Summary

• Epilogue chapters reveal the ultimate fates of major characters, like Ichigo, Rukia, and Orihime.
• A special anniversary chapter hints at potential future storylines and teases a budding romance.
• The series leaves room for a possible return, showcasing characters in further adventures.

Right now, fans of Bleach are all about the Thousand-Year Blood War due to its anime adaptation, but for those who've read the manga, the focus is often just as much on what comes after. It's natural for fans to wonder what happens to their favorite characters, like Ichigo and Rukia, after the series ends. Fortunately, the answers are pretty easy to come by thanks to an epilogue, and a special anniversary chapter released a few years ago.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc depicts the conflict between the Quincy and the Soul Society, as they fight for survival against the Quincy leader, Yhwach, whose dark ambition is to reform the universe in a way that he sees fit, destroying all which already exists in the process. Yhwach is ultimately defeated by an illusion of Aizen's, which allows Ichigo to deal a fatal blow to the villain and put an end to his plot for good.

The story then ends with two epilogue chapters set 10 years later, in 2013, which revolve in part around a fear that Yhwach might return.

Bleach's Manga Epilogue Ending Explained

A Happy Ending for Ichigo and Friends

The epilogue chapters are packed with a number of reveals that convey the ultimate fates of just about every major character in Bleach. First, the epilogue begins in the Soul Society, where Shunsui is shown visiting Ukitake's grave before a special ceremony takes place to promote a new captain. The new captain turns out to be Rukia Kuchiki, now officially named Squad 13's captain. The ceremony is disrupted when an energy signal resembling Yhwach's appears, causing a stir in the Soul Society. Many captains go to investigate, but Rukia and Renji head to the World of the Living to visit Ichigo.

There, it's revealed that Ichigo is now married to Orihime and still living at the Kurosaki clinic. It turns out everyone is gathering together to watch Chad's boxing match on TV, as he's become a world-famous boxer in the intervening 10 years. Uryu is shown watching the boxing match on his phone from the hospital where he works as a doctor. Ichigo then asks Orihime where Kazui is, revealing the existence of their son for the first time. Ichigo then asks if Renji and Rukia brought their kid, similarly revealing that they've begun a relationship and had a child as well.

The chapter sees Kazui investigating a black, goopy object, which suddenly disappears as he touches it, causing the energy signal in the Soul Society to disappear, marking the end of Yhwach for good. As Kazui sits on the floor, another black orb appears behind him, but this one takes the shape of a small girl, who introduces herself as Ichika Abarai, a Soul Reaper cadet. Kazui introduces himself, claiming to be a Soul Reaper as well, transforming into a Soul Reaper's outfit and giving Ichika quite a shock as the chapter (and series) ends.

Bleach's Special Anniversary One-Shot Revealed More of Ichigo's Fate

Ichigo's Last Adventure (For Now?)

In August 2021, a special one-shot chapter of Bleach was released to celebrate the series' 20-year anniversary. The chapter revolves around a special ceremony which takes place 12 years after a captain's death, setting the one-shot about 2 years after the epilogue, in 2015. It opens with Kazui sneaking out of the Kurosaki household to keep a promise to a spirit, which he helps cross over into the Soul Society. Ichigo is then invited to the ceremony by Renji and Rukia, and he ultimately agrees to attend.

Mayuri issues a message to the captains and lieutenants to head to the World of the Living for the ceremony, which Ichika overhears. She decides to follow her parents to the World of the Living to witness this event herself. In the World of the Living, Ichigo meets up with Renji and the others, as the lieutenants are assigned to capture a Hollow as part of the ceremony. Ichigo reveals that he's working as a translator now, while also acting as a stay-at-home father to Kazui. As they're talking, Ichika spots a creature looming over the proceedings, which the others don't seem to see. She warns her father just in time as the monster strikes.

The Soul Reapers begin fighting these monsters, which aren't ordinary Hollows. While it appears to be going well at first, Renji is soon haunted by the image of a fallen foe: Szayelaporro Granz. Szayelaporro taunts Renji and threatens to kill Ichika, prompting Renji to do his best to protect his young daughter. Ichigo steps in, allowing Renji to retreat with Ichika. Szayelaporro describes himself as the "Warden of Hell" and explains that a Hollow is changed by the environment of Hell. As will-o-wisps from Hell appear in the Soul Society as well, Shunsui explains the ritual's true purpose: sending dead captains to Hell as a means of containing their spiritual pressure.

Szayelaporro explains the same thing to Ichigo, and reveals that Captains Yamamoto and Unohana are already in Hell, along with Ukitake. By sending so many powerful spirits to Hell in a short period, it became possible to force open the mouth of Hell, allowing Szayelaporro to be here now. He's pierced by a blade that es through the gates of Hell, pulling him back in and ending the attack. The chapter ends with a mysterious question: "why do the Hell Butterflies that Soul Reapers keep have Hell in their name?"

Many fans believe that creator Tite Kubo intends to continue this storyline some day, although when exactly that might be is a mystery. Regardless, the one-shot chapter reveals a few more details about the characters' fates after the end of the series, and even teases the idea of a budding romance between Ichika and Kazui. Ichigo may have a normal job and a child now, but he's still able to throw down with the best of them should the need arise. The one-shot leaves the door open for Bleach to return some day, but for now, most of the series' characters have gotten their happily ever after.