Knowing what we do about her, what's going on with Yachiru's Shikai, Sanpo Kenju? Are there any 'real' Shikai remotely similar to this? Let me know your thoughts, as well as your answers to the questions I've posed towards the end of the video - thanks everyone!
The closest to Yachiru’s Shikai is Komamura’s own. Which… interestingly enough, both Yachiru and Komamura aren’t technically humans, but possess Zanpakuto that mimic their movements. I don’t think there’s a connection tho.
Yachiru's Shikai is NOT a Shikai. It's simply the zanpakuto showing it's abilities. It's obvious but I don't know why people missed this: The first creature has a blade resembling zaraki's Shikai and the second one looks like an Oni similar to Zaraki's Bankai. That's just what it is.
What about Azashiro, the 8th Kenpachi? His sword was always in Bankai and as a result also had a woman zanpakto spirit, Uro, that had a will/power of its own. He is the most comparable to Zaraki, no?
Tommo have you stoped to analize that Yachiru stated she "released to much of kenpachi power" and not her power, meaning in the end the zampakuto spirits have no power the powr is from the shinigame and the spirits only exist to help the shinigame tonregulate it so them does not hurt/kill themself using their own power? This also explaying why to have acces to bankai an shinigame need to "convense" the zampakutonspirit they are read tonuse 100% of their own power.
@@NEONlights-lb8umI agree, I also noticed that the Skeleton is reminiscent of Kenpachi's Aura, when he removes his eye patch. The other one is Yellow and has no defining features, which reminds me of the color of Kenpachi's Aura.
My favorite part of the Yachiru reveal is that it means Kenpachi has technically been the President of the Shinigami Women's Association this whole time.
i think the novels mention that Zanpakuto spirits can communicate with each other without the wielders knowledge. i like the idea that she's calling on the spirits of other zanpakuto.
There where hints on what shes is from the very begining, if you remember when she jumped on Ichigos shoulder he was shocked because as he said something was wrong with her. Then when young Kenpachi asks her whats her name is she touched his sword like shes saying "Im your Blade".
I wouldn’t be surprised if Yachiru really wanted to, she could make her own Zanpakto turn “bankai” as well. Though I think it’s all in all her having fun to lead others on.
Given how the two beings mimic Yachiru's movements, it should stand to reason that they may be one being that have been separated, and parts of Kenpachi's bankai ability. After all Kenpachi hasn't fully mastered bankai at this point, and Yachiru could represent one part of the ability that Kenpazhi can use while the other two are other abilities that he has yet to reach or realize.
Wouldn't fit his character. Sanpo Kenju is just the manifestation of Kenpachi's desire to cut his opponent. "It doesn't matter what ya throw at me, there's nothin' I can't cut." Right after cutting Gremmy's Meteor in 2. Yachiru (His Bankai) is literally stating "Whether you dodge or not I WILL cut you."
@@User5hdbh That's literally what bleach is about. The creator of the series said that Yachiru is his bankai spirit. Kenpachi's personality is brute force, he's the captain of squad 11; the squad known for their disdain of flashy special effect zanpakuto and brute force tactics. Having a zanpakuto with a special ability would not be in his wheelhouse so his special ability is just to "Cut" anything he puts his sword to cut. Quite literally "I WILL cut you." Spoken by Yachiru, and "There's NOTHING I can't cut." Are effectively equal statements in this regard. The Sword Is Me. Is a major chapter involving ichigo realizing just that, the sword is him. Yachiru, Kenpachis physically manifested sword, is basically the same in this instance. If a character sword represents who they are as a person then his Bankai literally telling you "I WILL cut you." Is all you need to know. Kenpachis not that deep fam. He's the friend that's gonna punch all your problems in the face before any other solution comes to mind.
I said the same thing. I was actually disappointed we didn’t get to see specific shikai abilities with kenpachi but it’s because he’s just learning. I expect to see new unique abilities in the hell arc.
Well something to remember is Kubo's quote that naming her Yachiru gave her Shinigami powers. So already the idea that she is named different and has different powers because of that means that it's not necessarily true that her spilling her soul into an Asauchi would just make Nozarashi again. It seems way more likely with Kubo stressing she has Shinigami powers because of how she was named, that her sword is an Asauchi she was given, and that she has poured her soul into it being why it doesn't look basic, and just has a Shikai (because despite no command, it does have a name) from her power that is different because she is falsely named herself, but it's so odd to Kasane because it still is a weird source of power. It could literally just be odd because of it's origins but still be a Shikai.
Names are technically everything in Bleach, Yumichika intentionally uses a false name to hide his sword’s true ability. So a spirit being referred to by a name not its own could then manifest different powers, or perhaps a portion of its true capability
@@nineteenct Yeah exactly, names are everything, and not just any false name = less power but those names mean things too. Like, so referring to a spirit as a Shinigami's name which Kubo said is what allowed her to exist and do Shinigami things, it just doesn't make sense that she'd then have fake not actual Shinigami powers and has this special sword - no it just makes far more sense that because names are everything and she was named as a Shinigami, that all her stuff is legit. And as such it just makes more sense that it is a real Asauchi, it's just weird because the source is weird but it's no less a real Shikai and Zanpakuto. I mean hell, the fact that she can willingly and knowingly grant Kenpachi Bankai, BECOME his Bankai, it'd stand more to reason that she can call her Shikai without a command like any Shinigami who knows Bankai. And not that it's some weird not-zanpakuto or not-shikai like is being suggested in the video.
If you go back and watch the episode where Yachiru remembers her first encounter with Kenpachi, you'll notice she seems brighter then the others, as if she's glowing. Now this could just be due to it being her memory, so she's highlighed more, and the Anime might just have added that for effect. But it might also be a bit of clever foreshadowing.
I still remember my jaw dropping when it came out she was actually Kens sword spirit! Absolutely amazingly done and makes their relationship just that much better!
Personally watching Bleach, I've always felt that acquiring more power through shikai/bankai requires the user of self-reflection and virtues. Knowing who you are basically. This can be felt very closely with Ichigo (Renji, Rukia and to an extent with Orihime and Chad) throughout the series, Rukia giving him his shinigami powers, learning the name of his sword, hollowfication, learning he's half and half quincy, every step he learns something new about himself, self-reflects, grows and gains more power to protect his friends. Kenpachi Zaraki to me always felt the other way around. His nature deprived him of self-reflection or virtuous behaviour. In his earlier appearances in the series he laughed at the notion of a sword being a companion which he noted as a mere tool. This is highly ironic as essentially Zaraki's spirit manifested as someone who wanted to get to know him, not the other way around which usually happens in the show. For what comes to Yachiru being the vice-captain. I'm pretty sure Zaraki promoted her as one without her ever needing to do anything. Disclaimer: Had an earlier thought about Yachiru's manifestation was due to the fact that Zaraki stole his asauchi, therefore couldn't "wield" his own spirit on it. This was indeed debunked as Zaraki released shikai. If Yachiru is indeed Zaraki's bankai. Then by process of elimination, Yachiru's sword should in fact be Zaraki's sword(?).
Commenting as I'm watching this when the video released so we might have similar thoughts, but since Yachiru is a portion of Kenpachi's soul, I'm guessing that Sanpo Kenju is a technique of his bankai that he can't quite access yet. The beyond bankai form of Kenpachi in Brave Souls, while of course not canon, gives a little bit of credence to that thought process.
when Kenpachi goes bankai and slashes Gerard's face, followed by taking off his shield and arm, or even slicing him in half his sword never actually touched Gerard's body, it is Sanpo Kenju. I think it is impossible to dodge Kenpachi's attacks once his sword is swung in the direction of the opponent, be it far or near. I am comparing it to Lille's X-axis. To think of it ..maybe his sword cut through time as well.
My hypothesis of Yachiru has been that she was the manifestation of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Not pushed out consciously, subconsciously, nor unconsciously, but rather by the will of the zanpaktou itself, realizing that Kenpachi never had a friend, and decided to become his friend. We certainly know he took his zanpaktou from a dead shinigami, but we don't know how, if at all, that zanpaktou was influenced prior to Kenpachi acquiring it; let alone whom that shinigami was or their experience level. We also have to consider that Kenpachi just learned his shikai and bankai, and as noted through the series, there's a difference between a bankai and true bankai, as well as bankai mastery. To further illustrate the hypothesis that the zanpaktou recognized Kenpachi needed a friend, when we consider Kenpachi isn't exactly academic, neither is Yachiru. Neither of them care about how something looks or works, but what it does or means to them. They don't want complicated instructions, or long sentences. Additionally, they don't like it when Kenpachi is interrupted while fighting. They are both childish in nature, and argue with each other like children. In regards to Boney and Lumpy - if for some reason this hypothesis can continue to hold water (because I'm high) - is that Kenpachi has so much Reiatsu that his Zanpaktou (Yachiru) can't take it all at once, however she is the reflection of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Unlike Kenpachi, Yachiru's imagination is a part of Kenpachi's soul, and the excess Reiatsu she takes in from Kenpachi is whim to feeding her Zanpaktou, which as a zanpaktou spirit her Zanpaktou spirit is the truest spirit of Kenpachi, the child that never was. Damn I'm high, great video, would smoke this video again and watch my joint some more. 10/10 mafk.
