Bleach: How to Get Started With the Anime & Manga

Bleach is one of Shonen Jump's most beloved classics. Here's how existing fans and newcomers can dive into this vast franchise.

Bleach stands as one of Weekly Shonen Jump's most successful and popular series of all, considered one of the "big three" of its time. The original manga by Tite Kubo ran from 2001-2016 and told the story of punkish antihero Ichigo Kurosaki and his quest to slay monstrous Hollows -- or evil spirits -- and more. As a series that packs more than a little humor, drama, action, adventure and intrigue all into one, it's no wonder fans have gravitated towards Ichigo's story.

With 74 volumes in all, Bleach is undoubtedly a lengthy franchise and can seem daunting to newcomers looking to dive into the iconic series. Thankfully, its popularity has also resulted in several avenues fans can pursue when deciding where to read the manga or enjoy viewing the anime. Whether you're new to the series or looking to revisit a favorite, here are some legal ways to watch and read Bleach.

The Bleach manga series, while certainly a lengthy one, has since come to an end, meaning that newcomers know precisely how much room to clear up in their bookshelves if they would like to collect all 74 physical volumes -- or 25 three-in-one omnibuses. Physical copies can be found for roughly $9.99 each from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Rightstufanime and various other retailers. Barnes & Noble's online catalog also offers novel tie-ins, such as Can't Fear Your Own World (an ongoing series). VIZ Media's official website cites many sources for purchasing single volumes and offers three box sets that collect the entire series, ranging from $174.99 to $199.99.

Readers looking to check out Bleach in its digital form can use many of the same retailers, and often at a discounted price, too. Barnes & Noble's digital Bleach volumes are available to read on Nook, while Amazon also offers them through Kindle and ComiXology for about $6.99 per volume. For $1.99 a month, you can read all 686 chapters of Bleach through VIZ/Shonen Jump's monthly subscription. Along with other iconic series, like Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece and plenty more, it's an excellent resource for anyone interested in reading more manga. Plus, there is a free one-week trial once you sign up that you cancel any time.

How To Watch The Bleach Anime & Movies

With more Bleach anime on the way to cover the manga's final arc, this is the perfect time to check out the series' original run. The anime, which aired from 2004-2012, is available via multiple streaming services, with DVD and Blu-Ray options, though exact availability might vary based on region and language. Crunchyroll offers all 366 episodes from the original run, while Netflix has the first five seasons (about 109 episodes) and three movies, including the live-action adaptation. Hulu also offers the entire anime for subscribed users in both subbed and dubbed.

For those looking to stock up on the physical copies of the series and watch the four animated Bleach movies, DVD and Blu-Ray sets are available. For the series, DVD and Blu-ray sets -- of which the latter are still being released -- can be found on VIZ's website, along with single and double feature packs of the films. Amazon, Target and Rightstufanime are also indicated as options through VIZ's site.

Anime fans may also note that Bleach's anime has not yet covered the entire manga, regardless of the streaming platform used. Since the anime concluded before the manga, the "Thousand-Year Blood War" arc wasn't animated. Thankfully, that's set to change later this year, so there is no better time for fans -- old and new -- to get excited and check out the entire series.