Zanpakuto: The Power System Made for Character Writing

[@manuelacosta9463]

I like how Soifon's is representative of her true inner self rather than to cold stoic assassin she's supposed to be, more so since she's prone to flying off the handle for very trivial reasons. Her explosive warhead is suitable for a desperate last stand situation while she operates far better with her standard skills.

[@Based4045]

Ye even on the outside,she never seemed to be cold or stoic. More of immature.

[@manuelacosta9463]

​@@Based4045Indeed. Her upbringing in the unforgiving world of assassins contributed to her extreme traits, more so since anything outside of obedience or loyalty is seen as 'weakness'. Ironic then that Yoruichi never fell into that while legitimately befriending Soifon and others, trying to show her that there's more to life than their deadly business.

[@Purriah]

i wouldn't say "trivial" reasons. compared to other centuries old soul reapers, maybe.

[@ethanleongsem7582]

Frrr. Same with hisagi. He wants to be the ideal shinigami hence the shikai but deep down is scared of killing and dying and is a coward hence the bankai

[@tomasoliveira4465]

Wich is how she is when Yoruichi is around, therefore, her true self.

[@jrgenvellesen7800]

I really like the idea of the Shikai being a reflection on who you are on the surface, while the Bankai is a reflection of your true self. It makes the variety we see within the series of those who have Shikai and Bankai which are very similar and those who are very different, a great way to showcase character writing. The whole idea of the key to unlocking one's true power by going through introspection and accepting yourself, is a really good and compelling way to illustrate both someone achieving both power-ups and character development.

[@Dragonpuncher123]

It's a great little theme that we see with multiple characters like Soi-Fon, Shunsui, Hisagi and Unohana and Gin (in a more subtle way).

[@roywempor8395]

that means that, since zaraki's shikai is like him, violent and powerful. but his bankai is a woman logically zaraki is secretly a woman.

[@rakshithanand8262]

@@roywempor8395Nah. His Shikai is an adult woman (probably modeled on Unohana), and makes his blade strong enough to keep up with his full power, representing the warrior spirit of a soul reaper. His Bankai is represented by a child, and show his real self-a beast so strong he destroys even his own weapon, who can damage himself as much as his opponent as he blasts through all his limits in search of an ever greater fight.

[@roywempor8395]

@@rakshithanand8262 no, the adult woman is the bankai, yachiru is a fragment of her, Kubo said it in a Q&A on klub outside.

[@rakshithanand8262]

@@roywempor8395 Yachiru personifies Nozarashi’s Bankai, and the ‘complete’ Zanpakuto spirit is an adult woman. Obviously an adult better suits the self image of Zaraki. But I don’t think this changes my point. If the Bankai is the core aspect from which shikai is derived, it still very much fits that the two primary aspects of kenoachi’s Bankai would be the childlike glee of killing people and the demonic strength unleashed by dropping the restraints of ‘maturity’. That same Q&A says it’s like the relationship between Tensa Zangetsu and True Zangetsu, if I remember correctly.

[@hexon336]

A connection can be made with the 11th division members where all of them revolve around hiding their abilities. We know Yumichika calls it a different name to hid it's more kido form, Ikakku hides his bankai out of fear of being forced to leave the 11th division and that can be seen in the slow start of his Bankai requiring effort to reach full power and Zaraki hides his power through subconscious limitations.

[@RelativelyBest]

That's actually kinda funny: The guys in the most violent, hyper-masculine "thug life" division are all in some way insecure about their abilities in ways that holds them back from being more efficient killing machines. :D

[@tailez606]

There's also that one Kenpachi in the novels who's mandated to hide his Bankai because it's deemed too powerful to release within the Soul Society.

[@MrGksarathy]

​@@RelativelyBestYou could view that as an indictment of that hyper masculine attitude and what it does to people, but Kubo keeps Yumichika and Ikkaku in the closet, so who knows?

[@MrGksarathy]

​@@tailez606Kuruyashiki, yes, and it's definitely warranted.

[@RelativelyBest]

@@MrGksarathy Honestly, I've never been quite sure if Kubo ever did anything clever on purpose or just made stuff up as he went along and somehow it all worked out. He's the type of writer where I'll consistently think he's just a lazy hack right until he throws something in that makes him look like a genius who always thinks ten moves ahead. I'm exaggerating but you get my point. Like, take the Kenpachi vs Unohana thing. For almost _the entire manga_ he has us thinking Kenpachi's power level is just wildly inconsistent, and he doesn't do a thing to justify it. Then _right at the end_ there's an explanation that has it all make perfect sense in retrospect and exactly matches Kenpachi's characterization.

[@AtenSol12]

Ichigos shikai being constant release would be well explained by his shikai representing his rather frank and blunt personality. Akin to wearing his emotions on his face. its all seemingly there on the surface. Which would contrast his bankai which is sorta the idea that there is so much mor to ichigo underneath the surface. Which is why it forms differently like wrapping around ichigo. Because his whole thing is protection characterized by his mothers death. So his power manifests as something that wraps around him as if an embrace, because zangetsu and ichigo are all about protection.

[@xenn4985]

That's not his bankai

[@AngelKnightZeo713]

@@xenn4985 We know that but Aten was referring to Ichigo's FALSE shikai/bankai which still counts as symbolism towards Ichigo

[@Ammiad]

No, even the false bankai didnt wrap around him, only his fullbring and Dangai forms had zangetsu wrapped around him ​@@AngelKnightZeo713

[@AtenSol12]

@@AngelKnightZeo713 bro… thank you!

[@matthewwilliams8267]

This can be further expanded- Ichigo's False Bankai is still representative of a "desire to protect" but it's Old Man Zangestu's desire, not ichigo's. Like a father putting his coat on his son. Further, Ichigo's Fullbring is an extension of _WHITE'S_ Desire to protect, but in a different manner- like that same father giving his son a sword, or armor. So Ichigo's True Bankai, after accepting that both are Zangetsu, is an extension of Ichigo's own self- a desire foreshadowed much earlier. If he cannot protect those he cares about with his own two hands, he will forge the blade himself to shatter the wheel of fate. The bankai isn't OMZ or White lending or protecting Ichigo. It's Ichigo, truly becoming the blade to shatter Ywach, someone who claims to see and BE fate itself.

[@Grayson-Winchester]

The infamous phrase “ a sword is a warrior’s soul” Is strongly sensed in Bleach of all anime

[@nantogeass]

When you talked about how the Zanpakuto's ability can reflect relationship between characters, it reminded me of something that I don't see talked about often. When Isane described what ability she thought Kyoka Suigetsu had, she explains it as being one that confuses foes, causing them to fight each other. If that sounds familiar, it's because that is similar to Shinji's Bankai where it reverses friend and foe. And another one is Tosen's Bankai which robs your sense of sight, hearing, and spiritual pressure, unless you are holding Suzumushi. And what is the one way to escape Kyoka Suigetsu? Touching the blade.

[@R7dman]

Love this! I was considering including the first one in the video but since it was a lie from Aizen, I thought it didn't fit my point. But that second one is awesome!

