@@ShonenOuji 1) BAN KAI 2) I love it's theme that the better you know yourself the better you get at it. I think even though it's a fictional power system it's basis is relatable. (The more confidence you have in yourself and your purpose the stronger you become.) 3) it's just cool as heck in appearance, reveal, powers, hype building.
what also makes Mayuri's Bankai so good is it fits his character perfectly, he hates perfection and guess what? His Bankai is a combined baby and caterpillar, both have yet to reach its perfect form.
@@metal87power I always wondered how he achieved Bankai using one of the first iterations of Nemu, so this is my theory. A bankai in the very early parts of bleach is said to be you bringing out your zanpakuto spirit and manifesting it into the real world, so i guess he would have done something similar to the Bankai training doll made by Urahara that we see Ichigo using to train, but using one of the early versions of Nemu instead?
@@WaituSnaiku honestly. He's a monster so something like that isn't our of the question. He also sees it as a tool that he can remodel at will.. so.. he seems like a special case.
It also reflets on that by being ever changing His bankai hasn't reached it's perfected state so Mayuri is constantly working on it and it changes all the time because of that
I'm curious about his bankai baby aspect and his childish intellectual rivalry with kisuke and his need to prove or show he is the bigger scientist. I do believe there is a connection between the two
Gin's Bankai will always be my favorite. The duality of it being both obviously straightforward and simultaneously sneaky is a perfect representation of the character. When he first activates it and it immediately slices down the skyscrapers. The fact that it is called "God-Killing Spear". How it's ultimate technique is a poison like a snake, but is released as a form of dust, linking his true heart's desire to Rangiku. That's a bankai done to perfection.
@@jayhill2193same when i say how much i love his charector i get dissed but it h really does have the perfectly plotted out charector based around revenge against aizen
@@qurax1660 I know how you feel, been there too. Gin's the perfect Game of Thrones-type character, with a perfect facade that even Rangiku could never see through, yet deep down has the quality of a hero, avenging his beloved. His train of thought about what it means to be a snake stuck with me ever since.
@@TrevorDiamante defining the epitome of the power system and the height of the user's mastery over their ability, and only held by the most elite combatants in the verse at full realization. But sure, the comparison is superficial.
I love bankai as a power up because it can give you so much info about a character and their personality just off their power, ichigo is simple and straightforward just like him, senbonsakura is elegant and the activation tower over his enemies showing how he thinks about himself as a noble tower over normal people, Yamamoto’s contains his immense flames into a seemingly normal katana which reflecting how he looks like a old man hiding immense power, the list can go on and on but every bankai reflects the soul of the character and their for it’s not only a cool power up but also a narrative device, that’s why “The blade is me” is such an amazing story and power up
I said it above but ill say it again. Story can be told through fights. People crap on shonen cause its popular and to be fair yeah were too popular and a lot of shonen is just for money. But so are a lot of other series. The cream of the crop is what were seeing and if people think it's all trash then make something better. I bet this so called no plot armor, fast paced, deep, short, fun shonen people think that would work perfect would be way more boring. For example I'd argue ikaku's bankia is intellectual lol. It encompesses shonen to its core and what haters who say jjk or dbz or so on is just fighting no story don't get. Action films are still top money makers for a reason. To it's core action tells a story. His bankia reps his character, his goals to beat his captain but not kill him in that he slowly gets stronger to draw out the fight like fighting your friend in a fighter game when you know you will win. It's tons of character from him not wanting people to see it, to him not recognizing his failure by choosing honor over the position to protect at all cost. It's so much said and people trash on bleach cause it doesn't spoon feed this to you. I feel like jjk took this to the extreme and current meta is remove all exposition to the point hxh chimera ant would be without much dialogue so people just see everything as just fights no story. All the character acting and so on is lost. Yet people cry on the ground how peak it is that a character in live action said I love you for the 1900 time.
@@nichescenesagreed. Bleach specifically presents themes, dynamics and ideology conflicts through fights. Not to mention the power system overall (not only zanpakuto) somewhat reflects the user's soul or who they really are. And the massive amounts of symbolism but that's another story.
@@therealmonke561 Yeah surface level hate for it over the years really ruined things. Especially videoes from people who really just wanna watch slice of life dramas and cry about fights in their action series. Slice of life drama is great too just saying. Stuff like the failure of bleach etc videoes complaining that the pacing is slow and too many meaningless fights when just about all the fights even if there not to everyone's liking or equally exciting, they all tell a story or idea and further the characterization with use of the power system along with world build.
Not many mangaka can tell subtle stories like Kubo did. He can write character development without actually having to spend a couple pages telling that story, but simply through how they act every time they show up, and through their fighting style/power/outfit. But it goes over the head of a lot of the newer watcher with low attention span, and it's kinda sad.
The best part about bankai to me is that you can see a character's soul bare through it. Ichigo/Byakuya have effectively the same shikai/bankai just on a better level, that's because they're extremely straightforward people, the way they act, the way they are is exactly as how their day to day attitude is. As a result their bankai's the same. With Bankai, for some characters it's completely different, Shunsui goes from kids games to an adult play, Soi Fon goes from an assassin to a rocket launcher. That's because there's a disconnect between the day to day attitude and how they truly are as people. Soi Fon's tries to be a cold blooded assassin hence her shikai, but is extremely emotional/quick to anger, so her bankai's a rocket launcher so it blows up like her explosive temper. Shunsui's got kids games because on the surface he looks very approachable and nice, while in reality he doesn't care if he has to play dirty, he plays to win. His bankai is extremely interesting. Effectively it's a bankai that can kill him which to me, hints at how a part of himself hates himself and how he may want to die to see the love of his life(nanao's mother) after his death. The air turns gloomy around him(Jushiro's words), mostly cuz his zanpakuto's spirit, which is based, once again, on the love of his life appears, reminding him of her and the fact that she's in fact dead. The blade is based on her as she was the most important part of his life. There is so much to gleam about those characters through their bankai and I wouldn't have it any other way. If a character goes bankai...their soul is bare for all to see, you can understand more about them as a result. Hell let's take Ikkakku, the healing ointment is from his blade, that's because he enjoys fighting and want to keep it going. His Bankai goes further with that and powers up the more he fights. Is it simple? yes. Is it cool to figure out, yeah I'd say so.
The voice actor of Jushiro Ukitake stated how much he actually wanted to shout out the legendary word „Bankai“. To turn the tables in a battle, there’s nothing more chilling and epic as the pleasure to say BAN KAI
Incredible video 😭🔥🔥🔥🔥 11:57 My favourite part about the moment that Ichigo's Bankai is revealed is Byakuya's reaction in how he denied Ichigo's claim that what he was wielding was the final state of his blade, he even said no Bankai can ever look that lonely and beautiful part about Byakuya's reaction and words used was that he was right. Ichigo has never used Bankai in his entire life up until he fights Yhwach. The Tensa Zangetsu pre fighting Yhwach was a false Bankai. Even during Ichigo's Bankai training when Keisuke uses that tool to force Ichigo's Zanpakto spirit we do not see White we see Old man Zangetsu who represents Ichigo's Quincy side, we didn't know this back then but it all makes sense now. We never actually see Ichigo obtained Tensa Zangetsu or getsuga tensho it's all off screen. Skip forward to where Byakuya's overwhelming Ichigo with his own Bankai and we get an interesting dialogue between White and Ichigo, he says that Ichigo is using it all wrong and says that his bones are quaking from his own reiatsu and proceeds to say let me show you how to use Bankai. Even when Ichigo desires to learn more about his Zanpakto abilities it's White who shows up and not old man Zangetsu. Which is why The Blade Is Me Arc is my favourite because Ichigo comes to the conclusion, realisation and acceptance of his inner world and who he really is, he's not just a substitute soul Reaper with hollow powers nor a Quincy fullbringer, he is all of that and much more, he is Kurosaki Ichigo the protector of the artificial world that is Bleach.
Mayuri's zanpakuto is basically a mockery of divine creation, He twisted the essence of divine creation to fit his needs. He created his own Frankenstein. The best power-ups are structured and simple but follow universal rules.
