The Thousand-Year Blood War arc in Bleach has been a rollercoaster of intense battles and breathtaking displays of power, and Cour 3 has taken it to another level. Central to the series are the Zanpakuto, the soul-reaping swords of the Soul Reapers. These weapons are not mere blades, they are extensions of their wielders’ souls, possessing unique abilities that make each fight a mesmerizing spectacle. This ranking will delve into the top 10 Zanpakuto performances seen in Bleach: TYBW Cour 3, considering factors like impact, visual flair, and the significance of their powers in the ongoing conflict.
1. Retsu Unohana’s Minazuki
Retsu Unohana, the former Kenpachi, demonstrates the true terror of her Zanpakuto, Minazuki, in the most brutal and awe-inspiring way during her battle with Kenpachi Zaraki. Before the battle, her Zanpakuto had been known for its healing capabilities, manifesting as a giant manta ray that can swallow and heal people within its stomach. However, against Zaraki, Unohana reveals Minazuki’s true nature – a blade of pure, brutal combat power that matches Zaraki’s own ferocity.
Unleashing the True Potential
Unohana’s swordsmanship, coupled with her vast knowledge of healing, becomes a terrifying dance of death and rebirth. She repeatedly wounds and heals Zaraki, forcing him to break his limits and become stronger as the battle unfolds. This constant cycle of death and regeneration showcases Minazuki not just as a healing tool, but as an instrument that pushes its wielder, and their opponent, beyond their limits. This display elevates Minazuki to the top spot, because of its immense impact on the evolution of a key character, not to mention its surprising dual nature, and visually striking battle choreography.
2. Kenpachi Zaraki’s Nozarashi
Kenpachi Zaraki’s Nozarashi is a Zanpakuto that embodies the raw strength and brutal power of its wielder. The reveal of Nozarashi’s Shikai during the fight with Gremmy Thoumeaux was one of the highlights of the arc. The power of Nozarashi lies in its ability to cut through anything, without any regard for defense or durability, showcased when Kenpachi cleaves Gremmy’s meteor with ease.
Sheer Power of Destruction
In the fight against Gremmy, Nozarashi shows its destructive capabilities by slicing through reality-bending constructs. The visual of Kenpachi unleashing the full force of Nozarashi and utterly demolishing Gremmy’s creations solidified its reputation as a top Zanpakuto. The sheer, unbridled power and its ability to overcome any obstacle make Nozarashi a force to be reckoned with.
3. Byakuya Kuchiki’s Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
Byakuya Kuchiki’s Zanpakuto, Senbonzakura, is a long time fan favorite, and in the TYBW arc it displays the most creative and deadly applications of its Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. The Bankai has always been a visual marvel, dispersing into millions of tiny blades which are manipulated to attack, defend and engulf enemies in a storm of cherry blossoms.
Enhanced Versatility
The enhanced control and versatility of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi are on full display in Cour 3, during Byakuya’s fights against the Sternritter. Byakuya demonstrates new formations and applications that have further cemented its position as one of the most elegant and powerful Zanpakuto. The combination of aesthetic beauty with deadly precision makes Senbonzakura Kageyoshi a true standout. The strategic adaptability and improved speed are particularly noteworthy, showing Byakuya’s mastery over his Zanpakuto.
4. Toshiro Hitsugaya’s Daiguren Hyorinmaru
Toshiro Hitsugaya’s Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru, is an ice-type Zanpakuto that manipulates ice and water. The Bankai, Daiguren Hyorinmaru, transforms Toshiro into a dragon-like ice warrior, amplifying his offensive and defensive capabilities. Throughout the Thousand-Year Blood War, Toshiro has continued to evolve.
The Perfected Bankai
His battle against Bazz-B and later, the newly introduced power of the Sternritter, showcases the full extent of Daiguren Hyorinmaru’s abilities. He’s able to use his ice to trap, attack, and create powerful defensive barriers. The visual of Toshiro using his Bankai is a consistent source of spectacle, combining artistic design with terrifying power, and this cour does not disappoint. His final form, as an adult, with the perfect bankai is a sight to behold and his powers are able to go head to head with some of the strongest characters we’ve seen in the series.
5. Rukia Kuchiki’s Hakka no Togame
Rukia Kuchiki’s Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki has always been one of the most beautiful blades. She pushes her powers to the absolute limit in the latest arc, fully realizing its potential and achieving its Bankai, Hakka no Togame. The Bankai completely freezes the area around Rukia, turning her into an ice goddess, and allowing her to freeze her enemies from the inside out.
