Zanpakutō

Zanpakutō
Kanji	斬魄刀
English	Soul-Cutter Sword
Item Statistics
Use	Primary Weapon
Created By	Ōetsu Nimaiya
Used By	Shinigami, Arrancar, Visored

A Zanpakutō (斬魄刀, Soul-Cutter Sword; Viz "Soul Slayer") is the main weapon of the Shinigami, the Arrancar, and the Visored. The Shinigami art of wielding a Zanpakutō is called Zanjutsu (斬術, swordsmanship).

Overview

The Zanpakutō of low-ranking Shinigami are called Asauchi and do not have names, but the Zanpakutō of Shinigami of rank have names. In its sealed state, a Zanpakutō has the form of a Japanese sword. Such weapons are unique swords generated from their owner's souls. Its shape differs depending on its owner.

Zanpakutō are the trademark weapons of the Shinigami. Capable of cutting spiritual bodies, they are among the few weapons which can be used to combat Hollows. Each Shinigami carries a Zanpakutō, and each Zanpakutō is unique: the swords are reflections of a Shinigami's power and soul, and sentient beings unto themselves. The Zanpakutō's name is the name of the living spirit which empowers the sword and lends its strength to the Shinigami who wields it. These beings can vary greatly in appearance, and have their own distinct personalities, which match their owner's.

A Zanpakutō's shape and abilities are based on their Shinigami's soul. Once a Shinigami learns his/her sword's name, they can communicate with one another and grow stronger together. Zanpakutō are born with their Shinigami, and they die along with their Shinigami. Shinigami use them in battle as a reflection of their heart. When released, they can display a vibrant power. They are one with the Shinigami, and they share a Shinigami's conviction.

The only known exception to how a Zanpakutō is unique to the Shinigami carrying it is the Shinken Hakkyōken, in which it is a Zanpakutō passed down from one generation to another of the Ise Clan. Because they are bound to this blade, it is impossible for members of the family to create their own unique Zanpakutō.

Inside each Zanpakutō is an incarnation which manifests itself upon the Zanpakutō's transformation. The first step is to acquaint oneself with this incarnation.

Zanpakutō that have merged with a hollow also gain the ability to protect their Shinigami through various means. Zangetsu for example was able to manifest a hollow mask to protect Ichigo from major injuries when he was dominated by the Manifestation of Ichigo's Quincy's powers. After becoming the dominate spirit, he was able to take possession to Ichigo's body whenever he was on the brink of death..

Arrancar Zanpakutō

An Arrancar's primary weapon is the same as a Shinigami's, but unlike a Shinigami's Zanpakutō, the blade is an embodiment of the Hollow's power.

Zanpakutō Facts

• All Asauchi are forged solely by Ōetsu Nimaiya. Since the birth of Soul Society itself, there has never been a Shinigami who awakened his or her own Zanpakutō without wielding an Asauchi which Nimaiya forged.

• Being the creator of every Asauchi, Nimaiya knows the exact location of every Zanpakutō in existence, no matter who the wielder is or how the blade is attained.

• Because they are part of their owner's soul, a Zanpakutō cannot be replaced, though it will slowly regenerate if it is broken.

• The only thing which can heal a broken Zanpakutō is its own wielder's force of will, Reiatsu, and the time required to infuse the Zanpakutō with this Reiatsu. This only relates to one's Shikai, and can only be done if the hilt of the Zanpakutō remains intact. The destruction of a Shikai and the destruction of a Bankai hold quite different meanings, for a destroyed Bankai can never be restored to its original form.

• The size of the Zanpakutō reflects the amount of the swordsman's spiritual power. Exceptions to this rule are beings of immense power, who are required to actively control the size of their Zanpakutō.

• If a Shinigami pierces the chest of a Human with their Zanpakutō and channels their Reiryoku through it into the Human's body, it will transform this Human into a Shinigami temporarily. This process does not have a high chance of viability even when the Human in question has a high level of spiritual energy, and if the method does fail, the Human will die.

• Every Zanpakutō has its own name, which the wielder must learn.

• A Zanpakutō can determine if its wielder is worthy of its power. Based on this, the Zanpakutō may choose not to give its true Bankai name (and its full potential) if it feels the wielder is not worthy.

