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The Best Episodes of Bleach

Every episode of Bleach ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Bleach!

Binge this in 6d 18h•Peaking at 9.5/10

For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, he finds his life is

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Bleach Season 2 Episode 45 - DEFEND YOU
    9.5/10(10 votes)

    #1 - DEFEND YOU

    S2:E45

    Confronting Yhwach, Ichigo awakens the power of the Hollow deep within, becoming Demi-Hollowfied.

    Director:Tomohisa Taguchi
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  2. Bleach Season 1 Episode 271 - Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!
    9.0/10(11 votes)

    #2 - Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!

    S1:E271

    As Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollow form completely takes him over, he begins battling Ulquiorra Cifer again.

    Director:Yasuto Nishikata
    Writer:Masahiro Okubo

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  3. Bleach Season 1 Episode 309 - Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tenshō!
    9.0/10(10 votes)

    #3 - Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tenshō!

    S1:E309

    Ichigo Kurosaki uses the Final Getsuga Tenshō against Sōsuke Aizen.

    Director:Yoshifumi Sueda
    Writer:Kazuyuki Fudeyasu

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  4. Bleach Season 2 Episode 6 - The Fire
    8.9/10(25 votes)

    #4 - The Fire

    S2:E6

    Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto confronts Yhwach for the first time in a thousand years. As Yhwach finally draws his sword against Genryusai, the Soul Reapers notice an abnormal change taking place across the Seireitei.

    Director:Ema Saito
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  5. Bleach Season 1 Episode 54 - An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!
    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #5 - An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!

    S1:E54

    Rukia Kuchiki's execution ceremony commences, but does not proceed as planned.

    Director:Kazunori Mizuno
    Writer:Rika Nakase

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  6. Bleach Season 1 Episode 263 - Imprisonment?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Imprisonment?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru

    S1:E263

    Zabimaru and Senbonzakura are trapped in the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.

    Director:Yasuto Nishikata
    Writer:Masahiro Okubo

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Bleach

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  7. Bleach Season 1 Episode 293 - Hitsugaya, Enraged! Blade of Hatred!
    8.7/10(9 votes)

    #7 - Hitsugaya, Enraged! Blade of Hatred!

    S1:E293

    The Shinigami and Visored, attacking Sōsuke Aizen, are unable to defeat the treacherous captain.

    Directors:Noriyuki Abe, Kazuo Nogami
    Writer:Kenta Shimoyama

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  8. Bleach Season 1 Episode 294 - Impossible to Attack? The Sealed Genryūsai!
    8.7/10(9 votes)

    #8 - Impossible to Attack? The Sealed Genryūsai!

    S1:E294

    Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto joins the battle against Sōsuke Aizen, only for his Zanpakutō's abilities to be sealed by Wonderweiss Margela.

    Directors:Noriyuki Abe, Mitsue Yamasaki
    Writer:Kazuyuki Fudeyasu

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  9. Bleach Season 2 Episode 7 - Born in the Dark
    8.7/10(22 votes)

    #9 - Born in the Dark

    S2:E7

    Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto learns that the Yhwach he defeated was an impostor. The real Yhwach then reveals himself and easily kills Genryusai, sending a wave of shock and devastation across the Soul Reapers.

    Director:Shinichirou Ueda
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  10. Bleach Season 1 Episode 59 - Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #10 - Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

    S1:E59

    Ichigo Kurosaki and 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's battle reaches its conclusion.

    Director:Junya Koshida
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  11. Bleach Season 1 Episode 270 - Beginning of Despair... Ichigo, the Unreachable Blade
    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #11 - Beginning of Despair... Ichigo, the Unreachable Blade

    S1:E270

    Ichigo Kurosaki greatly struggles with Ulquiorra Cifer in his released form and to further drive it in, Ulquiorra shows Ichigo his second release.

    Directors:Noriyuki Abe, Yoshifumi Sueda
    Writer:Masahiro Okubo

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  12. Bleach Season 1 Episode 308 - Goodbye...Rangiku
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #12 - Goodbye...Rangiku

    S1:E308

    Ichigo Kurosaki emerges from his training and forces Sōsuke Aizen into battle away from Karakura Town.

    Director:Junya Koshida
    Writer:Kento Shimoyama

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  13. Bleach Season 1 Episode 366 - Changing History, Unchanging Heart
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #13 - Changing History, Unchanging Heart

    S1:E366

    Ichigo Kurosaki and Ginjo Kugo both release their Bankai to settle the score.

