What Happened to Bleach (Anime/Manga)?

The 'Bleach' phenomenon began with Tite Kubo's manga, which was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from August 7, 2001, to August 22, 2016, spanning 74 tankōbon volumes. The manga garnered immense popularity, selling over 130 million copies worldwide by 2022, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. An initial anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot aired from October 5, 2004, to March 27, 2012, concluding after 366 episodes. The original anime's conclusion was largely attributed to its increasing reliance on filler arcs and declining viewership, as it began to catch up too closely with the ongoing manga.

Following the manga's conclusion in 2016, fans eagerly awaited an anime adaptation of its final and most epic arc, 'Thousand-Year Blood War' (TYBW). This long-anticipated return was officially announced in March 2020, generating immense excitement. The 'Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War' anime premiered on October 11, 2022, with Studio Pierrot once again at the helm, promising a faithful and enhanced adaptation of the manga's climactic battles. The series was structured into four cours (parts) with breaks in between. Part 1, 'The Blood Warfare,' aired from October to December 2022. Part 2, 'The Separation,' followed from July to September 2023. Part 3, 'The Conflict,' was broadcast from October to December 2024.

The franchise continued its strong comeback into 2026. The fourth and final part of the 'Thousand-Year Blood War' anime, subtitled 'The Calamity,' officially premiered on July 25, 2026, consisting of 10 episodes. This final cour is streaming on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally. Notably, Tite Kubo confirmed that 'The Calamity' would include even more original material than previous parts, expanding on the manga's final battles. Ahead of its television premiere, the first three episodes of 'The Calamity' were screened in US theaters from June 25-29, 2026. As of August 8, 2026, 'The Calamity' is actively airing, with Episode 3 scheduled for release today.

Beyond the anime, the 'Bleach' universe continues to expand. In August 2021, a new one-shot chapter titled 'No Breaths From Hell' (often referred to as the 'Hell Arc') was released to celebrate the manga's 20th anniversary, ending on a cliffhanger. This one-shot sparked widespread speculation about a full 'Hell Arc' manga serialization. Recent rumors in June and July 2026 suggest that the 'Hell Arc' manga could begin serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in August 2026, potentially filling a slot left by another ending series and coinciding with Bleach's 25th manga anniversary. The mobile game 'Bleach: Brave Souls' also celebrated its 11th anniversary in July 2026 with new content and updates. The 25th anniversary of the manga in August 2026 is also being celebrated with a new art book, 'Bleach: JET,' and a 'Bleach Exhibition' planned for Japan in 2027. The franchise's enduring popularity and ongoing projects demonstrate its significant cultural impact and continued relevance in the entertainment landscape.