Zanpakuto Bleach Sword Replica

Sosuke Aizen Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu Sword Replica

2010-09-29T16:32:00.002+08:00

Sosuke Aizen was the captain of the 5th Division at the start of the series. He defected from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc, fleeing to Hueco Mundo. In the past he was the lieutenant of the 5th Division under Captain Shinji Hirako, whom he replaced sometime after converting Shinji into a Vizard.

Aizen's zanpakuto is Kyoka Suigetsu (literally "mirror flower water moon"). Suigetsu is activated with the command "shatter" (kudakero). Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai ability is Kanzen Saimin (Complete Hypnosis). It controls the five senses to the point that it can make the target misinterpret another person's form, shape, mass, feel and smell to be that of the enemy. The initiation condition for the hypnosis is to show the enemy the release of Kyoka Suigetsu. After seeing it just once, that person will completely succumb to the hypnosis. After that, every time it is released, that person will fall under the thrall of the hypnosis. The hypnosis is apparently long-lasting, seeing as the Vizards are still affected by Kyoka Suigetsu even though they were hypnotized at least 110 years ago. Since the spell only works upon seeing the ritual, those who did not see it are consequently immune to the hypnosis.

When Aizen turns off the hypnosis by force of will, the image shown melts away/shatters. Kyoka Suigetsu's Kanzen Saimin technique is absolutely flawless, even if the target is aware that they are under the hypnosis, they cannot resist its influence. Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnotic abilities make it a highly useful tool in combat, as Aizen can quickly create simple or complex illusions to deceive opponents. For example, by creating a decoy of himself, or other illusions to distract his opponents, Aizen can hide his own movements and attack with impunity. His opponent, meanwhile, will remain focused on the illusion until it's too late to react.

While the illusions Kyoka Suigetsu creates are quite powerful, those with considerable power and skill themselves may be able to note slight differences in the illusions compared to the real thing, even if they are not able to determine what, precisely, is different. As discovered through decades of observation by Gin Ichimaru, the only way to stop the hypnosis before it is invoked is by touching Kyoka Suigetsu itself.

The Sosuke Aizen Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu Sword Replica features a 440 stainless steel constructed blade 27" in length, 40" Full Length Katana and wooden scabbard (Saya). The blade itself is slightly sharpened, so beware. The handle of the katana is wrapped with dark green color nylon cords, made with imitation ray skin material. The guard (tsuba) is a hexagon shape, similar to that in the anime. Overall a great gift and low-cost entry for Bleach fans and anime weapon collectors.

If you're looking for Bleach costume, check out the site at AllAnimeDVD.com. They have several selections of Shinigami, Espada, Quincy and other Bleach costumes. Perfect for Halloween, birthdays, cosplay events and themed parties. Just take your pick.

Izuru Kira Zanpakuto Wabisuke Sword Replica

2010-09-29T16:04:00.001+08:00

Izuru Kira is the lieutenant of the 3rd Division in Gotei 13. He was formerly a member of the 5th Division and 4th Division. Kira is a friend of Momo Hinamori and Renji Abarai from their days in the Soul Reaper academy. Though loyal to his friends, he often places his duties as a lieutenant above them. He defends his captain, Gin Ichimaru, from a grief-stricken Hinamori, and later calls himself a "monster" for raising his sword against her. Kira subsequently comes to regret helping Gin to defect from Soul Society, and develops more of a depressed and pessimistic demeanor.

Kira's zanpakuto is Wabisuke ("The Apologizer", translated in the English manga as "the penitent one"). The shikai command of Wabisuke is "raise your head". When released, Wabisuke takes the form of a sword with a square hook that has the ability to double the weight of whatever it strikes. The effect is cumulative, so each following hit exponentially increases the weight of the target (something that never happens to my bank savings interest). Consequently after seven or eight blocked attacks, his opponents are unable to lift their own swords or even move their body, leaving them on the ground with their head bowed as though begging for forgiveness. At this point Wabisuke's released form, a blade bent into a squared hook, comes into play, being used to decapitate the kneeling opponent, denying them forgiveness. Wabisuke appears as a freed zanpakuto in the "Zanpakuto Unknown Tales" anime arc, as a long-haired and darkly clad emaciated man carrying a large ball and chain. He is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai in Japanese and Grant George in English.

