Bleach is a series that needs no introduction for many fans who are familiar with anime. The series was a part of the Big Three along with illustrious names like One Piece and Naruto, making it clear to see why so many people absolutely loved Ichigo's exploits as a Shinigami. The series might've waned in quality over time, but Bleach still had many redeeming qualities that made it well worth watching to the very end.
Many people had issues with the various arcs in Bleach and how they played out, especially after the brilliance of the Soul Society arc. However, holding any story beat to such high standards is bound to lead to disappointment, especially since the following arcs are actually pretty great and unfairly hated for the most part.
5 The New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc
Filler arcs in any anime are a mixed bag. While some viewers appreciate the idea of spending more time with characters they've become attached to, others find it a complete waste of time to follow an arc that will have little to no bearing on the main story and will be forgotten once the anime goes back to the story of the manga. However, this dismisses the unique and cool ideas brought into these filler arcs, with Shusuke Amagai being a great example of a riveting character who has an entire arc based on him.
Serving as a replacement for Gin Ichimaru, Shusuke Amagai seems like a pretty okay character until his treacherous motivations come to the forefront. The battles in this arc are great, even if certain Shinigami are portrayed as weaker than they really are.
4 Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc
The idea of a Shinigami's Zanpakuto rebelling against them is a unique concept that was brought over to real life with the inclusion of the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc. It makes for a great watch as viewers see their favorite Shinigami try to control their Zanpakuto while fighting against the spirits that house their blade.
It makes for a great and unique watch, even if the battles suffer from the same syndrome of having to be reigned in when it comes to the sheer spectacle. Regardless, Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc should be given a chance by fans of Bleach who want to see the elements of this show molded in a unique way.
3 Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc
After his battle against Aizen, Ichigo has to accept the fact that his powers are going to fade away for good. This happens pretty instantly in the manga, although the anime decides to stick a filler arc in during the time when his powers are disappearing, which leads to the Gotei 13 Invading Army storyline. It makes for a great watch, especially since Ichigo's disappearing powers make complete sense and add a much-needed level of tension to the battles he participates in during this arc.
The arc itself deals with the disappearances and kidnappings of several Shinigami in Soul Society, throwing the domain into chaos as they try to find the people who are actively betraying them during this storyline. It makes for a great time and serves as an excellent way to bridge the story following Aizen's defeat at the hands of a super-powered Ichigo.
2 Hueco Mundo Arc
With all the filler arcs out of the way, it's time to talk about the canon storylines of Bleach that were hated by many fans for their fair share of problems. There's no better place to start off with the Hueco Mundo arc, which served as the continuation of a great storyline that introduced the powerful Arrancars. These antagonists were quite intriguing indeed, with their Hollow powers making them a force to be reckoned with.
However, most people considered the Hueco Mundo arc to be a disappointing way to close off their threat. After all, it seemed like nothing more than a rehash of the Soul Society arc, coupled with another damsel in distress and a plan to break her out by infiltrating a stronghold full to the brim with powerful enemies. However, while these similarities are definitely present, the entire arc shouldn't be written off for repeated plot points. The fights themselves are pretty excellent, and the new characters that are introduced are pretty memorable in their own right too!
1 The Thousand-Year Blood War Arc
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The final arc that is going to be adapted by the new Bleach anime is the Thousand-Year Blood War. It's going to be a monumental event in the series that introduces Yhwach, the Quincy King who inadvertently reveals that Ichigo's mother was actually a Quincy herself. It lets the protagonist develop some of his Quincy powers to use in battle against Yhwach and his army of Quincy.
Most people hate this arc for the meandering pace it had all the way to the ending, leading to a pretty disappointing finale. However, this also discredits the amazing setup of this arc, which had some of the biggest and most memorable moments in Bleach. Fans can only hope that the anime adaptation does its part in improving the quality of some of this arc's more mediocre storylines and fights.