The anime and manga world was once dominated by the Big Three, and Bleach was one of them. Throughout the series, protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki goes on several adventures, introducing viewers to the fascinating Shinigami of Soul Society. The Captains of the Gotei 13 are particularly powerful, albeit not nearly as strong as the protagonist. That said, it takes Ichigo a long time before he achieves Captain-level power.

Every Shinigami possesses a unique Zanpakuto, which can be released in two forms. The Shikai is the foundation of their abilities and works effectively against low-level opponents. On the other hand, the Bankai is extremely rare and can only be employed by the strongest combatants in Soul Society. It was initially believed that very few people could even obtain a Bankai, but all that changed after Ichigo collided into Soul Society. All things considered, however, not all Bankai are built the same.

Updated on February 2, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: The Thousand Year Blood War Arc has brought Bleach back into the limelight, especially after the manga's ending in 2016. New characters and powers were introduced in this culminating storyline, many of which were never seen before. Given all the new Bankai introduced in the Thousand Year Blood War Arc, we've updated this list with some more relevant information.

15 Kinshara Butodan Has Elaborate And Artistic Powers

Rojuro Otoribashi

Rojuro Otoribashi may not be one of Bleach's most popular characters, but his Bankai is a sight to behold. It is called Kinshara Butodan, and upon activation, a large pair of floating hands appear above him, and one of these hands holds a conducting wand. Several large golden figures also appear, and their purpose is to dance to the rhythm of the music that Rojuro produces.

The music and dance combination creates illusions that can inflict physical damage. One dance creates a surging whirlpool of water, while another engulfs enemies in flames. Rojuro has stated that his illusions can even force his opponent to stop breathing. The third dance, known as Ein Heldenleben, was never seen because Rojuro was defeated by Mask before he could use it.

14 Kamishini No Yari Is By Far The Fastest Weapon In Bleach

Gin Ichimaru

Gin Ichimaru only sided with Aizen because he wanted to avenge Rangiku by killing him at the right time. This revelation is the reason why his death is so sad. His Bankai is called Kamishini No Yari, and it can extend and contract his sword at 500 times the speed of sound, and its cutting power and force are greatly enhanced.

Kamishini No Yari's true ability turns Gin's blade into dust for a second whenever it extends or contracts. His blade also contains a deadly poison, and if he leaves a piece of his sword inside his enemy, he can cause their body to break down and dissolve at the cellular level. This technique, called Korose, Kamishini no Yari, would have defeated Aizen had it not been for the Hogyoku activating yet another transformation.

13 Hakka No Togame Can Reduce The Ambient Temperature To Absolute Zero

Rukia Kuchiki

Rukia is by no means a cold person, but that hasn't stopped her from being a perfect match for Sode No Shirayuki. In its Shikai form, Rukia has access to several ice abilities that she refers to as dances, but none of those dances have her Bankai's freezing capacity. To put it bluntly, Rukia's Sode no Shiruyaki is almost forgettable compared to her Bankai.

Known as Hakka no Togame, this Bankai doesn't just alter Rukia's appearance. In fact, it reduces the temperature of a specific area to Absolute Zero, basically freezing all forms of matter. Hakka no Togame also spawns a gigantic pillar of ice that produces ultra-cold mist. If anyone tries touching Rukia in this form, they will automatically freeze solid. That said, even Rukia can be in danger if she doesn't thaw herself using the proper precautions.

12 Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo Is Continuously Enhanced And Modified

Mayuri Kurotsuchi

Mayuri Kurotsuchi uses his Shikai so rarely that fans can barely recall what Ashisogi Jizou looks like. However, his Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo is the first Bankai to be revealed in Bleach. It takes the form of an enormous worm with a baby's head when Mayuri battles Uryu, but the latter manages to destroy the Bankai with a Letzt Stil.

Mayuri proceeds to enhance and modify Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo far beyond its natural limits, transforming it into a monumental force of nature. The Shinigami Captain duels Pernida Parnkgjas using a radically different Bankai, which proves to be significantly stronger than the original version. This version is referred to as Modified Bankai: Matai Fukuin Shotai, and contains thousands of surface nerve layers that can resist most attacks.

11 Senbonzakura Kageyoshi Is A Hundred Times Stronger Than The Shikai

Byakuya Kuchiki

Byakuya Kuchiki rarely brings out his Bankai, largely because he doesn't have any worthy opponents to fight. He handles the vast majority of his enemies with his Shikai Senbonzakura, overwhelming them with a flurry of razor-sharp petals. In fact, he doesn't even need to release his Shikai when he meets Ichigo for the first time.

