What's the Deal With YACHIRU'S 'SHIKAI', Sanpo Kenju, in Bleach: TYBW? | Discussion

[@MrTommo2304]

Knowing what we do about her, what's going on with Yachiru's Shikai, Sanpo Kenju? Are there any 'real' Shikai remotely similar to this? Let me know your thoughts, as well as your answers to the questions I've posed towards the end of the video - thanks everyone!

[@nicodemusedwards6931]

The closest to Yachiru’s Shikai is Komamura’s own. Which… interestingly enough, both Yachiru and Komamura aren’t technically humans, but possess Zanpakuto that mimic their movements. I don’t think there’s a connection tho.

[@NEONlights-lb8um]

Yachiru's Shikai is NOT a Shikai. It's simply the zanpakuto showing it's abilities. It's obvious but I don't know why people missed this: The first creature has a blade resembling zaraki's Shikai and the second one looks like an Oni similar to Zaraki's Bankai. That's just what it is.

[@ithfransuave]

What about Azashiro, the 8th Kenpachi? His sword was always in Bankai and as a result also had a woman zanpakto spirit, Uro, that had a will/power of its own. He is the most comparable to Zaraki, no?

[@gabrielrasilva]

Tommo have you stoped to analize that Yachiru stated she "released to much of kenpachi power" and not her power, meaning in the end the zampakuto spirits have no power the powr is from the shinigame and the spirits only exist to help the shinigame tonregulate it so them does not hurt/kill themself using their own power? This also explaying why to have acces to bankai an shinigame need to "convense" the zampakutonspirit they are read tonuse 100% of their own power.

[@douglascramer1501]

​@@NEONlights-lb8umI agree, I also noticed that the Skeleton is reminiscent of Kenpachi's Aura, when he removes his eye patch. The other one is Yellow and has no defining features, which reminds me of the color of Kenpachi's Aura.

[@MagerBlutooth]

My favorite part of the Yachiru reveal is that it means Kenpachi has technically been the President of the Shinigami Women's Association this whole time.

[@Manno200]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elimiller958]

I know it halours

[@SinHurr]

Kenny is a feminist confirmed.

[@JinxeBlaq]

@@SinHurrSeeing as his idol is a female warrior, that makes sense lol

[@taka92123]

i love that XDDD

[@SinHurr]

Yachiru: When your power level is so big it has it's own power level.

[@Sheehan060x]

130 likes and no reply? I'll fix that

[@SpookyStu]

Kenpachi’s closest companion also being his sword is very poetic. She has the childish side he never got the benefit of experiencing.

[@gabrielrasilva]

In truth her is childish he never grow over, to him cuting things and battling is like an game he playied as a child and he never grow over it.

[@Leevodevo]

His sword has a sword.

[@ironrevenger9386]

@@LeevodevoKinda like Gremmy’s Schrift having a Schrift

[@Kal911]

@@ironrevenger9386gremmy never has a schrift

[@why___me]

@@Kal911 he had

[@Metylaner]

There where hints on what shes is from the very begining, if you remember when she jumped on Ichigos shoulder he was shocked because as he said something was wrong with her. Then when young Kenpachi asks her whats her name is she touched his sword like shes saying "Im your Blade".

[@ryanwalters1682]

I would also make the note that Shunsui was able to make an extension of his own Zanpakuto spirit to hide Nanao's Zanpakuto, it isn't unheard of for a Zanpakuto spirit to create/develop another form of itself. Another slughtly similar concept might be found in Zabimaru which is comprised of two creatures attached and seemingly having independent personalities that act mostly in tandom with each other. I say mostly as it would seem that only one element of Zabimaru was willing to extend it's Bankai power while the other did not; as evident by Renji's original Bankai featuring a heavy emphasis on the snake element while his latter form featured a balance of the monkey and snake elements.

[@babaG819]

Iirc that split personality of Zabimaru was only in the zanpakto rebellion arc (non canon) but doesn't discredit the idea and I might be wrong. I think you're probably right anyway. Since "the blade is me" it probably represents Renjis own self doubt and his sense of inferiority to Byakuya.

[@MrMannyhw]

Hahaha the monkey is like, no way I tell you my name.

[@animanco6833]

Given how the two beings mimic Yachiru's movements, it should stand to reason that they may be one being that have been separated, and parts of Kenpachi's bankai ability. After all Kenpachi hasn't fully mastered bankai at this point, and Yachiru could represent one part of the ability that Kenpazhi can use while the other two are other abilities that he has yet to reach or realize.

[@albertlewis4903]

Interesting, I like this idea he would have to have multiple abilities given his raw strength.

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

Wouldn't fit his character. Sanpo Kenju is just the manifestation of Kenpachi's desire to cut his opponent. "It doesn't matter what ya throw at me, there's nothin' I can't cut." Right after cutting Gremmy's Meteor in 2. Yachiru (His Bankai) is literally stating "Whether you dodge or not I WILL cut you."

[@User5hdbh]

Sanpo kenju is manifestation??? So much execuses huh ​@@SeviathTheHumanDrago

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

@@User5hdbh That's literally what bleach is about. The creator of the series said that Yachiru is his bankai spirit. Kenpachi's personality is brute force, he's the captain of squad 11; the squad known for their disdain of flashy special effect zanpakuto and brute force tactics. Having a zanpakuto with a special ability would not be in his wheelhouse so his special ability is just to "Cut" anything he puts his sword to cut. Quite literally "I WILL cut you." Spoken by Yachiru, and "There's NOTHING I can't cut." Are effectively equal statements in this regard. The Sword Is Me. Is a major chapter involving ichigo realizing just that, the sword is him. Yachiru, Kenpachis physically manifested sword, is basically the same in this instance. If a character sword represents who they are as a person then his Bankai literally telling you "I WILL cut you." Is all you need to know. Kenpachis not that deep fam. He's the friend that's gonna punch all your problems in the face before any other solution comes to mind.

