Bleach: Bankai With The Biggest Weaknesses

Key Takeaways

Byakuya’s Bankai can leave him exposed due to a hidden safe area for enemies to exploit.
Kyoraku’s Bankai risks harming allies due to its area of effect, limiting its usage.
Kenpachi’s Bankai tears his body apart for immense power, risking harm to himself and others.

As a seasoned Bleach fan with over a decade of immersion into this captivating anime, I must say that the Bankai abilities of these Shinigami are nothing short of extraordinary. Each one carries its own unique set of risks and rewards, making them as complex as the characters who wield them.

In the realm of Bleach, a Bankai represents a Soul Reaper’s most potent move, employed only when critical situations demand it. These extraordinary powers are typically overwhelmingly strong and usually result in defeating opponents. However, due to each Bankai functioning uniquely, some come with significant flaws and disadvantages that restrict their general application.

Due to their vulnerabilities, certain captains have opted to employ their Bankai sparingly throughout the series, to avoid finding themselves vulnerable mid-battle. Among the most obvious flaws that can significantly impair the user’s combat effectiveness, these Bankai stand out for having the greatest inconsistencies in their dependability.

8. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Byakuya Kuchiki)

Byakuya’s Safe Area Can Be Exposed By His Enemy While In Bankai

First Appearance: Episode 58

Zenbonsakura Kageyoshi, arguably the most renowned Bankai within the series, allows Byakuya to encase his adversary in a whirlwind of razor-sharp petals before annihilating them with an endless array of blades. While the risk factor isn’t as steep compared to other techniques due to its frequent usage, it does have one significant weakness exposed by Tsukishima during the Fullbring Arc: the safe zone.

As I found out during our battle, Byakuya’s foe can be struck from any angle and at any instant, but here’s the catch – I can secure myself in a safe zone right at the heart of his Bankai, acting as an impregnable fortress. However, if an adversary gets close enough to me to also dwell within this protected area, things start to get tricky for the captain, because it essentially nullifies his ability’s effectiveness.

7. Katen Kyokotsu Karamatsu Shinju (Kyoraku Shusui)

The Area Of Effect With This Bankai Can Make It Risky To Use With Comrades Around

First Appearance: TYBW Episode 35

Kyoraku’s Bankai consists of four distinct phases, where he gradually dismantles his enemy’s strength and resolve piece by piece, simultaneously cutting them apart. Kyoraku has unveiled this powerful technique only once in the series because, as Ukitake explains, while it is highly effective against one target, its use also poses a risk to his allies.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: Jumping into a fight while Kyoraku unleashes his Bankai can turn the situation from manageable to chaotic in a heartbeat, potentially leading to dire consequences. And just as we saw when he clashed with Lille Barro, using this flashy technique leaves Kyoraku battered and bruised, making it a double-edged sword indeed.

6. Ryumon Hozukimaru (Ikkaku Madarame)

A Bankai With A Slow Start-Up Limits Its Overall Usability

First Appearance: Episode 118

Fans frequently point out Ikkaku’s Bankai activation against the Arrancar as one of the most awe-inspiring and exhilarating scenes in the entire series, even though he isn’t a captain. What makes this standout is that Ikkaku was able to acquire an extraordinary Bankai, which transforms his sword into two massive cleavers that are large enough to shred through even the toughest adversaries.

Initially, Ryumon Hozukimaru, as he himself acknowledges, is a character who develops gradually during battle because his Zanpakuto spirit awakens progressively. This delay is also characteristic of Ikaku’s Bankai, which weakens with each use as depicted later in the series in Fake Karakura Town. While it remains extremely potent and undeniably intimidating, the time required for these Bankais to reach their peak effectiveness can be a critical factor during intense battles, as many Soul Reapers often don’t have the luxury of waiting.

5. Zanka No Tachi (Genryusai Yamamoto)

Yamamoto’s Devastating Bankai Can Only Be Used For A Limited Amount Of Time

First Appearance: TYBW Episode 6

Among the many formidable Bankai within the Soul Society, Zanka no Tachi, wielded by Captain Yamamoto himself, stands out as one of the most devastating and potent. In its activated state, this Shikai releases a series of four distinct phases that reduce enemies to ashes and erase their existence. However, such immense power comes at a considerable cost.

