Tenken (Zanpakutō spirit)

This article is about the manifested spirit of Sajin Komamura's Zanpakutō. For his Zanpakutō and its abilities, see Tenken

is the manifested spirit of Sajin Komamura's Zanpakutō that is seen during the anime-exclusive Zanpakutō Rebellion and the subsequent Tōjū Campaign.

Appearance
Tenken's spirit is similar to the Buddhist deity Fudo Myōō, standing roughly two-stories tall. He has red skin and is capable of shooting fire from his mouth, and he has blue hair which sticks up. He carries both a bolas and a sword; both of which can also produce fire.

Personality
Despite his mighty and intimidating appearance, he appears to be a very calm individual, having yet to lose his cool. According to Gonryōmaru, Tenken seems to be incredibly shy, like his Shinigami wielder, which explains why he doesn't normally talk. So far, he has only spoken once, saying the word Bankai in a deep echoing voice.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

He first appears when Sajin Komamura's Bankai disappears during a failed attack against Muramasa. As soon as he appears, Tenken engages the 7th Division captain in a fight. He deals a serious blow to his former master's chest, leaving him lying on the ground. Tenken then joins the rest of the Zanpakutō spirits who have materialized before the Shinigami on Sōkyoku Hill. When the Shinigami attempt a counterattack, Rukia Kuchiki and Momo Hinamori double team Tenken, only to be repulsed with relative ease. He appears once again, when Byakuya is proving himself to Muramasa, and appears along with several other Zanpakutō going to assist Byakuya in the 6th Division barracks However, they are surrounded by the Onmitsukidō. He goes to help Gonryōmaru in his fight against Suì-Fēng. He launches two attacks, but is unable to catch the fast captain. The two spirits team up to take on Suì-Fēng. When Gonryōmaru changes weather into rain, Tenken's fire power is not affected.

When the Shinigami attempting to rescue Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto enter the caves used by the Zanpakutō, Tenken and Gonryōmaru stop Kenpachi Zaraki. As Zaraki fights the two spirits, Yachiru realizes that they are fighting defensively. The Zanpakutō are stalling for time and trying to keep Ichigo Kurosaki separated from the other Shinigami. Zaraki quickly defeats Gonryōmaru and tells Tenken, who had been holding back while Gonryōmaru was there, to attack him with all of his power. Tenken transforms into his Bankai form and attacks Kenpachi. Tenken easily knocks Zaraki into the wall of the now roofless cave. Kenpachi responds by cutting off one of his horns.

Later after his fight with Kenpachi (the victor unknown), Tenken is freed from Muramasa's brainwashing by Captain Kurotsuchi. He accompanies Komamura to the Human World, where they slay numerous Menos Grande. Muramasa's Garganta allows many more Gillian to enter the living world, however. Tenken and Sajin use their power in combination with their allies to close the Garganta and finally destroy all of the Gillians. They then turn their attention to Muramasa. After the mission is completed and Muramasa is defeated, Tenken returns to Sajin's sword.

Beast Swords arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Tenken joins several other Zanpakutō spirits in confronting the Tōjū Kirikaze. He slams his sword into the ground, sending a shockwave towards the Tōjū, who cancels it out with a similar attack. When Kirikaze is injured, he give his power temporarily to Renji so that he could defeat the Tōjū. Tenken then returns to his sword form as the power enabling the Zanpakutō to temporarily maintain their materialized form is depleted.

Powers & Abilities
Master Swordsman: As seen from his short skirmish against Sajin, Tenken possesses considerable sword prowess even while wielding a secondary weapon.

Expert Whip Wielder: In addition to swordsmanship, Tenken is highly proficient with using a whip to bind and restrict an opponent's movements.

Enhanced Strength: Being able to drag an immensely strong opponent like Sajin off his feet with a single hand demonstrates incredible strength on Tenken's part.

Fire Manipulation: Tenken is able to conjure and manipulate fire through both his sword and whip, as well as breathe it out of his mouth. However, his fire manipulation weakens under rainy conditions.

Enhanced Speed: Despite his large stature, Tenken is shown to have great speed as seen when he attacks Suì-Fēng with his sword. He is also surprisingly evasive, able to dodge up-close attacks effortlessly.

Enhanced Endurance: Befitting his stature and physique, Tenken has shown to be very resilient, able to take a direct kick to the face from Suì-Fēng without flinching.


 * Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō (黒縄天譴明王, Heavenly Punishment of Kokujō's King): Tenken can transform into an armored giant, which is about a hundred meters tall. It wields a sword with a guard similar to Komamura's, but with a different blade and with a string hanging from the hilt.

Trivia

 * Sajin Komamura has never been seen using fire manipulation or bolas, though his Zanpakutō's spirit uses these abilities.

Navigation
Tenken (espíritu)