Reiatsu (霊圧, Spiritual Pressure) is the physical force/pressure that a person’s Reiryoku creates when released. Most Shinigami, Arrancar, Quincy and Bounts can manipulate the release of their Reiatsu.
Reiatsu vs. Reiryoku
The difference between spiritual energy and spiritual pressure 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 spiritual energy.
Reiatsu Sensing
The senses by which one feels and pick up on Reiatsu are 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. When concentrating in the midst of battle, Reikaku takes over an overwhelming amount of perception; in other words, the subconscious begins to stop seeing with “eyes”.[1]
Reiatsu Vents
All Shinigami have vents located at their wrists that vent out their Reiatsu. If they are blocked off, then the Shinigami in question will be incinerated by their own Reiatsu from within.[2]
Reiatsu Release
All Reiatsu released by individuals eventually returns to them, but Reiatsu released in explosive bursts also engulfs energy in its surroundings in the process; when Ichigo Kurosaki did so while attempting to escape Quilge Opie's The Jail, Quilge's Quincy Reiatsu seeped into the depths of Ichigo's soul and awakened the Quincy aspect of his power within it, causing Ichigo to begin using Blut Vene unconsciously during his subsequent battle with Yhwach.[3]
Appearance
Reiatsu Colors
Different spirits have different colors of Reiatsu, and it does not depend on the individual's race or power; instead, the color is determined by the owner’s personality.
Shape
Certain individuals generate a shape or manifestation of their energy whenever they release enough of it; the manifestations are one of their inner strength.
Reiatsu Shape | |
User | Reiatsu Shape |
Ichigo Kurosaki | Blue Reiatsu in the shape of his Hollow mask.[26][39][66] |
Kenpachi Zaraki | Golden Reiatsu in the shape of a giant menacing skull.[26][50][67] |
Yachiru Kusajishi | Pink Reiatsu in the shape of an angry cat.[26][68] |
Uses
Defensive use
Reiatsu Effect | |
When two spiritual beings collide, the side with weaker spiritual pressure will get hurt. (Ex: When Ichigo Kurosaki fought 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 started bleeding. As his sword's power 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.[69] Shinigami battles are battles of Reiatsu; if one possess a greater level of Reiatsu, then the other can be overcome completely, such as when Suì-Fēng's Nigeki Kessatsu failed against Sōsuke Aizen.[70] One can also concentrate their Reiatsu to repel attacks, as Mayuri Kurotsuchi did when attacked by Pernida Parnkgjas's The Compulsory.[71] |
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 Reiatsu through their stare or presence. |
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Phantom Pain | |
Reiatsu Effect | Description |
A combatant exerting high levels of Reiatsu can make their opponent feel as though they are being attacked, even 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
This is the most common form of Reiatsu, which has no effects other than those described above, along with its unique color and feeling. Most Hollows and Shinigami have this type, while Quincy and Humans always have this type. Notably, Fullbringers are Humans who have Hollow-like powers,[85] and Yasutora Sado noted he felt "at home" in Hueco Mundo because his Reiatsu feels like that of a Hollow despite his species,[86] but their Reiatsu is still a standard type.
Dual type
All Visored and Arrancar have this specific Reiatsu; Visored feel more like Shinigami, while Arrancar feel more like Hollows. When Ichigo's inner Hollow started to take over his body, Orihime Inoue could sense it and was frightened by how heavy and dark it was. The Visored also feel more like Hollows when they release their powers. Arrancar seal their Hollow abilities and become as close to their original form as can be when they enter their Resurrección, explaining this phenomenon.
Element type
Two Shinigami have used elemental Reiatsu, even without releasing their Zanpakutō, with it being their natural 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 releasing his Shikai, which is needed for his fire-based techniques.
Ice & Cold: Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
When Tōshirō was a child, he had trouble controlling his power. In his sleep, it would go out of control, freezing his grandma with the sheer cold. This cold power caused others to fear him.[87]
References
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 645, page 9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 402, pages 21-22
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 514, page 6
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 309
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 673, pages 12-17
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 59
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episodes 289-290
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 233
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 248
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episodes 269-270
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedE219
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 166
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Bleach anime; Episode 226
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 35
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 250
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 253
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 277
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Bleach anime; Episode 44
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 276
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedE284
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 307
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 239
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 663, page 17
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 226
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 223
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Bleach anime; Episode 39
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 101
- ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 Bleach anime; Episode 254
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 53
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 268
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 122
- ↑ Bleach anime, Episode 197
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Bleach anime, Episode 221
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 217
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 195
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 157
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 31
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 323
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Bleach anime, Episode 236
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 247
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 131
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
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- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 218
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 273
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 118
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 123
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 265
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 158
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 162, page 2
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Bleach anime; Episode 202
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 84
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 672, pages 4-6
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 650, page 2
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedanime136
- ↑ Bleach anime, Episode 195
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 120
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 120
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 195
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 144
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 219
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 251
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 220
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Bleach anime; Episode 57
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 124
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 98
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 113, page 12
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 113, page 12
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 113, page 2
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 105, pages 4-7
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 391, page 15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 643, page 15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 108, pages 12-23
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 155, pages 5-6
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 104, page 4
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 245, pages 10-11
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 103, page 9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 103, pages 15-16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 210, pages 15-17
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 210, pages 1-3
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 269, pages 14-16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 113, page 6-7
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 409, page 21
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 413, page 12
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 374, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 433, pages 9-10
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 260, pages 1-3
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -16, pages 8 & 19-20
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 |