Popular anime Bleach airs final episode after 22 years

The anime series Bleach is concluding 22 years after it first aired, BBC News reported on October 26, 2026. The series is broadcasting the final episode of its Thousand-Year Blood War storyline, marking the end of the long-running show. [1][2]

Creator Tite Kubo oversaw changes to the original comic book narrative for this final storyline, BBC News reported. Fans have positively received these modifications, despite previous disappointment regarding the original ending of the comic book series. [1]

BBC News noted that Bleach is regarded as one of the big three manga series in Japan, alongside One Piece and Naruto. The story follows Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, who slays evil spirits known as Hollows. In the final story arcs, Kurosaki and his friends combat Fullbringers and an army of Quincies called the Wandenreich. [1][3]

BBC News reported that fans expressed emotional responses to the conclusion of the series, describing the ending as the end of an era. [1]