Bleach (TV series)

Plot

The television adaptation of Tite Kubo's manga follows the main storyline while also weaving in original arcs not found in the comics. The story begins in Karakura Town, where teenager Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a substitute Soul Reaper after Rukia Kuchiki risks her life to shield him from a Hollow that attacks his twin younger sisters. Though he is hesitant at first, Ichigo takes over her duties. During this time, he and Rukia learn that several of his classmates are spiritually aware and possess unique abilities: Uryū Ishida, a Quincy survivor, manipulates spiritual particles; Orihime Inoue commands a set of protective spirits known as Shun Shun Rikka; and Yasutora Sado, nicknamed Chad, wields immense strength equal to that of Hollows, encased in his arm.

When Rukia is condemned to death for her actions in the human world and taken to the Soul Society, Ichigo meets two exiled Soul Reapers, Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin. They help him and his friends mount a rescue mission. After saving Rukia, it comes to light that former squad captain Sousuke Aizen framed her for the crime.

Aizen has been conducting illegal experiments on Soul Reapers and Hollows, aiming to conquer the Soul Society using the Hōgyoku, a legendary artifact that can transform Hollows into half-Soul Reapers. After faking his own death and engaging in a battle with several opponents, Aizen flees to Hueco Mundo, the realm of Hollows. He later kidnaps Orihime because her powers are essential for creating the Oken, a force that would let him kill the Soul King, the ruler of the Soul Society.

Release

Bleach first aired in Japan on TV Tokyo on October 5, 2004. Noriyuki Abe directed the series, which was a collaboration between TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and studio Pierrot. The show ran for 366 episodes, concluding on March 27, 2012. In Japan, Aniplex put out 88 DVD compilations between February 2, 2005, and January 23, 2013.

Viz Media secured the rights for foreign television, home video, and merchandising from TV Tokyo Corporation and Shueisha on March 15, 2006. Viz later sub-licensed individual merchandising rights to various companies. In North America, the series debuted on Canada’s YTV within the Bionix block on September 9, 2006.

The next day, Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim started airing it in the United States. Adult Swim paused the English adaptation on October 13, 2007, after only 52 episodes, swapping it for another Viz title, Death Note, to give Studiopolis more time to dub further episodes. The show returned on March 2, 2008, but went on another hiatus on November 21, 2009, following the 167th episode.

It came back with fresh episodes on August 28, 2010, taking over the slot from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. When Adult Swim relaunched its Toonami block on May 27, 2012, Bleach joined the lineup. The series finished its run on November 2, 2014, and reruns continued until February 1, 2015.

Viz released the first 135 episodes of the English adaptation across 32 DVD compilations from November 28, 2006, to September 21, 2010. They also put out the entire series in 26 box sets between October 6, 2008, and September 29, 2015. In July 2016, Viz announced uncut Blu-ray box sets. All 366 episodes were collected in thirteen sets, released from July 19, 2016, to December 7, 2021.

In the United Kingdom, Bleach premiered on AnimeCentral on September 13, 2007, with weekly episodes. Anime Limited began releasing the series on Blu-ray in the UK on November 4, 2024. The English dub debuted on Animax Asia on December 18, 2009, with the first 52 episodes; a second season premiered on March 18, 2011, this time featuring the original Japanese audio with English subtitles.

Other media

Noriyuki Abe directed all four animated films based on the Bleach manga. Unlike most anime movies, where the original creator has minimal involvement, Tite Kubo designed original characters and plots for these films. The first, Bleach: Memories of Nobody, came out in Japan on December 16, 2006, and saw a limited North American release in June 2008.

The second film, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, followed on December 22, 2007. The third, Bleach: Fade to Black, arrived on December 13, 2008. The fourth and final film, Bleach: Hell Verse, was released on December 4, 2010.

In March 2010, Warner Bros. (outside Japan) confirmed talks for a live-action film adaptation. Peter Segal and Michael Ewing were set to produce. In 2012, Dan Mazeau joined as screenwriter, and Masi Oka came on as producer. A live-action film of the same name, produced by Warner Bros., directed by Shinsuke Sato, and starring Sota Fukushi, hit Japanese theaters on July 20, 2018.

Aniplex released thirteen drama CDs featuring the original voice cast, but these were only included as extras with DVD releases.

The anime’s popularity led to a series of rock musicals, co-produced by studio Pierrot and Nelke Planning. Five musicals covered parts of the Substitute and Soul Society arcs, plus three additional performances called “Live Bankai Shows” that did not follow the Bleach storyline. The first musical ran from August 17 to 28, 2005, at the Space Zero Tokyo center in Shinjuku.

Takuya Hiramitsu directed the musicals, with script adaptation by Naoshi Okumura and music by playwright Shoichi Tama. All songs were original, not taken from the anime soundtrack. Key actors included Tatsuya Isaka as Ichigo Kurosaki, Miki Sato as Rukia Kuchiki, and Eiji Moriyama as Renji Abarai.

Reception

The Bleach anime frequently ranked among the top ten programs in Japanese television ratings, and its DVD releases also performed well, regularly appearing on Japanese sales charts. In a 2005 TV Asahi internet poll, Japanese viewers placed it as the 27th most popular anime, rising to seventh place the following year. By February 2009, it was the ninth most-watched animated show on Hulu. Critics praised the series for its broad appeal.

Carlo Santos of Anime News Network called it an incredibly entertaining show that grips the viewer and does not let go. Maria Lin of Animefringe highlighted the varied, distinct characters and their handling of growing powers and responsibilities, also noting the series’ attention to detail, well-paced script, and balance of seriousness and comedy. She concluded that Bleach deserves its popularity because it offers something for everyone—supernatural elements, comedy, action, and a touch of romance—supported by excellent animation and energetic voice acting. Adam Arseneau of DVD Verdict described the series as one that only improves with age, surprisingly well-rounded and appealing, with strong character development and pacing.

Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime praised how the adaptation captures the original manga’s excitement, caustic humor, and supernatural intrigue, and noted that it builds on its continuity to create increasingly tense, layered episodes involving both main characters like Ichigo and Rukia and the supporting cast. She also commended the striking visual effects, intriguing plot, and brilliant blend of action and offbeat comedy. Don Houston of DVD Talk felt the characters surpassed typical anime stereotypes and appreciated the mix of darker material with comedic moments. Fellow reviewer John Sinnott observed that the series begins as a seemingly dull monster-of-the-week show but grows more epic as the stories develop and the characters become more fully realized.

Did You Know?

• Ichigo's Japanese voice actor, Masakazu Morita, tried to re-create the mood he felt when reading the manga and imagining the dialogue.
• The English voice actor for Ichigo, Johnny Yong Bosch, found pronouncing character names difficult and nearly passed out during a long screaming scene in episode 18.
• During the first 167 episodes the screen size was 4:3; episodes 168 through 366 were produced and broadcast in 16:9 widescreen.