How to Watch Bleach in Order

Bleach may not get quite as much franchising attention as its "Big Three" counterparts Naruto and One Piece, but Ichigo Kurosaki's journey to help lost souls reach the afterlife certainly struck a chord back in the day. In the U.S., the focus on Japanese culture and mythology gave Bleach a unique look, with the Shinigami making for memorable creatures. Even after 20 years, the combination of supernatural action, comedy, and a little bit of edginess still holds up.

Bleach has stood the test of time and also made it beyond just a TV show, with several movies and even a continuation two decades after its initial release. If you’re jumping into the series in 2025 or want to fill the gaps of what you watched back in the day, I’ve put together this chronological guide on how to watch all of Bleach in order.

How Long Is the Bleach Anime?

Adapting Tite Kubo’s manga of the same name, Bleach has been airing since 2004, amassing 366 episodes across 16 seasons. The show originally ended back in 2012, right as the manga was entering its final arc. The anime had caught up to its source material, so rather than do a long filler arc, the show simply ended.

Thankfully, in 2020, during the 20th anniversary of the manga, it was announced that Bleach would return to adapt the last arc. This more recent anime adaptation is known as the Thousand-Year Blood War.

In addition to the anime, there are four films in the Bleach franchise. Like most with most shonen series, these movies don't directly adapt the manga and are technically not canon, as they feature entirely original plots and even original characters (though, in the case of Bleach, they are designed by the original manga creator Tite Kubo). Still, the films can be great fun, and often tease upcoming surprises in the anime.

How to Watch Bleach in Order

1. OVA 1: Memories in the Rain

This OVA (original video animation) was shown at the Jump Festa convention in Japan in 2004. It serves as a pilot episode for Bleach, so it technically goes first in the order. Sadly, the OVA is not available to watch legally, but an alternate retelling of the events of Memories in the Rain were remade in episodes 8 and 9 of the first season.

2. Bleach Season 1 - The Substitute Soul Reaper

• Agent of the Sinigami Arc (Ep 1-20)

3. Bleach Season 2 - The Entry

• Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc (Ep 21-41)

4. Bleach Season 3 - The Rescue

• Soul Society: The Rescue Arc (Ep 42-63

5. OVA 2: The Sealed Sword Frenzy

Taking place after the end of the Soul Society arc, this OVA was shown at Bleach Jump Festa 2005. It follows a Shinigami who was sealed by the Soul Society being set free and wreaking havoc until Ichigo and the society try to stop him. The OVA helps expand the history of the Soul Society, highlighting their past feats as well as their mistakes.

6. Bleach Season 4 - The Bounty

• The Bount Arc (Ep 64-91)

Season 4 is a filler arc, with an original, self-contained storyline focusing on a race of humans who consume souls to extend their lives.

7. Bleach Season 5 - The Assault

• The Bount: Assault on Soul Society Arc (Ep 92-109)

8. Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody

When the town of Karakura is invaded by unknown spirits, Ichigo and Rukia meet a mysterious Shinigami. This is a unique Bleach movie in that it doesn't really contradict the continuity, and actually fits really well with the story of the anime. The movie also has a good combination of lightheartedness and action.

9. Bleach Season 6 - Arrancar Part 1

• Arrancar: The Arrival Arc (Ep 110-131)

10. Bleach Season 7 - Arrancar Part 2

• Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc (Ep 132-151)

11. Start Bleach Season 8 - Arrancar Part 3

• Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc (Ep 152-153)

12. Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion

The second Bleach movie is essentially a big love letter to fan-favorite Hitsugaya, so if you don't like the character, prepare for an entire film about why he's cool. The DiamondDust Rebellion continues to expand on the corruption of the Soul Society and shows the complexities of the organization in a way that even the anime doesn't always get to do.

13. Finish Bleach Season 8 - Arrancar Part 3

• Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc (Ep 154-167)

14. Bleach Season 9 - The New Captain

• The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc (Ep 168-189)

An original, self-contained filler season focusing on a new Soul Reaper captain. It can be skipped for the sake of pacing, but it does offer some good moments and character development.

15. Bleach Season 10 - Arrancar Part 4

• Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc (Ep 190-205)

16. Bleach: Fade to Black

This is the Bleach movie with the best character drama, with a strong focus on Rukia, who is kidnapped by two spirits from her past, and Ichigo's attempts to rescue her.

17. Bleach Season 11 - Turn Back the Pendulum

• The Past Arc (Ep 206-212)

18. Bleach Season 12 - Arrancar Part 5

• Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc (Ep 213-229)

19. Bleach Season 13 - Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale

• Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc (Ep 230-255)
• Sword Beasts Arc (Ep 256-265)

Another filler season, but not just any filler season. This time, the Soul Reaper's swords, Zanpakuto, take human forms and declare war on their wielders. This is considered by far the best filler in all of Bleach, serving as a break from the Arrancar story arc while also offering solid worldbuilding and fun plot twists.

20. Start Bleach Season 14 - Arrancar Part 6

• Arrancar: Downfall Arc (Ep 266-299)

21. Bleach: Hell Verse (2010)

We're going to hell! Despite Bleach being all about spirits, the concept of hell isn't really that much of a part of the show, which makes this movie a refreshing addition to the lore. There are big Dante's Inferno vibes as well as some stunning backgrounds and creature designs.

22. Finish Bleach Season 14 - Arrancer Part 6

• Arrancar: Downfall Arc (Ep 300-316)

23. Bleach Season 15 - Gotei 13 Invading Army

• Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc (Ep 317-342)

Another filler arc, Gotei 13 Invading Army is about a big conspiracy in the Soul Society wherein every soul reaper is being replaced with a copy. Though not entirely canon, this season has some stunning action animation, and some great fight matchups that weaponize fan service to deliver thrilling moments.

24. Bleach Season 16 - The Lost Agent

• Lost Agent Arc (Ep 343-366)

25. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 1

• The Blood Warfare Arc (Ep 367-379)

26. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 2

• The Separation Arc (Ep 380-392)

27. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 3

• The Conflict Arc (Ep 393-406)

What Comes Next for Bleach?

The fourth and final part of Thousand Year Blood War, titled The Calamity, was announced as soon as Part 3 finished airing in December 2024. This next arc will finally bring the iconic story to a close by adapting the end of the manga, over 20 years after the anime first started airing. Expect epic fights, tragic moments, and some big revelations.

Rafael Motamayor is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything anime and animation.