Bleach – Zanpakutō and Bankai List
A Zanpakutō (斬魄刀, Soul-Cutter Sword) is the main weapon of a Shinigami (Soul Reaper), used to purify Hollows and send souls to the afterlife. However, they are far more than just swords—each Zanpakutō is a spiritual entity with its own personality, abilities, and name. Here is a list of Zanpakutō from the anime Bleach and insights on their abilities.
1. Ichigo Kurosaki
- Zanpakutō: Zangetsu
- Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu
- Bankai Info: Compresses his spiritual power into a small, fast form. In TYBW, it’s revealed his true Zanpakutō is a fusion of his Quincy and Hollow powers, with dual blades.
2. Rukia Kuchiki
- Zanpakutō: Sode no Shirayuki
- Bankai: Hakka no Togame
- Bankai Info: Lowers her body temperature to absolute zero, freezing anything she touches. It is extremely powerful but risky to use.
3. Byakuya Kuchiki
- Zanpakutō: Senbonzakura
- Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
- Bankai Info: His sword scatters into thousands of petal-like blades, which can be controlled to attack or defend. He can also use forms like “Senkei” and “Gokei” for different effects.
4. Tōshirō Hitsugaya
- Zanpakutō: Hyōrinmaru
- Bankai: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru
- Bankai Info: Grants him ice wings and weapons, allowing control over weather and freezing. In mature form, he can freeze objects on a molecular level instantly.
5. Kenpachi Zaraki
- Zanpakutō: No known Shikai name; revealed to be Nozarashi
- Bankai: Unnamed
- Bankai Info: Transforms him into a berserker demon with immense power. In this form, he sacrifices strategy for raw strength, cutting almost anything in a single blow.
6. Shunsui Kyōraku
- Zanpakutō: Katen Kyōkotsu
- Bankai: Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū
- Bankai Info (Manga/Anime):
A multi-stage illusion-like Bankai based on a tragic play with four acts:- First Act – “Tameraikizu no Wakachiai”: Inflicts the same wounds on the opponent that Shunsui receives.
- Second Act – “Zanki no Shitone”: Envelops the enemy in black water representing despair and spiritual death.
- Third Act – “Dangyoku no Fuchi”: A thread strangles the enemy in a noose-like illusion, symbolizing execution.
- Final Act – “Itokiribasami Chizome no Nodobue”: A throat-slitting song that ends the enemy’s life.
It’s uncontrollable and cannot be used near allies.
7. Sōsuke Aizen
- Zanpakutō: Kyōka Suigetsu
- Bankai: Unknown
- Shikai Info: Triggers Complete Hypnosis. Once seen, Aizen can manipulate all five senses, making it nearly impossible to distinguish illusion from reality.
8. Renji Abarai
- Zanpakutō: Zabimaru
- Bankai: Sōō Zabimaru
- Bankai Info: His true Bankai in TYBW is a fusion of baboon and snake forms. It grants him a flexible bone-blade and the ability to launch a massive energy blast called Zaga Teppō.
9. Urahara Kisuke
- Zanpakutō: Benihime
- Bankai: Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame
- Bankai Info: Can restructure and reassemble anything it touches, including human flesh and spiritual matter. Used for both healing and disabling enemies.
10. Mayuri Kurotsuchi
- Zanpakutō: Ashisogi Jizō
- Bankai: Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō
- Bankai Info: Summons a giant baby-headed caterpillar that emits deadly poison. Mayuri can reprogram it between battles for tailored effects.
11. Retsu Unohana
- Zanpakutō: Minazuki
- Bankai: Minazuki
- Bankai Info: In Bankai, Minazuki becomes a liquid-like blood blade. Allows her to dissolve and reconstruct herself and her opponent, dealing internal damage and accelerating death during battle
12. Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni
- Zanpakutō: Ryūjin Jakka
- Bankai: Zanka no Tachi
- Bankai Info:
- East (Kyokujitsujin): All flames sealed into blade—incinerates everything it touches.
- West (Zanjitsu Gokui): Covers his body in 15-million°C heat—defensive aura.
- South (Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin): Summons skeletons of past victims to attack.
- North (Tenchi Kaijin): An all-erasing slash that annihilates anything in its path.
13. Shinji Hirako
- Zanpakutō: Sakanade
- Bankai: Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari
- Bankai Info: Forces all targets in range to perceive allies as enemies, causing self-destruction. Cannot be used if allies are nearby—meant strictly for enemy-only situations.
14. Sui-Feng (Soi Fon)
- Zanpakutō: Suzumebachi
- Bankai: Jakuhō Raikōben
- Bankai Info: Summons a massive golden missile launcher on her arm. Fires high-powered homing projectiles. Unlike her Shikai’s precision, her Bankai is raw destructive force—against her stealthy style.
15. Ichibei Hyōsube
- Zanpakutō: Ichimonji
- Bankai: Shirafude Ichimonji
- Bankai Info:
In Bankai, Ichibei gains the power to rewrite names and redefine existence. Using the ink from Ichimonji, he erases the “name” of a target—stripping away identity and power. Then, with Shirafude, he writes a new name, which assigns new traits or powers. In the anime, he temporarily turns Yhwach into a powerless being by removing his name.
16. Senjumaru Shutara
- Zanpakutō: Shigarami no Tatsugami
- Bankai: Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji
- Bankai Info:
Her Bankai unfolds as a mechanical, thread-and-fabric-themed theater. Using her threads, she weaves a massive structure that traps enemies inside “sacrificial chambers.” Each enemy is encased in a sarcophagus of fabric and destroyed by tailor-made killing methods. The Bankai’s scale is overwhelming, with elegant yet brutal precision.
Bonus: Zanpakutō in the Lore
- Ōetsu Nimaiya, a Royal Guard member, created the original Asauchi and Zanpakutō system.
- Zanpakutō are treated almost like sacred entities—not just tools of war, but spiritual companions.
- They cannot be stolen or copied easily, because they’re deeply tied to the user’s essence.
💭 What’s your favorite Zanpakutō and Bankai from Bleach?
Image credit Pierrot Films
