Need a Shot of Nostalgia? I Found 8 Bleach Episodes You Should Binge ASAP

With Bleach’s final cour of Thousand-Year Blood War episodes on the way, it’s natural for fans to feel a bit of nostalgia for the series, particularly the original. For those who want to relive Bleach’s glory days, these eight episodes will definitely hit the spot.

Bleach was a show that had some truly awesome moments throughout its run, with epic clashes and shocking reveals galore. There are far too many incredible fights to go through all of them, and the series’ 366-episode length is definitely intimidating to dive back into for a rewatch. That’s when it’s time to watch the best of the best, these episodes, which represent some of the most important points in Bleach’s story--and some of the most exciting.

8 Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! The Hollowfied Ichigo

Bleach, episode #166

Episode #166 of Bleach is the culmination of Ichigo's battle against Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, as he defends Orihime and Nel Tu from the Arrancar. The episode features some awesome battle scenes, as Ichigo uses his Hollow mask and abilities to go toe-to-toe with Grimmjow, who unleashes his Resurreccion, transforming into his ultimate form. Orihime is quite scared of seeing Ichigo in this stage, and is reluctant to even address him like this, while Nel criticizes Orihime's reluctance to cheer for Ichigo, knowing that he came all this way to save her.

Grimmjow is a fan-favorite character, so revisiting his impactful fight with Ichigo is always going to be a good choice when it comes to Bleach nostalgia. While Ichigo isn't quite at the height of his power yet, he still puts up a fantastic fight, satiating the ruthless Espada's desire for combat. This is also a big episode for Orihime and her relationship to Ichigo, as she realizes just what he has put himself through in order to save her. It's important for her to recognize that Ichigo is still himself, despite his intimidating new appearance.

7 Ishida, The Utmost Limits of Power!

Bleach, episode #44

During the Soul Society arc, there are a number of excellent fights, and not all of them involve Ichigo. This episode highlights Uryu's battle with Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who is unambiguously the most evil Soul Reaper out there. Mayuri had tortured and experimented upon hundreds of Quincy, including Uryu's grandfather. Uryu gets his vengeance on Mayuri here, pulling out the special Sanrei Glove, which allows him access to fantastic power in the form of the Letzt Stil technique. Mayuri responds by calling upon his Bankai, and then the fight really heats up.

Mayuri can feel like a character who manages to avoid consequences to his horrible actions, so seeing him get his comeuppance here is supremely satisfying, no matter how many times one has seen it. This is also arguably Uryu at his coolest (outside of Thousand-Year Blood War), showing just what a Quincy can do back at a time when he believed he was the last living Quincy. While Mayuri does survive this fight, he definitely gets hurt badly enough to consider the Quincy properly avenged.

6 Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

Bleach, episode #59

Another one from the Soul Society arc, this episode represents the pinnacle of the fight between Ichigo and Byakuya Kuchiki. Ichigo is using his brand-new Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, prompting Byakuya to call upon his own Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, which is nearly unbeatable. Byakuya even pulls out Hado techniques against Ichigo, blasting a hole in him with spiritual energy. Ichigo's inner Hollow takes control, changing the rhythm of the fight, but Ichigo's tremendous willpower allows him to regain control of his body, even apologizing to Byakuya for the interruption.

Byakuya is arguably the main "villain" for the Soul Society arc, so Ichigo's clash with him was both inevitable and incredibly cool. His defeat here prompts him to finally explain why it is that he hasn't tried to save Rukia himself, showing that he has the utmost respect for law and order, rather than being in any way evil. This is also effectively Ichigo's first real demonstration of what his Bankai can do, making it a landmark episode in more ways than one.

5 Rescue Hirako! Aizen vs. Urahara

Bleach, episode #212

Set during the flashback "Turn Back the Pendulum" arc, this episode reveals the origins of the Visored in addition to Aizen's involvement. It features Urahara back during his days as a Soul Reaper captain, who confronts Aizen over what has happened to the other captains and lieutenants. Urahara's assistant, Tessai, shows off his expertise by using two forbidden Kido spells to help rescue the soon-to-be Visored, although they're soon arrested, framed for Aizen's misdeeds. Yoruichi gets to be the big hero, saving Urahara, the Visored, and Tessai from being punished, allowing them all to escape to the Human World.

