Bleach 25th Anniversary: JET Artbook Return, New Novel, and 2027 Exhibition Announced

Tite Kubo's iconic supernatural manga franchise Bleach is gearing up for a multi-faceted celebration of its 25th anniversary, unleashing a grand slate of announcements that spans publishing, high-end artbooks, serialized light novels, major physical exhibitions, and final anime broadcast details. Headlining the wave of reveals is the long-awaited return of the coveted JET illustration collection, re-engineered into an expanded two-volume package alongside narrative continuations penned by acclaimed author Ryogo Narita.

Quick summary

• JET Artbook Expanded Re-Release: Tite Kubo's BLEACH JET artbook returns on October 2, 2026, split into two volumes containing over 700 classic illustrations plus new Bleach and Burn the Witch artwork.
• New Spin-Off Light Novel: Author Ryogo Narita is returning to write DON'T BLEACH MY FIST II, a school-life story exploring a mysterious plot following the meeting of Ichigo Kurosaki and Jo Hyouzaki.
• Exhibition & Anime Horizons: A secondary art exhibition, BLEACH EX. II, is officially scheduled for Summer 2027, while the final anime cour, The Calamity, continues its 10-episode run on Hulu with added anime-original battle scenes.

Expanded 2026 JET Artbooks and New Narrative Projects

Originally published in December 2018 as a collector's flagship release, the BLEACH JET art collection is officially returning to print on October 2, 2026. Rather than a simple reprint, Shueisha will release the collection as a two-part set titled BLEACH Artbook JET 2026 I and BLEACH Artbook JET 2026 II. The new edition retains the ultra-high printing quality of the 2018 original, utilizing identical specialized paper and custom ink formulations to preserve Kubo's signature stylistic aesthetic.

The two volumes divide the massive archive, with Volume I spanning 304 pages and Volume II measuring 218 pages. Together, they will house more than 700 classic illustrations featured in the original printing alongside newly integrated artwork from both Bleach and Kubo's companion series, Burn the Witch. Publishers confirmed that while new artwork is included, the short Burn the Witch bonus comic chapter included in the 2018 limited physical printing will not be reproduced in this edition.

Ryogo Narita Returns with DON'T BLEACH MY FIST II

Building directly on creative concepts that originated alongside the first JET release, author Ryogo Narita—renowned for his work on Baccano!, Durarara!!, and the Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World novel trilogy—is writing a new light novel installment titled DON'T BLEACH MY FIST II. Set in a high school environment, the narrative follows an unexpected meeting between protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and Jo Hyouzaki.

This encounter triggers a chain of disruptive events across Karakura Town, with early story details pointing toward an enigmatic mastermind manipulating circumstances from behind the scenes. The project continues the franchise's tradition of utilizing spin-off literature to flesh out everyday character interactions that complement the high-stakes battles of the main manga series.

Exhibitions, Final Anime Cour, and Multimedia Expansions

BLEACH EX. II Set for Summer 2027

Following the success of the original BLEACH EX. exhibition that debuted in December 2021, the franchise has officially greenlit BLEACH EX. II for Summer 2027. Designed to showcase original manga manuscripts, rare concept sketches, and immersive atmospheric installations, the secondary exhibition will offer fans a updated deep dive into Tite Kubo's art history as the 25th-anniversary milestone reaches full momentum.

Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity Anime Details

On the animation front, the final adaptation arc, BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity, is currently airing. Streaming globally, with Hulu serving as the official U.S. home, the final part has been confirmed for a 10-episode run, with three episodes already released. Series creator Tite Kubo confirmed that this final cour incorporates a substantial amount of anime-original material beyond the manga's pages, directly expanding upon the climactic final battles to deliver a more comprehensive narrative conclusion.

BLEACH: Mirrors High Gaming Reveal

The franchise's transmedia footprint continues to expand into interactive entertainment with the upcoming game project BLEACH: Mirrors High. A recent promotional trailer officially introduced the title's primary protagonists, highlighted by brand-new, original character designs created specifically for the game by Tite Kubo himself.

Why it matters

The multi-tiered rollout surrounding Bleach's 25th anniversary demonstrates how major anime franchises manage legacy content alongside ongoing multimedia releases. By making the heavily sought-after JET artbook accessible again in a revised two-volume format, Shueisha satisfies secondary market demand while keeping older art archives relevant to newer fans brought in by the Thousand-Year Blood War anime revival.

Furthermore, integrating Ryogo Narita's narrative projects, original gaming character designs, and expanded anime fight sequences highlights a deliberate strategy to broaden franchise lore across various mediums rather than relying solely on nostalgic reprints.

Background

Created by Tite Kubo, Bleach began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001, concluding its run in 2016 after 74 tankobon volumes. Over its 15-year serialization, the series established itself as one of the defining shonen titles of the 2000s, surpassing 130 million copies in circulation globally.

The original television anime adaptation produced by Studio Pierrot ran from 2004 to 2012, spawning four feature films before going on an extended decade-long hiatus. The franchise made a high-profile return in October 2022 with BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, adapting the manga's final story arc across four distinct cours with modernized animation standards and direct creative oversight from Kubo.

Qnews24h insight

From an editorial perspective, Shueisha and Pierrot's strategy with Bleach represents a carefully calibrated approach to legacy IP management. Rather than rushing out a continuation manga, the creators are using high-end physical collectibles like JET 2026 and narrative expansions like DON'T BLEACH MY FIST II to maintain audience engagement.

Tite Kubo's active participation in writing additional battle scenes for The Calamity anime cour addresses fan critiques regarding the original manga's rushed pacing in 2016. By filling narrative gaps through animation, video games like Mirrors High, and light novels, the 25th anniversary operates as both a celebration and a definitive refinement of the franchise's canon.

Sources

Official BLEACH X Account / Anime Corner (https://animecorner.me/bleach-jet-artbook-and-ryogo-naritas-school-life-novel-return-fan-vote-and-2027-exhibition-announced/)