So you're looking for a complete list of episodes of Bleach? Man, I remember when I first started watching this series back in college. I got so confused jumping between main story episodes and those random filler arcs. Took me weeks to figure out what was actually canon! That's exactly why I put together this guide – to save you the headache I went through.
Whether you're a new fan starting your journey or a veteran revisiting Soul Society, this breakdown covers every single episode across all 366 installments of the original anime. And trust me, knowing which episodes to skip can make or break your viewing experience. I learned that the hard way when I almost quit during that Bount arc...
Breaking Down the Entire Bleach Episode List
Let's get straight to what you came for – the complete Bleach episode list organized by story arcs. The anime ran from 2004 to 2012 with four major sagas interspersed with filler content. When I binged this last year, I kept a notebook tracking episode types (yes, I'm that nerdy). Here's the cleaned-up version:
Canon Story Arcs Episode Guide
| Story Arc | Episodes | Key Plot Points | Must-Watch Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent of the Shinigami | 1-20 | Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, meets Rukia | 1 (pilot), 15-17 (Grand Fisher fight) |
| Soul Society: Rescue | 21-63 | Rescue Rukia, reveal of Aizen's betrayal | 34 (Bankai reveal), 58-61 (final battles) |
| Arrancar: Arrival | 110-131 | Hueco Mundo invasion, Espada introduction | 112 (Grimmjow fight), 126 (Vasto Lorde) |
| Arrancar: Downfall | 213-229 | Fake Karakura Town battles | 215 (Stark fight), 229 (Aizen defeat) |
| Fullbringer | 343-366 | Ichigo regains powers, Xcution group | 355 (fullbring reveal), 366 (finale) |
Now if you're wondering about the gaps between those numbers, that's where the fillers sneak in. I'll be brutally honest – some are decent, but most made me check how much time was left in the episode. More on that later.
Complete Episode Index with Filler Tags
This comprehensive bleach episode list includes all 366 episodes with Japanese/English titles. The FILTER tags will save you hours:
| Ep # | Japanese Title | English Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 死神になっちゃった日 | The Day I Became a Shinigami | CANON |
| 64-108 | バウント編 | The Bount Arc | FILLER |
| 132-151 | 新隊長天貝繍助編 | Amagai Shūsuke Arc | FILLER |
| 230-265 | 斬魄刀異聞篇 | Zanpakutō Rebellion | FILLER |
| 287-310 | 過去篇 | Gotei 13 Invading Army | FILLER |
| 366 | Changing History, Unchanging Heart | Changing History, Unchanging Heart | CANON |
You'll notice the original Bleach anime has about 45% filler content. That's nearly half the series! When I did my rewatch, I created three different watchlists depending on whether friends wanted the full experience, canon-only, or key battles. Saved them from the agony I endured watching all 366 straight through.
Smart Viewing Guide for First-Timers
Based on my multiple rewatches and forum discussions with hardcore fans, here's how to approach the Bleach episode list:
Canon-Only Watch Order
For those who want the core story without distractions:
Episodes 1-63 → 110-131 → 213-229 → 343-366
Total episodes: 121 | Estimated time: 45 hours
This covers all manga material from Tite Kubo. You'll miss some character moments but avoid the infamous "beach episode" (seriously, episode 228 is just fanservice).
Essential Filler to Consider
Not all filler is terrible. These actually enhance the universe:
- Episodes 50-51: Soul Society baseball special (pure comedy gold)
- Episodes 204-205: Halloween special (Kon's hilarious antics)
- Zanpakutō Rebellion arc (230-255): Shows sword spirits' personalities
The beach episode? Skip it. The Bount arc? Only if you're desperate for content.
Where Does Thousand-Year Blood War Fit?
When the new Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation dropped in 2022, fans went wild. But where does it slot into the episodes of Bleach timeline?
It directly continues from episode 366. No filler, no interruptions – just 100% canon madness. As someone who waited a decade for this, the animation upgrades blew my mind. But fair warning: the pacing is intense compared to the original series.
| Part | Episodes | Release Period | Key Battles |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blood Warfare | 1-13 | Oct-Dec 2022 | Quincy invasion, Bankai thefts |
| The Separation | 14-26 | Jul-Sep 2023 | Palace invasion, Squad Zero fights |
Fan-Favorite Arcs Ranked
After polling multiple fan communities, here's how the story arcs stack up. I mostly agree, though I'd switch #2 and #3:
Top 5 Sagas According to Fans
- Soul Society Rescue (Eps 21-63) - The perfect blend of world-building and payoff
- Arrancar: Downfall (Eps 213-229) - Aizen at his manipulative best
- Thousand-Year Blood War (2022-) - Stunning animation, high stakes
- Arrancar: Arrival (Eps 110-131) - Hueco Mundo exploration
- Agent of the Shinigami (Eps 1-20) - Classic origin story
Notice how no filler arcs made the list? There's a reason for that. The Fullbring arc (Eps 343-366) often ranks lowest among canon material – the power system felt contrived to me.
Where to Stream All Bleach Episodes
Finding legal streams for all 366 episodes used to be a nightmare. Now options are better:
Streaming Platforms Comparison
| Service | Episodes Available | Regions | Subscription Cost | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | Full original series + TYBW | US only | $7.99+/month | Dual audio options |
| Disney+ | TYBW only | International | $7.99/month | Simulcast releases |
| Crunchyroll | Full original series | Worldwide | $7.99/month | OVA specials included |
Pro tip: Many Blu-ray sets have extended scenes not in streaming versions. I found this out after buying the Soul Society box set on sale last Christmas.
Bleach Episode List FAQs
How many total episodes are in Bleach?
The original anime ran for 366 episodes from 2004-2012. The sequel series Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has 26 episodes so far (as of 2023), with more announced.
Which episodes should I skip?
All episodes marked as FILLER in our tables can be skipped without losing main story continuity. The Bount arc (64-108) is particularly skippable.
Where does the anime leave off compared to the manga?
The original anime stops at manga chapter 479. The Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation picks up from chapter 480 onward and follows the manga faithfully.
What's the best arc to start with?
Start from episode 1. Skipping to the Soul Society arc (ep 21) means missing crucial character introductions. Trust me, I tried showing friends "just the good parts" and they were completely lost.
Is the filler really that bad?
Some filler has merit (like the Zanpakutō Rebellion), but most suffers from:
- Poorly integrated new characters (looking at you, Bounts)
- Power inconsistencies (suddenly weak captains? Really?)
- Pacing issues (that 7-episode cooking battle was painful)
Personal Viewing Recommendations
After watching the entire bleach anime episodes list three times through, here's my advice:
First-time viewers: Follow the canon-only list but add the comedy specials (eps 50-51, 204-205). They don't advance plot but showcase the cast's chemistry.
Rewatchers: Try thematic runs focusing on specific characters. A "Kenpachi's Greatest Hits" run (eps 45, 114, 230, 257, 313) is brutally satisfying.
Parents showing kids: Stick to first 20 episodes. Later arcs get intensely violent – I had to explain why a guy's arm was melting off to my 10-year-old nephew. Awkward.
The Thousand-Year Blood War? Absolutely essential viewing. It fixes the original anime's pacing issues and looks incredible. My only gripe is they cut some manga dialogue I loved.
So there you have it – everything you could possibly need to navigate the massive list of episodes of Bleach. Whether you're hunting for specific fights or planning a full binge, this guide should cover it. Just remember: when in doubt, skip the Bounts. Seriously.
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