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Overview

Hohō (歩法, Step Method; Viz "Fast Movement") is a defensive style of fighting which relates to footwork. It is one of the four basic combat skills of the Shinigami.[1]

Overview[]

Hohō is an important skill for most Shinigami, which incorporates speed and agility. The skill level of Hohō can be enhanced and improved through concentration, training, and mastery of it. Among the foremost practitioners of this technique are those assigned to the Onmitsukidō. Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash Steps) is the greatest expression of the Hohō technique; however there are variations even within Shunpo, which only master Hohō practitioners can use.[2]

Shunpo[]

Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash Steps) is a movement technique which allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow.[3] As speed is the main factor of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from point A to point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpo can move. Users of little skill in the technique or those who have not used it for an extended period of time would obviously be out of practice, causing them to be considerably slower, which requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become winded in a shorter amount of time.[4]

  • Tenjirō Kirinji was once known as "Lightning-Fast Tenjirō" (雷迅の天示郎, Raijin no Tenjirō) for his skill in the art, during his time in Soul Society.[7]

Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shihō (隠密歩法 四楓の参, Onmitsu Hohō Shihō no San; Viz "Four-Maple Secret Step") is a category of Shunpo skills, including the technique Utsusemi.[8]

The Arrancar variation of Shunpo is Sonído, while the Quincy variation is Hirenkyaku. The Fullbringers also have their own unnamed movement technique, which is akin to Shunpo.

Techniques[]

Notable Users[]

Shunpo Masters[]

Shunpo masters are capable of maintaining high speed movements for extended periods of time while using the least amount of steps to achieve those movements. Masters are capable of using advanced steps, which are considerably harder to initiate. A master can possibly create new techniques but it is most likely a rare occurrence.
(Note: only those who have trained and achieved mastery either stated or displayed, outside any advantage they gain from Shikai, Bankai or otherwise are included in this listing).


Other Media Users


Shunpo Experts[]

Experts of the technique are considerably fast, and can maintain high speed movements for extended periods of time. While not as fast as a master, they can keep up quite effectively. Some holding the title are faster than others, but, nonetheless, their application of the technique is highly advanced.


Other Media Users


Shunpo Practitioners[]

Practitioners of the technique can maintain fast movements for a short period of time, by seemingly taking only a few steps to bridge what would normally be a large distances. Those who are practitioners commonly use their knowledge of Hohō while engaging in combat to close the space between combatants. Practitioners who maintain these high speeds for too long tend to become winded.


Other Media Users


Those Who Have Yet to Learn Shunpo[]

Those in this category, possessing no skill for Hohō, instead rely on walking to get where they need to be.



References[]

  1. Bleach manga; Chapter 175, page 9
  2. Bleach manga; Chapter 299, page 17
  3. Bleach anime; Episode 61
  4. Bleach manga; Chapter 119, page 17
  5. Bleach manga; Chapter 154, page 14
  6. Bleach anime; Episode 56
  7. Bleach manga; Chapter 520, page 12
  8. Bleach manga; Chapter 299, pages 17-18

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