Forum:Zanpakuto Forms

What has been interesting the most is the various zanpakuto releases in the series. The development and change we have seen with some of the recent releases are really refreshing not to mention the abilities they possess, such as:


 * Yamamoto - (shikai) katana {oldest zanpakuto and most powerful fire}
 * Chojiro - (shikai) Rapier
 * Soifon - (shikai) Stinger {poison} - (bankai) Missile launcher ? (I dont care for it at all though, doesn't seem well thought out)
 * Omaeda - (shikai) flail
 * Gin - (shikai) extending blade
 * Kira - (shikai) hooked blade {weight multiplier}
 * Unohana - (shikai) manta ray creature
 * Isane - (shikai) tri-bladed sword
 * Aizen - (shikai) katana {absolute hypnosis}
 * Momo - (shikai) jutte sword {fire balls}
 * Byakuya - (shikai) {thousands of tiny blades} - (bankai) {millions of tiny blades}
 * Renji - (shikai) extending whip sword - (bankai) Huge snake tail whip
 * Komamura - (shikai) katana {materialized appendages} - (bankai) {giant samurai}
 * Iba - (shikai) wide blade w/ pick
 * Shunsui (shikai) Chinese falchion {Turns childs play into reality}
 * Tosen - (shikai) katana {unconsciousness tone, multiple blades} - (bankai) katana {sensory depriving sphere}
 * Hisagi - (shikai) twin inverted kusuri-gamas on chain
 * Hitsugaya - (shikai) katana {ice dragons} - (bankai) katana {weather/ice/water manipulation}
 * Rangiku - (shikai) {ash}
 * Mayuri - (shikai) tri-pronged sword {paralysis poison} - (bankai) katana {giant poison spewing caterpillar creature}
 * Ukitake - (shikai) spear-sword attached by rope {Energy Redirection}
 * Rukia - (shikai) katana {ice manipulation}
 * Ichigo - (shikai) cleaver - (bankai) long katana {physical enhancement}
 * Love - (shikai) kanabo {fire}
 * Rose - (shikai) whip
 * Lisa - (shikai) spear
 * Hiyori - (shikai) cleaver w/ serrated blade
 * Kensei - (shikai) bowie knife {wind manipulation}
 * Ikkaku - (shikai) three-sectioned naginata - (bankai) three oversized blades
 * Yumichika - (shikai) split sickle {reiatsu absorption}

Which is the best form so far and i wonder what others will be present. But even more so what do you think can be so cool ones for the future or even for bankai's we have yet to see. So in a speculative sense any thoughts?Salubri 14:24, September 27, 2009 (UTC)

I would like to see a halberd, A Ring blade like Tira from Soulcalibur or a chakram. I would like to also see more living creature type zanpakutos, I thought of one where the blade detaches into flesh eating insects when released and overwhelms you and slowly eats you to kill you! That would be a truly sadistic zanpakuto... Tinni 15:23, September 27, 2009 (UTC)

My personal favorites are Byakuya's, Shunsui's (too cool for words!!), and I'm intrigued by Rose's. I think my least favorite would have to be Soifon's. She can shoot someone once every three days? It seems kind of lame for a captain's Bankai. And Tinni, that totally made me laugh out loud. xDD That would be totally insane! I guess for other ideas, I think I'd like to see more unusual types, rather than so many katanas and oversized weapons. For example, there's a Mario game where Princess Peach gets all sorts of really weird weapons, like a slap glove, parasol, frying pan and a war fan. I don't necessarily mean those exact items, but it certainly is indicative that a weapon doesn't need to be a typical sword-esque thing in order to be effective as a weapon. Twocents 16:44, September 27, 2009 (UTC)

I would like to see an Earth element Zanpakuto, maybe shaped like a drill. We have not seen any in the manga, and it's only been shown in fillers. Or maybe a Zanpakuto that slows down the opponent! My favourite zanpakuto is Komamura's I think there is more to his bankai than we have seen.

