The most violent of all the combatants in Soul Society — and in Bleach, probably — is Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division. He is an enormous man with a crazed look in his eyes, regularly erupting into battle against any opponent he deems worthy of being killed with his blade.
Kenpachi is as tender as he is aggressive, however, especially if it has to do with his adorable Lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi (who is simultaneously his Zanpakuto spirit.) Is his character truly watertight, though, or are there features of his that just don't add up when scrutinized?
10 His Origin Story
Kenpachi's childhood was bathed in the blood of his enemies (or, more likely, that of anyone idiotic enough to challenge him to a fight.) When he meets the first Kenpachi, Unohana Retsu, he is shown to be far stronger than she is, but places several restraints on his reiatsu to ensure that their battle lasts as long as possible.
Where did he come from, though? He names himself after the most extreme district of the Rukongai, but was he born here? Did he have parents in Soul Society, or was he the spirit of a dead child?
9 How Can Anyone Be That Strong?
It's rather common in shounen narratives to hype certain characters up, especially those who are deemed to be traditionally and stereotypically "manly." But the level of Kenpachi's power exceeds even the bounds of this trope, considering that he could defeat the strongest Shinigami before entering adulthood.
More strangely, Genryuusai Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander, is hesitant to continue teaching Kenpachi the art of kendo (because of the possibility that he might massacre everyone in Seireitei.) The wielder of the omnipotent Ryuujin Jakka exhibiting any kind of fear or anxiety is simply ridiculous.
8 Destroying Nnoitra In One Strike
Speaking of kendo, Kenpachi reveals to Nnoitra that he hates using this style because of its annoying outcome: putting an immediate end to any fight. The 5th Espada mocks him for not realizing that a weapon's attacking power is considerably more when swung with both hands, and arrogantly rushes towards him.
Kenpachi merely lifts his zanpakuto above his head, bringing it down with such force that Nnoitra is nearly bifurcated. The fact that the Espada, who had recently defeated Ichigo and survived Nelliel's incandescent Cero Doble, is killed so easily does not compute.
7 The Focus On Fashion
In the final two arcs, Kenpachi's hair resembles a wild horse's mane, all matted and wiry. In the beginning, though, he is depicted with a perfectly polished hairdo — 11 spikes (signifying his Squad number), each of which bears a single bell.
In addition, his eyepatch is extended to form a choker band around his throat. Kenpachi supposedly takes hours designing his hair into that specific pattern, which doesn't quite fit his overwhelmingly wild personality, does it?
6 Does He Actually Die Against Unohana?
Unohana "teaches" Kenpachi how to unlock the many self-imposed limitations on his spiritual pressure, doing so by "killing him and bringing him back to life again." She implies that she can do this because of her incredible kaidou, or healing power, but it's simply not possible for anyone who has died to come back to life, regardless of their own reiatsu.
Further, Unohana's bankai produces some variety of liquid that looks like it melts the flesh clean off both their bones, although this could just be a side-effect of Kenpachi's imagination.
5 Why Does His Zanpakuto Have A Zanpakuto?
As mentioned earlier, Yachiru is none other than Nozarashi in human form, making her the only Zanpakuto spirit to become a Soul Society Vice-Captain. She rarely fights, but in her battle against Gremmy Thoumeaux's artificially created Sternritter, Guenael Lee, she brings Sanpo Kenjuu "out to play."
Her shikai is formidable, generating two bizarre creatures to swing their swords along with hers. Impressive, but does this mean Sanpo Kenjuu is Kenpachi's real Zanpakuto? His bankai? What on earth is it??
4 He Defeats Yammy (With Byakuya)
Kenpachi faces off against Yammy Llargo, but is immediately tossed aside by a casual punch from the zeroth Espada. Soon after, he seemingly defeats the villain, and sets his sights on Byakuya (against whom he has been dreaming of a match for years.) However, Yammy regains consciousness and attacks both captains, showing why he deserves his title as the strongest of Aizen's Espada.
The battle is off-screen, and the outcome is depicted in the form of a collapsed and probably dying Yammy talking to his Hollow dog. Given that it takes incredible effort for Kyouraku Shunsui to overcome Coyote Starrk, not to mention that Ichigo can only defeat Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa in a unique Vasto Lorde form, there is no way Yammy would lose against Kenpachi and Byakuya combined.
3 Royd Lloyd Defeats Him
In the Thousand Year Blood War arc, Kenpachi decimates three Sternritter without even trying, and carries all three bodies to where Yhwach is waiting. He then challenges the Quincy overlord to a battle, attacking him at full strength, but loses quite miserably; he is saved from certain death by the timely arrival of Yamamoto.
The Captain-Commander employs his bankai to take care of "Yhwach", when his opponent reveals that he was a mimicry-empowered Sternritter, Royd Lloyd. If Kenpachi could vanquish Loyd Lloyd, why is the latter's identical twin capable of pounding him into the ground?
2 Cuts Through The Vacuum Of Space
The sadistic Gremmy imagines all kinds of ways to destroy Kenpachi, including calling upon a gargantuan meteor to strike Soul Society. Unfortunately for him, his opponent manages to slice through every single one of his attacks, so the Sternritter is forced to consider alternative measures.
Gremmy manifests a small chamber of outer space in the sky, inside which Kenpachi is kept trapped. Somehow, the Shinigami captain breaks out of this prison as well, proving that he can cut through literally anything. Seriously?
1 How Does His Bankai Work?
Kenpachi's bankai makes its only appearance in the fight against Gerard Valkyrie, when little Yachiru magically manifests out of nowhere and tells him to use it. Can anyone obtain a bankai with just a few words of encouragement?
Even Ichigo spends two days trying to pick up the skill, and he barely learns the basics. On the other hand, Kenpachi becomes so overpowered that he succeeds in cleaving Gerard in half (who, by the way, is apparently the living manifestation of the Heart of the Soul King.)