After Ichigo demonstrates his massive Reiryoku boost during their initial battle, however, Byakuya is convinced to unleash his Bankai for the first time. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi is almost identical to its Shikai, except a hundred times more powerful. As expected from a fan-favorite character, Byakuya's Bankai receives a tremendous upgrade in the Thousand Year Blood War arc. It's even capable of harming Gerard Valkyrie, arguably the strongest of Yhwach's Sternritter minions.

10 Kokujo Tengen Myo'o Becomes Infinitely Powerful For A Few Minutes

Sajin Komamura

Sajin Komamura is often cast as a weak character, although he's actually quite powerful. This is only because he goes up against extremely strong opponents like Kenpachi and Aizen. His Shikai Tenken manifests as different body parts, whereas his Bankai Kokujo Tengen Myo'o spawns a monstrous being who wears so-called "living armor."

Kokujo Tengen Myo'o is stolen by Bambietta Basterbine during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, forcing Komamura to take drastic steps. After exchanging his heart for a temporary albeit incomprehensible power boost, he faces Bambietta once again. This time, Komamura releases the Dangai Joue variant of his Bankai, an entity of pure reiatsu. As such, Bambietta is completely and utterly defeated.

9 Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame Can Restructure Almost Anything

Kisuke Urahara

Fans have been waiting for Kisuke Urahara's Bankai ever since he hinted that it was unsuitable for training purposes. Besides, his Shikai Benihime is more than capable of defeating most opponents, explaining why he uses it while fighting Aizen in the Fake Karakura Town arc. Then again, developing an ability as unique as Kannonbiraki Benihime Atarame isn't very surprising when it comes to someone as eccentric as Urahara.

This Bankai assumes the shape of a giant divine entity from Japanese folklore, although it doesn't seem to rely on any sort of direct combat. On the contrary, Kannonbiraki Benihime Atarame can restructure anyone or anything within a pre-defined zone. The Bankai nonchalantly reverts Urahara's blindness and tears a hole in Askin's body, further illustrating its devastating potential.

8 Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari Can Take Down Multiple Enemies

Shinji Hirako

Ever since he used his Shikai against Aizen, fans have wanted to see Shinji Hirako's Bankai, and based on the latest trailer for the Thousand Year Blood War Arc, he will be using it against the Quincy. Shinji's Bankai is called, Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari, and it was originally introduced in a supplementary light novel.

When activated, Shinji is encased within ornate flower petals, which shield him from the chaotic effects. Everyone caught within range of this Bankai believes that everyone around them is their enemy. This ability is designed to be used against multiple opponents, as they will all kill each other instead of attacking Shinji. Unfortunately, Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari cannot be used whenever there are allies around.

7 Daiguren Hyorinmaru Evolves Far Beyond Hitsugaya's Age

Toshiro Hitsugaya

Ichimaru Gin accurately summarizes Toshiro Hitsugaya as "the heavenly white angel that blesses Soul Society once a century." While considerably younger than the rest of the Gotei 13, Hitsugaya proves himself worthy of becoming a Captain. His Shikai is capable of controlling and manipulating ice, not unlike Rukia's Zanpakuto.

The major difference, however, is that Hyorinmaru is a magnified version of Sode no Shirayuki. By extension, Daiguren Hyorinmaru will eventually transcend every other Bankai in Bleach. Hitsugaya showcases the upper limits of Daiguren Hyorinmaru in the Thousand Year Blood War arc, where he temporarily fazes Gerard Valkyrie. His Shikai Hyoketsu technique allows him to freeze practically anything, as long as he has at least 4 seconds to charge his reiatsu.

6 Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju Engulfs The Environment In Gloom

Shunsui Kyoraku

Shunsui Kyoraku is known for being a laid-back individual, and his Shikai Katen Kyokotsu reflects his upbeat attitude. That said, Kyoraku's true nature is revealed in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, and it's the exact opposite of his external performance. This can be seen through his Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju, which engulfs the environment in an atmosphere of gloom and despair.

There are four acts to this Bankai, the first of which involves Kyoraku and his opponent sharing any injuries they inflict on each other. The second act causes black spots to appear on the enemy's body, causing them to bleed profusely, while the third act drowns them both. The final act has Kyoraku wrap a thread around his enemy's neck, leading to instant decapitation. That said, enemies as strong as Lille can regenerate even after taking Karamatsu Shinju head-on.