• Zanpakutō have a true form. This true form resides inside their Shinigami. A Zanpakutō has a mind and a body, which control their powers. Shinigami can grow more powerful by communicating with them.

• Zanpakutō possess their own Reiatsu, which can be sensed as any Reiatsu can and is identical to their wielder's, though with subtle differences.

• It is possible for a Shinigami to lose harmony with their Zanpakutō if they are suffering from mental instability, resulting in the Zanpakutō spirit in question unable to hear their wielder's voice, and thus causing the Shinigami to lose access to the sword's Shikai despite knowing its name.

• No matter what form (or size) a Zanpakutō takes, it is always virtually effortless for its owner to wield because it is a part of its owner's soul. Shinigami captains all consciously keep their Zanpakutō in a manageable size, or else they would be holding Zanpakutō the size of skyscrapers, so one cannot judge the strength of one's opponent solely by the size of their Zanpakutō.

• No Zanpakutō in existence has a Shikai and a Bankai which use unrelated abilities.

• A Zanpakutō cannot use elemental attacks of more than one element.

History

The Zanpakutō was conceived and invented by Ōetsu Nimaiya of the Royal Guard. The terms "Zanpakutō", "Shikai", and "Bankai" were chosen and given by another member of the Royal Guard, Ichibē Hyōsube, whose Zanpakutō was also the first to gain an evolved form, known as a Shinuchi.

Creation

Ōetsu Nimaiya invented the Asauchi that have the potential of becoming Shinigami Zanpakutō. He forges them using a method that melds a multitude of Shinigami souls together. Ironically a similar method was used by Sōsuke Aizen in his creation of his experimental hollow White.

Obtaining A Zanpakutō

File:Ch523 TheAsauchi.png

The Asauchi found in Ōetsu's domain.

Asauchi (浅打, Shallow Hit) are the nameless Zanpakutō which all low-class Shinigami wield. Shinigami who are still in training - those who do not yet belong to any of the Gotei 13 - and Shinigami who are unable to communicate with their Zanpakutō all wield generic Zanpakutō. "Shallow hit" refers to the grossly reduced power of a Zanpakutō whose wielder cannot connect with it properly. This way of thinking is partly inaccurate.

Asauchi are actually the ultimate Zanpakutō, for they have the potential to become anything. There are over 6,000 members of the Gotei 13, all of whom are loaned one of these nameless Zanpakutō upon first entering the academy, and this same blade is officially given to them upon joining a division. All Shinigami must spend every waking moment with their own Asauchi, and as they progress in their training, they slowly and methodically imprint the essence of their soul into their Asauchi. This is how they guide and mold their own unique Zanpakutō.

Although Asauchi (and later unique Zanpakutō) are normally given to Shinigami upon joining the academy, Kenpachi Zaraki took an Asauchi from a dead Shinigami and made it his own without ever entering the institution.

Those born from the Ise Clan cannot imprint their essence into an Asauchi, due to their family's Zanpakutō, Shinken Hakkyōken, being passed down from generation to generation.

Zanpakutō Training

Main article: Zanpakutō Spirit It is not enough to simply know the name of one's Zanpakutō. If a wielder were to lend its power to its Zanpakutō, the weapon would become stronger. To fully use a Zanpakutō's power, a wielder must get to know its Zanpakutō's spirit.

File:Jinzen Hitsugaya Madarame.png

Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Ikkaku Madarame perform Jinzen.

Jinzen (刃禅, Blade Zen/Sword Meditation): This method is the only way to carry on a proper conversation with one's Zanpakutō. One places their sword over their lap, takes a meditative pose, and forces their mind to become one with the Zanpakutō.

In this form, one can call out the true form of the powers of their Zanpakutō. It has been refined over thousands of years, since the beginning of Soul Society, to allow one to commune with their Zanpakutō. This advanced form of training is far different from attaining abilities by force. In this form, one enters a state of calm to enter the inner world of the Zanpakutō and engage them there. In this state, a wielder will have to fight their Zanpakutō spirit in order to attain access to new abilities. Unwilling to teach its owner these abilities, the Zanpakutō spirit engages its wielder in a battle, the likes of which has never taken place before.

In this meditative state, one is so deeply entranced, even sustained wounds are ignored. Any form of injury sustained in the inner world while in this meditative state is reflected in the real world.

