Tite Kubo’s hit anime/manga franchise Bleach is a classic shonen action title, in which most of the main characters use weapons known as Zanpakuto to fight. As a Zanpakuto grows in power and the user forms a stronger bond with it, this sword’s full potential can be realized. It starts with the Shikai version which activates a fraction of the Zanpakuto’s powers.
A truly powerful Shinigami who has trained extensively and formed a perfect partnership with their Zanpakuto can finally manifest their Bankai, the final version and true form of the weapon. In other words, only a handful of Bleach The Shinigami have already unlocked Bankai. Some are more powerful than others, and some Bankai definitely have more visual flair and cooler special abilities than others, leading to some truly unforgettable action scenes.
Updated on December 26, 2024 by Ajay Aravind: Initially, Bleach Fans were told that it was extremely difficult and rare for a Shinigami to achieve Bankai, but many examples quickly emerged. Against stronger villains like the Espada and the Sternritter, the Gotei 13 Shinigami have no choice but to use their Bankai, which sometimes causes problems. That said, each Bankai is as unique as it is special. As such, we have updated this article with more relevant information.
20
Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi cancels all senses except touch
User: Kaname Tosen
Captain Kaname Tosen of Squad 9 has a Zanpakuto named Suzumushi that primarily affects the senses. His Shikai emits a piercing tone that can knock people unconscious, such as when Tosen incapacitated Uryu Ishida in the Soul Society arc. However, Tosen only used his Bankai, Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi, in one fight against Kenpachi.
Tosen’s Bankai contains himself and his opponent in a huge black bubble which looks like a balloon. In this area, Tosen’s enemy cannot hear or see anything, making it difficult to fight back. However, if an opponent like Kenpachi can touch Suzumushi’s hilt, his senses will be restored. Kenpachi took advantage of this, allowing himself to be stabbed so he could grab Kaname’s arm and blade to find him and attack him.
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19
Kamishini No Yari can stretch for kilometers at supersonic speeds
User: Gin Ichimaru
Gin Ichimaru was once the captain of Squad 3 until he betrayed Soul Society with Captain Sosuke Aizen. Gin used his Shikai in the Soul Society arc. That said, his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, was only revealed in the Fake Karakura Town arc when Gin faced Ichigo Kurosaki. Kamishini no Yari can extend her blade several kilometers with incredible piercing power, but her real advantage is the speed at which the blade can extend and retract.
As Ichigo noted, the moment Gin can point his Zanpakuto’s short blade directly at the enemy, Kamishini no Yari can extend out in an instant and stab the target to death. While it’s not much to look at visually, Gin’s speed and ease of use with her Bankai makes it a pretty cool transformation. Unfortunately, Kamishini no Yari’s poison-based secret ability did not work against Aizen.
18
Tekken Tachikaze is simple but particularly nervous
User: Kensei Muguruma
As a Shinigami turned Visored, Kensei Muguruma relies more on his Hollow mask and Shikai to fight than his Bankai. However, he stops holding back against the Sternritter. In the Bloody Thousand Year War arc, Kensei activated his Bankai, Tekken Tachikaze, which took the form of brass knuckles for hand-to-hand combat. It’s the type of bold weapon a ’90s superhero might use, which is fitting BleachThe most avant-garde Shonen universe.
Tekken Tachikaze unleashes powerful explosions when hitting Kensei’s enemies, and within fist range, most enemies will have difficulty fighting properly. If Kensei can keep his fists on his opponent, the explosions continue, which will definitely eventually overwhelm anyone’s defenses. Another physical type of Bankai meant to be used as a weapon, Tekken Tachikaze makes Kensei look cooler while also looking pretty cool himself.
17
Ryumon Hozukimaru reflects the mindset of Standard Squad 11
User: Ikkaku Madarame
Squad 11 is known for preferring physical combat over any other type, meaning they avoid anything that doesn’t rely on brute force. This rule was probably established by Unohana Yachiru when she was the first Kenpachi. As such, few Bankai represent more of a direct force than Ikkaku Madarame’s Ryumon Hozukimaru. This Bankai combines a monk’s shovel with a guandao for a bulky and massive weapon that Ikkaku is surprisingly agile with.
Bankai are rarely done outside of the leadership of the Gotei 13, so it’s impressive that a third seat like Ikkaku has one, but Ryumon Hozukimaru is not without limitations. Ikkaku’s Bankai does not start at full power and only awakens after being used for a bit in combat, increasing the wielder’s reiatsu over the course of a fight. While most Bankai grant strange new abilities, Ikkaku’s simple but straightforward Ryumon Hozukimaru still looks awesome, at least.