[@c731-enfi]

Damn, that's insightful

[@sanddry738]

The concept of characters that have similar Shikai and Bankai connection being honest with themselves vs. the ones that are different representing hidden natures is such an amazing concept i never realized. I know everyone would break the internet if Aizen’s Bankai would ever be revealed and now I wonder if Kubo certainly never will because it may reveal too much about the character. Seriously the Zanpakto is one of my favorite concepts in fiction. A weapon so personalized that absolutely drips with symbolism and character meaning. It’s magnificent

[@KleberDKurosaki]

It's possible that Aizen never have an Bankai

[@coltonwilliams4153]

@@KleberDKurosaki That would imply that he himself never truly understood who and what he was. Considering his personality, it would be extremely controversial, but the fact that his shikai is one of complete obfuscation of perception… I can’t say that it’s outside of the realm of possibility.

[@norasyikinali6283]

He probably doesn't like his own Bankai, except unlike Soi Fon he's basically strong enough to counter literally everyone withour having to push himself into Bankai. Tbf, any illusion zanpakuto users are basically required to excel in every other aspects of the shinigami arts because their swords cannot give them the extra firepower that physical/elemental zanpakuto can. It's also probs why Shinji is as good as he is- his zanpakuto can confuse people but his own skills are the actual game changer.

[@IchigoShinagami]

9:50 This is probably a very basic and obvious interpretation, but I feel like if we use the phrase "The Blade is Me" and use it to interpret not ourselves, but others around us, the 3 states can reflect how much you know a person. The sealed state is just seeing someone on the street, most people look generally the same with some defining outward characteristics, like mannerisms or different clothes (with some people standing out a lot, due body mods, very unusual hair or clothes, etc.). Shikai is how you see someone you have a relationship with, a friend or a partner, personalities of people being widely different, usually far more differentiating than just looks. You may know what they like, what their hobbies/skills are, also if they struggle with something. Bankai is the true understanding of another person. Usually for that, you would need to share a deep bond, being their Love, or a close friend (someone like a Therapist could also fit, I see Nimaya as a representation of that role). You know their Heart, their Soul, their deepest wishes and regrets, their joys and struggles. It is possible to never understand someone on that level, since it requiers a strong connection and effort from both sides for it to work, just like one a Bankai needs years of practice and connection between the Spirit and the Shinigami).

[@RelativelyBest]

Really, when I think about it, a huge part of the reason I love Bleach as much as I do is because the power system is almost entirely based around magical swords and their relationships with their wielders. It's like that whole concept was made for me, and I'm not sure I'm envious or grateful that someone came up with it before I did. I've come up with similar ideas for (alas, unfinished) fantasy novel projects but I only recently started to realize how specific my tastes are in this regard.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

Is not even the magical swords, all powers in bleach come from the soul and represent the characters psyche at some level, sometime superficial sometimes deep. Fullbrings and schrifts are not that distinct from zanpakuto releases in that they tell things about the character. Most obvious would be bambietta having an explosive personality or bazz B having a hot bloded temperament or how the zombie which is a perverted and decrepit power comes from a person that is perverted and depraved, how as notz that fears a lot has a power around fear Or how Uryuu who is the rival of the Main character and is rather antagonistic in personality with everybody has a swrift that is literally the power to antagonize... Or the fullbringers how Orihime who has a wild imagination but likes to put barriers between herself and others sometimes to not hurt herself has powers that are very outside of the box in their scope and are all centered about barriers, allowing her to put a barrier so that things she doesn't like don't affect her, be it physical attacks or events, but at the same time her only means to attack is weak AF because she is a pacifist at heart. How Chad's is all centered about his arms which are very special for him because they represent a lesson from his abuelo. Heck even Arrancar are the same, Nelliels resurreccion represents how knightly she is, Nnotra's with hidden arms with hidden blades represent how much of a backstabber and dirty fighter he is at heart. Ulquiorra having an extra resurreccion represents how extra hollow he is, Barragan who has a resurreccion that is godly but it is his own hubries that leads to him dying to his own godly ability, how Stark resurreccion is a "lobo solitario" kind of cowboy because he was very lonely. How Harribel's make her even more human-like because she is nurturing It is just, magnificent... you can learn almost all of the values, ideologies and personality of bleach character by just looking at their designs and reading about their powers.

[@RelativelyBest]

@@diablo.the.cheater Right, right. But in practice it's a power system based around magical swords, which I think is the important part, really.

[@dune-z2707]

Thank you for this cool video. Since he's my favorite character, I'm gonna go a bit deep and share my interpretation of Shunsui's Zanpakuto. The central theme comes from the double entendre of the word "Play", in his Shikai referring to playing a game, while his Bankai is a theatrical play. This overall however ties into again a shallow and more internal view into how Shunsui views the world sometimes as a game and sometimes as a theatrical plot, both with their proper players. In battle Shunsui is the "player," consistently chatting with and goading his opponents in his little games. Outside of battle however he is the "player" who sees the overall plots and tries to step up to whatever role that is needed of him at the moment. Beyond that however, Shunsui's relationship to rules is also important. Rules define both the ways games and theatre function. You can't have either without them. And yet Shunsui is introduced breaking rules. He wears a flamboyant adornment over the captain's uniform, challenges the captain commander, allows Chad to live all in his introduction. Then by the end of the series he IS the rules. He is the captain commander. And yet he is challenging the rules still in freeing Aizen. There's the duality, fitting for a man with a dual shikai. To me Shunsui is the ultimate contradiction. Simultaneously the law and an outlaw, with very strong pirate and cowboy imagery. Simultaneously silly and deathly serious. Living in the gray while brandishing the pink. In a series about identity, he is, in the sense of games, theatre, and (unsuccessfully) with women, The Player.

[@butterfriedtoast7659]

I've always really loved the idea that shikai and bankai represent who a character presents themself as vs who they truly are, and I'm so glad to hear others think that way too! One of my favourite interpretations with this way of thinking is Tosen's shikai and bankai. In his shikai, he exemplifies the idea of rising above his challenges, turning his weaknesses into his strengths and utilising what he has to become great. But then his bankai demonstrates his bitterness towards the world and the people in it who don't share his burden. It show Tosen's desire to not just bring others down to his level by making them blind, but to drag them down even further by removing all but one of their senses, to make them feel that same powerlessness he used to feel and to allow him to feel that power instead. It connects amazingly with his story, and this is just the basic stuff. You could definitely make further connections to his themes of justice and his philosophy on fear.

[@Malthizar]

2 things I'd love to get your opinion on. 1. Why do you think Sosuke Aizen never got a Bankai release? There's a lot of theories surrounding it, including the belief that it was always in Bankai and he was lying. I personally believe it shows that Aizen was so unwilling to confront the reality of his nature (to be understood) that he literally couldn't speak to his own soul. What are your thoughts? 2. Piggybacking off that, why do you think Nozarashi manifested herself to Kenpachi in the first place? Also have you ever thought about doing a (expanded) breakdown of Kenpachi? He's such a fascinating character and is (in my opinion) the quintessential proof that Kubo had at least 80% of this planned since the very beginning. His very first fight with Ichigo spells out that Yachiru is his zanpakuto spirit and it's probably blatant looking back in hindsight.

[@R7dman]

Firstly, thank you so much for the super comment! 1. I somewhat agree with your interpretation. I also think it could be because there was no good opportunity for him to use his Bankai. The only other illusory-type Zanpakuto is Shinji's Sakanade and we know that the Bankai is only effective under very specific circumstances (1 vs many). That's a cool contrast against Aizen who is suffering from his loneliness, Shinji never gets the opportunity to properly use his Bankai because he's always among his comrades and they'd get caught in the crossfire, but that's besides the point. Aizen also pretty much abandoned Kyoka Suigetsu once he merged with the Hogyoku. 2. I think Nozarashi manifested for the same reason Lilynette manifested for Starrk. Kenpachi was so lonely, his Zanpakuto manifested to give him a companion in the form of Yachiru. And I don't have an expanded breakdown of *just* Kenpachi planned but I do have a video that is 50% Kenpachi in the works.