The Izuru Kira Zanpakuto Wabisuke Sword Replica is non-sharp 440 Stainless Steel painted in part Black and Silver. It has an overall length of 36.5", blade length 26.5" and handle length 9.5". The guard is made from solid steel while the handle is wrapped with black nylon cord. The handle is also double pegged with white imitation ray skin, and there's a free Wooden Wall Plaque included.

Kuchiki Rukia Zanpakuto Sode no Shirayuki Sword Replica

2010-09-29T15:37:00.001+08:00

Bleach was first conceived from Tite Kubo's desire to draw a shinigami in a kimono, which formed the basis for the design of the Soul Reapers. Due to this, Rukia was one of the first characters of the series to be created. Kubo originally thought of all Soul Reapers should use guns while only Rukia used a scythe. However, this was later changed as he created the Soul Reaper kimono. Kubo also mentioned that Rukia did not seem like a lead character, so he created Ichigo Kurosaki to be the series protagonist. Ichigo's initial design had black hair like Rukia, Kubo had to modify Ichigo's appearance to contrast with hers, giving Ichigo his orange hair and trademark scowl.

As for her name, Kubo stated that since Rukia looked like a shinigami, he wanted her name to sound like one. When deciding upon her family name he considered using "Kuchiru" (literally "to rot") because it sounded like a name a shinigami would have, and then decided to use "Kuchiki" (literally "rotten wood"). He adds that he once heard something that sounded like "Kuchiki Rukia" on Japanese TV, and liked it enough to use it as a name. Her first name was conceived as a result of Kubo hearing the Latin name for cosmos on TV, and later decided that the name really suited her since the Latin word means "light" and Kubo sees her as "a ray of light" for Ichigo.

Rukia's zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki (literally "Sleeved White Snow"), is released with the command "dance". In its released state the blade becomes completely white and a ribbon forms from the pommel, earning it the recognition as the most beautiful zanpakuto in Soul Society. During the anime's 13th season, Sode no Shirayuki manifests in a yukionna-like form, voiced by Mie Sonozaki.

Sode no Shirayuki utilizes ice to attack, each of its abilities being labeled as "dances" by Rukia. "First Dance, White Moon" (some no mai, tsukishiro) denotes a circular area around Rukia's target and freezes everything within the circle from the ground upwards until it reaches the sky. "The Next Dance, White Ripple" (tsugi no mai, hakuren) fires a massive wave of ice from Sode no Shirayuki's blade. "Third Dance, White Sword" (san no mai, shirafune), her third ability reserved only when her blade is broken, reforges her zanpakuto with ice particles, piercing through any object in its path and freezing anything in the vicinity. A fourth ability was used in the anime only, "White Tree" (Juhaku), in which she stabs the ground and creates a trail of ice in the direction of her intended target. The ice then freezes the target from the base up until they are completely frozen.

The Kuchiki Rukia Zanpakuto Sode no Shirayuki Sword Replica is exquisitely crafted to be an exact duplicate of the zanpakuto wielded in the anime. The sword replica has a white carved and wrapped handle, pure white plastic tsuba and highly polished blade. The zanpakuto piece includes a solid white scabbard and ribbon chain from the hilt.

Shunsui Kyoraku Zanpakuto Katen Kyokotsu Sword Replica

2010-09-20T16:19:00.002+08:00

Shunsui Kyoraku is the Shinigami captain of the 8th Division in Gotei 13. Shunsui's a laid-back and flamboyant man, evident in his style of dress: he wears a straw hat and a pink flowered haori over his captain's uniform. In his off time, he can be seen drinking sake and napping. Other times, he likes to chase after women, particularly his lieutenant Nanao. Kyoraku is a peace-loving man who will always try to find a nonviolent solution, though he does not wish to insult opponents by refusing to fight. He and his friend Jūshiro Ukitake are two of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13. They both trained under General Yamamoto, who Kyoraku calls Old-man Yama (Yama-ji). Though generally peace-loving he is an adept fighter, able to defeat the Primera Espada using only his shikai and shown in his skill at almost hiding the difference in the speed of his swing between his left and right hands.

