   sign up

log in

Halex
 Follow

473 Followers

 USA 310 Following

 Joined Aug 18, 2013

? / M

ANIME MANGA RECOMMENDATIONS REVIEWS I I LISTS CHALLENGES FORUM FEED BADGES

 

SORT
Numerical  

Bleach - Watching Guide

Once considered one of "The Big Three" along with One Piece &  39 people
Naruto, it was the first of the 3 to drop out, but still leave it's
mark on the anime industry.

1 Bleach 

Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach is a great anime (just ask Gin LoL), it has

something for everyone: the supernatural, comedy, action and a little bit of
romance, with the right balance of seriousness and comedy. There are several
moral parables throughout the story, and it presents interesting ideas about
living your life with a fulfilled soul.

However, I'm talking about Bleach without Fillers, as most of the criticism of this
anime is toward them. It is really a different experience to see it without Filler
episodes that often create plot inconsistencies and lower the quality of the main
story, fillers disrupt the pacing and even spoil some events to come. Therefore I
created this guide to watch this anime without fillers, and then you can go back
to see them if you are still interested (Although I can only recommend the
Zanpakutō Filler Arc). You won't lose anything important in the story, as the filler
arcs are self-contained, and happen in its own timeline.

Filler List Source: https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/bleach

Watch Episodes 1-32 - The Substitute & Soul Society Arcs

Skip Filler Episode 33
Watch Episodes 34-49
Skip Filler Episode 50
Watch Episodes 51-63
Skip Filler Episodes 64-109 - The Bount & The Assault Arcs - Here is where
the excessive fillers start, creating lots of inconsistencies and leaving you to
 wonder if the creators watch the show they are writing? Lol.

  Watch Episodes 110-127 - The Arrancar  sign up

log in
Skip Filler Episodes 128-137
Watch Episodes 138-146 - The Arrancar Part 2: The Hueco Mundo Sneak
Entry
Watch Filler Episodes 147-149 - Ashido Kanō Mini-Arc - 'Although
episodes focused on the character Ashido Kanō were not featured in the
manga due to timing issues, Kubo still helped the anime staff to show them
in the anime' -Wikipedia. It's best to watch these fillers for the continuation
of the story; they are quite interesting in the plot and show the
underground of Hueco Mundo.
Watch Episodes 150-167 - The Arrancar Part 3: The Fierce Fight
Skip Filler Episodes 168-189 - The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai
Watch Episodes 190-203 - The Arrancar Part 4: Arrancar vs. Shinigami
Skip Filler Episodes 204-205
Watch Episodes 206-212 - The Past
Skip Filler Episodes 213-214
Watch Episodes 215-226 - The Arrancar Part 5: Battle in Karakura - This
arc is not so good, in part due to having some filler mixed in between the
fights, so skip as needed. You won't be missing anything important if you
skip within the episodes or even a few episodes as the main fights start
around episode 225.
Skip Filler Episodes 227-229
Skip Filler Episodes 230-255 - Zanpakutō: The Alternate Tale - This arc,
although filler, it is quite entertaining with an interesting plot, probably the
only filler arc worth watching, although I recommend watching at the end
of the series, so you don't stop the pacing of the main story. It can fit
anywhere in the timeline. It does break apart some of the notions of how
this world works regarding the Zanpakutō.
Skip Filler Episodes 256-266 - Continuation of the Zanpakutō: The
Alternate Tale Arc. These are worthless episodes after the main filler story.
I guess they just needed more time before they continued with the canon.
Watch Episodes 267-283 - The Arrancar Part 6: Fall of the Espada - This is
basically the end of the main story and the part that was more convoluted
with filler episodes breaking down the pacing of the story.
Skip Filler Episode 284
Watch Episodes 285-286
Skip Filler Episode 287
Watch Episodes 288-297
Skip Filler Episodes 298-299
Watch Episodes 300-302
Skip Filler Episodes 303-305
Watch Episodes 306-310
Skip Filler Episodes 311-342 - Gotei 13 Invading Army (The Arc Starts at
Episode 317)
Watch Episodes 343-346 - The Lost Agent (Fullbring)
Watch Filler Episode 347 - Although it is marked as filler, is best to watch it
for the continuation of the story and it gives more depth to Ichigo's
decision.
Watch Episodes 348-350
Skip Filler Episode 351
Watch Episodes 352-354
Skip Filler Episode 355
Watch Episode 356
Watch Filler Episode 357 - Another filler that is best to watch for continuity
of the story.
Watch Episodes 358-366

Why Watch Bleach?