16
So’o Zabimaru is proof of Renji’s refusal to be left behind
User: Renji Abarai
It’s pretty rare for someone outside of the 13 Captains to unlock Bankai, but halfway through the Soul Society arc, Renji did just that. After losing to Ichigo, Renji re-examined his relationship with Zabimaru, and his Bankai followed soon after. Hihio Zabimaru is a heavily severed bony snake entity with a red mane and a snake’s head with fangs. However, by the time Renji faced the Sternritter, his Bankai was no longer enough.
He trained with the Royal Guard and obtained the true form of his Bankai, named So’o Zabimaru. Renji’s Bankai now had a different appearance but was much more powerful than its previous version. Overall, So’o Zabimaru had the firepower to effortlessly wipe out Masculine’s Mask.winning a fight that Kensei and Rose had already lost.
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15
Koko Gonryo Rikyu projects a dome of yellow lightning
User: Chojiro Sasakibe
Chojiro Sasakibe’s character falls by the wayside after debuting his Shikai in the Soul Society arc. Having been defeated by Ichigo with a single blow, Sasakibe seemed to be a rather weak fighter. However, Sasakibe proved to be a formidable warrior in the Bloody Thousand Year War arc, presumably returning from his previous defeat. As the captain-commander’s lieutenant for hundreds of years, Sasakibe’s Koko Gonryo Rikyu was truly a sight to behold.
Although the stolen Bankai was used by Driscoll Berci against Yamamotothe latter complained that Koko Gonryo Rikyu was much weaker in the hands of the Sternritter. Sasakibe’s current Bankai resembled it however, manifesting storm clouds to produce an overhead dome of lightning before projecting several pillars of lightning onto the ground. Even Hisagi was impressed by its presence, stating that it was a powerful weather manipulation weapon.
14
Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo’s frightening appearance suits its wearer
User: Mayuri Kurotsuchi
This bizarre Bankai is the ultimate weapon that Shinigami scientist Mayuri Kurotsuchi can use in battle. Named after a Japanese child guardian deity, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo is the head and arms of a baby attached to a long caterpillar body, complete with a metallic halo above its head. Aside from brute force attacks, the Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo can release a deadly gas from its mouth to incapacitate anyone in the area.
Kurotsuchi went further and modified this Bankai so that it can self-destruct if it gets out of control or if someone tries to use it for themselves. Kurotsuchi’s Bankai isn’t for everyone, like everything else he does – however, due to its unique aesthetic, it is absolutely unforgettable. Additionally, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo takes a much scarier form during Kurotsuchi’s battle with Pernida Parnkgjas.
13
Jakuho Raikoben’s size contrasts with that of its user
User: Soi Fon
Soi Fon is physically the smallest captain of the Gotei 13, standing just under five feet tall. Above all an assassin, she uses her small stature to her advantage with her Suzumebachi. This Shikai transforms the sword into a small glove on Soi Fon’s equally small hands, allowing her to deliver precise strikes at hypersonic speeds. In most cases, she doesn’t need to use anything other than Suzumebachi.
However, Bankai is said to be the TRUE manifestation of the wearer’s personality, explaining why Jakuho Raikoben of Soi Fon is a missile launcher. Since the Squad 2 captain prefers to be stoic, having her true nature exposed through her Bankai becomes an embarrassment she learns to deal with. Jakuho Raikoben is no ordinary missile launcher however, with a shiny gold and black exterior. More importantly, watching little Soi Fon maneuver such a huge Bankai is what makes Jakuho Raikoben such a cool transformation.
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User: Kenpachi Zaraki
Zanpakuto and their enhanced forms, including Shikai and Bankai, are meant to reflect the people who use them. Naturally, a battle freak like Zaraki Kenpachi wouldn’t use weapons that involve summoning other people to help him fight, or even fancy outfit changes like Ichigo or Hitsugaya. However, this changes Zaraki himself, turning his skin red and giving him a pair of oni horns. In other words, he literally becomes a fighting demon.
Even though Zaraki’s Bankai gives him a completely different look, the new technique doesn’t even have a name. This makes him much stronger and can easily cut through almost anything, including the seemingly perfect Miracle Schrift used by Gerard Valkyrie during the Bloody Thousand Year War arc. That said, the half-broken Bankai blade matches Zaraki’s brutal and violent style, making one of the coolest captains even more formidable in combat.
11
Tensa Zangetsu has changed several times over the years
User: Ichigo Kurosaki
Protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki trained hard with Yoruichi for three days to get Bankame, and at the last moment, he unlocked Tensa Zangetsu. This was only possible thanks to Urahara’s special training methods, as most Bankai require years, if not decades, of training. This unusual Bankai gave him the power needed to confront Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill in the Soul Society arc.
