The highly anticipated final installment of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime, subtitled “The Calamity” (also known as Part 4), has been officially slated for a 2026 broadcast on TV Tokyo. The announcement was made during Anime Expo 2025 on July 4, 2025, confirming the debut year and unveiling a new teaser visual.
Delay and Creator’s Apology
Originally, there was speculation about a 2025 release, but series creator Tite Kubo issued an apology for the delay, confirming that the broadcast could not be scheduled within 2025. This delay, while perhaps disappointing for some fans, is seen by the production team as an opportunity to ensure the final arc receives the meticulous attention it deserves, potentially including more original content than the manga. Production staff acknowledged that previous seasons saw them “stretching themselves thin” to maintain an annual release schedule, making the 2026 debut a strategic move for quality.
Key Visual and Thematic Elements
Accompanying the announcement was a new teaser visual prominently featuring a transformed Ichigo Kurosaki, specifically in his “Horn of Salvation” form, hinting at the climactic battles to come. Director Hikaru Murata also revealed that “Bankai” would serve as the key theme or keyword for this concluding cour, promising intense and pivotal moments for fans.
The Concluding Arc of a Beloved Series
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War began its anime adaptation in 2022, covering the final storyline from Tite Kubo’s original manga. The series has been structured into four cours, with the first airing from October to December 2022, the second from July to September 2023, and the third from October to December 2024. “The Calamity” will mark the grand finale of this long-running adaptation, concluding the battle against Yhwach and wrapping up the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
For international viewers, the anime is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in various other territories, while audiences in Asia can watch on Ani-One Asia.
