Unveiling Bleach's Most Bizarre Filler Episodes That Defy Logic!
Bleach's 10 Strangest Filler Episodes takes viewers on a wild ride with bizarre and unexpected adventures From soccer games with supernatural twists to magical lamps and monster enemies, these episodes are a rollercoaster of entertainment Get ready for a unique blend of humor, action, and supernatural elements in this standout filler content
The Bleach anime is a well-loved classic in its genre, but some fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with the excessive amount of filler episodes. These fillers can be quite peculiar, deviating from the main storyline and featuring odd scenarios. While there are a few filler story arcs that are well-structured and enjoyable, the truly bizarre episodes are often standalone with no connection to the ongoing events. These episodes can completely change genres, portray characters in unexpected ways, and disrupt the continuity of the story.
However, despite their oddness, these filler episodes can still be entertaining. Many of them are created to showcase the comedic aspect of the series, providing some lighthearted moments. Sometimes, they focus on lesser-known characters to bring about a refreshing change, or give popular characters more prominence. Whether fans appreciate them or not, here are ten of the most unusual filler episodes in the Bleach anime.
10 Hitsugaya, Karin and Soccer Ball – episode #132
9 Thump! A Kemari Tournament Filled With Hollows – episode #205
: In this episode, Karin, Ichigo's sister, approaches Captain Hitsugaya while he is on a mission in the human world. She is impressed by his remarkable soccer skills and asks for his assistance when she and her friends are challenged to a soccer match by some unruly individuals. Hitsugaya, with a little persuasion, showcases his impressive soccer abilities and dominates the field. Only later does he discover that Karin is actually Ichigo's sister. This unexpected bond between Hitsugaya and Ichigo's sisters, coupled with the incorporation of soccer, sets this episode apart from others in this season, making it notably peculiar.
In this episode, a new character named Rurichiyo, created exclusively for the New Captain Shusuke Amagai filler arc, takes center stage. However, this introduction didn't sit well with many fans. Rurichiyo engages in a heated argument with another original character, Kenryu. To settle their dispute, they decide to play a traditional Japanese game called Kemari, which involves preventing a ball from touching the ground. Unexpectedly, other characters get involved, with Urahara and the Mod Souls serving as commentators, despite there being no clear audience. As per the classic filler formula, the characters use their unique abilities in unconventional ways to give themselves an advantage in the game. Eventually, anything goes as the match progresses.
8 Summer! Sea! Swimsuit Festival!! – episode #228
What anime is complete without the obligatory beach episode? Bleach, the popular anime series, does not disappoint in this regard. In a side chapter written by Bleach creator Tite Kubo, certain characters are portrayed enjoying a day at the beach in stylish swimsuits. This episode showcases a variety of characters, catering to different preferences. However, the beach fun takes an unexpected turn when peculiar Hollows, resembling watermelons, appear and start attacking with their vine-like tentacles. Surprisingly, this strange occurrence was actually orchestrated by Byakuya and a few other captains. The reasons behind this deliberate twist remain a mystery.
7 The Soul Reapers Enter Battle! Seireitei Also Has a New Year Special! – episode #355
Surprisingly, Bleach featured a holiday special that caught fans off guard. The focus of the episode revolves around a kite-flying event which unexpectedly turns competitive when one kite inadvertently brings down another. The ensuing chaos disrupts the Head Captain, leading to a shift in the narrative as Rukia is compelled to perform a special New Year's dance at Byakuya's request. This unusual combination of events brings together two contrasting ideas that stray from Bleach's central premise. However, it serves as a pretext to showcase Rukia in an elegant New Year's kimono, thus catering to fans with a touch of fanservice.
6 Ikkaku's Hot-Blooded Kendo Tale – episode #133
5 Side Story... Ichigo and the Magic Lamp – episode #287
Once again, a Soul Reaper character finds themselves preoccupied in the real world, getting diverted by sports. This time, the chosen sport is Kendo, which relates to a Soul Reaper's usual expertise. Keigo's sister's Kendo team faces an unexpected attack from rival competitors aiming to incapacitate them and eliminate them from the tournament. Therefore, Ikkaku is entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the team to achieve victory. As the tournament progresses and their opponents dwindle in number, Hitsugaya and Renji are drawn into the situation as well. Eventually, the whole conflict unravels into a dispute between former lovers. In order to resolve the matter, Ikkaku confronts and defeats Keigo's sister's ex-boyfriend and his Kendo team.
