Bleach is divided into 13 arcs, of which 8 are canon and 5 are filler. Throughout the anime, approximately 24 main villains or antagonists have appeared.
The longest arc in the anime is the Fake Karakura Town arc, spanning 57 episodes. It is split into two parts: the first part covers episodes 215 to 226. Afterward, filler arcs, Zanpakutō Unknown Tales and Beast Swords, aired. The second part resumes the main story from episodes 266 to 310.
The best arc is the Soul Society arc, known for being one of the most exciting, as it introduces the Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13. This arc is filled with action, excellent character development, and thrilling battles, such as Ichigo vs. Byakuya.
List of Bleach Arcs
The anime was divided into two parts. The first part, titled Bleach, consists of 366 episodes and adapts up to chapter 479 of the manga. The second part, BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, currently has 26 episodes but will feature more, as it adapts from chapter 480 of the manga to the conclusion at chapter 686.
| Arcs | Anime | Manga | Summary | Villains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agent of the Shinigami arc |
Episodes 1-20 | Chapters 1-70 | The story begins when Rukia, injured by a Hollow, transfers her Shinigami powers to Ichigo, allowing him to protect his family. Ichigo agrees to defend Karakura Town from Hollows while Rukia recovers. As his friends develop spiritual abilities, Ichigo scars a Menos Grande during a duel with Uryū. This prompts Byakuya and Renji to arrive from Soul Society to capture Rukia. Ichigo loses his powers in the process but undergoes intense training with Kisuke Urahara before entering Soul Society to rescue Rukia. |   Grand Fisher, Renji Abarai |
Soul Society arc |
Episodes 21-63 | Chapters 71-182 | The conflict begins when the Ryoka enter Rukongai and, after being blocked at one of Seireitei's gates, seek help from Kūkaku Shiba, who launches them into the Seireitei. Split apart, Ichigo and his friends fight their way toward Rukia. Several captains are defeated, and the Gotei 13 is fractured after 5th Division Captain Aizen is found seemingly dead. The conflict culminates on the day of Rukia's execution, when Ichigo rescues her and defeats Byakuya. Aizen, revealed to be alive and the mastermind, escapes to Hueco Mundo with Gin and Tōsen, setting the stage for a greater conflict. |   Zaraki-Kenpachi, Byakuya Kuchiki |
The Bount arc |
Episodes 64-109 | Chapters N/A | The conflict begins when Ichigo and his friends, after rescuing Rukia, return to school and are confronted by three Modified Souls, forcing them into games where their friends are held hostage. They later learn Kisuke Urahara orchestrated this to prepare them for a new threat: the Bount. The Bount kidnap Uryū, and after Ichigo's failed rescue, Kariya creates the Bitto, draining souls to empower the Bount. After entering Soul Society, the Bount are ultimately outmatched and killed by the Gotei 13 captains. Ichigo defeats Kariya, preventing the destruction of Soul Society. |  Ginjo Kariya |
The Arrancar arc |
Episodes 110-143 | Chapters 183-241 | The conflict begins when Ichigo and his friends return to Karakura Town, only to be confronted by Shinji Hirako, who invites Ichigo to join the Visored. Meanwhile, incomplete Arrancar, including Grand Fisher and Menos Grande, attack, leading to Isshin Kurosaki revealing himself as a powerful Shinigami and Ryūken Ishida as the true Last Quincy. Soon after, completed Arrancar Ulquiorra and Yammy attack, severely injuring Ichigo and his friends until Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi intervene. The Gotei 13 sends help, but Grimmjow's assault forces Ichigo into another losing battle, prompting him to seek help from the Visored to control Zangetsu. The conflict escalates when Ulquiorra leads a third invasion as a distraction to corner Orihime, forcing her to join the Arrancar to save her friends. Despite Ichigo proving Orihime is alive, Captain-Commander Yamamoto forbids her rescue, believing she betrayed them. With Urahara's assistance, Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū secretly enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime. |
 Grimmjow-Jaegerjaques |
The Hueco Mundo arc Part 1 |