The original Zangetsu isn’t large like most Bankai tend to be. It forms a long, thin black blade that gives Ichigo incredible speed and cutting power. Ichigo’s weapon may not be complex, but it still looks impressive. Later in the story, Ichigo embraced the truth about his family tree and his powers, abandoning the original Old Man Zangetsu and reforging his inner Hollow into his final and truest Zanpakuto, with a corresponding Bankai.
10
Minazuki soaks the surroundings with blood
User: Retsu Unohana
Both Shikai and Bankai are manifestations of a Shinigami’s Zanpakuto, and their powers are meant to be the same. A major disconnect in this theory is the existence of Unohana Retsu, whose Zanpakuto takes very different forms in each case. In Shikai, Minazuki becomes a huge manta ray-like flying beast that can heal people inside its stomach.
Meanwhile, Unohana’s Bankai – also named Minazuki for unexplained reasons – turns her blade into a flowing red liquid. Widely interpreted as blood due to Unohana’s bloodlust, Minazuki’s fighting techniques harness this viscous liquid for long-range attacks. She can also presumably heal herself without using Kido, but very little is known about this Bankai. In this case, it doesn’t matter, because a battlefield composed of blood is nothing short of an iconic Bankai transformation.
9
Katen Kyokotsu is the ulfiltered suffering of Shunsui Kyoraku
User: Shunsui Kyoraku
Shunsui Kyoraku is one of the most complex characters in Bleachbut this was only revealed during the Bloody Thousand Year War arc. Until then, fans considered him a pleasant and cheerful character, which is why fun children’s games manifest through his Shikai, Katen Kyokotsu. However, as an adult, despite his behavior, Shunsui’s Bankai Exposes the True Depth of His Despair and pain.
Having lost many family members early on, Shunsui learned to compartmentalize his emotions in order to deal with his trauma. That said, his feelings naturally spilled over into his Zanpakuto, which became the core of his completely despondent Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju. This Bankai can effectively drag anyone in close proximity to Shunsui into a surreal, albeit nightmarish, tragic game complete with wound transfers, diseased spots, drowning water, and instant decapitation.
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8
Daiguren Hyorinmaru’s true form turns Hitsugaya into an adult
User: Toshiro Hitsugaya
Among the Shinigami, Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is probably the youngest to possess a Bankai. Daiguren Hyorinmaru, Toshiro’s Bankai, can fly and freeze almost anything or anyone, regardless of the target’s strength. Daiguren Hyorinmaru can use many powerful offensive moves, such as crushing an enemy into multiple walls of ice or trapping them in a massive tree-like structure that can even capture Espadas like Tier Harribel.
Although Hitsugaya is still young, it’s hard to deny how impressive his Bankai is in terms of power and appearance, as he transforms into a humanoid ice dragon. Near the end of the Bloody Thousand Year War arc, Hitsugaya revealed that Daiguren Hyorinmaru’s time limit actually allowed him to gain his true power. He transformed into an adult to better handle the power of his full Bankai, making it one of the most unique transformations in the world. Bleach.
7
Kokujo Tengen Myo’o is much more awesome with Dangai Cheek
User: Sajin Komamura
Captain Sajin Komamura’s Bankai, Kokujo Tengen Myo’o, is a sort of samurai with black armor, a horned helmet, and a truly massive sword. This Bankai will mimic Komamura’s movements and launch slow but powerful attacks. With this, he defeated the massive Arrancar Poww in one fell swoop. Much to Komamura’s dismay, the explosive Bambietta Basterbine stole Kokujo Tengen Myo’o early in the Bloody Thousand Year War arc, leaving Sajin virtually defenseless without him.
Komamura’s Bankai is deceptively simple, as it appears to simply be a massive tool of destruction. After reaping the benefits of the Humanization Technique, Kokujo Tengen Myo’o sheds his armor to reveal an enormous man composed of pure spiritual energy. Known as Dangai Joue, this Bankai extension allowed Komamura to overwhelm and defeat Bambiettaalthough he became a regular wolf soon after.
6
Kinshara Butoudan performs an impressive musical performance
User: Rojuro Otoribashi
With Aizen treated, many Shinigami who had been transformed into Visored were able to return to the Gotei 13, including Rose Otoribashi. Rose became the captain of Squad 3, relying on the power of her unique Zanpakuto. In Shikai, Kinshara is quite flashy as a huge golden whip, but Bankai is even more impressive. Known as Kinshara Butoudan, Rose’s Bankai manifests a gigantic pair of hands and a troupe of golden beings known as the Dancers of Death.
Rose’s Kinshara Butoudan is ostentatious but beautiful. Kinshara’s special power creates music that can take root in her opponent’s heart. As a result, he can create illusions and convince his opponents that they are actually real. With a conductor’s wand, Rose can create attacks that resemble drowning or being engulfed in flames, and the illusion is real enough to fool most opponents. Even though Rose’s power can be frightening, Kinshara Butodan remains a breathtaking visual showcase.