[@Malthizar]

​@@R7dmanHonestly, the more I think about Kubo as a writer the less believable the "he just didn't get around to it" argument gets. Whether it be in the TYBW or the CFYOW series, everyone that has a Bankai has shown it. All except Aizen. That *can't* be an accident, especially since he uses Kyoka Suigetsu on Ywach As for, Kenpachi I'd strongly consider just rereading his intro fight we Ichigo. The whole fight is about Ichigo listening to his Zanpakuto and working as a team. The fact that Yachiru sits on the sidelines and even comments that "it was a 2 on 1" is very telling. There's also Yachiru's story about how she met Zaraki which is prempted by Zaraki crying and trying to speak to his zanpakuto. In particular Yachiru references the clouds in the sky and when Zaraki tries to communicate with his sword it's literally focused on the blade with clouds in the sky as a backdrop. There's a ton of other things that Kubo laid out and it's just amazing how deeply all this has been interwoven even in the early chapters. My theory has always been that Zaraki naming her Yachiru is what ultimately blocked him from ever communicating with his zanpakuto spirit. This is because her name isn't Yachiru; it's Nozarashi. And since names are (as referenced in this video) an essential aspect of one's power it makes sense Zaraki couldn't even use his shikai. Renji uses an inferior Bankai because his Zanpakuto spirit literally lies to him and tells him a fake name. Old Man Zangetsu tricks Ichigo throughout their entire relationship into believing he was indeed Zangetsu (something the actual Zangetsu tries to tell him repeatedly) I just personally find Zaraki such a fascinating character since Yachiru Unohana screws him twice over: The first time when she loses and makes him subconsciously limit his strength. The second when she makes such an imprint on him that he misnames his own sword spirit, (almost ) permanently blocking their connection.

[@ryebreaddesalsa8157]

@@Malthizar Uketake, Ishin, Yoruichi, Love, and most of squad zero all have Bankai that were not shown at all so it was not just Aizen

[@marcomarin1196]

@@R7dman Adding to this and your point on Type 2 Bankai, since we know Aizen fits into the dishonest category it's likely that his Bankai wouldn't involve illusions at all.

[@SinHurr]

@@marcomarin1196 One of my favorite Aizen Bankai thoughts is that it's the polar opposite of his shikai; something that dispels all illusion and untruth, or makes it impossible to lie or be deceitful in anyway. Which makes a degree of sense, since it was the discovery of the truth of the Soul King that set him on his long, horrible path.

[@hujendong3730]

Great video, i love the mention of unohana because she is the most interesting case for zanpakto relationships for me. We dont know her shikai release command and her shikai and bankai have the same name to symbolize thats literally who she is. She both of those diametrically opposed personas struggling to understand herself

[@9751matt]

There's always a possibility that if shikai reflects your outwards personality, then if something in your life causes you to change your outward personality so entirely, your shikai can to. Its likely her shikai had a more destructive nature back when she was in the 1000 year prior squad.

[@Taiga-16]

​@@9751mattYeah Minazuki shikai is litterally what she's outside, what everyone think she's. But Minazuki bankai is what she really is in fact.

[@kilokilo7254]

I think the Kanji for her shikai and bankai are different, but they’re out loud the same

[@nozarashi4329]

@@kilokilo7254 yep, the shikai is 肉雫唼 (Flesh-Drops' Gorge), and the bankai is 皆尽 (All Things' End). Both are read as Minazuki but have totally different meanings.

[@norasyikinali6283]

​@@9751mattBoth her bankai and shikai have healing properties albeit with different methods of utilizing them, she probably just never used her shikai for battle before and simply kept them for post-battle or transport. That zanpakuto is also probably why she was allowed to learn healing kido in the first place- if your zanpakuto can heal, the wielder is probably someone with the right affinity for healing no matter their current status as Kenpachi.

[@arkalias3994]

I love these little analyses/guides- even if I understand them in concept, every video you put out about it brings it it's own excellent observations and ideas that deserve exploring. Beautiful video!

[@R7dman]

I'm glad you love them! Thank you for the support

[@sunstirade0273]

Ikomikidomoe and the original iteration of Zangetsu are fundamentally similar in my eyes. CFYOW mentions how before the creation of zanpaktou; Oetsu would attempt to transform Ikomikidomoe into an asauchi, only to stop cause he couldn’t figure out to get rid of one’s identity and aimed to seal him in a sword instead. Aizen many years later would make a hollowfied asauchi with White, by creating an asauchi and hollowfying it. To me this adds credence to Oetsu’s words about how Ichigo had made it as far as he did without an asauchi, because what Aizen created works as an asauchi, but it doesn’t fit Oetsu’s definition of what an asauchi (or better yet what a zanpaktou) is. Though it does make me wonder which came first, Oetsu’s version of zanpaktou or the zanpaktou that arrancar manifest when they transform from regular hollows? Edit: Fantastic video btw.

[@R7dman]

Cool thoughts! I think the Arrancar Zanpakuto came first since it's a completely natural thing & Hollows predate the original world. Kubo confirmed in his Q&A club that the Arrancar Zanpakuto is formed from the cracked mask fragment when a Hollow's mask is ripped off and they become an Arrancar. That's a natural process, while Oetsu's construction of Asauchi is more like a forced chemical reaction, the layering of countless souls. I think it's likely that Nimaiya studied Hollows to come up with the concept of Asauchi.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

It is not the same thing, the difference is that Ikomikidomoe acts both as the asauchi and the spirit, but in Zangetsu's case is different, Zangetsu is not the hollow White that Masaki and Isshing fought. That hollow was just instincts, it was empty and blank like asauchis. When that hollow was transferred to Ichigo, Ichigo's soul which as a newborn was blank and this hollow's collective soul which was also blank merged into a new collective soul, that went and became Ichigo's soul, a living human. In this soul, Ichigo's personality was born from all this blankness as all newborns do, and from Ichigos subconsciously imprinting his reitatsu in his own spiritual body which was very similar to that of an asauchi zangetsu was born. Since Ichigo imprinted in his own collective soul instead of a separate collection of souls like a normal asauchi, his zan spirit became a copy of Ichigo with nearly the same appearance just with shinigami and hollow characteristic like shinigami clothes and black sclera. But Zangetsu is not White(the hollow isshin fought), Zangetsu is Zangetsu, he just resembles Ichigo, the White-like traits are traits that he inherited from Ichigo since Ichigo's spiritual body is composed mostly of the remains of White and Ichigo used his spiritual body as the asauchi to create Zangetsu, it is not Ichigo that gets his hollow mask from zangetsu, the mask is Ichigo's, zangetsu's black mask is just a inverse mirror of Ichigo's mask, like everything else in zangetsu, ofc Zangetsu regulates Ichigo's usage of the mask as its part of his hollow powers and Zangetsu regulates his shinigami and hollow powers as his hybrid zan spirit. Many ppl confuse "white Ichigo/hollow Ichigo/real Zangetsu" with White, but they are not the same character, if anything in a very interpretative way you could argue the Ichigo is White's reincarnation but that is not true either, when White merged with the soul that was going to be Ichigo's, it was more like when hollows merge into a gillian, they devoured each other, with the difference that this new collective had no personality at all since neither a newborn soul nor White had that, and since this soul became the soul of a newborn baby a new personality, Ichigo was born and became the owner of the collective soul. In a ship of thesus kind of way you can argue that Ichigo is White's reincarnation at most I guess, but reality is that White ceased to exist when Ichigo was conceived, White never existed as an individual and he was more of an automata, but after it became part of Ichigo's oversoul it ceased to exists as even that. You could argue that Zangetsu inherited White's instincts as White instincts became Ichigo's and when Zangetsu was born he conceptualized Ichigo's instincts, but those are just normal ass hollow instincts that all hollows seem to have to some level. The fun thing about this is that Ichigo essentially is more similar to a menos than to a shinigami, when he got his final zanpakuto forged by oetsu, oetsu used an actual asauchi and sealed Ichigo's powers inside, which means that Ichigo is still this asauchi-like menos-like collective of souls, which makes him kind of more similar to an arrancar than to a shinigami, in fact it is fun that his EOS hollow powers materialize as a hollow hole and a mask fragment instead of a full visored-like mask, his Horn of Salvation form is suspiciously similar to an arrancar's appearance to be conecidence.

