Bleach, the anime known for being awesome, is going to get back to us this year. The series is so great that some fans also refer to it as one of the anime ‘that you should watch before you die’. If I talk about my personal experience, this became the first series that introduced me to the anime world and then the greatness of the shonen genre. We all came through a long journey from the end of the anime till the end of the manga, but we are still not getting over it. After the wait of all these years, we finally get to see the things we were waiting for. However, a series such as Bleach also need a recap before be can get into something new. So to make the memories clear, we are going to recall the ten best arcs from the Bleach series.
The anime series Bleach centers the concept of adventure, supernatural, and shinigami and belongs to the shonen genre. The original manga of the series was written by Tite Kubo that later inspired the anime series. It was directed by Noriyuki Abe and was produced by Pierrot Studio. Sets of episodes were produced by different producers. Its music that literally makes the show come to life was given by Shiro Sagisu and screenplay had different writers through different sets of episodes. The anime was officially aired on the local network TXN (TV Tokyo), and its international airing was done by many leading anime streaming websites.
Also Read: Web Anime Pokemon Legend Arceus Announced: Here’s What To Come
Top 10 Best Arcs In Bleach
Although the whole series of Bleach was good enough to be remembered for over a century, some arcs overshadow other arcs. Throughout the series, we get to witness over fifteen extremely engaging arcs. Starting from the ‘Agent of the Shinigami Arc,’ we move to ‘Thousand-year blood war arc’. All of them offered different plot progression and a heavy dose of action, but still, some didn’t meet the expectation of fans. So, now excluding those arcs, we are going to rewind the memories of the ten most popularly best arcs from the whole series of Bleach.
10. Arrancar The Arrival
The first arc on the list is the ‘Arrancar the Arrival arc,’ which began from episode 132 and remained there till episode 151. This arc marks the arrival of arrancars into the scene where Aizen takes an interest in Orihime’s abilities, and Ichigo continues to train with Vizards. The arc became very popular because of the further expansion of the concept of hollowfication. Shinji and other Vizards were introduced, whereas Ulquiorra and Yammy made their first appearance. This became the very arc where Orihime was abducted and worked as the starting point for the whole Arrancar arc. Grimmjow, who saw Ichigo as his swore enemy, also made it to the front to flex his reflexes.
9. The Wandenreich
The Wandenreich Arc is part of the most anticipated arc of the series, “Thousand-Year Blood War Arc”. This marks the entry of Yhwach into the soul society as it collapses and combines with Wandenreich. The most surprising yet heartbreaking thing about this arc is the death of Genryusai Yamamoto. This fact was very hard to believe, and it made the fans believe that now nothing can protect the Soul Society. All the hopes go straight towards Ichigo and his team, who get a surprising glow up with a hike in their powers. Another thing that made it super exciting was the revelation of the Zero Squad that came forward as the protectors of the Soul King’s Palace.
8. Soul Society the Sneak Entry
The Soul Society, the Sneak Entry arc, was specially plotted to depict the entry of Ichigo and their teammates into the soul society. Even though Urarhara shines in every arc, he became stood as an important character here too. He introduced Ichigo and his friends to Yoruichi, who further assisted them into the soul society. This arc is one of the best because we get to witness many interesting showdowns in it. The clash between Renji and Ichigo is followed by Ichigo vs. Kenpachi. In this very arc, Aizen chooses to start his plan as he plays the ‘Crucifixion’. This arc marked the introduction of the characters from the soul society, making it next level interesting.
7. Arrancar Vs. Shinigami
The arc deserves to be here due to its plot showing all kinds of explosive combats between Arrancar and Shinigami. The fight follows Ichigo Vs. Grimmjow, Nnoitra Vs. Ichigo, Nel Vs. Nnoitra, Nnoitra Vs. Kenpachi. The Espada Nnoitra became the fifth hardest to defeat Espada, as he was literally combated with the strongest of the characters. One of the tiniest yet more fascinating detail from this arc began the particle exposure of Retsu Unohana’s true nature. The time violently agitated Rudbornn took a look on her face and left all the will to fight was an unexpectedly hilarious yet creepy moment.
