Key insights
- Bleach's Zanpakutou power system is closely tied to character writing.
- Characters become stronger through self-acceptance, not traditional training.
- Soul Reapers reach their true power potential when at peace with their Zanpakutou.
Unlike many other famous shōnen series bleaching is a character-based story. Tite Kubo's nuanced characters drive the plot forward. Everything inside bleaching revolves around her. Kubo's talent for writing characters is so inherent to Bleach that the main energy system is directly tied to it. A Soul Reaper's Zanpakutou is not simply his weapon, but an extension of his own self. The Soul Reapers become stronger not only through training, but also through self-discovery and acceptance.
Zanpakutou is a power system that revolves around character writing. Let's examine how Soul Reaper's main characters demonstrate this. Ichigo, Renji, Rukia, Kenpachi and more. The Soul Reapers evolve into humans and then into warriors.
The true nature of the Zanpakutou
An extension of one's self
Each Soul Reaper receives a blank katana called an Asauchi. These swords were forged by O-Etsu Nimaiya of the Royal Palace, the creator of Zanpakutou. During their training, each Soul Reaper imprints themselves on their Asauchi until the Asauchi eventually evolves into a Zanpakutou and manifests an expansion of its master's soul as an independent spirit. However, this process is not exactly the same for every person. Ichigo manifested both Zangetsu without ever having an Asauchi, as he is not a normal Soul Reaper. While Toushiro Hitsugaya manifested Hyorinmaru long before he even became a Soul Reaper.
Thank you, Zangetsu, you are…me
In Ichigo's case, it is explicitly stated that Zangetsu are an extension of Ichigo and are identical to him. They represent the two sides of him. While the relationship between Ichigo and Zangetsu is not the same for everyone, the nature of the Zanpakutou is identical for every Soul Reaper. Renji is Zabimaru, Rukia is Sode no Shirayuki, and Byakuya is Senbonzakura. The Zanpakutou are both companions and the same as their masters. How the Soul Reapers cope with their Zanpakutou reflects how they cope with themselves. Accepting yourself means accepting your Zanpakutou.
True growth leads to true power
Only as strong as they allow
Ichigo is seen entering a world full of huge skyscrapers with no floor in sight. This is Ichigo's inner world where he meets and converses with Zangetsu. While this is only seen with Ichigo in the manga, the novel “Can’t fear your own world.” shows that Shuuhei Hisagi also has an inner world where he meets Kazeshini. Therefore, every Soul Reaper has their own inner world. Most of the Zanpakutou spirits are not shown in the manga except for Zabimaru, Nozarashi, Katen Kyokotsu, Hyorinmaru and Kazeshini. But every Soul Reaper has one.
How a Soul Reaper handles his Zanpakutou determines how powerful he becomes. Yumichika Ayasegawa actively hates his Ruri'iro Kujaku due to his unconventional abilities that don't fit Squad 11's fighting style. Yumichika is obsessed with beauty, and because he thinks Ruri'iro Kujaku is ugly, the two are often at odds. Because of this, Yumichika cannot access the full extent of his power. The Soul Reaper must be at peace with his Zanpakutou to gain his full power. Yumichika has an unspoken inner conflict with himself, ashamed of his power given his position.
The same goes for Shuuhei Hisagi and Izuru Kira. Both hate their Zanpakutou because of their sinister appearance and abilities. They desire more heroic abilities and instead have dark weapons to kill. Renji Abarai is a lieutenant with great ambition and yet he doubts himself more than anyone else. He doesn't see himself as capable of the greatness he could achieve. He limited himself to living in Byakuya's shadow, and so Zabimaru did not fully accept him for years. Renji forced himself to become stronger without fully communicating with Zabimaru, he suppressed his own growth and when he reached Bankai, Zabimaru only told him half of his name. Once he knew the true name, he unlocked his true Bankai, the powerful Söö Zabimaru. Ichigo is the best case of this system. He lived for years rejecting Zangetsu and limiting his own power. When he accepted it, he achieved his true power.
It's a pleasure to meet you, Kenpachi Zaraki, my name is…
While in most other shōnen series characters become stronger through conventional training, Soul Reapers become stronger through understanding and accepting themselves. This is one of the core themes of Bleach: self-acceptance. Through his characters, Tite Kubo reflects the journey of self-discovery that real people go through. The process of conversing with their Zanpakutou represents a narrative image of self-discovery. Soul Reapers speak to their own soul and search for answers deep within themselves. People undergo important changes through meaningful experiences from which they emerge more confident and in control of themselves. Ichigo accepts Zangetsu, Zabimaru accepts Renji, and after accepting and finding themselves, they become stronger. The Zanpakutou are much more than an energy system, they are heavy narrative devices. Bleach's narrative is its characters, and its main propulsion system is designed to enforce that idea.
A Soul Reaper's Zanpakutou is not just a weapon and their special powers, it is the way they perceive themselves and imprint themselves on their world. Their powers reflect their own personalities and their relationships with themselves. A Soul Reaper who is at odds with himself will never achieve his true power. A Soul Reaper who is at peace with his own soul will be a force to be reckoned with. A character-based story with a character-based energy system.
