The long-awaited return of Bleach for the adaptation of its final arc, The Thousand-Year Blood War, is underway, with the first 13 episode batch completed. Now that this first part is done, however, how long will fans need to wait before part 2 arrives?
So far, The Thousand-Year Blood War has been incredible, with top-notch animation and some intense fights, topped off with increasingly crazy plot twists that have fans eager for more. When the series was announced, it was said to be split into four parts, each presumably about 13 episodes like this first part has been. After the first part’s finale aired on December 26, Viz teased the second part, which stated that Bleach would return in July 2023.
The original Twitter post by Viz features Ichigo before images of his mother and father, while holding his new two-part Zanpakuto. Splashed across it is the phrase “the Blade is Me,” which was the title of the final episode of the first part. At the top, it refers to part two as “Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation” alongside that July 2023 date. A trailer, released by Aniplex and translated by Viz, was also shared, giving a tiny preview of what’s to come. The trailer suggests that the “Separation” in question might be that of Uryu joining the Quincy and separating himself from his friends.
Bleach’s Manga Adaptation Speed
Bleach, in these first thirteen episodes, adapted the manga chapters from 480 to 542, at a pace of about 5 chapters per episode. That would place the end of the second batch of episodes around chapter 610. It’s already known, however, that the second part of Bleach’s return will include at least one fight that wasn’t in the original manga, so depending on how long that fight is, the second part could end more around chapter 600. Given that the bleach manga ends at chapter 686, that would still only leave enough for one more “full” batch of 13 episodes, so it seems likely that the pacing may slow down a bit as it draws closer to the end, either by taking its time or by adding more cut content back. Bleach‘s manga ending was controversial because it came a bit suddenly, so this anime adaptation may be a chance to rectify that by taking more time for a satisfying ending.
Those who’ve enjoyed Bleach‘s return will just have to wait for July for that second batch of episodes, and even those who’ve read the manga have some new content to look forward to when the series is back.
Look for the second part of Bleach: Thousand- Year Blood War when it releases on Hulu in July 2023.