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 anime-exclusive Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc.

Appearance
Zabimaru's spirit takes the form of a two people: an adult woman and a small boy, attached to the female's waist by a black chain that is connected to a collar on his neck, the chain can however be removed at any time. The female is referred to as "Chimpette" and the boy is referred to as "Snakey". "Chimpette" has dark green fur that covers most of her body, except for her inner abdomen and chest. She has green eyes, long, rose-colored hair (of similar color as the fur cowl that appears around Renji's shoulders in Bankai) that goes past her knees, and black markings in her hair that bear a resemblance to Renji's tattoos. "Snakey" has blue eyes and jaw-length crimson hair. He wears a robe similar to a priest's that is cut short to reveal much of his stomach, with long sleeves that extend well past his hands. He has a snake's tail on which he often balances on to sit in the air. The two both possess fangs.

Personality
The two spirits are shown to have an arrogant streak to them. Individually, the nature is rather different. While "Snakey" is rather childish and easily distracted, "Chimpette" is serious and straight to the matter at hand. The two of them have a tendency to argue with each other quite often like siblings. Despite their constant bickering, the two still care for each other. Zabimaru greatest desire is to keep growing stronger. It is this inner desire that allowed Muramasa to initially make Zabimaru leave Renji, who they believed wasn't trying hard enough to accomplish this goal.

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

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 does not automatically recognize them, they engage in a brief fight with Renji (and at times, each other). When asked why they are fighting, the two explain that they heard a voice telling them to act according to their instincts, which for them is to fight. They seem to switch positions and hurl each other at the enemy with each exchange of the Zanpakutō. During the fight Zabimaru seems to hold the advantage over Renji, that is until Renji releases his Zanpakutō's Shikai much to their amazement.

After they continue their battle with Renji, now equipped with his Shikai, they admit they are now impressed, and release their Bankai via the snake-boy transforming into the massive snake. They then manage to overwhelm and disarm Renji, thinking they are now victorious. Renji proceeds to change battle tactics by using Kidō. They manage to grab Renji's sword and charge at him for the kill, but Renji uses the special ability of his Shikai to defeat them, thus reverting them to their sword form. After their defeat, they tell Renji they have come to their senses, and won't attack him again. Unfortunately, Zabimaru later revealed to have no memories of their rogue activities beyond knowing that it happened.

When Byakuya comes into the 6th Division barracks with Senbonzakura, Renji, having heard that his captain is a traitor, confronts him. Unfortunately, the lieutenant is unable to summon Shikai, having broken it in his fight with the two. However, Zabimaru manifests itself and fights Senbonzakura. The two, with their teamwork, are able to match Senbonzakura for a while though after their opponent uses Bankai, Zabimaru is defeated. Shortly after the other Shinigami arrive to help, Zabimaru gets back up and aids Renji in fighting Byakuya.

Later, in the Human World, Muramasa transforms into a Hollow that is overwhelming the stability of the living world. Zabimaru appears with Renji and the other Shinigami and restored Zanpakutō spirits to aid Ichigo and his allies. Zabimaru destroys several Gillians with their Shikai and later Bankai, at the same time bickering with each other. When it is realized they first have to destroy the Garganta to stop the Gillians' assault, Zabimaru focus their Reiatsu on the Garganta, along with their allies, to seal it. After the mission is completed and Muramasa is defeated, Zabimaru returns to Renji's sword.

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

Zabimaru accompanies Renji to the Human World to deal with the Tōjū problem. Zabimaru decide to remove their chains and split up to increase their numbers. The "Snakey" half becomes too fascinated by the living world to pay attention to their mission. When Snakey finds one of the Tōjū, it manages to escape by making Snakey think about how he will be forced back into his sword state permanently after the mission is over and lose his new-found freedom. This prompts Snakey to leave Renji and enjoy himself. He meets Yuzu and Karin Kurosaki. The twins immediately try to befriend Snakey, who stubbornly continues to act indifferent as he continues to try and convince himself that he is better off alone. Karin, however, disagrees with Snakey's view. As they bring him to their house, Snakey begins warming up to the girls. However, when Ichigo arrives and tells him that Renji is looking for him, Snakey returns to his bratty self and leaves. Shortly afterward, he runs into the same Tōjū from earlier, who decides to kill Snakey to preserve his own freedom. Snakey easily overpowers him, but the Tōjū turns his attention to Karin, who comes looking for Snakey, and takes her hostage. As the Tōjū begins beating a none-resistant Snakey, he talks about how much he enjoys his freedom and being alone. Snakey, however, finally realizes that being alone is not the way to live. Before the Tōjū can land the final strike, Renji arrives and takes care of the Tōjū. Afterwards, Snakey returns Karin to Ichigo, and asks Ichigo not to tell Karin about him.

Powers and Abilities
Expert Swordsmen: Both spirits have shown in their battle with Renji their efficient use of their weapon against Renji, who is himself a master swordsman.

Enhanced Speed and Strength: Both spirits have been shown to be stronger and faster then one would assume. The snake-boy was even able to effortlessly beat Renji to the ground. They could also easily toss each other around by the chain connecting them.

Effective Team-work: Despite their constant arguments with each other, they have been shown to work together with almost no flaws.

Zabimaru can summon the sword of their Shikai state: an even longer six-part segmented blade; each segment is wider than the one preceding it from the hilt with two pick-like protrusions on the front and the back of each segment, with the ones on the front, much longer than the ones at the back. The segments are connected by a stretchable thread, making Zabimaru more useful as a whip than an actual sword, though it can serve as a regular sword just as easily. Zabimaru can also transport the sword between the two of them, even during battle, in order to confuse and overwhelm their opponent. They can also extend their sword's range by swinging each other by the chain that connects them.


 * Bankai: Hihiō Zabimaru (狒狒王蛇尾丸, Baboon King Snake Tail): In Bankai form, the snake-boy transforms into a massive skeletal snake with a red mane, while the baboon-lady wields him the same way Renji does. Zabimaru gains many more segments, which are much larger resembling a mix between a snakes vertebral column and the pick-like protrusions of the Shikai segments.


 * Special Ability: Zabimaru also gains special techniques when in Bankai form such as:


 * "Hikōtsu Taihō" (狒骨大砲, Baboon Bone Cannon): The technique fires a dense blast of concentrated spiritual energy from Zabimaru's mouth. Zabimaru shows that it can fire more than one blast at a time.

Trivia

 * Zabimaru's appearance is similar of an omake from both the anime and the manga, when Mayuri Kurotsuchi gave out a pamphlet to Renji and Hisagi to alter a Zanpakutō. One of the choices involved changing the Zanpakutō's gender, which both were amazed by and which Renji comically asked Mayuri to do. However, Renji does not recognize Zabimaru's Human form and is confused as to how Zabimaru took such a form.


 * In episode 241, Zabimaru commented on their rivalry with Senbonzakura. This reflects Renji's rivalry with his captain, Byakuya.

Navigation
Zabimaru (espíritu)