Highlights:
*Bleach has many strong Bankai users
*There are some Bankai activations that are as beautiful as they are powerful
Bleach is hands-down one of the best Shonen anime series of all time. In the anime, there are many Bankai users that can unleash the final form of their Zenpakuto into a fearsome attack. Not only is this a great show of strength but also visually stunning. Just as some of the Bankai are stronger than others, some of the Bankai activations are more beautiful than the rest.
Best Bankai Activations In Bleach Anime
All Soul Reapers in the Bleach anime have a katana which is called a Zenpakuto. However, only the most dominant users are able to unleash the second attack of the Zenpakuto, known as Bankai. When they activate it, the strength of the strike manifests as a spectacle which is enough to take everyone’s breath away.
Shinji Hirako
Shinji Hirako is the 5th Division Captain of the Gotei 13. His Bankai is pretty similar to his Shikai, but with slight differences. Once activated, his Bankai envelopes him inside of a large golden flower and a mist starts to diffuse from its top. The smoke throws the people around him into disarray and they start to attack their allies thinking they are the enemy. Shinji remains unaffected by it inside the huge flower. His scary power was animated beautifully in the show.
Rukia Kuchiki
The current captain of the 13th Division, Rukia Kuchiki is undoubtedly a strong character. Her Bankai changes her appearance into a white kimono with various intricate designs and she also sports white hair. Upon activation, her sword turns into a blade of ice and releases a pillar of cold mist upwards from the user. When she points the blade toward her opponent, Rukia can freeze everything in the path of her attack. The potent elemental ability can be lethal and the icy structures look amazing on screen.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi
The Gotei 13’s 12th Division captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi is also scarily fierce. Upon activation, his Bankai produces a grotesque huge creature, which has a caterpillar’s body and a baby’s head. Wearing a red cape, the creature follows all the commands given by Mayuri. The creature can breathe poisonous gas, which is lethal to anybody who inhales it. Although not beautiful in the traditional sense, Mayuri’s Bankai is surely bizarre and astounding.
Senjumaru Shutara
As a member of the Royal Guard, Senjumaru’s Bankai, known as Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji, is extremely intense. This Bankai manifests first as a Torii Gate which then extends into a huge golden structure. Hundreds of narrow belts of clothes then expand from it and engulf the whole structure to form a barrier. All the cloth pieces have different patterns and powers which she uses to trap her victims inside her Bankai. It is easily one of the most magnificent Bankai activations in the series.
- Also Read: Top 5 Best Anime Action Films
Byakuya Kuchiki
Byakuya Kuchiki’s Bankai is probably one of the most popular ones from the anime, not just because of how powerful it is but also because of its beauty. Byakuya drops his Zenpakuto to the ground to activate his Bankai. Instead of hitting the ground, the sword goes in straight through like it would in water, making it ripple. Many blades emerge through the ground and stand in two rows around Byakuya. He then makes all the blades scatter, piercing through his enemies. The visual spectacle of this Bankai activation was one of the most beautiful parts of the Bleach anime.
If you are a fan of Shonen, then you can check out these 5 best action anime series of all time.