It is quite interesting that Yachiru's power seemed to manifest as something similar to Unohana's Shikai. That being to summon a living creature. Which plays into the idea that names have direct influence over powers and the very nature of things with Bleach. Kenpachi being so influenced by Unohana that even his soul's powers were molded into something inspired by her, is a fascinating idea. I suspect we will get to see more of Kenny and his new powerset in the Hell arc!
I’m glad you’re doing this topic because it’s such an awesome, unique, yet underrated Shikai ability and I wish Kubo saved it for another character who’s Shikai we have not seen yet but still exists in the story. How do you fight against 3 sword strikes coming at you in succession, especially when two of them are coming at you virtually unseen?
I'm just chuffed that my first impressions of this pair was right. Right from that first fight all those years ago, then solidified with the Stark/Lilinette reveal, now finally borne out 😊
So i love your takes and I'm just gonna say, the best comparison to Kenpachi and Yachiru's relationship is Starkk and Lillynette because if you notice, Lillynette also had a Zanpakuto of her own that had it's own shape/style... therefore, I'd say it's possible for Yachiru to have an Asauchi and have a portion of her soul poured into it so it takes after her. I would also like to believe that Bony and Lumpy are in fact portions of Zaraki's soul as well as whenever his eye-patch is taken off, there's usually an ominous figure behind him which bears a striking resemblance to bony
At 9:50, Coyote Starrk should also be counted, and that (for a lack of a better term) power filtering system along with kenpachi. because if you think back to the other part of his power/him, himself was his gun along with the poor girl that kicked the bucket alongside of him when starrk got taken out
i think ichigo's zanpakto for all of bleach up to this arc is your best help in understanding yachiru and her shikai. As we learn in this arc. Ichigo has never actual had a zanpakto. He manifested both his shikai and bankai blades from his own power. Another thing we have learned about zanpakto spirits is that they are indeed formed even before the shinigami are able to learn their names and use their powers. This has been explained by and demonstrated with several different characters. So I would say that by the time Unohana comes across Zaraki, he has already embued his ausachi with his power to the point of creating his zanpakto's spirit. Then by the time he creates Yachiru he is capable of bankai had he been able to communicate with his sword in the proper way. However, with his power so strong and his reliance on himself, he instead subconsciously created yachiru in his attempt to contact his zanpakto's spirit.
The other thing this video made me think about is Unohana’s zanpakuto, specifically her shikai before the persona change. Interesting how it so perfectly matches a peaceful medic but curious how it was used a thousand years ago…
I think her "shikai" represents the aspects of Zaraki's blade. Boney being the part Zaraki the part of his blade which he unlocked when fighting Unohana. And lumpy his latent power in bankai that he can't control yet which is represented by it being hidden under all that Fur. Boney represents the deadly rage zaraki has, and lumpy the mass of power yet to be fully revealed. And then Yachiru is the literal embodiment of the zanpakto itself which controls them both because she is both. Which is why the mimic her exactly. Also a bit of a stretch. But they may split into 3 thanks to Zaraki with his ability to split himself to lock away his power that Unohana unlocked. Perhaps like a reaper and inherit the powers of it's zanpakto certain things like that can be learned and replicated by the zanpakto.
About Yachiru Kubo have alread explained her deal using Oetsu, Oetsu stated that for one to become an shinigame it needs an Asauchi and after some time using it part of the soul of the Asauchi owner imprinte in the Asauchi and it become an Zampakuto, so Yes Yachiru as a Shinigame and Yes that is as Her zampakuto, thinking about it her Shikai is the ability to cut (and whe know her is the personification of Kenpachinbattle sperit that is "to Cut")
I think it's a little more simple than you've proposed here: a Zapakuto spirit is that Zanpakuto and has their powers. Any ability that Yachiru has should be an ability attainable by Nozarashi or it's unnamed bankai state. I think her actual sword is just that, an ordinary sword, or perhaps (as she's a manifested banaki) a sealed state that she puts her blade into that she chooses it to be the pink katana because she feels it suits her. Kenny's zanpakuto ability seems to give him power over cutting and the aesthetics of the blade seem to be that of Oni and Sanpo Kenju is very much an ability in that vein.
Personally, I think there is more to all this. I have to start by reminding everyone that Zaraki as a child had very few memories. He only knew that he was always alone, enjoyed fighting above all else, and enjoyed being around other strong fighters. Essentially a monster that likes to be around other monsters. He also believes deeply, profoundly that there is nothing he can't cut and that he will cut down anything in front of him. As Yachiru is Zaraki's Zanpakuto Spirit, it would make sense that her abilities should also be Zaraki's. Also, on their first meeting he named her Yachiru which could have inhibited her abilities as a zanpakuto and her ability to communicate her true name or abilities to him. He also stated, "Yachiru is the name of the person I most admire. This could translate to: once she is gone, so is your new name Yachiru. Which could explain why he could hear the call of his zanpakuto after Unohana's death. I noticed a few more things. Firstly, both his and Yachiru's aura's when upset take on the appearance/presence of a long, slender, skull. Not unlike that of Boney, the hollow-like apparition. The other apparition is called Lumpy, brown hairy beast. The ability "Sanpo Kenju" translates to "Three Step Sword Beast". Secondly, I noticed that Nozarashi, after using the command Drink, has a cap at the top that resembles the color of Lumpy and has a tuft of fibers at the end that match Boney's hair. The both the shikai and bankai resemble Lumpy's blade. This is relevant for a few reasons. I think Sanpo Kenju is not the name of Yachiru's zanpakuto, but rather a command that changes the form of the blade and the attack pattern. I believe when he first reveals his Shikai and call's Drink Nozarashi it changed into a combined form of all 3 blades. As stated at the beginning, he is a Monster that likes being around other Monsters. I believe his shikai is jagged and thin to demonstrate it's loneliness, Sanpo Kenju allows for more monsters as apparitions to cut along with him, Drink combined the blades into a singular large blade with monstrous attack potency, and his bankai looks like Lumpy's blade but broken and his appearance looks like an angry Boney attacking in a blind rage and as he attacked Gerard Valkarie everything in front of his blade POST-SWING was cut to devastating effect. I believe this is the untold truth to Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakuto.
Kubo made these loose ends connect really cleverly, he labeled the original kenpachi as unohara a healer to have this dramatic twist. While also giving full rank/ title to zarkai. Yachiru name was given back to unohara. What coincidence is that zarkari’s lieutenant is also Yachiru? The lieutenant controls Two spirits to represent both the original Yachiru and zaraki. Zaraki could not be a kenpachi until Yachiru dies and he gets his full name himself as well as his sword’s name.
Since she’s of him this means he has her abilities as his bankai. This means if anyone that tries to dogde Kenny’s attack,they won’t due to its ability.
If I recall correctly, Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho was thought to him by White. It was a long time since I've seen this scene so a confirmation would be in order. If it is true though, then Sanpo Kenju might be Zaraki's version of that. An ability that his Zanpakuto spirit knows of and can use at will, but he himself is just not aware of. In other words, Sanpo Kenju is just an ability of Nozarashi in the same way that Getsuga Tensho is an ability of Zangetsu.
Part of learning bankai is summoning and confronting your zanpakuto spirit, in order to earn it's blessing and respect. I think when kenpachi poured his spirit into his zanpakuto, it was too much. Because of his insane power, the zanpakuto couldn't contain it and manifested it's bankai spirit physically. Instead of building up his sword's power and then training to summon it's spirit, I think he picked it up, overcharged it instantly which summoned a premature bankai spirit, and steadily let it feed off his excess power to remain in physical form and have a friend. Since zaraki has always had natural talent and trained his brute strength, his understanding and mastery of his zanpakuto remained juvenile, like yachiru. As he learns to listen to his sword and learn it's power, I think we will see yachiru mature into the woman known as nozarashi. If we're lucky, it will be added into TYBW. Yachiru is another metaphorical eyepatch, a bankai spirit who's master has enough spiritual pressure to make her a real girl. She's another untapped well of zaraki's power that he just doesn't need or use until the end of the series. Sanpo-Kenju was Yachiru showing us the inner mechanics of how zaraki's shikai and bankai can cut anything. Adding two copycat cuts to zaraki's swings is basically tripling the strength of his cuts. This is how it makes sense to me.