5
Zanka No Tachi brings literal sunshine to Soul Society
User: Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto
Old man Yamamoto was actually ashamed of his fearsome fire-based Bankai, no doubt because it had caused countless deaths over the centuries. After Yhwach’s initial defeat, Yhwach saw himself as a fiery monster who could destroy Soul Society. Bleach only revealed Yamamoto’s Bankai at the final battle with Yhwach in the TYBW story arc.
Yamamoto’s Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, is a charred blade with immeasurable thermal power. Zanka no Tachi also has a special technique for each cardinal direction, with the South technique reviving all of Zanka no Tachi’s previous victims as burnt skeleton warriors under Yamamoto’s command. The North’s attack was enough to nearly kill the false Yhwach, but Bleach fans will never know if this Bankai would have worked against the real Yhwach, since Yhwach used his medallion to steal it.
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4
Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame manifests a female entity
User: Kisuke Urahara
One of the biggest mysteries of the series was learning what Kisuke Urahara’s bankai in exile even did. Even during the entire battle against Aizen, Bleach fans never got to see what Urahara’s Bankai looked like, as he had mentioned earlier that it was not suitable for training purposes. It wasn’t until the final arc of the series that Urahara was finally forced to summon his Bankai, and it was nothing like what anyone would have expected.
Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame manifests a huge female figure behind Uraharawho apparently has the ability to completely restructure anything his Bankai touches. Urahara can use this ability to damage or heal, or both in the same fight if necessary. Regardless, Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame is one of the coolest Bankai around. Bleachas it is one of the few to summon an entirely new entity to aid in combat.
3
Hakka No Togame transforms its wearer into an ice princess
User: Rukia Kuchiki
Like her brother, Rukia Kuchiki is a prodigy in the world of Soul Society. Although she was only a lieutenant in the 13th Division, she quickly developed her own Shikai, the superb Sode no Shirayuki. But with additional training, she was able to create something stronger. and more beautiful: Hakka no Togame. This Bankai completely changes Rukia’s look, wrapping her in a beautiful kimono that appears to be made of crystal clear ice.
Much like Rukia’s Shikai, Hakka no Togame can reduce things to absolute zero. However, her Bankai does this even more effectively, reducing a large range around her to a complete freeze state. With Hakkai no Togame’s special power, she can unleash waves and pillars of cold mist that instantly reduce anything caught in them to absolute zero. Although the power is terrifying, every battlefield touched by Rukia instantly becomes magnificent.
2
Senbonzakura Kageyoshi reflects the beauty of Sakura flowers
User: Byakuya Kuchiki
Byakuya Kuchiki is the proud captain of Squad 6, and his Zanpakuto Senbonzakura is equally beautiful and deadly. His Shikai appeared halfway through the Soul Society story arc, with the Zanpakuto blade dissolving into hundreds of pink petals that can easily shred the opponent. Byakuya’s Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, is a much larger version, flooding the battlefield with millions of petals that no enemy can dodge or block for long.
Byakuya can even trap the opponent with him inside his Bankai, transforming Senbonzakura Kageyoshi into an enclosed arena consisting of hundreds of floating swords. The final form of this Bankai, the rarely seen Shukei Hakuteiken, focuses all of Byakuya’s Bankai energy into a single attack with no thought of defense, with glowing white wings. As such, there is only one Bankai in Bleach with a cooler transformation than Senbonzakura Kageyoshi from Byakuya.
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1
Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji is a multi-dimensional show
User: Senjumaru Shutara
Senjumaru Shutara, one of the five members of Squad Zero, is responsible for protecting the royal kingdom and the Soul King from invaders. Although her role was essentially negligible in the manga, the anime adaptation expanded Shutara’s character arc and arsenal. She used her Shikai, Shigarami, to defeat Nianzol Weizol in both the manga and anime, but her Bankai appeared exclusively in the adaptation (with input from Kubo).
With a name as long and complicated as Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji, it was no surprise how carefully crafted Shutara’s Bankai was. Releasing it causes the wearer to disappear, while a huge door spawns several patterns of fabric rolls that intersect in beautiful ways. Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji has complete authority over the region of space covered by the cloth.while their designs are specially designed for the opponent in question.
Bleach revolves around Kurosaki Ichigo, a regular and always grumpy high school student who, for some strange reason, is able to see the souls of the dead around him.
- Release date
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September 6, 2006
- Cast
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Johnny Yong Bosch, Michelle Ruff, Stephanie Sheh, Jamieson Price, Derek Stephen Prince, Wally Wingert
- Seasons
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16
- Creator
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Tite Kubo
- Production company
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- Number of episodes
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366
- Streaming service(s)
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Hulu