In the world of Bleach, the characters are known as Shinigami and are able to use various powers using their Zanpakuto.
The first Zanpakuto development resulted in a Shikai power and the second one is the power of a Bankai.
Bankai are uncommon, generally only used by characters of the ranks of Captain or Lieutenant, and fully unlocking one usually takes more than 10 years.
Once they are learned, they can result in extraordinary abilities, some of which transform their users, while others unleash devastating attacks.
Which powers are the most powerful?
These are the top 15 Bankai on Bleach!
SPOILER ALERT!
You have been warned!
This article contains spoilers for Bleach.
Do not read ahead if you don’t want spoilers!
Now, that we have that out of the way, let’s get right to it!
15. Soo Zabimaru
User: Renji Abarai
Renji was among the most loved characters and was one of the first to debut his Bankai in the anime.
The Lieutenant of the 6th squad showed his skill when he released the last appearance of his Zanpakuto Zabimaru in his battle against Byakuya at the beginning of the show.
However, it’s not until the end of the arc that Renji is able to reveal the actual model of Soo Zabimaru in the fight against The Qunicy Mask De Masculine.
The reason is that Renji’s Bankai version was in a state of disintegration every time prior to the fight.
The full Bankai is almost identical, but the pelt that was previously on his shoulder has become an arm of the gorilla and has much greater power.
14. Kenpachi’s Bankai
User: Kenpachi Zaraki
In spite of Bankai, Kenpachi was strong enough to make him one of Gotei’s 13 Captains.
However, Kenpachi finally uncovered his unnamed ability in his time in the Quincy war.
After activation, Kenpachi transforms into a devil-like berserker with unimaginably strong power.
He’s even capable of cutting in close range, which can help to overcome Kenpachi’s limitations on melee but his insanity makes him less able to plan.
13. Shirafude Ichimonji
Users: Ichibe Hyosube
This Bankai is so powerful that Ichibe could have possibly defeated the Quincy King if the King didn’t have his time-reversing, Almighty boost.
Shirafude alters the characteristics of everyone Ichibe has hit previously by his ink (which is derived directly from the Shikai) in accordance with the rules Ichibe dictates.
For example, he could use the name “black an ant” for instance, to create an opponent as weak as an ant and also use this to help allies.
There is only one drawback: it requires a previous blow of ink.
However, once it’s secured, then Ichibe’s defeated.
12. Koko Gonryo Rikyu
User: Chojiro Sasakibe
To be a lieutenant in Yamamoto Genryusai, you need to be an extremely strong shnigami.
This is exactly the case with Chojiro Sasakibe was one of the characters who is unfortunately only a glimpse of the things he could accomplish at the very end.
The character of Bankai, Koko Gonryo Rikyu is able to change his zanpakuto dramatically.
His clothes change, and a type of gloves or a ring is placed on his hand, which allows him to control massive electrical currents and then direct them to your adversaries.
What is what makes the Bankai extremely dangerous is its capacity to influence weather conditions and create massive storms.
11. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo
User: Mayuri Kurotsuchi
The captain who is the 12th of Gotei 13 Mayuri’s Bankai actually has two versions, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo and Matai Fukuin Shota.
The first creates a disgusting baby-like creature that releases a long-lasting (200 meters!) deadly toxic poison Mayuri is invulnerable to.
If he does, however, use his alternative Bankai, Mayuri creates a new abomination that he tailors to combat the capabilities of his opponent.
It’s an effective way to defeat any other Shikai as well as Bankai.
10. Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju
Users: Shunsui Kyoraku
As the Captain-Commander of the future, Shunsui finally made public his Bankai during his time in the Quincy war.
He covers a vast area surrounding him with a dark image.
Then the Bankai is carried out in four phases beginning with the initial one causing any injuries Shunsui or his adversaries inflict to appear on their bodies.
In the following stage, black spots appear on the opponent, leading to intense blood loss.
After that, a huge flow of water surrounds each of the fighters and then drowns the fighter with less Reiatsu.
Then, Shinsui uses a white thread to penetrate his opponent’s deck to explode his head.
It’s a pity.
9. Minazuki
User: Retsu Unohana
The Captain in the 2nd division was not revealed until the final arc of the manga.
Then, we get it was the Shikai model of her zanpakuto, which is a gigantic flying slug that can help people recover their health.
Retsu Unohona was not of any major significance until the end of the arcs in Bleach and it’s in her final fight with Zaraki Kenpachi, where a part of her history is exposed.
In the fight that she revealed the true shape of her Bankai which caused a shock to a lot of fans.
In contrast to Shikai zanpakuto, her Minazuni zanpakuto begins to create the blood-like liquid which covers her and then transforms into the form of a shorter sword ready to be used in combat.
8. Daiguren Hyorinmaru
User: Toshiro Hitsugaya
Captain Hitsugaya’s legendary “Dragon Ice” Bankai grants him two wings made of ice and the tail.
