Highlights

• Different Bankai have unique abilities and strengths, with some being more powerful than others in the Bleach universe.
• Each Soul Reaper's Bankai showcases their individual strengths and fighting styles, making them formidable opponents.
• The Bankai in Bleach can range from elemental attacks to powerful melee weapons, each serving a specific purpose in battle.

A little more than a decade ago, the anime world was dominated by three series, and Bleach was one of them. At its core, Bleach focuses on the conflict between three factions: the Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Quincy, and each group possesses distinct attributes and abilities. When it comes to powerful iconic Shonen protagonists, Ichigo Kurosaki ranks near the top, and like several other Soul Reapers, he is capable of using Bankai.

Every Soul Reaper has a katana called a Zanpakutō, and each one possesses a Shikai release. Bankai refers to a Zanpakutō's second release, and it can usually only be achieved by Captain-level Soul Reapers. Fans have seen more than a dozen of these Bankai, and they are all extremely powerful, but some are far stronger than others.

Updated on April 24, 2024, by George Voutiritsas: The Thousand-Year Blood War Arc has been a huge success thus far, and it has already introduced some never-before-seen Bankai, and as the story continues, several more Bankai will make their debut. The Bankai release is the strongest weapon that a Soul Reaper can use, but only a handful of Soul Reapers can actually awaken their Zanpakutō's Bankai. Every Bankai is different in terms of ability and appearance, and some can wipe out dozens of enemies at once. Each Bankai may be powerful, but when it comes to overall power and effectiveness, they are not all equal. Most fans know what the strongest Bankai is, but there are still a few that need to be mentioned, including some that are only present in fillers and supplementary novels. The Thousand-Year Blood War Arc has even revealed a Bankai that was never shown in the manga.

28 Ginjo's Unnamed Bankai Boosts His Abilities

This Bankai Is A Cheap Imitation Of A Stronger Bankai

Kugo Ginjo served as the main antagonist of the Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc. He is a Fullbringer who gathered other members of his kind to form the Xcution organization. When he was younger, Soul Society took note of his immense power and made him the first Substitute Shinigami. When Ichigo fully awakens his Fullbring, Ginjo stabs him and absorbs all of his power.

This allows Ginjo to use his currently unnamed Bankai. It significantly enhances his spiritual energy to the point he can fight other Bankai, and it gives his body extra skeletal armor. He can use an enhanced Getsuga Tensho and fire energy from the tip of his blade. Ultimately, Ginjo's Bankai is a cheap imitation of Ichigo's Bankai.

27 Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame Can Restructure Anything

A Bankai That Is More Suited For Support & Defense

Kisuke Urahara is the former Captain of Squad 12, and he possesses a Bankai, which makes use of his scientific mind. His Bankai is called Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame, and it takes the form of a large woman with dark, braided hair. Her arms look like they belong on a mannequin, and she wears a surprisingly revealing red dress.

This Bankai is capable of restructuring anything it touches. Basically, it can cut anything around it as if it were dissecting something, and it can then restructure them by stitching them back together. Healing is just one of its applications, as Urahara used it to fix his blindness. It can enhance certain other body parts, too, and can create paths through obstacles and barriers. Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame does have offensive potential. but its defensive and supportive capabilities are more helpful.

26 Ryumon Hozukimaru's Power Increases When Damage Is Dealt Or Received

This Bankai Takes Time To Reach Its True Cutting Potential

Ikkaku has been a fan-favorite ever since he debuted during the Soul Society Arc. He loves to fight, and his Zanpakuto is perfect for melee fighting. His Shikai is a type of spear that can split into three pieces, but his Bankai is far larger, and it deals a lot more damage. Ryumon Hozukimaru takes the form of three different weapons that are all connected via a thick metal chain.

The main weapons are a monk spade and pole-like weapon, but there is also a large axe blade with a dragon crest above his head. The crest continues to turn red each time Ikkaku receives or deals damage, and when it is fully charged, he can utilize his Bankai's true cutting power. Ryumon Hozukimaru can cut through things with minimal effort, but it takes too long to charge up.

25 Tekken Tachikaze Produces Powerful Melee Attacks

A Powerful Melee Bankai That Has No Ranged Capabilities