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, while the boy wears a robe similar to that of 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. It seemingly ends the main skirmish by appearing in Bankai form and using Hikōtsu Taihō.

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.
 * The female manifestation of Zabimaru may be in reference to an omake in which Mayuri Kurotsuchi suggested he could fix a Zanpakutō should it ever break and offered a catalog detailing the options available. Because Zabimaru is a primate Renji had a number of options available including changing his Zanpakutō's species and gender, both of which Renji then pleadingly requested for.