The Thousand Year Blood War arc is currently being released but the manga has been completed. This article explains the Bleach manga ending.
Bleach is widely regarded as one of the best anime and manga ever created. Tite Kubo created this masterpiece, and the anime’s initial release began in October 2004 and finished in March 2012.
It tells the story of Kurosaki Ichigo, a high school student who has unique abilities, becomes a Soul Reaper, and confronts bad characters to protect his family and the world, periodically. The show is known for its interesting battles and characters that are difficult to forget. It got so popular that it was called one of “The Big Three”. This title was given to it because it was one of the top three manga back then.
When the first Bleach anime finished in 2012, fans felt all sorts of ways about how it ended. Some stories wrapped up nicely, but others had readers wondering what happened. But the manga did not end there. Let’s look at what happened in the manga’s final chapters – from Ichigo’s battle with the powerful Yhwach to the series’ ending that got people talking, and what’s next for Bleach.
How Did Ichigo Kill Yhwach?
Yhwach, the main villain of Bleach, was Ichigo’s toughest enemy yet. His power, called The Almighty, let him see and change any future he did not want to happen to what he wanted to happen. A power like this made Yhwach seem impossible to beat. To defeat Yhwach, Ichigo needed to surpass his limits multiple times and rely on his allies.
The final battle took place in the Soul Society, where Ichigo faced Yhwach with his newly remade sword, Zangetsu. But Ichigo didn’t fight alone – his friend Uryu helped by using a special arrow made from Yhwach’s own blood mixed with silver. This arrow temporarily nullified Yhwach’s powers, creating a perfect chance for Ichigo’s strike to deal substantial damage to him.
Seizing this chance, Ichigo uses his signature technique, Getsugatensho, combined with the strength of his hollow and Quincy powers. His final strike shatters Yhwach’s defenses, slicing him in half and ending his reign of terror. The victory is bittersweet, as it comes at the cost of immense sacrifice and effort from all involved.
Why Is Yhwach’s Death Controversial?
Yhwach’s defeat, while satisfying to some fans, raised questions and criticisms among others. One major point of contention is how quickly the battle concluded. Yhwach is shown to be incredibly powerful throughout the story.
He even beat Yamamoto Genryusai, who had been referred to as the strongest person in the Soul Society for over 1,000 years as the Head Captain of the Gotei 13. Yet Yhwach’s final defeat felt abrupt to many readers. Some fans expected a more prolonged and detailed battle given the stakes and buildup.
Another source of controversy is the reliance on Uryu’s silver arrow to weaken Yhwach. While this strategy was explained earlier in the story, some felt it was a convenient way to weaken a seemingly invincible foe like Yhwach. Critics argue that Yhwach’s abilities were so overpowered that his defeat required an external plot device rather than purely Ichigo’s strength or strategy.
Despite these criticisms, others appreciated the collaborative effort it took to defeat Yhwach. The final battle showed how important friendship and working together were – ideas that Bleach focused on from the very start. While fans still argue about whether Yhwach’s defeat was good or bad, it is undeniable that Yhwach’s death remains a heavily debated topic.
Ichigo’s Fate at the End of Bleach
After defeating Yhwach, Ichigo’s life takes a quieter turn. The manga jumps ahead several years to show us Ichigo as a grown-up, married to Orihime, with their son Kazui. Kazui exhibits spiritual powers, hinting at his potential future as a Soul Reaper.
Ichigo himself has moved on from the never-ending conflicts of his teenage years to a more tranquil way of living. After all that, Ichigo is seen just relaxing and enjoying life in the last scene. Although we don’t know much about his daily activities, it’s clear that he enjoys spending time with his family.
We also get to see what happened to other characters. Rukia is now the Captain of the 13th Division and she gets married to Renji. Together they have a daughter named Ichika, who shows promise as a future Soul Reaper and often spars with Kazui.
Uryu follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes a successful doctor at Karakura Hospital, while maintaining his position as the last Quincy. The ending shows how everyone has matured and found where they belong in the world they put so much effort into saving.
Does Bleach Have a Sequel?
Yes, Bleach has a sequel of sorts. In August 2021, Tite Kubo released a one-shot manga titled Bleach: No Breaths From Hell, which revisits the characters years after the original series’ conclusion. The story explores the concept of Hell and hints at a new conflict brewing in the Bleach universe.
The one-shot reveals that captains and powerful spiritual beings who die are sent to Hell due to their immense spiritual pressure. When this new special chapter came out, fans got excited about possible new stories in the Bleach world.
Conclusion
The end of Bleach wrapped up a story that took 15 years to tell. The final battle between Ichigo and Yhwach showed how much Ichigo had grown as a hero and proved that having strong friendships really matters.
While fans still debate whether Yhwach’s defeat was done well, it brought a proper end to the main story. The peaceful ending showing Ichigo’s later life, plus the new special chapter and anime version of the final arc, have kept Bleach popular with fans.
Bleach, one of the most popular action manga series of all time, is well-known for its captivating plots, fascinating characters, and great fighting. It will have an impact for many years to come because it inspired a lot of fans and creators. Even today, it stands as an example of what makes manga and anime special, proving that great stories can bring people together and leave a lasting impact.
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