Shunsui's zanpakuto is Katen Kyokotsu ("flower-heaven crazy-bone"). His zanpakuto is unique in that it exists as two completely separate swords, being as a daisho sword pair. In Katen Kyokotsu's shikai state, the daisho sword pair transforms into two large swords resembling dao or falchions. When released, Katen Kyokotsu gains the ability to "turn children's games into reality." One such game, Busho Goma (Lazy Spinning Top), involves spinning around wind like a top. Another, Takaoni (Mountain Demon), declares that whomever is the highest is the winner. A third technique, Kageoni (Shadow Demon), forces the players to alter their own shadows; whoever steps on a shadow, even their own, is declared the loser. The last known game is known as Iro-Oni (Colored Demon) and it involves the players calling out a name of a color and then slicing the enemy where that color is displayed. However, if the color is not on the body of the person who called it out then the damage given is minimal; the more that the declared color is prevalent on the declarer's body, the more damage the attack will commit. His bankai is still unknown.

The Katen Kyokotsu Twin Sword Replica set are Carbon Steel blades with two tone colors, black and silver which have an Arabian look. The spine of the blade has the cut-outs imitating the sword which seen in Bleach Manga. The guard and fittings are also made from Carbon Steel while the entire metal parts of this sword has been Electroplated to prevent from rust or weather damage. The handle has been wrapped with red nylon cord for extra grip followed by a red tassel attached to the pommel. The Katen Kyokotsu Twin Sword Replica set comes equipped with two black nylon sheaths with back straps for easy maneuverability

Katen Kyokotsu Twin Sword Replica Feature:
    * Overall Length: 26 inch.
    * Blade Material: Carbon Steel Black and Silver Tone.
    * Fittings Material: Carbon Steel, Electroplated to Prevent Rust and Corrosion.
    * Handle Material: Red Nylon Cord Wrap with Red Tassel Attached.
    * Includes: Two Sword with Black Nylon Sheath

Zanpakuto Forms

2010-09-20T11:39:00.001+08:00

Depending upon the Shinigami's ability to communicate with and control their Zanpakuto's spirit, a Zanpakuto 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 Zanpakuto, giving it abilities far beyond that of its simple use as a sword. Shinigami usually carry their Zanpakuto in the sealed state and activate the released forms as necessary.

All Zanpakuto have two levels of release. The first one is Shikai (initial release) and the second one is Bankai (final release). One must be able to do both of them to become a captain. The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakuto. They also vary according to the wielder's strength and training.

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

* Katana : The term katana may be applied to the standard-size, moderately-curved, Japanese sword with a blade length of greater than 60 cm (23.6 inches). 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 (literally "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 (small sword). The wakizashi was usually worn together with the katana. When worn together the pair of swords were called daisho, which translates literally as "large and small". The katana was often called the long sword and the wakizashi the companion sword.

* Nodachi (literally "field sword"): The nodachi was more difficult to wield due to its size and weight. The length of the nodachi's hilt varied between twelve to thirteen inches (30 to 33 centimeters). Its cutting capability and range exceeds that of a katana, due to its weight and size.

In addition to the upgraded forms, the sealed form of a Zanpakuto can also be radically altered, though such alterations are purely cosmetic and usually don't offer any significant advantage in battle; one exception is Ikkaku Madarame's Hozukimaru, whose hilt stores a blood-clotting ointment. Zanpakuto can also be disguised as other objects, though such objects seem to need to be of similar proportions to the sword itself. Both Kisuke Urahara and General Yamamoto, for example, disguise their Zanpakuto as canes, Yamamoto's as a large walking stick that dissolves on command to reveal his sheathed Zanpakuto, Urahara's as a shikomizue, a thin blade hidden within the hollow shaft of a cane. A Zanpakuto will return to its sealed state when its wielder is knocked unconscious.

Shikai
The Shikai (Initial Release) is the second form (or first "upgraded" form) available to a Zanpakuto. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakuto. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, as the living spirit of the Zanpakuto already has its own name. Therefore, the Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakuto effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world. A Zanpakuto can change size and shape depending on the spiritual strength of the owner.

Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakuto, and it appears to be a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, as presumably most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is also required in order to achieve the rank of lieutenant; as it is a requirement most captains look for. After first learning the Zanpakuto's name, the Shikai can be performed at will simply by speaking a command followed by the Zanpakuto's name. The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakuto'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.

Constant-Release: In rare cases, a Zanpakuto, once released, will remain in that state indefinitely. This is due to the vast amount of spiritual energy the possessor has that cannot be finely controlled upon initial generation of their Zanpakuto, as such the Zanpakuto is described as a constant released form. The only known Shinigami with Full-Time Release Zanpakuto are Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki. By the nature of this type of Zanpakuto, a Shinigami with a constant release form does not need a release command nor is it necessary to even know their Zanpakuto's name. However, not knowing the name of one's Zanpakuto can put a Shinigami at a disadvantage in terms of power against those who do know their Zanpakuto's name.

