Post by Darake Kitoushi on May 3, 2013 2:00:12 GMT -5
Zanpakutō
-Shikai
Soul Cutters, the supernatural weapon carried by the shinigami. A manifestation of the user's soul in physical form. When an individual first begins training at the Shino Academy, they are each given identical blades called an asauchi. Keeping this katana with them at all times, gradually it will begin to change in appearance with the shinigami unknowingly imprinting themselves to it. This results in the shaping and molding of a unique sword which becomes their sealed zanpakutō. This change could include a coloring of their wrappings, a distinct pattern on the handguard, or even a change of the length of the blade such as becoming a wakizashi. The possibilities are endless as every one is unique and these changes are a reflection of their soul. This zanpakutō literally becomes a part of them, an extension of their being.
Eventually at a point in their training in which could happen at any moment, but particularly a time of dire need or inner conflict, they will be contacted by a spirit. This spirit is in reality their zanpakutō and more importantly a manifestation of their soul. These spirits cannot be seen by anyone else and through speaking cryptically serve to guide a shinigami towards self-realization. Time may stop or slow to a crawl as the shinigami is mentally taken to their inner world which is similarly a reflection of their inner soul. This world could take any appearance and is not bound by any logic of the real world such as gravity operating by entirely different rules. The first step towards realizing one's potential lies with a test or inquiry to reveal the name of his zanpakutō which like all interactions with their inner spirit involves some form of self-discovery. Upon this important moment of learning the name, one may speak it out loud preceded by a unique incantation or command called a Kaigo; it in a manner hinting at the zanpakutō's power.
This then releases the zanpakutō into it's initial release called a Shikai. A radical transformation occurs into a distinctive new weapon with it's form and abilities perfectly suited to it's owner. While every shikai is unique, they can be classified into particular categories. A shinigami's goal is to attain harmonization with their zanpakutō and the most efficient way to do this is to perform Jinzen, a state of calm meditation with their blade placed in front of them or in their lap. Though this, they may enter their inner world and speak directly with their spirit. Here they may train by combating with the spirit to gain greater harmony within themselves and be taught new abilities to utilize with their zanpakutō. It is crucial to note that injuries sustain in the inner world with reflect upon their real bodies, but this meditative state is so deep they remain unmoved.
Releasing one's zanpakutō takes time and giving an opponent a chance to react should be taken into consideration.
-Combat Release
The zanpakutō transforms into a particularly exotic weapon that would require very specific training with in order to utilize in comparison to the generic katana. Often these weapons can even devastatingly and deceptively conceal two different weapons combine into one, particularly a way to allow for ranged combat such as a chain. Additionally usually have a devastating cutting edge or high amount of power, favoring physical technique through force or finesse rather than abilities. Where other zanpakutō leave themselves open to attack through using abilities, this is where a pure physical force or finesse can shine as they can relentlessly berate the opponent not giving them a moment to focus their needlessly complex techniques. The users of these zanpakutō could be seen as the warriors of Soul Society.
Canon Examples-
| Madarame Ikkaku: Hōzukimaru |
| Abarai Renji: Zabimaru |
| Hisagi Shuuhei: Kazeshini |
| Ōmaeda Marechiyo: Gegetsuburi |
| Sarugaki Hiyori: Kubikiri Orochi |
| Yadōmaru Lisa: Haguro Tonbo |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Kido Release
These blades harness the same energies that focus demon arts to instead inflict their own zanpakutō's techniques. This however comes at the sacrifice of a more exotic diverse physical weapon that other types have with these restricted to different kinds of swords. Though these utilize much the same effects as demon arts, these are entirely unique to the individual and thus unexpected as well as much more effective in a diligent user's hands. Being purely energy based the effects of these can very widely range just as kido do, from explosive, to binding, or even affecting senses. Specializing in neither attack nor defense, these zanpakutō are unfortunately susceptible to speed in the time it takes for their abilities to work their course. The users of these zanpakutō could be seen as the mages of Soul Society.
Canon Examples-
| Urahara Kisuke: Benihime |
| Aizen Sōsuke: Kyōka Suigetsu |
| Ayasegawa Yumichika: Ruri'iro Kujaku |
| Izuru Kira: Wabisuke |
| Yamada Hanatarō: Hisagomaru |
| Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi: Kinshara |
Site Examples-
| Shibata Katashi: Kiyoikizu |
-Elemental Release
With several subcategories within this one subject these zanpakutō particularly focus on the utilization of the benefits that come along with each type of element. This however comes at the sacrifice of a more diverse psychical weapon and the advantages that come from a more exotic weapon. Thus these zanpakutō users rely heavily on their abilities which are the manipulation of said element into several functions. This includes actual physical elements such as fire, water, air, and earth. Other such loose examples such as elements from the periodic table or things loosely called elements are not included in this category; such as time. Light or darkness are included if the abilities act like the element themselves. If they are more ambiguous effects more akin to kido, simply with an appearance of the element, they are then classified as a kido type.