[@gaelio3666]

​@@diablo.the.cheaterAre you Kubo-sensei by any chance? And if not, can we be friends?

[@goodgamegelinsky7405]

Love the break down, but your the break down of the bankai was so great. For the longest I’ve been saying the bankai is a the true manifestation of a soul reaper’s personality. Soifon is supposed to be small and stealthy but her bankai is large and flashy like her personality. Kenpachi actively hold back but his bankai allows him to full release and fight like the demon he wants. Ichigo for the longest beloved he was a soul reaper but whole time he’s a Quincy and his bankai reflects that by having 2 blades. And there are countless of examples in the series. Bleach is not for people that don’t critically think

[@user-bl6oj1hl8i]

Kyoraku and Ukitake both have dual Zanpakuto. The dual blades have no connection to Quincy powers. Nor has that ever been suggested to be the case. If anything, Ichigo would have ended up with a bow or some light blade like other Quincies are shown using. Ichigo finding out he is a Quincy also didn't have much impact on his soul because, as multiple characters state through the series, he's remained the same person throughout his struggles. One who wishes to protect. At his core, he has never changed. This is an explicit plot point in the Fullbring arc where Soul Reapers reveal that they arrived to see if they needed to kill Ichigo if he sided with Ginjo. Soi-Fon is not, at heart, a flashy or loud individual. She gets loud and her bankai is loud, but she states explicitly that she detests those aspects of herself. Her bankai is one of the most thematically developed, though. The obvious change is going from a 2 hit kill to a one hit kill. But it's also a turning point for her. Up until she reveals Jakuho Raikouben, she was stagnating following Yoruichi's every example. That bankai is the first time she steps out from her mentor's shadow with something truly her own. One of her few positive character developments. Plus, her Bankai is a stinger missile. And that's funny. Kenpachi and his Bankai aiding him in fighting at full strength makes sense, but it could also reflect his inner wish for a worthy death in battle, as prolonged use of his Bankai will kill him. The title of Kenpachi is passed down through death, and he's shown to be acutely aware of this, having cut down the previous Kenpachi. His Bankai would only be pulled out against someone who forced him to use it, so it could still check out. I would also argue that him holding back stops being his choice after he fights Ichigo and he realizes that his sword won't speak to him. It isn't a handicap of his own choosing like the bells in his hair, it's a limitation brought about by his own short-sighted desires. Thinking critically, your statements didn't make much sense and were outright wrong in most examples you gave.

[@reddytoplay9188]

Damn so Bleach is not for that guy

[@goodgamegelinsky7405]

@@user-bl6oj1hl8i 1: ichigo finding out he is Quincy is literally so important to his character. That’s y when he went to get his blade reforged it rejected him, cuz he didn’t know who he really was. The 2 other captain literally had other entities inside them just like ichigo, ichigo had his soul reaper powers and his Quincy side so it makes sense he got 2 blades to represent the 2 sources of his power. When it comes to soifon she literally prides herself about being part of the stealth corp and brags about how she outshines yoroichi. Her bankai is a reflection of her inner self, she’s prideful and loud unlike what she believes a stealth commander should be. It has nothing with stepping outside her mentors shadow cuz she tries her best to outshine her on purpose. Kenpachi doesn’t like fighting with restraints and forcefully hold back to make fights last longer. His bankai forces him to remove that limitation, the reason why he gets hurt is cuz his body isn’t use to using all that power at once. So as he trains he shouldn’t hurt himself.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

The power system of bleach is both genius and cool, it has the cool factor, it leads to great fights due to very varied powers ala jojo and whats more the powers, what they represent what they do and how to increase them are all married to the character and character development. Is one of the best power systems, as it not only serves the action part of the story perfectly by having diverse weapons and powers to create interesting fights and be able to match interesting abilities vs interesting abilities, but the powers are so personal to the character that it even serves as a medium for top tier character development, additionally it feels so cathartic for the reader when they understand more a character and this leads to see their powers in a new light or understand a bit more of their powers and putting the character's character in a new light. It is just magnificent. And not only zanpakuto, hollows and what they represent, how they work and evolve also leads to very good character writting. How nuanced the shinigami and soul society are, serving a necessary service for the continuation of the world but at the same time being an evil organization that is responsible of the current state of the world needing them, it adds soo much nuance to have the allies of the hero being this ultra shady government. Heck, even fullbringers are cool as they also represent things about the character and so do schrifts. Resurrecciones also tell a lot of the character, like how Nell is chivalrous or how Nnoitra likes to hide cards to deal surprise attacks and fight dirty. It is just magnificent, and what is more, there are some baseline techniques for usual dragon ball style fighting so that it doesn't get stale with battles of hax. So it has the charm of dragon ball fights, the charm of jojo fights and it allows for character development and character writting trough their powers in the middle of the fight, also leads to debates of ideologies between characters trough the fight itself. It is just... genius.

[@ALiteralNerd]

I was literally thinking about this the other day. This is why Bleach has my favorite power system in anime. Its character focused. Great video.

[@jpcsdutra]