Shikai Forms: Once the Shikai is activated, the Zanpakuto will change form to access whatever special abilities it is capable of. They almost always take on the form of a weapon of some kind, though the type of weapon can vary greatly among different Zanpakuto. One exception is Retsu Unohana's Shikai, which seems to take on the characteristics of an animal, rather than a weapon.

Special Abilities: Once the Shikai is activated, the Zanpakuto will change form to access whatever special abilities it is capable of. The special abilities of the Zanpakuto, like the Zanpakuto itself, have specific names that usually must be announced to fully activate the effect. As Ichigo's Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, explains, knowing the name of an attack and not knowing it makes a very drastic difference in the amount of power that attack utilizes. Some special abilities are automatically activated upon release.

Bankai
The Bankai (Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakuto. To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakuto spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakuto's inner world. Instead the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakuto's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it.

The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakuto. They also vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it. It is also the ultimate technique of a Zanpakuto. Even the Four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, have a member capable of Bankai only 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 that have mastered Bankai through a far shorter, yet much more dangerous method. Using a special device created by Urahara, which forcibly materializes a Zanpakuto spirit (thus bypassing a large portion of the training), they were able to attain their Bankai within three days instead of the normal hundreds of years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated that training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was also forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days.

Besides Ichigo Kurosaki, the only non-captain Shinigami known to have achieved Bankai are Renji Abarai (Lieutenant), who finalized his training at about the same time as Ichigo (although he did not use Urahara's device, but rather perfected it while Ichigo was training), and Ikkaku Madarame (3rd Seat), who did so through his own years of training.

Bankai Forms: After a Shinigami is able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakuto's spirit, the Zanpakuto can assume its final and most powerful form. Unlike the Shikai, there is no command phrase to activate Bankai, though the user will usually say "Bankai" beforehand. A Zanpakuto's Bankai is often a manifestation of the spirit itself, usually creating a massive creature or a very powerful effect to aid the user in battle (Ichigo's Bankai is an exception, becoming more compact instead). The Bankai itself will receive a different name in addition to the ordinary Zanpakuto (for example Ichigo's Zangetsu becomes Tensa Zangetsu, Byakuya's Senbonzakura becomes Senbonzakura Kageyoshi). Certain Shinigami also change with their Zanpakuto, gaining clothing similar to what their Zanpakuto's spirit form looks like. Most Zanpakuto will also gain additional special abilities, or a more enhanced version of the usual one. Like with the Shikai, most of these abilities have an associated name. Maintaining the Bankai is taxing for the wielder, and it is difficult to maintain it for long periods of time for most Shinigami, with the exception of Ichigo, as it becomes more compact, thus allowing him to hold it for long periods of time.

Special Abilities: The power that comes with Bankai tends to be similar to the Shikai's ability/theme, but amplifies it to much greater levels of power and effect. Some simply increase the original ability, such as Byakuya Kuchiki's blade count multiplies greatly, Ichigo Kurosaki's Getsuga Tensho becoming faster, far more powerful, and its color become black, or Sajin Komamura's, who instead of only generating pieces of the giant, summons the whole giant itself. While other Bankai follow the theme of the sword, such as Renji's remains whip-like while containing baboon and cobra features, or Mayuri summons a monster with the same face (Jizo) on his trident-esque sword, but kept the theme of poison that came from the monster's breath.

Weakness: A high enough level of spiritual energy can be used to disrupt the rhythm of a Bankai. The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond that of a normal weapon. This is the reason that in order for one to become capable of using it completely and effectively, one needs to train at least 10 years with Bankai. Any Bankai before that period of time has been reached should not be used in battle.

Sourced from http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Zanpakut%C5%8D

Zanpakuto Control

2010-09-20T11:22:00.001+08:00

Wielding a Zanpakuto is more than a simple matter of skill in swordsmanship. Since the swords themselves are alive, a Shinigami must obtain his or her sword's cooperation to truly maximize its performance. This can be done in a variety of ways, though it seems that the orthodox approach involves subjugating the sword; the Shinigami belonging to the Thirteen Divisions keep their swords sealed into the forms of ordinary katana and have strict rules about when and where they are allowed to release their true forms. Keeping a sword in its unsealed form all the time seems to be considered gauche, as a sign of carelessness and/or inexperience. The Shinigami also use certain phrases when they activate their swords, which appear to be necessary to release the seals keeping the swords' powers bound. These are always phrased as commands, further emphasizing the "subjugation" aspect of Zanpakuto control. Most swords have at least one, though some Shinigami use more than one to command their weapons.