Canon Examples-
| Yamamoto Genryusai: Fire: Ryūjin Jakka |
| Love Aikawa: Fire: Tengumaru |
| Hinamori Momo: Fire: Tobiume |
| Shiba Kaien: Water: Nejibana |
| Hitsugaya Toushiro: Ice: Hyōrinmaru |
| Kuchiki Rukia: Ice: Sode no Shirayuki |
| Muguruma Kensei: Wind: Tachikaze |
| Kurumadani Zennosuke: Earth: Tsuchinamazu |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Poison Release
Usually rather unique blades, these zanpakutō synthesis it's spiritual energy to imitate the effects of a poison that somehow imposes a detrimental effect on the opponent. There however must be some sort of way to deliver the poison to the enemies system and a specific amount each time, thus resulting in a gradual attack on the opponent's fatigue or body rather than directly their life-force. The users of these zanpakutō could be seen as the rogues of Soul Society.
Canon Examples-
| Kurotsuchi Mayuri: Ashisogi Jizō |
| Suì-Fēng: Suzumebachi |
| Hirako Shinji: Sakanade |
Site Examples-
| Darake Kitoushi: Oketsu |
-Summon Release
The very most uncommon type of zanpakutō, this release transforms the blade itself into a creature that resembles the users inner spirit. At command with the owners mind this preoccupies their thought in controlling the spirit's position and movement. Altering the blade into a creature also leaves them open to attack without a blade for defense, making these users the most exposed to the enemy out of all the zanpakutō releases.
Canon Examples-
| Unohana Retsu: Minazuki |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Cloud Release
This zanpakutō upon release breaks apart into a very large volume of some type of material that floats around at the users command. The direction of said cloud must be at the result of hand movements or slashing of the hilt, though expert users may eventually do through more slowly without any movement. With these types offense is largely favored as each hit knocks away particles which may add up very quickly. Though they can provide a latch ditch defense, once cut through nothing is left in hand to defend one self, fatally showing why only the most efficient users of this technique still exist.
Canon Examples-
| Kuchiki Byakuya: Senbonzakura |
| Ikkanzaka Jirobo: Tsunzakigarasu |
| Matsumoto Rangiku: Haineko |
Site Examples-
| Sasaki Nanami: Asamoya |
-Subtypes
Shikai may have one of the above types in addition to one of these designations.
-ReSealed Release
These zanpakutō rather than having a change of weapon remain almost entirely the same to their sealed katana instead focusing entirely upon the formation of rather corporeal abilities. Mover uniquely these are unsealed at the utterance of the command phrase and immediately resealed afterward. While this does come at the sacrifice of the fighting ability of a combat type zanpakutō or the force of a kidō type zanpakutō, however what it does process is a utility found in no other type. Channeling forth a simple fraction or part of their bankai form, it focuses this in an ability that hints towards something greater as well as being the most efficient or powerful techniques on any zanpakutō. This type of release may be combined with any of the basic types.
Canon Examples-
| Ichimaru Gin: combat/resealed: Shinsō |
| Tousen Kaname: kido/resealed: Suzumushi |
| Komamura Saijin: summon/resealed: Tenken |
Site Examples-
| Suzaku Juzo: cloud/resealed: Kagakusen |
-Constant Release
This zanpakutō is very unique in the sense that the owner is usually possessing such a high volume of reiatsu, though inept at use, and thus their blade is constantly in the first release state. As such these are usually rather simple varieties of sword and are subject to rather simple abilities with large amounts of blunt power as a result of being unable to channel such an immense flow of reiatsu. This may be combined with either a combat or kido type, though with kido it still remains unable of techniques requiring finesse due to the uncontrolled nature of one's reiatsu.
Canon Examples-
| Kurosaki Ichigo: kido/constant Zangetsu |
| Zaraki Kenpachi: combat/constant: Nozarashi |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Dual Release
Canon Examples-
| Kyōraku Shunsui: kido/dual: Katen Kyōkotsu |
| Jūshirō Ukitake: kido/dual: Sōgyo no Kotowari |
Site Examples-
For one to have dual zanpakutous is an extremely rare feat, often having a bigger underline cause and reasoning.