One of the most peculiar incidents in Bleach occurs in this episode, where Ichigo finds himself in a dreamworld inspired by Arabian Nights. In this alternate reality, everyone has slightly different names. The main characters embark on an unexpected adventure to steal a rare Snow Crystal, which unexpectedly leads them to discover a magical lamp reminiscent of Aladdin's. To their surprise, the lamp contains a genie named Rukia. The storyline takes an eccentric turn as it combines this Arabian Nights theme with elements from the Soul Society arc. Here, Rukia's doppelganger faces the threat of execution by the Lamp Society. This episode was inspired by a standalone title page illustration by Kubo and is known for its captivating and dreamlike atmosphere, solidifying its status as one of the most peculiar episodes in the series.
4 Cry of the Soul? The Rug Soul Reaper is Born! – episode #229
3 The Soul Burial Detective, Karakuraizer is Born/Karakuraizer's Last Day – episodes #213/214
This episode features the reappearance of Mizuho, Keigo's sister, who has developed a strong infatuation for Ikkaku due to her preference for bald individuals. To dissuade her advances, Yumichika proposes the idea of finding a wig for Ikkaku, trying out numerous absurd styles until settling on one that is firmly attached to his head. However, during a confrontation with a Hollow, Ikkaku finds himself unable to exit his gigai body as a result of the wig being securely glued. Ultimately, the entire episode seems to serve as a pretext to showcase Ikkaku sporting various eccentric hairstyles, providing an opportunity for Ichigo and others to indulge in laughter at his outlandish appearance.
Bleach is missing one crucial element: Power Rangers-style superheroes. However, the filler episodes would have you believe otherwise. In these episodes, Kon, inhabiting Ichigo's body, is persuaded by Urahara to become the defender of Karakura Town, known as the Karakuraizer. While the main characters are occupied with the primary storyline, Kon is later joined by other individuals from the human realm, including Keigo, Tatsuki, and Chizuru. The selection of these characters alone raises doubt, and to make matters worse, they find themselves facing a Hollow that resembles a child's drawing. However, the greatest offense of this two-part filler arc is its improper placement. It disrupts the flow of the story after a significant moment, seeming to serve no apparent purpose.
2 Side Story Again! This Time's Enemy Is A Monster? – episode #304
1 Film! Festival! Soul Reaper Film Festival! – episode #298
In this latest dream episode, our beloved characters, Ichigo and his friends, take on the personas of iconic folklore creatures. Uryu, portrayed as a vampire, refuses to indulge in blood consumption due to its association with Soul Reapers. Rukia, on the other hand, personifies a succubus, undoubtedly fueling the passion of Ichigo/Rukia admirers by showcasing Ichigo's thoughts about her in this particular manner. Building upon the previous dream episode, the narrative skillfully reintroduces the Snow Crystal element and presents captivating flashbacks of the past events. You may find yourself pondering how these dream episodes maintain coherence, but rest assured, it is a delightful experience to witness the characters donning these extravagant costumes, particularly with the entrance of Ichigo and Uryu's fathers into the equation.
Undoubtedly, one of the most bewildering occurrences is the film festival episode. Breaking the fourth wall, it declares that this festival commemorates the Bleach: Hell Verse movie, much to Ichigo's confusion. The Soul Reapers come together to produce a film for the occasion, with Mayuri in charge of special effects and Rukia taking the lead as Maid Cop. To Ichigo's dismay, he is coerced into donning a dog costume and inadvertently becomes the victim of Byakuya's Kido technique, all while evading Zaraki, who desires a showdown with him for his own movie. From start to finish, this episode is utterly nonsensical, resulting in quite an amusing spectacle.
Bleach's filler episodes often display a great deal of imagination, showcasing the series' wild and bizarre elements that deviate from the original manga. As a result, the anime offers a lighter and more comical experience compared to reading the manga. This allows the characters to portray their goofier sides, which may be a matter of personal preference for fans of Bleach. Nonetheless, the occasional lighthearted break from intense action can be quite enjoyable.
