Summary
The final episode of the original Bleach series is filled with exciting moments and emotional farewells as Ichigo pledges to continue being a Soul Reaper. The new adaptation of the Thousand Year Blood War season adds exciting twists and turns, including the introduction of never-before-seen Bankai from Squad Zero’s Senjumaru Shutara. Battles between characters such as Ichigo vs. Zaraki and Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra is one of Bleach’s most exciting and emotionally impactful fights, showcasing the series’ great action and character development.
Bleach is one of the most famous and beloved anime series of all time, adapted from the legendary manga by Tite Kubo. And when it comes to Bleach, some episodes are of course more popular than others, especially where the spin-offs are concerned.
Even though the series has filler, the best episodes of Bleach stand out as one of the most enjoyable shounen anime out there. With epic confrontations, unbelievable revelations, and terrifying powers on display, these Bleach episodes showcase everything fans love about the series. And now, with a new adaptation of the final season, The Millennium Blood War, Bleach is adding exciting new episodes for the first time in nearly 10 years. Here are the 10 best episodes of Bleach, including what we’ve seen of The Millennium Blood War so far.
The original finale of 10 Bleach was an epic conclusion
Original series, Episode #366, “History changes, hearts do not change”
The first season of the Bleach anime ended on its 366th and final episode, with the conclusion of the manga’s penultimate arc. Ichigo, his Shinigami powers restored, fights Ginjo, a rogue substitute Shinigami who holds the position before Ichigo. Its Ichigo at his strongest in the original seriesand while the Fullbringer arc it belongs to is often derided by fans, the final episode is actually filled with fun moments as well as a bit of emotion, as Ichigo pledges to remain a Soul Reaper while saying goodbye separate from Rukia.
9 An astonishing new Bankai debuts
Thousand Years of Blood War, Episode #26, “BLACK”
Bleach returned with Thousand-Year Blood War to the cheers of many fans, hoping the anime adaptation would help fix some of the problems at the end of the manga. The adaptation delivers in that regard, with the biggest change being at the end of stage 2. In this episode, Squad Zero confronts Yhwach and his elite guard, creating a Fighting is much more interesting than in the manga. episode ends with an incredible introduction to a never-seen-before Bankainot from the manga, from Squad Zero’s Senjumaru Shutara, showing off the terrifying power these top Soul Reapers truly possess.
8. Ichigo vs. Zaraki is one of Bleach’s most interesting fights
Original Series, Episode #39, “The Immortal Man”
A fan-favorite character in Bleach is Kenpachi Zaraki, the battle-obsessed Captain of Team 11, and his first battle with Ichigo helped cement that popularity. The episode is divided between the battle in Ichigo’s inner world, where he tries to win his Zanpakuto, and the conclusion of his fight with Zaraki, ending with the shocking loss of Ichigo. Zaraki’s dramatic removal of his eyepatch signaled that Ichigo was no longer relevant to him, but the traitorous Soul Reaper impressed Zaraki, making himself a powerful ally for the future.
7 Glimpses into Bleach’s past make for a great fight
Original Series, Episode #212, “Rescue Hirako! Aizen vs. Urahara”
The “Turn Back the Pendulum” arc is considered one of Bleach’s best, and episode #212 represents the final episode in that story arc. The story goes back in time and reveals Aizen’s plots, how they affected the Visored, and how long his evil plan has been in progress. Another fan-favorite character, Kisuke Urahara, plays an important role in this episode, helping to get the Visored stabilized and to safety in the World of the Living. Finally it explaining why Urahara, Yoruichi, and the others were abandoned from Soul Society, and fills in Aizen’s backstory just in time for a confrontation.
6 The Reveal About Bleach’s True Villain Shocks Fans
Original Series, Episode #61, “Aizen Stands! Terrible ambition”
Episode #61 was close to the end of the Soul Society arc, but everything was about to turn upside down. Sosuke Aizen, the captain who was thought to have been murdered, reveals that he is actually alive and that Rukia’s execution is part of his plan, has yet to be fully revealed. Both the characters and fans were stunned, and the realization that both Ichigo’s group and the Soul Society were merely pawns for Aizen helped bring the two groups together and stop fighting. It gave Ichigo a reason to get involved in stopping Aizen and laid the groundwork for Bleach’s most famous arc.