An Absolute Zero Bankai
The absolute zero freezing power of Hakka no Togame is on full display. The impact is both visually striking and devastatingly effective, and it immediately makes Rukia one of the most powerful characters. Her control over ice has improved to the point where she can now freeze not only the bodies, but also the very souls of her enemies. The combination of her newfound power and the beauty of her Bankai make Hakka no Togame a standout in this arc.
6. Shunsui Kyoraku’s Katen Kyokotsu
Shunsui Kyoraku’s Zanpakuto, Katen Kyokotsu, is a unique Zanpakuto with two personalities, representing its dual nature of life and death. The Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu Karamatsu Shinju, manifests the concepts of theatrical tragedy, and forcing enemies into playing a role in his plays, that will ultimately result in their death.
Theatrical Death
The Bankai stages theatrical sequences of deadly scenarios, which the enemy must participate in. The visuals of Katen Kyokotsu’s powers are haunting and mesmerizing, and its impact on the opponents is significant. Kyoraku’s strategic deployment of his Bankai shows his creative prowess and the flexibility of the Zanpakuto, and makes it an absolute top contender.
7. Renji Abarai’s Soo Zabimaru
Renji Abarai’s Zanpakuto, Zabimaru, always had an unconventional design and powerset, and the Thousand-Year Blood War arc sees Renji finally achieving a true understanding of his Zanpakuto and unveiling its Bankai, Soo Zabimaru. This Bankai manifests as a skeletal snake, with a multitude of fangs and a devastating roar.
A Fully Realized Power
The full potential of Soo Zabimaru is showcased, revealing its destructive capabilities and Renji’s enhanced control. The combination of his raw power and the newly realized abilities of Soo Zabimaru makes him a force to be reckoned with. The visual of the gigantic snake with the power to destroy everything in its path, is one of the most impactful scenes in this arc.
8. Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo
Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Zanpakuto, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, is a grotesque and deadly creation that reflects its user’s twisted scientific genius. The Bankai manifests as a giant caterpillar-like creature that secretes a deadly poison. Mayuri has enhanced it multiple times, and the most recent version is the most terrifying.
Evolving Toxicity
The evolution of Mayuri’s Bankai is truly showcased in Cour 3, as its toxic powers are amplified, and modified with different deadly effects that prove to be fatal for many sternritters. The grotesque appearance of Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo and the horrific methods of how it kills are a reflection of Mayuri’s personality, making it a standout. The way Mayuri uses his scientific knowledge to amplify the deadly nature of his Zanpakuto demonstrates his mastery over his weapon.
9. Ikkaku Madarame’s Hozukimaru
Ikkaku Madarame’s Zanpakuto, Hozukimaru, is a simple, yet effective melee-type Zanpakuto. In the latest arc, Ikkaku finally achieves his bankai, Ryumon Hozukimaru, which manifests as a three-sectioned staff.
Finally Achieving Bankai
The power and versatility of the staff is showcased, proving that Ikkaku is an incredible fighter, capable of going head-to-head with powerful opponents. The raw power and simple, yet effective design of Ryumon Hozukimaru make it a unique and impactful addition to the Zanpakuto arsenal in Bleach. The design is a perfect mirror of Ikkaku’s straightforward and battle-hungry personality.
10. Soi Fon’s Suzumebachi
Soi Fon’s Zanpakuto, Suzumebachi, is a deadly assassin’s blade, with the ability to kill any opponent with just two strikes on the same spot. Her Bankai, Jakuho Raikoben, is a powerful missile launcher, showcasing a different side of Soi Fon’s fighting style.
Deadly Precision
The precision strikes of Suzumebachi and the explosive power of Jakuho Raikoben are highlighted as she takes on multiple opponents. Soi Fon’s deadly efficiency with her Zanpakuto, combined with its unique set of abilities, makes it a noteworthy weapon. The contrast between the close-quarters assassination style of the Shikai and the long-range artillery style of the Bankai is always a fascinating spectacle.
These Zanpakuto from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Cour 3 represent the pinnacle of the series’ creativity and action. Each Zanpakuto’s unique powers and the strategic deployment by its wielder has made the battles of this arc incredibly memorable, and further cemented the weapons’ importance in the Bleach universe.