[@User5hdbh]

@@SeviathTheHumanDrago why you bring up the sword is me when explaining kenpachi it doesn't make sense.

[@MrYotsuki3]

Since Yachiru is the manifestation of Kenpachi's bankai, perhaps Kenpachi's Bankai is called Nozarashi Sanpo Kenju. His Bankai does make him look more like a beast.

[@elimiller958]

I like that idea maybe modify it a bit so it makes more sense like Nozarashi Kenju (weather beaten sword beast) which fits well

[@Ramsey276one]

True Bankai o_0

[@vastos2587]

This is the theory I like. His Shikai can already "cut everything" so his Bankai just being more cutting power feels underwhelming. Kenny now being able to cut in front and behind his "one shot" blade makes it even more dangerous

[@KavalierII]

Like this - with Nozarashi ability to cut ‘anything’ it this seems similar to Zanka no Tachi: West - there’s beasts cutting but you can’t see them unless he allows it

[@dehydratedwater7041]

​@elimiller958 this fits so well since the first appearance of his bankai kenpachi is is potrayed as an injured and broken down beast with his cleaver being seamingly broken and chipped (weathered)

[@krazyfan1489]

i think the novels mention that Zanpakuto spirits can communicate with each other without the wielders knowledge. i like the idea that she's calling on the spirits of other zanpakuto.

[@CaptainKotetsu]

Kinda sad how this power was revealed and then made absolutely irrelevant five pages later.

[@douglascramer1501]

No, we saw it manifested again as Nozarashi, that is how the entire Meteor was immediately cut through. His Shikai is undodgeable, that is why he can cut through Space. Yachiru's Shikai manifests as monsters holding swords, but they aren't real swords, that is just the form that the power is visually taking, to be seen. If Yachiru's power was just to manifest 3 swords, she would be on Yumichika's level of power, using his false Shikai. There has to be more to it than that...

[@justs_]

⁠@@douglascramer1501never thought of it like that, wether or not was that Kubo’s initial intention this does make alot of sense

[@SantiagoOXfir]

@@justs_because it’s not right lol

[@andrewstafford9406]

@@SantiagoOXfir it is correct. Grow up

[@unbothered5240]

​@douglascramer1501 I think you're missing the actual point of the imagery. Yachiru's three blades are an ode to the path of the blade, its path, its present swing, and its trail. Imagine it like future location, present location, and past location. But the three blades when swung would also have their past present and future locations. Creating a sort of infinite pathing no matter how small or wide the swing. That is the "Cut-All" law of her shikai and Nozarashi as a whole. Because the blade has an "infinite pathed swing" it can't miss and can cut anything within that path. Her Shikai is operating on the basic law of her true power..however, as she is a manifest of Zaraki's inner child... the form it takes is more creative and over-indulged. It was clear early on that Kenpachi could cut anything he wanted, but to learn that his power is straight up to cut ANYTHING including space and concepts... it makes sense that conceptualized creatures are used visually. They're a testament that even the imagined are under his blade's control. Which makes his fight with Gremmy that much more poetic. His zanpakuto's spirit...a spirit of his imagined creation.. to keep that inner child safe.... imagined up monsters to help it fight. Zaraki defeated Gremmy by gremmy imagining him as the monster he truly is... all from just seeing the man swing his sword. Artistically it makes Yachiru's existence really amazing. Like your imagination... she was holding on until the final answer to your question about her is revealed. Then she becomes a fleeting thought... and a memory. But power wise, just like zaraki her power is the most simplistic that it can be. "CUT ALL." That's it. That's the power. Kubo really did amazing with his imagery and stuff with Zaraki and Yachiru

[@Bwakel]

My hypothesis of Yachiru has been that she was the manifestation of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Not pushed out consciously, subconsciously, nor unconsciously, but rather by the will of the zanpaktou itself, realizing that Kenpachi never had a friend, and decided to become his friend. We certainly know he took his zanpaktou from a dead shinigami, but we don't know how, if at all, that zanpaktou was influenced prior to Kenpachi acquiring it; let alone whom that shinigami was or their experience level. We also have to consider that Kenpachi just learned his shikai and bankai, and as noted through the series, there's a difference between a bankai and true bankai, as well as bankai mastery. To further illustrate the hypothesis that the zanpaktou recognized Kenpachi needed a friend, when we consider Kenpachi isn't exactly academic, neither is Yachiru. Neither of them care about how something looks or works, but what it does or means to them. They don't want complicated instructions, or long sentences. Additionally, they don't like it when Kenpachi is interrupted while fighting. They are both childish in nature, and argue with each other like children. In regards to Boney and Lumpy - if for some reason this hypothesis can continue to hold water (because I'm high) - is that Kenpachi has so much Reiatsu that his Zanpaktou (Yachiru) can't take it all at once, however she is the reflection of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Unlike Kenpachi, Yachiru's imagination is a part of Kenpachi's soul, and the excess Reiatsu she takes in from Kenpachi is whim to feeding her Zanpaktou, which as a zanpaktou spirit her Zanpaktou spirit is the truest spirit of Kenpachi, the child that never was. Damn I'm high, great video, would smoke this video again and watch my joint some more. 10/10 mafk.

