10 Best Episodes of ‘Bleach’
‘Bleach’ spans multiple arcs that move from the human world to Soul Society and Hueco Mundo and into the Quincy conflict. Across that journey the series delivers clear turning points where characters unlock new abilities, resolve long running conflicts, or uncover history that drives the story forward. This list gathers ten episodes that mark those milestones so you can jump straight to the chapters that change everything.
You will find decisive duels, crucial flashbacks, and major reveals that reshape relationships and power balances. Each entry explains where the episode fits in the wider arc, who is involved, and what permanent consequences follow. Use it as a guide to revisit the story in order of big developments without guessing which chapter holds the key moment.
Ichigo vs Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill
This episode is the climax of the Soul Society rescue arc where Ichigo unveils his Bankai Tensa Zangetsu on Sokyoku Hill and faces Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. The fight showcases Senbonzakura Kageyoshi against a speed focused Bankai while Rukia’s execution is moments away and the captains are split over Aizen’s moves behind the scenes.
During the duel Ichigo briefly loses control as his inner Hollow surfaces which establishes the risk that comes with his new power. The outcome ends the immediate conflict over Rukia and triggers a shift in Soul Society politics that carries into the Arrancar storyline.
The hollowfication of the Visored
Set in the past during the Turn Back the Pendulum arc this episode shows Aizen’s experiments that force hollowfication on a group of captains and lieutenants who later become the Visored. It traces how Shinji Hirako and his comrades are targeted and how Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi intervene.
The events explain why Urahara and Tessai are exiled and why the Visored live in the human world. The episode provides the origin point for the hollow powers that later factor into training Ichigo and it connects Aizen’s research to the creation of the Hogyoku.
Ichigo and Grimmjow settle their rivalry in Las Noches
The fight between Ichigo and Grimmjow reaches its conclusion in Las Noches with Orihime and Nel as witnesses. Ichigo uses Bankai with the Hollow mask while Grimmjow escalates with his released form which includes the Desgarron technique that carves the battlefield.
The result settles the long running rivalry and clears a path toward Ulquiorra and the upper Espada. It also demonstrates the limits and strain of Ichigo’s mask which becomes a key constraint as the Arrancar arc moves into its final battles.
Ulquiorra’s Segunda Etapa on the dome
On the dome of Las Noches Ulquiorra reveals his second release Segunda Etapa and overwhelms Ichigo in speed and destructive power. Orihime and Uryu arrive during the fight and the situation turns when Ichigo transforms into a Vasto Lorde form after a critical moment.
The aftermath closes Ulquiorra’s role in the story and ends his debate with Ichigo about the nature of the heart. The episode also resets the stakes for Hueco Mundo by removing the strongest Espada present and by exposing how dangerous Ichigo’s uncontrolled transformations can be.
Kenpachi vs Nnoitra outside Las Noches
Captain Kenpachi Zaraki confronts Espada Nnoitra Gilga near the fortress while the rescue party regroups. Nnoitra releases Santa Teresa and relies on his hierro to withstand blade strikes while Kenpachi learns to read the openings in Nnoitra’s defenses.
The battle shows Kenpachi shifting to a two handed grip and increasing his cutting power which turns the tide. It closes the thread that ties Nnoitra to Nel and it stabilizes the front outside the fortress so the story can pivot back to Aizen’s plans.
Aizen vs Ichigo and the Final Getsuga Tensho
After training in the Dangai Ichigo returns to confront Aizen in Karakura Town using the Final Getsuga Tensho. The technique called Mugetsu sacrifices his Shinigami power in exchange for a decisive blow that strips Aizen of his advantage.
Kisuke Urahara’s binding spells then take effect and Aizen is removed from the battlefield which ends the Arrancar saga. The episode transitions the series into a period where Ichigo lives without his powers and sets the stage for the events that follow in the human world.
The Fire in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
During the first Quincy invasion this episode centers on Head Captain Genryusai Yamamoto and Yhwach in Soul Society. Yamamoto unleashes Zanka no Tachi and demonstrates its east west south and north forms across the ruined Seireitei.
The confrontation ends with Yamamoto’s defeat and the loss reverberates through every division. The episode marks the lowest point for the Gotei 13 and defines the threat level of the Stern Ritter as the conflict escalates.
Ichigo learns the truth of Zangetsu in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’
At the Royal Guard palace Ichigo works with Oetsu Nimaiya and forges a new Zanpakuto while uncovering the identity of the spirit that has guided him. He learns that the figure he called Zangetsu reflected the Quincy power inherited from his mother rather than his true blade.
Accepting that truth allows Ichigo to draw out the real Zangetsu and results in a pair of swords that express both sides of his heritage. This episode completes a long running mystery about his inner world and prepares him for a return to the battlefield.
Everything but the Rain
This flashback episode reveals how Isshin Shiba and Masaki Kurosaki met and how a hollow created by Aizen led to a binding that connected a captain to a Quincy. Kisuke Urahara designs a solution that keeps Masaki alive and anchors Isshin to the human world.
The story clarifies the origin of Ichigo’s hybrid nature and explains why his powers developed in unusual ways. It also links past decisions to present conflicts by showing how Aizen’s research shaped events years before the main plot.
Changing History Unchanging Heart
The final chapter of the original run closes the Lost Agent arc after the battle with Xcution. Ichigo restores order in Karakura Town and meets the captains to acknowledge what was lost and what has been recovered.
The episode ends with Ichigo fully reconnected to Soul Society and ready to move forward. It wraps up the human world storyline while pointing toward the future that unfolds in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’.
Share the ‘Bleach’ episodes you would include in your own top ten in the comments.
