Anime Expo 2025 has proven itself as the place to be to receive all of the latest updates and revelations in the anime community, and it’s nowhere close to stopping.Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’sfinal season may have been pushed back to 2026, but that isn’t stopping its creators from dropping new artwork to tide fans over.
While this new artwork may not be arranged in any extravagant detail, it does pay homage to an exclusive appearance that has undergone years of building up to this point in the anime. Fans have waited eagerly for this moment while creating their own artistic versions of the final confrontation, all to have this visage finally make its first appearance in this new poster.
Anime Expo Releases Exclusive Artwork for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’s Finale
New Poster Reveals First Look at Ichigo and Cast Before Bleach’s Final Installment
During Anime Expo, an exclusive poster was released to promoteBleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’sfinale, featuring Ichigo Kurosaki in the Horn of Salvation form, giving fans their first official look at how the anime will adapt this entry. This hollowification was first introduced back in chapter #676, and has been nearly a decade in the making, bringing back a wave of nostalgia for old fans who waited patiently for its arrival.
Ichigo’s newest form is a return to his Hollow form, blended seamlessly with his shinigami powers after having adapted both of them while maintaining perfect control. The sharp contrast in his form as well as his sword Zangetsu replicates the balance within himself, all while presented on a bright red background to make the lone figure stand out more prominently.
Bleach May Be Held Back By Delays, But Its Animation Will Be Exceptional
Tite Kubo and Showrunners Apologize But Promise Final Season Will be Worth the Wait
AlthoughBleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’spart 4is one of the most anticipated conclusions given its longevity, not one member of the production team is willing to risk releasing it too soon. Each monumental fight outcome and introduction of key characters’ Bankai techniques will be given their fair share on the screen.
“I apologize for making you wait so long for the final season of the anime ‘Bleach Millennium Blood War.’ I feel the pressure of anticipation from fans every day, wondering, ‘What will happen in that scene?’, ‘How will that scene be drawn?’ In order to surpass those expectations in a positive way, all the staff members are putting their heads together and working hard to produce it."
-Director Hikaru Murata
To keep animation from dropping in quality and ensure that all major points from the manga are tackled effectively,Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood Waris taking the extra time until 2026to make this finale one for the ages. Murata states that while he can’t talk about the specifics yet, he can sum up the ”keywords for the final season in one: Full!”
