Renji shows the full power of his Bankai

Key insights

• Renji's true Bankai, Sōō Zabimaru, is now on full display in a breathtaking battle with Uryuu.
• Renji's Bankai abilities Hihiō and Zaga Teppō show his newfound strength and power.
• This fight proves that Renji has now reached the strength of a captain, expanding both his and Uryuu's abilities. (120 characters)

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War Part Three continues the amazing trend of expanding the original manga with anime-only scenes and fights. In episode 33, Gate of the Sun fans are treated to a stunning new battle between Renji Abarai and Uryuu Ishida. This fight serves as an excuse to show off brand new abilities that the two have never been able to show off before. Renji's true Bankai, Sōō Zabimaru, now fully displays his extraordinary and versatile power.

Fans of the character are now happier than ever and those who once ridiculed him have finally accepted his power. Bleach Thousand Year Blood War has finally shown the full extent of Renji's Bankai.

Sōō Zabimaru, The Two Kings

Renji's true Bankai

Sōō Zabimaru originally only had one fight to demonstrate his power. Renji's utter destruction of Mask de Masculine. This one fight was incredibly impressive for him. Now that he knew his true name and was training in the royal palace, he could only give a taste of what he could really do. He displayed two main abilities; Hihiō and Zaga Teppō. These were used to quickly destroy the Quincy. Now, in his new fight against Uryuu, Renji shows what he can really do with his newfound strength.

“We villains are dirty by nature.”

Hihiō, baboon king

Sōō Zabimaru's hood portion transforms into the arm of a skeleton monkey, which Renji controls with his left arm. This allows him to use it as an additional limb to grab and strike his enemies. This monkey arm is so strong that it can effortlessly shatter bones and throw its enemy around with ease. Renji can deliver a devastating blow with a monkey arm by expelling fire from the circular protrusion in his arm.

Orochiō, great snake king

The vertebral section, acting as a belt of sorts, transforms into a tail, while the Bankai's blade transforms into a serrated whip similar to his Shikai. This allows Renji to use his blade in a similar way to his Shikai.

• Thanks to his training in the Royal Palace, Renji has unlocked his true Bankai.
• Hihiō Zabimaru was only half of the Bankai's name. Sōō Zabimaru is the real name.
• This battle with Uryuu is completely new and expands Renji and Uryuu's abilities.
• This fight proves that Renji is now at captain level.

Sōō Zabimaru, Zaga Teppō, Twin King Snake Tail, Snake Fang Iron Gun

Renji impales his enemy with his blade and, twisting his fist as if turning a key, manifests two giant serpentine jaws of spiritual energy. These jaws close around the opponent as they fire a powerful blast of energy at them, resulting in a massive explosion. This attack is powerful enough to turn his enemy into ash. With this, Renji defeated Mask de Masculine. However, when Quincy's blood vein was used against Uryuu, he was able to block the attack.

Zazekka, the echo of the serpent's tongue

Renji transforms the sword's blade into a segmented blade, just like his Shikai. Use it to attack from longer distances.

Hihi Tenshō, baboon skin reincarnation

Renji sheds the fur from his skeletal monkey arm and the tufts of fur left on the ground transform into individual monkey arms that grab the enemy and hold them in place, allowing for a follow-up attack.

“Don't talk like you know Bankai… Quincy!”

Hikotsu Taihō, baboon bone cannon

Renji is the only special move carried over from the original, incomplete Bankai: he fires a concentrated beam of spiritual energy from the monkey's arm. The original incomplete Bankai shot a red beam from the snake's mouth. This time it's a bright orange. This is due to Renji's changing spiritual pressure.

Zagai Zekkō, the absolute roar of Snake Bone

In one of Renji's more powerful attacks, he grabs the Orochiō portion of the Bankai with his monkey arm and rotates it above his head, slowly creating a giant disk of spiritual energy. He then throws it at the opponent, causing a gigantic explosion that leaves a crater behind. This attack is so powerful that it requires charging him with spiritual pressure for at least 20 seconds.

Thanks to this anime-original fight between Renji and Uryuu, fans now have a much better look at Renji's true Bankai, Sōō Zabimaru. The anime ensured that Renji's new power was on full display. Understanding his strength is now not mere speculation based on a single appearance, but rather a complete understanding of how incredibly powerful Squad 6's vice-captain has now become.