Communication & Personality

A wielder knows their Zanpakutō spirit very closely and vice versa. The connection is very deep, though in the beginning the connection is one sided, with the wielder being unable to fully hear the spirit communicating with them. It is not uncommon for the introduction of the Shinigami and Zanpakutō spirit to take place in the "inner world" while the prospective Shinigami sleeps.

As stated, a Zanpakutō is a being unto itself, and tends to be highly temperamental. Its mood is determined by how it is treated by its Shinigami and its overall personality. This allows a Shinigami to partially determine whether or not it will achieve its true power.

For example, Yumichika Ayasegawa normally releases his Zanpakutō with the name Fuji Kujaku (Wisteria Peacock), even though its true name is Ruri'iro Kujaku (Azure Peacock), knowing its favorite color is azure and its least favorite is wisteria purple. He does this so its true power is not seen. Since his Zanpakutō hates the nickname, it becomes moody and only releases a fraction of its power. This allows him to pass off his Zanpakutō as a simple melee-type rather than what it truly is, a Kidō-type, something which is unacceptable in the 11th Division due to an unspoken rule that all Zanpakutō in the 11th Division must be melee-types. Only when its true name is uttered does it achieve full potential.

Inner World

Normally, the Zanpakutō spirit can only be seen by its wielder. Otherwise, they dwell in their own "inner world", created within the minds of the Shinigami who wield them. As such, each Shinigami's inner world is drastically different from another Shinigami's, and is unique to themselves. A Zanpakutō's spirit can bring its wielder into its inner world, though Shinigami can voluntarily achieve this simply by meditation.

General Powers

Ichigo performs Konsō.

• Konsō (魂葬, Soul Burial) is the process by which a Shinigami sends wandering Pluses in the living world to either Soul Society if they are good in life, or Hell if their life was full of evil acts (such as murders, theft, etc). Konsō is performed by using the pommel of the Shinigami's Zanpakutō to tap head of the soul, thereby transporting them to the afterlife.

• Hollow Purification: When a Hollow is sliced with a Zanpakutō, it is cleansed of the sins it committed as a Hollow, and is led into Soul Society. This is called sublimation. Souls who live in Soul Society are reborn again into the Human World.

Zanpakutō Forms

Depending upon the Shinigami's ability to communicate with and control their Zanpakutō's spirit, a Zanpakutō can manifest itself in two additional forms and revert to a sealed state. These two forms, known as Shikai and Bankai, are akin to upgrades for the Zanpakutō, giving it abilities far beyond those of its simple use as a sword. Shinigami usually carry their Zanpakutō in its sealed state, and activate the released forms as necessary.

A Zanpakutō can change size and shape depending on the spiritual strength of the owner.

All Zanpakutō have two levels of release. The first one is Shikai and the second one is Bankai. One must be able to perform both of them to become a captain. The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakutō, and vary according to the wielder's strength and training.

Sealed

Most Zanpakutō look like regular katana, with slight variations between them as one would expect between different swords. Their variations are commonly:

• Katana (刀): The term katana may be applied to the standard-size, moderately curved, Japanese sword with a blade length of 2 shaku (606 mm / 23.9 in) and longer. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade, a circular or squared guard, and a hilt long enough to accommodate two hands.

• Wakizashi (脇差, Side Insertion): A short blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 inches), with an average of 50 cm (20 inches). It is similar to but shorter than a katana, and usually shorter than the kodachi. The wakizashi was usually worn together with the katana. When worn together, the pair of swords were called daishō (大小, large and small). The katana was often called the long sword, and the wakizashi the companion sword.

• Nodachi (野太刀, Field Sword): The nodachi was more difficult to wield due to its size and weight. The average length of an nodachi is 65-70 inches long (approx 165-178 cm), often with a 4-5 foot (approx 120-150 cm) blade. The length of the hilt of the nodachi varied between 30 to 33 cm (12 to 13 inches). Due to its weight and size, its cutting capability and range exceeds those of a katana.

• Tantō (短刀, Short Sword): The tanto is commonly referred to as a knife or dagger. The blade is single or double edged, with a length between 15 and 30 cm (6-12 inches, in Japanese 1 shaku). The tantō was designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, but the edge can be used for slashing as well.

