcs. The anime producers inserted them between canon arcs for various reasons, such as preventing the anime from overtaking the manga’s production or providing breaks in the main storyline. While some viewers enjoy these arcs, others find them disruptive to the overall narrative and prefer to skip them. Certain arcs that were originally designed to be shorter in the manga were also sometimes expanded on, for better or for worse. Knowing which episodes and arcs are filler is crucial for those seeking a strictly canon experience. There are numerous online guides detailing the filler content in Bleach, allowing viewers to tailor their watch order to their preferences. For example, the Bount arc, the New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc, and the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc are all considered major filler arcs that can be skipped without missing important plot points from the main storyline. The Thousand-Year Blood War arc adapts the final arc of the manga faithfully.

And that’s it! You’re all set to dive into the world of Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Zanpakuto. Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide helps you navigate Bleach in the best possible order. Enjoy the ride, and feel free to swing by again if you have any other anime questions!