Zangetsu (Zanpakutō spirit)/Anime Continuity

, also known as or ,  is the manifested spirit of Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollow powers. He has stated himself to represent Ichigo's purest instincts.

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

Hollow Ichigo keeps quiet for a time, only manifesting himself to fight Gō Koga and his doll, Dalk, before being forced back. Ichigo felt Hollow Ichigo's influence growing over him. He slightly manifested himself for an instant (only Ichigo's eyes turned yellow; the mask itself never began to form, and the sclera of his eyes did not turn black) during Ichigo's fight with Jin Kariya, scarring him with a black Getsuga Tenshō, but Ichigo regains his senses shortly afterward.

New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Hollow Ichigo appears during Ichigo's final fight with Shūsuke Amagai, but most of the time, he only manifests as Ichigo's power source for his Visored mask. During the battle, he grins in Ichigo's mind.

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

Upon battling Ichigo, the rogue Zanpakutō spirit Muramasa draws out the manifestation from Ichigo's being. Without the manifestation in the way, Zangetsu easily gains control of Ichigo's body. When he takes over the fight, the manifestation is quickly brought to his fighting limit. Although the manifestation manages to injure him, his High-Speed Regeneration heals the wounds, and he assumes his full Hollow form. Fearing this new development, Muramasa begins to attack Zangetsu, but is effortlessly driven back. Ichigo manages to regain control of his body and removes his Hollow mask, returning his normal self, before passing out in exhaustion.

Determined to find out the truth behind Ichigo's unique powers, Muramasa enters Ichigo's inner world to try to forcibly draw out Zangetsu. Upon finding him, Muramasa asks what he is, and Zangetsu states he is Ichigo's purest instincts. When Muramasa attempts to take control of Zangetsu by "freeing" his true desires, a smirking Zangetsu attacks him.

Caught by surprise, Muramasa is quickly forced into an all-out fight. Zangetsu proves to be superior in both speed and strength, forcing Muramasa to instead rely on his invisible binding powers to restrain him like he restrained Ichigo. Breaking free from his bonds, Ichigo saves Zangetsu and states Zangetsu is a part of him too. As both Muramasa and Zangetsu express shock at Ichigo's actions, Ichigo states while he would be happy for Zangetsu to leave him, he is still a part of Ichigo. Forcing Muramasa out of his mind, Ichigo continues the fight in the outside world.

When Ichigo is forced to fight Zangetsu using his Bankai, Zangetsu offers his assistance, for he is free of the manifestation's influence, so Ichigo cannot draw on his power at all without Zangetsu's consent, meaning Ichigo would have to fight without his Hollow mask to suppress Zangetsu. As a battle of the manifestation's Getsuga Tenshō and Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō ensues, Ichigo accepts Zangetsu's help. Ichigo overwhelms the manifestation with the combined power of his Getsuga Tenshō and Zangetsu's Getsuga Tenshō, defeating Muramasa and freeing the manifestation from Muramasa's control.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material. Urahara manages to restore Ichigo's powers, but his Reiatsu is unstable, for the Modified Soul was incomplete. As a result, Zangetsu attempts to take over Ichigo's body, but is suppressed. Fastening Ichigo down to the ground in a warehouse with '''Bakudō #99, Part 1. Kin''', Urahara leaves with Kon to find a way to stabilize Ichigo's Reiatsu. While they are absent, Ichigo has difficulties in suppressing Zangetsu. During this struggle, he unintentionally frees himself from the Bakudō and is possessed by Zangetsu. In a blast of black-red Reiatsu, Ichigo's body is transformed into his first full Hollow form, and the Hollow began wandering through the Seireitei. As he rampages through the area, several Shinigami find him and attempt to subdue him, only for Zangetsu to easily overwhelm them. As he turns his attention to Reigai-Nanao Ise, he notices Ōko Yushima looking down on him in pity.

As Ichigo begins to regain some control and notices Yushima looks similar to both Kagerōza Inaba and Nozomi Kujō, Zangetsu regains full control and attacks with a Cero, only for Yushima to easily dodge it as it incinerates Reigai-Nanao. Later, Zangetsu finds Yushima and savagely attacks again, only for Yushima to bind him with '''Bakudō #99, Part 1. Kin''' and state Ichigo cannot return to a Shinigami nor become a complete Hollow. Before he can be struck down, Zangetsu is saved by Rukia Kuchiki. As she joins her allies in facing Yushima, the latter overwhelms them in an explosive demonstration of his powers, which frees Zangetsu. Before Yushima can slay Rukia, Zangetsu unexpectedly intervenes and shields Rukia with his body. In the process, Ichigo regains his self-awareness and returns to normal.

Powers & Abilities
Enhanced Strength: Hollow Ichigo's physical strength is much greater than Ichigo's, despite them inhabiting the same body. He thrust his Zanpakutō into Gō Koga's doll Dalk, while she was in her spider form, and effortlessly pushed her back with it. He can thrust his Zanpakutō into or throw an opponent through a wall.

Enhanced Speed: In addition to having greater raw strength, Hollow Ichigo is noticeably craftier and more agile in his movements than Ichigo. He can easily dodge a tentacle attack from Dalk or a surprise attack, and strike back as soon as possible.

Enhanced Durability: When Zangetsu fired a powerful Getsuga Tenshō at Ichigo, Hollow Ichigo took control and emerged from the destroyed wall with no visible damage. -->

Manifested Forms

 * Enhanced Strength: Hollow Ichigo has headbutted Zangetsu and sent him flying.


 * Enhanced Speed: While in this state, Hollow Ichigo's speed increases greatly. After breaking free from a Kidō spell, he appeared behind Ōko Yushima to attack him.

Quotes

 * (To Gō Koga) "Who am I? How can you ask such a stupid question? I am who I am!"


 * (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "I'm going to keep getting closer and closer to you. And not just day after day, oh no. It's going to happen much faster than that! See I'm already closer to you than I was a moment ago. And I'll keep getting closer and closer to you, until I swallow you up and then, you'll disappear. Things are not turning out well for you at all, are they? (laughs) See you around."


 * (To Muramasa) "What am I? I'm his true form. I guess you could say I'm his instincts."


 * (To Muramasa) "I'm gonna devour Ichigo and take over his body for good. That's my instinct."


 * (Before helping Ichigo defeat the manifestation of his Quincy powers) "Well, there's no point if my landlord's gonna croak."