Zanpakutō can also be disguised as other objects, though such objects seem to need to be of similar proportions to the sword itself. Kisuke Urahara, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and Kagerōza Inaba disguise their Zanpakutō as canes. Yamamoto's cane resembles a large walking stick, which dissolves on command to reveal his sheathed Zanpakutō, Urahara's forms a shikomizue (Prepared Cane), a thin blade hidden within the hollow shaft of a cane, and Inaba's becomes a silver cane, which is immersed in a green light once released.

A Zanpakutō will return to its sealed state when its wielder is knocked unconscious.

Shikai

Shikai (始解, Initial Release) is the second (or first upgraded) form available to a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakutō. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, for the living spirit of the Zanpakutō already has its own name. The Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakutō effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world.

The blade changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigo (解号, Release Call), or release incantation. Using the Kaigo, followed by the name of the Zanpakutō, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, for every Zanpakutō has a different incantation.

The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakutō's signature ability or hint at the nature of its spirit. This step may be bypassed by expert Shinigami who have learned how to use their Bankai.

Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakutō, and it is a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, for most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is required in order to achieve the rank of lieutenant, for it is a requirement which most captains look for.

Bankai

Bankai (卍解, Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō. Prior to Ichibē Hyōsube giving this form its name, it was known as a Shinuchi (真打, Headliner), and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an "Evolved Zanpakutō" (進化した斬魄刀, Shinkashita Zanpakutō). To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakutō's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakutō's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakutō spirit being subjugated for their Shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakutō also becomes stronger and learns Bankai at precisely the moment their Shinigami learns it. Even though Bankai is the final stage of a Zanpakutō, it does not mean the Shinigami's growth ends there. A Bankai, especially one recently obtained, can evolve even further as its Shinigami gets stronger.

The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakutō, and vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater by attaining it. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutō. Even the four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, only have a member capable of Bankai every few generations. Those who achieve Bankai always have remarkable roles in the history of Soul Society.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara are the only known individuals who have attained Bankai through a far shorter, yet much more dangerous method. Using a special device created by Urahara, which forcibly materializes a Zanpakutō spirit (thus bypassing a large portion of the training), they attained their Bankai within three days instead of the normal hundreds of years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days.

Drawbacks & Issues

• Training Requirement: The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond those of a normal weapon, which is why one needs to train at least 10 years with Bankai in order for one to become capable of using it completely and effectively. No Bankai should be used in battle before this period of time has been reached.

• Breaking & Fixing: A broken Bankai can never be returned to its former state. The only known exceptions to this are Sajin Komamura's and Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Bankai: Komamura and his Bankai share a bond so strong that when one is injured, the other reflects the damage, but the Bankai is healed when the captain is healed. In contrast, Hitsugaya's Bankai is made up entirely of ice, and can be regenerated indefinitely as long as there is water in the air. The only known way to fix a Bankai is to by having it reforged by the creator of the Zanpakutō, Ōetsu Nimaiya. Orihime Inoue's Sōten Kisshun is shown the capacity to reject the damage inflicted upon a broken Bankai, thus repairing it.

• Witholding Power: A Bankai's form and strength is determinant on how much the spirit recognizes its wielder. If the Zanpakutō does not fully recognize its wielder, then it may not give its Bankai's true name. The result is the Bankai not being in its true form and therefore weaker.

• Possible Sign on Death: A Bankai normally only disappears with its user's permission. However, if a Bankai disappears without the permission of its user, it could mean that the user will soon die if not treated immediately.

Resurrección

Resurrección (帰刃 (レスレクシオン), Resurekushion; Spanish for "Resurrection", Japanese for "Returning Blade") returns the essence of an Arrancar's offensive Hollow abilities to their humanoid bodies.

Types

There are several types of Zanpakutō, though only three types have been mentioned (Melee, Kidō and Elemental). Kidō has many sub-groups, and the Elemental group, while part of Kidō-type grouping, is large and diverse enough to can stand on its own as its own grouping. (Note: types are determined by what a Zanpakutō is shown and/or stated to be capable of within the confines of these types and nothing more). These types include:

