Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4957813-20131113141215/@comment-8986886-20131116133654

N-e-ls wrote: I know that the old man was always the Quincy powers, but he fulfilled the role of a Zanpakutō. Whenever Ichigo needed the proper powers of a Zanpakutō, it was Hollow Ichigo who'd be summoned. Yet, Ichigo tended to communicate even less with him.

I'm not sure using Hollow Zangetsu as an example is any better, considering that it's the only known Zanpakutõ that is also a Hollow; making his relationship with Ichigo unique.