Bleach just generally has an extremely underrated power system imo. It's so multifaceted and layered, and allows for the ultimate form of character expression. You can learn everything there is to learn about a character just by observing what their powers are/how they use them. Top 3 power system if you ask me.
It's so underrated because it's a very very soft power system, and Bleach really has SEVERAL power systems that run parallel and interact with one another. Fans usually fawn over the hard power systems where you're told exactly what they do and how they work, like Nen, Cursed Energy, etc.
No, it has the potential to be multifaceted and layered. Tite Kubo had literally zero interest in writing anything - he just wanted to draw cool-looking stuff and put the minimum amount of effort required to make a story that strings the cool pictures together. All that potential wasted
Its rated poorly rated because of Reiatsu, it's simplifying it to the point where the focus is drawn away from the more interesting Zanpaktou powers. While Ichigo might be the biggest issue here, his main strength just seems to be explained through Reiatsu. There are some Bleach movies and filler arcs which are good because of this, they ignore most of the Reiatsu power scaling, to look at the zanpaktous
The essence of bankai and how it's used is so badass, plus just saying it is awesome, too but maybe not as cool but still really dope to me is Djinn in Magi and how that's used
A point you could also make for Mayuris bankai is the fact that it is a baby. Mayuri also represents progress to some degree as well just like a baby has infinite potential to develop in anyway possible. Mayuri doesn’t limit himself to just one possibility. Then there’s Nemuri and has multiple attempts at making her
I am surprised you didn't mention that Ichigo's clothes are part of his bankai which is unusual since having your blade become wrapped around your body is more of a arrancar thing showcasing Ichigo's hollow nature.
11:39 even today i can feel that scene. After Ichigo take another Byakuya's bankai attack. And Byakuya say, "You said you've reached Bankai" Then Ichigo say yes, i don't know you much time i gonna need to say it to make you believe it Byakuya Kuchiki. Doesn't mater because you gonna see it with your eyes. Then a Flash of Reiatsu covers Ichigo and he say... the word. BAN.... KAI. And after the dust starts going down. The scene changes to Ichigo with a dark clock and black Zangetsu in his hand. And he says: Tensa Zangetsu.
I think what makes Bankai so legendary is that it's the most powerful and true expression of the user and the zanpakuto's self. Bankai is only achievable when a Soul Reaper comes to understand and communicate with the spirit of their zanpakuto. Bankai even get stronger (in the case of Renji, Ichigo, Byakuya etc.) as a Soul Reaper gets closer to understanding themselves and their zanpakuto. It's especially what makes Ichigo's journey in Bleach perfect after The Blade is Me; only after he learns the truth of his past, lets go of the guilt of his mother's death and comes to terms with his true zanpakuto does he achieve True Bankai. No power system will be the same as in Kubo's masterful creation.
@ I would describe it as fitting to his design. Zaraki is a man of combat; he craves nothing more than fighting strong opponents. His Bankai is simple, yet true to who he is as a Soul Reaper.
Mayuri is a socially awkward genius scientist. And since zanpaktou is literally a piece of shinigami soul, Mayuri experimented on himself. It's revealed he achieved Bankai through failed cloning experiments that eventually succeeded in Nemu's birth.
That is why the arc where the zanpakto take humanoid form, I thought was good. We get to see more of them, and put a character and face to the spirits that shinigami speak throughout the series. We see Hitsugaya speak with Hyorinmaru multiple times, but actually seeing him in form hits different.
I'd argue super sayain has a lot of depth and reveals quite a bit about goku. Showing his true sayain nature through his bloodlust for battle in that specific fight against freiza. That was only ever slightly seen in his fights previous to that.
6:19 Not really, super saiyan is part of goku’s arc where he has to accept being saiyan to beat frieza to avenge his friends but he doesn’t want to be anything like the saiyans
@@ieatPS2memorycards to add onto this, to become a Super Sayian is also to embrace the true qualities of a Sayian, which is cruelty, ego, strength. A SSJ doesn't need to learn because they are already the strongest and it affects each character differently. Goku let the hunter take him and allowed Freiza to destroy Namek, yet in the manga he retains enough clarity as a martial artist to bring himself back down and not enjoy himself too much. Lets him power up because Freiza never stood a chance. It's only really when Goku does his Full power SSJ training that he completely masters himself and is allowed to enjoy himself while keeping his clarity. Vegeta and Gohan both get consumed by ego when they reach their state, in SSJ and SSJ2 respectively, feeling the need to torture and flex their strength which costs both of them dearly. Trunks meanwhile gets so much pride that he's incapable of seeing how unwieldy his strength is. This angle largely gets ditched Buu forward, but for a good period of time SSJ wasn't a perfect power-up, but was an interesting way of Goku finally demonstrating what made him such a gifted martial artist, and teaching his son to be much better.
It's really unfortunate that with the later reveal that Bankai, once damaged, can never be repaired means that since Ikkaku's Bankai is broken into pieces in the same fight in which it is revealed that he cannot functionally use it ever again... Unless it is eventually revealed that his Bankai, like Komamura's, has a unique ability to repair itself. Overall though, I think the most intersting aspect of Bankai is that fact that they can be so many different things. Some are just a stat buff and an outfit swap, some give them access to a new weapon, some give them a new special attack, some manipulate the elements, and some WARP REALITY.
Given that Ikkaku's in company with Mayuri, Ichigo, and Renji for "people whose bankai got broken" I think he has a chance. Ichigo and Renji both got their asauchi reforged to fix the blade at the foundations but their bankai also changed when they did this, since both got deeper understandings of themselves for/ during the process, and Mayuri seems to have fixed his broken bankai himself by experimenting on it to remodel it into the version we see in TYBW. In each case the bankai changes from what it was when broken, and we see with Yamamoto that the bankai can change/ grow given enough time, so hypothetically Ikkaku's bankai could become "fixed" if it were to fundamentally change in some way which would correspond to a change in Ikkaku. Ikkaku growing to drop his avoidance of his own bankai and being willing to incorporate it into his fighting more might in itself be a significant enough change for it to no longer be the same "slow start" bankai we saw.
Something that is related to Bankai is that in TYBW (anime) I was so happy that they canonized Shinji's Bankai from the light novels. The Vizards get shit on a lot by Kubo, but giving Shinji a Bankai that makes him a legitimate one man army is awesome. Totally underutilized. It would only be helpful during times of war, but sending Shinji in alone to infliltrate as a vanguard force into enemy lines, activate his Bankai, and then clean up the strongest with his Shikai would be an INSANELY useful power lol. I just wish that we got to see the Bankai of the Zero Squad that died, but I'll take what we get 🤷♂️🤣
I LOVE Ichigo's first bankai, so dope. Byakuya's face in that moment is perfect. He knows EXACTLY what's happening, but he literally can not believe it. It's a face that says "yo, what the FUCK" plastered on the most composed and controlled character in the series this far. Gold.
I would say while super saiyan is still pretty iconic, it lost its allure when every other saiyan learned it and have it be basically work the same way. with bankai even though every shinigami can learn it, how it works can differ for each individual. some just have it straightforward in being stronger than their shikai, some just widens the capabilities like toshiro and some give them a completely new effect like with tosen.
I think that's what a lot of modern Dragon Ball loses me on. It often slaps in forms for the sake of merch rather then any deeper intent, though at least the manga seemed more thoughtful about what mastery of the self could be. Like sure Ultra instinct was *interesting*, but there wasn't anything about it's development that felt like the prior arcs had built up to it Then again, Full power SSJ Goku really is a fantastic moment of Goku reaching full maturity and mastery over himself, combining both SSJ and his nurturing instincts of all his prior masters. It spoke volumes at how Vegeta and Trunks just couldn't obtain this form because neither of them were martial artists or had found peace within themselves. Meanwhile, Goku had finally become the teacher of nurturing, helping his son master himself when his actions put him in danger? Like Grandpa Gohan before him, he put himself directly in the firing line with a smile. I mean, he did miss the point of his son not liking fighting, but that is a character mistake that is totally in Goku's line of thinking. XD
Strangely enough i've been looking at the similarities between Bleach and another franchise I love called Persona. They both have similarities and me and my friend had a convo last night about how similar they really are. I won't yap too much, but I believe Ichigo's hollow counterpart, White, is similar to facing your true self in Persona 4. They both take on similar roles and I find it fascinating that these two completely different series are so similar! Hell I might even make a video essay on it. Great video man!