[@vaiyt]

Kenpachi is so monstrously powerful his sword has a multi blade sword of its own

[@CTomCooper]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Yachiru really wanted to, she could make her own Zanpakto turn “bankai” as well. Though I think it’s all in all her having fun to lead others on.

[@JohnA...]

This realization of this character is probably why we didn't get to see Kenpachi in the zanpakuto rebellion arc.

[@ailaxl]

Exactly - Yachiru (Nozarashi) was already manifested by Zaraki’s sheer, overwhelming power.

[@atticman4275]

He appeared in the Zanpakto rebellion arc. However he said that he and Yachiru lost their way back, so they came pretty late. It's quite fascinating that Yachiru didn't rebelled against Zaraki like the others though.

[@JohnA...]

@@atticman4275 I might just be misremembering to the degree he was there I didn't remember him being around for any of the fights but then again he isn't around a lot of the series until it gets real serious or a point has to be made about just how strong someone is, but yeah I know that Yachiru didn't rebel like the rest that were there. It would have been really odd if they had been, and of course would have given away something that we didn't know until the end of TYBW.

[@fotk310]

​@JohnA... there was scene when Kenpachi fought against Mayuri's Zanpakuto. Though it was a gag scene, until it went Bankia. Then Mayuri arrives and blew up (punished) his Zanpakuto.

[@MrAxedead]

@@fotk310 He also fought against Byakuya and Senbonzakura in the Zanpaktou Rebellion arc.

[@tonicconverse]

One thing I particularly enjoy about your content is your affinity for the nuance in the artwork. You're not just a power level guy.

[@manuelacosta9463]

Isane setting up a medical refuge in the middle of hostile territory is quite something. Shame she does not get to shine as much as the others given what her responsibilities are, especially now with Unohana gone. Still seeing Yachiru go into action was both badass and as usual had its comedic tinge.

[@OrdinaryAviator]

That proved her mastery in the combact medic and her mastery in Kido - perhaps - creating some diversion to avoid unwanted eyes in the hostile environment.

[@Froggyquack]

She did pretty good job in Tybw without Unohana.

[@mastertucker]

Well something to remember is Kubo's quote that naming her Yachiru gave her Shinigami powers. So already the idea that she is named different and has different powers because of that means that it's not necessarily true that her spilling her soul into an Asauchi would just make Nozarashi again. It seems way more likely with Kubo stressing she has Shinigami powers because of how she was named, that her sword is an Asauchi she was given, and that she has poured her soul into it being why it doesn't look basic, and just has a Shikai (because despite no command, it does have a name) from her power that is different because she is falsely named herself, but it's so odd to Kasane because it still is a weird source of power. It could literally just be odd because of it's origins but still be a Shikai.

[@nineteenct]

Names are technically everything in Bleach, Yumichika intentionally uses a false name to hide his sword’s true ability. So a spirit being referred to by a name not its own could then manifest different powers, or perhaps a portion of its true capability

[@mastertucker]

@@nineteenct Yeah exactly, names are everything, and not just any false name = less power but those names mean things too. Like, so referring to a spirit as a Shinigami's name which Kubo said is what allowed her to exist and do Shinigami things, it just doesn't make sense that she'd then have fake not actual Shinigami powers and has this special sword - no it just makes far more sense that because names are everything and she was named as a Shinigami, that all her stuff is legit. And as such it just makes more sense that it is a real Asauchi, it's just weird because the source is weird but it's no less a real Shikai and Zanpakuto. I mean hell, the fact that she can willingly and knowingly grant Kenpachi Bankai, BECOME his Bankai, it'd stand more to reason that she can call her Shikai without a command like any Shinigami who knows Bankai. And not that it's some weird not-zanpakuto or not-shikai like is being suggested in the video.

[@TheHTiainen]

Personally watching Bleach, I've always felt that acquiring more power through shikai/bankai requires the user of self-reflection and virtues. Knowing who you are basically. This can be felt very closely with Ichigo (Renji, Rukia and to an extent with Orihime and Chad) throughout the series, Rukia giving him his shinigami powers, learning the name of his sword, hollowfication, learning he's half and half quincy, every step he learns something new about himself, self-reflects, grows and gains more power to protect his friends. Kenpachi Zaraki to me always felt the other way around. His nature deprived him of self-reflection or virtuous behaviour. In his earlier appearances in the series he laughed at the notion of a sword being a companion which he noted as a mere tool. This is highly ironic as essentially Zaraki's spirit manifested as someone who wanted to get to know him, not the other way around which usually happens in the show. For what comes to Yachiru being the vice-captain. I'm pretty sure Zaraki promoted her as one without her ever needing to do anything. Disclaimer: Had an earlier thought about Yachiru's manifestation was due to the fact that Zaraki stole his asauchi, therefore couldn't "wield" his own spirit on it. This was indeed debunked as Zaraki released shikai. If Yachiru is indeed Zaraki's bankai. Then by process of elimination, Yachiru's sword should in fact be Zaraki's sword(?).

[@angrymaniac53]

I highly doubt zaraki just promoted yachiru to vice captain without her having to do anything. He doesn't really need to make her vice captain to keep her around lol😂. And she is indeed strong enough to be vice captain and she's arguably a captain level. One thing that none of shinigami do is underestimate yachiru's strength as a vice captain. It was more like yachiru applied for vice captain to be with zaraki despite not needing to.