I absolutely love how much Bleach has finally been speaking to people lately. KZbin has been getting a lot of good video essays of people that finally get what it is more than people did 10, 20 years ago. I think it is great. I had a mini-book club thing with one of my best friends while it was coming out for a big while. We would talk about it every day a chapter released during the entirety of the Hueco Mundo arc. Whenever I saw people talk about it in a simplistic sense it always bothered me because I never felt like people were absorbing it for what it was, or even seeing that itwas deeper than surface level like most shonen. And I sure am glad that TYBW seems to have reignited something in people. The first thing I'd like to note is how, out of the gate, Zampakuto and Hollow Masks are diametrically opposed as power systems, and why it took someone like Aizen to finally blur the line between the two. The Hollow Mask is literally putting up a mask. It's souls in deep despair that start pretending they aren't human anymore so their suffering doesn't bother them anymore. You can't have a power that is all about self-honesty and hide behind a mask at the same time. Therefore the two groups that blur the lines are the group that grew up wearing masks and willingly decide to remove it, and the group that was brough up honest but has to put up a front that they still feel empowered in spite of the hand they were dealt. The thing about Ichigo is that he is never not himself, and hence isn't 'sealed'. He might not know everything there is to know, but that never stops him from being a honest person. He doesn't lie about his hair even if he gets beaten. He doesn't lie about his alliances even if it means danger. He doesn't lie about his powers even if puts him at risk. He doesn't lie about what he wants even if it gets him enemies. The second thing I'd like to talk about is how metaphorical the name "Bleach" itself is. To Bleach is to turn white. The captain coat is white. Hollows are white. Quincy are white. Ginjo's released form is mostly white. A corpse is pale. The King of Souls is white. It inherently speaks of transitioning points of view. Ichigo is a bigger character because he communicates with all other groups in a way or another, which is something that the factions don't do. The third thing is actually a point of praise. Most written works of fiction like these *demand* that characters exposite the truth to the reader. Characters in Bleach can only tell "truth" as much as they understand it, and because it often is either way too introspective or waaaaay too much into reading someone else's mind, they are constantly wrong. All Captains have a "gotcha" moment where their blade actually works differently than what other people presumed it did. Not because they were lying, but because they didn't understand it. The "constant release" and the "twin blades" are exactly that, misunderstandings of what someone else is, does or wants. Ichigo is entirely complex and I could discuss him for hours. Most people think of him as being "mixed all races" which is completely wrong, as Bleach doesn't really have races, it's more like a job system. Whilst the interaction with White during his gestation did grant him different reiatsu; that of a Fullbringer; that doesn't really mean that White, as a Vasto Lorde, is exactly within him; instead, it made it so that Zangetsu took the form of an inverse color Ichigo. Though it would come as a big plot twist later, all the pieces are there from day one. Zangetsu not only looks exactly like Ichigo as a spirit, it also teaches Ichigo absolutely everything there is to know about Zangetsu. The manifestation of a bloodthirsty demon is more or less a power of Zangetsu than it is actually Hollowification. "Old Man Zangetsu" is a tiny bit of Ywach, inherited from his mother. It's that part of Ywach that is the most manipulative thing inside of him, not the Hollow. Interestingly enough, when Ywach leaves, we get "Tensa Zangetsu" as a kid, and not as an old man anymore. And that is really trully interesting, isn't it? "Zangetsu" and "Tensa" are two separate things, but they still reflect Ichigo as a whole. The kid that always accepted he was born somewhat with mixed ethinicity (Hence why he has ginger hair), and his rebel side that faced death from an early age. Compare the evolution of the released blades Ichigo has through the sagas: Soul Society through Hueco Mundo: A Shikai that consists from a massive blade that IS WRAPPED in white cloth. A bankai that consists from a tiny blade with a broken chain. Full Bringer: A massive blade with a broken chain. A tiny blade with a broken chain. After The Blade is Me: A massive blade with a tiny blade as a scabbard. A massive blade that used the scabbard as an extention of the blade. The Zampakuto Spirit character arc told there is rather plain to see: Massive potential that is being kept under wraps (likely symbolizing Ywach). A tiny portion of true potential unchained; when he manages to break free from the traditional way of tapping into his power and therefore without the same restraints, Zangetsu changes to not have a scabbard, but it is not completely free as he still is coming to terms with his place in the world. Finally he reconciles both sides of him and now he can weaponize the scabbard. What was a retraint before is now a source of power.

[@nanamanana-n2i]

Wow

[@DarkBlackGod14]

Ive watched bleach twice, and read it 3 or 4 times(and that only counting complete runs, not single arc re-reads), and im pretty good at both character analisys as well as reading people irl. Yet, for some reason, this one singular point always evade me. Yes! The people whos bankai are just upgrade of their shikai are honest and staright, and the ones whos bankai are opposite or different of shikai are either hiding something, or present themself as someone who whey are not. This is such a brillian writing, and i probably wouldnt have got it, if i didnt just randomly bumped on this video today. Kubo sure is a very special writer, no doubts abot that, and you, kind sir, are very observative. This howether would be pretty much impossible to get in ongoing series, as much of the characters have their bankai revealed like... 200-500 chapters after we see them, and their true motives sometimes revealed even further on. And yet there are few exceptions to that rule even now. But it is still a major point, whitch is completely overlooked by 99% of people who reads bleach. And im here to thank you for sharing it!

[@FurinArt]

ive been a fan of bleach for over a decade now and im still learning about new aspects and deeper meanings to this day. the section about characters relationships influencing their zanpakuto opened my eyes to things i had never seen before. goddamn.

[@andythesaladgod4578]

Thanks!

[@R7dman]

ANDYY!!!! You legend thank you so much man 😦

[@TheDockent-u3f]

Wake up Honey Fiji uploaded again

[@Wolf-bz6kq]

I always wanted a zanpakto not for power but just to see what my shikai would be like

[@omarmustafa4547]

Dude, you're so brilliant. I absolutely adore your work 🙌🙌

[@prsuave420]

I just found your channel. And man I gatta say the writing and research is top notch. Had to subscribe. With that being said though it drives me crazy thar people still think unohanas bankai had something to do with acid. As most people know shikai and bankai have to have some sort of correlation with each other. Her shikai clearly heals. And as evident by the anime adaptaion so does her bankai. Thats the correlation. It makes perfect sense for her character as well. She didn't learn to heal out of some change in her personality or out of the kindness of her heart. She did it strictly to prolong battles. Like you said sometimes the shikai manifest as a representation of who the person presents themselves to be on the outside. Unohanas shikai is a docile creature with no battle applications. It's just there to transport and heal the wounded. Her bankai shows her true self. Someone who wants nothing more then a good fight that last "forever". People have a misconception that unohana is a.bloodthirsty killer. But she is just battle hungry. Killing is just a side effect and a natural conclusion to combat. Her and kenpachi are very much the same jn that aspect. I also think the meaning if her bankais name plays into that very well. "All things end". It's an ironic name. Not necessarily saying all life ends. All things end. Including a good fight. So her bankai does auto healing to make sure the battle never ends and the combatants can fight to their hearts content. It's to perfect. I splash acid on you so you die is so far from her character and theme that it's almost laughable. Why would she want to end a battle by just splashing acid on you? And what would be the point of acid in a domain where you are automatically healed?

[@jvever4904]

Love the analysis in this video! Gave me a lot to think about... Kubo really does go crazy with his designs and the naming schemes adding so much depth to characters.

[@revenantronin8377]

15:30 Now I'm really curious about Aizen's bankai. Because on one hand, he seems to fall under the first type right up until he fights Ichigo, where Ichigo thinks he's been basically hiding his true self... but then in the TYBW arc, he seems to be his true self again. I wonder how his bankai contrasts his Shikai.

[@smrutishikharath3025]

This is one of the best Bleach character/power discussion videos I've ever watched!!! I got to learn soooo much from this.... Thank you very much for making this

[@Drawingsagespaz]

Man my highlight of manga was reading the “Big Three” Weekly, so it always nice to discover new things about story’s / manga I never knew before.

[@R7dman]

Glad to have provided that for you! The big three weekly truly was special (although I was anime only for One Piece until 2015)

[@Ramsey276one]

18:50 these parallels are AMAZING!

[@caomouse8829]

18:15 Sword that emits water from its tip, huh ............

