User blog comment:EmperorSigma/Helping Sigma On What To Do/@comment-3403804-20150408231254/@comment-25152698-20150409015044

As N suggested, I'd definitely give both the anime as well as the manga a watch and a read, definitely worth your time. Bleach is one of the most well done animes in my part, but obviously it was canceled, though I'm not sure if you'd really need to know much beyond the Fullbringer arc.

It also depends on what sort of character you're trying to make.

Shinigami = Watch Soul Society Arc

Arrancar = Watch Arrancar Arc

Quincy = Read the last Quincy Arc

From what I've seen, you're primary interest revolves around shinigami orientated characters, so you'd really only have to watch the very beginning of bleach up until that Byakuya fight, I'd say. Some important things towards the beginning as well, since it shows how Ichigo was able to become a shinigami at what not.

Ps: If the wikia is truly disturbing your eyes (I agree, I really don't like the theme over there, really shitty imo) then just copy paste the information to a notepad, or something. lol