You're not a true Bleach fan until you've seen these 10/10 episodes

Like a long running anime Bleach There are some “meh” episodes, a lot of filler episodes, and some episodes that no true fan would dare skip. The shonen “big three” all have their classic episodes with the best action, the best plot twists, and the most heartbreaking drama, and they help define these anime. Bleach 400 episodes later has its share and then some, including both the original anime and the shiny new one Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War.

most devoted Bleach Fans will name many episodes as their favorites, and for good reason. These are all great examples of what makes great, unmissable episodes of animation Bleach A shonen legend, iconic plot twists and nifty power-ups or even key moments for a character's personal arc. Together, many of the best episodes feel like 10/10 slices of adventure that everyone shows up to. BleachAs many powers as a shonen adventure.

Stark, Ichigo and Jugram

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Season 3, Episode 18: “Death Match Conclusion! White Pride and Black Desire”

Ichigo's conflict with Byakuya Kuchiki reaches its climax at Sokyoku Hill

Ichigo Kurosaki with a partial hollow mask.
Ichigo Kurosaki with a partial hollow mask.
Image via Pierrot.

As a whole, the Bleach The fandom cherishes the Soul Society arc as the pinnacle of the anime. While the other arcs also have plenty to offer, the Soul Society arc remains the definitive one Bleach Experience boasting the best moments of many series. From Yuryu's fight with Mayuri to Toshiro's investigation to Ichigo's Bankai training, fans won't know where to begin. If fans had to pick an episode they just couldn't miss, Season 3, Episode 18 is one of them. This episode features a climactic showdown between Ichigo and Byakuya, a duel with some significant twists.

It's not enough for Ichigo Kurosaki to become strong enough to defeat his enemy, because there's more on the line, as there should be. Ichigo also fights for principle, arguing that family ties should be more important to Byakuya than the letter of the law. Ichigo is fighting this hard to show his Soul Reaper opponent how to think better, and eventually, Ichigo will get him. In another fun twist, Ichigo struggles with his inner Hollow, which both kept Ichigo out of trouble and promises to be a juicy new plot thread to explore in future installments.

Season 3, Episode 21: “Gather Together! A Group of Strong Shinigami”

Captain Aizen rejects the entire Soul Society to follow his dark dreams

Sosuke Aizen speaks with a purple streak behind him.
Sosuke Aizen speaks with a purple streak behind him.
Image via Pierrot.

Bleach Audiences were surprised to see not one, but two major climaxes to serve as payoffs in the Soul Society arc. Fans knew that Ichigo would face off against his cold-blooded rival, Byakuya Kuchiki, but they didn't expect Ichigo and the other heroes to face Captain Sousuke Aizen as well. Aizen's betrayal arc was the real highlight of this arc, with the gentle captain faking his death before re-emerging as a monster. Ichigo's performance with Byakuya had barely settled as Aizen made his move, making it clear that the fun wasn't over yet.

Yoruichi, Ichigo, Aizen

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This episode was a blur Bleach Fans are blown away by Aizen's unstoppable rampage, with him shutting down every hero's attempt to stop him. Byakuya had felt like a threat in previous episodes, but Aizen felt like a whole new kind of boss fight, a smug schemer who was already two steps ahead and had no fear. Aizen's betrayal and escape also set up new, even greater stakes BleachThe heroes of when he announced his intention to become a new kind of god, siding with the holos to gain forbidden power. It pushed the limits of what was possible BleachWho's world, and the audience couldn't wait to see where that plot thread would take them next.

Season 8, Episode 15: “Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! The Hollowed Ichigo”

Ichigo and Grimmjow's rivalry comes to a head in Los Noches

Ichigo grabs his arm and fights Grimmjow.
Ichigo grabs his arm and fights Grimmjow.
Image via Pierrot.

The Arrancar Saga is home to countless fights and must-see plot twists BleachFrom Ichigo mastering his inner hollow to Ichigo's desperate struggle against Ulquiorra and Aizen. An example is Ichigo's match among the Espadas against his sworn rival Grimmjow. What made this fight special was how Ichigo and Grimmjow felt like true equals and mirrors of each other, even though Ichigo was in denial about it at first. In a bloody and strange way, Grimmjow forced Ichigo to become the warrior he was always supposed to be by making this side of him.

Find all 10 pairs


Find all 10 pairs

Arguably the best episode of this showdown was season 8, episode 15, which was the meat of this rivalry. Ichigo and Grimmjow went all out, pushing each other to get stronger, and for the sake of tension, Grimmjow began to move forward. Ichigo's abilities were tested like never before as he fought to master both himself and combat, which was relieved when he landed a massive blow against Grimmjow at the end of the episode. It was a great example of how Ichigo gets stronger in moments of danger and turns things around at the last possible second.

