Bleach: How Many Seasons Does It Have?

Some Bleach characters
Some Bleach characters (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Bleach is an anime known worldwide. It’s a popular show with a loyal fan base that has remained loyal throughout the years. The series has 17 seasons, including both the original run and the new sequel series.

This long list of seasons shows many battles and story arcs. The anime follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits and protects the world.

The show first aired in 2004 and ended in 2012. The episodes were adapted from Tite Kubo's manga series. The anime adapted most of the major arcs in the manga but stopped before the final one.

The first time Ichigo fought Aizen (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
The first time Ichigo fought Aizen (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Many fans were left waiting for a proper conclusion. For long, many craved for an appropriate ending of the show. Then, in 2022, it got a new season, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

This is the anime adaptation of the last arc of the manga. It added considerable excitement to the series. Old fans returned, and new ones were created as well. Now that it has made its comeback, Bleach has reached a total of 17 seasons. This places it among the longest anime series of all time.

Some seasons included filler episodes that were not present in the manga. These fillers were added to give the manga more time to progress. Although not all fans appreciated the fillers, they nonetheless contributed to the world-building of the series.

Ichigo Kurosaki (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Ichigo Kurosaki (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Table of Seasons in Bleach

Season

Episodes

Manga Chapters

Arc(s) Covered

1

1 - 20

1 - 70

Agent of the Shinigami Arc

2

21 - 41

71 - 117

Soul Society: The Sneak Entry Arc

3

42 - 63

118 - 183

Soul Society: The Rescue Arc

4

64 - 91

Filler

The Bount Arc

5

92 - 109

Filler

The Bount: Assault on Soul Society Arc

6

110 -131

183 - 229

Arrancar: The Arrival Arc

7

132 - 151

229 - 251

Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry Arc

8

152 - 167

252 - 286

Arrancar: The Fierce Fight Arc

9

168 -189

Filler

The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc

10

190 - 205

286 - 315

Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc

11

206 - 212

-108 - -97 (negative number to represent the past)

The Past Arc

12

213 - 229

316 - 340

Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc

13

230 - 265

Filler

Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc

14

266 - 316

340 - 423

Arrancar: Downfall Arc

15

317 - 342

Filler

Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc

16

343 - 366

424 - 479

The Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc

17.1

367 - 379

480 - 686

Thousand-Year Blood War: The Blood Warfare Arc

17.2

380- 392

543 - 609

Thousand-Year Blood War: The Separation Arc

17.3

393 - 406

610 - 661

Thousand-Year Blood War: The Conflict Arc

17.4

407 - ongoing

661 - end

Thousand-Year Blood War: The Calamity Arc

Bleach also stands out for its pacing and world-building. The early seasons introduce many important characters, like Rukia, Uryu, Chad, and Orihime. As the seasons go on, more soul reapers and enemies appear.

The return of the anime with the Thousand-Year Blood War arc brought new animation and a darker tone. It feels more serious compared to earlier seasons. The war with the Quincies peaks in this arc. The latest episodes look cooler and have great music, which makes them fun to watch.

This return has shown fans why Bleach used to be one of the Big Three in anime, along with Naruto and One Piece. The anime has many episodes, but it hardly ever feels like time wasted. Except for the fillers in between major events. But they offer something new and fun to watch.

New fans who want to watch the anime may wonder where to begin. The best way is to start from season one and move forward. Knowing that there are 17 seasons can help viewers plan.

There is something about old-style kimonos in crispy animation that makes Bleach appealing. The older episodes are more classic, while the newer ones are sharper and more modern. This mix of old and new adds to the charm of the anime. In total, it has over 406 episodes across its 17 seasons at the moment.

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With the return of the final arc, the anime now has a complete story. Fans who waited for years to see the end can now enjoy it. And for those just starting, it’s the perfect time to begin watching the anime from the beginning to the end.


Conclusion

Bleach remains a major name in the anime world. Its long run, rich storylines, and strong characters continue to draw people in. The fact that the final chapters are getting adapted as anime indicates that the full story from the manga will soon be available as anime.

Whether you're rewatching or watching for the first time, Bleach has something exciting in every season.

Edited by Nimisha