I thought maybe they were related to whatever progress the blade's original owner had made before Kanny - that it didn't get totally overwritten, but that portion that didn't thematically vibe with him stuck around for her to use. But because she would have a different understanding of them, they are more like buddies than sword/wielder
Bonny and Lumpy could also be respectively the base zanpakuto and shikai spirits. Since lumpy's sword is a cleaver like Zaraki's shikai and Bony has a more "feral" looking blade like the base zanpakuto. And knowing that maybe they both are permanently at Yachiru's side just hidden since they don't look human and couldn't hide among other shinigamis like Yachiru.
What came to mind: Sanpo Kenju is an ability of his shikai/bankai. Makes sense if you think there is no release command and even entertaining the brave souls zaraki with dual weapons. As far as yachiru herself, she could potentially be his sword spirit, as even though he knows the name of his sword he may not have seen the individual within(we know he's slow in this realm). Yachiru could be a "younger" appearing version of her true form also. She could be the main spirit while lumpy and bony are exclusives of bankai only that manifest due to the overwhelming reiatsu he has OR him learning the ability Sanpo Kenju. His ability to "cut anything" sounds more reasonable thinking like this for me if you can't read the blade or actually a 3 step swing technique
On the point regarding Oetsu knowing about Yachiru and not coming to investigate, i believe that if he knew of her, i imagine he was curious, but ultimately chose to leave her be. If i recall, the zero division chose to stay out of all the affairs of soul society up til now because they didn't risk affecting the soul king yet. So they remained in their domain to guard the soul king. Probably found their duty far outweighs the curiousity of a rogue zanpakuto spirit who isn't doing anyone harm
This reminds me of the zanpakuto war movie, though it's not canon(as far as I know) it was noted that yachiro and zaraki were the only ones who didn't have their zanpakuto spirits "materialized" to fight their shinigami owners. Also as pointed out stark and Lilinette(sp?) Are two halves of a whole and though they are technically a hollow it sets a possible residence for shinigami to do the same with their zanpakuto if they have the power for it.
It’s kind of funny how Kenpachi’s own vice captain is just his Bankai. Really fitting for his character for him to be at the top alone. Very much so reminds me of Starrk
I like how Sanpo Kenju also fits nicely with Zaraki's Bankai: both summon forth a beastly presence, focused solely on slashing apart their enemies with raw simplicity. I also like how it fits with the physical-heavy, no mystic nonsense MO of the 11th Squad. Even if she summons monsters, her attacks are still simple swordplay tricks, like Hozokimaru's tri-staff Shikai.
What really interests me tbh is the suggestion being made that a zanpakutou's shikai and bankai spirits are actually independent, separate individuals since Nozarashi's shikai spirit contacted Kenpachi after the training with Unohana while Yachiru, the bankai spirit, was still manifested elsewhere.
Yachiru is one of my favorite characters. She really does act like a child when she tells Ichigo thanks for the fight and get get better so they can fight again. When she heaves Kenpachi on her shoulder and just hops away, you know something is up. In the flashback with Kenpachi, it kind of make sense that she would tough the bloody blade and not be afraid of it, since she is one her self. The fact that she is a part of him is so cool. Very interesting concept. And the fact that Kenpachi screams for people to find her, just shows the bond they have.
It seems like a whole character is a representation of the progress and powers Zaroki to make throughout the story of bleach right now. I feel like we're in his beastly forms represented by the hairy guy with the cleaver, and it seems like the aspect of death would be the skeleton guy which we're going to be getting into the hell arc.
Didnt oetsu say that he makes zanpaktou by layering countless soul reaper souls. If so then there's no reason why a permanently manifested zanpakuto spirit couldn't imprint on a asauchi themselves
What if, sanpo kenju was the shikai manifestation. The reason nozarashi can 'cut' anything is because of it being a triple layered attack, the two of them releases an attack slightly before and after kenpachi's swing. I think that type of shikai is simple, direct and has flexible application that will fit zaraki's combat style.
Given what we know now, I think she says "copycat blade" because Lumpy and Bony are just extensions of herself. They're not extra manifestations, per se, but rather they ARE Yachiru as well. They move as she does because they are her. I think the parallel to this would be Zabimaru. While they were joined as one body in this case, the monkey and the snake have been down to talk and interact as two separate beings, despite being one spirit. Lumpy and Bony are the equivalent of the snake-tail of Zabimaru, in essence.
It's likely that the Bankai spirit is specifically qualified to materialize externally, since a Bankai is a more complete manifestation of the Zanpakuto
To me it always was an extension of kenpachi's. After all, he said it to Gremmy "there's nothing i can't cut" and Yachiru basically tells the same to Gwenael when she tells him he can't dodge her attacks.
It dawned on me that Kenpachi stole a sword off of somebody he killed. What if this is a Tosen thing where the sword had an original owner who already started their journey and unlocked Shikai? Making Sanpo Kenju the original owner's Shikai subjugated unintentionally by Kenpachi's raw power then later Yachiru since Kenpachi wasn't using them. Somebody else pointed out you can see the cleaver that looks EXACTLY like Kenpachi's Shikai being used by one of two spirits accompanying Yachiru. That would also explain the unknown voice Kenpachi heard after he had slain Unohana.
Part of me thinks her zanpakuto is a part of Kenpachi's soul. That the two are so closely linked and unique, that they both hold each other's power in their sword 🤔
I like that Gremmy and Kenpachi mirror each other with this. Both Yachiru and Guenael are manifestations of their respective powers. So their fight against each other starts when they aren’t even there yet.
My Theory: Kenpachi named Yachiru which made her part Shinigami (due to the power of names in Bleach as confirmed by Kubo). Then when she got an Asauchi the Shinigami part of her imprinted on it and formed Sanpo Kenju. When Kenpachi learned the name of his Zanpakutou Yachiru went back to his inner world along with the powers she gained as a Shinigami.
I think maybe she could be lingering energy from whoever had Kenpachis sword before he forced his will onto it? Literally forcing it outside itself manifesting her?
Remember, Hitsugaya met Hyorinmaru before he was even in academy. It came to him in a dream as a full body apparition. That means it's entirely possible that Yachiru existed within Kanpachi before he even touched an asauchi. And perhaps it was Yachiru rather than Nozarashi because she knew he would react best to a child rather than an adult. I mean, he pretty much saw all adults as fair game but he would have seen a young child differently.
I feel like there can be a lot more to say about Yachiru and her existence. Like.. If we assume that she has SHIKAI, then isn't obvious that she also have a BANKAI or at least have the ability to possess BANKAI? And if so.. what ist? Because, i feel it's just not justifying her existence by saying that she's simply just a manifestation on Zaraki's Zanpakutõ. I feel like she has a history of her own rather then just being a manifestation. Imagine if she also possesses BANKAI. Maybe she's the source of zaraki's BANKAI but... .. what if she has a source of her own completely different from zaraki's. WHAT I'M SAYING IS.. i think she is a real soul with real memorys, real feelings and also real powers. I do wanna believe that she has her own special hidden BANKAI because of her extraordinary character design. I really love her🍪
My thoughts: - Her "Shikai" was probably some other ability. She probably only called it a "Shikai" to fit in, or because she had no better name. It does fit Nozarashis Shikai form - it is a lot better at cutting things then a normal sword. And the two extra parts kinda look like they could make a full Nozarashi if fused. - There was one with a similar abnormal relationship to their Zanpaktou: Coyote Stark, Primera Espada. For him it was a subconscious decision, but certainly a long running materialisation. Also funny that both their backstories involved mountains of their victims. - People never realized something odd because she always was around Zaraki. She _had_ the same Spiritual pressure as him. Ichigo remarked that he did not notice her. The squad in TYBW said "it felt like Zaraki had already been there" - likely mistaking Yachirus presence for their Captains. They just were always so close together and Jachiru rarely released her power - so how would anybody notice? - The reason she choose to appear in Bankai form? Honestly, Kenpachi probably kept trying to _kill_ her Shikai form. It got tireseome after a while. Or maybe he had already defeated her Shikai Form without realizing who he was fighting?
I feel it's similar to Azashiro with his bankai being constant. But since Zaraki has higher reiatsu instead of him being the only one to see, everybody can see
I wonder, could Sanpo Kenju be a power that Zaraki could manifest with his Bankai if he so chose? The anime-exclusive Zanpakuto Rebellion filler arc showed that a physically manifested Zanpakuto Spirit can wield their powers freely. However, Sanpu Kenjo seems like a power that Zaraki wouldn't necessarily be a fan of. Since he prefers to fight alone, he likely wouldn't want two other beings fighting alongside him, even if they're just mirroring his movements.