[@SmoothBlk]

17:16 Knowing Oetsu, he probably started Rambling on in Glee and Pride that his Swords are so Great they can even become a Soldier in the Gotei 😂😂

[@gabrielrasilva]

Yeap think of it Oetsu estated that the only waybto become an shinigame is to have an Asauchi, and think Yachiru habe an Asauchi and even an shikai

[@Lupinemancer87]

If you go back and watch the episode where Yachiru remembers her first encounter with Kenpachi, you'll notice she seems brighter then the others, as if she's glowing. Now this could just be due to it being her memory, so she's highlighed more, and the Anime might just have added that for effect. But it might also be a bit of clever foreshadowing.

[@Riion93]

if you combine Boney and Lumpy's weapons they kinda look like Nozarashi in shikai

[@Villainarc_Leo]

Especially lumpys since Zarakis shikai is basically a big ass butcher knife

[@sh4d0wfl4re]

I like to think Staark’s Lillinet is another example of this sustained manifestation of the Bankai Spirit. As peeling off the mask is the Aarancar’s Shikai equivalent, and the resurrecion is their Bankai… it’s almost a one to one

[@DkKombo]

I'm just wondering. Can someone become a hollow, then arrancar, then get an asauchi, learn shikai and bankai, or is the asauchi and hollow sword the same thing or can you have both a ressurecion and bankai?

[@sh4d0wfl4re]

@@DkKomboAsauchi were made (such as Ikomikidomoe), and when Aizen created his Arrancar he cheated by using the Hogyoko to refine the process he had prior experimented with. Now, as for you question about Arrancar managing the reverse of what Vaizard’s such as Tousen accomplished, further gaining proficiency as Shinigami and unlocking Shikai then evolving that into a Bankai… Ulquiorra showcases that the Resurrección can evolve into a Bankai-like second release. So yes, I would say an Arrancar that managed to gain a Shikai of their own and later a Bankai could stack those multipliers with their Resurrección, as the #9 Espada did with his stolen Zanpakuto and Bankai. Given that most Shinigami take hundreds of years to learn both Shikai and Bankai, and the Bankai takes ten years minimum to complete, I would presume that none of the Arrancar had enough time to train their Shinigami abilities properly (outside of #9 whom fused with Lt. Kaien gaining all his experience)

[@DkKombo]

@@sh4d0wfl4re Kelly. New oc made now

[@mikeredding4667]

I love that Kenpachi is so strong that his zanpakuto has a zanpakuto

[@jdw9]

I really like that the Beyond Bankai design of Kenpachi in Bleach Brave Souls incorporates Sanpo Kenju. I always thought that was a really neat touch

[@gammafrost]

I said the same thing. I was actually disappointed we didn’t get to see specific shikai abilities with kenpachi but it’s because he’s just learning. I expect to see new unique abilities in the hell arc.

[@cmbaz1140]

Yachiru and her "sword beasts" always reminded me of nel and her companions...

[@chelseacarpenter2302]

I still remember my jaw dropping when it came out she was actually Kens sword spirit! Absolutely amazingly done and makes their relationship just that much better!

[@joshuasimire1404]

So i love your takes and I'm just gonna say, the best comparison to Kenpachi and Yachiru's relationship is Starkk and Lillynette because if you notice, Lillynette also had a Zanpakuto of her own that had it's own shape/style... therefore, I'd say it's possible for Yachiru to have an Asauchi and have a portion of her soul poured into it so it takes after her. I would also like to believe that Bony and Lumpy are in fact portions of Zaraki's soul as well as whenever his eye-patch is taken off, there's usually an ominous figure behind him which bears a striking resemblance to bony

[@Fgtr4Life]

Commenting as I'm watching this when the video released so we might have similar thoughts, but since Yachiru is a portion of Kenpachi's soul, I'm guessing that Sanpo Kenju is a technique of his bankai that he can't quite access yet. The beyond bankai form of Kenpachi in Brave Souls, while of course not canon, gives a little bit of credence to that thought process.

[@warrmachine1]

when Kenpachi goes bankai and slashes Gerard's face, followed by taking off his shield and arm, or even slicing him in half his sword never actually touched Gerard's body, it is Sanpo Kenju. I think it is impossible to dodge Kenpachi's attacks once his sword is swung in the direction of the opponent, be it far or near. I am comparing it to Lille's X-axis. To think of it ..maybe his sword cut through time as well.

[@Villainarc_Leo]

If thats the case then that would mean its basically impossible to survive his bankai bc you'll be cleaved no matter where you are

[@Arcitan]

It could be that Yachiru's sword is something akin to Ichigo's original one, after he took Rukia's power. Not a true Zanpaktou, but just a manifestation of her power in the shape of a blade.

[@Foodfortho_t]

Yachiru was my number 1 for wanting to see more battles in the series. It would be very entertaining to see her completely wreck monsters so much larger than her with ease.

[@Spoogebro]

I felt this too. Ever since she had that little moment in soul society where she told that guy to fuck off I wanted to see her go all out.

[@tagaduy]

head canon but i think this is actually linked to the asauchi of the previous owner accepting Kenpachi as his own and maybe using part of the previous owner power

[@kennethjimenez5185]

I’m glad you’re doing this topic because it’s such an awesome, unique, yet underrated Shikai ability and I wish Kubo saved it for another character who’s Shikai we have not seen yet but still exists in the story. How do you fight against 3 sword strikes coming at you in succession, especially when two of them are coming at you virtually unseen?