Yeah, i like this. You should start an actual page on this. Yeah, i hate the vizard shikai's too... they just seem really hashed out to me... especially hiyori's(im reading the manga like "wtf?", goes with the mask though) and Kyorakus is too awesome for words... especially the fact that if you lose the game you die, so any unsuspecting opponents make the wrong move,and boom, ur dead. freaking insane. little dissapointment over not seeing his Bankai, but what the hell. it'll come out when its good and ready. I think itll be *kickass* to see an energy absorbing sword. not like Ukitakes, but one that absorbs energy from physical and energy attacks, and then uses the energy to deliver stronger blows. not very subtle though.Or, maybe a zanpakuto where the shikai just turns into pure solidified spiritual energy generated from the scabbard, and can be molded to the users will... awesome.--Ulquiorra Wannabe128 18:53, September 27, 2009 (UTC)

Just wanted to add, I think Soifon's missile is a reference to "Stinger missiles" and from that perspective it keeps the stinger theme. Plus the destructive power suits her zanpakuto. I mean, her's is the only one we have seen that can guarantee kills in two hits to the same place. So it suits for her to have a bankai that, unless you are espada no. 2, pretty much ensures you'll die in one hit and that she'll probably take half the battlefield with you. Tinni 00:39, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

I really want to see something to do with lightning but that's just a personal favourite thing of mine. I'd like to see a kind of glove with blades instead of fingers. It'd have to do something other than be physical but i just think that could be awesome. Just as an aside, aesthetically I think Katen Kyokastu, Zangetsu and Kazenshini are the best, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. BollyW 07:08, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

An idea for a zanpakuto that I've always wanted to see is something like a gladiatorial arm guard, but with a blade that extend over it. I guess similar to Soifon's shikai and Amagai's bankai without the special effects of each. I mean, tell me that wouldn't be cool. Nick4444 08:35, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

one i want to see is an earth based zanpukto in the shape of a war hammer, and as for ones i like its kensei's knife and zangetsu Fawcettp 09:37, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

Well, the problem is there are only so many types of weapon in the world, and only so many ways of making them look different/exciting, so coming up with ideas will get progressively more difficult. But I shall try.


 * I haven't seen anyone using nunchuks or shinobou yet (though Ikkaku's come pretty close). Yes, they're a pain to use, and becoming something of a cliche, but no-one has used them yet, so there's an option.
 * They use predominantly eastern weapons (no suprises there), so maybe the occasional western weapon (like Chojiro's rapier) would be refreshing.
 * No one uses shields. The Spartans showed what kind of damage they can do
 * Gauntlets/Claws and Greaves (I thought that could have been Soifon's at first, but it could also work for Kensei and maybe Yoruichi)
 * More musical instruments! I'm thinking Nevan out of DMC3. Riff your enemies to death! (maybe that can be the release) or just go Jeff Jarrett on them
 * TK originally itended for them to use guns, didn't he? Why not use them now?

Someone suggested summoned creatures. I quite like them, but you can only have so many before the readers lose interest, 'Tch, here's another one...' I reckon that's why not all the Bankai's have been seen yet; TK hasn't given them sufficient depth and variety to do them justice. TomServo101 11:08, September 28, 2009 (UTC)


 * I have this idea that Yoruichi's zanpakuto when released takes the form of cat claws! Well at least a spiked knuckle dusters. It would suit her fighting style. Hmm... I hope Bleach doesn't end before we get to see everybodies zanpakutos. That would be a shame. Tinni 22:53, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

Why not Tonfas, the Monkey King Staff, a Mjolnir-like or Dwarf hammer, a double edges spear, an anchor[] like the one of Chosokabe Motochika in Basara2 [] or Kasuga/Sasuke's giant shurikens. Cool weapons out there, or some ideas from the Celt mythology. Baronofash 12:42, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

I think a Boomerang that has some elemental type of ability. Maybe like pick rip up rocks off the ground and turn them into a tornado of razor sharp shrapnel. Jordanbobordan88
 * I think that's a lovely idea. It'd certainly put an interesting spin on something that could just be "Oh, it's just wind." ^_^