I wonder if Yachirus Sanpo Kenju is similar to Renjis Hihio Zabimaru. It could be the name of a technique that Zaraki has yet to unlock, but one his bankai spirit, Yachiru, is aware of and capable of using in her manifested state.
I remember questioning Isane when she mentioned how her shikai didn’t transform like we don’t have a whole captain in Sajin whose sword doesn’t change shape for its shikai or bankai
Possibly Sanpo Kenjuu is just a cover for Yachiru using Nozarashi's Bankai power to slice conceptually. Additionally, Starrk splitting his soul to create Lillynette seems really close to Kenpachi's situation re: Yachiru appears to him when he's feeling alone and directionless, to help him find his place in reality
My own theory-Yachiru is the asauchi rhat originally chose kenpachi, but at that time kenpachi picked up and claimed another shinigamis sword. He could not hear it because it had not accepted him. By the time rhe sword accepted Kenpachi, hed long given up on trying to hear it. Yachiru has a zanpakuto because as a strong zanpakuto spirit, she can manifest herself. And upon following her masters example, she picks up her own sword.
You missed the part where kenoachi kills unohana, whe he kills her he stands up and hears a voice and there is a small panel where the voice is coming from and it's a bearded fat guy that's only partially shown
I can see Kenpachi internally being near able to use Bankai, but in another attempt to limit himself, separated himself from his Bankai,so that he could never reach his peak ability.
Don’t think about the weirdness that involves Ichigo, he’s a hybrid being whose powers are mixed in some why that breaks norms. As for Yachiru, I forget where I heard it but it was stated by Kuno that names have power in the series, hence why saying the names of techniques make them stronger, so when Zaraki gave her a name she gained shinigami powers. Don’t quote me on this as I did say I don’t remember where I heard this so it could be accurate and true or someone’s fan speculation, but the correlation between Starrk and Lilynette is there, maybe when they split apart they gave each other names or Starrk gave Lilynette her name and is why she seemly has her own powers not connected to Starrk as Shunsui and Ukitake never once said that Starrk and Lilynette had the same feel to their reiatsu or what ever it’s called, my memory sucks. Maybe really powerful spiritual beings are able to bend normal concepts that other members of their race can’t.
Obviously just speculation on my part, but perhaps Boney and Lumpy are the spirits of the Shakai Nozarashi? Maybe they were there all along by Yachiru’s side throughout the story, but could not be seen, sensed or manifested because Zaraki didn’t know their name or have a relationship with them, where as Yachiru does as they are one and the same so they aid her in combat. I think it’s also fitting that Zaraki’s shikai continues to retain his human-like appearance like before where as inside he’s still an animal, and this is reflected in his inner shikai spirits being strange monsters. While his bankai allows him to force all of his animalistic destruction inside of him to the outside and force his humanity to remain locked away inside, which manifests in the form of the innocent Yachiru.
Zanpakuto can be seen by others or only appear to their shinigami. We see Oetsu makes Zanpakuto materialize, and they're so similar to Shinigami that Ichigo can't tell the difference. My theory is that Kenpachi's zanpakuto is a parade of yokai, and Yachiru summoned some of the others to assist her. The sword is just a part of her.
Yachiru always felt to me like Kenpachi's zanpakutou. The head captain, Unohana, Ukitake, Shunsui, and Mayuri have probably known who she is for a long time. Certainly, Hyosube, Oetsu, and Yamamoto knew.
Yachiru is very reminiscing of Old man Zangetsu, which is using Zangetsu as a weapon while being only the guardian of Ichigo's shinigami power and the source of his quincy power. I wonder if Yachiru really represent Zaraki's shinigami power or if she is only another source of power acting as a guardian like Old man Zangetsu does. Because Nozarshi's ability in Bankai has not a lot to do with Sanpo Kenju, on the contrary Zaraki's Bankai looks more like a hellish power. Perhaps Zaraki is also a hybrid like Ichigo ?
I thought kenpache can't really sense energy though. He's not good at that stuff and that could be because part of his abilities to sense energy is trapped in yachiru So it's almost like kenpache has split his power subconsciously so he's not so overpowered that he can't be defeated, which is kind of what the squad for captain said that there was a subconscious block on him so that he can't release his full power because he's scared that if he does there will no longer be anyone to stand against him. So when yachiru goes back to kenpache the sword that she was using and everything else that she has gained goes back into him giving him a massive power more so than he already has. That could explain a lot of it and why they've always felt connected
I think that her blade is Nozarashi power, so when Kenny uses Bankai, the blade looks shorter than the shikai cleaver, and kind of more like Lumpy's blade. It's also stated that his body can't fully handle his Bankai just yet, so my theory is: ~that he would also have Boney's blade if he could fully wield his powers OR that the copy cat attack would be part of his attacks~ We know that Bankai can evolve as the Shinigami gains a deeper understanding of their own soul and powers and as they get stronger via Byakuya having multiple stages that he had to train to obtain, so I think Kenny's is just a fledgling version of his own
What was interesting to me, upon her reveal as a sword spirit... Is that her shikai split its swords spirit and gave it multiple bodies. Which is exactly what she did to herself to manifest as a False-Reaper Perhaps, symbolically, that relates to Kenpachi's ability being the simple ability to cut anything with overwhelming force. Perhaps Yachiru, his sword, was even able to cut a part of its soul off. Because "there is nothing i cannot cleave"
I believe that she knew all along, back when Ichigo and Zaraki defeated each other, she makes a point to say we will get stronger and stronger together
if her sword was just a blank blade i do wonder why they didnt just find it alongside her clothes unless she chucked it somewhere before cause its like it vanished with her alongside her body so if she did bond with it both got yanked back into kenpachi as both in sense at that point are his power
4:00 Maybe or she had a bankai as it’s stated if you can release your shikai non verbally you have a bankai & mastered it. Now that i think about it all kenpachi’s have living type zanpakutos 5:27
14:05 I wonder if having his original zanpakuto be created from a "sentient" being rather than a true blank slate could have caused this contradiction Edit: I thought about it a bit more and realized it was probably Old Man Zangetsu's interference that resulted in white not knowing about bankai if not both
My theory is that she's actually using abilities from the hidden depths of Kenpachi's Zanpakuto that he'd never think to use. Kenpachi often says there's nothing he can't cut, and he thought that meant there's nothing he can't cut through, when in reality it's that when he decides he's going to cut you, you WILL get cut, even if you dodge.
Knowing what we do about her, what's going on with Yachiru's Shikai, Sanpo Kenju? Are there any 'real' Shikai remotely similar to this? Let me know your thoughts, as well as your answers to the questions I've posed towards the end of the video - thanks everyone!
The closest to Yachiru’s Shikai is Komamura’s own. Which… interestingly enough, both Yachiru and Komamura aren’t technically humans, but possess Zanpakuto that mimic their movements.
I don’t think there’s a connection tho.
Yachiru's Shikai is NOT a Shikai. It's simply the zanpakuto showing it's abilities. It's obvious but I don't know why people missed this:
The first creature has a blade resembling zaraki's Shikai and the second one looks like an Oni similar to Zaraki's Bankai. That's just what it is.
What about Azashiro, the 8th Kenpachi? His sword was always in Bankai and as a result also had a woman zanpakto spirit, Uro, that had a will/power of its own. He is the most comparable to Zaraki, no?
Tommo have you stoped to analize that Yachiru stated she "released to much of kenpachi power" and not her power, meaning in the end the zampakuto spirits have no power the powr is from the shinigame and the spirits only exist to help the shinigame tonregulate it so them does not hurt/kill themself using their own power? This also explaying why to have acces to bankai an shinigame need to "convense" the zampakutonspirit they are read tonuse 100% of their own power.
@@NEONlights-lb8umI agree, I also noticed that the Skeleton is reminiscent of Kenpachi's Aura, when he removes his eye patch. The other one is Yellow and has no defining features, which reminds me of the color of Kenpachi's Aura.
My favorite part of the Yachiru reveal is that it means Kenpachi has technically been the President of the Shinigami Women's Association this whole time.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I know it halours
Kenny is a feminist confirmed.
@@SinHurrSeeing as his idol is a female warrior, that makes sense lol
i love that
XDDD
Yachiru: When your power level is so big it has it's own power level.
130 likes and no reply? I'll fix that
Kenpachi’s closest companion also being his sword is very poetic. She has the childish side he never got the benefit of experiencing.
