What Powers Does Ichigo’s True Bankai Unleash?
Ichigo never revealed his real Shikai and his real Bankai. In fact, Ichigo never had a real Shikai and Bankai! Why would he have a Shikai and a Bankai? that Ichigo was a tribrid: he was a Shinigami, a Hollow, and a Quincy. By that alone, he should have something entirely different or something that was a mix of all sides.
In the final arc of Bleach, it is revealed that Ichigo’s Bankai is tied to his unique heritage and the powers of his Quincy and Hollow lineage, showcasing his extraordinary abilities and the complexity of his character.
Moreover, the simple fact that the Old Man was not Zangetsu made all of Ichigo’s ‘Shikais’ and ‘Bankais’ fake. Most Bleach fans can’t accept this even though it’s staring them in the face. I have presented all the evidence needed, but they’ll deny it—perhaps because they felt many Bleach fans felt when the ending was rushed.
Ichigo’s true Bankai’s ability is to allow him to control every aspect of himself. He can augment himself to obtain enhanced speed, strength, agility, etc., which is pretty much what his first Bankai did, allowing him speed blitzes. Instead of just his physique, he can also possibly manipulate his own fate and even grant himself abilities.
Furthermore, Ichigo made a mention of how he wishes for the ability to defy fate. A zanpakuto is representative of the ’s personality and desires; this would tie in with that earlier statement. Consequently, his Bankai’s ability may represent his desire to have a normal life—essentially having full control of it. This would explain why Yhwach viewed it as a threat. The power to defy fate and possibly grant self-power is definitely enough to counter the Almighty.
Additionally, Ichigo can fire the blade after putting his spiritual energy into it and absorb others’ spiritual energy. Finally, his true Bankai power enables him to release his formidable hollow sword, making Ichigo one of the strongest characters in Bleach.
To elaborate, Ichigo’s true Bankai’s ability is to allow him to control every aspect of himself if that makes any sense. Whereas his first Bankai was only the manifestation of his Shinigami powers, his true Bankai is the manifestation of all of his powers. As a result, he merged his two blades together and called forth his true Bankai. By merging his two blades, Ichigo essentially makes the larger one into a scabbard, with the shorter one representing the blade—both of which are essential parts of a Shinigami’s Zanpakutō.
How is Ichigo’s True Bankai Form Different from His Previous Forms?
Difference Analysis of Ichigo’s True Bankai Form:
Ichigo’s true Bankai, known as Tensa Zangetsu, is distinct as it integrates his lineage by merging the powers of Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollow. In this form, he gains a new mode called the ‘Horn Of Salvation,’ which enhances his speed to unprecedented levels, suring anything seen before. The sword formed in this Bankai is a fusion of his dual swords, resulting in a massive weapon designed to defeat formidable foes, reminiscent of Ikkaku Madarame’s Bankai.
Furthermore, Ichigo’s Bankai with Fullbring powers signifies a significant evolution from his earlier forms. This transformation occurs after he loses his powers and learns to manipulate souls, leading to a new Shinigami power form characterized by a curved sword designed for higher damage output. His reiatsu also reaches new heights, indicating a considerable boost in his combat abilities.
In contrast, the first form of Ichigo’s Bankai was introduced during the fight against Byakuya. This initial form showcased remarkable speed but limited firepower, ultimately failing to decisively defeat powerful foes like Byakuya and Ulquiorra. It exemplifies the struggles of Ichigo’s character development before he harnesses his true potential.
Ichigo finally reached his final Bankai form during the war against the Quincy when Oetsu Nimaiya reforged his blade into its true form. After merging his powers, he activated his Bankai’s final form, which he used to defeat Yhwach. Notably, Tensa Zangetsu has a rather unusual appearance. Typically, a Bankai looks impressive on many Zanpakutō and is larger than the Shikai. However, with Ichigo, it becomes both smaller and narrower, transitioning into a daitō, a Japanese longsword, which is all black in color and features a chain at the end instead of the usual ribbon.
Ichigo’s Bankai evolved over time, reflecting his growth as well. The first change occurred after he learned the final Getsuga Tenshō, leading to a lack of footwear and a right sleeve, along with a black right glove and a black chain around his arm. This transformation resulted in an increased manji guard and greater Reiatsu, which significantly improved his physical abilities.
The second change took place after Ichigo regained his Shinigami powers and mastered Fullbring. During this phase of his evolution, he donned a small armor under his cloak, featuring three crosses in the cutout.
Moreover, Ichigo’s initial inexperience with his Bankai was quite challenging. The pressure caused all of his bones to snap, as White Ichigo remarked, because Ichigo was not accustomed to such powerful pressure. However, it became noted that Ichigo was able to sur this limitation. Additionally, it allowed him to use Tensa Zangetsu longer than other Shinigami at a similar level, as compression retains more power than a release.
Lastly, the final form of Tensa Zangetsu resembles Zangetsu’s Shikai after regaining his Shinigami abilities. The blade now has an extension about the same length as the handle, along with a chain attached to the end, which is also linked to the upper part of Tensa Zangetsu. This is why his Bankai kept changing throughout the series, never truly reaching its final form until the very end, with each new change also inducing modifications in form.
It’s also worth noting that Ichigo’s true Bankai is only briefly shown in the original manga, which is regrettable given the evident effort and detail invested in its design. His Bankai consists of several versions that mirror his changing powers and hybrid background. Initially showcased during the Soul Society storyline, Tensa Zangetsu first appeared as a small sword, providing a notable speed increase and uniquely blending Ichigo’s Shinigami powers with his latent spiritual force.
When Did Ichigo Unlock His True Bankai and What Does It Represent?
Ichigo Kurosaki’s true Bankai is called Tensa Zangetsu. Bankai is the highest level of release for a Zanpakuto, unlocking immense power and abilities for a Soul Reaper in the Bleach series. Tensa Zangetsu represents the true form of Ichigo’s Zanpakuto and is characterized by a significant transformation in both appearance and abilities.
Ichigo finally reached his final Bankai form during the war against the Quincy. At this time, Oetsu Nimaiya reforged his blade into its true form. After merging his powers, he activated his Bankai’s final form, which he used to defeat Yhwach.
To activate his true Bankai form, Ichigo must assume a new state called the ‘Horn of Salvation.’ In this final form, Ichigo wields a dual sword that splits to symbolize his Quincy and Hollow powers. Additionally, the colossal horn serves as a tribute to his Vasto Lorde form when facing Ulquiorra.
It’s significant to note that achieving Bankai requires intense training, often spanning a decade or more. This process involves syncing up with the Zanpakuto’s spirit, understanding its true name, and mastering its abilities. It’s a major milestone for any Soul Reaper, marking a turning point in their personal journey.
Moreover, Bankai has left a lasting legacy in the world of Bleach. It’s more than just a powerful technique; it’s a symbol of strength, growth, and unity. Furthermore, it’s a testament to the deep bond between a Soul Reaper and their Zanpakuto, reminding of the incredible power that lies within each and every one of them.
According to the timeline, Ichigo used his Bankai 13 years ago today, as noted on November 15, 2007. Source
Lastly, anime fans never learned about Ichigo’s final Bankai as the show did not adapt that piece of Tite Kubo’s manga. In the ‘Thousand-Year Blood War’ arc, Ichigo learned a startling truth about his powers and reforged his sword, unleashing its true power in the season finale of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.
