Bleach, with its intriguing plot and fascinating characters, stands tall as one of the most celebrated animes. Yet, a pressing concern among fans is its significant filler count. Out of 392 episodes, a whopping 163 are fillers, accounting for an astounding 45% of the show. However, not all fillers are created equal. Some provide depth to the world of Bleach, while others dive deep into the lives of its characters. But which ones should you invest time in? That’s where we come in.
Outline
Navigating the Filler Landscape
To watch or to skip? That’s a question that many anime fans, especially those of Bleach, grapple with. While some are purists, choosing to experience every moment, others prefer to forgo the fillers, deeming them irrelevant to the primary storyline. Here’s a handy breakdown to help you decide:
- Bleach Fillers Worth Noting: Some notable fillers include Episode 33 “Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero,” Episode 68 “True Identity of the Devil, the Secret Which Is Revealed,” and Episode 328 “Defeat Kageroza! Shinigami, All-Out War!” These episodes, along with the others, serve as tantalizing side-stories that either provide backstories or showcase epic battles.
- Partial Fillers – A Mix of Both Worlds: Episodes like “June 17, Memories in the Rain” (Episode 8) and “The Past Chapter Begins! The Truth from 110 Years Ago” (Episode 206) mingle the filler and canonical worlds, offering a blend that’s unique and at times, absolutely unmissable.
The BLEACH anime is coming back in 2 days. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mgGRgW2Yci
— BLEACH (@BleachJet) July 6, 2023
Bleach fillers:
- Episode 33: Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero
- Episode 50: The Reviving Lion
- Episode 64: New School Term, Renji Has Come to the Material World?!
- Episode 65 Creeping Terror, the Second Victim
- Episode 66: Breakthrough! The Trap Hidden in the Labyrinth
- Episode 67: Death Game! The Missing Classmate
- Episode 68: True Identity of the Devil, the Secret Which Is Revealed
- Episode 69: Bounts! The Soul Hunters!
- Episode 70: Rukia’s Return! Revival of the Substitute Team!
- Episode 71: The Moment of Collision! An Evil Hand Draws Near to the Quincy
- Episode 72: Water Attack! Escape from the Shutdown Hospital
- Episode 73: Gathering Bounts! The Man Who Makes His Move
- Episode 74: Memories of an Eternally Living Clan
- Episode 75: Earth-Shattering Event at 11th Squad! The Shinigami Who Rises Again
- Episode 76: Crashing Force! Fried vs. Zangetsu
- Episode 77: Unfading Grudge! The Shinigami whom Kenpachi Killed
- Episode 78: Shocking Revelations for the 13 Divisions!! The Truth Buried in History
- Episode 79: Yoshino’s Decision of Death
- Episode 80: Assault from a Formidable Enemy! A Tiny Final Line of Defense?!
- Episode 81: Hitsugaya Moves! The Attacked City
- Episode 82: Ichigo vs. Dalk! Appearance of the Faded Darkness
- Episode 83: Grey Shadow, the Secret of the Dolls
- Episode 84: Dissension in the Substitute Team? Rukia’s Betrayal
- Episode 85: Deadly Battle of Tears! Rukia vs. Orihime
- Episode 86: Rangiku Dances! Slice the Invisible Enemy!
- Episode 87: Byakuya Is Summoned! The Gotei 13 Start to Move
- Episode 88: Annihilation of the Lieutenants!? Trap in the Underground Cave
- Episode 89: Rematch?! Ishida vs. Nemu
- Episode 90: Renji Abarai, Bankai of the Soul!
- Episode 91: Shinigami and Quincy, the Reviving Power
- Episode 92: Invasion of the Shinigami World, Again
- Episode 93: The Bount Assault! The Gotei 13 of Destructive Earthquake
- Episode 94: Hitsugaya’s Decision! The Clash Approaches
- Episode 95: Byakuya Takes the Field! Dance of the Wind-Splitting Cherry Blossoms
- Episode 96: Ichigo, Byakuya, Kariya, The Battle of the Three Extremes!