Ikaku’s bankai isn’t my favorite, but god the reveal was gorgeous, one of the best in the series. And that flashback into his, Zaraki and Renji’s past was one of the best in the entire story, imo. But you know what, my absolute favorite bankai is Mayuri, for the exact reasons you stated. I love the characters you picked
12:08- this is why I liked this version of the Bankai- it’s a visual middle finger to all of the bombastic and flashy Bankai we’ve seen thus far- being just a cool trench coat with a simple katana- modernized while keeping the feudal aesthetic while being refined. This is why the true Bankai didn’t work- it’s just a big ornate sword that happens to look like his Bankai. Hopefully, this is will fixedto have more impact like the new anime has so far been doing a phenomenal job in improving things
not gonna lie watching the anime with all its cool moments, fights and story's made me feel something I've never felt before in my life even though I've watched numerous anime's throughout my entire life that i cant even remember the number of (crazy to think its been 12 years since I've started watching anime) bleach just hits something deep with me that makes me so exited every time anything happens + the fits are fire. (also Mr. shonen ouji, rukia's bankai is my favorite too just because of how god damn beautiful it is, my god.)
What makes Bankai so perfect is that is a narrative extension of the character, it can be simple like Ikkaku's or extremely complex and emotional like Kyoraku's, and during the Muramasa arc, you can tell that each sword has a spirit with a distinctive personality that complements with it's user, that reflects into the abilities. It's more like a self discovery journey rather than simply a legendary weapon, reminds me a lot to Persona in that sense.
Senbonzakura Kageyoshi has the best presence. Nothing like two rows of giant swords spawning behind you then dissipating into millions of flower petals. A close contender is Zakka no Tachi because of how it absorbed the flames and changed the weather instantly
Mayuri’s Bankai is more disturbing when you find out it was part of a failed experiment of him trying to make an artificial soul, which he succeeded when he created Nemu, so in a way, his Bankai is his child in a way.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Bankai was the inspiration for Domain Expansion in JJK. The only thing that's given the same energy as Bankai isn't even really a power up, but from trading card shows. Like in Yugioh, especially the later ones, you have summoning chants for certain monsters that were always the mood setter for the scene and it applied to everyone. Future Card Buddyfight also has that same aura anytime somebody goes "Final Phase" and the animation used in DDD really added to it.
3:07 once you said that; tite kubo really likes showing off characters by bending the air around the character. For example when the first time ichigo used his bankai, the smoke that came from the destruction made a spiral shape, just like tensa zangetsu's spiral handle protection/tsuba.
So, i personally think that not only the presence or "aura" makes a power up perfect, but also how unique they could be, in Bleach, All of the characters that have a Bankai have their unique way to show it, that imoact or even that satisfaction to see our curiosity being answered with this unique power up in a lot of just special ways that fits the character perfectly
Ichigo's Bankai and how it changes, and Bankai representing their characters as a whole, is what I love about Bleach. Ichigo's first Bankai compresses his strength and has no special attacks beyond his initial Getsuga Tenshou, which is from his Shikai. What makes it special is two-fold. While unconfirmed, it's theorized Old Man Zangetsu crafted the Bankai after the most prominent one that Yhwach had seen, the Zanka no Tachi's Higashi: Kyokujitsujin (compressing flames along the blade) to create a compressed Bankai. But thematically, Old Man Zangetsu states that he suppressed and hid away most of Ichigo's strength. And thus his Bankai is a reflection of Old Man Zangetsu's history and past. Because even the name is Zangetsu, meaning Slaying Moon. The Moon being the opposite of the Sun, the Sun representing the most prominent Shinigami in Yamamoto. And how Zangetsu hoped Ichigo would not tread down the path of a Shinigami.
The best thing about Bankai is Kubo said in a club outside Q&A that anyone with a Zanpakuto can train to be able to use it including Quincies or even Arrancar since they already have Zanpakutos
The zanpakutou is a reflection of one's soul, so the power up always has something to do with the Shinigami/user's personality. And the spike in power feels fair most of the time. Some Bankai are really simple and overpowered, like Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
Domain Expansion has lead to some of the most hyped moments in recent anime/manga history and it’s literally because Gege had cool Bankai OC he wanted to draw lol.
Something really interesting about ikkaku's bankai and how he wants to hide it fits very well with squad 11 as a whole. Every member of note we have seen in squad 11 hides or restrains themselves from their true potential and power despite the "ideal" of squad 11 being just pure fighting potential with no restraint or hesitation
One of the cool thing I like about the zanpakuto system is that the difference between shikai and bankai is different for each person. Like Ikkaku is a very straightforward person and very honest in his depiction. So his bankai is just a greater iteration of that. Same thing with Byakuya. The core of his character doesn’t change (stoic, devoted, and cold as ice) just his framework and mindset change. Tosen for example is a very obscure person with a lot of intrapersonal conflict. And the difference between his shikai (aoe rain of swords bc he can’t see lol) and his bankai (essentially a sensation deprivation tank, a sort of equalizing) are so different. His true self is different from his initial surface presentation. Unohana is probably the best example of this tbh. Her bankai and true self is totally bonkers and much different than her shikai and the person she was presented as in most of the anime. You could also argue that renji’s Bankai (both) also sorta fit this characterizing model.
Icigos bankai is my favorite personally since it is so basic but its name and what he represents is so perfect for the show chains that bind the heavens
First? Nah I'm last. Haven't watched the vid yet but Ichigo having to accept all parts of himself (hollow, quincy, human, shinigami)to get his true bankai will forever be the Best written power up in all of anime for me.
Not only did he accept he's every race, he understands and stops hating himself (Zangetsu) and accepts himself as he really is - not the killer he wrongfully thought he was, but a Protector, since he sees zangetsu always wanted to protect him. Or as Ichigo since ichigo means protector. Thats why in the last episodes he fights to protect even against the man who killed his mother, because he simply is not a killer in soul and essence. Yhwach provoking him about that felt like fate testing ichigo's resolve and self-knowledge to me, or something similar.
The amazing thing about bleach powers is the fact that in it's core it's simple you have a base sword than a first release then a second and that's it. But there are so many ways to play with it because everyone's sword is different
I never got as hyped or invested in a fight or a character over their domain expansion yet though. From the very first Bankai ever in the series I literally stopped everything I was doing and the show had my full undivided attention. It still has that effect to this day and I don’t think any show will ever match that.
I was just reading a Manhua, when the MC just screams BANKAI and just by that reference, I instantly got attached to series. This is how iconic this single line is.
I agree with you. Bleach have the best anime power-up. Because each Bankai (and Bankai equivilents like THe résurrection form or Chad's Final forms) is unique to that character, and you never know what to expect when they say it the 1st time.
He writes characters worth seeing, then draws their souls as weapons and has them fight with them as 'bankai'. They completely color the scene with their unique style and soul when they release them.
You are onto something because just the word Ban-Kai sets the tone for what is about to happen. When you hear SSJ you expect the power up and fight. When the word Bankai is uttered your brain is expecting the whole tide of the battle to change and a grand spectacle to take place that overtakes the stage. SSJ1-UltraInstinct is just strong fighting with no screen clearing power.
To date, Zanpakuto remain my favorite power system of all time. The personalization of them to each individual character is simply unmatched in fiction.
I think it speaks volumes that while I've stopped watching Bleach (those filler arcs filtered me out hard), only a short while ago, I went back to watch Ichigo using Bankai for the first time.
I want to make sure to mention that even the way the characters say Ban-Kai is unique to each of them. The loud BAN-KAI by Ikaku, to the restrained bankai... by Byakuya, everyone says it with their own personality.
A lot of bankais are absolute fire. That being said, I can't help but feel that some other power ups do get close. I'm actually especially found of Jusutsu Kaisen's Domain expansions. A lot of them are, in fact, incredible in exactly the same ways as bankais : They tell something about the characters and nature of their powers.