It is among the most flexible Bankai that doesn’t offer only one insta-kill gives a variety of smaller powers including the ability to freeze, ranged attacks as well as the capacity to regenerate its own (which the majority of Bankai aren’t able to do) by utilizing moisture in the air.
In addition, following Aizen’s defeat in the battle, Hitsugaya was trained and greatly increased his Bankai.
Now, he is able to flash freeze massive objects over large distances and eliminate their powers and also avoid other Shinigami ploys.
7. Kinshara Butodan
User: Rojuro Otoribashi
Rojuro Otoribashi was the Captain of Gotei 13 years ago before being banished and later becoming a Visored.
Following the combat against Sousuke Aizen the Japanese, he was reappointed as the commander for the third division succeeding Gin Ishimaru.
The nickname he is given is Rose and he’s in a position to display how he is a Bankia as a character in The Thousand-Year Blood War in the battle against Mask de Masculine.
In the movie, Kinshara Butodan, as it’s known, permits its user to transform into an unnatural conductor.
Two massive golden hands holding the baton are seen emerging from Rose and dancers sporting petals-shaped protrusions on their faces appear to strike at the command of.
6. Kamishini no Yari
User: Gin Ichimaru
Similar to Gin himself The Kamishini no Yari is a multi-faceted weapon.
Utilizing it, Gin’s blade can be extended to several kilometers and has impressive strength.
But as Ichigo says that it’s not the size or strength that’s the issue, it’s the speed that it extends.
While it’s as deadly as the blade maybe but it’s actually a disguise for the poison inside that, which destroys cells at the molecular level, killing its intended victim.
By using the “Buto” posture, Gin can also rapidly stretch and expand his Bankai repeatedly at a time like being slain by a plethora of swords at the same time.
5. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
User: Byakuya Kuchiki
Captain Byakuya has possibly the most versatile Bankai in the series, turning his blade into thousands of smaller ones that can be controlled by the mind.
Byakuya makes use of these blades for defense and attacks They’re also fast and large enough that even the Bankai-powered Ichigo could match them (although he did break to breakthrough).
Byakuya is also able to alter his blades to suit different ways.
Senkei creates them into many fully-sized swords.
Gokei expands in number that can strike from any angle in addition to Shukei: Hakuteiken condenses all blades into one powerful sword.
4. Hakka No Togame
User: Rukia Kuchiki
Rukia is one of the characters from Bleach that unexpectedly developed significantly throughout the course of the series.
Beginning with no power and assisting Ichigo to become a Shinigami Rukia was almost ineffective during the initial episodes.
It’s only after that Hueco Mundo arc where she exhibits her amazing and powerful ice abilities.
In the final arc during the fight with As Nodt, she is capable of releasing her Bankai.
Hakka No Togame transforms Rukia into an ice princess who can freeze anything around her.
She can even lower temperatures to zero, which makes her an extremely formidable adversary.
3. Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame
User: Kisuke Urahara
Former Captain Urahara isn’t revealing his Bankai until near the close of the manga however, it’s a formidable force.
In the form of a huge woman, all things that Kannonbiraki touches are restructured.
It can be employed offensively to efficiently dissect and cut a target as well as defensively to repair the body that has been damaged (Urahara was in a position to restore his vision in this manner).
It also can increase the strength of a person, as evidenced as Urahara’s arm is restructured to increase its strength as well as providing a flexible Bankai with a variety of possibilities of use.
2. (True) Tensa Zangetsu
User: Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo Kurosaki is possibly among the top powerful characters in the history of anime.
He was not just in a position to use the power of his Shikai in record speed, but also created his Bankai before the Shinigami that had been around for a while.
In addition, he was in a position to transform into an empty and boost the power of his body even more.
However, that was not enough.
It was not enough.
Ichigo like Renji was a mute Bankai and was capable of releasing its full form during the fight against Yhwach.
It’s basically his original Bankai but with an homage back to the Shikai form, enhancing the sword’s side.
1. Zanka no Tachi
User: Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto
The Captain of the Gotei 13 and the strongest Shinigami Yamamoto’s Bankai is able to condense all the fires previously released by the Shikai to his sword.
This results in it becoming much hotter than the sun and lets it be able to cut through everything.
It’s so powerful that the victims are clearly “reduced into nothingness” rather than being burnt.
In addition, Yamamoto’s body is able to reach the same temperatures (a fact that he usually hides) which can cause the destruction of enemies who come in contact with him, and also he’s able to create undead versions of those killed by his fire.
In other words, he has the ultimate weapon and a formidable defense, and a swarm effect all in one.
The only disadvantage being a modest time limitation.
Unknown Bankai in Bleach
Alongside the current units, be aware that some characters haven’t revealed their Bankai such as Aizen (who was able to get by using only the Shikai).
In addition, non-Shinigami have various capabilities, such as Espada’s transforms or Quincy’s abilities.
While the main series has ended, I hope we’ll see more Bankai in the supporting materials.
For now, while we look forward to possible Bleach spin-offs, make sure to vote for your most-loved Bankai and I’ll be waiting for you at our next countdown to anime!