In truth her is childish he never grow over, to him cuting things and battling is like an game he playied as a child and he never grow over it.
His sword has a sword.
@@LeevodevoKinda like Gremmy’s Schrift having a Schrift
@@ironrevenger9386gremmy never has a schrift
@@Kal911 he had
i think the novels mention that Zanpakuto spirits can communicate with each other without the wielders knowledge.
i like the idea that she's calling on the spirits of other zanpakuto.
There where hints on what shes is from the very begining, if you remember when she jumped on Ichigos shoulder he was shocked because as he said something was wrong with her. Then when young Kenpachi asks her whats her name is she touched his sword like shes saying "Im your Blade".
Kenpachi is so monstrously powerful his sword has a multi blade sword of its own
I wouldn’t be surprised if Yachiru really wanted to, she could make her own Zanpakto turn “bankai” as well. Though I think it’s all in all her having fun to lead others on.
Given how the two beings mimic Yachiru's movements, it should stand to reason that they may be one being that have been separated, and parts of Kenpachi's bankai ability.
After all Kenpachi hasn't fully mastered bankai at this point, and Yachiru could represent one part of the ability that Kenpazhi can use while the other two are other abilities that he has yet to reach or realize.
Interesting, I like this idea he would have to have multiple abilities given his raw strength.
Wouldn't fit his character. Sanpo Kenju is just the manifestation of Kenpachi's desire to cut his opponent. "It doesn't matter what ya throw at me, there's nothin' I can't cut." Right after cutting Gremmy's Meteor in 2. Yachiru (His Bankai) is literally stating "Whether you dodge or not I WILL cut you."
Sanpo kenju is manifestation??? So much execuses huh @@SeviathTheHumanDrago
@@User5hdbh That's literally what bleach is about. The creator of the series said that Yachiru is his bankai spirit. Kenpachi's personality is brute force, he's the captain of squad 11; the squad known for their disdain of flashy special effect zanpakuto and brute force tactics. Having a zanpakuto with a special ability would not be in his wheelhouse so his special ability is just to "Cut" anything he puts his sword to cut. Quite literally "I WILL cut you." Spoken by Yachiru, and "There's NOTHING I can't cut." Are effectively equal statements in this regard.
The Sword Is Me. Is a major chapter involving ichigo realizing just that, the sword is him. Yachiru, Kenpachis physically manifested sword, is basically the same in this instance. If a character sword represents who they are as a person then his Bankai literally telling you "I WILL cut you." Is all you need to know. Kenpachis not that deep fam. He's the friend that's gonna punch all your problems in the face before any other solution comes to mind.
@@SeviathTheHumanDrago why you bring up the sword is me when explaining kenpachi it doesn't make sense.
I really like that the Beyond Bankai design of Kenpachi in Bleach Brave Souls incorporates Sanpo Kenju. I always thought that was a really neat touch
I said the same thing. I was actually disappointed we didn’t get to see specific shikai abilities with kenpachi but it’s because he’s just learning. I expect to see new unique abilities in the hell arc.
One thing I particularly enjoy about your content is your affinity for the nuance in the artwork. You're not just a power level guy.
Well something to remember is Kubo's quote that naming her Yachiru gave her Shinigami powers. So already the idea that she is named different and has different powers because of that means that it's not necessarily true that her spilling her soul into an Asauchi would just make Nozarashi again.
It seems way more likely with Kubo stressing she has Shinigami powers because of how she was named, that her sword is an Asauchi she was given, and that she has poured her soul into it being why it doesn't look basic, and just has a Shikai (because despite no command, it does have a name) from her power that is different because she is falsely named herself, but it's so odd to Kasane because it still is a weird source of power. It could literally just be odd because of it's origins but still be a Shikai.
Names are technically everything in Bleach, Yumichika intentionally uses a false name to hide his sword’s true ability. So a spirit being referred to by a name not its own could then manifest different powers, or perhaps a portion of its true capability
@@nineteenct Yeah exactly, names are everything, and not just any false name = less power but those names mean things too. Like, so referring to a spirit as a Shinigami's name which Kubo said is what allowed her to exist and do Shinigami things, it just doesn't make sense that she'd then have fake not actual Shinigami powers and has this special sword - no it just makes far more sense that because names are everything and she was named as a Shinigami, that all her stuff is legit. And as such it just makes more sense that it is a real Asauchi, it's just weird because the source is weird but it's no less a real Shikai and Zanpakuto.
I mean hell, the fact that she can willingly and knowingly grant Kenpachi Bankai, BECOME his Bankai, it'd stand more to reason that she can call her Shikai without a command like any Shinigami who knows Bankai. And not that it's some weird not-zanpakuto or not-shikai like is being suggested in the video.
I love that Kenpachi is so strong that his zanpakuto has a zanpakuto
if you combine Boney and Lumpy's weapons they kinda look like Nozarashi in shikai
Especially lumpys since Zarakis shikai is basically a big ass butcher knife
If you go back and watch the episode where Yachiru remembers her first encounter with Kenpachi, you'll notice she seems brighter then the others, as if she's glowing. Now this could just be due to it being her memory, so she's highlighed more, and the Anime might just have added that for effect. But it might also be a bit of clever foreshadowing.
Yachiru and her "sword beasts" always reminded me of nel and her companions...
I still remember my jaw dropping when it came out she was actually Kens sword spirit! Absolutely amazingly done and makes their relationship just that much better!
Personally watching Bleach, I've always felt that acquiring more power through shikai/bankai requires the user of self-reflection and virtues. Knowing who you are basically. This can be felt very closely with Ichigo (Renji, Rukia and to an extent with Orihime and Chad) throughout the series, Rukia giving him his shinigami powers, learning the name of his sword, hollowfication, learning he's half and half quincy, every step he learns something new about himself, self-reflects, grows and gains more power to protect his friends. Kenpachi Zaraki to me always felt the other way around. His nature deprived him of self-reflection or virtuous behaviour. In his earlier appearances in the series he laughed at the notion of a sword being a companion which he noted as a mere tool. This is highly ironic as essentially Zaraki's spirit manifested as someone who wanted to get to know him, not the other way around which usually happens in the show. For what comes to Yachiru being the vice-captain. I'm pretty sure Zaraki promoted her as one without her ever needing to do anything. Disclaimer: Had an earlier thought about Yachiru's manifestation was due to the fact that Zaraki stole his asauchi, therefore couldn't "wield" his own spirit on it. This was indeed debunked as Zaraki released shikai. If Yachiru is indeed Zaraki's bankai. Then by process of elimination, Yachiru's sword should in fact be Zaraki's sword(?).
Commenting as I'm watching this when the video released so we might have similar thoughts, but since Yachiru is a portion of Kenpachi's soul, I'm guessing that Sanpo Kenju is a technique of his bankai that he can't quite access yet.
The beyond bankai form of Kenpachi in Brave Souls, while of course not canon, gives a little bit of credence to that thought process.
when Kenpachi goes bankai and slashes Gerard's face, followed by taking off his shield and arm, or even slicing him in half his sword never actually touched Gerard's body, it is Sanpo Kenju. I think it is impossible to dodge Kenpachi's attacks once his sword is swung in the direction of the opponent, be it far or near. I am comparing it to Lille's X-axis. To think of it ..maybe his sword cut through time as well.
If thats the case then that would mean its basically impossible to survive his bankai bc you'll be cleaved no matter where you are
My hypothesis of Yachiru has been that she was the manifestation of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Not pushed out consciously, subconsciously, nor unconsciously, but rather by the will of the zanpaktou itself, realizing that Kenpachi never had a friend, and decided to become his friend. We certainly know he took his zanpaktou from a dead shinigami, but we don't know how, if at all, that zanpaktou was influenced prior to Kenpachi acquiring it; let alone whom that shinigami was or their experience level.
We also have to consider that Kenpachi just learned his shikai and bankai, and as noted through the series, there's a difference between a bankai and true bankai, as well as bankai mastery.
To further illustrate the hypothesis that the zanpaktou recognized Kenpachi needed a friend, when we consider Kenpachi isn't exactly academic, neither is Yachiru. Neither of them care about how something looks or works, but what it does or means to them. They don't want complicated instructions, or long sentences. Additionally, they don't like it when Kenpachi is interrupted while fighting. They are both childish in nature, and argue with each other like children.
In regards to Boney and Lumpy - if for some reason this hypothesis can continue to hold water (because I'm high) - is that Kenpachi has so much Reiatsu that his Zanpaktou (Yachiru) can't take it all at once, however she is the reflection of Kenpachi's zanpaktou. Unlike Kenpachi, Yachiru's imagination is a part of Kenpachi's soul, and the excess Reiatsu she takes in from Kenpachi is whim to feeding her Zanpaktou, which as a zanpaktou spirit her Zanpaktou spirit is the truest spirit of Kenpachi, the child that never was.
