Like a long running anime Bleach it will have some “meh” episodes, a lot of filler episodes, and some episodes that no true fan would dare skip. All shonen “big three” have their classic episodes that contain the best action, the most brilliant plot twists, and the most heartbreaking drama, and help define these anime. Bleach it has its share of 400 episodes and then some, including original anime as well as brand new releases Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War.
The most devoted Bleach fans would name many of the episodes as their favorites, and for good reason. The best and must-see episodes of this anime are stellar examples of what it does Bleach an enlightened legend with iconic plot twists and clever tweaks or even significant moments for a character's personal arc. The best episodes together feel like 10/10 pieces of adventure that they all showcase Bleach's many strong as a shonen adventure.
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Season 3 Episode 18: “Death Match Conclusion! White Pride and Black Desire”
Ichigo's duel with Byakuya Kuchiki reaches its climax on Sokyoku Hill
as a whole, Bleach The fandom simply adores the Soul Society Arc as the highlight of the anime. While the other arcs also have a lot to offer, the Soul Society Arc remains definitive Bleach an experience that boasts many of the show's best moments. From Uryu's confrontation with Mayuri to Toshiro's investigation to Ichigo's bankai training, fans hardly know where to begin. If fans had to pick just a few can't-miss episodes, Season 3 Episode 18 is one of them. This episode features a climactic showdown between Ichigo and Byakuya, a duel with several major twists.
It's not enough for Ichigo Kurosaki to grow strong enough to defeat his enemy because there's more on the line than there should be. Ichigo also fights for principles, saying that family ties should be more important to Byakuya than the letter of the law. Ichigo fights so hard to show his Soul Reaper opponent a better way of thinking and eventually Ichigo gets to him. Another fun twist is Ichigo struggling with his inner hollow, which saved Ichigo from trouble while also promising to be a juicy new plot thread to be explored in future installments.
Season 3, Episode 21: “Gather! A Group of the Strongest Shinigami”
Captain Aizen defies all of Soul Society to pursue his dark dream
Bleach wowed viewers with not one but two major climaxes that served as payoffs in the Soul Society Arc. Fans knew that Ichigo would face off against his cold-blooded rival Byakuya Kuchiki, but what they probably didn't expect was that Ichigo and the other heroes would also face Captain Sosuke Aizen. Aizen's betrayal arc was the real highlight of this arc, with the seemingly gentle captain faking his death before re-emerging as a monster. No sooner had the dust settled on Ichigo's match with Byakuya than Aizen moved, making it clear the fun wasn't over yet.
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This episode went wrong Bleach cheering on Aizen's unstoppable rampage as he shrugs off the hero's every effort to stop him. Byakuya had already felt like a threat in earlier episodes, but Aizen felt like a whole new kind of boss battle, a smug schemer who was already two steps ahead and not afraid of anything. Aizen's betrayal and escape also created new, even greater stakes Bleach's heroes as he announced his intentions to become a new deity of sorts, all on the side of the Hollows to gain a forbidden power. This pushed the limit of what was possible Bleach's world and viewers couldn't wait to see where the plot would take them next.
Season 8, Episode 15: “Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! Hollowfied Ichigo”
Ichigo and Grimmjow's rivalry comes to a head in Las Noches
The Arrancar saga is home to countless must-see battles and plot twists Bleachfrom Ichigo mastering his inner hollow to Ichigo's desperate fight against Ulquiorra and Aizen. One example is Ichigo's grudge match against Grimmjow, his sworn rival among the Espadas. What made this fight special was how Ichigo and Grimmjow felt like true equals and mirrors of each other, even though Ichigo denied it at first. In a bloody and strange way, Grimmjow showed Ichigo a favor by bringing out this side of him and forcing Ichigo to become the warrior he was always meant to be.
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The best episode of this showdown was episode 8, episode 15, which was the main theme of this rivalry. Ichigo and Grimmjow went all out as they pushed each other to get stronger and the tension made Grimmjow start to get ahead. Ichigo's courage was tested like never before as he fought to control himself and the battle, which brought him relief when he landed a big blow against Grimmjow at the end of the episode. It was a stellar example of Ichigo stepping up in moments of danger and turning things around at the last possible second.
