Bleach anime ends after 22 years with two special videos and Blu-ray IV announced

The Bleach anime has ended. Episode 50 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War — Kōgen-hen, titled “DEATH & STRAWBERRY,” aired on October 26 and closed out an adaptation that began in 2004. With it, the animated story based on Tite Kubo's manga comes to an end, and the anime's official YouTube channel has published two pieces to accompany the finale: a special ending for the final episode and THE STORIES VISUAL MOVIE, a montage that compiles the different stages of Ichigo Kurosaki throughout the series.

The final episode aired after four seasons adapting the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the last major saga of the original manga. The fourth cour, Kōgen-hen, says goodbye with this episode 50. The animated series has thus covered more than two decades of story, from its early seasons to the ending Kubo published in Weekly Shōnen Jump.

Two videos for the finale

The special ending for the final episode and THE STORIES VISUAL MOVIE are available on the anime's official YouTube channel. The latter is a compilation piece: it brings together images of Ichigo Kurosaki at different moments in the series, from his beginnings as a substitute shinigami to the forms he takes during the Thousand-Year Blood War.

The publication of both videos was announced the same day episode 50 aired, according to Japanese outlet Collabo Cafe. They are not a preview or a trailer: they are farewell pieces, meant to close out the character's journey and the adaptation.

Blu-ray and DVD on March 24, 2027

The TV finale is not the commercial end. The Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War IV collection goes on sale March 24, 2027 on Blu-ray and DVD. It includes episodes 41 to 50, the entirety of this fourth and final season.

The completely limited Blu-ray edition will cost 22,000 yen including tax; the DVD edition, 19,800 yen. Both include a three-sided box and a digital jacket with new artwork, according to the information distributed by the production.

Common bonus shikishi illustrated by Masashi Kudō, character designer, for the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War IV Blu-ray and DVD.collabo-cafe.com

As a common bonus across several stores, those who buy the collection at participating retailers will receive a shikishi illustrated by Masashi Kudō, character designer for the anime. The drawing shows Ichigo and Orihime with surprised expressions, with the “BLEACH” logo in the background. The promotion is first-come, first-served and will be available at Aniplex Online, Animate, Amazon —only on products with the Amazon.co.jp condition—, Sofmap and AnimeGa, Joshin Diskpia, Rakuten Books, AmiAmi, 7net Shopping, WonderGOO and Shinseidō, among others.

In addition to the common bonus, each store has prepared exclusive gifts with new anime illustrations. Animate will hand out an item of Sōsuke Aizen; Amazon, of Kisuke Urahara; and Rakuten Books, of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. The items vary by store and include acrylic stands, 6PW photo cards and badges.

The completely limited Blu-ray edition will cost 22,000 yen including tax; the DVD edition, 19,800 yen.

The production warns that bonuses will be distributed while supplies last and that contents may change without notice. For details on each store, the official recommendation is to check directly with the retailer.

Did you follow the Thousand-Year Blood War to the end? Tell us in the comments what you thought of the anime's finale.