BLEACH: Shhei Hisagi's Bankai, Explained

As a self-proclaimed Bleach enthusiast and connoisseur of all things Soul Society, I must say that Shuhei Hisagi’s Bankai, Fushi no Kojyo, is one of the most intriguing and thematically rich abilities in the series. His journey from a troubled youth to a respected member of the Gotei 13 has been nothing short of remarkable, much like the stagnant reishi that surrounds his Bankai.

Among fans of the BLEACH series, Shūhei Hisagi stands out as one of the beloved characters. His design, brimming with elements that boost his overall cool quotient, is a major factor behind his popularity. Yet, beneath his tough exterior lies a more reserved and cautious personality, shaped by his deep bonds with the Captains he has served. Contrary to his rugged image, Hisagi exudes a softer side. He harbors a strong dislike for the sickle-shaped Zanpakutō, Kazeshini, stating it resembles an instrument meant to end lives. Furthermore, due to traumatic events in his childhood, at the Academy, and under the influence of his Captains, Hisagi carries a more serious perspective about his role as a Shinigami.

In Ryohgo Narita’s Can’t Fear Your Own World series, Hisagi embarks on a mission to expose a sinister secret, having elapsed since the “Protection of the Soul King Great War”. This fresh battle serves as an opportunity for him to manifest his Bankai, one of the most potent ever displayed.

He who fears not the blade he wields has no right to wield that blade.

Hisagi’s Zanpakutо

Kazeshini Seems At Odds With Its Wielder’s Personality

BLEACH: Shhei Hisagi's Bankai, Explained

In a unique bond, Hisagi’s sword, Kazeshini (Death Wind), takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese weapon known as the kusarigama, essentially a chain-bound pair of kama (sickles) with a heavy weight at the end called a fundo. When activated into Shikai form, Kazeshini responds to the command “Reap,” transforming into scythes with double blades, one of which is reversed. In battle, Hisagi exploits the scythes’ wide rotational movement, providing him extended reach and flexibility in combat strategies.

He is exceptionally adept at using them, able to attack with the blades or the chain, which also serves as a means of disarming his opponents. In essence, Kazeshini functions as a single weapon despite being dual/twin Zanpakutō, comprised of two scythes and a connecting chain. In the anime-exclusive arc “Zanpakutō Rebellion,” Kazeshini’s manifestation was portrayed as a tall, muscular shadow figure with long hair, resembling the chilling image of a reaper-like character featured in BLEACH volume 38 after chapter 325, when Hisagi initially releases his Zanpakutō.

As a dedicated fan, I’d rephrase it like this: I find Hisagi to be a skilled warrior, yet he’s always mindful of the gravity of entering battle. His previous captain, Kaname Tosen, instilled in him that fearing combat and death is natural, given the risk of losing one’s life. Only those who’ve experienced it can truly stand on the battlefield. His Zanpakuto’s form might seem unusual for someone so reluctant to claim lives and confront mortality, but his Bankai, unveiled in the novels Can’t Fear Your Own World following the events of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, tells a different story. Although we don’t witness Hisagi’s Bankai in the anime or manga, we do catch glimpses of his rigorous training under the guidance of 9th Squad Captain Kensei Muguruma and his lieutenant, Mashiro Kuna.

The Real Power of Kazeshini

The Immortality Bankai

In the “Can’t Fear Your Own World” series, Hisagi struggles with understanding his identity as a Shinigami and confronting enemies superior to him, all while battling his fear, a defining trait of his character. As he becomes proficient in wielding Kazeshini, its power amplifies, possessing a unique ability that symbolizes the role of Shinigami as guardians of life and death’s cycle. In its Shikai form, Kazeshini’s blades symbolize death, while the chain signifies life. Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku believes that the essential aspect of Hisagi’s Zanpakutō lies in the chain linking the blades. This chain can heal any wounds sustained by Hisagi, no matter their extent, as long as he has enough reiatsu.

Each time I unsheathe my sword, every encounter with an adversary – deep within, I find myself cautiously retreating a step.

In his role as a Shinigami, it was his Zanpakuto that helped him endure countless life-threatening scenarios and instilled within him an indomitable spirit. His Bankai, Fushi no Kōjō, generates a sphere of chains linked to him via a chain encircling his neck. This remarkable ability not only safeguards him but can also protect any chosen adversary by binding them with noose-like chains that simultaneously heal any wounds both combatants incur at the price of their combined reiatsu. Although Fushi no Kōjō seems formidable, it possesses several vulnerabilities. It cannot mend injuries sustained before its activation and provides no relief from pain. Furthermore, this ability only maintains the vitality of combatants as long as they have reiatsu, which it depletes to heal their wounds. Essentially, Fushi no Kōjō levels the playing field, empowering Hisagi to engage in battle against formidable opponents like Hikone Ubuginu.

The Thematic Significance of the Bankai

One of the Best Aspects of CFYOW

Fushi no Kōjō, often written as “Fushi no Kojyo,” translates to “Death Wind: Hangman’s Noose” and offers an intriguing twist. The term “fushi” might be a play on the word “fushi” (not death), which is made up of a character that negates followed by the word for death, often used to describe immortality or something that lacks death. This powerful technique in BLEACH cannot be permanently destroyed and its reishi around the Bankai appears to stagnate, mirroring the conditions of the universe before significant events in the series. The Bankai is not intended to give Hisagi an advantage in combat, but rather thematically connects to his understanding of Tōsen’s beliefs about fear and his harrowing experience facing Tosen’s Enma Kōrogi Bankai, which left him terrified after only 30 minutes before collapsing.

List of Non-Captain Gotei 13 Seated Officers Who Have Achieved Bankai
Name	Position \| Squad	Bankai Name
Shuhei Hisagi	Co-Lieutenant \| 9th	Fushi no Kōjō
Ikkaku Madarame	3rd Seat \| 11th	Ryūmon Hōzukimaru
Renji Abarai	Lieutenant \| 6th	Sō’ō Zabimaru
Rukia Kuchiki	Lieutenant \| 13th	Hakka no Togame
Chōjirō Sasakibe	Lieutenant \| 1st	Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū

In simpler terms, Hisagi’s Bankai, like Tosen’s, creates a unique domain with specific regulations. While Tosen’s reflects the fear that stems from ignorance (often called ‘Avidya’ in Buddhism, meaning spiritual ignorance, illusion, or not seeing/knowing, symbolized by darkness and loss of senses), Hisagi’s Bankai signifies self-sacrifice. When active, individuals under its influence exist in a state where there is neither advancement nor decline; a situation that Hisagi uses to correct Hikone Ubuginu’s wrongdoings. The storyline provides the necessary circumstances for Hisagi to deeply bond with his Zanpakuto, finish building his moral compass, and ultimately master his fear, delving into his inner self.

BLEACH: Shhei Hisagi’s Bankai, Explained