Episodes 144-167 | Chapters 241-286 | Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū infiltrate Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime, encountering various Arrancar opponents and displaying new abilities. Alongside allies like Renji and Rukia, they face challenges from powerful enemies, including Privaron Espada Dordoni and Ulquiorra. Nel, an Arrancar child, and her companions aid them. As Ichigo battles Grimmjow in a fierce showdown, Orihime's fear of Ichigo's Hollow form is overcome. After defeating Grimmjow, Ichigo prepares to rescue Orihime, while tensions rise between Aizen’s Espada and the intruders. Ulquiorra remains a looming threat, and Orihime secretly plots to destroy the Hōgyoku. |   Aaroniero Arruruerie, Szayel Aporro Granz, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques |
The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc |
Episodes 168-189 | N/A | The conflict began with two arrivals, that of Amagai in Seireitei and of Rurichiyo Kasumiōji in the Human World. Amagai, after serving many years in the Patrol Corps, is promoted to the vacant position of Captain of the Third Division. No one is aware that he is not who he seems. In the Human world, the Kasumiōji princess, Rurichiyo, arrives in order to hide from many assassins who are after her life. Once there, she meets Ichigo Kurosaki and friends. The conflict ended after Amagai was defeated by Ichigo, whereupon he was told of the truth of his father's death. Ashamed at what he has done, Amagai turns to suicide and apologizes for what he has done before being consumed by his own flames. |
 Shusuke Amagai |
Hueco Mundo arc Part 2 |
Episodes 190-203 | Chapters 286-315 | After defeating Grimmjow, Ichigo prepares to leave Las Noches with Orihime, but they are interrupted by Nnoitra, the Quinto Espada, who swiftly incapacitates the weakened Grimmjow. Despite Ichigo’s protests, Nnoitra insists on fighting him, and soon overpowers Ichigo. Orihime is recaptured, and Ichigo finds himself struggling as his energy dwindles. In the midst of the fight, Nel Tu reverts to her original form as Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, a former Espada, and steps in to protect Ichigo. As Nelliel and Nnoitra engage in battle, her superior strength starts to overwhelm him. However, due to her sudden transformation back into a child, the tide turns in Nnoitra’s favor. Before Ichigo can be finished off, Kenpachi Zaraki arrives to challenge Nnoitra, setting up a new fierce confrontation. Meanwhile, Uryū, Renji, and others face their respective battles in Las Noches against formidable opponents like Szayelaporro, with new allies such as Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi stepping in to aid them. |  Nnoitra-Gilga, Szayel Aporro Granz |
Turn Back The Pendulum arc |
Episodes 206-212 | Chapters -108--97 | The "Turn Back the Pendulum" arc reveals the Gotei 13 as it appeared a century before the main series events. It explores the origins of the Visored, detailing their transformation and the roles played by Kisuke Urahara and Sōsuke Aizen in their emergence. This arc provides crucial backstory on the Shinigami's past and the significant events leading up to the current storyline, offering insights into the characters' histories and the dynamics of their relationships. |  Aizen |
The Fake Karakura Town arc |
Episodes 215- 226 | Chapters 316-340 | Aizen departs Las Noches with Gin, Tōsen, and the top three Espada—Starrk, Baraggan, and Harribel—to attack the fake Karakura Town, leaving Ulquiorra in charge. Captain-Commander Yamamoto traps Aizen's group with Jōkaku Enjō, allowing the Gotei 13 to focus on fighting the Espada. Baraggan’s Fracción attack the pillars maintaining the real Karakura Town in Soul Society, but they are defeated by Kira, Hisagi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. Komamura steps in to defeat Poww, who overpowers Ikkaku. Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda fight Baraggan’s remaining Fracción, eventually defeating Ggio and Nirgge. Hitsugaya engages Harribel, while Ukitake and Kyōraku face off against Starrk. Meanwhile, Yamamoto incinerates Ayon, Harribel's Fracción, and steps in to protect the Shinigami. With the Fracción gone, the true battle against the top three Espada begins, revealing their ranks as Starrk (#1), Baraggan (#2), and Harribel (#3). | - |
Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc |
Episodes 230-255 | N/A | The Zanpakutō Rebellion begins when Muramasa, a Zanpakutō spirit, frees other Zanpakutō from their Shinigami masters, claiming to liberate them but secretly aiming to free his master, Kōga Kuchiki, who had been sealed away. As Muramasa cuts off the Shinigami's connection to their Zanpakutō, chaos erupts, leading to a battle at Sōkyoku Hill. The rebellion ends when Ichigo Kurosaki confronts and defeats Muramasa inside a dome he creates, freeing the remaining Zanpakutō spirits and restoring order to the Seireitei. |  Muramasa |
