Updated November 27, 2022 by Ernie
Bleach is part of “The Big 3!” in the world of Action Anime. Surprisingly, the timeline is simple and easy to understand. So, you won’t be losing your hair trying to figure out the watch and read the order for Bleach.
Table of Contents
Well, that is if you skip through the filler episodes. The Bankai forms, and Arrancar Resurrection are amazing scenes that I cannot wait to see more of! Therefore today we are going for a field trip and exploring the watch order and read order of one of the best anime that exists!
Are you ready to watch one of the best Anime to ever hit the planet? In that case, you might need a little guide for where even to start. Luckily, we heard from all the fans and decided to help. Here, we present you with the most straightforward Bleach Watch and Read Order you’ll find on the web.
Let’s get it, my ninjas!
HOW TO WATCH AND READ BLEACH
Bleach Quick Watch Order
I. Bleach Anime Watch Order
1. Bleach Series (2004)
| Title | Bleach |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Series |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Premiered | 2004 |
| Episodes | 366 |
| Duration | 24 min. per ep |
This is where the adventure of Kurosaki Ichigo begins. He’s a hotheaded teenager whose life gets changed one day when he gets the power of a Soul Reaper (Shinigami) or Grim Reaper, some might say.
The series follows Ichigo making friends, saving friends, having fun, and… not so fun moments sometimes. But the struggle he goes through and how he uses adversity as fuel to create a peaceful environment is what Bleach is all about.
2. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood-War Arc
| Title | Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Series |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Premiered | Fall 2022 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Duration | 24 min. per ep |
Ichigo returns to Soul Society, but the dangers that await him are far greater. In this last arc, Ichigo will venture into memory lane and fully understand who he really is. The question lies in whether the Zangetsu he has always seen is his true zanpaktuo… or perhaps someone else? A war between the Quinces and Soul Society is about to ensue and as usual, our boy Ichigo is tasked to save the world from utter chaos
II. Bleach Movies Watch Order
Before we start the movie watch order, hear me out guys. So, most of the movies aren’t canon, meaning that they have no link to the original storyline. At first, I, myself, was skeptical of watching the movies. But I gotta say, they’re AMAZING!
All Bleach movies are fun to watch and they have some of the best action and animation you’ll ever see in an Anime movie.
1. Bleach: Memories of Nobody (2006)
Episode Duration: 1h 35m
Memories of Nobody is the first Bleach film that was released in 2006. It was written by Masashi Sogo, and DAMN, it was fine. The story includes Ichigo and Rukia fighting bizarre spirits/souls, and while fighting those, they meet Senna, who’s another Shinigami that no one knows. Now, the question is, is Senna an ally or an enemy? Watch to find out more!
2. Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion (2007)
Episode Duration: 1h 35m
While transporting a unique item named “King’s Seal”, Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto encounter a run-away Soul Reaper named Sojiro Kusaka. What’s the relationship between Sojiro and Hitsugaya?
The story incorporates the wrong blame on Hitsugaya as he runs away from the Soul Society. Our good old Ichigo is fighting to clear the blame. What events will unfold? What are the mysteries? Watch the movie to find out more!
3. Bleach: Fade To Black (2008)
Episode Duration: 1h 36m
Fade to Black is the 3rd Bleach movie that was released in 2008. It incorporates the story where Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who’s the captain of squad 12th, gets attacked and his memories get erased. In a panic, he creates a huge explosion that takes the lives of many Soul Reapers. Who are the people that attacked Mayuri? And what’s their intentions afterward? Watch the movie to find out more!
Related: Which Bleach Character Are You? (QUIZ)
4. Bleach the Movie: Hell Verse (2010)
Episode Duration: 1h 34m
The 4th epic movie in the Bleach Franchise, Hell Verse is Canon. It means that the movie links to the original storyline. As the name suggests, Hell Verse contains a group of evil souls that are planning to escape from hell.
Ichigo’s sister gets kidnapped by one of the sinners and he asks for a favor before he leaves Yuzu (Ichigo’s sister). How will Ichigo save his loved ones and put the evil souls back to their places? Watch the movie to find out more.
5. Bleach (2018) – Live-Action Movie
Episode Duration: 1h 48m
This Live-Action movie incorporates the events that occurred initially in the series. How did Ichigo get his powers? What will happen when he involves himself with the Shinigamis? And how did he even get involved in this mess? The Live-Action movie did $4.5 million in the Box Office and is probably one of the few real-life movies that are respected.
Note: Most of the movies are not Canon but they are still fun to watch, my ninjas!
III. Bleach Specials & OVAs
1. Bleach: Memories in the Rain OVA (2004)
Episode Duration: 29 minutes
Going back to the root cause, Ichigo finds out about the spirit that killed his mother when he was a kid. Grand Fisher is the Hollow that haunts Ichigo to this date and now our boy is mad. Ichigo must take revenge in order to keep his sanity or this Hollow will haunt him forever.
2. Bleach: 13 Court Guard Squads Omake (2005)
Episode Duration: 3 minutes
Just a little special for the fans to enjoy!
3. Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy OVA (2005)
Episode Duration: 33 minutes
The second Ova that was released in 2005, The Sealed Sword Frenzy incorporates the events that occurred after the Soul Society Arc. A new shinigami named Baishin comes to the human world to destroy everything. Now, it’s up to Ichigo to fight the Shinigami and stop the destruction that this monster is causing!
