15 Strongest Bankai in Bleach (Ranked)

In the Bleach universe, Bankai is the ultimate form of a Zanpakutō, representing the culmination of a Shinigami’s training. To achieve Bankai, the Shinigami must force the spirit of their Zanpakutō to materialize, and winning the ensuing battle grants access to hidden powers through the Zanpakutō’s real name. Bankai is a rare and powerful transformation, requiring additional training for mastery. The strength of a Bankai varies between Zanpakutō and wielder, with its power ranging from five to ten times greater than the initial Shikai form. Let’s check out the 15 strongest Bankai in the series and rank them.

15. Kokujō Tengen Myō’ō (Sajin Komamura)

Kokujō Tengen Myō’ō is Komamura’s Bankai, summoning a colossal living armor giant resembling an armored samurai, standing around a hundred meters tall. The giant wields a sword with a guard similar to Komamura’s, and the Shinigami retains his regular katana form. Both Komamura and his katana emit a spiritual energy glow while the Bankai is active. Upon deactivation, the giant dissipates into a wave of reishi.

14. Kinshara Butōdan (Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi)

Kinshara Butōdan, Rose’s Zanpakutō, transforms into a pair of floating hands and several large beings called the “Dancers of Death” upon activation. These figures have petal-shaped protrusions on their faces and are missing the central section of their torso. Accompanied by the sound of gamelan music, these entities execute attacks under Rose’s command.

13. Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū (Chōjirō Sasakibe)

Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū, Chōjirō’s Bankai, involves raising his Zanpakutō, creating dark clouds, and generating a bolt of lightning that transforms into a dome stationed above him. The dome is fastened to the ground by numerous lightning pillars, with one extending towards the sky. The sword remains in its Shikai form throughout the Bankai’s duration. Unfortunately, Chōjirō’s Bankai was stolen by Driscoll Berci prior to his death.

12. Hakka no Togame (Rukia Kuchiki)

Rukia’s Bankai, Hakka no Togame, transforms her appearance with a white kimono, transparent ice accessories, and white hair and irises. The Bankai increases the range of her absolute zero temperature ability. Upon release, a cold mist pillar rises, and Rukia can unleash a massive wave of freezing cold from her blade, freezing anything in its path to absolute zero. Physical contact with Rukia induces freezing due to her extremely cold body.

11. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Byakuya Kuchiki)

Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, Byakuya’s Bankai, expands upon his Shikai, creating a larger version. By dropping his sword into the ground, a thousand giant blades rise up, scattering and piercing enemies. The vast number makes it impossible to dodge or perceive the movements. Byakuya can use them for both offense and defense, forming masses to instantly obliterate opponents. The blades move like cherry blossoms in the wind. The Bankai can be mentally controlled, but using hands enhances efficiency, allowing the blades to move twice as fast. The attack is triggered with the phrase “Scatter,” and upon deactivation, the sealed sword is reconstituted in Byakuya’s hands.

10. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō: Matai Fukuin Shōtai (Mayuri Kurotsuchi)

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, transforms into a grotesque creature with the body of a caterpillar wearing a red cape. The creature has a golden baby’s head and arms, with a silver halo and four bells. The baby’s head on the guard opens its mouth to produce this giant entity. In this state, Mayuri’s Zanpakutō returns to its sealed form. The creature follows Mayuri’s verbal commands, and while using the Bankai, Mayuri’s Reiatsu turns red. Mayuri achieved this Bankai by modifying his Zanpakutō with the fifth Nemuri he created.

9. Tensa Zangetsu (Ichigo Kurosaki)

Ichigo Kurosaki’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, is activated by placing the two blades of his Shikai side by side. This causes a surge of energy to engulf him and the swords. Tensa Zangetsu takes the form of a khyber knife variation with a smaller black blade on the inner part and a handle resembling a normal katana. The base of the sword is slanted, and the blade continues with a section jutting out from the underside as a guard. A chain is attached to the guard, looping over the top and attaching just before the point of the blade. After an attempt by Yhwach to destroy Tensa Zangetsu during Ichigo’s final battle, only the outer white portion of the sword breaks off, revealing a blade matching the original form of Ichigo’s Shikai underneath.