Power-Type Zanpakutō (パワー型(タイプ), Pawā Taipu) (Are typically designed for various forms of armed melee combat rather than Kidō-based abilities.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Zangetsu (斬月, Slaying Moon)	Ichigo Kurosaki	None	Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heaven Chain Slaying Moon)
Nozarashi (野晒, Weather-Beaten One)	Kenpachi Zaraki	Drink	Unnamed
Zabimaru (蛇尾丸, Snake Tail)	Renji Abarai	Howl	Sōō Zabimaru (双王蛇尾丸, Twin Kings Snake Tail)
Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)	Ikkaku Madarame	Grow/Split Apart	Ryūmon Hōzukimaru (龍紋鬼灯丸, Dragon Crest Demon Light)
Kazeshini (風死, Wind of Death)	Shūhei Hisagi	Reap	Not Revealed
Gegetsuburi (五形頭, Five-Formed Head)	Marechiyo Ōmaeda	Crush	Not Yet Achieved
Sanpo Kenjū (三步剣獣, Three-Step Sword Beasts)	Yachiru Kusajishi	Unknown	Not Yet Achieved

Kidō-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around a special ability rather than close-range combat potential.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Ruri'iro Kujaku (瑠璃色孔雀, Azure Peacock)	Yumichika Ayasegawa	Bloom/Split and Deviate	Not Yet Achieved
Minazuki (肉雫唼, Flesh-Drops' Gorge)	Retsu Unohana	Unknown	Minazuki (皆尽, All Things' End)
Benihime (紅姫, Crimson Princess)	Kisuke Urahara	Awaken	Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame (観音開紅姫改メ, Modification of the Crimson Princess' Dissection at the Doors of Avalokiteśvara)
Suzumushi (清虫, Cricket)	Kaname Tōsen	Cry	Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi (清虫終式閻魔蟋蟀, Cricket Final Form: Devil Cricket)
Hisagomaru (瓠丸, Gourd)	Hanatarō Yamada	Fulfill	Not Yet Achieved
Katen Kyōkotsu (花天狂骨, Bones of Heavenly Blooming Madness)	Shunsui Kyōraku	The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers.	Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū (花天狂骨枯松心中, Bones of Heavenly Blooming Madness: Withered Pine Lovers' Suicide):
Sōgyo no Kotowari (双魚理, Truth of Pisces)	Jūshirō Ukitake	All Ye Waves, Become My Shield. All Ye Thunder, Become My Blade	Not Revealed
Wabisuke (侘助, The Wretched One)	Izuru Kira	Raise Your Head	Not Yet Achieved
Shinken Hakkyōken (神剣•八鏡剣, Divine Blade, Sword of Eight Mirrors)	Ise Clan	N/A	N/A
Shigarami (刺絡, Piercing Entanglement)	Senjumaru Shutara	Unknown	Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji (娑闥迦羅骸刺絡辻, Crossing of Sahā's Gate, Kāla's Corpse and Piercing Entanglements)

Kidō Sub-Types

Certain Zanpakutō possess defined abilities and exist in their own category. Due to them being designed around a special ability they are therefore a form of Kidō-Type Zanpakutō.

Projectile-Type Zanpakutō (When released separate into many air based blades that the owner can control freely.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Tsunzakigarasu (劈烏, Splitting Crow)	Jirōbō Ikkanzaka	Flap Away	Not Achieved

Poison-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and administer poison as a form of attack.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Ashisogi Jizō (疋殺地蔵, Leg-Cutting Jizō)	Mayuri Kurotsuchi	Rip	Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (金色疋殺地蔵, Golden Leg-Cutting Jizō)

Illusion-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around the ability to generate and manipulate perceptions via illusions.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Kyōka Suigetsu (鏡花水月, Mirror Flower, Water Moon)	Sōsuke Aizen	Shatter	Not Revealed
Sakanade (逆撫, Counter Stroke)	Shinji Hirako	Collapse	Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari (逆様邪八宝塞, Reversed Evil Eight Treasure Blockade)
Kinshara (金沙羅, Golden Sal Tree)	Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi	Play	Kinshara Butōdan (金沙羅舞踏団, Golden Sal Tree Dancing Troupe)

Living-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around the ability to generate living creatures that obey the wielder.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)	Sajin Komamura	Roar	Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō (黒縄天譴明王, Vidyaraja of Kalasutra's Heavenly Punishment)
Unknown	Atau Rindō	Give Birth	Not Yet Achieved

Elemental Sub-Type

A large amount of the Zanpakutō are classified by elements, generally utilizing their respective elements as forms of attack. Elemental Zanpakutō are all Kidō-sub-type which have an element based as noted by Kenpachi Zaraki and Maki Ichinose during their battle. This is later affirmed by Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

