Bleach: 5 Best Bankai in the Series Excluding Ichigo, Ranked

Bleach is an epic tale of Soul Reapers, Hollows, and spiritual warfare that has complex world-building and dynamic character evolution. The core concept in Bleach is the concept of Bankai, the ultimate release of Soul Repear’s Zanpakuto or soul-cutting sword. These Bankai represent their innermost nature and abilities.

Even though Ichigo Kurosaki’s Bankai has been a focal point of the series, other characters possess Bankai that are equally, if not more, impressive in their scope and ability. These 5 best Bankai in the Bleach universe, excluding Ichigo’s. Each of the Bankai has unique factors such as raw power, versatility, and strategic value in combat situations.

5. Ichibei Hyosube – Shirafude Ichimonji

Ichibei’s Bankai allows him to control the “true name” of all black things in the universe. By painting something black, he can give it a new name and change its properties. The power extends to his opponents, allowing him to rename and weaken them.

The true strength of his Bankai lies in its conceptual nature. By changing names, Ichibei alters the very essence of things. It projects a philosophy in Bleach that names hold great power, making it an ability to be offensive and defensive.

4. Shunsui Kyoraku – Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju

Shunsui’s Bankai creates a shared illusion space where he and his opponent must play deadly games. Each game inflicts real damage, with the final act being a mutual drowning in an ocean of blood. The game continues with several acts one after another, each more dangerous than the last.

His Bankai is dangerous because of its unavoidable nature. Once activated, both Shunsui and his opponents are bound to play out the scenes to their conclusion.

3. Kisuke Urahara – Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame

Urahara’s Bankai manifests as a giant woman who can restructure anything it touches. Its ability allows him to heal injuries, repair objects, and even modify his own body. The power to restructure extends to both living and non-living things.

His Bankai is an all-rounder in its true strength. He can use it to instantly heal fatal wounds and create new organs. It’s a perfect reflection of Urahara’s analytical mind and his ability to adapt to any situation.

2. Genryusai Yamamoto – Zanka no Tachi

Yamamoto’s Bankai concentrates all the flames of his Bankai into his blade. It can incinerate anything it touches and summon an army of ash skeletons from those Yamamoto has killed. The heat from his Bankai is so intense that it can dry up all the moisture in Soul Society.

It has four main techniques: Zanka no Tachi, East, incernates anything the blade touches: Zanka no Tachi, West, clad Yamamoto in flames that reach 12 million degrees; Zanka no Tachi, South, summons the ash army; and Zanka no Tachi, North, a technique that attacks the enemy with the heat of all the flames Yamamoto has ever produced.

1. Zaraki Kenpachi – Nozarashi

Kenpachi’s Bankai transforms him into a demonic figure with immense strength and speed. It amplifies his already tremendous power to levels that even he can barely control. In this form, his skin turns red, he grows horns, and his blade changes shape.

What makes this Bankai apart is its simplicity and raw power. Unlike other Bankai that rely on abilities or tricks, Kenpachi’s is pure unbridled strength. It enhances his physical abilities to such a degree that he can effortlessly cut through anything, including space itself. However, it has a drawback as the power is so overwhelming that it damages Kenpachi’s own body.

Bleach is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll and read the manga on Viz.