Zabimaru (Zanpakutō spirit)

This article is about the manifested spirit of Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō. For his Zanpakutō and its abilities, see Zabimaru.

is the manifested spirit of Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō that is seen during the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc.

Character Outline
Zabimaru's spirit takes the form of a fully grown woman attached to a small boy by a chain around her waist and a collar on his neck. The female has green fur covering most of her body and resembles the Arrancar Apache in her Resurrección. She has long hair that falls to the ground with markings on her hair similar to Renji's tattoo's. The boy wears a robe similar to a priest and has a snake tail.

Synopsis
They first appear when several Zanpakutō spirits are in a cave waiting for Muramasa's return. They are then last seen along with the rest of the Zanpakutō spirits appearing before the Shinigami that have gathered at the Sōkyoku Hill. They seemingly end the main skirmish by appearing in Bankai form and using Hikōtsu Taihō.

Later on, the two appear while Renji is searching for Byakuya Kuchiki. After having to introduce themselves as Renji did not automatically recognize them, they engaged him in a brief fight with Renji (and at times each other.) When asked why they are fighting, they two explain that they heard a voice telling them to act on their instincts, which for them is to fight.

Trivia

 * Given the fact that Zabimaru had previously appeared in the series as a nue (a Japanese chimera in the form of a baboon with a snake's head for a tail), it is unknown what this dual, humanoid manifestation implies. Though it is likely the female represents the baboon part, as she is covered in fur, while the young boy represents the snake, as his face appears similar to the snake tail of Zabimaru's nue form. Although, in a recent episode, Renji appears confused as to why the two are in human form instead of the ape-like form previously seen, meaning that the human form of a Zanpakuto could be something not normally seen.
 * A recent preview (for episode 235 specifically) confirms that the baboon half of Zabimaru was changed to the female form shown in this arc, impliedly by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The baboon half also claims that Renji made her "submit" to him, which obviously means something rather suggestive.
 * The baboon half of Zabimaru is the only character to have been drastically changed by an Omake chapter, in her case, a change in gender.