-Bankai
The ultimate ambition of this training is to create such a perfect balance within themselves that they unlock the highly revered final release called Bankai. This transformation realizes a shinigami's full potential through materialization and summoning their spirit into the physical world. Those who can utilize bankai are exceedingly rare as even within the exceptionally talented four high noble families, who innately posses a great deal of power, only have a member capable of gaining one every few generations. Even after the rare occurrence of achieving one, because of the extreme amount of reiryoku involved and released, they are difficult to control. Thus it requires dedicated intensive training in the physical world for ten years before it can be properly utilized in actual combat. The actual form which a bankai can take are remarkably unique to every individual with it's capabilities a meaningful representation of the individual's soul. It is notable that these forms always follow an almost elegant theme of their shikai, as if it was a hint to the full capabilities of the zanpakutō. While bankai are drastically different from each other there are a few common traits such as they are always massively large with little exception and seem to follow five known categories.
Releasing one's zanpakutō takes time and giving an opponent a chance to react should be taken into consideration.
-Enormous Weapon Release
This type of release is known for creating a very large handheld weapon capable of massive destructive power. The most important factor of those in this category is how they uniquely rely on the user's martial prowess far more than any other type. In the hands of a skilled combatant that is versed in the weapon's style, these can be absolutely unrelenting with continuous direct attacks that leave the opponent outclassed in pure swordsmanship and footwork. Thus this leaves the opponent constantly on the defensive, unable to gather their thoughts, block the barrage of hits, or gain time needed for complex abilities, not to mention the incredible force behind blows. However this type of bankai is left vulnerable due to it's lack of versatility and more intricate techniques.
Canon Examples-
| Madarame Ikkaku: Ryūmon Hōzukimaru |
| Suì-Fēng: Jakuhō Raikōben |
| Ichimaru Gin: Kamishini no Yari |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Vast Battlefield Release
Creating a sort of arena, this allows the user to control particular factors within their domain. which can vary widely with the user and can result in truly unique effects. These tend to be utilized by those with more precise control or complex abilities due to the intricacies of the arena construction and how it can effect those within. This however can leave the user vulnerable to direct martial attack or those capable of widespread destruction. Due to the nature of control, many user's that fall into this category tend to have shikai of the kidō or cloud type, but it is not a steadfast rule.
Canon Examples-
| Tōsen Kaname: Suzumushi Tsuishiki Enma Kōrogi |
| Kuchiki Byakuya: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi |
| Sasakibe Chōjirō Tadaoki: Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Monstrous Summon Release
Unmistakeably this is categorized by the creation of a gargantuan creature which greatly resembles the appearance of one's inner spirit. Combining power and reach these bankai are difficult to avoid, specially in a protracted battle. Typically these can be controlled mentally, thus giving the enemy two targets to worry about. This strategy is largely impractical however as it is extremely taxing on the user's energy reserves. Alternatively they can also be given commands with motions thus increasing the summon's power and efficiency. Irregardless of the method used this type of bankai splits the attention of the user potentially leaving them open to attack. It is possible to retain one's sealed blade while in this form.
Canon Examples-
| Komamura Saijin: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō |
| Kurotsuchi Mayuri: Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō |
| Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi: Kinshara Butōdan |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
-Colossal Extension Release
This release is a sort of combination of monstrous summon and enormous weapon to which the large construct is attached, held, or hovers close to the user itself. Rather than the spirit itself being created separately, instead it's controller gains a weaponized version of it's limbs to attack the opponent with becoming a sort of hybridized union. This category of bankai is a bit more varied than others in terms of strengths and weaknesses, being more entirely dependent on the nature of the user's spirit. As such different individuals could focus more on martial prowess or instead upon complex techniques. It is possible to retain one's sealed blade while in this form.
Canon Examples-
| Abarai Renji: Hihiō Zabimaru |
| Hitsugaya Tōshirō: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru |
| Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni | Zanka no Tachi |
Site Examples-
| Darake Kitoushi: Oketsu Orochi |
-Compact Explosive Release
This release type is an oddity as it violates the traditional rule that bankai are massive in size and thus are extremely rare within Soul Society. Instead of the normal size, the entirety of user's power is compressed into a traditionally sized weapon, accompanied by a modest change of their outfit. As those who possess this type are more strait-forward combatants which possess less fine tune control of their reiatsu, it's techniques are explosive in nature causing large amounts of destruction. The result however comes at a cost as these lack the more complex or finely tuned abilities that other bankai possess.
Canon Examples-
| Kurosaki Ichigo: Tensa Zangetsu |
| Muguruma Kensei: Tekken Tachikaze |
Site Examples-
None as of yet