- Episode 97: Hitsugaya Strikes! Slice the Enemy in the Middle of the Forest
- Episode 98: Clash! Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Maki Ichinose
- Episode 99: Shinigami vs. Shinigami! The Uncontrollable Power
- Episode 100: Suì-Fēng Dies? The Last of the Special Forces
- Episode 101: Mayuri’s Bankai!! Sawatari: Clash of the Demon
- Episode 102: The Last Quincy! The Exploding Power
- Episode 103: Ishida, Exceeding the Limits to Attack!
- Episode 104: 10th Division’s Death Struggle! The Release of Hyōrinmaru
- Episode 105: Kariya! Countdown to the Detonation
- Episode 106: Life and Revenge! Ishida, the Ultimate Choice
- Episode 107: The Swung-Down Edge! The Moment of Ruin
- Episode 108: The Wailing Bount! The Last Clash
- Episode 128: The Nightmare Arrancar! Team Hitsugaya moves out
- Episode 129: The Swooping Descent of the Dark Emissary! The Propagation of Malice
- Episode 130: The Invisible Enemy! Hitsugaya’s Merciless Decision
- Episode 131: Rangiku’s Tears, the Sorrowful Parting of Brother and Sister
- Episode 132: Hitsugaya, Karin, and Soccer Ball
- Episode 133: Ikkaku: The Hot-Blooded Kendo Tale
- Episode 134: The Beautiful Patissier, Yumichika!
- Episode 135: Kon is Deceived! Rangiku on the Lookout…
- Episode 136: Civil War in Hueco Mundo! Ulquiorra’s Death
- Episode 137: The Malicious Battle, Aizen’s Trap
- Episode 147: Forest of Menos! Search for the Missing Rukia
- Episode 148: Ashido, The Soul Reaper Who Came from the Past
- Episode 149: Through the Crumbling Forest, a Million Menos
- Episode 168: The New Captain Appears! His Name Is Shūsuke Amagai
- Episode 169: New Development, the Dangerous Transfer Student Appears!
- Episode 170: Desperate Struggle Under the Moonlit Night, the Mysterious Assassin and Zanpakutō
- Episode 171: Kenryū, the Profusion of Blooming Crimson Flowers
- Episode 172: Kifune Goes to War! The Violent Wind that Rages
- Episode 173: The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumiōji
- Episode 174: Break the Mirror’s Boundary! Ichigo’s Captivity
- Episode 175: The Revenging Assassin, Ichigo is Targeted
- Episode 176: Mystery! The Sword-Consuming Assassin
- Episode 177: The Reversal of Rukia! The Rampaging Blade
- Episode 178: The Nightmare Which is Shown, Ichigo’s Inside the Mirror
- Episode 179: Confrontation!? Amagai vs. Gotei 13
- Episode 180: The Princess’s Decision, the Sorrowful Bride
- Episode 181: The 2nd Division Sorties! Ichigo is Surrounded
- Episode 182: Amagai’s True Strength, the Released Zanpakuto！
- Episode 183: The Darkness Which Moves! Kifune’s True Colors
- Episode 184: Kira and Kifune, Offense and Defense of the 3rd Division
- Episode 185: Ice and Flame! Fierce Fight of Amagai vs. Hitsugaya
- Episode 186: Sortie Orders! Suppress the House of Kasumiōji
- Episode 187: Ichigo Rages! The Assassin’s Secret
- Episode 188: Duel! Amagai vs. Ichigo
- Episode 189: The Fallen Shinigami’s Pride
- Episode 204: Ichigo’s Seppuku Persuasion Strategy ☆
- Episode 205: Thump! A Kemari Tournament Filled with Hollows
- Episode 213: The Konso Cop Karakuraiser is Born
- Episode 214: Karakuraiser’s Last Day
- Episode 228: Summer! Sea! Swimsuit Festival!!
- Episode 229: Cry of the Soul? The Rug Shinigami is Born!