Beast Swords arc |
Episodes 256-265 | N/A | The Tōjū Campaign begins after Muramasa’s Rebellion, with berserk Zanpakutō Spirits called Tōjū running rampant in the Seireitei, constantly in a Bankai state. Released due to Muramasa’s powers, the Tōjū, including Kirikaze, threatened peace by absorbing Reiryoku. The campaign started when Byakuya Kuchiki hosted a celebration where Rukia encountered the first Tōjū. The Shinigami progressively hunted them down. The event ends with Kirikaze's defeat by the Shinigami and their Zanpakutō spirits, restoring peace to the Seireitei. |  Kirikaze |
The Fake Karakura Town arc Part 2 |
Episodes 266-310 | Chapters 339-423 | The Shinigami captains face intense battles against their enemies. Harribel activates her Resurrección, Tiburón, severely injuring Hitsugaya. He reveals he used an ice clone to protect himself. Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng battles Baraggan, whose aging ability hampers her movements. Baraggan's Resurrección, Arrogante, deteriorates Suì-Fēng's left arm, forcing Marechiyo to amputate it. While Marechiyo distracts Baraggan, Suì-Fēng devises a plan. Hitsugaya uses Hyōten Hyakkasō to encase Harribel in ice. As Marechiyo continues to stall Baraggan, Suì-Fēng activates her Bankai, Jakuhō Raikōben, successfully hitting Baraggan. Starrk, fighting Shunsui, merges with Lilynette and activates his Resurrección, Los Lobos, overpowering his opponents. A Garganta opens, bringing Wonderweiss and Hooleer into the fray. Wonderweiss stabs Ukitake, and Starrk's Cero defeats Shunsui. Wonderweiss then destroys Harribel's ice prison, freeing her. Aizen, Gin, and Kaname emerge, and the Visored join the battle, donning their Hollow masks. Shinji Hirako and the others fight fiercely, with Shinji confronting Aizen and Kaname. Komamura and Hisagi battle Kaname, who reveals his Resurrección and overwhelms them. Aizen reveals his mastery of the Hōgyoku, and Ichigo arrives to confront him. The battle escalates with intense confrontations, leading to Aizen's final transformation with the Hōgyoku, and Gin's departure with Aizen to the Real Karakura Town. |
     Ulquiorra Cifer, Tier Harribel, Coyote Stark, Baraggan Louisenbairn, Sosuke Aizen |
Gotei 13 Invading Army arc |
Episodes 317-342 | N/A | Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya reports to Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake about the cleansing around Karakura Town after its transfer to Soul Society, mentioning Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto's negligence. In the Human World, Rangiku and Lieutenant Nanao Ise complete the cleansing but go missing in the Dangai. Despite being unreachable, they later reappear claiming only three hours have passed. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Rukia encounter mysterious occurrences, including a girl found by Kon, while Soul Society investigates the Dangai disturbances. Captain-Commander Yamamoto orders a study led by Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi to resolve the temporal anomaly between Soul Society and the Human World. However, during the investigation, the situation worsens, leading to an emergency. Ichigo, struggling with his waning powers, contemplates returning to Soul Society, where his arrival triggers further complications, resulting in his arrest as a material witness. |  Kageroza |
The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc |
Episodes 343-366 | Chapters 424-479 | The Tale of the Lost Agent follows Ichigo Kurosaki seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, now without spiritual powers or awareness. After Uryū Ishida is attacked, Ichigo decides to regain his Shinigami abilities. To do so, he seeks the help of the Fullbringers, a group known as Xcution, who offer to restore his powers in exchange for his assistance in their own struggles. This sets the stage for Ichigo’s journey to regain his strength. |   Kugo Ginjo, Shukuro Tsukishima |
Thousand-Year Blood War arc |
Episodes 367-392 | Chapters 480-609 | The Quincy Blood War, occurring 19 months after Aizen's defeat, pits the Gotei 13 against the Wandenreich. The war begins with mysterious events in the Human World and Rukongai, followed by Yhwach's invasion of the Seireitei, leading to Captain-Commander Yamamoto's death. After retreating, the Wandenreich prepares for another attack, with Uryū Ishida becoming Yhwach's successor. Ultimately, Ichigo and his allies confront Yhwach, defeat him, and restore peace, ending the conflict and stabilizing the realms for the next decade. |  Yhwach |