Despite this being primarily an action show, there is a lot more depth to the
story, especially when you start to consider the rules that govern the worlds you
are presented. First, it will be wrong to think of Soul Society & Hueco Mundo as
Heaven & Hell, because they are different from those interpretations; instead,
the author presents us with new concepts for the soul.
 For example, a Hollow is an 'incomplete' soul, and they are missing something

   sign up
log in
important, marked by their hole in their body. They devour souls in order to try to
fill that hole, they even devour other hollows, but being eaten by another hollow
does not necessarily mean the end, because the soul with more will to survive
can take over the consciousness of the body (in a way is the soul that values life
the most the one that wins over the body), this process can go on for centuries
and as the different souls in the hollow merge they evolve into more powerful
hollows, sometimes changing their personality, sometimes one personality takes
over the rest. They continue this cycle until they finally become a Vasto Lorde,
where they gain more intelligence, you could say that they become a more
complete soul, but they still carry over their 'hole', their missing part and they
are still unable to find fulfillment. It seems impossible to keep evolving past that
point without the help of something, so they are stuck in that state. But for you
as the viewer of their story, it becomes clear what that hole is and what they
have to do to fill it, but for them is invisible, something that they cannot see by
themselves and this becomes their own personal hell which they cannot escape,
their burden, but they keep living despite all that. As you get to know their
backstories, you get to see a lot of them are not pure evil, but rather tortured
souls.

The Soul Reapers, on the other hand, are a 'fulfilled' soul, so much in fact that a
part of their souls manifest into a sword, which they use to fight. They literally
fight with their own soul in their hands. However, don't expect them to have a
happy, easy life or behave like angels; it's more like a different path a soul can
take afterlife. I won't go over on this to avoid spoilers.

The middle part of the story presents us with an interesting hypothesis, is it

possible for Soul Reapers to become Hollows? Is it possible for Hollows to
become more like a Soul Reaper? And the implications of these questions are
quite interesting and full of metaphors for our own lives, but I rather have you
make your own interpretations from the story.

Add to this that the fights are not just action, but often contrasting ideologies.
There is also a right balance of romance and comedy through the story.

I encourage you to watch at least to episode 9 to decide if you should keep

watching.

Anime Movies:

All movies are a filler, an extra mission. I recommend watching them after the
series to not interrupt the pacing of the main story and to avoid any spoilers. All
movies also expect you to know the series as they don't explain anything of how
their world works nor introduce the characters.

Live-Action Movie:

I watched like 10 minutes before I drop it. It's another lame adaptation of an
anime, they made an effort with the special effects (although they are low
budget), but the acting is just too cheesy.

The dub is excellent! Although some parts are better translated in the subs.

2 Bleach: Memories in the Rain 

Optional.
 'This special, shown in Japan at the Jump Festa 2004 Anime Tour, is a pilot

   sign up
log in
episode for the series. It focuses more on Ichigo's feelings regarding his mother's
death. Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, voices Kon in this special instead
of Mitsuaki Madono, the original voice actor of Kon. The closing theme used for
the episode is 'Memories in the Rain' by Morita Masakazu, the voice actor of
Ichigo Kurosaki, and Orikasa Fumiko, the voice actress of Rukia Kuchiki.' -
WikiPedia

This is an alternative version of Episodes 8 & 9, it doesn't add anything new.

3 Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy 

Skip. It's a standalone story and it's average at best.

'This special, shown in Japan at the Jump Festa 2005 Anime Tour, is set after the
events of Season Three (After Episode 63)...' -WikiPedia

4 Bleach Movie 1: Memories of Nobody 

Optional. Although I recommend you give it a try.

Chronologically, fits best between episode 109 & 110.

This is a good movie for fans of the series, although is an extra filler mission is
still better than average, presenting an interesting concept, although the plot is
fairly predictable.

