The ultimate guide to watching (and reading) ‘Bleach’

I swear I will save Rukia.

You know, Rukia? Love of my life? Well … I guess that’s Orihime, but it really SHOULD be Rukia, I just don’t know it yet. I’m just the knucklehead protagonist of Bleach whose only concern is getting stronger to protect the ones I love. I’m in good company with the other protagonists of the Big Three, no matter what the haters may say.

Anyway, I go through a lot of BS in Bleach to save my lady love(s). Many Bleach arcs, if you will. So this one goes out to my fellow combleachtionists: a guide to all the arcs in Bleach along with their corresponding manga chapters and anime episodes, and of course, any Bleach anime movie.

1. Agent of the Shinigami arc

• Manga chapters 1-70
• Anime episodes 1-20

2. Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

• Manga chapters 71-117
• Anime episodes 21-41

3. Soul Society: The Rescue arc

• Manga chapters 118-183
• Anime episodes 42-63

4. The Bount arc

• Anime only
• Episodes 64-91

5. Bount Assault on Soul Society arc

• Anime only
• Episodes 92-109

6. Arrancar: The Arrival arc

• Manga chapters 184-229
• Anime episodes 110-131

7. Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry arc

• Manga chapters 230-251
• Anime episodes 132-151

8. Arrancar: The Fierce Fight arc

• Manga chapters 252-286
• Anime episodes 152-167

9. The New Captain Shusuke Amagai arc

• Anime only
• Episodes 168-189

10. Arrancar vs. Shinigami arc

• Manga chapters 287-315
• Anime episodes 190-205

11. The Past arc

• Manga chapters -108 to -100
• Anime episodes 206-212—To reflect the events occurring before the main plot of the Bleach series, the manga chapters for The Past arc were published with negative numbers. Also because it’s cool and artsy.

12. Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura arc

• Manga chapters 316-340
• Anime episodes 213-229

13. Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale arc

• Anime only
• Episodes 230-265

14. Arrancar: Downfall arc

• Manga chapters 341-423
• Anime episodes 266-316

15. Gotei 13 Invading army arc

• Anime only
• Episodes 317-342

16. The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc

• Manga chapters 424-479
• Anime episodes 343-366

17. The 1000-Year Blood War arc

• Manga chapters 480-686

But what about the ‘Bleach’ movies?

The movies! Right … those. See, here’s the thing… the Bleach movies aren’t exactly what people in the biz like to call “canon.” You can watch them if you want, but you don’t need to if you want to understand the canon storyline. Here’s when they were released:

• Bleach: Memories of Nobody (2006) (released after episode 107)

Considering that Ichigo is about to use his bankai in the World of the Living, we can surmise that this movie takes place sometime during the Bount Invasion Arc, around episodes 109 and 11.

• Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (2007) (released after episode 153)

Judging by the fact that Ikkaku uses his bankai in this movie, it’s possible that it happens around the first invasion of the Arrancars just before they enter in Hueco Mundo, around episode 138.

• Bleach: Fade to Black (2008) (released after episode 198)

This one happens at around the same time as DiamondDust Rebellion, so circa episode 138. We’ve yet to go to Hueco Mundo, but the Arrancars fight is happening. Plus, Ichigo still only uses the first form of his Hollow Mask, meaning the movie occurs around this time.

• Bleach: Hell Verse (2010) (released after episode 299)

Ichigo goes full Hollow form in this movie, so it’s safe to say Hell Verse happens after he fought Ulquiorra in Hueco Mundo and returned, somewhere around episode 299.

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Sarah Fimm

Sarah Fimm (they/them) is actually nine choirs of biblically accurate angels crammed into one pair of $10 overalls. They have been writing articles for nerds on the internet for less than a year now. They really like anime. Like... REALLY like it. Like you know those annoying little kids that will only eat hotdogs and chicken fingers? They're like that... but with anime. It's starting to get sad.