Damn I'm high, great video, would smoke this video again and watch my joint some more. 10/10 mafk.
It is quite interesting that Yachiru's power seemed to manifest as something similar to Unohana's Shikai. That being to summon a living creature. Which plays into the idea that names have direct influence over powers and the very nature of things with Bleach. Kenpachi being so influenced by Unohana that even his soul's powers were molded into something inspired by her, is a fascinating idea. I suspect we will get to see more of Kenny and his new powerset in the Hell arc!
Totally true, great insight.
Also the fact that Yachiru often acts as Zarakis misguided compass. Lending to Zarakis misguided view of Unohana.
I’m glad you’re doing this topic because it’s such an awesome, unique, yet underrated Shikai ability and I wish Kubo saved it for another character who’s Shikai we have not seen yet but still exists in the story. How do you fight against 3 sword strikes coming at you in succession, especially when two of them are coming at you virtually unseen?
I'm just chuffed that my first impressions of this pair was right. Right from that first fight all those years ago, then solidified with the Stark/Lilinette reveal, now finally borne out 😊
Yachiru is my all time favorit of bleach.. great vid
So i love your takes and I'm just gonna say, the best comparison to Kenpachi and Yachiru's relationship is Starkk and Lillynette because if you notice, Lillynette also had a Zanpakuto of her own that had it's own shape/style... therefore, I'd say it's possible for Yachiru to have an Asauchi and have a portion of her soul poured into it so it takes after her. I would also like to believe that Bony and Lumpy are in fact portions of Zaraki's soul as well as whenever his eye-patch is taken off, there's usually an ominous figure behind him which bears a striking resemblance to bony
At 9:50, Coyote Starrk should also be counted, and that (for a lack of a better term) power filtering system along with kenpachi. because if you think back to the other part of his power/him, himself was his gun along with the poor girl that kicked the bucket alongside of him when starrk got taken out
i think ichigo's zanpakto for all of bleach up to this arc is your best help in understanding yachiru and her shikai. As we learn in this arc. Ichigo has never actual had a zanpakto. He manifested both his shikai and bankai blades from his own power. Another thing we have learned about zanpakto spirits is that they are indeed formed even before the shinigami are able to learn their names and use their powers. This has been explained by and demonstrated with several different characters. So I would say that by the time Unohana comes across Zaraki, he has already embued his ausachi with his power to the point of creating his zanpakto's spirit. Then by the time he creates Yachiru he is capable of bankai had he been able to communicate with his sword in the proper way. However, with his power so strong and his reliance on himself, he instead subconsciously created yachiru in his attempt to contact his zanpakto's spirit.
The other thing this video made me think about is Unohana’s zanpakuto, specifically her shikai before the persona change. Interesting how it so perfectly matches a peaceful medic but curious how it was used a thousand years ago…
I think her "shikai" represents the aspects of Zaraki's blade. Boney being the part Zaraki the part of his blade which he unlocked when fighting Unohana. And lumpy his latent power in bankai that he can't control yet which is represented by it being hidden under all that Fur. Boney represents the deadly rage zaraki has, and lumpy the mass of power yet to be fully revealed. And then Yachiru is the literal embodiment of the zanpakto itself which controls them both because she is both. Which is why the mimic her exactly.
Also a bit of a stretch. But they may split into 3 thanks to Zaraki with his ability to split himself to lock away his power that Unohana unlocked. Perhaps like a reaper and inherit the powers of it's zanpakto certain things like that can be learned and replicated by the zanpakto.
About Yachiru Kubo have alread explained her deal using Oetsu, Oetsu stated that for one to become an shinigame it needs an Asauchi and after some time using it part of the soul of the Asauchi owner imprinte in the Asauchi and it become an Zampakuto, so Yes Yachiru as a Shinigame and Yes that is as Her zampakuto, thinking about it her Shikai is the ability to cut (and whe know her is the personification of Kenpachinbattle sperit that is "to Cut")
Nice questions. I’m stump.
Will you do a BanKai Theory on Sanpo Kenju? If not then Hisagomaru is one that I’m waiting for.
Just saw you posted this just wanted to say that I love your channel and appreciate this series and manga so much more!
I think it's a little more simple than you've proposed here: a Zapakuto spirit is that Zanpakuto and has their powers. Any ability that Yachiru has should be an ability attainable by Nozarashi or it's unnamed bankai state. I think her actual sword is just that, an ordinary sword, or perhaps (as she's a manifested banaki) a sealed state that she puts her blade into that she chooses it to be the pink katana because she feels it suits her.
Kenny's zanpakuto ability seems to give him power over cutting and the aesthetics of the blade seem to be that of Oni and Sanpo Kenju is very much an ability in that vein.
Personally, I think there is more to all this. I have to start by reminding everyone that Zaraki as a child had very few memories. He only knew that he was always alone, enjoyed fighting above all else, and enjoyed being around other strong fighters. Essentially a monster that likes to be around other monsters. He also believes deeply, profoundly that there is nothing he can't cut and that he will cut down anything in front of him. As Yachiru is Zaraki's Zanpakuto Spirit, it would make sense that her abilities should also be Zaraki's. Also, on their first meeting he named her Yachiru which could have inhibited her abilities as a zanpakuto and her ability to communicate her true name or abilities to him. He also stated, "Yachiru is the name of the person I most admire. This could translate to: once she is gone, so is your new name Yachiru. Which could explain why he could hear the call of his zanpakuto after Unohana's death. I noticed a few more things. Firstly, both his and Yachiru's aura's when upset take on the appearance/presence of a long, slender, skull. Not unlike that of Boney, the hollow-like apparition. The other apparition is called Lumpy, brown hairy beast. The ability "Sanpo Kenju" translates to "Three Step Sword Beast". Secondly, I noticed that Nozarashi, after using the command Drink, has a cap at the top that resembles the color of Lumpy and has a tuft of fibers at the end that match Boney's hair. The both the shikai and bankai resemble Lumpy's blade. This is relevant for a few reasons. I think Sanpo Kenju is not the name of Yachiru's zanpakuto, but rather a command that changes the form of the blade and the attack pattern. I believe when he first reveals his Shikai and call's Drink Nozarashi it changed into a combined form of all 3 blades. As stated at the beginning, he is a Monster that likes being around other Monsters. I believe his shikai is jagged and thin to demonstrate it's loneliness, Sanpo Kenju allows for more monsters as apparitions to cut along with him, Drink combined the blades into a singular large blade with monstrous attack potency, and his bankai looks like Lumpy's blade but broken and his appearance looks like an angry Boney attacking in a blind rage and as he attacked Gerard Valkarie everything in front of his blade POST-SWING was cut to devastating effect. I believe this is the untold truth to Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakuto.
Kubo made these loose ends connect really cleverly, he labeled the original kenpachi as unohara a healer to have this dramatic twist. While also giving full rank/ title to zarkai. Yachiru name was given back to unohara. What coincidence is that zarkari’s lieutenant is also Yachiru? The lieutenant controls Two spirits to represent both the original Yachiru and zaraki. Zaraki could not be a kenpachi until Yachiru dies and he gets his full name himself as well as his sword’s name.
Since she’s of him this means he has her abilities as his bankai. This means if anyone that tries to dogde Kenny’s attack,they won’t due to its ability.
If I recall correctly, Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho was thought to him by White. It was a long time since I've seen this scene so a confirmation would be in order. If it is true though, then Sanpo Kenju might be Zaraki's version of that. An ability that his Zanpakuto spirit knows of and can use at will, but he himself is just not aware of. In other words, Sanpo Kenju is just an ability of Nozarashi in the same way that Getsuga Tensho is an ability of Zangetsu.
Part of learning bankai is summoning and confronting your zanpakuto spirit, in order to earn it's blessing and respect. I think when kenpachi poured his spirit into his zanpakuto, it was too much. Because of his insane power, the zanpakuto couldn't contain it and manifested it's bankai spirit physically. Instead of building up his sword's power and then training to summon it's spirit, I think he picked it up, overcharged it instantly which summoned a premature bankai spirit, and steadily let it feed off his excess power to remain in physical form and have a friend. Since zaraki has always had natural talent and trained his brute strength, his understanding and mastery of his zanpakuto remained juvenile, like yachiru. As he learns to listen to his sword and learn it's power, I think we will see yachiru mature into the woman known as nozarashi. If we're lucky, it will be added into TYBW. Yachiru is another metaphorical eyepatch, a bankai spirit who's master has enough spiritual pressure to make her a real girl. She's another untapped well of zaraki's power that he just doesn't need or use until the end of the series. Sanpo-Kenju was Yachiru showing us the inner mechanics of how zaraki's shikai and bankai can cut anything. Adding two copycat cuts to zaraki's swings is basically tripling the strength of his cuts. This is how it makes sense to me.