IV. Bleach Spin-Offs
1. Burn the Witch (2020)
| Title | Burn The Witch |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Movie |
| Studio | Studio Colorido, team Yamahitsuji |
| Premiered | 2020 |
| Episodes | 3 |
| Duration | 21 min. per ep. |
Dragons are invisible to most people. There are two sides of London in this Anime. The front side and the reverse side. People of the reverse London can interact with Dragons and among those people, you’ll see Wizards and Witches. The story follows Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole who are trying to manage and protect the dragons for the people.
V. Bleach Manga Read Order
1. Bleach (2001)
Volume: 1-54
2. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood-War War
Volume: 55-74
After years of waiting, the final arc of the manga, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood-War Arc is finally airing! Following the adventure of Kurosaki Ichigo and soul society as they face a new enemy that could potentially turn the world of Soul society, Hueco Mundo and the world humans collide into one!
Ichigo and the gang will face Yhwach, who claims that he is the father of all Quincies. Probably the toughest enemy that Ichigo and Soul society will encounter. A war between the soul society and Quinces.
Will Ichigo protect the people he cares for? Will Yhwach be able to achieve his purpose? It is now the time to find out!
VI. Bleach Novel Read Order
1. Bleach: Letters from the Other Side (2004)
Total Pages: 256
This novel was written by Makoto Matsubara and Tite Kubo. It includes the early chapters from Bleach Manga. There was also a new version of Letters from the Other Side that was released in 2009.
2. Bleach: The Honey Dish Rhapsody (2006)
Total Pages: 208
Another novel written by the two legends includes the storyline where Ichigo and the friends were spending their days in Soul Society after they got betrayed by the sly Sosuke Aizen. Remember?
3. Bleach: Spirits Are Forever With You I&II (2012)
Total Pages: 288
This two-part novel was released in 2012. The artwork that you see is from Tite Kubo himself. Volume I of this novel incorporates the story of Dan Kanonji who’s trying his best to save Soul Society from some new threats.
4. Bleach: The Death Save The Strawberry
Total Pages: 208
This novel includes the story of 5 months after our heroes fought with Sosuke Aizen. Everything is normal except Ichigo who lost his power. What new threats are there to fight for? Can Ichigo even fight without his Shinigami powers? We’ll find out.
5. Beginning of the Revive of Tomorrow (2015)
Type: Short Story
This short story was written by Ryogo Narita. It includes the events happening during the second invasion of Soul Society that was done by Wandenreich. The enemies attack Soul Society to get some information about the Hogyoku Crystal and how it helps a person to go above and beyond his limits.
Check Out: 15+ Best Horror Light Novels to BINGE!
6. Bleach: WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU (2016)
Total Pages: 212
This is an exciting one! A lot unfolds here since this incorporates the events after Blood War Arc. It incorporates the marriage of Renji and Rukia, there’s a ceremony, marriage, and a lot of fun. Just a fun and wholesome novel that Bleach fans would love to have.
7. Bleach: Can’t Fear Your Own World (2017)
Total Pages: 276
This novel is highly detailed, containing more information about the Arrancars, Fullbringers, and the Soul King. There’s a new antagonist that Soul Society has to fight. The story takes place after the Thousand Year Blood War where everything should be normal. Or is it?
VII. Bleach Games Order
1. Bleach: Hanatareshi Yabou (PS2)
Release Date: 2006
Platform: PlayStation 2
This game incorporates the story of the manga with some of the main characters and others that can be unlocked as your move through the storyline. Are you ready for the action? Let’s GO!
2. Bleach: Heat the Soul Series (PS Portable)
Platform: PlayStation Portable
Releases:
- Bleach Heat the Soul 1
- Bleach Heat the Soul 2
- Bleach Heat the Soul 3
- Bleach Heat the Soul 4
- Bleach Heat the Soul 5
- Bleach Heat the Soul 6
- Bleach Heat the Soul 7
3. Bleach Advance (Game Boy Advance)
Release Date: 2005
Platform: Gameboy Advance
This game includes story mode and survival mode for the OG Game Boy fans. If you’re into Retro Gaming, this is the stop for you.
4. Bleach: Erabareshi Tamashii (PS2)
Release Date: 2005
Platform: PlayStation 2
The first Bleach game to be released on PlayStation 2, this game incorporates only two Main Characters to start the game with. However, as you move through the storyline, more and more players will unlock until you can have all the members of Gotei 13. Sounds fun, right?
5. Bleach GC: Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami (GameCube)
Release Date: 2005
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Another brilliant Bleach game with a lot of playable characters, this one has a huge storyline that will last you a lifetime. This weapon-based fighting game is such a nice time killer that people used to have back in the day. Guess what? You can relive their experiences.
6. Bleach DS: Souten (Nintendo DS)
Release Date: 2006
Platform: Nintendo DS
This game follows the story of Ichigo trying to save Rukia who is getting executed for giving Ichigo her Soul Reaper powers. The game will go deep into the betrayal of Sosuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru.
BONUS Game
Bleach: Brave Souls
Release Date: 2016
Platform: Mobile
Brave Soul is a mobile game developed by Klabs, it is an action mobile game that has role-playing elements and interesting stories and sub-stories. The gameplay follows the canon story of bleach starting from the substitute arc up until the Lost Agent Arc. Not to mention the Thousand Year Blood-War Arc is a substory that is also available in the game. So for more content on Bleach, I suggest you check out the game!
Are You Going To Watch Bleach?
Bleach Anime is one of my personal favorites. As a fan, I understand the struggles of people who want to watch the series but are too scared of the PLETHORA of series that it has. So, there you have it guys. Enjoy the Bleach series Watch and Read order and join the SHINIGAMI SIDE! Let’s GO.