8. Shirafude Ichimonji (Ichibē Hyōsube)

Ichibē activates his Bankai, Shirafude Ichimonji, by calling out “Shin’uchi” instead of Bankai. The blade of his brush turns into white bristles, emitting white energy instead of black ink. Some of this energy forms a large circle around Ichibē. The special ability of Shin’uchi allows Ichibē to give and change the name of targets struck by the ink of Ichimonji. By writing kanji on their body, he can grant his target the properties and powers associated with the given name. For instance, changing their name to “Black Ant” would render the opponent as weak and powerless as an ant.

7. Complete Daiguren Hyōrinmaru (Tōshirō Hitsugaya)

Hitsugaya’s Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, causes ice to flow from the sword onto Hitsugaya, creating a dragon-shaped ice formation around his sword hand, encasing the sword and spreading over his shoulders, forming wings, a tail, and ice limbs on his arms and feet ending in claws. The movable ice limbs act as extensions of himself in battle. Three flowers of ice, each with four purple diamond-shaped petals, float behind him. These flowers melt away petal by petal during battle, and the Bankai is speculated to deactivate when all twelve petals disappear.

6. Minazuki  (Retsu Unohana)

Unohana’s Bankai, Minazuki, is activated by her cutting her hand alongside the edge of her blade. The Zanpakutō liquefies into a thick, blood-like substance, which also appears around Unohana and her opponent. Once most of the liquid flows off the Zanpakutō, the remaining substance solidifies into a shortened katana. Minazuki’s blood-like substance can be manipulated for potent offensive and defensive maneuvers. Unohana can create large and sharp blades to attack enemies from a distance, form a protective sphere by rapidly slashing in all directions, and use Minazuki to rapidly heal any injuries without requiring Kaidō.

5. Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari (Shinji Hirako, light novel)

Shinji Hirako’s Bankai, which he releases by holding it in reverse, manifests a flower-shaped platform resembling a common Carnation, with Shinji at its center. The platform has six branches or petals that branch out, resembling flames. The Bankai’s ability is to create hypnosis that affects the spirit itself, causing those within its range to be unable to distinguish between friends and enemies, leading them to fight and kill each other. This power is most effective against multiple opponents, and the “petals” can also close around Hirako, serving as a shield. In contrast, his Shikai is more effective in one-on-one combat against powerful opponents.

4. Unnamed (Kenpachi Zaraki)

Zaraki’s unnamed Bankai, when activated, releases a powerful wave of energy that can level nearby buildings. In this form, Zaraki undergoes a transformation with red skin, black markings on his face, and the appearance of horns resembling an oni. His blade changes into a shorter, jagged version resembling a rough cleaver. The Bankai significantly enhances Zaraki’s physical strength and cutting power, enabling him to effortlessly defeat formidable opponents, such as toppling the gigantic Gerard Valkyrie with a single blow and cutting him in half from a considerable distance.

3. Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame (Kisuke Urahara)

Urahara’s Bankai, Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame, appears as a giant woman in a red robe, while Urahara retains his sealed sword for combat. The Bankai has the unique ability to restructure anything it touches for both offensive and supportive purposes. Offensively, it can split open objects within its area of effect, resembling the act of dissecting. Supportively, it can heal by stitching things back together or enhancing them for optimal functioning. Urahara used this power to restore his eyes and overpower Askin Nakk Le Vaar by restructuring his arm for greater strength. Additionally, it can create paths for others to navigate obstacles or barriers.

2. Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū (Shunsui Kyōraku)

Shunsui Kyoraku’s Bankai, Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū, is activated by holding his Shikai with blades pointing down, resulting in black, root-like tendrils spreading out from him. His Zanpakutō Spirit, Katen Kyōkotsu, appears behind him. The Bankai’s special ability creates an aura, altering the perception of the surrounding environment. It induces a sense of darkness, bleakness, and gloominess, causing individuals to experience varying levels of melancholy and despair. Shunsui views this as a last resort and ensures allies are at a safe distance to avoid its effects.

1. Zanka no Tachi (Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto)

Yamamoto’s Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, transforms his katana into an ancient, scorched blade upon activation. It absorbs the flames produced by Ryūjin Jakka, incorporating their full power into the sword. The flames within the blade have the ability to erase anything it cuts from existence. Zanka no Tachi generates a heat-wave, drying up the air and water in the surrounding area. The intense heat prevents the use of ice-based abilities, even affecting Hitsugaya’s Bankai. Yamamoto claims that releasing his Bankai envelops both his blade and body in the flames of the Sun. Unohana believes that the flames could incinerate all of Soul Society if left active for too long.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!