I thought maybe they were related to whatever progress the blade's original owner had made before Kanny - that it didn't get totally overwritten, but that portion that didn't thematically vibe with him stuck around for her to use. But because she would have a different understanding of them, they are more like buddies than sword/wielder
Bonny and Lumpy could also be respectively the base zanpakuto and shikai spirits. Since lumpy's sword is a cleaver like Zaraki's shikai and Bony has a more "feral" looking blade like the base zanpakuto. And knowing that maybe they both are permanently at Yachiru's side just hidden since they don't look human and couldn't hide among other shinigamis like Yachiru.
a great video as always man
What came to mind:
Sanpo Kenju is an ability of his shikai/bankai.
Makes sense if you think there is no release command and even entertaining the brave souls zaraki with dual weapons.
As far as yachiru herself, she could potentially be his sword spirit, as even though he knows the name of his sword he may not have seen the individual within(we know he's slow in this realm). Yachiru could be a "younger" appearing version of her true form also. She could be the main spirit while lumpy and bony are exclusives of bankai only that manifest due to the overwhelming reiatsu he has OR him learning the ability Sanpo Kenju.
His ability to "cut anything" sounds more reasonable thinking like this for me if you can't read the blade or actually a 3 step swing technique
holy shit what a well made and perfectly delivered video. props dude i dont normally like or watch these kinds of vids all the way thru 👍👍
Thanks for another great video, Tom.
On the point regarding Oetsu knowing about Yachiru and not coming to investigate, i believe that if he knew of her, i imagine he was curious, but ultimately chose to leave her be. If i recall, the zero division chose to stay out of all the affairs of soul society up til now because they didn't risk affecting the soul king yet. So they remained in their domain to guard the soul king. Probably found their duty far outweighs the curiousity of a rogue zanpakuto spirit who isn't doing anyone harm
This reminds me of the zanpakuto war movie, though it's not canon(as far as I know) it was noted that yachiro and zaraki were the only ones who didn't have their zanpakuto spirits "materialized" to fight their shinigami owners. Also as pointed out stark and Lilinette(sp?) Are two halves of a whole and though they are technically a hollow it sets a possible residence for shinigami to do the same with their zanpakuto if they have the power for it.
It’s kind of funny how Kenpachi’s own vice captain is just his Bankai. Really fitting for his character for him to be at the top alone. Very much so reminds me of Starrk
I like how Sanpo Kenju also fits nicely with Zaraki's Bankai: both summon forth a beastly presence, focused solely on slashing apart their enemies with raw simplicity.
I also like how it fits with the physical-heavy, no mystic nonsense MO of the 11th Squad. Even if she summons monsters, her attacks are still simple swordplay tricks, like Hozokimaru's tri-staff Shikai.
Kenpachi's bankia has always been awakened. Him knowing his zanpakto's name further linked his passion for battle with his purpose.
What really interests me tbh is the suggestion being made that a zanpakutou's shikai and bankai spirits are actually independent, separate individuals since Nozarashi's shikai spirit contacted Kenpachi after the training with Unohana while Yachiru, the bankai spirit, was still manifested elsewhere.
Yachiru is one of my favorite characters. She really does act like a child when she tells Ichigo thanks for the fight and get get better so they can fight again. When she heaves Kenpachi on her shoulder and just hops away, you know something is up. In the flashback with Kenpachi, it kind of make sense that she would tough the bloody blade and not be afraid of it, since she is one her self. The fact that she is a part of him is so cool. Very interesting concept. And the fact that Kenpachi screams for people to find her, just shows the bond they have.
It seems like a whole character is a representation of the progress and powers Zaroki to make throughout the story of bleach right now. I feel like we're in his beastly forms represented by the hairy guy with the cleaver, and it seems like the aspect of death would be the skeleton guy which we're going to be getting into the hell arc.
Didnt oetsu say that he makes zanpaktou by layering countless soul reaper souls. If so then there's no reason why a permanently manifested zanpakuto spirit couldn't imprint on a asauchi themselves
What if, sanpo kenju was the shikai manifestation. The reason nozarashi can 'cut' anything is because of it being a triple layered attack, the two of them releases an attack slightly before and after kenpachi's swing. I think that type of shikai is simple, direct and has flexible application that will fit zaraki's combat style.
I wouldn't be surprised if zaraki could attack before during and after an attack like yachiru if he mastered Nozarashi
My fav part is that Kenpachi is the REAL "cleave and dismantle" user, which was later inspired Sakuna
I always thought they were three aspects of kenpachi, his hollow, his sword, and his human side. All aspects personified.
Given what we know now, I think she says "copycat blade" because Lumpy and Bony are just extensions of herself. They're not extra manifestations, per se, but rather they ARE Yachiru as well. They move as she does because they are her.
I think the parallel to this would be Zabimaru. While they were joined as one body in this case, the monkey and the snake have been down to talk and interact as two separate beings, despite being one spirit. Lumpy and Bony are the equivalent of the snake-tail of Zabimaru, in essence.
I wouldn't be surprised of Oetsu knew about Yachiru's true nature but was letting it play out to see what would happen
I’ve always assumed that it was an asauchi and that it was different because she was a zanpakuto herself that made sanpo kenju unique.
It's likely that the Bankai spirit is specifically qualified to materialize externally, since a Bankai is a more complete manifestation of the Zanpakuto
To me it always was an extension of kenpachi's. After all, he said it to Gremmy "there's nothing i can't cut" and Yachiru basically tells the same to Gwenael when she tells him he can't dodge her attacks.
I think her “shikai” is just a manifestation of Nozarashi’s power to cut anything. “You get cut even when you block”
It dawned on me that Kenpachi stole a sword off of somebody he killed.
What if this is a Tosen thing where the sword had an original owner who already started their journey and unlocked Shikai?
Making Sanpo Kenju the original owner's Shikai subjugated unintentionally by Kenpachi's raw power then later Yachiru since Kenpachi wasn't using them.
Somebody else pointed out you can see the cleaver that looks EXACTLY like Kenpachi's Shikai being used by one of two spirits accompanying Yachiru.
That would also explain the unknown voice Kenpachi heard after he had slain Unohana.
Part of me thinks her zanpakuto is a part of Kenpachi's soul. That the two are so closely linked and unique, that they both hold each other's power in their sword 🤔
Everyone is acting as if she never existed. Who is now Zaraki's lieutenant?
Ikkaku.
I like that Gremmy and Kenpachi mirror each other with this. Both Yachiru and Guenael are manifestations of their respective powers. So their fight against each other starts when they aren’t even there yet.
My Theory: Kenpachi named Yachiru which made her part Shinigami (due to the power of names in Bleach as confirmed by Kubo). Then when she got an Asauchi the Shinigami part of her imprinted on it and formed Sanpo Kenju. When Kenpachi learned the name of his Zanpakutou Yachiru went back to his inner world along with the powers she gained as a Shinigami.
I think maybe she could be lingering energy from whoever had Kenpachis sword before he forced his will onto it? Literally forcing it outside itself manifesting her?
Remember, Hitsugaya met Hyorinmaru before he was even in academy. It came to him in a dream as a full body apparition. That means it's entirely possible that Yachiru existed within Kanpachi before he even touched an asauchi. And perhaps it was Yachiru rather than Nozarashi because she knew he would react best to a child rather than an adult. I mean, he pretty much saw all adults as fair game but he would have seen a young child differently.
I feel like there can be a lot more to say about Yachiru and her existence. Like..
If we assume that she has SHIKAI, then isn't obvious that she also have a BANKAI or at least have the ability to possess BANKAI?
And if so.. what ist?
Because, i feel it's just not justifying her existence by saying that she's simply just a manifestation on Zaraki's Zanpakutõ.
I feel like she has a history of her own rather then just being a manifestation.
Imagine if she also possesses BANKAI.
Maybe she's the source of zaraki's BANKAI but...
.. what if she has a source of her own completely different from zaraki's.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS.. i think she is a real soul with real memorys, real feelings and also real powers.
I do wanna believe that she has her own special hidden BANKAI because of her extraordinary character design.
I really love her🍪
My thoughts:
- Her "Shikai" was probably some other ability. She probably only called it a "Shikai" to fit in, or because she had no better name.