And you’ll never guess where Gege got the inspiration for that from. It’s really telling how such a simple concept (your weapon is an extension of YOU) can get played with so easily that other people see it and go “nah that’s sick. Imma do that too”
Interesting choices, I kinda expecred you to throw our Aizen's original bankai. Shit was so iconic when they think theyre getting him and Ichigo goes WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING and they're jumping tf out of momo instead 😂 and then he just oneshots them all with raw strength, he didnt even need to do that
I cannot remember what video it was, but I watched a short video essay theorizing why Ichigo only really uses Getsuga Tensho as part of his Zanpakuto powers. The explanation basically boils down to: Almost all of the characters who can use Bankai, have achieved it over a number of centuries. Whereas Ichigo is 16-17 when he GETS his powers and over the course of (2-3 years I guess? Hard to tell) the story, speedruns a lot of the meditative process, emotional/spiritual growth, and training that other Shinigami undergo. Additionally, his various abilities were constantly competing with each other to limit/control his other abilities, limiting his powers. The Gotei 13 Captains have other techniques at their disposal because they had the time to develop them, specifically developing the bond with their Zanpakuto Spirits (see Hyorinmaru, Katen Kyoketsu, Ryujin Jaka and associated Bankai) I wouldn't call this the absolute reason, but I think it is my favorite "in-universe" reasoning for why Ichigo only uses Getsuga
What I love about Bankai is that they fit PER character, they're not JUST a power up that a select few (all the important) characters get, but they're doubling down on their personality. Ikaku's power up is brute force Byakuya is his shikai on crack Ryukia is beauty incarnate but at a cost Ichigo's is straight forward like his personality Tosen's is mysterious They're similar to HxH's abilities in a way where a character doubles down on who they are
Commenting before finishing but one thing that always made Bankai stand out is that they were rarely if ever just a base power boost with a minor visual difference like in other shonen. Bankai can be and do almost anything similar to Stands in JJBA and most of them have hard set limitations plus they always play into the characters personality.
I love the theory that Shikai is who you appear to be on the surface and Bankai is who you are inside. Soi fon shikai (small dagger that kills in 2 touch) is the perfect assassin tool. She appears to be the perfect assassin. But her bankai (a big missile) is who she really is. Loud, passionate.
Goku's first transformation on namek. narratively it's beautifully done, goku accepting his Saiyan heritage, losing his friend but still holding to his sense of justice and humanity. Avenging the namekians, protecting his family but still giving freiza a bit of power to save himself before the planet explodes. It's not as intimate as what a bankai represents but it was still well expressed.
While I agree that bankai are incredibly cool, I think you missed some elements that make them as god as they are. The first is how they basically redesign the character by changing the look of their weapon, often the most distinctive part of their outfit in a manga where everyone is dressed the same. This helps increase the impact of Kubo's great paneling. The second is that bankais add mechanics to the fights. Bleach's fights are, at their core, sword fights. There isn't much to be commented on besides who is the fastest or strongest and that doesn't leave much room for strategy. This can look cool, but it gets boring fast. Unlike many other transformations which are just generic power ups, bankais only give one specific ability that often comes with limitation and weaknesses. This makes them either a problem to be solved or a solution to a potential issue that needs to be used correctly. Either way, they help make the fight more interesting beside looking cool and upping the ante. In that respect, the closest comparison would be HxH hatsu abilities, but with more style. I think these two reasons combined are why they are so good. And while my favorite transformation comes from Mahou Sensei Negima, bankais are indeed probably the best as a system.
Unohana's Bankai is a horror a movie. Well what i like about power ups is most of the time the drastical change of appearence (Naruto to 4 tail kyubi mode, Luffy G5, Gon to Adult Gon, Asta to Union form etc...) and i think in my opinion it is a simple but effective way to portray a character power up. In Bleach it is more the background, the story of a character that makes Bankai an interesting form of power up. It is quite similar to Jujutsu Kaisen, the beliefs and the will of someone become reality.
Domains are cool, but they lost the effect they had in the beginning. Meanwhile when someone pops Bankai it doesn’t matter who it is (except maybe mayuri) it goes crazy
I'd argue ikaku's bankia is intellectual lol. It encompesses shonen to its core and what haters who say jjk or dbz or so on is just fighting no story don't get. Action films are still top money makers for a reason. To it's core action tells a story. His bankia reps his character, his goals to beat his captain but not kill him in that he slowly gets stronger to draw out the fight like fighting your friend in a fighter game when you know you will win. It's tons of character from him not wanting people to see it, to him not recognizing his failure by choosing honor over the position to protect at all cost. It's so much said and people trash on bleach cause it doesn't spoon feed this to you. I feel like jjk took this to the extreme and current meta is remove all exposition to the point hxh chimera ant would be without much dialogue so people just see everything as just fights no story. All the character acting and so on is lost. Yet people cry on the ground how peak it is that a character in live action said I love you for the 1900 time.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
How would you rate Bankai? What would you say makes the perfect power-up?
@@ShonenOuji
1) BAN KAI
2) I love it's theme that the better you know yourself the better you get at it. I think even though it's a fictional power system it's basis is relatable. (The more confidence you have in yourself and your purpose the stronger you become.)
3) it's just cool as heck in appearance, reveal, powers, hype building.
@@Thedevegon Yes to all of the above.
Nobody Hates Bleach
@@ShonenOuji Nobody Hates Bleach Dude what are you talking about
Why the random Urahara Bankai I'm anime only😢
Calling Mayuri's bankai "perfect" would insult him to his very core lol.
He’d blow it up and start again lol
yeah bro would be furious
Which is what makes him so cool. That one speech cemented him as one of the best characters of all time.
@@lillith7257then he "healed" nemu
what also makes Mayuri's Bankai so good is it fits his character perfectly, he hates perfection and guess what? His Bankai is a combined baby and caterpillar, both have yet to reach its perfect form.
It's a living fetus, proto-Nemu
@@metal87power I always wondered how he achieved Bankai using one of the first iterations of Nemu, so this is my theory. A bankai in the very early parts of bleach is said to be you bringing out your zanpakuto spirit and manifesting it into the real world, so i guess he would have done something similar to the Bankai training doll made by Urahara that we see Ichigo using to train, but using one of the early versions of Nemu instead?
@@WaituSnaiku honestly. He's a monster so something like that isn't our of the question. He also sees it as a tool that he can remodel at will.. so.. he seems like a special case.
It also reflets on that by being ever changing
His bankai hasn't reached it's perfected state so Mayuri is constantly working on it and it changes all the time because of that
I'm curious about his bankai baby aspect and his childish intellectual rivalry with kisuke and his need to prove or show he is the bigger scientist. I do believe there is a connection between the two
Gin's Bankai will always be my favorite. The duality of it being both obviously straightforward and simultaneously sneaky is a perfect representation of the character. When he first activates it and it immediately slices down the skyscrapers. The fact that it is called "God-Killing Spear". How it's ultimate technique is a poison like a snake, but is released as a form of dust, linking his true heart's desire to Rangiku. That's a bankai done to perfection.
Gin is overall the best character imo
@@jayhill2193same when i say how much i love his charector i get dissed but it h really does have the perfectly plotted out charector based around revenge against aizen
@@qurax1660 I know how you feel, been there too. Gin's the perfect Game of Thrones-type character, with a perfect facade that even Rangiku could never see through, yet deep down has the quality of a hero, avenging his beloved. His train of thought about what it means to be a snake stuck with me ever since.
I never watched Bleach but what you said sounded super random and for some reason not at all like some great deep connection lol.
@@stylishskater92without context it definitely doesn't make sense but if you read/watch it then it makes complete sense lol
Since manga is read right to left, the thumbnail says Kaiban and that's so funny.
you right
I was just thinking that XD
Right to left*
@@spark_197 Well, that's awkward. Gotta fix that.
It's only read from right to left vertically. Horizontally, it's from left to right.
It's not a coincidence JJK's Domain Expansions are so popular, they're basically bankais minus the sword.
Meanwhile Tosen's Bankai was a literal Domain Expansion
Kind of superficial, they're more like Reality Marbles.
