Bleach (2004)
A high-school student gains Soul Reaper powers and takes on the duty of defending humanity from malevolent spirits.
Bleach - Series Information
- Original Title: BLEACH
- First Air Year: 2004
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 406
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 5, 2004 (United States - TV-MA), October 5, 2004 (Canada - 14+), October 5, 2004 (United Kingdom - 15), October 5, 2004 (Germany - 16), October 5, 2004 (France - 10), October 5, 2004 (India - U), October 5, 2004 (Australia - MA 15+), October 5, 2004 (Brazil - 12), October 5, 2004 (Mexico - A), October 5, 2004 (Spain - 13), October 5, 2004 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka, TVh, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
- Alternative Titles: Bleach : Thousand-Year Blood War (FR), BLEACH 死神 千年血战篇 (CN), Блийч (BG), 漂灵 (HK), בליץ': מלחמת הדם בת אלף השנים (IL), ბლიჩი (GE), Bleach Sennen Kessen Hen (JP)
- Production Companies: Pierrot, Aniplex, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, dentsu, Zack Promotion, PIERROT FILMS
- Production Countries: Japan
Bleach - Plot
For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, he finds his life is changed forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil.
Bleach - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Soul Reapers come to life:
Where to Watch Bleach
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Bleach - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Masakazu Morita as Ichigo Kurosaki (voice)
- Fumiko Orikasa as Rukia Kuchiki (voice)
- Yuki Matsuoka as Orihime Inoue (voice)
- Hiroki Yasumoto as Yasutora Sado (voice)
- Noriaki Sugiyama as Uryu Ishida (voice)
- Kentaro Ito as Renji Abarai (voice)
- Ryotaro Okiayu as Byakuya Kuchki (voice)
- Toshiyuki Morikawa as Kaname Tōsen (voice)
- Masaya Onosaka as Shinji Hirako (voice)
- Shin-ichiro Miki as Kisuke Urahara (voice)
Writers
- Masashi Sogo
- Kenta Shimoyama
- Masahiro Okubo
- Masaki Hiramatsu
- Tomohisa Taguchi
Bleach - FAQs
Where can you stream Bleach online?
Bleach is available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. You can also purchase or rent episodes through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for the most current options near you.
Is Bleach based on a manga?
Yes, Bleach is directly adapted from the manga series created by Tite Kubo, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2001 to 2016. The anime faithfully follows the manga's major story arcs, including the acclaimed Thousand-Year Blood War arc introduced in the 2022 revival.
Who voices Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach?
Ichigo Kurosaki is voiced in Japanese by Masakazu Morita, who has portrayed the character across all seasons since the series debuted in 2004. The English dub features Johnny Yong Bosch in the role. Masakazu Morita reprised his performance for the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
How many seasons and episodes does Bleach have?
Bleach has 2 main seasons totaling 406 episodes, plus 4 special episodes in Season 0. Season 1 spans 366 episodes covering the original run, while Season 2, subtitled Thousand-Year Blood War, consists of 40 episodes adapting the manga's final arc, which began airing in October 2022.
Is Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War still ongoing?
Yes, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is still in production and listed as a Returning Series. The arc is being released in cours (split-cour format), with the final part airing through 2024. New episodes continue to roll out, bringing the beloved manga's conclusion to the screen.
What is Bleach rated and who is it for?
Bleach carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series features intense sword combat, supernatural violence, and mature themes. It is primarily aimed at teenage and adult anime fans, particularly those who enjoy shounen action storytelling.
What makes Bleach worth watching for anime fans?
Bleach is celebrated for its dynamic sword fights, memorable character roster, and richly built spiritual world. The Thousand-Year Blood War revival, praised by critics and fans alike, elevated the series with cinematic animation quality. It stands alongside Naruto and One Piece as one of the defining titles of the shounen genre.
Who composed the music for Bleach?
The score for Bleach was composed by Shiro Sagisu, a highly regarded anime composer also known for his work on Neon Genesis Evangelion and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. His compositions for Bleach blend orchestral grandeur with rock-influenced energy, perfectly complementing the series' intense battle sequences.
More About Bleach
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