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Bleach is one of the most internationally famous and successful anime series of all time, being a key part of the Big Three. These refer to the most internationally popular and critically acclaimed shows after Dragon Ball Z, including Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach.
However, despite being critically acclaimed and internationally loved, the Big Three series have often had problems with filler and pacing throughout their anime runs. Bleach is no different and has its fair share of skippable, non-canon filler episodes.
Here is the complete list of Bleach filler episodes, including every episode you can skip while still getting the full, canonical story.
Disclaimer: This article solely depicts the personal author’s views on the filler episodes.
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Bleach filler arcs and episodes run rampant in anime’s broadcast history
The first run of the anime, i.e., up till season 16 which concluded in 2012, the series was running alongside the manga. This was the case for most of the popular Shonen franchise and the animators often found themselves lacking material to continue.
There are over 160 Bleach filler episodes that come from the first 16 seasons. The producers had to give its mangaka Tite Kubo time to continue with the serialization of the manga. These episodes received mixed criticism from the fans but kept the flow of the series nonetheless. Follow this list to know which episodes you could skip without missing any important detail of the story.
Also read: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War reportedly moving to a new Pierrot studio
1) Episode 33
Bleach’s thirty-third episode is the first filler episode of the series and certainly doesn’t try to portray itself as anything else. Protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki isn’t seen for the whole episode, which can be a good indicator of filler but isn’t always.
The episode is entitled, Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero, and primarily focuses on Ichigo’s younger sisters, Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki. The entire episode essentially follows the two girls as they find a cat and are drawn into an excessively long, unnecessary, and ultimately pointless adventure.
2) Episode 50
Bleach’s fiftieth episode is the next filler installment for the series and is just as skippable as the previous entry, both canonically and in quality. It essentially follows the lovable, sentient stuffed animal Kon on his adventures out and about Karakura town.
Also read: Every work of Tite Kubo that you must read
Don Kanonji is heavily featured in the episode, which essentially revolves around him trying to make a comeback centered around the exploitation of the aforementioned stuffed animal. Like the prior episode, Ichigo Kurosaki isn’t mentioned or seen during the installment, solidifying its status as a skippable filler.
3) Episodes 64-108: The Bount arc
Bleach’s first full-on filler arc begins in Episode 64 and is formally entitled The Bount arc. The 44-episode string of filler follows Ichigo and other Soul Society members as they combat Bounts. Urahara puts Ichigo and his friends through a mysterious game to prepare them against the Bount attack. The battle ultimately extends to the Soul Society, where the Gotei 13 captains easily defeat the Bounts.
Also read: Why did Urahara create the Hogyoku?
While technically filler and non-canon, the Bount arc is regarded by many series fans as being fairly enjoyable and watchable. While this makes it somewhat unique amongst other filler arcs, it’s nevertheless as skippable as others for those only interested in the canonical series experience.
4) Episodes 128-137
This string of Bleach filler episodes occupies a section of the otherwise canonical Arrancar arc, choosing to introduce filler events into a canon story arc. The episodes are at least somewhat more engaging than other filler episodes here, introducing unique villains and concepts that aren’t touched on again.
Also read: Bleach TYBW: Ranking every Sternritter from weakest to strongest
However, it is still filler at the end of the day, which becomes more apparent in the middle section of this episode sequence. As a result, while entertaining, the episodes are entirely safe to skip for those seeking the canonical experience.
5) Episodes 147-149
This string of three filler episodes focuses on Ichigo’s group becoming lost in the non-canonical Forest of Menos once arriving in Hueco Mundo. Rukia Kuchiki is kidnapped in the process, and the three-episode mini-arc focuses on the group’s efforts to retrieve their friend.
Also read: Who is Keigo Asano in Bleach TYBW part 2?
They are successful in doing so come Episode 149, allowing the series to rejoin canonical material smoothly and without interruption. While an entertaining string of Bleach episodes that introduces some good concepts, it is unfortunately still filler and not needed to experience the canonical story.
6) Episodes 168-189: Kasumioji Conspiracy arc
The Kasumioji Conspiracy arc is one of the more disappointingly written Bleach filler arcs, with fans incredibly unreceptive to its production. It sees a new captain of the Gotei 13 being introduced, going by the name of Shusuke Amagai.
Also read: Why Rukia's Bankai will be the crowning moment for Bleach TYBW part 2
However, it quickly becomes apparent that Amagai has ulterior motives until he eventually outright puts himself at odds with the rest of the Gotei 13. While the storyline was interesting, 34 episodes were too long and drawn out of a sequence for a relatively simple filler arc.
7) Episodes 204-205
Episodes 204 and 205 serve as somewhat of a continuation of the previous filler arc, reintroducing Rurichiyo Kasumioji, princess of the Kasumioji clan. She’s introduced as having established a life for herself within the human world and Karakura town, being happier here than in the palace.