    Directors:Noriyuki Abe, Yasuto Nishikata
    Writer:Kento Shimoyama

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  14. Bleach Season 2 Episode 12 - Everything but the Rain: June Truth
    8.6/10(18 votes)

    #14 - Everything but the Rain: June Truth

    S2:E12

    Squad 10 Captain Isshin Shiba of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads decides to not report his encounter with the Quincy named Masaki Kurosaki in the World of the Living to the Head Captain.

    Director:Jeong Yeong-hoon
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  15. Bleach Season 1 Episode 39 - The Immortal Man
    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #15 - The Immortal Man

    S1:E39

    After learning to access the power of Zangetsu in addition to his own, Ichigo Kurosaki concludes his battle with 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki.

    Director:Noriyuki Abe
    Writer:Rika Nakase

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  16. Bleach Season 1 Episode 61 - Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions
    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #16 - Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions

    S1:E61

    4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu informs the Gotei 13 that Sōsuke Aizen is alive as the latter reveals his machinations.

    Director:Akira Shimizu
    Writer:Masahiro Okubo

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  17. Bleach Season 1 Episode 62 - Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!
    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #17 - Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!

    S1:E62

    5th Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen removes the Hōgyoku from Rukia Kuchiki's Soul and retreats to Hueco Mundo.

    Director:Hodaka Kuramoto
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  18. Bleach Season 1 Episode 272 - Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Conclusion!
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #18 - Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Conclusion!

    S1:E272

    Ichigo Kurosaki and Ulquiorra Cifer conclude their battle.

    Directors:Noriyuki Abe, Kazunobu Shimizu
    Writer:Kenta Shimoyama

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  19. Bleach Season 2 Episode 35 - DON'T CHASE A SHADOW
    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #19 - DON'T CHASE A SHADOW

    S2:E35

    The change in Mayuri's Spiritual Pressure is also felt elsewhere by Urahara and Kyoraku.

    Directors:Hikaru Murata, Ema Saito, Tomohisa Taguchi, Shintaro Matsui
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  20. Bleach Season 1 Episode 166 - Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! Hollowfied Ichigo
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! Hollowfied Ichigo

    S1:E166

    As Ichigo Kurosaki continues his battle with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Orihime Inoue struggles dealing with Ichigo's Hollowfication form.

    Director:Kazunori Mizuno
    Writer:Natsuko Takahashi

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  21. Bleach Season 1 Episode 358 - Clash!? Xcution attacks Ginjō
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #21 - Clash!? Xcution attacks Ginjō

    S1:E358

    Uryū leaves the hospital to investigate a Reiatsu that is appearing everywhere. Ichigo's friends and family, as well as the members of Xcution except for Ginjō, have been cut by Tsukishima.

    Director:Yasuto Nishikata
    Writer:Kazuyuki Fudeyasu

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  22. Bleach Season 1 Episode 361 - A New Appearance! The Gotei 13, Arrives!
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #22 - A New Appearance! The Gotei 13, Arrives!

    S1:E361

    Stripped of his Fullbring, the powerless Ichigo Kurosaki is stabbed by Rukia Kuchiki and has his Shinigami powers returned to him.

    Director:Tadahito Matsubayashi
    Writer:Kenta Shimoyama

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  23. Bleach Season 1 Episode 362 - Revival! Substitute Shinigami: Ichigo Kurosaki!
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #23 - Revival! Substitute Shinigami: Ichigo Kurosaki!

    S1:E362

    The 13 Court Guard Squad Soul Reapers share their Spirit Energy to restore Ichigo Kurosaki’s lost powers.

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani
    Writer:Kazuyuki Fudeyasu

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  24. Bleach Season 2 Episode 5 - Wrath as a Lightning
    8.4/10(20 votes)

    #24 - Wrath as a Lightning

    S2:E5

    Quilge Opie uses his power to imprison Ichigo inside the Garganta. As he tries to break free, Ichigo begins to hear, through his Soul Phone, the screams of the Soul Reapers falling to the enemy's onslaught.

    Director:Mitsutoshi Sato
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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  25. Bleach Season 2 Episode 13 - The Blade Is Me
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #25 - The Blade Is Me

    S2:E13

    Ichigo learns that he is the child born of a Soul Reaper and a Quincy. Finally understanding the truth behind his heritage, Ichigo decides to return to Hoohden with a renewed resolve to finish what he has started.

    Directors:Yoshinori Odaka, Mitsutoshi Sato, Tomohisa Taguchi
    Writer:Masaki Hiramatsu

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Best Episodes Summary

"DEFEND YOU" is the best rated episode of "Bleach". It scored 9.5/10 based on 10 votes. Directed by Tomohisa Taguchi and written by Masaki Hiramatsu, it aired on 8/22/2026. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!".