Get ready for a nostalgia trip and a fresh dose of anime action! Toonami, Adult Swim’s legendary late-night anime block, is adding two major titles to its May 2025 lineup: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga. Mark your calendars for May 17th (effectively May 18th due to the late-night schedule) to catch the premieres.
A Blast from the Past: Bleach Returns
For many anime fans, Bleach holds a special place in their hearts. The original series was a Toonami staple, airing from 2006 to 2014. Now, after years of anticipation, the final arc of Tite Kubo’s epic manga, Thousand-Year Blood War, is finally coming to Toonami.
What to Expect in Thousand-Year Blood War
Thousand-Year Blood War covers volumes 55-74 of the Bleach manga. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits:
- The Wandenreich’s Assault: The Soul Society is under attack by the Wandenreich, a group of Quincies led by Yhwach, the father of all Quincies. They declare war against the Soul Reapers, threatening to annihilate the Soul Society in just five days.
- Ichigo’s Final Battle: Ichigo Kurosaki, the Substitute Soul Reaper, is thrust back into the battlefield. He must confront this new enemy and protect his friends and the balance between the worlds.
- Unveiling the Truth: The arc delves into the hidden history of the Soul Reapers and the Quincies, revealing secrets that have been buried for a thousand years.
- The End is Near: As the name suggests, this is the final arc of the Bleach storyline. Prepare for an epic conclusion to Ichigo’s journey.
Production Details
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is animated by Pierrot Films.
- Hikaru Murata is the series director.
- Tomohisa Taguchi, the previous series director, is now the chief director.
- The fourth and final part of the anime adaptation is titled The Calamity.
Where to Watch
Before it airs on Toonami, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War premiered on Hulu and Disney+ starting in October 2022. The series has been divided into multiple cours (quarters of a year), with new episodes being released periodically.
- The first cour premiered in October 2022 and concluded in December 2022.
- The second cour premiered in July 2023.
- Part 3, The Conflict, aired in October-December 2024.
- The final part, The Calamity, is set to follow.
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga Finally Arrives
Blue Exorcist also has a history with Toonami, with the first season airing on the block back in 2014. Now, after a long wait, fans will finally get to see the second season, Kyoto Saga, on Toonami.
What is Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga About?
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga adapts the “Kyoto Impure King Arc” from Kazue Kato’s manga, picking up from the fifth volume.
- Rin’s Identity Revealed: Rin Okumura, the son of Satan, is exposed as a demon during an attack. This revelation causes his friends to fear and distrust him.
- The Impure King’s Eye: The left eye of the Impure King is stolen, plunging Rin and his comrades into a new crisis.
- A Journey to Kyoto: The True Cross Order sends Rin and his fellow Exwires to Kyoto to investigate an attempt to steal the Right Eye of the Impure King.
- Internal Conflicts: The Exwires face internal conflicts as they grapple with Rin’s demonic nature and the secrets of their own pasts.
Production Details
- Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga is produced by A-1 Pictures.
- Koichi Hatsumi replaced Tensai Okamura as series director.
- The season originally aired in Japan from January 7 to March 25, 2017.
Continuity Note
Kyoto Saga effectively begins after the 17th episode of the first season, ignoring the anime-original scenes from episodes 18-25.
Toonami’s May 17th Lineup
Here’s the complete Toonami schedule for May 17th, 2025 (times are in EST):
- 12:00 AM – Lazarus
- 12:30 AM – Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
- 1:00 AM – Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga
- 1:30 AM – One Piece
- 2:00 AM – One Piece
- 2:30 AM – Naruto
- 3:00 AM – Sailor Moon
A Welcome Return for Classic Anime
The addition of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga marks a significant moment for Toonami. These series represent a blend of nostalgia and fresh content, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. Get ready to set your DVRs and immerse yourselves in the world of Soul Reapers and Exorcists!
