Ultimate Bleach Filler Guide: Uncover the Essential Episodes Worth Watching

Bleach contains an excessive number of filler episodes, and below is a list of episodes that fans can safely skip. Like other long-running anime based on manga, Bleach often included filler episodes and arcs to stretch the show's content and avoid catching up to the manga storyline. Unfortunately, this resulted in Bleach, and similar anime, appearing tiresome and inferior substitutes for the original manga. The appeal of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War lies in its faithful adaptation of the manga's final arc, without any filler episodes.

In summary, Bleach is another lengthy anime series with an abundance of filler content. Presented below is a comprehensive list of episodes that can be skipped. In recent years, the definition of filler in media has become somewhat ambiguous, but for anime adaptations, it generally refers to content not present in the source material. It should be noted that this is not necessarily a criticism of these episodes; although filler episodes can sometimes offer enjoyable content, they can still be skipped, and Bleach is no exception.

Every Filler Episode Of Bleach

When combined, the filler episodes in Bleach total 165, comprising over half of the original anime's episode count. Describing them as egregious would be an understatement, and what made them even more infuriating was that, due to the lengthy canon story arcs in Bleach, the filler episodes would often interrupt the narrative for months with completely unrelated stories. For those who watched Bleach as it aired, this practice undeniably detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, the frequent inclusion of tedious filler stories that deviated from the established canon made it almost impossible to rationalize their existence.

Is Any Of Bleach’s Filler Worth Watching?

Although much of Bleach's filler content is unremarkable, there are certain filler episodes and storylines that have their own merit. Take, for instance, episode #132 titled "Hitsugaya, Karin, and Soccer Ball," which surprisingly excels in showcasing the delightful dynamic between Toshiro and Karin, and where Karin's character receives some significant development, a rare occurrence. The Forest of Menos arc is also highly recommended as it enriches the series' lore, which becomes even more logical when considering it was a narrative that Tite Kubo intended to explore in the manga but ran out of time for it.

If there's one filler arc that is a must-watch, it is the Zanpakuto Rebellion arc. Unlike other long filler arcs in the anime, this arc seamlessly fits into the established lore, adding to it rather than conflicting with it. The opportunity to witness the Zanpakuto spirits and their unique personalities adds a captivating element to the arc. These aspects, along with others, are later incorporated into the canon storyline. With impressive animation and exhilarating fight scenes, the arc proves that although most of Bleach's filler content may not be worthwhile, there are certainly hidden gems to be discovered.