'This is the first Bleach movie and I must say it ended up being better than I
expected. As far as movies go, you can of course expect far better production
values and flashier battles. Yet it has something more than just an excuse for a
parade of special attacks. It is by all means nothing more than a filler mission
but it had a metaphysical aspect that went beyond the simple plot of “Let’s save
Soul Society for the millionth time”.' -roriconfan

Do note that this movie expects you to have watched at least the first part of
the series, otherwise you won't understand a thing.

The dub is great.

5 Bleach Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion 

Optional. This movie is average at best.

Chronologically fits best after Episode 125.

Another extra filler mission, this time focusing on Toshiro's past, as it relates to

the current mission. Unfortunately, the whole premise is based on something
that can only happen in the filler as it breaks apart the way things work in the
canon, so it ends up being just an ok story that tries too hard to create drama.

'The story isn't the most original story you'll see, as it follows the theme of
revenge based off of a grudge from the past. Said revenge will be executed by
obliterating everything. So there's nothing special in that department.' -Komirai

The dub is good.

6 Bleach Movie 3: Fade to Black 

 Optional.

   sign up
log in
This movie is slightly below average.

Chronologically fits best after Episode 125.

'Sadly, Fade to Black suffers from one of the same pitfalls as the series. It starts
out with an interesting premise that then fizzles away. In this case, I found the
whole concept of erasing all recollections of one particular person, thus wiping
out her existence, intriguing, not because of the actual memory loss but because
of its repercussions. The idea that, if Rukia hadn’t existed, none of the shinigami
would have met Ichigo is captivating, though I must admit that the saccharine
explanation about memories being linked through strong bonds had me
reaching for the sick bag on occasion.

Also, in true Bleach fashion, Fade to Black likes to dig its own little plot holes.

For instance, if Ichigo never meets Rukia, he’d never encounter Kon.' -
cassiesheepgirl

The dub is good.

7 Bleach Movie 4: Hell Verse 

Skip. This movie is below average. The best part of the movie is the first 3
minutes that recaps the fight with Ulquiorra with excellent animation and non-
stop action.

Chronologically fits best after Episode 299.

'I must say this movie had by far the least amount of context. While the other
three had some sparks of drama by focusing on a secondary character, over
here we get squat. The main villain tries to offer some sort of drama over his
grim existence in hell but who cares; he is a generic Big Bad for the sake of
having something to fight. Plus it was as I described nothing more but a
collection of scenes from the series, thus not even the plot was anything new. So
ok, they showed how hell looks like and gave Ichigo his SSJ4 form, all of which
will most likely be rendered useless when the main story will ACTUALLY have to
be about hell.' -roriconfan

'Plot…plot…what’s that again? Oh, that’s right. Lots of explosions and blood and
flashy fight scenes. If that’s the case, then this movie had an outstanding plot,
one of the best I’ve ever seen.Okay, I’ll stop with the sarcasm. There was almost
no plot to speak of, whatsoever. I can’t believe Kubo admitted he wrote the story
for this movie.

Hell Verse embodies Bleach at its worst: no story or characterization, tons of

meaningless fights, horrible character designs, and plot holes galore. I wanted
to love this movie, but even being a diehard Bleach fanatic I could find nothing
to enjoy. I’m sorry to say it, but Hell Verse is one of the most disappointing
movies I’ve seen in a long time.' -Skygryphon

The dub is good.

8 Bleach: Gotei 13 Omake 

Skip, this is more like a trailer about the series.


9 Bleach: Jump Festa 2008 Special

   sign up
log in
Skip. It's just a series of short jokes, but not too funny.

Comments
2 comments Leave a comment

Halex
Jul 13, 2020

Watching Guides • More Anime Lists

Respond to Halex 
Follow

Misha01
Apr 12, 2020

Thanks for this, just recently started watching Bleach, didn’t really understand when
and where to watch the movies, this is clear and easy to understand.

Respond to Misha01 
Follow

Anime-Planet is run by fans, for fans

 S u p p o r t u s o n Pa t re o n

Learn about more ways to support Anime-Planet

    
     

   sign up
log in


Light Mode

Contact

About

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

© Anime-Planet, 2001-2021