"The "Ōken" refers to the very bones of the members of Division Zero. They are transformed by the Soul King's power when we are chosen for the position. As a result, there are only two ways to gain entry to the Palace. To be permitted entry by our will, or to enter alongside us." |
An Ōken (王鍵, King's Key) is a "key" that allows passage to the Soul King Palace.[1]
Overview[]
An Ōken is the bones of the Royal Guard, modified by the power of the Soul King.[2] The only person in Soul Society who knows this is the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, who passes it down orally.[1]
An Ōken can be forged with 100,000 souls and a Jūreichi (重霊地, Important Spirit Ground; Viz "Concentrated Spirit Zone") with a radius of one spiritual ri. The current Jūreichi in the Human World is Karakura Town.[1] Since an Ōken is the very bones of the Royal Guard, this method literally creates one of the Royal Guard as new life.[2]
An example of Ōken clothing.
Senjumaru Shutara[3] can use the Ōken in her body, which would consist of her hair and bones, to create clothing. Clothes designed in this manner possess incredible defensive powers, and can protect the wearer from the friction of breaking the 72 layers of barriers that separate the Soul King's dimension and that of the Seireitei. Should this happen, the 72 barriers cannot be closed for 1 hour and 40 minutes because of the outfit's sheer defensive power.[4]
Appearances in Other Media[]
- In Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World, Ichibē Hyōsube states that due to the Ōken being embedded within their bodies, the very life essence of each Royal Guard member is linked to the Reimyaku of the Soul King Palace and therefore he is able to revive any member of the Royal Guard by calling their name as long as the palace itself continues to exist.[5] This also seems to grant the bearers of the Ōken a form of agelessness, as Ichibē has guarded the Soul King for over a million years without growing older.[6] Indeed, even Ōetsu Nimaiya has been alive since the youngest days of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, yet has not notably aged as opposed to the other, elderly Shinigami.[7]
Trivia[]
A visual representation of the Ōken.
- When the Ōken is first mentioned, it is represented as an actual key.[1] This is later proven inaccurate by Ichibē Hyōsube.[2]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bleach manga; Chapter 223, pages 5-11
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bleach manga; Chapter 519, pages 2-3
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 598, page 15-16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 585, pages 4-5
- ↑ Bleach novel; Can't Fear Your Own World, prologue 1
- ↑ Bleach novel; Can't Fear Your Own World, Chapter 22
- ↑ Bleach novel; Can't Fear Your Own World, Chapter 21
[]
| Soul King | Soul King • Heart • Left Arm • Right Arm |
| Soul King Palace | Soul King Palace • Gatonden • Hōōden • Kirinden • Irazu Sandō |
| Royal Guard | Kirio Hikifune • Ichibē Hyōsube • Senjumaru Shutara • Tenjirō Kirinji • Ōetsu Nimaiya |
| Related Articles | Ōken • Yhwach • Soul King Palace Residents |
| Soul King Hosts | Jūshirō Ukitake • Hikone Ubuginu • Aura Michibane • Rangiku Matsumoto • Fullbringers |
| Related Articles | Ōin • The Almighty |
| Shinigami Skills | |
|---|---|
| Combat | Zanjutsu • Hohō • Kidō • Hakuda |
| Abilities | Zanpakutō • Reiryoku • Reiatsu • Reiraku • Konsō • Shunkō |
| Organizations | |
| Government | Soul King • Central 46 |
| Nobility | Kuchiki Clan • Shihōin Clan • Noble Houses • Kasumiōji Clan • Ise Clan • Tsunayashiro Clan • Formerly: Shiba Clan • Ryōdoji Family • Dark Ones |
| Military | Gotei 13 • Onmitsukidō • Kidō Corps • Royal Guard • Gatekeepers |
| Institutions | Seireitei Communication • Shinigami Research and Development Institute • Shin'ō Academy |
| Recreational | Shinigami Women's Association • Shinigami Men's Association • Tea Ceremony Club • Ikebana Club • Calligraphy Club |
| Related Articles | |
| Locations | Soul Society • Seireitei • Central 46 Compound • Nest of Maggots • Sōkyoku Hill • Gin Tonbo • Kuchiki Manor • Central Great Underground Prison |
| Items | Shihakushō • Jigokuchō • Gigai • Reigai • Gikon • Modified Soul • Denreishinki • Ōken • Gokon Tekkō • Kan • Blood Oath's Seal |