Bleach: How To Watch The Anime - Gamerz Gateway

In 2022, the beloved anime series Bleach made a highly anticipated comeback with a new installment called The Thousand Year Blood War. Serving as a sequel to the original Bleach anime, which aired from 2004 to 2012, both series are adaptations of Tite Kubo’s manga of the same name, published from 2001 until 2016.

Bleach revolves around the journey of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager gifted with the ability to see ghosts. His life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper. Through a series of events, Ichigo gains Soul Reaper powers himself and takes on the responsibility of battling malevolent spirits known as Hollows while guiding lost souls to the afterlife. As he discovers his true potential, Ichigo encounters others with supernatural abilities and becomes entangled in various incidents involving The Soul Society, a parallel realm.

As one of the prominent anime franchises, Bleach holds its place as one of the “big three,” alongside One Piece and Naruto, which are among the most popular anime series targeting young boys and men. Known for its intense action sequences, captivating soundtrack, and incorporation of supernatural elements, Bleach has garnered a loyal fan base.

Where to watch the Bleach anime franchise

Currently, you are only able to stream or physically purchase Bleach from the following websites:

Hulu
Right Stuf
Disney+
Amazon
Vudu
Google Play
Apple TV

You can currently stream Bleach and its sequel, The Thousand-Year Blood War, on Hulu. However, Disney+ offers only The Thousand Year Blood War for streaming. If you prefer a cost-effective option to watch the series, streaming is recommended since Bleach consists of over 300 episodes. Alternatively, you can purchase the complete series on twelve DVD and Blu-ray sets available from Right Stuf. Additionally, the Bleach anime movies can be purchased in physical format from Amazon, and they are also available for digital purchase on Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.

How to watch Bleach in release order

At present, the anime franchise Bleach encompasses a total of sixteen seasons, an ongoing sequel series, and four anime movies. To ensure a chronological viewing experience, here is the recommended watch order based on the release dates of the anime series and movies:

Season 1- The Substitute Soul Reaper (Episodes 1-20)
Season 2- The Entry (Episodes 1-21)
Season 3- The Rescue (Episodes 1-22)
Season 4- The Bounty (Episodes 1-22)
Season 5- The Assault (Episodes 1-15)
Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody
Season 5- The Assault (Episodes 16-18)
Season 6- Arrancar The Appearance (Episodes 1-22)
Season 7- The Arrancar Part 2 (Episodes 1-20)
Season 8- The Arrancar Part 3 (Episodes 1-2)
Bleach: Diamond Dust Rebellion
Season 8- The Arrancar Part 3 (Episodes 3-16)
Season 9- The New Captain (Episodes 1-22)
Season 10- The Arrancar Part 4 (Episodes 1-9)
Bleach: Fade To Black
Season 10- The Arrancar Part 4 (Episodes 10-16)
Season 11- Turn Back The Pendulum (Episodes 1-7)
Season 12- The Arrancar Part 5 (Episodes 1-17)
Season 13- Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale (Episodes 1-36)
Season 14- The Arrancar Part 6 (Episodes 1-34)
Bleach: Hell Verse
Season 14- The Arrancar Part 6 (Episodes 36-51)
Season 15- Gotei 13 Invading Army (Episodes 1-26)
Season 16- The Lost Agent (Episodes 1-24)
The Thousand Year Blood War Part 1 (Episodes 1-13)

How to watch Bleach in chronological order

The chronological order of the Bleach anime series aligns with its release order. However, it’s worth noting that the plot of the Bleach movies is independent and unrelated to the main storyline of the series. As a result, you have the option to watch the movies separately or even choose not to watch them at all. Rest assured, the anime series will still make sense. Here is the list of movies for reference:

The watch order for the anime series is as follows:

Season 1- The Substitute Soul Reaper
Season 2- The Entry
Season 3- The Rescue
Season 4- The Bounty
Season 5- The Assault
Season 6- Arrancar The Appearance
Season 7- The Arrancar Part 2
Season 8- The Arrancar Part 3
Season 9- The New Captain
Season 10- The Arrancar Part 4
Season 11- Turn Back The Pendulum
Season 12- The Arrancar Part 5
Season 13- Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale
Season 14- The Arrancar Part 6
Season 15- Gotei 13 Invading Army
Season 16- The Lost Agent
The Thousand Year Blood War Part 1

The watch order for the anime movies is:

Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody
Bleach: Diamond Dust Rebellion
Bleach: Fade To Black
Bleach: Hell Verse

Do I need to watch the Bleach anime movies?

The Bleach anime movies present self-contained narratives that do not contribute significantly to the overarching plot of the series. They can be considered as side-stories rather than integral parts of the main storyline. Therefore, watching the movies is not essential unless you are a devoted fan of Bleach seeking additional content and experiences within the universe.

Do I need to read the Bleach manga before watching the Bleach anime?

The Bleach anime series is based on the manga, but the extent to which it remains faithful to the source material is subjective and dependent on the viewer’s perspective. Certain discrepancies can be observed between the manga and the anime, particularly in specific episodes of the sequel series, The Thousand-Year Blood War. However, it is important to note that reading the manga is not a prerequisite for enjoying and comprehending the storyline presented in the anime.

Do I need to watch Bleach before The Thousand Year Blood War?

To fully grasp the plot and understand the characters in The Thousand-Year Blood War, it is advisable to watch the preceding seasons of Bleach. As this sequel series directly continues from where the previous installment left off, it is essential for viewers to have prior knowledge of the events and characters established in earlier seasons. Failing to do so may result in confusion regarding the storyline and the individuals involved. Therefore, it is recommended to watch the other seasons of Bleach before delving into The Thousand Year Blood War.