It does fit Nozarashis Shikai form - it is a lot better at cutting things then a normal sword. And the two extra parts kinda look like they could make a full Nozarashi if fused.
- There was one with a similar abnormal relationship to their Zanpaktou:
Coyote Stark, Primera Espada.
For him it was a subconscious decision, but certainly a long running materialisation.
Also funny that both their backstories involved mountains of their victims.
- People never realized something odd because she always was around Zaraki. She _had_ the same Spiritual pressure as him.
Ichigo remarked that he did not notice her. The squad in TYBW said "it felt like Zaraki had already been there" - likely mistaking Yachirus presence for their Captains. They just were always so close together and Jachiru rarely released her power - so how would anybody notice?
- The reason she choose to appear in Bankai form? Honestly, Kenpachi probably kept trying to _kill_ her Shikai form. It got tireseome after a while.
Or maybe he had already defeated her Shikai Form without realizing who he was fighting?
The crazy part is, that's not even kenpachi's sword. He got it from one of the soul reapers he cut down.
I feel it's similar to Azashiro with his bankai being constant. But since Zaraki has higher reiatsu instead of him being the only one to see, everybody can see
I wonder, could Sanpo Kenju be a power that Zaraki could manifest with his Bankai if he so chose? The anime-exclusive Zanpakuto Rebellion filler arc showed that a physically manifested Zanpakuto Spirit can wield their powers freely. However, Sanpu Kenjo seems like a power that Zaraki wouldn't necessarily be a fan of. Since he prefers to fight alone, he likely wouldn't want two other beings fighting alongside him, even if they're just mirroring his movements.
I wonder if Yachirus Sanpo Kenju is similar to Renjis Hihio Zabimaru. It could be the name of a technique that Zaraki has yet to unlock, but one his bankai spirit, Yachiru, is aware of and capable of using in her manifested state.
I remember questioning Isane when she mentioned how her shikai didn’t transform like we don’t have a whole captain in Sajin whose sword doesn’t change shape for its shikai or bankai
Bc its none of them as simple as that.
Possibly Sanpo Kenjuu is just a cover for Yachiru using Nozarashi's Bankai power to slice conceptually. Additionally, Starrk splitting his soul to create Lillynette seems really close to Kenpachi's situation re: Yachiru appears to him when he's feeling alone and directionless, to help him find his place in reality
My own theory-Yachiru is the asauchi rhat originally chose kenpachi, but at that time kenpachi picked up and claimed another shinigamis sword. He could not hear it because it had not accepted him. By the time rhe sword accepted Kenpachi, hed long given up on trying to hear it. Yachiru has a zanpakuto because as a strong zanpakuto spirit, she can manifest herself. And upon following her masters example, she picks up her own sword.
You missed the part where kenoachi kills unohana, whe he kills her he stands up and hears a voice and there is a small panel where the voice is coming from and it's a bearded fat guy that's only partially shown
I can see Kenpachi internally being near able to use Bankai, but in another attempt to limit himself, separated himself from his Bankai,so that he could never reach his peak ability.
Don’t think about the weirdness that involves Ichigo, he’s a hybrid being whose powers are mixed in some why that breaks norms. As for Yachiru, I forget where I heard it but it was stated by Kuno that names have power in the series, hence why saying the names of techniques make them stronger, so when Zaraki gave her a name she gained shinigami powers. Don’t quote me on this as I did say I don’t remember where I heard this so it could be accurate and true or someone’s fan speculation, but the correlation between Starrk and Lilynette is there, maybe when they split apart they gave each other names or Starrk gave Lilynette her name and is why she seemly has her own powers not connected to Starrk as Shunsui and Ukitake never once said that Starrk and Lilynette had the same feel to their reiatsu or what ever it’s called, my memory sucks. Maybe really powerful spiritual beings are able to bend normal concepts that other members of their race can’t.
Obviously just speculation on my part, but perhaps Boney and Lumpy are the spirits of the Shakai Nozarashi?
Maybe they were there all along by Yachiru’s side throughout the story, but could not be seen, sensed or manifested because Zaraki didn’t know their name or have a relationship with them, where as Yachiru does as they are one and the same so they aid her in combat.
I think it’s also fitting that Zaraki’s shikai continues to retain his human-like appearance like before where as inside he’s still an animal, and this is reflected in his inner shikai spirits being strange monsters. While his bankai allows him to force all of his animalistic destruction inside of him to the outside and force his humanity to remain locked away inside, which manifests in the form of the innocent Yachiru.
Zanpakuto can be seen by others or only appear to their shinigami. We see Oetsu makes Zanpakuto materialize, and they're so similar to Shinigami that Ichigo can't tell the difference.
My theory is that Kenpachi's zanpakuto is a parade of yokai, and Yachiru summoned some of the others to assist her. The sword is just a part of her.
Yachiru always felt to me like Kenpachi's zanpakutou. The head captain, Unohana, Ukitake, Shunsui, and Mayuri have probably known who she is for a long time. Certainly, Hyosube, Oetsu, and Yamamoto knew.
Yachiru is very reminiscing of Old man Zangetsu, which is using Zangetsu as a weapon while being only the guardian of Ichigo's shinigami power and the source of his quincy power.
I wonder if Yachiru really represent Zaraki's shinigami power or if she is only another source of power acting as a guardian like Old man Zangetsu does.
Because Nozarshi's ability in Bankai has not a lot to do with Sanpo Kenju, on the contrary Zaraki's Bankai looks more like a hellish power. Perhaps Zaraki is also a hybrid like Ichigo ?
I thought kenpache can't really sense energy though. He's not good at that stuff and that could be because part of his abilities to sense energy is trapped in yachiru So it's almost like kenpache has split his power subconsciously so he's not so overpowered that he can't be defeated, which is kind of what the squad for captain said that there was a subconscious block on him so that he can't release his full power because he's scared that if he does there will no longer be anyone to stand against him. So when yachiru goes back to kenpache the sword that she was using and everything else that she has gained goes back into him giving him a massive power more so than he already has. That could explain a lot of it and why they've always felt connected
17:20 of course DA NUMBAH ONE ZANPAKUTO CREATORE knew about Yachiru
I think that her blade is Nozarashi power, so when Kenny uses Bankai, the blade looks shorter than the shikai cleaver, and kind of more like Lumpy's blade. It's also stated that his body can't fully handle his Bankai just yet, so my theory is:
~that he would also have Boney's blade if he could fully wield his powers OR that the copy cat attack would be part of his attacks~
We know that Bankai can evolve as the Shinigami gains a deeper understanding of their own soul and powers and as they get stronger via Byakuya having multiple stages that he had to train to obtain, so I think Kenny's is just a fledgling version of his own
Considering Oetsu lives with a harem of zanpakuto spirits, I doubt one running around bothered him at all
What was interesting to me, upon her reveal as a sword spirit... Is that her shikai split its swords spirit and gave it multiple bodies.
Which is exactly what she did to herself to manifest as a False-Reaper
Perhaps, symbolically, that relates to Kenpachi's ability being the simple ability to cut anything with overwhelming force.
Perhaps Yachiru, his sword, was even able to cut a part of its soul off.
Because "there is nothing i cannot cleave"
I believe that she knew all along, back when Ichigo and Zaraki defeated each other, she makes a point to say we will get stronger and stronger together
I like the idea that kenpachi can "cut" pieces of his soul off and that would extend to Yachiru.
if her sword was just a blank blade i do wonder why they didnt just find it alongside her clothes unless she chucked it somewhere before cause its like it vanished with her alongside her body so if she did bond with it both got yanked back into kenpachi as both in sense at that point are his power
I feel that to truly know more about her, we must get a detailed review of the zanpakuto rebellion arc and draw a conclusion with that
4:00 Maybe or she had a bankai as it’s stated if you can release your shikai non verbally you have a bankai & mastered it. Now that i think about it all kenpachi’s have living type zanpakutos 5:27
14:05 I wonder if having his original zanpakuto be created from a "sentient" being rather than a true blank slate could have caused this contradiction
Edit: I thought about it a bit more and realized it was probably Old Man Zangetsu's interference that resulted in white not knowing about bankai if not both
For how Yachiru explain her shikai, kinda make sense why Ken was able to cut everything in the Gremmy fight.
Ichigo's zanpaktou just manifested, or taken from rukia. I think it's similar to Kenny when Yachiru manifested she also obtained one.
My theory is that she's actually using abilities from the hidden depths of Kenpachi's Zanpakuto that he'd never think to use. Kenpachi often says there's nothing he can't cut, and he thought that meant there's nothing he can't cut through, when in reality it's that when he decides he's going to cut you, you WILL get cut, even if you dodge.