The Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation has been structured into four cours (or “parts”), each separated by a production break. The first, second, and third parts have already aired:
- Part 1: The Blood Warfare — 13 episodes, late 2022
- Part 2: The Separation — 13 episodes, mid 2023
- Part 3: The Conflict — 14 episodes, October to December 2024
With Part 4: The Calamity, the anime will complete its adaptation of Tite Kubo’s final arc.
At Anime Expo 2025, a new promotional poster was unveiled that officially confirms 2026 as the release year. Alongside the visual came public reassurance from Kubo himself, noting that while fans may have hoped for an earlier debut, “it’ll be next year” to ensure the final installment meets expectations.
Narrative Scope
Part 3 concluded around manga chapter 656, leaving roughly 30 manga chapters remaining to be adapted. The surviving material includes the climactic battle between Ichigo and Yhwach and the wrap-up of supporting character arcs. Given the compact final stretch, the adaptation may include expanded or anime-original content to enrich pacing or character moments.
Episode Count & Format
While an exact episode count hasn’t been confirmed yet, speculation centers on 12–14 episodes—in line with prior parts. The production team’s decision to spread the cours out over intervals has allowed for more breathing room and higher animation quality.
Returning Cast & Staff
Key voice actors are expected to reprise their roles:
- Ichigo Kurosaki — Masakazu Morita
- Yhwach — Takayuki Sugo
- Uryu Ishida, Orihime Inoue, Yoruichi, and others are likely to return as well.
On the production side, Studio Pierrot (or its subsidiary Pierrot Films) remains the animation studio behind the series. The commitment to quality has been a key reason for the staggered release schedule.
Pressure to Satisfy
Adapting the final arc of such a beloved property comes with high expectations. Fans will be judging not only the fidelity to the manga but how well the adaptation captures the emotional weight and character arcs.
With a limited remaining page count to cover, the show must balance pacing—neither rushing key moments nor dragging slower beats. Too much filler or deviation could risk dissatisfying long-time readership.
Keeping Visuals Strong
Earlier parts occasionally faced animation strain, especially in high-action sequences. The production break and extended timeline aim to mitigate those risks heading into the finale.
In the U.S., Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War streams on Hulu and internationally via Disney+ (where available) The English dub began airing on Hulu in November 2022 and will presumably continue for the final part.
The End of an Era
When The Calamity airs in 2026, it will mark the official conclusion of the Bleach anime saga—at least, of the original manga’s canon. While spin-offs, light novels, or side stories (such as No Breaths From Hell) remain possibilities, this final cours is meant to bring Ichigo’s story to its intended close.
For fans long waiting to see the entire arc animated, the 2026 premiere is a milestone to anticipate—and one that comes with emotional weight, narrative risk, and hope for a satisfying finale that honors the legacy of Bleach.