Reiatsu (霊圧, Spiritual Pressure) is the physical force/pressure that a person’s Reiryoku creates when released. Most Shinigami and Arrancar, even Quincy and Bounts can manipulate the release of their Reiatsu.
Reiatsu VS Reiryoku
The difference between spiritual pressure and spiritual energy is simple: Reiryoku is the amount of energy a being has stored within their body or soul, whereas Reiatsu is the pressure that a person’s Reiryoku exerts. In other words, Reiryoku is potential while Reiatsu is energy in use and can be sensed by other spiritually aware beings. In general, those with high levels of Reiryoku will often have the highest levels of Reiatsu also. A skilled warrior can overcome a person possessing greater Reiryoku by possessing greater Reiatsu. This is achieved by having greater control over their own spirit energy.
Reiatsu Sensing
The senses by which you feel and pick up on reiatsu, they’re known as “Reikaku” (霊覚, Spiritual Sense) or “Reiatsu Chikaku” (霊圧知覚, Spiritual Pressure Perception), . Every person that has reiatsu subconsciously uses both their sense of vision and their “Reikaku” at the same time in order to see. And when concentrating in the midst of battle, Reikaku takes over an overwhelming amount of perception. In other words, your subconscious begins to stop seeing with your “eyes”.[1]
Appearance
Reiatsu Colors
Different spirits have different colors of Reiatsu, and it does not depend on the character's race or power; instead, the color is determined by the owner’s personality.
Shape
Some particular characters have a shape or manifestation of their energy whenever they release enough of it. The manifestations are one of the characters' inner strength/energy.
Reiatsu Shape | |
User | Reiatsu Shape |
Ichigo Kurosaki | Blue Spiritual energy in the shape of his Hollow mask.[22][34] |
Kenpachi Zaraki | Golden Spiritual energy in the shape of a giant menacing skull.[22][14] |
Yachiru Kusajishi | Pink Spiritual energy in the shape of an angry cat.[22] |
Uses
Defensive use
Reiatsu Effect | |
When two spiritual beings collide, the side with weaker spiritual pressure will get hurt. (Ex: When Ichigo Kurosaki fights Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, the captain opened up the chest area of his shihakushō, and ordered Ichigo to cut him. When attacking with all his strength, Ichigo found Kenpachi uninjured, while his own hands were bleeding. As his sword that is highly concentrated for the purpose of killing, the spiritual pressure that Kenpachi subconsciously releases is much, much stronger). In this way a Shinigami with a greater amount of Reiatsu can use their own Reiatsu to harden their skin, and effectively protect themselves from attacks.[40] Shinigami battles are battles of Reiatsu, if one possess a greater level Reiatsu then the other can be overcome completely.[41] |
Psychological use
Fear | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
Reiatsu at its most basic level can instill fear in others when it is very high (in comparison to the one feeling it). Willpower is the simplest way to fight this effect. |
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Stun | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
High level of spiritual power can cause those of lower power to be stunned by simply being in the presence of a high level spiritual being. |
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Paralysis | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
When a Spiritual being of high Reiatsu chooses to they can paralyze an opponent just by focusing pressure through their stare or presence. |
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Phantom Pain | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
High level of spiritual pressure can make an opponent feel as though they are being attacked though nothing is physically happening to them. |
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Offensive use
Physical Damage | |
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Lethal Damage | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
In high enough quantities, spiritual pressure can be lethal to others. |
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Types of Reiatsu
Standard type
Most characters have this form of Reiatsu, which have no other effect than those described above, along with its unique color and feeling. Most Hollows and Shinigami have this type, while every Quincy and Humans always have this type. Fullbringers are the only Humans shown to have Hollow-like powers. Yasutora Sado noticed he felt 'more at home' in Hueco Mundo, and his Reiatsu feels like a Hollow despite his species; it is still a standard type.
Dual type
All Visored and Arrancar have this specific Reiatsu. For Visored, they feel more like Shinigami, while Arrancar feel more like Hollows. When Ichigo's inner Hollow started to take over Orihime Inoue could sense it, becoming afraid of how heavy and dark it was. The Visored, strangely enough, also feel more like Hollows when they release their powers. Arrancar seal their Hollow abilities, meaning they become as close to their original form as can be, explaining this phenomenon.
Element type
Three characters have been shown using elemental Reiatsu, even without releasing their Zanpakutō, or it being their natural Spiritual Power:
Fire & Heat: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Captain Yamamoto has used his burning spiritual pressure to heat up his sealed Zanpakutō, causing it to glow dark orange like a recently forged sword. He has also displayed a large amount of flames emanating from his body before his Shikai, which is needed for his fire based techniques.
Ice & Cold: Rukia Kuchiki & Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
When Tōshirō was a child, he had trouble controlling his power. In his sleep, it would go out of control, affecting his grandma and causing her to shrink because of the sheer cold. This cold power caused others to fear him.
References
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 645, page 9
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 309
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 59
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episodes 269-270
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episodes 289-290
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 233
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 248
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 166
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bleach anime; Episode 226
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 35
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 250
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 253
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 162, page 2
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Bleach anime; Episode 202
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 Bleach anime; Episode 254
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 84
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 219
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 251
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Bleach anime; Episode 44
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 276
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 98
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Bleach anime; Episode 39
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 101
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 53
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 268
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 122
- ↑ Bleach anime, Episode 197
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Bleach anime, Episode 221
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 123
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 265
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 273
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 31
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 323
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Bleach anime, Episode 236
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 247
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 307
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 239
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Bleach anime; Episode 57
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 124
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 105, pages 1-7
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 391, page 18
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 374, page 16
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 |