@@TrevorDiamante defining the epitome of the power system and the height of the user's mastery over their ability, and only held by the most elite combatants in the verse at full realization.
But sure, the comparison is superficial.
The first time I saw Domain Expansion I said, oh that's a bankai.
I hope in the future a manga will have a power system like both
I love bankai as a power up because it can give you so much info about a character and their personality just off their power, ichigo is simple and straightforward just like him, senbonsakura is elegant and the activation tower over his enemies showing how he thinks about himself as a noble tower over normal people, Yamamoto’s contains his immense flames into a seemingly normal katana which reflecting how he looks like a old man hiding immense power, the list can go on and on but every bankai reflects the soul of the character and their for it’s not only a cool power up but also a narrative device, that’s why “The blade is me” is such an amazing story and power up
I said it above but ill say it again. Story can be told through fights. People crap on shonen cause its popular and to be fair yeah were too popular and a lot of shonen is just for money. But so are a lot of other series. The cream of the crop is what were seeing and if people think it's all trash then make something better. I bet this so called no plot armor, fast paced, deep, short, fun shonen people think that would work perfect would be way more boring. For example I'd argue ikaku's bankia is intellectual lol. It encompesses shonen to its core and what haters who say jjk or dbz or so on is just fighting no story don't get. Action films are still top money makers for a reason. To it's core action tells a story. His bankia reps his character, his goals to beat his captain but not kill him in that he slowly gets stronger to draw out the fight like fighting your friend in a fighter game when you know you will win. It's tons of character from him not wanting people to see it, to him not recognizing his failure by choosing honor over the position to protect at all cost. It's so much said and people trash on bleach cause it doesn't spoon feed this to you. I feel like jjk took this to the extreme and current meta is remove all exposition to the point hxh chimera ant would be without much dialogue so people just see everything as just fights no story. All the character acting and so on is lost. Yet people cry on the ground how peak it is that a character in live action said I love you for the 1900 time.
@@nichescenesagreed. Bleach specifically presents themes, dynamics and ideology conflicts through fights. Not to mention the power system overall (not only zanpakuto) somewhat reflects the user's soul or who they really are. And the massive amounts of symbolism but that's another story.
So what your saying is Renji's packing
@@therealmonke561 Yeah surface level hate for it over the years really ruined things. Especially videoes from people who really just wanna watch slice of life dramas and cry about fights in their action series. Slice of life drama is great too just saying. Stuff like the failure of bleach etc videoes complaining that the pacing is slow and too many meaningless fights when just about all the fights even if there not to everyone's liking or equally exciting, they all tell a story or idea and further the characterization with use of the power system along with world build.
Not many mangaka can tell subtle stories like Kubo did. He can write character development without actually having to spend a couple pages telling that story, but simply through how they act every time they show up, and through their fighting style/power/outfit. But it goes over the head of a lot of the newer watcher with low attention span, and it's kinda sad.
The best part about bankai to me is that you can see a character's soul bare through it.
Ichigo/Byakuya have effectively the same shikai/bankai just on a better level, that's because they're extremely straightforward people, the way they act, the way they are is exactly as how their day to day attitude is. As a result their bankai's the same.
With Bankai, for some characters it's completely different, Shunsui goes from kids games to an adult play, Soi Fon goes from an assassin to a rocket launcher. That's because there's a disconnect between the day to day attitude and how they truly are as people.
Soi Fon's tries to be a cold blooded assassin hence her shikai, but is extremely emotional/quick to anger, so her bankai's a rocket launcher so it blows up like her explosive temper.
Shunsui's got kids games because on the surface he looks very approachable and nice, while in reality he doesn't care if he has to play dirty, he plays to win. His bankai is extremely interesting. Effectively it's a bankai that can kill him which to me, hints at how a part of himself hates himself and how he may want to die to see the love of his life(nanao's mother) after his death.
The air turns gloomy around him(Jushiro's words), mostly cuz his zanpakuto's spirit, which is based, once again, on the love of his life appears, reminding him of her and the fact that she's in fact dead. The blade is based on her as she was the most important part of his life.
There is so much to gleam about those characters through their bankai and I wouldn't have it any other way. If a character goes bankai...their soul is bare for all to see, you can understand more about them as a result.
Hell let's take Ikkakku, the healing ointment is from his blade, that's because he enjoys fighting and want to keep it going. His Bankai goes further with that and powers up the more he fights. Is it simple? yes. Is it cool to figure out, yeah I'd say so.
Nice explaination ❤❤
@@HlumaniNkawana thanks :p
w comment
Love this Soi Fon take. Thanks for the great comment!
Ikkaku's ointment is a direct result of Kenpachi telling him that living to fight again IS winning. Kenpachi very literally changed Ikkaku's soul.
The voice actor of Jushiro Ukitake stated how much he actually wanted to shout out the legendary word „Bankai“.
To turn the tables in a battle, there’s nothing more chilling and epic as the pleasure to say BAN KAI
It might be the most satisfying word to hear in anime.
he'll get his chance in hell arc
@@bravodawg that's another 10 years
@@bravodawg NOOOOOOOO YOU SAIS THE FORBIDDEN NAME
Hope we get a bankai reveal for Ukitake at some point
Incredible video 😭🔥🔥🔥🔥
11:57 My favourite part about the moment that Ichigo's Bankai is revealed is Byakuya's reaction in how he denied Ichigo's claim that what he was wielding was the final state of his blade, he even said no Bankai can ever look that lonely and beautiful part about Byakuya's reaction and words used was that he was right. Ichigo has never used Bankai in his entire life up until he fights Yhwach. The Tensa Zangetsu pre fighting Yhwach was a false Bankai. Even during Ichigo's Bankai training when Keisuke uses that tool to force Ichigo's Zanpakto spirit we do not see White we see Old man Zangetsu who represents Ichigo's Quincy side, we didn't know this back then but it all makes sense now. We never actually see Ichigo obtained Tensa Zangetsu or getsuga tensho it's all off screen. Skip forward to where Byakuya's overwhelming Ichigo with his own Bankai and we get an interesting dialogue between White and Ichigo, he says that Ichigo is using it all wrong and says that his bones are quaking from his own reiatsu and proceeds to say let me show you how to use Bankai. Even when Ichigo desires to learn more about his Zanpakto abilities it's White who shows up and not old man Zangetsu. Which is why The Blade Is Me Arc is my favourite because Ichigo comes to the conclusion, realisation and acceptance of his inner world and who he really is, he's not just a substitute soul Reaper with hollow powers nor a Quincy fullbringer, he is all of that and much more, he is Kurosaki Ichigo the protector of the artificial world that is Bleach.
LET HIM COOK🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️. SHAKESPEARE IN THE FLESH
@@KaBaba-h2w shout out, thank you 🙏🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥
this writing is kinda fire
Mayuri's zanpakuto is basically a mockery of divine creation, He twisted the essence of divine creation to fit his needs. He created his own Frankenstein.
The best power-ups are structured and simple but follow universal rules.
Correction Frankenstein's monster
@@alexanderpalmarin7840 Yes, yes.
Bleach just generally has an extremely underrated power system imo. It's so multifaceted and layered, and allows for the ultimate form of character expression. You can learn everything there is to learn about a character just by observing what their powers are/how they use them. Top 3 power system if you ask me.
It's so underrated because it's a very very soft power system, and Bleach really has SEVERAL power systems that run parallel and interact with one another. Fans usually fawn over the hard power systems where you're told exactly what they do and how they work, like Nen, Cursed Energy, etc.
No, it has the potential to be multifaceted and layered. Tite Kubo had literally zero interest in writing anything - he just wanted to draw cool-looking stuff and put the minimum amount of effort required to make a story that strings the cool pictures together.
All that potential wasted
@@CrashSable 5/10 rage bait
Its rated poorly rated because of Reiatsu, it's simplifying it to the point where the focus is drawn away from the more interesting Zanpaktou powers.
While Ichigo might be the biggest issue here, his main strength just seems to be explained through Reiatsu.
There are some Bleach movies and filler arcs which are good because of this, they ignore most of the Reiatsu power scaling, to look at the zanpaktous
@@CrashSable what?