In the course of his fight against Yhwach, it’s evident that Yamamoto warns about the perilous consequence of wielding Zanka no Tachi excessively. This isn’t just detrimental to his adversary but also to him, and potentially catastrophic for the entire Soul Society. As soon as Yamamoto unveiled his Bankai, the atmosphere within Soul Society turned dense instantly, a condition that seems to worsen over time as the sword is in use.

4. Suzumushi Tsuishiki Enma Korogi (Kaname Tosen)

Tosen’s Bankai Is Instantly Undone If The Opponent Gets Too Close To His Sword

First Appearance: Episode 51

In the series, as Tosen served as captain for a limited duration, viewers witness him utilizing his Bankai just once – an encounter with Kenpachi being that instance. During this battle with Kenpachi, the mechanics of Tosen’s Bankai are clearly demonstrated; it has the power to entirely disable the opponent’s senses, making it possible for Tosen to attack from various angles without the enemy registering any sensation, sight, or sound whatsoever.

Fortunately, Zaraki managed to discover the significant vulnerability of Tosen’s Bankai when he seized his sword, rendering its power ineffective and making him completely vulnerable. Given Kenpachi’s preference for intimate combat with his adversaries, he was able to deduce this rather swiftly. As a result, it seems that Tosen’s Bankai is better suited to opponents at a distance, which reduces its adaptability somewhat.

3. Kokujo Tengen Myo (Komamura Sajin)

Komamura Will Receive All The Damage Inflicted Onto His Bankai

First Appearance: Episode 51

The discussion here revolves around Komamura’s Bankai before any enhancements occurred in the narrative. Kokujo Tengen Myo is essentially a colossal replica of Komamura, manifesting his every physical action and attack. Yet, it’s important to note that this enlarged form is intrinsically connected to Komamura, which implies that any harm inflicted upon Kokujo Tengen Myo will simultaneously affect Komamura as well.

As a gamer, I’ve found that this Bankai, though swift for its bulk, isn’t as speedy as many others out there. If my opponent has agility-enhancing abilities, they can move faster than the eye can track, making it easy for them to exploit this Bankai. However, Komamura does improve this Bankai in the Thousand Year Blood War arc, but its inherent flaws still make it a tad risky to rely on.

2. Nozarashi (Zaraki Kenpachi)

Zaraki’s Bankai Tears His Body Apart For The Sake Of Acquiring An Immense Power Surge

First Appearance: Chapter 669

Kenpachi’s extraordinarily potent Bankai is typically used as a final option, potentially causing harm to the user that matches the damage dealt to opponents. Upon summoning Nozarashi, Zaraki transforms into an oni-like figure with fiery red skin and dark markings all over his body. This transformation grants him a massive power increase, making him much more merciless than before. However, it’s worth noting that in this form, Kenpachi loses all semblance of rational thought.

In simpler terms, when he activates his Bankai, Kenpachi transforms into a lethal force, attacking both friend and enemy indiscriminately once his eyes focus on them. However, the power of Bankai also takes a toll on Kenpachi’s body, often leaving him incapacitated after usage. Given that using Bankai can potentially lead to self-harm or harming others, it is strongly recommended by other captains to use it sparingly.

1. Hakka No Togame (Rukia Kuchiki)

One Wrong Move With This Icy Bankai Could Lead To Rukia Losing A Limb, Or Even Her Life

First Appearance: TYBW Episode 19

In the Thousand Year Blood War storyline, Rukia unleashes her Bankai, a powerful ability that freezes everything around her, including herself. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in this icy grasp instantly disintegrate. However, Rukia remains unaffected, though moving excessively fast can result in grievous bodily harm and potentially prove fatal if she’s not careful enough.

It’s suggested that Rukia may not have extensive practice with her Bankai, and although this isn’t a weakness per se, it can be dangerous when combined with a Bankai that demands careful handling to avoid injury while utilizing it effectively. Fortunately, Byakuya is present during the As Nodt fight to emphasize the importance of gradually unwinding the Bankai for safe usage.

2024-12-07 23:04