[@andythesaladgod4578]

Absolutely cooked can’t wait for the video on schrifts

[@StrawHatCloud4116]

Ichigos banking being about speed is his regret of not being fast enough to save mum

[@Bakuru]

I picked that up quick 👀 it's the biggest advantage it has, and it's the first thing I thought of when he used it. As proof of that, the very first thing he did when he first released it, was completely blitz freeze Byakuya at his first attempt to attack......exactly what he wanted to do to whatever attacked his mother 😔

[@Gigawolf1]

Bankai being damaged permanently ties them to Ressurecion. Cirruci stated that damage to the Arrancar's released form was permanent. Yachiru is technically Kenpachi's Zanpakuto Spirit. The man manifested his spirit before learning Shikai & maintained it for decades. I like to think everybody can accomplish what Yamamoto did - a Bankai with multiple modes or forms. Especially for those with Bankai that seem opposed to their Shikai, it'd be interesting if they could reconcile their outer & inner selves to unlock new forms & techniques. Ichigo's full powers were restrained by Old Man Zangetsu, and he was theoretically drawing on his Quincy/Fullbringer potential. It's likely that the original version of Zangetsu was akin to the Quincy bows (though since it was able to perform Konso I'm assuming it didn't perma-kill the Hollows he slew). Always made me wonder if manifesting blades could be part of his power set (and it'd be interesting to see a version of Ichigo that received a Schrift - B: The Blade)

[@ethanleongsem7582]

yh it also feels like 4 is the max amount of forms you can have since yamamoto and shunsui being absolute masterclass shinigami but only having 4 forms. Also ties in with the fact that 4 is a symbol for death and the 4th act/direction are final killing blows. Its crazy to think that rose has three forms so that fraud is almost at the pinnacle.

[@monstaincity8219]

​@@ethanleongsem7582rose fraud?

[@keronrussell9271]

​@@ethanleongsem7582 Don't know why, but you calling Rose a fraud sent me 😂

[@dax421]

One of the best and informative bleach videos I’ve ever seen. I usually leave an average bleach vid with more questions than answers

[@hollowify_tensa_zangetsu]

@R7dman yesterday rewatched the blade is me ep. And when old man zangetsu say "I am neither Allie or foe" and then it clicked...of course he isn't bad or good he is ichigo soul...souls change but there never separated. I am an addict and was abused.. I had to split my soul.. Fake smiles, having long hair to cover me from others..(hollow mask) sorry I love Bleach so much I rambled here😂

[@Angelaffirms]

This made me love and appreciate bleach even more I didnt think it was possible

[@MatthewKelley-mq4ce]

Your Arrancar video and this one.. they've been fire. I might have a slightly different take at certain parts, but I've only seen you so far identify Old Man Zangetsu rightly by putting the pieces together.

[@yokumob]

This is one of my favorite videos of this site now, awesome job! I hope more people start understand Bleach more with this video

[@xaf15001]

Bleach is more like a cultivation story than a manga story. If you're familiar with them, a zangetsu is pretty close to your dao/dao heart. Another thing I picked up is that since zangetsu is supposed to be our understanding of ourself, manifestating it means being your true self. When you lose in a battle of Bankai, true selfs, that means your true self has a flaw and was inadequate to your opponents.

[@xaf15001]

This whole thing about true selves is a big aspect in eastern philosophy. The first step is understanding where you try to find who you are, and the second is manifestation where you release the restrictions you put on yourself and be your true self. And this is something that's really hard to do because there are things affecting you good or bad.

[@Synces6969]

you and flameofrebirth are the best bleach youtubers in terms of understanding the writing and story of the series, some time i believe that hxh and bleach are almost too complex for the typical battle shonen fans which often get people not interested in the storys which i always hate but this video was amazing thanks for making it also can we PLEASE get a bleach hell arc theory video because the bleach drought got me needing something lmao (also more hxh theories :) )

[@chaossin7425]

It is sometimes shocking how good a writer Tite Kubo is. Especially given Bleach's reputation as a fairly basic shonen.

[@Angelaffirms]

Well there is that saying that’s like if you can explain a complex theory or idea to a child you have complete understanding and mastery over it and bleach is that perfect example

[@KT-hr7fc]

na radman you are a generational talent on youtube please stay consistent 😂

[@c731-enfi]

At 17:23, I just realized that the in the text "The Blade Is Me", the "IS" looks somewhat distorted and because of that distortion, I kinda read it at a second glance as the number 15 (maybe it's just me), which is "Ichi(一)" and "Go(五)" read separately, which further emphasizes the notion of the blade being oneself in the sense of Ichigo as a character

[@c731-enfi]

seems shallow but I just wanted to point out this small detail

[@infinitepotato001]

One thing I want to say with Ichigo sealing his zanpakuto is how in the hell one shot he has his old butcher knife. Giving how Isshin said one can choose the shape and size of their zanpakuto's sealed form I like to think Ichigo just pulled a Kensei during the war but afterwards kept it sealed and chose the shape of the ol' butcher knife. That's just my take though.

[@gabethebaleful]

Fantastic video essay man, i love this shit. hope your channel keeps growing

[@Jazztral]

I will wait (even though I've pretty much been spoiled a bit already).

[@Keith-san3022]

Wow man you aren't just any ordinary Bleach fan.You're a super fan🤩 Thats awesome because a lot of people don't seem to get the deep writing behind this show and the fact that you just like Flame of Rebirth,DBZImran and JamesHamson understand it completely just makes me very happy.Thank You for this info

[@Tchebis]

Great video, my guy. Keep it up

[@alanviniciuswanderleytavar4399]

Shikai is a representation of how you present yourself to others, your persona, Bankais is the "release of the true self", remember, the blade IS me, it's the release of the blade but also the real persona of the wilder

[@dweller132]

Rather than Ichigo having a true constant release type zanpakuto, what if he doesn't have a sealed state instead? When Ichigo gained his power initially, the hilt & blade looked like Rukia's except for the fact it was unnaturally large. When Ichigo loses his power initially because of Byakuya and goes through Urahara's training, that sword disappears and we see his OG shikai from then on. Even when Zangetsu has been reforged, the sealed state is never revealed or mentioned. It would make sense if Zangetsu never really had a true sealed state, as if there was, clues would be around to figure it out. (Alternatively, the big OG katana from the first arc could have been acting as a sealed state, but not actually part of Zangetsu.

[@R7dman]

I do think it's possible he doesn't have a sealed state however I wouldn't use his pre-timeskip Zanpakuto to argue that since it was such a unique case, with OMZ suppressing the majority of his power & White functioning as a pseudo-Asauchi. The blade wasn't properly forged like it was later on by Nimaiya. As for his big OG katana, that design completely takes from Rukia's sealed state Zanpakuto like you said. I've always just viewed that as a Quincy reishi weapon constructed by OMZ to mimic the appearance of Rukia's sword.

[@dweller132]

@@R7dman Yeah, you're right about that. Though I imagine if true Zangetsu doesn't have a sealed state, then there was never a sealed state for that zanpakuto before or after the reforging.

[@snowboundwhale6860]

Considering Ichigo notably didn't have a proper zanpakuto/ asauchi up until the war arc, do we think it's possible _that's_ the reason he seems to have a "constant release type"? That the lack of an distinct asauchi & White acting as a stand-in resulted in the sword not having a true sealed state? What with White being both the zanpakuto spirit and the hollow, them also acting as the asauchi would mean they're effectively sealing themself within themself, hence being in shikai as a constant.

[@dweller132]

@@snowboundwhale6860 That's my logic, pretty much. The only thing that seems like a reasonable sealed state would be "True Zangetsu", as the next time we see Ichigo in the Hell Arc, Zangetsu is in that form. But even when asked about "True Zangetsu", Kubo never mentions it being a sealed state of any sort, so that raises more questions.