Kubo has a lot of cool and uniques Bankai, every Bankai represents the character so well. Bankai is iconic
The essence of bankai and how it's used is so badass, plus just saying it is awesome, too but maybe not as cool but still really dope to me is Djinn in Magi and how that's used
Friendly reminder for me to check out Magi lol
@ShonenOuji you got the memo xD 😆
@@ShonenOuji Magi is phenomenal, the world is so interesting.
A point you could also make for Mayuris bankai is the fact that it is a baby. Mayuri also represents progress to some degree as well just like a baby has infinite potential to develop in anyway possible. Mayuri doesn’t limit himself to just one possibility. Then there’s Nemuri and has multiple attempts at making her
I am surprised you didn't mention that Ichigo's clothes are part of his bankai which is unusual since having your blade become wrapped around your body is more of a arrancar thing showcasing Ichigo's hollow nature.
Doesn't rukia's bankai also have this feature ?
A very cool foreshadowing of the effect of his stolen fullbring power affecting xcution members
11:39 even today i can feel that scene.
After Ichigo take another Byakuya's bankai attack.
And Byakuya say, "You said you've reached Bankai"
Then Ichigo say yes, i don't know you much time i gonna need to say it to make you believe it Byakuya Kuchiki.
Doesn't mater because you gonna see it with your eyes.
Then a Flash of Reiatsu covers Ichigo and he say... the word.
BAN.... KAI.
And after the dust starts going down.
The scene changes to Ichigo with a dark clock and black Zangetsu in his hand.
And he says: Tensa Zangetsu.
I think what makes Bankai so legendary is that it's the most powerful and true expression of the user and the zanpakuto's self. Bankai is only achievable when a Soul Reaper comes to understand and communicate with the spirit of their zanpakuto. Bankai even get stronger (in the case of Renji, Ichigo, Byakuya etc.) as a Soul Reaper gets closer to understanding themselves and their zanpakuto. It's especially what makes Ichigo's journey in Bleach perfect after The Blade is Me; only after he learns the truth of his past, lets go of the guilt of his mother's death and comes to terms with his true zanpakuto does he achieve True Bankai. No power system will be the same as in Kubo's masterful creation.
How would you discribe kenpachis transformation?
@ I would describe it as fitting to his design. Zaraki is a man of combat; he craves nothing more than fighting strong opponents. His Bankai is simple, yet true to who he is as a Soul Reaper.
Mayuri is a socially awkward genius scientist. And since zanpaktou is literally a piece of shinigami soul, Mayuri experimented on himself. It's revealed he achieved Bankai through failed cloning experiments that eventually succeeded in Nemu's birth.
Wow finally some praise for ikkakus bankai definitely my favorite bankai transformation in the anime VA on steroids with that scene
That is why the arc where the zanpakto take humanoid form, I thought was good. We get to see more of them, and put a character and face to the spirits that shinigami speak throughout the series.
We see Hitsugaya speak with Hyorinmaru multiple times, but actually seeing him in form hits different.
I'd argue super sayain has a lot of depth and reveals quite a bit about goku. Showing his true sayain nature through his bloodlust for battle in that specific fight against freiza. That was only ever slightly seen in his fights previous to that.
when bankai gets used in the anime, the dust in your room shakes up, your hairs stand up in your neck and you know it's time for BUSINESS
Dont forget "number one" playing in the background
6:19 Not really, super saiyan is part of goku’s arc where he has to accept being saiyan to beat frieza to avenge his friends but he doesn’t want to be anything like the saiyans
Also it’s the first time we truly see Goku be consumed by rage and vengeance
@@ieatPS2memorycards to add onto this, to become a Super Sayian is also to embrace the true qualities of a Sayian, which is cruelty, ego, strength. A SSJ doesn't need to learn because they are already the strongest and it affects each character differently.
Goku let the hunter take him and allowed Freiza to destroy Namek, yet in the manga he retains enough clarity as a martial artist to bring himself back down and not enjoy himself too much. Lets him power up because Freiza never stood a chance. It's only really when Goku does his Full power SSJ training that he completely masters himself and is allowed to enjoy himself while keeping his clarity.
Vegeta and Gohan both get consumed by ego when they reach their state, in SSJ and SSJ2 respectively, feeling the need to torture and flex their strength which costs both of them dearly. Trunks meanwhile gets so much pride that he's incapable of seeing how unwieldy his strength is.
This angle largely gets ditched Buu forward, but for a good period of time SSJ wasn't a perfect power-up, but was an interesting way of Goku finally demonstrating what made him such a gifted martial artist, and teaching his son to be much better.
It's really unfortunate that with the later reveal that Bankai, once damaged, can never be repaired means that since Ikkaku's Bankai is broken into pieces in the same fight in which it is revealed that he cannot functionally use it ever again... Unless it is eventually revealed that his Bankai, like Komamura's, has a unique ability to repair itself.
Overall though, I think the most intersting aspect of Bankai is that fact that they can be so many different things. Some are just a stat buff and an outfit swap, some give them access to a new weapon, some give them a new special attack, some manipulate the elements, and some WARP REALITY.
Given that Ikkaku's in company with Mayuri, Ichigo, and Renji for "people whose bankai got broken" I think he has a chance. Ichigo and Renji both got their asauchi reforged to fix the blade at the foundations but their bankai also changed when they did this, since both got deeper understandings of themselves for/ during the process, and Mayuri seems to have fixed his broken bankai himself by experimenting on it to remodel it into the version we see in TYBW. In each case the bankai changes from what it was when broken, and we see with Yamamoto that the bankai can change/ grow given enough time, so hypothetically Ikkaku's bankai could become "fixed" if it were to fundamentally change in some way which would correspond to a change in Ikkaku. Ikkaku growing to drop his avoidance of his own bankai and being willing to incorporate it into his fighting more might in itself be a significant enough change for it to no longer be the same "slow start" bankai we saw.
Something that is related to Bankai is that in TYBW (anime) I was so happy that they canonized Shinji's Bankai from the light novels. The Vizards get shit on a lot by Kubo, but giving Shinji a Bankai that makes him a legitimate one man army is awesome. Totally underutilized. It would only be helpful during times of war, but sending Shinji in alone to infliltrate as a vanguard force into enemy lines, activate his Bankai, and then clean up the strongest with his Shikai would be an INSANELY useful power lol. I just wish that we got to see the Bankai of the Zero Squad that died, but I'll take what we get 🤷♂️🤣
I LOVE Ichigo's first bankai, so dope. Byakuya's face in that moment is perfect. He knows EXACTLY what's happening, but he literally can not believe it. It's a face that says "yo, what the FUCK" plastered on the most composed and controlled character in the series this far. Gold.
Amazing video
I would say while super saiyan is still pretty iconic, it lost its allure when every other saiyan learned it and have it be basically work the same way. with bankai even though every shinigami can learn it, how it works can differ for each individual. some just have it straightforward in being stronger than their shikai, some just widens the capabilities like toshiro and some give them a completely new effect like with tosen.
I think that's what a lot of modern Dragon Ball loses me on. It often slaps in forms for the sake of merch rather then any deeper intent, though at least the manga seemed more thoughtful about what mastery of the self could be. Like sure Ultra instinct was *interesting*, but there wasn't anything about it's development that felt like the prior arcs had built up to it
Then again, Full power SSJ Goku really is a fantastic moment of Goku reaching full maturity and mastery over himself, combining both SSJ and his nurturing instincts of all his prior masters. It spoke volumes at how Vegeta and Trunks just couldn't obtain this form because neither of them were martial artists or had found peace within themselves. Meanwhile, Goku had finally become the teacher of nurturing, helping his son master himself when his actions put him in danger? Like Grandpa Gohan before him, he put himself directly in the firing line with a smile.
I mean, he did miss the point of his son not liking fighting, but that is a character mistake that is totally in Goku's line of thinking. XD
9:22 thank you so much for using this picture because the sunglasses picture needs to get the fuck out of the way
No problem. That pic ugly as hell 💀💀
Strangely enough i've been looking at the similarities between Bleach and another franchise I love called Persona. They both have similarities and me and my friend had a convo last night about how similar they really are. I won't yap too much, but I believe Ichigo's hollow counterpart, White, is similar to facing your true self in Persona 4. They both take on similar roles and I find it fascinating that these two completely different series are so similar! Hell I might even make a video essay on it. Great video man!