"Turn Back the Pendulum" is a fan-favorite arc, revealing just how devious and dangerous Aizen could be even when he was still a Soul Reaper. This episode marks the end of the arc, and finally explains a number of significant backstory events and how they were all connected the whole time, making it a masterfully written surprise. For fans of the Visored characters, it also sets up their dramatic arrival on the field of battle, adding a new element to the present-day conflict with Aizen and his Espada.

4 The Immortal Man

Bleach, episode #39

Once again, the Soul Society arc stands out, as it features a lot of iconic moments and really set the tone for the rest of the series. This episode features the conclusion of Ichigo's battle against Kenpachi Zaraki, an absurdly powerful Soul Reaper who tones down his own power to enjoy fights better. Kenpachi is a madman who pushes Ichigo to his limits, and right when things seem to be turning around, he removes his eyepatch, allowing his power to soar to new heights. It all comes down to one final strike, and shockingly, it's Ichigo who collapses first.

Of course, Ichigo did win this battle, although that's not revealed until the next episode. The episode also features significant elements in Ichigo's inner world, where he must contend with the inner Hollow and Zangetsu, who try to help him and instruct him even as battle continues. This also marks a turning point in the story of the Soul Society arc; from this episode on, Kenpachi is throwing his lot in with Ichigo's group, marking a divide in the Soul Reapers that only continues to grow as the situation escalates.

3 Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tensho!

Bleach, episode #309

Everything in the series has been building to this moment, as Ichigo faces off with Aizen for the final time. Aizen actually expresses some admiration for Ichigo, noting that he transcended the boundary between Soul Reaper and Hollow, if only for a short time, but that power is now gone. Ichigo prepares to use the Final Getsuga Tensho, and a flashback ensues revealing how Ichigo learned the technique. At the cost of his Soul Reaper powers, Ichigo transforms and becomes the Final Getsuga Tenso, slashing Aizen with an attack that provides the opening Urahara needs to seal Aizen away for good.

At the time this first came out, many fans thought this would be the climax of the entire manga, and it definitely remains a high point even considering everything that comes after. Aizen and Ichigo have a much more entwined relationship than it seems at this stage, so rewatching this episode with the revelations from Thousand-Year Blood War in mind can really enhance the scenes even further. It's interesting how Aizen and Ichigo mirror each other somewhat, but despite all his advantages, Ichigo still came out ahead in the end.

2 Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!

Bleach, episode #271

One of the most anticipated showdowns in all of Bleach was Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, and it did not let fans down. The episode opens with Ichigo's apparent death, and things really just get crazier from there. Uryu keeps Ulquiorra busy as Orihime tries to heal Ichigo, but to no avail. Ichigo gets up anyway, still fighting even beyond death, now in the insanely powerful form of a Hollow. Ulquiorra engages the feral new form, barely holding it off as Ichigo makes use of Hollow techniques like the Cero. The episode concludes with Ichigo launching a deadly attack at point-blank range.

This episode goes to show the extent to which Ichigo would go to protect his friends, even subverting death itself to continue fighting as a Hollow. Ichigo's monstrous new form is absurdly cool, and it completely surprised many fans who watched this episode for the first time. Ulquiorra's demonic form is quite cool as well, so watching the two clash is thrilling. Ichigo is an absurdly determined young man, and no episode proves that quite as much as this one does.

1 The Day I Became a Soul Reaper

Bleach, episode #1

When it comes to nostalgia for a series, it's hard to beat the first episode, especially when it's as well executed as Bleach's is. Ichigo is just a fairly normal high school kid with the ability to see spirits, who sometimes helps these spirits out as he encounters them. One night, Rukia suddenly intrudes into his house, prompting her to be shocked that he can see her. A Hollow happens to come by and injures Rukia, forcing her to share her powers with Ichigo, turning him into a Soul Reaper for the first time. To save his family, Ichigo agrees, and slays the Hollow, kicking off the series.

While it's quite different from what Bleach would eventually evolve into, the first episode makes for a great, compact story which can almost stand alone without leading into a series. Ichigo is a likable character right off the bat, while Rukia maintains an air of professionalism and mystery that makes one want to know more about Soul Reapers and their duties. Ichigo also shows off his incredible willpower early, breaking through Rukia's Kido spell with sheer determination.

For all these reasons, the preceding Bleach episodes make for awesome rewatches, and cover many of the most important events of the series, so give them a watch today!