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

Training

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

In this form, one can call out the true form of the powers of their Zanpakuto. This form is something that Soul Society has worked out over the thousands of years since its formation. It is entirely about speaking with one's sword. This advanced form of training is far different from attaining abilities by force. In this form it is about entering a state of calm to enter the inner world of the Zanpakuto and engage them there. In this state a wielder will have to fight their Zanpakuto spirit in order to attain access to new abilities, the Zanpakuto spirit does not want to teach these moves and engage the wielder in a battle the likes of which has never taken place before.

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

Mood & Communication
As stated, a Zanpakuto is a being unto itself and tends to be highly temperamental. Its mood is determined by how it is treated by its Shinigami as well as its overall personality. This allows a Shinigami to partially determine whether it will achieve its true power or not. For example, Yumichika Ayasegawa normally releases his Zanpakuto with the name Fuji Kujaku (Wisteria Peacock), even though its true name is Ruri'iro Kujaku (Azure Peacock), knowing that its favorite color is azure and that its least favorite is wisteria purple. He does this so that its true power is not seen. Since his Zanpakuto hates the nickname, it becomes moody and only releases a fraction of its power. This allows him to pass off his Zanpakuto as a simple melee-type rather than what it truly is, a Kido-type, something that is unacceptable in the 11th Division due to an unspoken rule that all Zanpakuto in the 11th Division must be melee-types. Only when its true name is uttered does it achieve full potential.

Another major exception to just about all of the aforementioned rules, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, somehow failed to learn his sword's name. He ignored its living embodiment and preferred to use it simply as a tool, relying only on his own power. He never developed the control to seal his power, and thus also breaks the rule/tradition of keeping a Zanpakuto sword in a sealed form--his sword is always in its true form. Zaraki's immense personal strength not only made it possible for him to break these rules, but also to rise to the rank of captain. However, his neglect wasn't exactly good for the weapon, causing immense pain to its embodiment and damage to the sword itself.

Sourced from http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Zanpakut%C5%8D

What's Your Zanpakuto Name?

2010-09-20T11:14:00.001+08:00

Want your own Zanpakuto name? Mine seems to be "Demon of White Snow" though I'm not sure what it's called in Japanese, that would be cool to find out. Demon of White Snow produces a poisonous mist that surrounds the wielder and resembles a beautiful Kusarigama with an oversize weight after it is unsealed. Kusarigama (literally chain sickle) is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of kama (the Japanese equivalent of a sickle) on a metal chain (manriki) with a heavy iron weight at the end. To invoke shikai, I have to scream out the magic words "Enhance, Demon of White Snow!"

Find your own Zanpakuto name here at http://www.magatsu.net/zanpakuto/blog.php.

Zanpakuto Facts

2010-09-20T10:59:00.001+08:00

A Zanpakuto (literally soul-cutter sword) is the main weapon of the Shinigami, the Arrancar and the Vizard. The art of wielding a Zanpakuto is called Zanjutsu (literally, swordsmanship).

Zanpakuto are the trademark weapons of the Shinigami. Capable of cutting spiritual bodies, they are amongst the few weapons which can be used to combat Hollows. Each Shinigami carries a Zanpakuto, and each Zanpakuto is unique: as the swords are both reflections of a Shinigami's soul and power, and sentient beings unto themselves. The Zanpakuto's name is also the name of the living spirit that 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. Normally, the Zanpakuto 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 Zanpakuto's spirit can bring its wielder into its inner world, though Shinigami can voluntarily achieve this simply by meditation.

A Zanpakuto's shape and abilities are based on their Shinigami's soul. Once a Shinigami learns his/her sword's name, they are able to communicate with one another and grow stronger together. Zanpakuto 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.

Asauchi (literally shallow hit) is the class of nameless Zanpakuto that all low-class Shinigami wield. Shinigami who are still in training - those who do not yet belong to any of the Gotei 13 - all wield generic Zanpakuto. Shinigami who are unable to communicate with their Zanpakuto, the "shallow hit", which refers to the grossly-reduced power of a Zanpakuto whose wielder cannot connect with it properly.