Season 17, Episode 6: “The Fire”
Yamamoto unleashes hell in his grudge match against the fake Yhwach
BleachThe new anime and new arc are full of breathtaking moments that no fan should miss. One is the grim rematch between Yamamoto and Yhwach, as seen in “The Fire.” Other episodes have shown the elder Yamamoto unleashing his shikai or even fighting with his bare hands against his enemies, but it was time for Yamamoto to go 100%. Yamamoto's bankai, Zanka no Tachi, defined “Fire” as Yamamoto demonstrated a power that made him ashamed of his brutal self.
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There's more to it though, as “The Fire” gets involved. Bleach's themes of dangerous complacency and empty power. At that moment, the entire Gotei 13 were too used to peace and victory, making them vulnerable to Quincy's attack on Soul Society. Yamamoto was too stuck in his ways to train or develop like the younger shonen heroes, thus his victory in “The Fire” proved hollow. Also, Bleach he often argues that just being strong isn't enough to change the world or bring happiness, a lesson Yamamoto learned along with Grimmjow, Baraggan, and others.
Season 17, Episode 20: “I Am the Edge”
Kenpachi's Shikai and willpower are too great for Gremmy to overcome
Unlike the dazzling episode “The Fire”, the later episode “I Am the Edge” is all about pushing your own predetermined limits no matter what. BleachThe 's characters don't say “Plus Ultra” like Deku My Hero Academiabut it still captures the spirit of what even the strongest Soul Reapers were doing at this time. Kenpachi got used to his incredible strength and endurance, but eventually hit a wall and agreed to train to finally learn his zanpakuto name.
This late feat gave Kenpachi the advantage he needed to defeat Sternritter V, Gremmy Thoumeax, but that was just the beginning. Just like the rest BleachThe unmissable episodes of “I Am the Edge” don't settle for cool, flashy action. It also means something to the character's emotions and philosophies, with Kenpachi honoring Yachiru's demise with a new level of power. Kenpachi also proved that everyone has the potential to be more, with each platform just being a lie to itself. Kenpachi further proved that sheer willpower and self-belief was better than the cocky imagination of a villain like Gremmy, who was too cocky to imagine someone who could overpower him.
Season 7, Episode 38: “The Friend”
Bazz-B and Jugram have a long history together in Yhwach's Quincy Empire
Oddly enough, one of the BleachThe best episodes had nothing to do with Ichigo Kurosaki's team of heroes or the Soul Reapers. “Friend” was a real treat as it finally humanized the Sternritter and added some personal angles to the Quincy realm. Most of the Sternritters are really just vehicles for the action, which is unbelievable in an anime like this Bleachbut there are exceptions. Once again, the character learns that just being strong isn't enough, with young Bazz-B furious and confused as to why Yhwach chose the “weak” Jugram Haschwalth over him.
Bazz-B was only strong while Jugram had real potential as a leader and distributor of Quincy power. Jugram grew into this role while Bazz-B had to settle for his Sternritter membership, and it made him bitter. Bleach fans were challenged to decide whether Bazz-B was a victim of his circumstances, lashing out at Jugram and Yhwach for compassionate reasons, or whether Bazz-B was just a brash bully who didn't understand his own limits. Either way, it was wonderfully tragic to see these Quincy friends face to face, and after Jugram coldly ended Bazz-B, fans were left wondering if Jugram was really the cold or if he secretly regretted it all. In this way, Jugram felt like another Byakuya Kuchiki.
Bleach
- Release date
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2004 – 2012-00-00
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
- Showrunner
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Tite Kubo
- directors
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Mitsutaka Noshitani, Junya Koshida, Hodaka Kuramoto, Yasuto Nishikata, Hiroaki Nishimura, Kazunori Mizuno, Akira Shimizu, Rokou Ogiwara, Kazunobu Shimizu, Akane Inoue, Hikaru Murata, Tomoko Hiramuki, Hatakeyama Shimiki, Tatakeyama, Egami, Nogami Nishi, Takushi Kimura, Koji Aritomi, Ogura Shirakawa, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yukio Okazaki, Mitsue Yamazaki, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Eitarou Yes
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Masakazu Morita
Ichigo Kurosaki (voice)
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Fumiko Orikasa
Rukia Kuchiki