There are three main factions within Bleach: the Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Quincy, each possessing unique attributes and abilities. Soul Reapers have katanas called Zanpakutō, and each possesses a Shikai release. Bankai is the second release of a Zanpakutō’s, which is usually only available to Captain-level Soul Reapers. Here is a list of the Top 10 Strongest Bankai Ranked By Strength.
10. Renji Abarai – Sōō Zabimaru
Renji was one of the most popular characters in the anime, and he was one of the first to use his Bankai. During his encounter with Byakuya early in the show, the lieutenant of the 6th squad proved his immense talent by releasing the final version of his Zanpakutō Zabimaru. Renji does not reveal his full form of Soo Zabimaru until the last arc when he is fighting the Qunicy Mask De Masculine. Before that fight, his Bankai version had been incomplete the entire time. The entire Bankai is essentially the same, but the pelt that was previously draped over his shoulder has been replaced with a gorilla arm that is far more powerful.
9. Ichibē Hyōsube – Shirafude Ichimonji
One of the new characters introduced in this storyline is a member of the Royal Guard. IchibE Hysube is also known as Monk Manako Osh or just Osh, a title bestowed by the King and meaning “He who exposes the actual identity.” This is because Ichibe was the one who gave Zanpakutō, Shikai, Bankai, and everything else in the Soul Society its names. His Bankai is one of the most powerful, and he came dangerously close to ending the last Bleach battle prematurely. He can brand his opponents with ink with his Shikai. In his Bankai form, this mark permitted him to change any property of his opponent, thereby allowing him to win the battle with just one word.
8. Chōjirō Sasakibe – Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū
Yamamoto Genryusai’s lieutenant must be a formidable shinigami. And that’s what Chjir Sasakibe is: a character that, sadly, only shows all he’s capable of near the end. Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū, his Bankai, greatly alters his zanpakuto. His robes alter, and a glove or ring appears on his hand, allowing him to control and direct tremendous electrical currents towards your opponent. The ability to affect the weather, which can result in severe thunderstorms, makes this Bankai one of the most hazardous.
7. Retsu Unohana – Minazuki
Until the manga’s last arc, the captain of the second division was a mystery. First, there’s the Shikai form of her zanpakuto, a big flying slug with the ability to heal humans. Retsu Unohona did not have a major character until the last arcs of Bleach, and it is during her final fight against Zaraki Kenpachi that a piece of her backstory is revealed. In that fight, she also shows the real form of her Bankai, which came as a surprise to many fans. Her zanpakuto Minazuni, in contrast to her Shikai, begins to develop a blood-like liquid that surrounds her and eventually transforms into a shorter katana ready to kill in battle.
6. Sunsui Kyōraku – Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū
Captain Shunsui Kyraku, one of Bleach’s funniest and most engaging characters, demonstrated why he was at the head of the eighth division as the series proceeded, despite his drinking habit and laid-back demeanor. And his Bankai was a complete contrast to his personality and even his zanpakuto’s Shikai form. In its Shikai form, Katen Kyokotsu took the form of gigantic swords that the Kyoraku could hold in each hand. He could also control shadows, similar to Shikamaru’s ability in Naruto. In Bankai form, however, the blade takes the shape of a giant shadow, and any opponent who is struck is overcome by despair.
5. Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi – Kinshara Butōdan
Before being exiled and becoming visored, Rjr toribashi was Captain Gotei 13 a hundred years ago. He was reinstated as the captain of the 3rd division after the battle against Sousuke Aizen, replacing Gin Ishimaru. Rose, his nickname, is able to demonstrate his Bankia in the struggle against Mask De Masculine in The Thousand-Year Blood War. The Kinshara Butdan, as it is known, transforms its possessor into a superhuman conductor. Rose appears to have two large golden hands holding a baton, and dancers with petal-shaped protrusions on their faces attack at his command.
4. Rukia Kuchiki – Hakka No Togame
Rukia is one of the Bleach characters who has grown dramatically over the series. Rukia was nearly useless throughout the initial arcs, having no powers and assisting Ichigo in becoming a Shinigami. Her tremendous and powerful ice talents aren’t revealed until the Hueco Mundo storyline. She is able to release her Bankai in the final arc, during her combat with Nödt. Rukia is transformed into an ice princess in Hakka No Togame, allowing her to freeze everything in her path. She can even bring temperatures to zero degrees Fahrenheit, making her a dangerous foe.
3. Kisuke Urahara – Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame
Kisuke Urahara, the former captain of the 12th division, was one of the last shinigami to display his Bankai. Since Urahara is one of the most popular anime and manga characters, fans all over the internet speculated a lot. His zanpakuto, Benihime, could discharge red light beams and was one of the most intriguing weapons. Urahara’s Bankai, Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame, was released as a last resort in the struggle against Askin Nakk Le Vaar since the shinigami refused to utilize it. The zanpakut takes the shape of a lady, and Urahara can remodel anything it touches at will. Extremely strong.
2. Zaraki Kenpachi – Unnamed
Zaraki Kenpachi is a fan favorite, and many have wondered since his first debut how far his true might can reach. The true name of Zaraki’s zanpakut is never revealed to the viewer, and the mystery of its true power lingered throughout the first arcs of the manga. Zaraki is able to release his Shikai and eventually his Bankai after a false start when he reveals his power increases when he grips his sword with two hands. Keeping with his character, Zarakis zanpakut transforms into a massive broken blade, and his energy soars to previously unheard heights.
1. Ichigo Krosaki – (True) Tensa Zangetsu
Ichigo Kurosaki is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful characters in anime history. He not only developed his Bankai before many experienced Shinigami, but he was also able to reach his Shikai at record speed. He was then able to shift into a hollow, giving him much greater power. That wasn’t enough, though. No, Ichigo, like Renji, possessed an incomplete Bankai that he could only fully unleash in the battle against Yhwach. It’s essentially the same as his old Bankai, but with a nod to his Shikai form in the form of an increased side to his blade.
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