Also read: Who is Hikone in Bleach?
The two episodes essentially follow her as she works out a conflict with another filler character who doesn’t appear in canonical sources. For those who enjoyed the previous filler arc, it’s likely a nice follow-up to one of its better characters.
There’s no reason to sit through these two episodes for those who didn’t enjoy or skipped the previous filler arc.
8) Episodes 213-214
This string of episodes follows Kisuke Urahara in his attempts to make an Avengers-style team of protectors for Karakura town, with the lovable Kon at its center. The episodes are more entertaining and light-hearted than other filler installments but are still rather dull and hard to sit through overall.
Also read: Does Shinji Hirako Die in Bleach TYBW part 2?
Those who particularly enjoy Kon may want to consider giving these specific episodes a try. Otherwise, they’re wholly skippable and add nothing to the story at large.
9) Episodes 228-266: The Zanpakuto Rebellion arc
These Bleach filler episodes have a terrible reputation amongst fans and the anime community. The Zanpakuto Rebellion arc is incredibly poorly envisioned and constructed, with many plot holes to be found and character assassination just as frequent.
Also read: Are the Bleach movies worth watching?
It essentially sees the spirits of Zanpakuto coming to life and separating from their weapon vessels, then attacking Soul Society with their newfound freedom. The rebellion is started by a spirit named Muramasa who gathers other spirits against their masters and causes havoc. His original goal was to rescue his master Koga Kuchiki, a relative of Rukia and Byakuya. Although his plan succeeds, they are ultimately defeated by Ichigo.
This filler arc has always received mixed views from fans; while some find it entertaining and believe it gives more depth to the Zanpakuto spirits, others find it unnecessary before the important events of the Arrancar arc.
10) Episode 287
Episode 287 is one of the poorest types of filler episodes imaginable, with all of its events being a dream of Ichigo’s. While it’s one thing to have filler that is attempted to be passed off as canon, this is merely a slap in the face to any viewers who give filler a chance.
Also read: Every new Bankai revealed after Bleach manga ended
It’s incredibly disheartening and frustrating to sit through this episode’s events just for them to have no impact on the story whatsoever, even relative to other filler episodes.
11) Episodes 298-299
This two-entry string of filler episodes features the Shinigami of Soul Society making a film for and entering the Soul Society International Film Festival. It’s essentially just the better-known Shinigami attempting to coordinate the production and release of a movie with one another to a somewhat comedic effect.
Also read: 10 characters in Bleach, ranked by likeability
As far as filler episodes go, these are certainly some of the more watchable for the light-hearted tone they take. Even so, they’re not part of the canon story and are skippable for those only interested in the actual plot.
12) Episodes 303-305
This string of Bleach filler episodes features three completely unrelated stories, focusing on different characters and settings. One is a New Year’s party-themed episode, one is a hot spring-themed episode, and the third is, unfortunately, another Ichigo dream episode.
Also read: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - Why does Ichigo have two Zanpakuto?
As far as fillers go, these are typical episodes most series produce when looking to introduce filler. However, that doesn’t make them any more palatable, and it certainly doesn’t make them part of the canonical story.
13) Episodes 311-341: Reigai Uprising arc
The final full-on filler arc, the Reigai Uprising arc, takes place one month after Sosuke Aizen’s canonical defeat and sees trouble brewing in Soul Society. Filler character Kageroza Inaba creates Modified Soul copies of the Gotei 13, placing them in Reigai bodies and using them to attack Soul Society.
Also read: Hell's Paradise has its very own Aizen
The arc is somewhat hard to sit through, as part of Inaba’s plan results in Ichigo being unable to do anything for most of it. The quality here feels like the anime is just trying to limp to the end, making it avoidable both for its non-canon status and overall quality.
14) Episode 355
Fittingly, the anime's final filler episode is one of celebration, showing the Gotei 13 and Soul Society at large celebrating the New Year. It’s a largely skippable episode, with no real highlights in quality that make up for the lack of canonicity of events within.
As the last filler episode of the series, it’s better to skip and stick with the canonical Fullbringer arc instead. It is common for manga or anime series to New Year celebration episodes since it holds cultural relevance in Japan. This episode can be skipped without losing any content from the main plot.
Final thoughts
Bleach, compared to other anime, has several filler arcs that some fans would claim to be just as compelling as the manga canon. However, Mangaka Tite Kubo has since become more closely involved in the production of Thousand-Year Blood War than he was with the previous episodes.
Therefore, this season of the anime saw a surprisingly negligible amount of fillers, but logistically, there were none. However, there was an increase in anime's original content within the arc that provided better exposition for the characters. Hopefully, the same will be maintained throughout the Thousand-Year Blood War part 2 - The Separation.
As the year progresses, be sure to follow for more anime updates and manga news. Readers can find a detailed list of Thousand-Year Blood War part 2 regional release times here: Part 2 episode 9 release details.