Fire-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate fire and manipulate fire for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Ryūjin Jakka (流刃若火, Flowing Blade-Like Flame)	Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto	Reduce All Creation to Ash	Zanka no Tachi (残火の太刀, Longsword of the Remnant Flame)
Tengumaru (天狗丸, Long-Nosed Goblin)	Love Aikawa	Crush Down	Not Revealed
Tobiume (飛梅, Flying Plum Tree)	Momo Hinamori	Snap	Not Yet Achieved
Engetsu (剡月, Scathing Moon)	Isshin Kurosaki	Burn	Not Revealed

Ice-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate water and manipulate it into ice (and related effects) for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Hyōrinmaru (氷輪丸, Ice Ring)	Tōshirō Hitsugaya	Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens	Daiguren Hyōrinmaru (大紅蓮 氷輪丸, Mahāpadma Ice Ring)
Sode no Shirayuki (袖白雪, Sleeved White Snow)	Rukia Kuchiki	Dance	Hakka no Togame (白霞罸, Censure of the White Haze)

Earth-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to manipulate the ground for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Tsuchinamazu (土鯰, Soil Catfish)	Zennosuke Kurumadani	Good Morning	Not Yet Achieved

Wind-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to manipulate wind for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Tachikaze (断地風, Earth-Severing Wind)	Kensei Muguruma	Blow It Away	Tekken Tachikaze (鐡拳・断風, Iron Fist Earth-Severing Wind)

Water-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate water (and related effects) for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Nejibana (捩花, Spiranthes)	Kaien Shiba	Surge, Water and Sky	Not Achieved

Lightning-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate lightning for various forms of effects.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Gonryōmaru (厳霊丸, Stern Spirit)	Chōjirō Sasakibe	Bite	Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū (黄煌厳霊離宮, Yellow-Glittering Royal Villa of the Stern Spirit)

Darkness-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate darkness for various forms of effects.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Ichimonji (一文字, Straight Line)	Ichibē Hyōsube	Blacken	Shirafude Ichimonji (しら筆 一文字, White Brush Straight Line)

Unclassified Types

Unclassified Types (These are Zanpakutō which cannot have their type readily verified.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Senbonzakura (千本桜, Thousand Cherry Blossoms)	Byakuya Kuchiki	Scatter	Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)	Suì-Fēng	Sting All Enemies To Death	Jakuhō Raikōben (雀蜂雷公鞭, Hornet Thunder Whip)
Shinsō (神鎗, God Spear)	Gin Ichimaru	Shoot To Kill	Kamishini no Yari (神殺鎗, God-Killing Spear)
Haineko (灰猫, Ash Cat)	Rangiku Matsumoto	Growl	Not Yet Achieved
Itegumo (凍雲, Frozen Cloud)	Isane Kotetsu	Run	Not Revealed
Unknown	Tetsuzaemon Iba	Unknown	Not Revealed
Kubikiri Orochi (馘大蛇, Beheading Serpent)	Hiyori Sarugaki	Chop Cleanly	Not Yet Achieved
Haguro Tonbo (鉄漿蜻蛉, Iron Drink Dragonfly)	Lisa Yadōmaru	Smash	Not Revealed
Hōzan (崩山, Avalanche)	Tatsufusa Enjōji	Dance Madly	Not Yet Achieved
Katakage (片陰, One-Sided Shadow)	Asuka Katakura	Drown Out	Not Achieved
Shunjin (春塵, Spring Dust)	Rikū Togakushi	Coil Upward	Not Achieved
Mogaribue (虎落笛, Tiger-Fall Flute)	Taketsuna Gori	Sound with a Blow	Not Achieved
Kinpika (金毘迦, Gilded Splendor)	Tenjirō Kirinji	Flash from Illuminating Heavens	Not Revealed
Sayafushi (鞘伏, Sheath Cover; Viz "Sheath Dodger")	Ōetsu Nimaiya	Unknown	Not Revealed

General Sub-Types

There is one known "sub-type" of Zanpakutō classification, this being:

• Constant-Release Type: Zanpakutō which are always in Shikai form because of the strength of their wielders' spiritual power, or, more importantly, their lack of control over it.