[@jayenlow1191]

I think the initial Shikai Spirit and the Bankai Spirit are normally the same entity taking different forms, but for Zaraki's case his Zanpakuto forms split into 2 beings in order for one to be able to communicate with him until the time was right

[@johncurry7225]

All of the Captains/Vice Captains (at least) knew simply because they had deeper understanding of how Reiatsu can manifest and probably understood immediately what Yachiru was. Otherwise they would not have let some random little girl become Vice Captain. They trusted her with the position because they understood she was linked to Kenpachi. They must have explained this to him when he became captain and briefed him in on what Soul Society really is, how souls work etc. That's why he's not surprised. If you look at it from Kenpachi's perspective, when he meets Yachiru he likely didn't know anything about what a Zanpakuto was, about how Reiatsu manifests, about shikais, bankais, etc., so he would not be able to understand and see Yachiru for what she really was on first meeting her. He probably understood right away that they were linked somehow but the other Captains probably had to explain to him what it really was. They may have tried to train him into controlling Shikai and Bankai but gave up when they realized it was a lost cause. Good literature and cinema often have open-ended endings and twists which intentionally leave the explanation ambiguous enough so that the reader can self-insert themselves and their interpretation of what happened. It also promotes rewatching it with new perspectives which can dramatically change the meaning of events. TLDR: Kubo is a pretty good writer

[@BladeZlayer]

Yachiru is my all time favorit of bleach.. great vid

[@austinphillips4819]

Just saw you posted this just wanted to say that I love your channel and appreciate this series and manga so much more!

[@jrgenvellesen7800]

It is quite interesting that Yachiru's power seemed to manifest as something similar to Unohana's Shikai. That being to summon a living creature. Which plays into the idea that names have direct influence over powers and the very nature of things with Bleach. Kenpachi being so influenced by Unohana that even his soul's powers were molded into something inspired by her, is a fascinating idea. I suspect we will get to see more of Kenny and his new powerset in the Hell arc!

[@babaG819]

Totally true, great insight. Also the fact that Yachiru often acts as Zarakis misguided compass. Lending to Zarakis misguided view of Unohana.

[@rossmonasweebro]

I'm just chuffed that my first impressions of this pair was right. Right from that first fight all those years ago, then solidified with the Stark/Lilinette reveal, now finally borne out 😊

[@AlexKlindt]

I think it's a little more simple than you've proposed here: a Zapakuto spirit is that Zanpakuto and has their powers. Any ability that Yachiru has should be an ability attainable by Nozarashi or it's unnamed bankai state. I think her actual sword is just that, an ordinary sword, or perhaps (as she's a manifested banaki) a sealed state that she puts her blade into that she chooses it to be the pink katana because she feels it suits her. Kenny's zanpakuto ability seems to give him power over cutting and the aesthetics of the blade seem to be that of Oni and Sanpo Kenju is very much an ability in that vein.

[@Zedosanimes]

a great video as always man

[@mew-t]

At 9:50, Coyote Starrk should also be counted, and that (for a lack of a better term) power filtering system along with kenpachi. because if you think back to the other part of his power/him, himself was his gun along with the poor girl that kicked the bucket alongside of him when starrk got taken out

[@jheurtin1120]

Thanks for another great video, Tom.

[@dakotaravenwood7755]

I just had a thought. We know when people take other's swords they retain a sliver of their original owner (Tosen) what if this is what is left of the original state before Zaraki killed the dude and took it?

[@madeinheaven1860]

These are the type of videos I love, keep up the great work 👍

[@zephirol4638]

I think her "shikai" represents the aspects of Zaraki's blade. Boney being the part Zaraki the part of his blade which he unlocked when fighting Unohana. And lumpy his latent power in bankai that he can't control yet which is represented by it being hidden under all that Fur. Boney represents the deadly rage zaraki has, and lumpy the mass of power yet to be fully revealed. And then Yachiru is the literal embodiment of the zanpakto itself which controls them both because she is both. Which is why the mimic her exactly. Also a bit of a stretch. But they may split into 3 thanks to Zaraki with his ability to split himself to lock away his power that Unohana unlocked. Perhaps like a reaper and inherit the powers of it's zanpakto certain things like that can be learned and replicated by the zanpakto.

[@parkeasy18]

The other thing this video made me think about is Unohana’s zanpakuto, specifically her shikai before the persona change. Interesting how it so perfectly matches a peaceful medic but curious how it was used a thousand years ago…

[@gabrielrasilva]

About Yachiru Kubo have alread explained her deal using Oetsu, Oetsu stated that for one to become an shinigame it needs an Asauchi and after some time using it part of the soul of the Asauchi owner imprinte in the Asauchi and it become an Zampakuto, so Yes Yachiru as a Shinigame and Yes that is as Her zampakuto, thinking about it her Shikai is the ability to cut (and whe know her is the personification of Kenpachinbattle sperit that is "to Cut")

[@jakebustillos9]

holy shit what a well made and perfectly delivered video. props dude i dont normally like or watch these kinds of vids all the way thru 👍👍

[@octoniko]

Nice questions. I’m stump. Will you do a BanKai Theory on Sanpo Kenju? If not then Hisagomaru is one that I’m waiting for.

[@stevenwarner9035]

Didnt oetsu say that he makes zanpaktou by layering countless soul reaper souls. If so then there's no reason why a permanently manifested zanpakuto spirit couldn't imprint on a asauchi themselves

[@jeffreyofori3784]

Since she’s of him this means he has her abilities as his bankai. This means if anyone that tries to dogde Kenny’s attack,they won’t due to its ability.

