The first six seasons of Bleach, also known as the "Agent of the Shinigami" arc, introduce the main protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends as they navigate the world of Soul Reapers. This arc sets the stage for the series, establishing the core characters, including Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, and Yasutora "Chad" Sado. The early seasons focus on Ichigo's battles against various Hollows and Arrancar, powerful beings that serve as the primary antagonists.
| Season | Arc | Episodes | Key Events | |--------|-----|----------|-------------| | 1 | | 1–20 | Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper; meets Rukia, Uryū, Orihime, Chad; first Hollow battles | | 2 | Soul Society: Entry | 21–41 | Ichigo & gang invade Soul Society to save Rukia; introduction of captains & lieutenants | | 3 | Soul Society: Rescue | 42–63 | Major fights vs. captains (Kenpachi, Byakuya); Aizen’s betrayal revealed | | 4 | Bount (anime filler) | 64–91 | New enemies (Bounts); Ichigo’s Bankai training | | 5 | Bount: Assault | 92–109 | Bounts attack Karakura Town; mod-souls introduced | | 6 | Arrancar: Arrival | 110–131 | Aizen creates Arrancars; Ulquiorra & Yammy appear | | 7 | Arrancar: Hueco Mundo | 132–151 | Ichigo vs. Grimmjow; Visored training | | 8 | Arrancar: Fake Karakura | 152–167 | Battle shifts to Fake Karakura Town; captains vs. Espada | | 9 | The New Captain (filler) | 168–189 | Amagai arc (Shūsuke Amagai, Bakkōtō) | | 10 | Arrancar: Downfall | 190–205 | Espada deaths; Stark, Baraggan, Harribel fights | | 11 | Turn Back the Pendulum (flashback) | 206–212 | Origin of Visored; Aizen’s past as lieutenant | | 12 | Arrancar: Final | 213–229 | Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra (Segunda Etapa); final Aizen fight starts | | 13 | Zanpakutō Unknown Tales (filler) | 230–265 | Zanpakutō rebellion (Muramasa) | | 14 | Arrancar: Conclusion | 266–286 | Aizen’s defeat; Ichigo loses powers | | 15 | Gotei 13 Invading Army (filler) | 287–316 | Reigai clones; final filler before canon ending | | 16 | Lost Agent (final canon arc) | 317–366 | Fullbringers (Ginjo, Tsukishima); Ichigo regains powers | bleach seasons