Is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War the End of the Series?

Is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War the end of the anime series? Everything you need to know about the Tite Kubo series.

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year War anime
Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year War anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War the end of the series? This is a question that should leave many of you stumped given how the original Bleach anime ended a decade before the anime adaptation for the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc began. At the time, the animation studio stopped adapting the series due to declining viewership. But ten years later the studio decided to resume what they once stopped.

As you must remember, Studio Pierrot started working on the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime to complete the adaptation entirely. Thus, the title of the new anime suggests that the Thousand-Year Blood War is the final story arc of the series. So, is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War really the end of the series? No, not really. This is because after the manga ended, the original creator Tite Kubo released a special one-shot, continuing the story following a time skip.

Is Bleach Ending With Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War?

Yhwach as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime
Yhwach as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

No, Bleach is not ending with the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Many think that Thousand-Year Blood War Arc is the final story arc of the Tite Kubo series, but that is far from the truth. Following the original end of the Bleach manga, Tite Kubo released a special one-shot chapter depicting the events after a time skip. These events are the start of what fans have started calling the NO BREATHES FROM HELL Arc, most popularly known as the Hell Arc.

Therefore, while the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime will rightfully finish by adapting the entirety of the Bleach manga, evidence suggests that the series will resume. Even the original creator Tite Kubo has stated that he would continue writing the manga at some point. However, at the moment, he is busy supervising the production of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime at Pierrot Films.

Therefore, you can expect the original creator to resume creating the manga’s chapters after the anime’s production concludes. While that would take a few more years, Tite Kubo has hinted several times that he has something in store for the fans.

How Long Is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc in Manga and Anime?

Rukia Kuchiki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime
Rukia Kuchiki as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Up until now, the new Bleach anime has released three parts. While the first two parts featured 13 episodes each, the third part is currently ongoing. Such a long adaptation should leave you guys stumped over the length of the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, both in manga and anime format.

Speaking of the manga, the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc is 207 chapters long. The story arc starts from chapter 480 and goes on all the way to the “final chapter,” i.e., chapter 686. This is why the animation studio “Studio Pierrot” (now Pierrot Films) requires four parts to adapt the entirety of the story arc.

As for the anime, as one can observe, Studio Pierrot has already released two parts with 26 episodes in total. While the number of episodes for the third and fourth parts is yet to be revealed, one can assume that both parts will feature 13 episodes each as well. This means that the entirety of the Thousand-Year Blood War anime could feature 52 episodes.

As you would know, previously Studio Pierrot used to opt for the long-running anime format with few “big episodes.” However, with their decision to switch to a seasonal anime format, the animation studio has prioritized high-quality animation. This is why the manga’s 207 chapters are set to be adapted into 52 episodes. No filler content means the story will remain true to its source material.

What Is Bleach: Hell Arc?

Jūshirō Ukitake as seen in the Bleach anime
Jūshirō Ukitake as seen in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach’s NO BREATHES FROM HELL Arc was originally a special one-shot manga chapter released by manga creator Tite Kubo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the manga’s debut in Shonen Jump magazine. This chapter essentially resumed the manga series’ story and depicted the events from 12 years after the Quincy Blood War, popularly known as the “Thousand-Year Blood War.”

The Gotei 13 held a ceremony for former 13th Divison Captain Jūshirō Ukitake who passed away during the war. As part of it, Ichigo Kurosaki and the Lieutenants are asked to prepare for it by slaughtering some Hollows. That’s when the Soul Reapers are introduced to a new threat rooted all the way to hell. In addition, the manga suggested that Kazui Kurosaki, Ichigo and Orihime’s son, can open gates that connect to hell.

Conclusion

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

So, while the Bleach manga initially ended with the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, the special one-shot chapter suggested that there was more to come from the manga series. Thus, for now, it can be said that the Bleach anime will end with the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc unless the original creator puts out more chapters covering the NO BREATHES FROM HELL Arc. Given the creator’s busy schedule, it would be best for you fans to wait until the entirety of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime is released.


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