[@ss7cindersh]

i think ichigo's zanpakto for all of bleach up to this arc is your best help in understanding yachiru and her shikai. As we learn in this arc. Ichigo has never actual had a zanpakto. He manifested both his shikai and bankai blades from his own power. Another thing we have learned about zanpakto spirits is that they are indeed formed even before the shinigami are able to learn their names and use their powers. This has been explained by and demonstrated with several different characters. So I would say that by the time Unohana comes across Zaraki, he has already embued his ausachi with his power to the point of creating his zanpakto's spirit. Then by the time he creates Yachiru he is capable of bankai had he been able to communicate with his sword in the proper way. However, with his power so strong and his reliance on himself, he instead subconsciously created yachiru in his attempt to contact his zanpakto's spirit.

[@no_activity]

My head cannon is that Kenpachi's first subconscious attempt to weaken himself so that he could experience more battle was the expulsion of his Banki spirit which became Yachiru.

[@MstrCorrin]

I thought maybe they were related to whatever progress the blade's original owner had made before Kanny - that it didn't get totally overwritten, but that portion that didn't thematically vibe with him stuck around for her to use. But because she would have a different understanding of them, they are more like buddies than sword/wielder

[@blkLazer]

What came to mind: Sanpo Kenju is an ability of his shikai/bankai. Makes sense if you think there is no release command and even entertaining the brave souls zaraki with dual weapons. As far as yachiru herself, she could potentially be his sword spirit, as even though he knows the name of his sword he may not have seen the individual within(we know he's slow in this realm). Yachiru could be a "younger" appearing version of her true form also. She could be the main spirit while lumpy and bony are exclusives of bankai only that manifest due to the overwhelming reiatsu he has OR him learning the ability Sanpo Kenju. His ability to "cut anything" sounds more reasonable thinking like this for me if you can't read the blade or actually a 3 step swing technique

[@shuheihisagi7514]

I agree. I think the reason why Kenpachi's zanpakuto formed when he was a child is a statement for his power. As he got older he got stronger and yachiru was "born" but he didnt know because he was already so strong. Kenpachi is so powerful yachiru's spirit manifested into the real world with a physical body. Thinking back to when Yamamoto went against Sasakibe's bankai. Yamamoto said "it was like an infant" makes me think when Yachiru first met Kenpachi she was an "infant" so when Yachiru showed up i guess thats when Kenpachi could use bankai but since he didnt know the name, couldn't and he didnt really need to until the war

[@3slicessenpai]

I like how Sanpo Kenju also fits nicely with Zaraki's Bankai: both summon forth a beastly presence, focused solely on slashing apart their enemies with raw simplicity. I also like how it fits with the physical-heavy, no mystic nonsense MO of the 11th Squad. Even if she summons monsters, her attacks are still simple swordplay tricks, like Hozokimaru's tri-staff Shikai.

[@wmbtech]

Part of learning bankai is summoning and confronting your zanpakuto spirit, in order to earn it's blessing and respect. I think when kenpachi poured his spirit into his zanpakuto, it was too much. Because of his insane power, the zanpakuto couldn't contain it and manifested it's bankai spirit physically. Instead of building up his sword's power and then training to summon it's spirit, I think he picked it up, overcharged it instantly which summoned a premature bankai spirit, and steadily let it feed off his excess power to remain in physical form and have a friend. Since zaraki has always had natural talent and trained his brute strength, his understanding and mastery of his zanpakuto remained juvenile, like yachiru. As he learns to listen to his sword and learn it's power, I think we will see yachiru mature into the woman known as nozarashi. If we're lucky, it will be added into TYBW. Yachiru is another metaphorical eyepatch, a bankai spirit who's master has enough spiritual pressure to make her a real girl. She's another untapped well of zaraki's power that he just doesn't need or use until the end of the series. Sanpo-Kenju was Yachiru showing us the inner mechanics of how zaraki's shikai and bankai can cut anything. Adding two copycat cuts to zaraki's swings is basically tripling the strength of his cuts. This is how it makes sense to me.

[@ntr7507]

Pretty cool how Kenpachi’s opponent, Gremmy had the power to imagine things to life. And then after beating him it’s revealled he’s so powerful he’s done so similarly without even realizing.

[@luckydueces5873]

It’s kind of funny how Kenpachi’s own vice captain is just his Bankai. Really fitting for his character for him to be at the top alone. Very much so reminds me of Starrk

[@Benigndepressedbear]

An interesting parallel I never noticed before. Stark created another person from his power so he could not be alone. Kenpachi created another being from his power because he refused any company.

[@michaeltemple6695]

When Ichigo first saw her and said who are you? No what are you?

[@Pacemeister]

From what I recall Kubo only used Tensa Zangetsu as a comparison as it's the closest thing there was and that Yachiru was simply a part of the Zanpakuto spirit not necessarily the Bankai spirit, and my thoughts on the "Shikai" are that the Triple Strike is an ability of Nozarashi but it was given to the part of the Spirit that was manifested and the Asauchi she was given simply absorbed that power and it became her "Shikai" and now that Yachiru has returned to Nozarashi Kenpachi now has the Triple Strike as a technique named Sanpo Kenju

[@Froggyquack]

For how Yachiru explain her shikai, kinda make sense why Ken was able to cut everything in the Gremmy fight.

[@mattmabe1574]

Kubo made these loose ends connect really cleverly, he labeled the original kenpachi as unohara a healer to have this dramatic twist. While also giving full rank/ title to zarkai. Yachiru name was given back to unohara. What coincidence is that zarkari’s lieutenant is also Yachiru? The lieutenant controls Two spirits to represent both the original Yachiru and zaraki. Zaraki could not be a kenpachi until Yachiru dies and he gets his full name himself as well as his sword’s name.