5 Minazuki Can Extend The Range Of Attack As Well As Heal

Retsu Unohana

She may be Soul Society's best healer, but there's a lot more to Captain Unohana than just playing doctor. It turns out that Unohana was once a brutal criminal who became the original Kenpachi, radiating so much raw power that even a pre-immortal Aizen was wary of fighting her. Unohana's Shikai converts Minazuki into an oversized one-eyed manta ray that heals the wounds of anyone it consumes.

Unohana's Bankai is also called Minazuki, and it manifests as a thick, viscous, dark red blood-like substance before turning into a katana. This substance acts like an extension of her blade. She can attack from long distances, and slash in every direction at once with rapid movements. She can protect herself by creating a sphere around her, and Minazuki can heal her injuries. However, any discussion about her Bankai won't have a clear conclusion because it's just not been explained properly.

4 Nozarashi's Nameless Bankai Nearly Defeats Gerard Valkyrie

Kenpachi Zaraki

Mangaka Tite Kubo has described Zaraki Kenpachi as the "demon of the blood-thirsty sword," a fitting epithet for this battle-driven warrior. Kenpachi has but one desire in life: finding someone who can keep him entertained during a fight. He's delirious upon meeting Ichigo, even if the latter doesn't share Kenpachi's violent ambition.

Kenpachi's unawakened Zanpakuto is more than enough to defeat practically everyone he meets, including trained combatants like Nnoitra Gilga. His Shikai Nozarashi effectively decimates Gremmy Thoumeaux, an overpowered Sternritter. However, Kenpachi's unnamed Bankai is unquestionably one of the strongest abilities in Bleach. He actually manages to bifurcate Gerard Valkyrie with a single slash, showing exactly why he's the only Kenpachi in the Gotei 13.

3 Zanka No Tachi Produces Heat On Par With The Sun's Core

Yamamoto Genryusai

Captain-Commander Genryusai Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka is officially called the "oldest and most powerful fire-type Zanpakuto," but this description fails to take his incomprehensible reiryoku into account. Yamamoto's Shikai produces a blazing flame, but his Bankai takes things to a whole new level. The intense flames are concentrated into the tip of the blade. If the Zanpakuto's tip touches anything, it is wiped from existence.

Yamamoto can also coat his body in heat that reaches temperatures of up to 15 million degrees, which ensures that no one can get near him. He can also summon those who were turned to ash by his Zanpakuto to fight as an undead army. The final technique of Zanka no Tachi is a slash of pure heat that effectively annihilates anyone in its path, no matter how strong they may be.

2 Shirafude Ichimonji Can Easily Alter The Properties Of Any Target

Ichibe Hyosube

Ichibe is the leader of the Royal Guard, making him one of the strongest characters in Bleach. His Zanpakuto was the first to achieve a second release before the word Bankai even existed, which is why his version of a Bankai is known as a Shin'uchi. Ichibe's Shikai Ichimonji transforms into a long, thick white thread that coils around him.

Ichibe's power revolves around the ink produced by his Shikai. When Shirafude Ichimonji is active, he can change the name of his targets by writing the respective kanji on their body. The target then assumes the properties and powers of the new name. If he changes their name to Fruit Fly, they become as weak as a fruit fly. Ichibe even manages to subdue Yhwach by using Shirafude Ichimonji, but the Quincy Emperor isn't going down any time soon.

1 Tensa Zangetsu Is The Most Powerful Bankai In Bleach

Ichigo Kurosaki

As a classic Shonen protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki ultimately becomes the strongest heroic figure in the story. His Zangetsu doesn't seem very impressive at first glance, but that's only because Ichigo doesn't recognize his own ancestral heritage. He fully comprehends his legacy in the Thousand Year Blood War arc, explaining why he ends up with two Zangetsus.

Although Ichigo's Bankai was originally just a slender black sword, Tensa Zangetsu later metamorphoses into a black-and-white combo weapon. Unfortunately, fans don't get to see how this new-and-improved Bankai functions. That said, it's clear that even the omnipotent Yhwach is terrified of Ichigo, indirectly making Tensa Zangetsu the most powerful Bankai in Bleach. Yhwach decides to destroy Ichigo's Bankai using the Almighty because he doesn't want to face its power.