5 Ichigo’s battle with Grimmjow tests his skills
Original Series, Episode #166, “Desperate Efforts and Desperate Efforts! Hollow Ichigo”
Hueco Mundo story is Bleach at its best and Ichigo vs. Grimmjow has one of the best fights in that story. In an attempt to rescue Orihime Inoue, Ichigo heads straight into the land of the Hollows, Hueco Mundo, and faces a dangerous opponent who is eager for a challenge. Ichigo struggles not only to defeat Grimmjow but also to retain control of himself, as the Hollow inside him continues to fight for command. Ichigo’s inner conflict intensifies his battle with GrimmjowRaising the stakes left fans unsure whether Ichigo would eventually pull out or not.
4 Captain proves he deserves his title
Thousand Years of Blood War, episode #6, “The Fire”
Episode 6 of The Thousand-Year Blood War is set amidst the first Quincy invasion of the Spirit World, and sees the Captain of the 13th Court Guard (aka Gotei 13), Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, develop command all his forces. Bankai for the first time in the fight against “Yhwach.” The episode is Extremely well animated, with stunning fire effects making viewers truly feel the absolute heat of Yamamoto’s abilities. Yamamoto engages in an epic battlebut the episode takes a different turn when “Yhwach” is revealed to not be Yhwach at all, ending with the horrific death of Soul Society’s most powerful Soul Reaper, truly driving home just how dire the situation becomes. .
3 Ichigo and Byakuya have a dramatic situation
Original Series, Episode #59, “The Death Match Ends! White Pride and Black Lust”
Since his first appearance in the series, Byakuya has been a fearsome character who feels far beyond Ichigo’s fighting abilities. Ichigo went ahead with his plan to rescue Rukia despite knowing this and trained extremely hard to be able to fight Byakuya. The rematch has been long awaited, and Ichigo is now packing his own Bankai, leading to an incredible battle with a real emotional core in it. Ichigo is so desperate to win that he loses control and momentarily lets his Hollow side take over. It’s a fight that’s been a long time in the making, and it’s left fans somewhat satisfied.
2 Ichigo unleashes his final attack
Original Series, Episode #309, “The End of the Fierce Battle! Released, the final Getsuga Tensho!”
At the climax of the Arrancar storyline, Ichigo confronts Aizen, now much stronger than anyone could have imagined. To defeat him, Ichigo will have to use the “Ultimate” Getsuga Tensho, a move that will completely deplete his Soul Reaper power. The attack itself is of course an incredible sight, but it also marks a pivotal moment for Ichigo, willing to sacrifice the new life he has found to save the world. After a long battle with Aizen, His defeat came as a huge relief to fansand finally signals the end of a long but beloved arc.
1 Ichigo Vs. Ulquiorra is Bleach’s greatest battle of all time
Original Series, Episode #271, “Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the cry of pain!”
Ulquiorra is another fan favorite, despite being a villain, and so his long-awaited match with Ichigo almost immediately entered the record books. The battle culminates in this episode, and Ichigo’s attempt to win causes him to undergo a crazy, inhuman transformation that brings him closest to becoming a Hollow. The episode is wall-to-wall action, and Ichigo’s monstrous new form is enough to make fans question whether he should really win like this, especially in front of Orihime. Its Bleach at its best: great action anchored by emotion, well-animated and enjoyable throughout.
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Bleach
Release date: 2006-09-06
Cast: Johnny Yong Bosch, Michelle Ruff, Stephanie Sheh, Jamieson Price, Derek Stephen Prince, Wally Wingert
Category: Animation, Action, Adventure
Seasons: 16
Story by: Tite Kubo
Writer: Tite Kubo, Masashi Sogo
Network: cartoon
Director: Noriyuki Abe, Jun’ya Koshiba
MC: Tite Kubo