quick link
Bleach's Ending Explained in Bleach Anniversary Special Manga One-Shot Reveals More About Ichigo's Fate
Summary
The epilogue chapters reveal the final fates of major characters, such as Ichigo, Rukia, and Orihime. A special anniversary chapter hints at potential future storylines and teases a budding romance. The series leaves room for a possible return, introducing the characters to future adventures.
Currently, fans of Bleach Everyone talks about Thousand-Year Blood War because of its anime adaptation, but for those who have read the manga, the focus is usually on what happens after that. It's only natural for fans to wonder what happens to their favorite characters, like Ichigo and Rukia, after the series ends. Luckily, the answer is pretty easy to find thanks to the epilogue and a special anniversary chapter released a few years ago.
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc depicts the conflict between the Quincy and the Soul Society, as they fight for survival against the Quincy leader, Yhwach, whose dark ambition is to reform the universe as he sees fit, destroying everything that has existed in the process. Yhwach is eventually defeated by Aizen's illusions, allowing Ichigo to deal a fatal blow to the villain and end his plot once and for all.
The story then ends with a two-chapter epilogue taking place 10 years later, in 2013, revolving in part around the fear that Yhwach might return.
Bleach's Ending Explained in Manga
A happy ending for Ichigo and friends
The epilogue chapters are filled with several revelations that convey the ultimate fate of almost every major character in Bleach. First, the epilogue begins in Soul Society, where Shunsui is shown visiting Ukitake's grave before a special ceremony to promote a new captain. The new captain turns out to be Rukia Kuchiki, now officially appointed captain of Squad 13. The ceremony is interrupted when an energy signal resembling Yhwach appears, causing a stir in Soul Society. Many of the captains go to investigate, but Rukia and Renji go to the World of the Living to visit Ichigo.
There, it is revealed that Ichigo is now married to Orihime and still lives at the Kurosaki clinic. It turns out that everyone is gathered to watch Chad's boxing match on TV, as he has become a world-famous boxer over the past 10 years. Uryu is shown watching the boxing match on his phone from the hospital where he works as a doctor. Ichigo then asks where Orihime Kazui is, revealing the existence of their son for the first time. Ichigo then asks if Renji and Rukia are carrying their child, also revealing that they have started a relationship and also have a child.
The chapter shows Kazui investigating a black, slimy object that suddenly disappears when he touches it, causing the energy signal in Soul Society to disappear, marking the end of Yhwach forever. As Kazui sits on the floor, another black sphere appears behind him, but this one takes the form of a small girl, who introduces herself as Ichika Abarai, a Soul Reaper trainee. Kazui introduces himself, claiming to be a Soul Reaper himself, transforming into a Soul Reaper outfit, much to Ichika's shock. when the chapter (and series) ends.
Bleach Anniversary Special One-Shot Reveals More About Ichigo's Fate
Ichigo's Last Adventure (Present?)
In August 2021, a special short story chapter of Bleach was released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series. The chapter revolves around a special ceremony that takes place 12 years after the death of a captain, placing the short story approximately 2 years after the end of the story, in 2015. The chapter opens with Kazui sneaking out of the Kurosaki household to keep a promise to a spirit, whom he helped cross over into Soul Society. Ichigo is then invited by Renji and Rukia to the ceremony, and he eventually agrees to attend.
Mayuri sends a message to the captains and lieutenants to go to the World of the Living for the ceremony, which Ichika overhears. She decides to follow her parents to the World of the Living to witness the event for herself. In the World of the Living, Ichigo meets Renji and the others, as the lieutenants are tasked with capturing a Hollow as part of the ceremony. Ichigo reveals that he is currently acting as an interpreter, as well as a stay-at-home father to Kazui. As they talk, Ichika spots a creature looming over the proceedings, which the others seem to not see. She warns her father just in time as the monster attacks.
Soul Reaper begins to fight these monsters, they are not normal Hollows. Although it seems to go well at first, Renji is soon haunted by the image of a fallen enemy: Szayelaporro Granz.. Szayelaporro taunts Renji and threatens to kill Ichika, prompting Renji to do his best to protect his young daughter. Ichigo steps in, allowing Renji to retreat with Ichika. Szayelaporro describes himself as the “Warden of Hell” and explains that Hollows are changed by the environment of Hell. When will-o-wisps from Hell also appear in Soul Society, Shunsui explains the true purpose of the ritual: sending dead captains to Hell as a means of suppressing their mental pressure.
Szayelaporro explains the same thing to Ichigo, and reveals that Captains Yamamoto and Unohana were in Hell, along with Ukitake. By sending a lot of powerful souls to Hell in a short period of time, it is possible to open the mouth of Hell, allowing Szayelaporro to be here right now. He is stabbed by a blade that pierces through the gates of Hell, pulling him back and ending the attack. The chapter ends with a mysterious question: “why are the Hell Butterflies that Soul Reapers raise called Hells?”
Many fans believe that author Tite Kubo intends to continue this storyline at some point, though the exact timing may be a mystery. Regardless, the one-shot chapter reveals a few more details about the fates of the characters after the series ends, and even teases the idea of a budding romance between Ichika and Kazui. Ichigo may have a normal job and a child, but he can still fight with the best of them if he has to. The one-shot opens the door for Bleach to be able to return one day, but for now, most of the characters in the story have already lived happily ever after.