I really like the ideas others have presented too. I didn't even think of shields! You'd think that'd be really fitting, since it'd be useful for both offense and defense, which could help make the shinigami even more of a threat to any enemies. Twocents 21:32, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

Very true you would think they would have some shinigami with some kind of shield. The shinigami I've seen witha shield is Amagi as his bankai can be also block as well. But hes filler. Same with that Rusaburo guy but that was his shikai being and defensive type. as for yoroichi, haven't gave that anything thought at all.Saimaroimaru 23:10, September 28, 2009 (UTC)

A shikai that turns the opposing zanpakuto's ability on itself, sort of like a counter, or one that brings out the ultimate fears of a person, which in turn hinders their battle ability. I'm a bit 2 lazy 2 think of forms for the zanpakutos. I know it kind of sounds dumb but i'd like to see throwing knives.

I forgot this, but it would be a good look if the throwing knives were unlimited in number. The user could change size of the zanpakuto like Isshin's explaination to the grand fisher, so it could be used for melee type combat or left short like kensei's or even have a strectching effect like gin's when thrown.Kissmybankai 17:45, September 29, 2009 (UTC)

An idea for a shikai/bankai could be a baton. But when unscrewed their is a hidden blade in it and when you say it's name and bang the sword with the baton piece it makes a small sound wave and all zanpakuto's that hear the sound revert back to their sealed forms. Although I don't know who would use it.Codyage 21:58, September 29, 2009 (UTC)

I personally would like to see a Zanpakuto that once released takes the form of a Voulge. Also i'm kinda of sick of waiting to find out what Aizens Bankai really is & what it can really do. Minato88 01:08, September 30, 2009 (UTC)

I would really like to see a Zanpakuto that was made of a sorta liquified metallic material. like its could be a regular zanpakuto but the liquid would form around ot to make anything the user wantsZanderthagreat 01:12, September 30, 2009 (UTC)zanderthagreat

I like the ideas of a zanpakuto with:
 * the power to copy its enemy's abilities, the stronger the enemy is the stronger the zampakuto retaliates.
 * a neutral power, I mean immunized to any ability.
 * the power of teleporting every injuries its wielder could receive against the enemy. If an enemy cuts the shinigami's arm, the shinigami could feel the hurt but would be unharmed, in contrary the enemy's arm would be cut off.
 * the power to change enemies into animals, kids or else.
 * the power to rip the spirit of an enemy, making him an empty body.
 * the power to resuscitate the dead and control them like puppets.
 * the power to clean the evil thoughts.
 * the power to stretch its wielder body (like Mr Fantastic)

and etc...Ace of Spade 11:26, September 30, 2009 (UTC)


 * well the injury thing has been done (sort of) by that guy with the sword that has a charge bar in its sealed for, only when filled (by healing damage) will in go to shikai dealing one blow with the combined might of all damage absorbed


 * and as for ideas what about one that grant the user telepathy Fawcettp 12:30, September 30, 2009 (UTC)

I would really like to see an electric one. I know there was one in one of the video games but there hasn't been one in the manga or anime. I actually have mental picture for the swords shikai and bankai. But I don't want to give away my ideas.Quadrupus 23:48, October 1, 2009 (UTC)

Ace of Spade, your zanpakutō ideas are unrealistic. Stretchable limbs, resurrecting the dead, morph opponents into animals, and rip the soul out of someone's body? However, out of the real zanpakutō we've seen so far, Kyōraku's and Aizen's seem to be a little over the edge.

I don't know if a message board for an anime about a group of high schoolers saving the world and people's souls along with soul eating demons and soul reapers/shingami is a place to debate what is more realistic. Ok maybe that was a little harsh, but I'm just messing around. On a serious note, has anyone noticed how the more powerful characters have zanpaktos/abilities that are more conceptual in nature? Pretty interesting I think. --Ihaveaname 03:07, October 2, 2009 (UTC)

What do you mean by 'more conceptual in nature'? I'm a tad confused as it would seem to me that Yamamoto, who is extremely powerful, has a rather simple power, compared to Kyoraku or Aizen... BollyW 03:47, October 2, 2009 (UTC)

we need to find a way to get these ideas to tite kubo