[@elijahcafazzo-joyette8226]

Ōetsu not having a shown Zanpakutō is interesting and I think it might have to do with Shinto mythology from bits and pieces I’ve heard. Take it with a grain of salt, but in Shinto myth, the kami credited with teaching smiths to make and work iron, Kanayago-kami, is jealous of women. She is so jealous that a smith in charge of iron production is not allowed to even use the same bath his wife uses and women were not allowed to enter the forge while it was in use. Ōetsu’s part of the Royal Palace is filled with Zanpakutō that take the form of beautiful women, yet the forge itself is empty, save for Zanpakutō that aid him in reforging Ichigo’s Zangetsu. These Zanpakutō spirits are all women and are the only women we ever see enter his forge. All this is to say that these spirits may be his Kanayago-kami; they may all be his Zanpakutō spirits as Shinigami like Shunsui have multiple, or they may be his Zanpakutō’s spirit divided, sort of like how Yachiru was an outward manifestation of Zaraki’s sword’s spirit. It may be that Ōetsu is unable to properly call upon his Zanpakutō so long as he remains as a swordsmith - that he requires it’s spirit in this divided or projected form to continue on as a smith. It also may have to do with not impressing his own spirit into the Asauchi - keeping his Zanpakutō spirit divided so as to not impart any of its nature on the blades and warp how it bonds to potential Shinigami. Also, I like to think Nozarashi is shaped the way it is because of Zaraki’s fight with Ichigo in the Soul Society Arc. Nozarashi’s Shikai is shaped like half of Ichigo’s original Shikai, and in that original fight Zaraki split Zangetsu in half after stabbing Ichigo through it. This was also where Zaraki first tried to commune with his Zanpakutō’s spirit - after learning from his first defeat in a while at the hand’s of Ichigo.

[@Ramsey276one]

10:57 WHOA

[@spellbound1875]

Glad someone is making these videos. I've always found the symbolism of zanpakuto to be a fascinating bit of character and world building. The elements of self acceptance and self rejection seen between shinigami, arancar, and vizard are masterful, even if Bleach overall has some pacing issues.

[@Ramsey276one]

4:17 Also, snakes attack by LUNGING REAL FAST!

[@SmoothBlk]

The analysis I've been waiting for ! The concept of your very being contextualized as a weapon and your power is amazing

[@mfrebel7831]

I cant explain how much i love this type of videos Great job, you clearly care for the source material and put a lot of effort into this

[@mighty7579]

Redman pulling the Bankai of his contant with Kubology deep dives . 🔥🔥🔥

[@nathaninostroza7655]

Aw man. Though Im not a fans theorizing vids viewer myself, and actually run from any type of theorizing about anime. I cant keep golden rule this time. Since your explanations on shikai and bankai and the kind of shinigami who attains them, are intertwined with their personality and how a duplicitous shinigami s powers acts. I cant not think about Jūshirō, whose shikai was a perfect mirror. Its not like he strikes me as a duplicitous individual, but he's very very nuanced and layered personality wise. And his Mimihagi powers are no joke, i cant not suspect that his Bankai could have something to do with overwhelming offensive. The wrath of Mimihagi could perfectly have something to do in it, since Ukitake and Mimihagi are contained, alive and kicking in Ukitake s frail body. And he s shown to be an extremely capable despite his illness. I dont think Shunsui dropped the idea of releasing his Bankai when Jūshirō talked him out off it, just out of friendship and status quo abiding behaviour when it came to his relationship with other shinigami hes looked up to, like Unohana, Ukitake and Yama-ji. I think it has to do with Jūshirō s real power. Kyoraku might do or die with his powers, but Jūshirō s shikai is efficiente and has a tamed use to it. How cant i guess his Bankai could be an all hell breaks loose kinda untamable one?. Love your take on Bleach s lore, Radman. Another SO rad video ovahere, My Man.

[@R7dman]

Interesting thought... I hope we somehow see Jushiro's Bankai in the Hell arc, praying for it

[@nathaninostroza7655]

@@R7dman u really made me break My golden rule, bro. Your vids are that thought suggesting. Always a pleasure to behold Bleach content broke down by such a Bleach s passionate bloke as You. Sorry for misspellings here and there, i'm a self taught english enthusiast, but making My way into reaching out native speakers, via KZbin, so i can be a participant of such various type of arts fans circles and comvos overseas. Greetings from chile, Radman.

[@R7dman]

@@nathaninostroza7655 Aye that's awesome man, I'm honoured my video was the one to make you theorise. And your English is great bro, much love from London!

[@hunterstjean119]

Amazing video! Bleach has been my favorite series and it’s extremely in depth and interesting power system is why. Can’t wait for the videos on the Arrancar, Quincy, and Fullbringer power systems as well!

[@curseddove]

You got this Bleach shit on lock like usual another great video 🔥

[@R7dman]

Much love

[@typeiii3262]

This video was a banger, thank you!!

[@WorlBoss]

This is one of your/the best videos I've ever watched. Masterful work

[@lillith7257]

You definitely should cover all the Zanpakuto and their relations between Bankai and Shikai. What that means for each Shinigami. it would be very helpful. i know it would be long but it would be nice.

[@JarvisBaileyVA]

Nice to see someone so excited to talk about a subject, very good video man

[@resolution67]

Thanks for the video. It's a great analysis. I enjoyed it a lot.

[@usmansubhani7482]

9:40 Ah, so it was like breaking before getting so tired you cannot maintain its form. I wonder if we will see someone trick an enemy that their Bankai broke as a scheme.

[@antonioratto109]

A long time ago I saw someone explain the reason why Ichigo's "true" Zanpakuto is constantly in Shikai state is because it was actually never the Shikai, but the sealed state all along. The true Shikai form appears when Ichigo fights Ywhach, turning the bigger blade white and turn into The Horn of Salvation form. The Shikai is the surface manifestation of a shinigami's power and soul, but since Ichigo is such straightfoward guy, has a very deep understanding of his soul, and stated he is the very sword he uses, he not only can't properly seal (hide) his sword (soul) but also his body is the one who changes the most during the Shikai state. Furthemore, this is why his Bankai is so similar to the Shikai, being basically a mix of the two blades in one, and that's why it turns back to his first Shikai form when he slashes and defeats Ywhach. All its forms are the true form. It's just adjusting to fit the Zanpakuto system.

[@NotTheWheel]

I do think that it's really cool how many different spiritual powers can exist and be used by different creatures in different ways and how they reflect those cultures.

[@brae9271]

I can't believe even after obsessing over this series for so many years I'm still making huge revelations about it.

[@josephbeaton8909]

I never thought about that moment when Ichigo tells Old Man Zangestu that they are both Zangetsu, and what that meant for his true Shikai

[@Modernsamurai_nj]

Just a couple thoughts... 1. Idt anyone is ever gonna fully agree on Unohana's Bankai. I've always taken it as the Bankai giving Unohana infinite auto-regen and an offensive upgrade with the blood slashes. Others think there's an acidic property to it as it would fit the theme of Minazuki's shikai ability involving its stomach acids, but outside of Zaraki and Unohana appearing as skeletons for a moment (which I believe to be a visual metaphor for them being stripped down to their basic instincts and desires more than something literally happening) I don't remember acid being mentioned or alluded to at any point after her shikai ability being explained in the SS Arc. 2. I would really love to see if, when, and how Shukai is ever implemented into the canon story as well as if we get some kind of retcon to say that Dangai Ichigo was actually a form of Shukai. Outside of the ritual and the name, the effects fit... Shukai meaning mastered release, Shinigami and Zanpakuto being bonded at the deepest level, 100x power increase from Shikai, never being able to use said power again... According to the Bleach wiki, Nimaya is the only one capable of performing the ritual to unlock it, but Ichigo is and always will be a special case. Idk... my headcanon is running wild right now. Edit: I commented before I finished the video. I absolutely love the connection to other people being thematically presented in the zanpakuto as well. And on Ichigo... just personal preference, but I would've loved to see his original Bankai return as his sealed zanpakuto if only to see him release it into its true shikai once.