• Ichigo Kurosaki/Zangetsu

Appearance In Other Media

Melee-Type Zanpakutō (Are typically designed for various forms of armed melee combat rather than kidō-based abilities.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Reppū (烈風, Gale)	Makoto Kibune	Rage Violently	Not Achieved

Kidō-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around a special ability rather than close combat potential.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Ryūjōmaru (竜条丸, Dragon Brander)	Fujimaru Kudō	Flash	Kokyū Ryūjōmaru (虎糾竜条丸, Tiger-Seeking Dragon Brander)
Kotōmaru (虎淘丸, Tiger Culler)	Matsuri Kudō	Swath	Ryūkyū Kotōmaru (竜糾虎淘丸, Dragon-Seeking Tiger Culler)
Ikomikidomoe (已己巳己巴)	N/A	Orbit the stars, Ikomikidomoe! Jot down their funeral, Ikomikidomoe! Hatch out and be ruined, Ikomikidomoe!	Ikomikidomoe Hōraku Hakkei (已己巳己巴 鳳落八景, Ikomikidomoe Eight Picturesque Sights of the Fenghuang's Fall; Viz "Ikomikidomoe, Eight Views of the Fall of the Phoenix.")
Enrakyōten (艶羅鏡典, Law of the Bewitching Lucid Mirror)	Tsunayashiro Clan	Sip from the four seas, the heavenly shores entwine. Equally duplicate ten thousands, and sharpen	N/A
Sumitsukigasa (墨月暈, Ink Moon Halo)	Ōko Yushima	Seethe	Not Achieved
Raikū (來空, Coming Void)	Kagerōza Inaba	Go Mad	Not Achieved
Arazome Shigure (退紅時雨, Faded Scarlet Late Autumn Shower)	Nozomi Kujō	Rain Without End	Not Achieved
N/A	Sōya Azashiro	N/A	Urozakuro (雨露柘榴, Rain and Dew Pomegranate)

Kidō Sub-Types

Defense-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around defensive capability with little or no offense.)
Name	Sealed Form	Release Command	Bankai Name
Daichimaru (大地丸, The Land)	Rusaburō Enkōgawa	Rock	Not Yet Achieved

Illusion-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around the ability to generate and manipulate perceptions via illusions.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Muramasa (村正, Village-Just)	Kōga Kuchiki	Whisper	Mukōjōchū Muramasa (無鉤条誅村正, Nil-Stinger Streaked-Death Penalty Village-Just)

Living-Type Zanpakutō (Are designed around the ability to generate living creatures that obey the wielder.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Gagaku Kairō (餓樂廻廊, Corridor of Hungering Music)	Kenpachi Kuruyashiki	Massacre the auspicious omens and come into being; respect the darkness as you become decrepit with age (瑞祥屠りて生まれ出で　暗翳尊び老いさらばえよ, Zuishō hofurite umareide, an'ei tattobi oisarabae yo)	Gagaku Kairō (餓樂廻廊, Corridor of Hungering Music)

Elemental Sub-Type

Wind-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to manipulate wind for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Mirokumaru (弥勒丸, Maitreya Circle)	Senna	Call forth the Twilight	Not Achieved

Lightning-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate lightning for various forms of effects.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Shiden (紫電, Violet Lightning)	Seigen Suzunami	Strike Down	Not Revealed

Fire-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate fire and manipulate fire for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Raika (雷火, Lightning Flash)	Shūsuke Amagai	Sever	Raika Gōen Kaku (雷火・業炎殻, Lightning Flash: Karmic Flame Shell)

Plant-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate plant(s) for various forms of attack or defense.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Benishidare (紅枝垂, Crimson Weeping Bough)	Ryūsei Kenzaki	Bloom Madly	Not Yet Achieved

Light-Type Zanpakutō (Designed to generate and manipulate light for various forms of effects.)
Name	Owner	Release Command	Bankai Name
Nijigasumi (虹霞, Rainbow Mist)	Maki Ichinose	Flicker with Splendor	Not Achieved

Bankai Only

Non-Canon Releases (Canon Zanpakutō Bankai forms that have only been displayed in non-canonical material.)
Shinigami	Bankai Name	Type
Shūhei Hisagi	Fushi no Kōjō (風死絞縄, Wind of Death Hangman's Noose)	Kidō-type