Bleach is one of the most iconic anime series of the 2000s, airing from 2004 to 2012 with a total of 366 episodes. Fans of the anime know that Bleach has a high filler percentage—around 45% of episodes are filler, meaning they do not appear in the original manga and can be skipped without missing the main story.
If you want to enjoy Bleach without unnecessary detours, here’s a quick guide to the filler episodes, mixed canon/filler episodes, and the episodes that follow the manga canon.
Filler Episodes
If your goal is to watch only the main story, you can safely skip these episodes:
33, 50, 64-108, 128-137, 147-149, 168-189, 204-205, 213-214, 228-266, 287, 298-299, 303-305, 311-341, 355
These fillers include arcs such as the Bount Arc, New Captain Amagai Arc, and Zanpakutō Unknown Tales Arc, which are fun but do not affect the main storyline.
Mixed Canon/Filler Episodes
Some episodes mix canon storylines with filler content. Watching these is optional if you want the full context:
8, 27, 32, 46, 109, 111, 116, 119-120, 124, 141, 143, 146, 156, 160-161, 190, 193, 206-207, 209, 222-223, 267-268, 274, 276, 284-285, 288, 290-291, 295-296, 310, 342-343, 345, 347, 351, 357
Manga Canon Episodes
These episodes follow the original manga story and are essential for understanding the main plot of Bleach:
1-7, 9-26, 28-31, 34-45, 47-49, 51-63, 110, 112-115, 117-118, 121-123, 125-127, 138-140, 142, 144-145, 150-155, 157-159, 162-167, 191-192, 194-203, 208, 210-212, 215-221, 224-227, 269-273, 275, 277-283, 286, 289, 292-294, 297, 300-302, 306-309, 344, 346, 348-350, 352-354, 356, 358-366
Watching these episodes ensures you follow Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey from a high school student to a powerful Soul Reaper, experiencing all the key battles, alliances, and revelations.
Why Skip Fillers?
While some filler arcs offer interesting character development and side stories, skipping them:
- Saves time
- Keeps the main plot focused
- Reduces repetitive or slow pacing
However, fans who enjoy the world-building and extra content may still enjoy some filler episodes for fun.
Conclusion
If you want a streamlined Bleach experience, start with the manga canon episodes and skip most filler episodes. Mixed canon/filler episodes are optional, depending on how much extra content you want to explore.
With this guide, you can enjoy Bleach’s epic battles, emotional moments, and story arcs without unnecessary distractions.