Zanpakuto Facts:

Because they are part of their owner's soul, a Zanpakuto cannot be replaced, though it will slowly regenerate if it is broken.
The Zanpakuto size reflects the amount of the swordsman's spiritual power.
If a Shinigami pierces the chest of a human with their Zanpakuto and channels their Reiryoku through it into the Human's body, it will transform that human into a Shinigami temporarily. The act 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 Zanpakuto has its own name.
A Zanpakuto can determine whether or not its wielder is worthy of its power.
Normally, even a broken Zanpakuto would return to its original state as its wielder recovered.
Zanpakuto have a true form. This true form resides inside their Shinigami. A Zanpakuto has a mind, and a body that controls their powers. Shinigami are able to grow more powerful by communicating with them.
Zanpakuto possess their own reiatsu, which can be sensed as any reiatsu can and is identical to that of their wielder though with subtle differences.
Though rare, it is not impossible for more than one soul to be attuned to the same spirit. In such cases, ancient law of the Soul Society will not allow two beings to wield the same Zanpakuto, in which case, they must duel for ownership of the spirit, with the winner gaining it and the loser being sentenced to death.
No matter what form (or size) a Zanpakuto 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 Zanpakuto in a manageable size, otherwise they would be holding Zanpakuto the size of skyscrapers. Therefore, one cannot judge one's opponent's strength solely by the size of their Zanpakuto.

Sourced from http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Zanpakut%C5%8D

Zanpakuto - Trademark Weapons of Shinigami

2010-09-18T18:13:00.001+08:00

The Soul Society's Shinigami has only one weapon of choice when it comes to battling the Hollows from Hueco Mundo: the sword or the Zanpakuto.

The Zanpakutos are capable of cutting through spirit bodies, and they are one of the few effective weapons that can defeat Hollows. Each Shinigami wields a unique Zanpakuto, as they have unique names and power. However in the case of Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro, his Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru chose two wielders during his Academy graduation. The reason why this happened is still unknown. They vary in appearance and use, reflecting the personality of their master. Zanpakuto's spirit coincides with the birth of the Shinigami.

Some interesting trivia about the Zanpakuto:

* A Zanpakuto cannot ever be replaced. They have the power to regenerate themselves when they are broken.
* The Zanpakuto's size may be a result of the wielder's spiritual power.
* Every Zanpakuto has its own name and its own release command
* The Zanpakuto has the power to determine whether its master is worthy of using their power
* All Zanpakutos have a true form. Their true form is inside their Shinigami. A Shinigami can grow their powers thru constant communication and synchronization with their Zanpakutos.

How a Shinigami gains a Zanpakuto is still unknown. Most of the graduates from the Soul Reaper Academy gains their unique Zanpakuto. It may well be assumed that they gained their Zanpakutos in a similar way like the main protagonist, Kurosaki Ichigo, has gained his: via a test of combat.

All Zanpakutos have the power to send souls to Soul Society, purify Hollows and change itself into an elaborate weapon. In the Bleach universe, there are three different kinds of Zanpakutos: Shinigami Zanpakutos, Arrancar Zanpakutos and the Visored Zanpakutos.

Depending on the Shinigami's communication with their swords, the Zanpakuto can manifest itself into three forms: Sealed form, Shikai and Bankai. The sealed form is the usual state of the Zanpakuto when they are normally carried by their wielders. The Shikai is the first upgraded form of the Zanpakuto. To activate this, they must have known the name of their Zanpakuto. Bankai is the second and final release of the Zanpakuto. It normally takes the Shinigami 10 years to achieve Bankai through years of training. Bankai release is accompanied by massive increase of power. A Shinigami releases the Zanpakuto's Bankai by saying the command or by giving another release command (like Reap, Howl or Cry)

Finally there are two sub-types of a Zanpakuto classification:

* Constant-Release type
Constant-Release Zanpakutos are always in Shikai form because of the immense strength of the wielder's energy. Some may point out that it is also possible that the wielder also doesn't have control of their spiritual energy (Kurosaki Ichigo and Kenpachi Zaraki).