Adachi is Aizen before he got smart
Ikaku’s bankai isn’t my favorite, but god the reveal was gorgeous, one of the best in the series.
And that flashback into his, Zaraki and Renji’s past was one of the best in the entire story, imo.
But you know what, my absolute favorite bankai is Mayuri, for the exact reasons you stated. I love the characters you picked
12:08- this is why I liked this version of the Bankai- it’s a visual middle finger to all of the bombastic and flashy Bankai we’ve seen thus far- being just a cool trench coat with a simple katana- modernized while keeping the feudal aesthetic while being refined.
This is why the true Bankai didn’t work- it’s just a big ornate sword that happens to look like his Bankai.
Hopefully, this is will fixedto have more impact like the new anime has so far been doing a phenomenal job in improving things
not gonna lie watching the anime with all its cool moments, fights and story's made me feel something I've never felt before in my life even though I've watched numerous anime's throughout my entire life that i cant even remember the number of (crazy to think its been 12 years since I've started watching anime) bleach just hits something deep with me that makes me so exited every time anything happens + the fits are fire.
(also Mr. shonen ouji, rukia's bankai is my favorite too just because of how god damn beautiful it is, my god.)
What makes Bankai so perfect is that is a narrative extension of the character, it can be simple like Ikkaku's or extremely complex and emotional like Kyoraku's, and during the Muramasa arc, you can tell that each sword has a spirit with a distinctive personality that complements with it's user, that reflects into the abilities.
It's more like a self discovery journey rather than simply a legendary weapon, reminds me a lot to Persona in that sense.
Senbonzakura Kageyoshi has the best presence. Nothing like two rows of giant swords spawning behind you then dissipating into millions of flower petals.
A close contender is Zakka no Tachi because of how it absorbed the flames and changed the weather instantly
Mayuri’s Bankai is more disturbing when you find out it was part of a failed experiment of him trying to make an artificial soul, which he succeeded when he created Nemu, so in a way, his Bankai is his child in a way.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Bankai was the inspiration for Domain Expansion in JJK.
The only thing that's given the same energy as Bankai isn't even really a power up, but from trading card shows. Like in Yugioh, especially the later ones, you have summoning chants for certain monsters that were always the mood setter for the scene and it applied to everyone. Future Card Buddyfight also has that same aura anytime somebody goes "Final Phase" and the animation used in DDD really added to it.
Gege revealed he was inspires by Tosen's bankai to make domain expansion i think.
3:07 once you said that; tite kubo really likes showing off characters by bending the air around the character. For example when the first time ichigo used his bankai, the smoke that came from the destruction made a spiral shape, just like tensa zangetsu's spiral handle protection/tsuba.
Massive props for using Casino Palace music in this.
I just loved rukias bankai in TYBW. It was so amazing, and then her brother saying "it's a wonderful bankai" made me so proud of her!
So, i personally think that not only the presence or "aura" makes a power up perfect, but also how unique they could be, in Bleach, All of the characters that have a Bankai have their unique way to show it, that imoact or even that satisfaction to see our curiosity being answered with this unique power up in a lot of just special ways that fits the character perfectly
12:09 ayo? No way you said that without laughing.
The real power up is the friends we made along the way 😉
Bankai is one of the most iconic power ups ever. Even just reading it gave you a sense of excitement.
Ichigo's Bankai and how it changes, and Bankai representing their characters as a whole, is what I love about Bleach. Ichigo's first Bankai compresses his strength and has no special attacks beyond his initial Getsuga Tenshou, which is from his Shikai. What makes it special is two-fold. While unconfirmed, it's theorized Old Man Zangetsu crafted the Bankai after the most prominent one that Yhwach had seen, the Zanka no Tachi's Higashi: Kyokujitsujin (compressing flames along the blade) to create a compressed Bankai. But thematically, Old Man Zangetsu states that he suppressed and hid away most of Ichigo's strength. And thus his Bankai is a reflection of Old Man Zangetsu's history and past. Because even the name is Zangetsu, meaning Slaying Moon. The Moon being the opposite of the Sun, the Sun representing the most prominent Shinigami in Yamamoto. And how Zangetsu hoped Ichigo would not tread down the path of a Shinigami.
GOD DO I NEED TO WATCH SOME AMV's AND BANKAI COMPILATIONS RIGHT NOW
The best thing about Bankai is Kubo said in a club outside Q&A that anyone with a Zanpakuto can train to be able to use it including Quincies or even Arrancar since they already have Zanpakutos
The zanpakutou is a reflection of one's soul, so the power up always has something to do with the Shinigami/user's personality. And the spike in power feels fair most of the time. Some Bankai are really simple and overpowered, like Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
2:42 The man, first I thought of
Domain Expansion has lead to some of the most hyped moments in recent anime/manga history and it’s literally because Gege had cool Bankai OC he wanted to draw lol.
Something really interesting about ikkaku's bankai and how he wants to hide it fits very well with squad 11 as a whole. Every member of note we have seen in squad 11 hides or restrains themselves from their true potential and power despite the "ideal" of squad 11 being just pure fighting potential with no restraint or hesitation
One of the cool thing I like about the zanpakuto system is that the difference between shikai and bankai is different for each person. Like Ikkaku is a very straightforward person and very honest in his depiction. So his bankai is just a greater iteration of that. Same thing with Byakuya. The core of his character doesn’t change (stoic, devoted, and cold as ice) just his framework and mindset change.
Tosen for example is a very obscure person with a lot of intrapersonal conflict. And the difference between his shikai (aoe rain of swords bc he can’t see lol) and his bankai (essentially a sensation deprivation tank, a sort of equalizing) are so different. His true self is different from his initial surface presentation.
Unohana is probably the best example of this tbh. Her bankai and true self is totally bonkers and much different than her shikai and the person she was presented as in most of the anime.
You could also argue that renji’s Bankai (both) also sorta fit this characterizing model.
Icigos bankai is my favorite personally since it is so basic but its name and what he represents is so perfect for the show chains that bind the heavens
First? Nah I'm last.
Haven't watched the vid yet but Ichigo having to accept all parts of himself (hollow, quincy, human, shinigami)to get his true bankai will forever be the Best written power up in all of anime for me.
That's heavy
Tensa Zangetsu went through two separate evolutions and it was amazing both times.
Not only did he accept he's every race, he understands and stops hating himself (Zangetsu) and accepts himself as he really is - not the killer he wrongfully thought he was, but a Protector, since he sees zangetsu always wanted to protect him. Or as Ichigo since ichigo means protector.
Thats why in the last episodes he fights to protect even against the man who killed his mother, because he simply is not a killer in soul and essence. Yhwach provoking him about that felt like fate testing ichigo's resolve and self-knowledge to me, or something similar.
The amazing thing about bleach powers is the fact that in it's core it's simple you have a base sword than a first release then a second and that's it. But there are so many ways to play with it because everyone's sword is different
The middle part of this video feels like just an appreciation letter to Mayuris character 😂
0:22 ok can we count domain expansion? Like it is 2 words but it has a similar effect
I guess so
We can. Gege who wrote jjk is a huge bleach fan and used bleach as part inspiration for jjk
I never got as hyped or invested in a fight or a character over their domain expansion yet though. From the very first Bankai ever in the series I literally stopped everything I was doing and the show had my full undivided attention. It still has that effect to this day and I don’t think any show will ever match that.
the closest thing i can think of to Bankai in other media, is "ultimate attacks" from jrpgs where you get these really cool cutscene attacks.
That first "Ban...Kai" from Ichigo was the most epic thing.
My favorite Anime 💪🏿💯 Slept on
I was just reading a Manhua, when the MC just screams BANKAI and just by that reference, I instantly got attached to series.
This is how iconic this single line is.
I agree with you. Bleach have the best anime power-up. Because each Bankai (and Bankai equivilents like THe résurrection form or Chad's Final forms) is unique to that character, and you never know what to expect when they say it the 1st time.