- Episode 230: A New Enemy! The Materialization of Zanpakutō
- Episode 231: Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms
- Episode 232: Sode no Shirayuki vs. Rukia! Confused Heart
- Episode 233: Zangetsu Becomes an Enemy
- Episode 234: Renji Surprised?! The Two Zabimarus
- Episode 235: Clash! Hisagi vs. Kazeshini
- Episode 236: Release! The New Getsuga Tenshō
- Episode 237: Suì-Fēng, Surrounding the Zanpakutō
- Episode 238: Friendship? Hatred? Haineko & Tobiume
- Episode 239: The Awakening Hyōrinmaru! Hitsugaya’s Fierce Fight
- Episode 240: Byakuya’s Betrayal
- Episode 241: For the Sake of Pride! Byakuya vs. Renji
- Episode 242: Shinigami and Zanpakutō, Total Sortie
- Episode 243: One-to-One Fight! Ichigo vs. Senbonzakura
- Episode 244: The Long Awaited… Kenpachi Appears!
- Episode 245: Pursue Byakuya! The Confused Gotei Divisions
- Episode 246: Special Mission! Rescue Captain Commander Yamamoto!
- Episode 247: Deceived Shinigami! The World Collapse Crisis
- Episode 248: Dragon of Ice and Dragon of Flame! The Strongest Showdown!
- Episode 249: Senbonzakura’s Bankai! Offense and Defense of the Living World
- Episode 250: That Man, for the Sake of the Kuchiki
- Episode 251: Dark History! The Worst Shinigami Is Born
- Episode 252: Byakuya, the Truth Behind His Betrayal
- Episode 253: Muramasa’s True Identity Revealed
- Episode 254: Byakuya and Renji, the 6th Division Returns
- Episode 255: Final Chapter – Zanpakutō The Alternate Tale
- Episode 256: The Angered Byakuya! The Collapse of the Kuchiki House
- Episode 257: A New Enemy! The True Nature of the Sword Fiends
- Episode 258: Stray Snake, Tortured Monkey
- Episode 259: Terror! The Monster That Lurks Underground
- Episode 260: Conclusion!? Hisagi vs. Kazeshini
- Episode 261: The Person with the Unknown Ability! Orihime Is Targeted
- Episode 262: Haineko Cries! The Tragic Sword Fiend
- Episode 263: Imprisonment?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru
- Episode 264: Battle of the Females? Katen Kyōkotsu vs. Nanao!
- Episode 265: Evolution?! The Menace of the Final Sword Fiend
- Episode 266: Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Resume
- Episode 287: Side Story! Ichigo and the Magic Lamp
- Episode 298: Film! Festival! Shinigami Film Festival!
- Episode 299: Theatre Opening Commemoration! The Hell Verse: Prologue
- Episode 303: Real World and Shinigami! The New Year Special!
- Episode 304: Another Side Story! This Time’s Enemy Is a Monster!?
- Episode 305: Delusion Roars! Hisagi, Towards the Hot Springs Inn!
- Episode 311: The Soul Detective: Karakuraiser Takes Off Again!
- Episode 312: Inauguration! The Brand New 2nd Division Captain!
- Episode 313: The Man Who Risks His Life in the 11th Division!
- Episode 314: Kon saw it! The Secret of a Beautiful Office Lady
- Episode 315: Yachiru’s friend! The Shinigami of Justice Appears!
- Episode 316: Toshirō Hitsugaya’s Holiday!
- Episode 317: Unusual Incident in Seireitei?! Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc!
- Episode 318: Renji vs. Rukia?! Battle With Comrades!
- Episode 319: Ichigo’s Capture Net! Escape From Soul Society!
- Episode 320: Gotei 13, Gathering in the Real World!
- Episode 321: Showdown of Mutual Self, Ikkaku vs. Ikkaku!
- Episode 322: Clash! Rukia vs. Rukia!
- Episode 323: Protect Ichigo! Nozomi’s Determination
- Episode 324: Recapture Seireitei! The Captains Move!
- Episode 325: For the Sake of the Believers! Byakuya vs. Hitsugaya!
- Episode 326: The Two Hinamori, Hitsugaya’s Resolution
- Episode 327: Pride of the Kuchiki Family! Byakuya vs. Byakuya!
- Episode 328: Defeat Kageroza! Shinigami, All-Out War!
- Episode 329: The Forbidden Research…Nozomi’s Hidden Secret!
- Episode 330: I Want to Live…! Nozomi’s Zanpakutō
- Episode 331: For the Sake of Fighting! The Awakened Nozomi!