* Dual Blade Type
These are Zanpakutos that feature more than one blade in Shikai release. Dual blades are extremely rare and there are only three Shinigamis who have dual blades in Shikai form: Ukitake Jushiro, Kyoraku Shunsui and Hisagi Shuhei.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roxanne_Vizcayno

Kuchiki Byakuya Zanpakuto Senbonzakura Sword Replica

2008-12-29T23:08:00.001+08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. To send off 2008 with a bang, here's a lengthy post on Kuchiki Byakuya. Byakuya is the 28th head of the Kuchiki clan, one of the four great noble families in Soul Society. As captain of the 6th Division, Byakuya wears the standard captain uniform along with a white headpiece called a kenseikan, symbolizing his noble rank as the head of the Kuchiki family. He also wears a white scarf made by the master weaver, Tsujishiro Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from silver-white windflower light silk (ginpaku kazahana no uzuginu) and is a family heirloom handed down through the generations to the head of the Kuchiki family. It is said that the cost of just one such scarf can build ten houses. In the anime, the scarf is shown to be light green.

Byakuya's zanpakuto is called Senbonzakura which literally means 'thousand cherry blossoms'. How aristocrat is that? Senbonzakura's shikai form is released by the command chire or scatter. The zanpakuto's blade disperse into thousands of tiny blades. The release has one weakness - it can be negated before it's completed. This was shown when Yoruichi Shihouin wrapped the blade with a cloth during Byakuya's short battle with Ichigo. After release, Senbonzakura's tiny blades are invisible to the naked eye. However they reflect light in such a way that they appear as cherry blossom petals. This is how the zanpakuto got its name. Byakuya can control the blades at will, allowing him to shred opponents at a distance and break through almost any defense. While Byakuya can control the blades with his mind alone, using his hands allows him to do so more effectively and making the blades move twice as fast.

Byakuya's bankai, named Senbonzakura Kageyoshi or 'Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms', is essentially a much larger version of Senbonzakura's shikai. To activate it, Byakuya drops his sword. The sword passes through the ground and two rows of giant blades rise up from the ground. These then scatter into millions of tiny blades. The number of blades is so great that Byakuya can use them for defense and offense at the same time. He commonly forms them into large masses of blades to crush opponents.

Byakuya's bankai has several attack techniques, achieved by arranging the blades in different patterns. They are activated by saying the name of the technique followed by the name of his bankai. Each form has its own distinct advantage. One of them is senkei or 'massacre scene', which unites the scattered petals into countless zanpakuto swords that surround Byakuya and his opponent. In this form, Byakuya has no defense and concentrates his bankai on killing the enemy. While Byakuya can control these swords as he does his regular blades, he usually attacks with just one in hand. He remarks in his battle with Ichigo that he normally only shows senkei to those he has sworn to kill by his own hand, Ichigo being the second to see this. After immobilizing an opponent, he can summon other blades to hit them while they're trapped. He can also use all the blades at once for an immensely powerful strike. In Bleach Movie 2 : Diamond Dust Rebellion, Byakuya surprisingly used Senkei as a barrier which only protects those inside it from an external barrage of Ceros blasts. He also displayed the ability to activate Kageyoshi from inside Senkei, shattering all rows of swords at once.

Another attack technique Byakuya used is gokei or 'pivotal scene' during the battle with Espada number 8, Zommari Leroux. This technique aligns every blade in a spherical formation around an opponent, which then collapses from every possible angle, leaving no blind spots and preventing any chance of escape. As a final attack Byakuya can use shukei or 'final scene'. This technique condenses all of tiny blades into a single sword, drastically increasing its cutting power. The blade appears bright white and its aura takes the form of a bird, earning it the name hakuteiken or 'white imperial sword'. Byakuya also grows white wings and a halo-like circle in the back, both made of spiritual power.

There are only a handful of Senbonzakura sword replicas, one of them is from Grey Eagles. The Kuchiki Byakuya Zanpakuto Senbonzakura sword replica from Grey Eagles has an overall length of 42" and blade length 26". The blade is made of carbon steel with a false edge. The signature guard is exactly as seen in the anime, with the shape of a double '8'. The sword replica has a simple blue-nylon wrapped handle and comes with a wooden scabbard. The scabbard has a black finish and tied to it is a blue nylon sageo (cord). Overall the Senbonzakura sword replica is simple in design, which is why the price is pretty affordable.

