As of April 2023, the Bleach anime series has not yet ended. The anime originally aired from 2004 to 2012, with a total of 366 episodes. However, the manga series on which the anime is based continued until 2016 and concluded with a total of 74 volumes.
While the anime ended in 2012, it was announced in 2020 that the anime would be returning with a new season that would adapt the final arc of the manga, known as the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. This announcement was met with great excitement from fans who have been eagerly awaiting the anime’s return.
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc is considered to be the final arc of the Bleach manga, and it features a conflict between the Soul Society and the Wandenreich, a group of powerful Quincy warriors who seek to destroy the Soul Society and kill all of its inhabitants. The arc features many of the characters from the previous arcs, including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, and Uryu Ishida, as well as new characters who play a key role in the conflict.
The new season of the Bleach anime is set to cover the entire Thousand-Year Blood War arc, which spans 200 chapters in the manga. It will be produced by Studio Pierrot, which also produced the previous seasons of the anime. The release date for the new season has not yet been announced, but it is expected to air in late 2023 or early 2024.
It is important to note that the Bleach anime has faced several production delays and setbacks over the years, which have caused frustration and disappointment among fans. The anime has been criticized for its pacing, animation quality, and filler episodes, which deviate from the original manga storyline. However, despite these issues, the anime has maintained a loyal fan base and continues to be popular among anime and manga enthusiasts.
In addition to the anime series, there have been several Bleach movies and OVAs (original video animations) that expand on the story and characters. These include Bleach: Memories of Nobody, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, and Bleach: Fade to Black, as well as several shorter OVAs that focus on specific characters or storylines.
In conclusion, as of April 2023, the Bleach anime has not yet ended. The anime originally aired from 2004 to 2012, but it is set to return with a new season that will adapt the final arc of the manga. The release date for the new season has not yet been announced, but it is expected to air in late 2023 or early 2024. While the anime has faced several production delays and setbacks over the years, it continues to be popular among fans, and there have been several movies and OVAs that expand on the story and characters.