6. Agent of the Shinigami
The arc from season 1 is the first arc of the whole series that gave the kick start to the progression of the plot. It was set up in the Karakura town when Rukia visited the world of leaving in order to check upon the sudden surge in the hollow appearances. The arc progressed on the major characters, Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, and Uryu, their growing friends, who became the important element of the arc. This was the very arc when Ichigo became the substitute shinigami after Rukia tried to transfer some of her powers but ended up losing all of them to Ichigo. Rukia’s life was endangered, and then Urahara ended the scene and informed everyone about the only way to protect Rukia.
5. Arrancar Decisive Battle of Karakura
The Arrancar Arc being the longest among all the Arcs, have to be the best. It’s like the whole series of Bleach depends upon the happenings related to Arrancar Arc. The Arrancar Decisive Battle of Karakukra is the arc where captains, even Head Captain, took the command. Aizen, Gin, and Tousen were standing facing the Yamamoto and his squad, letting out some series vibes. We get to see the bankai of Yumichika when he was against Charlotte Cuuhlhourne. Hisaki, Kira, and Ikkaku failed the task they were given. The show stopper Head Captain Yamamoto was legendary as ever when Ayon tried to cause public destruction. Head Captian taught him a lesson while barely moving a muscle.
4. Turn Back the Pendulum
Even though this Arc didn’t last long, it deserved to be top five. This arc possesses great importance from the plot progression point of view. In order to give a sense of background to the plot and character, this arc was introduced. It digs deeps into the history of Soul Society and various captains and vice-captains. It takes us to the time when Aizen was good, and the world was free from the matters of hollowfication. The shinigami world grew darker after Aizen ended up betraying his people. He turned into Kensei, Mashiro, Shinji, Rose, Hachigen, Hiyori, Love, and Lisa into grotesque.
3. The Battle for the Soul King
Since Thousand-Year Blood War Arc came out as the most anticipated arc, some part of it has been in the top three. A lot of things happened in the arc, from Yhawach stabbing the soul king in the chest to Ichigo mistakenly slicing him in two. Ichigo and his friends, along with all the shinigami in soul society, were fighting hard to protect Soul King. We get to see Yoruichi fighting against Askin Nakk Le Vaar. However, he was too much for her to handle. Other than this, Urahara’s Bankai was revealed as he finished the fight with assistance from Grimmjow. Yes, you read it right. You will get to see Grimmjow again in the thousand-year blood war but this time standing by Ichigo and team.
2. Arracncar Downfall
This Arc deserved to be at this place due to the action we got between Ulquiorra and Ichigo. We get to see Ichigo in Vasto Lorde form. The arc marked the end of the Arrancar Arc as all the Espadas and Arracncars were defeated by one or other Captains and Vice Captains. While we also get to see Vizards teaming up with them to end all this havoc. This is the very arc where we witnessed a battle between Kyouraku and Stark, and also, Hitsugaya and Harribel. However, the show stopper became the battle of Ichigo Vs. Ulquiorra. A surge in Ichigo’s power was prominent after he turned into Vasto Lorde and killed Ulquiorra in no time.
1. Soul Society Rescue
Now you will ask why this Arc is the best among all? If you are a real fan of Bleach, then you might be aware of the reason. However, if not, then I will help you. The Soul Society Rescue arc, by far, is the best ending of the whole first Arc. All the important things, including the awakening of the powers of Ichigo, Uryuu, and others, were prominent in this arc. Ichigo trained for his Bankai and achieved it, and we get to see it for the first time. Uryuu was witnessed demolishing Mayuri’s Konjiki Ashisogi Jizou with a single arrow.
Since it was the end, Rukai was there prepared to be executed, but a furious Ichigo with all new grown-up powers entered the scene. Ichigo was more impressive than ever as he destroyed the million-zanpakuto-level Soukyouku blade single-handedly. More to the Captain’s surprise, he knocked out three Vice-Captains and finally protected Rukia.
Also Read: 10 Anime That Ignored The Manga And Went A Different Route
