The world of Bleach, created by Tite Kubo, follows Ichigo Kurosaki as he becomes a Substitute Shinigami, defending the living world from Hollows and navigating the complex politics of Soul Society and the threat of the Arrancar and Quincy. This timeline tracks key events from Ichigo's awakening to the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student with the ability to see ghosts, encounters Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki. After she is injured, he inherits her powers to become a Substitute Shinigami. #bleach #anime )
Ichigo begins his duties as a Substitute Shinigami, fighting Hollows in Karakura Town. He learns basic combat and develops his spiritual pressure. #bleach #action )
Quincy Uryu Ishida challenges Ichigo to a competition to see who can defeat more Hollows. This introduces the Quincy, a clan of humans who destroy Hollows. #bleach #quincy )
The powerful Hollow Grand Fisher, who killed Ichigo's mother, attacks. Ichigo fails to defeat him, deepening his resolve to grow stronger. #bleach #hollow )
Rukia is ordered to return to Soul Society after her powers are restored. She is arrested for transferring her powers to a human. #bleach #soulsociety )
Ichigo, along with Orihime, Uryu, and Chad, invades Soul Society to rescue Rukia from execution. They are aided by Kisuke Urahara. #bleach #rescue )
Ichigo battles the 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki in a brutal fight. Ichigo unlocks his inner Shinigami power and defeats Kenpachi. #bleach #battle )
Under Urahara's training, Ichigo achieves Bankai in three days using a special technique. He masters Tensa Zangetsu. #bleach #bankai )
Captain Sosuke Aizen fakes his death and reveals his betrayal, having manipulated events to obtain the Hogyoku. He escapes to Hueco Mundo. #bleach #aizen )
Ichigo and allies stop Rukia's execution. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki acknowledges Ichigo and spares Rukia. #bleach #soulsociety )
Ichigo and friends return to the living world. Rukia stays in Soul Society temporarily. #bleach #karakura )
Aizen creates Arrancar, Hollows with Shinigami-like powers. The first Arrancar, Yammy, attacks Karakura. #bleach #arrancar )
Ichigo battles the Arrancar Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, but is defeated. He later trains to gain control over his inner Hollow. #bleach #hollowfication )
Aizen kidnaps Orihime Inoue to Hueco Mundo to use her powers. Ichigo and allies decide to rescue her. #bleach #huecomundo )
Ichigo, Uryu, Chad, and Rukia enter Hueco Mundo to save Orihime. They face numerous Espada. #bleach #invasion )
Ichigo fights the 4th Espada Ulquiorra Cifer. In a desperate moment, Ichigo fully transforms into a Hollow, defeating Ulquiorra. #bleach #hollow )
Aizen creates a fake Karakura Town to draw out the Gotei 13. The Captains engage the Espada in battle. #bleach #fauxkarakura )
Ichigo uses the Final Getsuga Tensho to defeat Aizen, sacrificing his Shinigami powers. Aizen is sealed by Urahara. #bleach #finalgetsuga )
After using the Final Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo loses all his Shinigami powers and returns to a normal life. #bleach #powerloss )
Ichigo encounters the Fullbringers, humans with powers from Hollow remnants. He regains his Shinigami powers with their help. #bleach #fullbring )
With the help of Rukia and the Gotei 13, Ichigo regains his Shinigami powers permanently. #bleach #return )
The Wandenreich, a group of Quincies led by Yhwach, declare war on Soul Society. They invade and cause massive casualties. #bleach #quincy )
The Sternritter, elite Quincies, invade Soul Society and defeat many Captains. Yhwach steals the Bankai of several Shinigami. #bleach #invasion )
Ichigo discovers his mother was a Quincy and that he has Quincy blood. He trains with his father Isshin. #bleach #heritage )
Ichigo is taken to the Royal Palace to train with the Zero Division to master his true powers. #bleach #royalguard )
The Wandenreich launch a second invasion. Yhwach kills the Soul King and absorbs his power. #bleach #soulking )
Ichigo achieves his true Bankai, combining his Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollow powers. He confronts Yhwach. #bleach #truebankai )
Ichigo and his allies fight Yhwach in the Soul King Palace. Yhwach's Almighty ability is countered by Ichigo's unique powers. #bleach #finalbattle )
Ichigo defeats Yhwach with a decisive strike, ending the Thousand-Year Blood War. The Quincy threat is neutralized. #bleach #victory )
After the war, Soul Society begins reconstruction. The Gotei 13 reorganizes with new Captains. #bleach #rebuild )
Ichigo returns to Karakura Town and resumes his life as a high school student, occasionally helping as a Substitute Shinigami. #bleach #epilogue )
Rukia Kuchiki is promoted to Captain of the 13th Division, succeeding Jushiro Ukitake. #bleach #captain )
Renji Abarai becomes Captain of the 6th Division, taking over from Byakuya Kuchiki who steps down. #bleach #captain )
With Aizen's defeat, Hueco Mundo falls into chaos but is eventually stabilized by the remaining Arrancar like Neliel. #bleach #huecomundo )
Years later, Ichigo and Orihime get married, and Rukia marries Renji. The next generation begins. #bleach #romance )
Ichigo and Orihime's son, Kazui Kurosaki, is born. He inherits spiritual powers. #bleach #nextgen )
Rukia and Renji's daughter, Ichika Abarai, is born. She shows promise as a Shinigami. #bleach #nextgen )
The Bleach manga officially ends after 15 years of serialization, with a final chapter showing the next generation. #bleach #finale )
The anime adaptation of the final arc begins airing, bringing the story to a new audience. #bleach #anime )