Forms of Zanpakuto
Jan 11, 2016 11:23:30 GMT -6
Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on Jan 11, 2016 11:23:30 GMT -6
Sealed:
Most Zanpakuto look like regular katana, with slight variations between them as one would expect between different swords. Their variations are commonly:
Shikai:
Shikai is the second (or first upgraded) form available to a Zanpakuto. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakuto. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, for the living spirit of the Zanpakuto already has its own name. The Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakuto effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world.
The blade changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigo (解号, Release Call), or release incantation. Using the Kaigo, followed by the name of the Zanpakuto, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, for every Zanpakuto has a different incantation.
The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakuto's signature ability or hint at the nature of its spirit. This step may be bypassed by expert Shinigami who have learned how to use their Bankai. Occasionally, Shinigami who did not learn Bankai can release their Zanpakuto simply by saying its name.
Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakuto, and it is a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, for most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is required in order to achieve the rank of lieutenant, for it is a requirement which most captains look for.
Bankai:
Bankai is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakuto. Prior to Ichibē Hyōsube giving this form its name, it was known as a Shinuchi, and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an "Evolved Zanpakuto". To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakuto spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakuto's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakuto's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakuto spirit being subjugated for their shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakuto also becomes stronger and learns Bankai at precisely the moment their Shinigami learns it. Even though Bankai is the final stage of a Zanpakuto, it does not mean the Shinigami's growth ends there. A bankai, especially one recently obtained, can evolve even further as its Shinigami gets stronger.
The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakuto, and vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater by attaining it. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakuto. Even the four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, only have a member capable of Bankai every few generations. Those who achieve Bankai always have remarkable roles in the history of Soul Society.
Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenji Urahara and Kisuke Urahara are the only known individuals who have attained Bankai through a far shorter, yet much more dangerous method. Using a special device created by Urahara, which forcibly materializes a Zanpakuto spirit (thus bypassing a large portion of the training), they attained their Bankai within three days instead of the normal hundreds of years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days.
Weakness: The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond those of a normal weapon, which is why one needs to train at least 10 years with Bankai in order for one to become capable of using it completely and effectively. No Bankai should be used in battle before this period of time has been reached. A broken Bankai can never be returned to its former state. The only exception to this is Captain Sajin Komamura's Bankai: he and his Bankai share a bond so strong, when one is injured, the other reflects the damage, but the Bankai is healed when the captain is healed. A Bankai's form and strength is determinant on how much the spirit recognizes its wielder. If the Zanpakuto does not fully recognize its wielder, then it may not give its Bankai's true name. The result is the Bankai not being in its true form and therefore weaker.
Most Zanpakuto look like regular katana, with slight variations between them as one would expect between different swords. Their variations are commonly:
- Katana: The term katana may be applied to the standard-size, moderately curved, Japanese sword with a blade length of 2 shaku (606 mm / 23.9 in) and longer. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade, a circular or squared guard, and a hilt long enough to accommodate two hands.
- Wakizashi: A short blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 inches), with an average of 50 cm (20 inches). It is similar to but shorter than a katana, and usually shorter than the kodachi. The wakizashi was usually worn together with the katana. When worn together, the pair of swords were called daisho. The katana was often called the long sword, and the wakizashi the companion sword.
- Nodachi: The nodachi was more difficult to wield due to its size and weight. The average length of an nodachi is 65-70 inches long (approx 165-178 cm), often with a 4-5 foot (approx 120-150 cm) blade. The length of the hilt of the nodachi varied between 30 to 33 cm (12 to 13 inches). Due to its weight and size, its cutting capability and range exceeds those of a katana.
- Tanto: The tanto is commonly referred to as a knife or dagger. The blade is single or double edged, with a length between 15 and 30 cm (6-12 inches, in Japanese 1 shaku). The tantō was designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, but the edge can be used for slashing as well.
Zanpakutō can also be disguised as other objects, though such objects seem to need to be of similar proportions to the sword itself.
Shikai:
Shikai is the second (or first upgraded) form available to a Zanpakuto. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakuto. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, for the living spirit of the Zanpakuto already has its own name. The Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakuto effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world.
The blade changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigo (解号, Release Call), or release incantation. Using the Kaigo, followed by the name of the Zanpakuto, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, for every Zanpakuto has a different incantation.
The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakuto's signature ability or hint at the nature of its spirit. This step may be bypassed by expert Shinigami who have learned how to use their Bankai. Occasionally, Shinigami who did not learn Bankai can release their Zanpakuto simply by saying its name.
Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakuto, and it is a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, for most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is required in order to achieve the rank of lieutenant, for it is a requirement which most captains look for.
Bankai:
Bankai is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakuto. Prior to Ichibē Hyōsube giving this form its name, it was known as a Shinuchi, and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an "Evolved Zanpakuto". To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakuto spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakuto's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakuto's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakuto spirit being subjugated for their shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakuto also becomes stronger and learns Bankai at precisely the moment their Shinigami learns it. Even though Bankai is the final stage of a Zanpakuto, it does not mean the Shinigami's growth ends there. A bankai, especially one recently obtained, can evolve even further as its Shinigami gets stronger.
The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakuto, and vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater by attaining it. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakuto. Even the four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, only have a member capable of Bankai every few generations. Those who achieve Bankai always have remarkable roles in the history of Soul Society.
Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenji Urahara and Kisuke Urahara are the only known individuals who have attained Bankai through a far shorter, yet much more dangerous method. Using a special device created by Urahara, which forcibly materializes a Zanpakuto spirit (thus bypassing a large portion of the training), they attained their Bankai within three days instead of the normal hundreds of years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days.
Weakness: The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond those of a normal weapon, which is why one needs to train at least 10 years with Bankai in order for one to become capable of using it completely and effectively. No Bankai should be used in battle before this period of time has been reached. A broken Bankai can never be returned to its former state. The only exception to this is Captain Sajin Komamura's Bankai: he and his Bankai share a bond so strong, when one is injured, the other reflects the damage, but the Bankai is healed when the captain is healed. A Bankai's form and strength is determinant on how much the spirit recognizes its wielder. If the Zanpakuto does not fully recognize its wielder, then it may not give its Bankai's true name. The result is the Bankai not being in its true form and therefore weaker.