[@cdunlap0008]

Combing both of the monsters swords very much resembles something to be seen later so as she is a sword spirit, they are just the divided power of a single being

[@Purexfallenxangel90]

This reminds me of the zanpakuto war movie, though it's not canon(as far as I know) it was noted that yachiro and zaraki were the only ones who didn't have their zanpakuto spirits "materialized" to fight their shinigami owners. Also as pointed out stark and Lilinette(sp?) Are two halves of a whole and though they are technically a hollow it sets a possible residence for shinigami to do the same with their zanpakuto if they have the power for it.

[@jamesmeeks4852]

Kenpachi's bankia has always been awakened. Him knowing his zanpakto's name further linked his passion for battle with his purpose.

[@Kenseiblades]

Personally, I think there is more to all this. I have to start by reminding everyone that Zaraki as a child had very few memories. He only knew that he was always alone, enjoyed fighting above all else, and enjoyed being around other strong fighters. Essentially a monster that likes to be around other monsters. He also believes deeply, profoundly that there is nothing he can't cut and that he will cut down anything in front of him. As Yachiru is Zaraki's Zanpakuto Spirit, it would make sense that her abilities should also be Zaraki's. Also, on their first meeting he named her Yachiru which could have inhibited her abilities as a zanpakuto and her ability to communicate her true name or abilities to him. He also stated, "Yachiru is the name of the person I most admire. This could translate to: once she is gone, so is your new name Yachiru. Which could explain why he could hear the call of his zanpakuto after Unohana's death. I noticed a few more things. Firstly, both his and Yachiru's aura's when upset take on the appearance/presence of a long, slender, skull. Not unlike that of Boney, the hollow-like apparition. The other apparition is called Lumpy, brown hairy beast. The ability "Sanpo Kenju" translates to "Three Step Sword Beast". Secondly, I noticed that Nozarashi, after using the command Drink, has a cap at the top that resembles the color of Lumpy and has a tuft of fibers at the end that match Boney's hair. The both the shikai and bankai resemble Lumpy's blade. This is relevant for a few reasons. I think Sanpo Kenju is not the name of Yachiru's zanpakuto, but rather a command that changes the form of the blade and the attack pattern. I believe when he first reveals his Shikai and call's Drink Nozarashi it changed into a combined form of all 3 blades. As stated at the beginning, he is a Monster that likes being around other Monsters. I believe his shikai is jagged and thin to demonstrate it's loneliness, Sanpo Kenju allows for more monsters as apparitions to cut along with him, Drink combined the blades into a singular large blade with monstrous attack potency, and his bankai looks like Lumpy's blade but broken and his appearance looks like an angry Boney attacking in a blind rage and as he attacked Gerard Valkarie everything in front of his blade POST-SWING was cut to devastating effect. I believe this is the untold truth to Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakuto.

[@christophernightshade]

How do we know she doesn’t belong to the corpse he stole the sword from? Like essentially that energy fused with Kenpachi’s energy as he trained his sword

[@sharlockshacolmes9381]

Bonny and Lumpy could also be respectively the base zanpakuto and shikai spirits. Since lumpy's sword is a cleaver like Zaraki's shikai and Bony has a more "feral" looking blade like the base zanpakuto. And knowing that maybe they both are permanently at Yachiru's side just hidden since they don't look human and couldn't hide among other shinigamis like Yachiru.

[@BladeZlayer]

I feel like there can be a lot more to say about Yachiru and her existence. Like.. If we assume that she has SHIKAI, then isn't obvious that she also have a BANKAI or at least have the ability to possess BANKAI? And if so.. what ist? Because, i feel it's just not justifying her existence by saying that she's simply just a manifestation on Zaraki's Zanpakutõ. I feel like she has a history of her own rather then just being a manifestation. Imagine if she also possesses BANKAI. Maybe she's the source of zaraki's BANKAI but... .. what if she has a source of her own completely different from zaraki's. WHAT I'M SAYING IS.. i think she is a real soul with real memorys, real feelings and also real powers. I do wanna believe that she has her own special hidden BANKAI because of her extraordinary character design. I really love her🍪

[@millasboo]

4:00 Maybe or she had a bankai as it’s stated if you can release your shikai non verbally you have a bankai & mastered it. Now that i think about it all kenpachi’s have living type zanpakutos 5:27

[@TTakatoX3]

If I recall correctly, Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho was thought to him by White. It was a long time since I've seen this scene so a confirmation would be in order. If it is true though, then Sanpo Kenju might be Zaraki's version of that. An ability that his Zanpakuto spirit knows of and can use at will, but he himself is just not aware of. In other words, Sanpo Kenju is just an ability of Nozarashi in the same way that Getsuga Tensho is an ability of Zangetsu.

[@MadLove0815]

Great video

[@czarnicholas_]

The crazy part is, that's not even kenpachi's sword. He got it from one of the soul reapers he cut down.

[@8bitbreadbox]

It's likely that the Bankai spirit is specifically qualified to materialize externally, since a Bankai is a more complete manifestation of the Zanpakuto

[@markdevries2961]

An entire series centered around Kenpachi as the protagonist would be so entertaining. Watching him level an entire landscape with just his energy and cutting down colossal enemies just never disappoints.

[@millasboo]

11:06 It is the story isn’t canon but all of the merged forms were designed by Kubo so it’s a what if thing that’s how he’d look

[@GelgoogJ]

When ichigo learns Bankai Yoruichi talks to Zangetsu. On a side note, I always wondered why she never recognized Zangetsu as Yuhabaha.

[@gabrieldossantos1116]

I don't think Yoruichi ever saw Yhwach. She is way too young. And when she appeared in TYBW it was after it was revealed so I don't think anyone would have a reason to fuzz over it.