- Episode 332: The Most Evil Reigai, Appearing in the Real World!
- Episode 333: Destroy Nozomi!? Genryusai’s Decision!
- Episode 334: The Depleting Reiatsu! Ichigo, Death Struggle of the Soul!
- Episode 335: Hiding in the Dangai? Another Ichigo?!
- Episode 336: Pursue Kageroza! Technological Development Department, Infiltration!
- Episode 337: The Developer of the Modified Souls
- Episode 338: Kon’s Thoughts, Nozomi’s Thoughts
- Episode 339: Protect Ichigo! The Bonds of Friends!
- Episode 340: Reigai vs. Original, The Fierce Fighting for Gambled Pride!
- Episode 341: Invading Army Arc, Final Conclusion!
- Episode 355: Shinigami at War! New Year in Seireitei Special!nes.
Filler Arcs: The Creme De La Creme
There are numerous filler arcs in Bleach, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, consider giving The Zanpakuto Arc, The Fake Gotei 13 Arc, and The Bount Arc a watch. It’s important to mention, however, that ‘best’ is subjective. While these arcs resonate with many, individual preferences may vary.
Bleach partial fillers:
- Episode 8: June 17, Memories in the Rain
- Episode 27: Release the Death Blow!
- Episode 32: Stars and the Stray
- Episode 46: Authentic Records! School of Shinigami
- Episode 109: Ichigo and Rukia, Thoughts in the Revolving Around Heaven
- Episode 111: Shock! The Father’s True Identity
- Episode 116: The Evil Eye, Aizen Returns
- Episode 119: Zaraki Division’s Secret Story! The Lucky Men
- Episode 120: Hitsugaya Scatters! The Broken Hyōrinmaru
- Episode 124: Collision! Black Bankai and the White Bankai
- Episode 141: Goodbye…, Kurosaki!
- Episode 143: Grimmjow Revived
- Episode 146: The Name’s Nel! The Appearance of a Strange Arrancar
- Episode 156: Ishida & Pesche, the United Attack of Friendship
- Episode 160: Testament, Your Heart is Right Here…
- Episode 161: The Cruel Arrancar, Ulquiorra’s Provocation
- Episode 190: Hueco Mundo Chapter Restart!
- Episode 193: Irresistible, Puppet Show of Terror
- Episode 206: The Past Chapter Begins! The Truth from 110 Years Ago
- Episode 207: 12th Division’s New Captain, Kisuke Urahara
- Episode 209: Muguruma 9th Division, Moves Out
- Episode 222: The Most Evil Tag!? Suì-Fēng & Ōmaeda
- Episode 223: A Miraculous Body! Ggio Releases
- Episode 267: Connected Hearts! The Left Fist of Certain Death
- Episode 268: Hatred and Jealousy, Orihime’s Dilemma
- Episode 274: Hitsugaya, the Desperate Hyōten Hyakkasō!
- Episode 276: One Hit Kill, Suì-Fēng, Bankai!
- Episode 285: The Hundred-Year Grudge! Hiyori’s Revenge
- Episode 288: The Final trump card! Ichigo, Towards the Decisive Battle
- Episode 290: For the Sake of Justice?! The Man Who Deserted the Shinigami
- Episode 291: Desperate Struggle with Aizen! Hirako, Shikai!
- Episode 295: It’s All a Trap… Engineered Bonds!
- Episode 310: Ichigo’s Resolution! The Price of the Fierce Battle
- Episode 342: Thank You
- Episode 343: 3rd Year High School Student! Dressed Up, and a New Chapter Begins!
- Episode 345: Uryū is Attacked, A Threat Draws Near the Friends!
- Episode 351: Fullbring, The Detested Power!
- Episode 357: Tsukishima’s Ability, the Danger is Drawing Near!
Final Thoughts
Choosing to delve into Bleach fillers is akin to venturing into uncharted territory. While some episodes are undeniably engaging, others may not hold the same allure. This guide aims to shed light on the vast filler realm, but at the end of the day, the choice is yours. Whether you opt to take the plunge or stick to the main storyline, one thing’s for certain: the world of Bleach never ceases to captivate.
