Anime · in order
Bleach Watch Order (Series & Filler Guide)
Watch the original Bleach series (2004-2012) for Ichigo's story up through the Fullbring arc, then Thousand-Year Blood War (2022+) for the manga's true ending. Skip the heavy filler arcs.
Bleach Watch Order (Series & Filler Guide): complete list
Check off what you've finished, it saves automatically · See all your lists → ·
Why this order?
Bleach is best watched in release order, because that is also the story order: the original series runs first, then Thousand-Year Blood War picks up exactly where the manga (and the canon plot) left off. There is no chronological reshuffle to worry about and no prequel to slot in early. The only real decision you have to make is how to handle filler.
The original Bleach (2004-2012) is 366 episodes, but a large chunk of that is anime-original filler that the manga never covered. Like Naruto, the show frequently caught up to its source material and stalled with standalone arcs. The two biggest offenders are the Bount arc (roughly episodes 64-109) and the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales / "Zanpakuto Rebellion" arc (around 230-265), plus the New Captain Shusuke Amagai arc and assorted one-off episodes. If you only want canon, the widely shared rule of thumb is to watch through the Soul Society, Arrancar/Hueco Mundo, and Fullbring arcs and simply skip the filler blocks. Some filler is harmless fun, so this is taste, not law.
Thousand-Year Blood War (2022 onward) is the modern, big-budget adaptation of the manga's final arc, released in cours (parts). It assumes you have finished the original series and adapts the ending the 2012 anime never reached. Start it only after the Fullbring arc. The four theatrical films (Memories of Nobody, The DiamondDust Rebellion, Fade to Black, Hell Verse) are all non-canon side stories you can watch any time, or skip entirely.
If you enjoy Bleach's long-running shonen rhythm, the same filler-navigation skills apply to Naruto and One Piece, the other pillars of the "Big Three." Watch original first, then TYBW.
How many episodes is Bleach?
Bleach has 406 episodes across the 2 series entries tracked in this guide. 162 of them are marked filler, leaving 244 canon episodes, and 2 recap episodes are flagged too.
See how Bleach compares on the Anime Filler Index →
- Bleach 366 episodes 2004-2012
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War 40 episodes 2022-2024
Timeline 2004-2022
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2004 Bleach
- 18-year gap
- 2022 Thousand-Year Blood War
Where to play it today
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for Bleach.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch Bleach in?
Watch the original Bleach series (2004-2012) first, through the Soul Society, Arrancar, and Fullbring arcs, then watch Thousand-Year Blood War (2022+). The films are optional side stories.
How many episodes and seasons are there?
The original Bleach has 366 episodes (often split into 16 seasons/arcs). Thousand-Year Blood War is released in separate cours/parts that adapt the manga's final arc.
Which episodes of Bleach are filler?
Major filler arcs include the Bount arc (~64-109), the New Captain Shusuke Amagai arc, and the Zanpakuto Rebellion arc (~230-265), plus scattered one-off episodes. The rest follows the manga.
Can I skip the filler in Bleach?
Yes. Skipping the Bount, Amagai, and Zanpakuto Rebellion arcs costs you no main-story plot. Some filler is enjoyable, so it's optional, but nothing in it is required for Thousand-Year Blood War.
Do I need to watch the Bleach movies?
No. All four films (Memories of Nobody, The DiamondDust Rebellion, Fade to Black, Hell Verse) are non-canon side stories. Watch them any time or skip them; they don't affect the main plot.
Where does Thousand-Year Blood War fit in?
It comes after the original series' Fullbring arc and adapts the manga's final saga, which the 2012 anime never animated. Watch it after finishing the original Bleach.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
← Browse all anime orders