[@chrisclark7117]

On the point regarding Oetsu knowing about Yachiru and not coming to investigate, i believe that if he knew of her, i imagine he was curious, but ultimately chose to leave her be. If i recall, the zero division chose to stay out of all the affairs of soul society up til now because they didn't risk affecting the soul king yet. So they remained in their domain to guard the soul king. Probably found their duty far outweighs the curiousity of a rogue zanpakuto spirit who isn't doing anyone harm

[@joelwoodman1385]

I would have said that Yachiru and the 2 monsters were a manifestation of the bankai as a whole and a fraction of the zanpakto as his blade never misses a target. so the upgrade to that or Bankai to that would make sense because it would hit past present and future

[@officiallyjan8596]

What really interests me tbh is the suggestion being made that a zanpakutou's shikai and bankai spirits are actually independent, separate individuals since Nozarashi's shikai spirit contacted Kenpachi after the training with Unohana while Yachiru, the bankai spirit, was still manifested elsewhere.

[@danielmagers7382]

14:05 I wonder if having his original zanpakuto be created from a "sentient" being rather than a true blank slate could have caused this contradiction Edit: I thought about it a bit more and realized it was probably Old Man Zangetsu's interference that resulted in white not knowing about bankai if not both

[@guardian7keys]

About 20 years ago, we already had the theory that yachiru is probably part of Zaraki's power. Especially after we saw Stark. What still doesn't sit right with this theory was Nobarashi was not Zaraki's zanpakto. It belonged to a shinigami that died. I can't recall where I saw this it's likely from the anime. Kid zaraki took up the nobarashi, she has been with him since. It was the explanation why nobarashi was jagged and chipped so badly, because she doesn't belong to him. To add to this we saw in the anime that asouchis look different from shiniagami to shinigami even without shikai release. And how do asouchis come to shiniagami recruits? They just don't show up by mail. And recruits definitely don't go to the squad zero realm. So much is left unanswered. And there are so many holes from Kubo

[@demetriussinclair4952]

I wouldn't be surprised if zaraki could attack before during and after an attack like yachiru if he mastered Nozarashi

[@michaeldoukas4444]

Yachiru is one of my favorite characters. She really does act like a child when she tells Ichigo thanks for the fight and get get better so they can fight again. When she heaves Kenpachi on her shoulder and just hops away, you know something is up. In the flashback with Kenpachi, it kind of make sense that she would tough the bloody blade and not be afraid of it, since she is one her self. The fact that she is a part of him is so cool. Very interesting concept. And the fact that Kenpachi screams for people to find her, just shows the bond they have.

[@BFG93]

I always thought they were three aspects of kenpachi, his hollow, his sword, and his human side. All aspects personified.

[@Cwsthmscl]

My theory is that Sanpo Kenju is Kenpachi’s unnamed Bankai abilities. We never actually see what his bankai’s abilities are, other than transforming him and giving him a power boost, but it’s entirely possible the 3 strikes are also part of it

[@dakotadoyle7573]

I wouldn't be surprised of Oetsu knew about Yachiru's true nature but was letting it play out to see what would happen

[@davidens1216]

My fav part is that Kenpachi is the REAL "cleave and dismantle" user, which was later inspired Sakuna

[@Sergote12]

What if, sanpo kenju was the shikai manifestation. The reason nozarashi can 'cut' anything is because of it being a triple layered attack, the two of them releases an attack slightly before and after kenpachi's swing. I think that type of shikai is simple, direct and has flexible application that will fit zaraki's combat style.

[@Bricksgaming710]

Well, even if you look closely, you can see that the short extra being lumpy next to her has a long pack toe. That's a cleaver right? Kenpache his release form for his sword is a giant cleaver so then it must be connected

[@justinedwards5047]

White had his own version of zangetsu/tensa zangetsu, so perhaps sword spirits can normally manifest their own versions of the sword they represent, and while White's was just a color invert, perhaps they can be more customized to the spirit

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Notable, she never did a command to bring her sword out. It was out from the beginning. This means she has Bankai she also is one

[@zk4761]

My thoughts. 1) About different manifestations for shikai and bankai. It depends on the user. It's rare to have two swords which could be reason for two manifestations. In the filler arc, most shinigami had one manifestation that could use bankai. Like Kenpachi's fought someone so powerful in imagination that he created a sternritter with his own psuedo power, Kenpachi is so powerful that he has two manifestations including a manifestation that uses his power to create another manifestation. Even his berserker mode is a manifestation on himself. Kenpachi is him. 2) She didn't go through the academy, she was appointed Lieutenant. The manifestation would be it's own person with their own spirit. Oetsu is an observer that only cares about the royal palace. If he did nothing in the filler arc with all the zanpaktou spirits running around, he won't care about Yachiru. Even his female asuchis had their own tools / weapons. This is nothing to him.

[@joshc33]

I feel that to truly know more about her, we must get a detailed review of the zanpakuto rebellion arc and draw a conclusion with that

[@osteogent6445]

That makes sense, I guess I always liked the theory that because Kenpachi’s shikai ability is to basically increase his cutting power, when he killed people, Yachiru stole their swords to add to that cutting power. Don’t think it’s true obviously, but it was a fun theory for a while

[@Grayson-Winchester]

Everyone is acting as if she never existed. Who is now Zaraki's lieutenant?

[@marctm7614]

Ikkaku.

[@Yourself89]

I’ve always assumed that it was an asauchi and that it was different because she was a zanpakuto herself that made sanpo kenju unique.