[@induetime1]

Hope this goes VIRAL. Amazing video bro

[@MHURHighlights]

Thank you for this video and all u make! Helps me with my writing journey 🎉❤

[@veturwinter]

incredible video my guy

[@tater8960]

10:11 is wrong. there are characters who use abilities with unsealed zanpakuto. ichibe's paint brush was not released when he cut yhwachs name in half. when he releases it into ichimonji, that is when he can fully paint over you and erase your name. rose was also seen controlling a menos with his unreleased zanpakuto when the vizards pulled up to Fake karakura. lastly, ishin uses a getsuga tensho in his unsealed state twice in the series. I also forgot we see tenjiro throwing water from his zanpakuto before he releases it in episode 25 of tybw

[@Zac_Frost]

I think Ichigo's Zanpakuto being in constant release is due to Hollow Zangetsu (what I call him) being... well... a Hollow that acquired Hollow/Shinigami hybrid Powers. If you think about it, Arrancar are Hollows that have hybrid Hollow/Shinigami powers who's Zanpakuto only have one level of release, being that Ressureccion works like a Bankai for Arrancar. And what is Hollow Zangetsu? A Hollow that attained hybrid Hollow/Shinigami powers who's Zanpakuto only has one real level of release. The same logic can also be applied to Quincy Zangetsu, as Quincy Vollstandig is the equivalent to a Bankai with only one level of release. So, in a way, the big cleaver Zangetsu is Ichigo's "sealed" Zanpakuto, while Tensa Zangetsu is his Bankai/Ressureccion/Vollstandig all in one.

[@minenamedothJeffeth]

I honestly think reiryoku is my favorite power system in manga. It’s simple, yet there is a lot of applications for it that bring opportunities for world building. Reiatsu is always great to see, Kubo does a great job portraying an abstract concept like sensing energy, the art makes the reader feel the weight just as the characters are. Every type of enemy they fight having their own little power system is always fun and spices up arcs but the best one is ofc zanpakutos. I mean, swords that go super saiyan 1 and 2? Sign me up. I also love how the abilities each sword has range from creative to simple. Seeing complicated powers like Kyoraku’s Bankai is always awesome because of the sheer scope of it, but that makes it all the better when you have something be so powerful when all it does is compress your power into the sword instead of having it explode out. Bankai is iconic for a reason and I love that Kubo never went ALL IN on giving characters one. It made it feel more special when someone’s was revealed, and I think in the end, the right characters got theirs.

[@veraprnstr]

What a great video. This answered my question as to what the difference is between Shinigami and Regular Souls in Rukongai.

[@jester6789]

I have learned a lot abt storytelling from you thank you

[@kuma1062]

Thank you for the glorious meal 🙏🏼

[@rick0lu]

This video was astonishingly interesting. Liked and fav'd. Amazing work!🤩

[@XTAKU.]

would be cool to see a video on the Arrancar Zanpakutos, as each Arrancar's Zanpakuto embodies their aspect of death and in a way, their reason for existence. The blade is shaped from the part of the mask that is ripped off, and the mask is formed from the heart that was lost when they became hollows. So essentially an Arrancar's sword is a reflection of their lost heart.

[@buglifesmatter]

20:20 Would you blame Shunsui if he did?

[@friendboy10]

Power systems that are created to explore the characters themselves are my favorites. Hunter x Hunter guaranteeing the power is a direct reflection of the wielder, Worm having the power intrinsically tied to the major trauma of the charact, and of... Bleach. They allow you to see into the character simply by watching focusing on their ability.

[@usmansadiq783]

Great vid! Now I finally understand why Ichigo feels like #1 (instrumental) :’)

[@alemirdikson]

23:25 I choose to believe that Ichigo's sealed Zanpakuto takes the exact same form as his false Shikai. The Hell Chapter seemed to confirm it if you ask me. His blade remains constantly released during TYBW the same way as Kensei's, which is to say by force of will. After all it's a warzone. Why bother turning off Super Saiyan when you know another battle is just around the corner?

[@BasilBasileus]

Thank God for this video makes me appreciate the zanpakuto arc even more I still believe white ichigo needs more screen time

[@GachaChosen]

after the blade is me ichigo does have a sealed form for zangetsu its just only showed after the time skip, its the sword that looks like his false zanpakuto

[@umarabdaziz]

That's most likely not his sealed form. In an interview Kubo was asked why when Yhwach breaks the sheath of his Bankai the blade inside look like his original Shikai and does the sheath is now permanently lost. Kubo answered the blade beneath the Bankai is the "True Zangetsu" (whatever that means) and the sheath was reabsorbed by Ichigo's soul thus he now can choose whether to wield his Shikai in a dual blade or a single blade state.

[@brazzer7330]

Amazingly put video, very well spoken

[@Madking9762]

That's why he is the main man, that's why he is number 1, that's why he is the best character in the series. Yes, Ichigo is him

[@J.indieCut]

Very nice .good stuff. more please

[@sammydray5919]

Anyone find it funny that Shinji's Shikai is FAR more potent in a 1v1 and boss battles than his Bankai which is better utilized to deal with low level mobs?? The complete opposite of the standard shikai bankai dynamic. Wonder what that says about his character in a deeper symbolic way 🧐

[@c731-enfi]

I have a feeling that in the hell arc, Kyoraku is gonna use a new variation of his bankai in the form of another tale, story, or theater performance similar to how his shikai manifest other several children's games

[@nikolowolokin]

enjoyed watching this a lot. i love bleach so much, thank you for this vid!!!

[@Poscolyo]

I never look at it like that.. Your videos make me appreciate and love bleach even more

[@Malkor13]

Amazing vid. Ichigo's final duel swords do follow the same shikai rules as one is the 'sheath' and the other the 'blade'. Its still a subversion and calls back to his initial shikai which was noted as being strange for lacking a sheath outside the bandages, seeming incomplete.

[@mtandazomoyo7840]

Great discussion!

[@kannan07]

As for ichigo's sealed state, it's possible that the huge blade he originally believed to be the shikai is the sealed state, and ichigo can also freely control how his blade looks because of being a Quincy, even his shikai and bankai, so it's possible that it's sealed in the hell chapter Which means it's entirely possible that we get release command for zangetsu, which would be cool honestly Also, a cool thing is that for people like ichigo and renji, their zanpaktou spirits' personality match their own, ichigo and renji are both kinda brutish, and ichigo's goal is to protect while renji has a lot of pride And both their zanpaktou spirits, in zangetsu and zabimaru are hell brutish, And ichigo's two spirits in zangetsu and old man zangetsu fight to protect, much like ichigo While zabimaru's immense pride in its strength, let him to lie to renji, which is somewhat like lying to himself, which is what renji did until losing to ichigo