Last updated on January 4th, 2023 at 12:29 am
Weapons are of primary importance in Bleach, and mostly these weapons infused with spiritual energy form the core base powers of a soul reaper. The Zanpukto that every soul reaper has can take on three forms, each unique in terms of powers and abilities. Some are meant for direct onslaught, while the others are for stealth attacks.
Several captains and lieutenants in Bleach have some of the strongest Zanpukto in the series that can evolve into a Shikai and finally into a Bankai. In this post, we will rank the top 20 most powerful Shikai in Bleach on the basis of their affectability in battle and power levels. So if you are interested in finding out about the strongest Shikai, stay on till the end.
Table of Contents
20) Renji Abarai’s Shikai
Zabuimaru is strong, and there are no two ways about it. It cannot be denied that within the hands of Renji, Zabimaru can cause absolute carnage given the sheer bulk destructive potential that it contains, and that too in its base Shikai form.
If we add to that, Renji’s expert swordsmanship and whip manipulation since Zabimaru can extend into a whip as well, with alternating blades that make it lethal for long-distance attacks. His Shikai also has a special attack named Higa Zekkō, where Renji can manipulate Zabimaru even after it is broken. Overall, therefore, this Shikai takes the 20th spot on this list.
19) Chojiro Sasakibe’s Shikai
To be the lieutenant of Yamamoto, you need special qualifications and an extremely high level of power. So if you dismiss Chojiro just because he does not possess the title of a captain, this might turn out to be the last mistake you ever make in combat.
Chojiro’s Shikai Gonryōmaru takes the form of a rapier or a fencing sword when Chojiro activates his Shikai, giving him immense penetrative power while also maintaining a certain degree of flexibility in battle. Chojiro’s Shikai, therefore, takes the 19th spot on this list.
18) Rojuro Otoribashi’s Shikai
Rojuro’s Zanpakto is unique, both in its name and form, making it an immensely complex weapon to control. Named Rose, Rojuro’s Zanpakto is a whip that, in its Shikai state, takes the form of a golden whip with a rose at the top.
Rojuro’s Shikai has the special ability named Kinshara Sōkyoku Dai Jūichiban – Izayoi Bara, where the rose end attaches itself to an enemy and creates a humming sound from a string. This creates a soundwave vortex that destroys everything within its range, resulting in complete annihilation. As one of the Strongest Shikai in Bleach, Rojuro’s Shikai takes the 18th spot.
17) Kenpachi’s Shikai
Kenpachi is clearly careless in the way he uses his Zanpakto, which has left it in a clear jagged state, with bits and pieces falling off. However, even with these broken pieces, Kenpachi can still be a formidable opponent just by using his Shikai, drawing power from the excessive violent nature.
Nozarashi was earlier considered to be one of the strongest Shikai in Bleach; however, it is due to Kenpachi’s own carelessness that led to a greater loss in its spiritual power. Kenpachi’s special attack with his Shikai is unnamed; however, it can destroy a meteorite with a single shot, taking 17th place on this list.
16) Retsu Unohana’s Shikai
Retsu’s Shikai abilities are primarily used for healing purposes, which is also the reason why it features so low in this list. In its Shikai form, Unohana’s Zangatsu takes the form of a manta-ray-like creature that can be used for transportation through air or movement in areas quickly.
The special ability of Minazuki in Shikai is, however, to store copious amounts of energy that can, later on, be released as a form of healing. Since Unohana’s Shikai can heal minor wounds within seconds but lacks offensive prowess, it takes the 16th spot on this list.
15) Gin Ichimaru’s Shikai
Gin has a different type of Shikai, one that can extend and therefore has spearlike abilities. However, his Shikai has quite a few drawbacks as well since it is not really useful unless the opponent is completely taken by surprise. If the opponent can anticipate the attack, then the effectiveness of his sword extension is decreased considerably, making it easier to dodge.
Nicknamed the Hyapponzashi, Gin has expert control over his excessive longsword, which can then act as a spear, effective in long-range fights. GIn’s Shikai takes the 15th spot on this list.
14) Rukia Kuchiki’s Shikai
Rukia’s Shikai is named the Sode no Shirayuki, and its abilities are intensively that of controlling ice. Through rotation counterclockwise, Ruia is able to perform several ice-based attacks. Her Shikai is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the entire series.
Sode no Shirayuki’s special point is that it can be used to perform a variety of attacks, both short and long-range. However, one that essentially culminates into freezing. As one of the strongest Shikai in Bleach, Rukia’s Shikai takes the 14th spot.
13) Kensei Muguruma’s Shikai
Tachikaze is traditionally different from all the sword Zanpakto, and because it is not really a sword but a knife. Tachikaze’s special ability is self-explosion, which means anything cut with it implodes, which makes it extremely deadly to even be touched by it.
However, there is one vital shortcoming that puts it in the 13th spot, and that is the opponents, and the cuts don’t seem to explode every time a cut is made but on selective occasions. And while it is an extremely powerful Shikai, had it been guaranteed implosion, it would definitely have claimed a spot in the top 10.
12) Izuru Kira’s Shikai
Izuru has a unique ability to, through his Shikai, he can increase the weight of their opponent’s weapon, doubling the weight until it is no longer possible for the opponent to pick up the weapon, therefore rendering him helpless in the battle.
This means that the movement of the opponents is strictly restricted to the number of hits that they can get with his sword, and unless the opponent can finish him off in a couple of moves, it will be next to impossible to defeat this Shikai, giving it the 12th spot on this list.
11) Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Shikai
Honestly, never expected to find Mayuri’s Shikai placed over Ichigo’s, but the fact that it is, speaks volumes of his powers. Known as the Ashisogi Jizo, it creates a spirit that paralyzes the area cut, restricting the movements.
For an opponent like Ichigo, therefore, if he is cut enough time, it might just be able to take him down completely. Against opponents with a physical fighting style, this is a deadly Shikai and is therefore rightly placed in the 11th spot.
10) Yachiru Kusajishi’s Shikai
Yachiru Shikai is deadly, and that is because it directly contributes to her numerical advantage in battle. Although no name as of now has been given to her Shikai, it is still considered to be one of the strongest Shikai in Bleach.
This is specifically because it summons two delay beasts to fight alongside Yachiru, named Lumpy and Boney. However, do not go by their names. These are two deadly spirits that place Yachiru’s Shikai in the 10th spot.
9) Sui Feng’s Shikai
A Shikai that can literally kill opponents in two strikes that the real extent of Sui Feng’s Shikai. The entire Zanpukto shrinks and wraps around Sui’s hands, making it extremely flexible to use.
The special ability Nigeki Kessatsu, leaves butterfly-shaped marks on the enemy’s body, which, if hit twice, activates the ‘death in two steps.’ As one of the most powerful Shikai in Bleach, Suzumebachi takes the 9th spot on this list.
8) Tōshirō Hitsugaya’s Shikai
Toshiro is a prodigy, and there are no two ways about it. His ice attacks far exceed all, and he is the youngest captain in the history of Soul Society. It is only befitting that his Shikai Hyorinmaru is one of the strongest and extremely flexible in its own right.
However, much like with any other Ice Zanpakto, Toshiro’s Shikai cannot deal with the instant kill effect, and that is indeed a shortcoming, considering that he is a captain and should have had the ability to destroy enemies with a single strike. Hyorinmaru, therefore, takes the 8th spot on this list.
7) Ichigo Kurosaki’s Shikai
Zangetsu is strong, but it is actually Ichigo that restricts its powers. Firstly because its powers and usage are restricted by Icihgo’s ability to attack, and secondly, it is not flexible or versatile as the other Shikai.
For one, the special ability of Getsuga Tensho is extremely powerful but cannot be used in a variety of ways, which severely restricts Ichigo’s abilities. Also, Zangetsu does have to potential to have a one-strike kill, but for that, his attacks will really have to connect with the opponent, and a fast opponent like Byakuya will easily be able to dodge. For all of these reasons, Zangetsu is placed in the 7th spot.
6) Byakuya Kuchiki’s Shikai
Trust me; you do not want to come across Senbonzakura because there is no way any lesser opponent is coming out of that fight intact. To be honest, it is better to run away when you find a thousand blades all aimed at killing you. The fact that Byakuya has only revealed it to two opponents is itself a projection of Byakuya’s latent strength.
The fact that makes Senbonzakura so special is that it can attack and defend simultaneously extremely fast and is near impermeable to all kinds of physical attacks, making the user almost invincible inside it. No wonder Senbonzakura is considered one of the strongest Shikai in Bleach and takes the 6th spot on this list.
5) Shinji Hirako’s Shikai
Shinji was the captain of the 5th division and also the de-facto leader of the Visored. This should really be all the statement it requires since his Shikai Sakanade is an illusion based and deadly.
His special ability enumerates a pink mist that makes everyone around susceptible to his illusions, and while it can be countered by adapting to its powers, very few survive to actually adapt, making it literally a death sentence to all affected with it.
4) Shunsui Kyoraku’s Shikai
To be completely honest, with a Shikai like Katen Kyokotsu, Shunsui doesn’t even need a Bankai. The literal power of his Shikai is to make children’s games real and make it obligatory for anyone, including Shuisui himself, to play by the rules once inside the territory.
The extent of this Shikai’s powers is unimaginable with a technique such as Bushōgoma, Kageoni, Irooni, Daruma-san ga Koronda, and Kageokuri, all of which are deadly with the basic rule of a fight to live. This is literally one of the most powerful Shikai in Bleach, taking up the 4th spot.
3) Kisuke Urahara’s Shikai
This can well be considered as one of the best Shikai in the entire series because this is the most versatile, and the user is equally powerful. Upon using the command ‘Awaken,’ Benihime can actually obliterate opponents in mere seconds.
Special techniques such as Nake, Benihime, Chikasumi no Tate, Hiasobi, Benihime, Juzutsunagi, and other means this is one of the strongest Shikai, rightly taking up the 3rd spot, the most well-rounded Shikai in the entire series.
2) Sosuke Aizen’s Shikai
Imagine an opponent fighting against Yhwach with only his Shikai and still managing to come on top. That is exactly the power of Kyoka Suigetsu, and this is also what makes Aizen so much more powerful than ven several Bankai users.
Very honestly, I was tempted to put this Shikai at the top spot, and the only reason it does not is that Aizen himself admitted that Ryujin Jakka is more powerful than his. But to ridicule all five senses and create a complete illusion, Aizen might just well be on equal terms with Yamamoto’s Shikai.
1) Yamamoto’s Shikai
The only Shikai to rival the power of a God. This is Yamamoto for you, and his Shikai Ryujin Jakka is no joke, obliterating cities and enemies in an instant if required. The most overpowered Shikai in the entire series, the raw offensive, and defensive powers are next to none, giving it the top spot on this list.
So here we conclude the complete list of the strongest Shikai in Bleach. You can check out the manga on Bleach and the anime on Crunchyroll. And for such exclusive content, keep following us.
References
Image Source | Fandom, Myanimelist
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