BLEACH: The Forbidden Zanpakut That Copies Others

by

BLEACH: The Forbidden Zanpakut That Copies Others

Key Takeaways

  • Tokinada Tsunayashiro in the BLEACH novels uses Enrakyōten, a powerful Zanpakutō, to copy various abilities, including Kyōka Suigetsu and Ryūjin Jakka.
  • Enrakyōten can copy multiple Zanpakutō abilities simultaneously, but also inherits their weaknesses and feeds on the lifespan of its wielder.
  • Some Zanpakutō, like Ichigo’s Zangetsu, can’t be fully replicated by Enrakyōten, which reflects Buddhist symbolism of wisdom and reality’s illusion.

As a dedicated Bleach fan with a deep appreciation for the intricate lore and character development, I can confidently say that Tokinada Tsunayashiro’s Enrakyōten is one of the most fascinating weapons in the series. Its ability to copy other Zanpakutō abilities is not only captivating but also terrifying when wielded by someone as ruthless and cunning as Tokinada.

The following contains major spoilers for the BLEACH: Can’t Fear Your Own World novels by Ryohgo Narita, as well as heavy spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, available on Hulu and Disney+.

The “BLEACH: Can’t Fear Your Own World” series penned by Ryohgo Narita delves deep into the intricacies of the “BLEACH” universe, unveiling significant aspects such as the underlying structure of the three realms and the ominous past of Soul Society that intertwines with the Soul King.

In the novel series, the main adversary is Tokinada Tsunayashiro, a man known for his cruelty and lack of empathy. He cleverly manipulated events to ascend from being a member of a branch family to becoming the leader of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Families in Soul Society, tasked with preserving its history. Using his power, Tokinada managed to infiltrate the Tsunayashiro archives and retrieve Enrakyōten, a potent Zanpakutō that can replicate any other Zanpakutō ever created.

A Family Zanpakutō

Enrakyōten is an Ancestral Zanpakutō

BLEACH: The Forbidden Zanpakut That Copies Others

When Tokinada retrieves Enrakyōten from the Tsunayashiro family archives, he does so due to his personal lack of a Zanpakutō. He’s married to a woman named Kakyō, who was a friend of Kaname Tosen and tragically murdered by her Shinigami husband. This husband, a high-ranking officer in the Gotei 13, belonged to one of the Four Great Noble Families and was spared punishment. As a result of his trial, Tokinada’s Zanpakuto was seized, and its powers remain unknown. The Tsunayashiro family’s Zanpakutō is special because it can mimic the form and abilities of any other Zanpakutō, given their role in the recording and preservation of history through the Visuals and Surveillance Department.

This Zanpakuto resembles and carries a common theme with the Ise family’s Divine Eight Mirror Sword (Shinken Hakkyōken). It is among the oldest known Zanpakutos in existence. There’s a legend that the sword is tainted, and wielding Enrakyōten gradually reduces the user’s lifespan. Yet, considering its immense power, Tokinada deemed it justified to pay such a high cost for its employment.

Throughout the “Can’t Fear Your Own World” series, Tokinada employs Enrakyōten to replicate the powers of various Zanpakutō, such as Sosuke Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu and Genryūsai Yamamoto Shigekuni’s Ryūjin Jakka. The term Enrakyōten means “Law of the Enchanting Clear Mirror”. To conceal its true might, Tokinada would partially unleash it under a different name: Kuten-Kyōkoku, or “Nine Heavens Mirror Valley”. This pseudonym was chosen to mirror the dual-named Katen Kyōkotsu of Shinsui Kyoraku. While Kuten-Kyōkoku can return attacks to their originators, it’s actually a potent weapon, particularly when wielded by someone who possesses knowledge of Soul Society’s complete history, like Tokinada.

Enrakyoten’s Special Ability

A True Blade of Reflection

BLEACH: The Forbidden Zanpakut That Copies Others

Enrakyōten’s Shikai is triggered by the phrase, “Drink in the world, adorn with the skyline. Replicate and restrict… Balance throughout creation equally,” causing the sword to emit a dazzling light before it becomes invisible. Once activated, the wielder can mimic the powers of any Zanpakutō they’ve previously observed, such as 7th Kenpachi Kuruyashiki’s Gagaku Kairō, Hanatarō Yamada’s Hisagomaru, Byakuya Kuchiki’s Senbonzakura, Zennosuke Kurumadani’s Tsuchinamazu, Ōmaeda’s Gegetsuburi, Gin Ichimaru’s Shinsō, Rangiku Matsumoto’s Haineko, and many more.

One intriguing aspect of this artifact is its capacity to simulate numerous Zanpakuto abilities simultaneously, escalating in power relative to the user’s spiritual pressure. To provide an example, Tokinada’s Kyōka Suigetsu is less potent than Aizen’s, but his reproduction of Matsumoto’s Haineko outshines the original. While Enrakyōten has the potential to be a formidable weapon with skilled users, it still possesses its vulnerabilities. The fact that it can mimic any Zanpakuto’s strengths also means it inherits their weaknesses. If the wielder lacks a thorough understanding of these flaws, they could find themselves unprepared and at a disadvantage.

Enrakyōten, though able to mimic various Zanpakutō forms, doesn’t copy all; for example, Ichigo Kurosaki’s Zangetsu can only be replicated in form, not abilities, due to its unique combination of reiatsu and powers. This could be because of the complex nature of Zangetsu. The downside of Enrakyōten is it absorbs the life energy of its user, which might explain why the Tsunayashiro family keeps it secluded. In Buddhism, mirrors symbolize the “illusion of reality” and represent wisdom. This symbolism could be the reason behind Enrakyōten’s lack of a visible blade when activated, as well as its role in function.

Read More

2024-10-20 20:03