With its blend of action, drama, and supernatural elements, Bleach has amassed a dedicated fanbase. However, the anime series’ structure, including the main storyline, movies, and OVAs, can be overwhelming for newcomers.
This Bleach watch order guide aims to simplify the process, ensuring you don’t miss a beat in Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey as a Soul Reaper.
From Ichigo’s initial introduction to Soul Society to the epic conclusion of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, this Bleach watch order covers the complete and chronological order for viewing the series.
What is the Bleach anime about?
Bleach is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Tite Kubo. The story revolves around Ichigo Kurosaki, an ordinary high school student with the extraordinary ability to see ghosts. His life turns unexpectedly when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper, a death personification similar to a Grim Reaper.
To save Ichigo’s family from a monstrous spirit called a Hollow, Rukia transfers her powers to him, turning him into a substitute Soul Reaper. Ichigo is now tasked with protecting humans from Hollows and guiding lost souls to the afterlife. This newfound responsibility throws him into a world filled with supernatural beings, ancient rivalries, and epic battles.
Ichigo’s journey unfolds as he battles these threats, explores the complex dynamics of the Soul Society — the spirit world — and uncovers dark secrets about his powers and lineage.
The original Bleach anime series started in 2004 and concluded in 2012. A live-action movie adaptation was released in 2018 by Warner Bros., starring Sota Fukushi as Ichigo and Hana Sugisaki as Rukia.
However, the story didn’t end there. In 2022, a new anime series titled Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premiered. This series is a direct continuation of the original anime, adapting the final story arc from the manga.
Tite Kubo is the mastermind behind Bleach. His intricate world-building, compelling characters, and heart-pounding action sequences have captivated audiences worldwide. The series is known for its complex mythology, which blends elements of Japanese folklore and Buddhism with original concepts.
Complete Bleach watch order
Here’s the complete Bleach watch order, including the main series, movies, and OVAs. While the Bleach movies offer additional stories and characters, they aren’t part of the main storyline. It’s important to note that some movies contain spoilers for events in the series.
To avoid spoiling yourself, it’s generally recommended to watch the movies after completing the corresponding story arcs.
- Bleach (2004) – Episodes 1 to 117
- Bleach movie 1: Memories of Nobody
- Bleach (2004) – Episodes 118 to 125
- Bleach movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion
- Bleach movie 3: Fade to Black
- Bleach (2004) – Episodes 126 to 299
- Bleach movie 4: The Hell Verse
- Bleach (2004) – Episodes 299 to 392
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (2022) – Episodes 1 to current
OVAs provide extra content and can be watched at your convenience. Here’s a list for reference:
- Bleach: Memories in the Rain
- Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy
READ MORE: All Bleach Rebirth of Souls characters: Choose your favorite Soul Reaper for battle
