Fathom Entertainment and VIZ Media are bringing episodes 1–3 of “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity,” from legendary creator Tite Kubo to U.S. theatres nationwide for a limited theatrical premiere engagement prior to broadcast and streaming of the final season of one of anime’s most enduring and celebrated franchises series, June 25–29, 2026.
A cornerstone of the global anime world, “BLEACH” stands alongside “Naruto” and
“One Piece” as one of the original “Big Three” shonen anime, the defining franchises that introduced an entire generation to the medium and built the passionate international fandom that makes theatrical events such as this one possible. With more than 130 million manga copies sold worldwide, more than 62 million hours streamed on Hulu, and VIZ Media social content generating more than 25 million views and 105+ million impressions in 2025 alone, “BLEACH” has never been more culturally vital.
In 2025, “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War” received multiple Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations, including Best Action, Best Continuing Series, Best Score (composer Shiro Sagisu), and Best English VA Performance. The kind of acclaim typically reserved for theatrical blockbusters.
“BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War” has firmly established itself among anime elites after taking Anime Trending’s “Anime of the Year” in 2024, with anticipation now mounting for “The Calamity.”
A special U.S. premiere for “The Calamity” will screen subtitled and English‑dubbed versions of all three episodes nationwide and feature an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes conversation with creator Tite Kubo and chief series director Tomohisa Taguchi and series director Hikaru Murata about the production.
