Why Bleach TYBW isn't on Crunchyroll? Explained

Bleach TYBW (Thousand Year Blood War) Part 3 episode 1 premiered on October 5, 2024, and fans are eager to know where they can legally stream the sequel series. Although the prequel of the series is available on Crunchyroll (which is accessible worldwide), this sequel is not on the same streaming site.

The reason for this is that the sequel series reportedly went through a streaming license change from Crunchyroll to Disney+. Although the official reason for this change was not revealed, these two streaming sites allegedly went through a 'bidding war,' which Disney+ won due to Crunchyroll reportedly not having enough funds as it licenses a lot of seasonal anime.

---

Exploring why Bleach TYBW isn't on Crunchyroll

Ichigo as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War is not available on Crunchyroll, one of the most famous streaming platforms, because Viz Media, the official licensor of the Bleach sequel, shifted the streaming rights to Disney+. VIZ Media (the American entertainment company) holds the licensing rights for the series and decides the streaming sites of the series.

Although the first part of the anime adaptation of Tite Kubo's magnum opus was officially streaming on Crunchyroll, VIZ Media changed the official streaming licensor for the sequel series, which covers the Thousand Year Blood War arc. Although the reason behind this change wasn't disclosed, it is fair to assume that Crunchyroll lost in a bidding war with Disney+.

Allegedly, before an anime season starts, streaming websites enter a bidding war for anime series they deem profitable. When Bleach TYBW was announced, it was also on the table for streaming sites.

Crunchyroll, which streams most anime series every season, also bid for this series, as did Disney+. As Crunchyroll streams so many seasonal anime every season, the streaming website was reportedly outbid by Disney+ for the Bleach sequel because the latter streaming website doesn't stream as many series each season.

---

Where to watch Bleach TYBW?

Ichigo as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

As explained, the Bleach fandom can officially stream the Thousand Year Blood War sequel on Disney+ (excluding the Asian countries). U.S. audiences can also stream the sequel series on Hulu, owned by Disney.

For the Asian audience, the series is available on Netflix and the Ani-one Asia YouTube channel. Some other local options are also available for different countries, such as Indian audiences, who can stream the sequel series on Jiocinema. However, the series cannot be streamed on Crunchyroll.

---

About Bleach TYBW

Yhwach as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War is the sequel to the Bleach anime series, which was announced ten years after the climax of the prequel series. The sequel series is divided into four parts, two of which have already aired. The first part ran from October 11, 2022, to December 27, 2022, and the second aired from July 8, 2023, to September 30, 2023.

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War Part 3 (The Conflict) started airing on October 6, 2024. Notably, the studios shifted from Studio Pierrot to Pierrot Films. Pierrot Films is a sub-studio of Studio Pierrot, with both owned by Pierrot Co., Ltd.

---

Final thoughts

Even though the fandom wasn't happy with Disney+ acquiring the rights to their favorite anime series due to its reception as a non-anime streaming platform, the reception of the series is beyond amazing. This could be due to the series' overall popularity and decent publicity from the streaming platform.

---

Related Links

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 1 review

How did Uryu defeat Senjumaru in Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 1?

Every hidden spoiler and Easter Egg in the Bleach TYBW part 3 opening theme song