Ikkaku's Bankai was so badass, even his opponent had to admit how cool it was lol
can you make a video analysis on rukia from bleach
Rukia's my favorite character and I've always wanted to. Just a matter of finding good timing.
With the retcon Kubo made in Part 2, Ikkaku's bankai becomes a very dangerous gambit.
He writes characters worth seeing, then draws their souls as weapons and has them fight with them as 'bankai'.
They completely color the scene with their unique style and soul when they release them.
You are onto something because just the word Ban-Kai sets the tone for what is about to happen. When you hear SSJ you expect the power up and fight. When the word Bankai is uttered your brain is expecting the whole tide of the battle to change and a grand spectacle to take place that overtakes the stage. SSJ1-UltraInstinct is just strong fighting with no screen clearing power.
To date, Zanpakuto remain my favorite power system of all time. The personalization of them to each individual character is simply unmatched in fiction.
I think it speaks volumes that while I've stopped watching Bleach (those filler arcs filtered me out hard), only a short while ago, I went back to watch Ichigo using Bankai for the first time.
What makes a great bankai is just if it makes you think/say "'that's so cool..."
I want to make sure to mention that even the way the characters say Ban-Kai is unique to each of them. The loud BAN-KAI by Ikaku, to the restrained bankai... by Byakuya, everyone says it with their own personality.
i'm back to say Kubo actually did it 3 fucking times. Soul Reaper Zanpakuto release, Arrancar Resurreccion, and Quincy Vollstandig.
Astonishing
A lot of bankais are absolute fire. That being said, I can't help but feel that some other power ups do get close. I'm actually especially found of Jusutsu Kaisen's Domain expansions. A lot of them are, in fact, incredible in exactly the same ways as bankais : They tell something about the characters and nature of their powers.
And you’ll never guess where Gege got the inspiration for that from. It’s really telling how such a simple concept (your weapon is an extension of YOU) can get played with so easily that other people see it and go “nah that’s sick. Imma do that too”
bro saying BAN KAI in like a fight is cold 🥶🥶
Interesting choices, I kinda expecred you to throw our Aizen's original bankai. Shit was so iconic when they think theyre getting him and Ichigo goes WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING and they're jumping tf out of momo instead 😂 and then he just oneshots them all with raw strength, he didnt even need to do that
I cannot remember what video it was, but I watched a short video essay theorizing why Ichigo only really uses Getsuga Tensho as part of his Zanpakuto powers. The explanation basically boils down to:
Almost all of the characters who can use Bankai, have achieved it over a number of centuries. Whereas Ichigo is 16-17 when he GETS his powers and over the course of (2-3 years I guess? Hard to tell) the story, speedruns a lot of the meditative process, emotional/spiritual growth, and training that other Shinigami undergo. Additionally, his various abilities were constantly competing with each other to limit/control his other abilities, limiting his powers. The Gotei 13 Captains have other techniques at their disposal because they had the time to develop them, specifically developing the bond with their Zanpakuto Spirits (see Hyorinmaru, Katen Kyoketsu, Ryujin Jaka and associated Bankai)
I wouldn't call this the absolute reason, but I think it is my favorite "in-universe" reasoning for why Ichigo only uses Getsuga
i accidentally clicked on one fucking Bleach Video and now i get recommended this rabbit hole...
What I love about Bankai is that they fit PER character, they're not JUST a power up that a select few (all the important) characters get, but they're doubling down on their personality.
Ikaku's power up is brute force
Byakuya is his shikai on crack
Ryukia is beauty incarnate but at a cost
Ichigo's is straight forward like his personality
Tosen's is mysterious
They're similar to HxH's abilities in a way where a character doubles down on who they are
Commenting before finishing but one thing that always made Bankai stand out is that they were rarely if ever just a base power boost with a minor visual difference like in other shonen.
Bankai can be and do almost anything similar to Stands in JJBA and most of them have hard set limitations plus they always play into the characters personality.
I love the theory that Shikai is who you appear to be on the surface and Bankai is who you are inside. Soi fon shikai (small dagger that kills in 2 touch) is the perfect assassin tool. She appears to be the perfect assassin. But her bankai (a big missile) is who she really is. Loud, passionate.
In middle school, I used to scream bankai when serving a volleyball. Good times.
Ikkaku should have had the first example of bankia. The transformation scene was so powerful it would have been perfect for the first one.
Goku's first transformation on namek. narratively it's beautifully done, goku accepting his Saiyan heritage, losing his friend but still holding to his sense of justice and humanity. Avenging the namekians, protecting his family but still giving freiza a bit of power to save himself before the planet explodes. It's not as intimate as what a bankai represents but it was still well expressed.
after watching and reading all of bleach ikkaku's bankai is still my favorite
While I agree that bankai are incredibly cool, I think you missed some elements that make them as god as they are.
The first is how they basically redesign the character by changing the look of their weapon, often the most distinctive part of their outfit in a manga where everyone is dressed the same. This helps increase the impact of Kubo's great paneling.
The second is that bankais add mechanics to the fights. Bleach's fights are, at their core, sword fights. There isn't much to be commented on besides who is the fastest or strongest and that doesn't leave much room for strategy. This can look cool, but it gets boring fast. Unlike many other transformations which are just generic power ups, bankais only give one specific ability that often comes with limitation and weaknesses. This makes them either a problem to be solved or a solution to a potential issue that needs to be used correctly. Either way, they help make the fight more interesting beside looking cool and upping the ante. In that respect, the closest comparison would be HxH hatsu abilities, but with more style.
I think these two reasons combined are why they are so good. And while my favorite transformation comes from Mahou Sensei Negima, bankais are indeed probably the best as a system.
Bankais are really cool honestly but i still cannot put it over the power ups in DB and Tokyo ghoul
on your first point; bankai doesn't hold a candle to the response you can prompt with HENSHIN!
Dig the FZeroGX music tho, nice cut.
I get chills anytime they say bankai.
I never was entertained by Mayuri. He was pulling things out of his ass that perfectly fit for a battle.
it takes 10 years to master bankai
Ichigo: bankai
Everyonelse:" aight lets do this ban kai"
Kempachi: im strong enough but im just gonna cut a meteor in half for funsies
Achieve and master are two different things. Also now we know that wasn't true bankai.
Unohana's Bankai is a horror a movie. Well what i like about power ups is most of the time the drastical change of appearence (Naruto to 4 tail kyubi mode, Luffy G5, Gon to Adult Gon, Asta to Union form etc...) and i think in my opinion it is a simple but effective way to portray a character power up. In Bleach it is more the background, the story of a character that makes Bankai an interesting form of power up. It is quite similar to Jujutsu Kaisen, the beliefs and the will of someone become reality.
And there's also HoTS Ichigo, who got turned into a rug 3 times after he got the power up.
Story keep telling us that bankai is most powerful power up and when they deliver it we excited
Ikakkus bankai is a perfect reflection of his overall character
Magi transformations is quite good too
All I'm do is end this debate by saying two simple words " Ryoiki Tenkai"
Bankai is much better domains are inspired from them
Domains are cool, but they lost the effect they had in the beginning. Meanwhile when someone pops Bankai it doesn’t matter who it is (except maybe mayuri) it goes crazy
I rate Bankai a Ban out of Kai. 😎👌
This actually made me laugh out loud. 10/10.
I'd argue ikaku's bankia is intellectual lol. It encompesses shonen to its core and what haters who say jjk or dbz or so on is just fighting no story don't get. Action films are still top money makers for a reason. To it's core action tells a story. His bankia reps his character, his goals to beat his captain but not kill him in that he slowly gets stronger to draw out the fight like fighting your friend in a fighter game when you know you will win. It's tons of character from him not wanting people to see it, to him not recognizing his failure by choosing honor over the position to protect at all cost. It's so much said and people trash on bleach cause it doesn't spoon feed this to you. I feel like jjk took this to the extreme and current meta is remove all exposition to the point hxh chimera ant would be without much dialogue so people just see everything as just fights no story. All the character acting and so on is lost. Yet people cry on the ground how peak it is that a character in live action said I love you for the 1900 time.
I still remember the first time i heard ichigo say BAN KAI