Season 17, Episode 6: “The Fire”

Yamamoto unleashes hell in his grudge match against the fake Yowatch

Yamamoto holding his Bankai blade.
Yamamoto holding his Bankai blade.
Image via Pierrot.

BleachThe new anime and new arc are full of jaw-dropping moments that no fan should miss. One of them is the gruesome match between Yamamoto and Yowatch, as shown in “The Fire”. Other episodes have shown the aged Yamamoto abandoning his shikai or fighting bare-handed against his enemies, but this time it was almost 100% Yamamoto gone. Yamamoto's bankai, Zanka no Tachi, defined “The Fire” as Yamamoto displayed a power that was ashamed of his brutal self.

Goku, Ichigo, Yusuke

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There's more to it, though, because “The Fire” taps into that, too BleachThemes of dangerous complacency and empty power. At that point, the entire Gotei 13 had become very accustomed to peace and victory, making them vulnerable to Quincy attacks on the Spirit Society. Yamamoto was adamant in his ways of training or developing like young shonen heroes, so his victory in “The Fire” proved hollow. Also, Bleach Often argue that simply being strong is not enough to change the world or bring happiness to oneself, a lesson that Yamamoto learned along with Grimmjow, Baraggan and others.

Season 17, Episode 20: “I Am the Edge”

Kenpachi's shikai and willpower are too much for Grammy

Kenpachi Zaraki stands against the red sky.
Kenpachi Zaraki stands against the red sky.
Image via Pierrot.

Unlike the shocking episode “The Fire”, the later episode “I'm the Age” is about breaking your own preconceived boundaries, no matter what. BleachThe characters don't say “plus ultra” like Deku does My Hero AcademiaBut it still captures the spirit of what the strongest Soul Reapers were doing at this time. Kenpachi was edged with his incredible strength and endurance, but eventually he hit a wall and finally agreed to train to learn the name of his Zanpakutō.

That period power-up gave Kenpachi the edge he needed to defeat Sternritter V, Grammy Thoumex, but that was only the beginning. Like the rest BleachCan't miss episodes, “I'm the Age” just isn't satisfied with good shonen action. Kenpachi honors Yachiru's death with newfound strength, meaning it also has implications for the character's feelings and visions. Kenpachi also proved that everyone has the potential to be more, each plateau is just a lie in itself. Furthermore, Kenpachi proved that sheer willpower and self-confidence are superior to the wild imaginations of villains like Gremmy, who was too arrogant to even imagine someone who could defeat him.

Season 7, Episode 38: “Friends”

Bazz-B and Jugram have a long history together in Yhwach's Quincy Empire

Funnily enough, one BleachThe best episodes of had nothing to do with Ichigo Kurosaki's team of heroes or the Soul Reapers. “Friends” was a real treat because it finally humanized Sternritter, adding some personal angles to the Quincy empire. Most of the Sternritter are actually vehicles for action, which sounds amazing in an anime like this BleachBut there are some exceptions. Once again, a character learns that simply being strong is not enough, leaving young Bazz-B angry and confused as to why Yhwach favored the “weaker” Jugram Huschwalth over him.

Bazz-B was only Strong, while Jugram had real potential as a leader and distributor of Quincy power. Jugram grew into that role while Bazz-B had to make do with his membership in Sternritter, and it made him bitter. Bleach Fans were invited to decide whether Bazz-B was a victim of his circumstances who lashed out at Jugram and Yhwach for sympathetic reasons, or whether Bazz-B was simply a creepy bully who didn't understand his limits. Regardless, it was incredibly sad to encounter these Quincy friends, and after Jugram coldly finished off Baz-Bee, fans were left wondering if Jugram was. really That cold or if he secretly regrets it all. Thus Jugram felt like another Byakuya Kuchiki.


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Bleach


Release date

2004 – 2012-00-00

network

TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo

showrunner

Tite Kubo

directors

Mitsutaka Noshitani, Junya Koshida, Hodaka Kuramoto, Yasuto Nishikata, Hiroaki Nishimura, Kazunori Mizuno, Akira Shimizu, Rokau Ogiwara, Kazunobu Shimizu, Akane Inoue, Hikaru Murata, Tomoko Hiramuki, Kazuo Nogaikoi, Kazuima, Kazukoi Nishi, Takushi Kimura, Koji Aritomi, Ogura Shirakawa, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yukio Okazaki, Mitsu Yamazaki, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Itaro Ano


  • Cast placeholder image

    Masakazu Morita

    Ichigo Kurosaki (voice)

  • Cast placeholder image

    Fumiko Orikasa

    Rukia Kuchiki


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