Ichigo’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, undergoes a significant transformation in Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War, stemming from a controversial story arc disliked by fans.
In Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War, fans of the series may notice a striking difference in Ichigo Kurosaki’s Bankai, the ultimate form of transformation for the protagonist. This change can be attributed to a particular part of Ichigo’s story that fans tend to skip: the Fullbringer Arc, which is not well-received.
When Soul Reapers reach a certain level of strength, they can unlock the true form and abilities of their Zanpakuto, known as Bankai. These swords, being an extension of a Soul Reaper’s soul, vary in their abilities and appearance based on the owner’s power, personality, and training. Ichigo’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, is obtained through a special and perilous method of training. When unleashed, Ichigo’s sword transforms into a slender shape with a short chain at the end. His attire changes to a long-sleeved, ankle-length black coat, which is an integral part of his Bankai and reflects his spiritual energy level. However, in the initial episode of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War, Ichigo’s Bankai takes on a notably different form.
The reason behind this alteration is attributed to the events of the Arrancar Downfall arc. During his battle against Sosuke Aizen, Ichigo unleashes the full power of his Bankai, attaining the Final Getsuga Tensho form. However, this power comes at a great cost—Ichigo loses all his Soul Reaper powers permanently. The subsequent Lost Substitute Soul Reaper arc revolves around Ichigo’s journey to regain his abilities through encounters with Fullbringers, individuals who possess a mysterious spiritual power called Fullbring. Fullbringers are living humans who have had interactions with Hollows before their birth, resulting in mutations to their spiritual energy. It is revealed that Ichigo’s friend Chad is also a Fullbringer, providing an explanation for his unique abilities.
Throughout the arc, Ichigo awakens his Fullbring power. Fullbringers require a physical object as a focal point for their abilities, and for Ichigo, that object is his substitute Soul Reaper badge. As his Fullbring power evolves, his connection to his past as a Soul Reaper causes it to take on more Soul Reaper-like attributes. In the climactic battle against the leader of the Fullbringers, with the assistance of Rukia and all 13 Soul Reaper Captains, Ichigo successfully regains his Soul Reaper abilities. The merging of the Fullbring and Soul Reaper powers brings about changes to Ichigo’s Bankai that persist as a reminder of that period, even if fans who dislike the arc would prefer otherwise.
Moreover, Ichigo’s Bankai undergoes another significant change in the future. In his Fullbring-improved Bankai form, Ichigo dons a white undershirt beneath his black coat, along with black gloves marked with white x-shaped symbols. Tensa Zangetsu’s blade becomes longer and curved, featuring three sharp protrusions near the blunt end. The chain extends from the base of the sword’s hilt to Ichigo’s glove, forming a wide loop. However, the first part of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War introduces another major transformation to Ichigo’s Bankai.
In the early stages of The Thousand-Year Blood War, Ichigo’s original Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, is destroyed during a battle with Yhwach. To forge a new blade, Ichigo embarks on a quest that leads him to the creator of all Zanpakuto in Bleach. Initially hesitant, the creator demands that Ichigo unravels the truth of his family’s past and his own heritage. By the end of the first part, Ichigo succeeds in this quest, resulting in a completely new look for his Zangetsu. The new Zangetsu comprises two separate blades, considered a single Zanpakuto. The longer blade resembles his original sealed Zanpakuto, but with a cutout, while the smaller blade resembles a knife, with the handle integrated into the blade. Although Ichigo has yet to activate his Bankai with these new blades in the anime, this change is significant in the manga.
Ichigo’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, is an iconic and recognizable aspect of Bleach. However, its appearance evolves multiple times throughout the series, reflecting Ichigo’s growth and development. Fans can anticipate further evolutions in Ichigo’s powers and appearance as he confronts Yhwach and the formidable Quincy Empire in Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War.
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