Gin Ichimaru Zanpakuto Shinso Sword Replica

2008-12-10T23:29:00.000+08:00

Gin Ichimaru is the captain of the 3rd Division in Gotei 13 before he betrayed Soul Society and joined Sosuke Aizen's Arrancar army as a commander. During his stay as captain in Soul Society, he had a loyal lieutenant Izuru Kira. Gin's story started from the day he saved Rangiku Matsumoto from starvation when they were still children, and this resulted in the two being good friends ever since. Rangiku is the only person Gin seems to truly care about, although he tends to disappear often, as Rangiku puts it. He also very secretive about his movements and never shares much with her. Gin was considered a child prodigy when he graduated from the academy within one year. He was then assigned to a seated position in the 5th Division. There Gin killed the 3rd seat of the division with ease, which made Aizen truly interested in him. When Aizen was made Captain of the 5th Division, Gin was promoted to lieutenant rank.

Gin Ichimaru's zanpakuto is Shinso which literally translates to 'Divine Spear'. Shinso takes the form of a wakizashi (Japanese short sword) when sealed. The guard looks very similar to an 'S'. Shinso is released into shikai mode by the phrase ikorose or 'shoot to kill' (how cool is that?). In shikai form, Shinso's blade glows bright-white and extends at high speed to impale an enemy. This was first shown in the confrontation with Kurosaki Ichigo who tried to break-in to Soul Society. In addition to making it a deadly long-range weapon, Shinso's extending blade also carries tremendous force without affecting Gin, making it useful to dislodge heavy objects. Gin pushed both Ichigo and the giant Jidanbo out from under the Seireitei gate, despite the latter being firmly braced under it. Once extended, Gin can maintain the blade's length and swing Shinso in wide arcs, attacking multiple targets quickly and simultaneously.

While it hasn't been seen in the actual series, various Bleach console games have depicted Shinso as having additional abilities. In Bleach: The Blade of Fate, Bleach: Dark Souls, and Bleach: Shattered Blade, Gin fires Shinso into the sky and swords similar to Shinso's unreleased state rain all around him. In Bleach: Blade Battlers, Gin shoots Shinso into the ground and the blade hits the opponent from underneath, whereas in Bleach: Heat the Soul 5, a wave of blades instead shoots up from the ground to hit the opponent. Gin's bankai ability has not been revealed yet but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a huge long sword that can extend sideways too. Just my imagination.

The Gin Ichimaru Shinso Zanpakuto Sword replica from 247Swords have an overall length of 38", blade length 27" and handle length 11". The scabbard that comes with the sword is made of wood with a high-gloss black liquid finish. At the scabbard, a black cotton sage-o (hanging cord) is tied around a wooden Kurigata (loop for the cord). The Koi-guchi (open-end scabbard mouth) is black bull horn to match the sword's color. The blade is made of 440 stainless steel and comes factory sharpened. What's different with this replica is (I'm sure you guessed it too) - the length, it's more of a Japanese katana than a wakizashi. Maybe the manufacturer wanted to make it more worthwhile for their customers, give it the extra mile or inches so to speak. But the other thing is the hilt is wrapped in black rather than blue as in the anime. Most probably this sword was designed based on the black and white manga.

There is another version of Gin Ichimaru Shinso Zanpakuto Sword replica from TotalActionAnime. It is a bit longer with overall length at 40" and blade length 27". The blade's edge is not that sharp and is made of polished stainless steel. The handle is wrapped in black leather (again) and the sword replica comes with a high-gloss black scabbard.

Ayasegawa Yumichika Zanpakuto Fuji Kujaku Sword Replica

2008-12-09T19:48:00.000+08:00

Yumichika Ayasegawa is the lifelong friend of Ikkaku Madarame. He values Ikkaku's opinion highly and tends to follow him everywhere. The two joined Soul Society's Gotei 13 so they could serve under Kenpachi Zaraki in the 11th Division. Since Ikkaku took the 3rd seat position, Yumichika settled for 5th Seat, thinking that the 'five' character looks almost like a 'three' in Japanese. He has colorful feathers on his eyelashes and eyebrow, and shiny skin and hair, giving him a rather feminine appearance. Yumichika tends to judge people around him by beauty including his opponents. He goes as far as to try forget things he deems 'ugly' after seeing them, and even tries fighting ugly opponents with his eyes closed.

Yumichika's zanpakuto is called Ruriiro Kujaku which literally translates to 'azure peacock'. Ruriiro Kujaku is actually a kido-type zanpakuto and doesn't use direct physical attacks. This goes against the 11th Division unspoken rule that members of the division must fight fairly and directly with the enemy without use of kido, tricks or unfair advantages. Because of this, Yumichika keeps it a secret and rarely releases his zanpakuto in its true from. He would rather die by his enemy's hands than to reveal it in front of his comrades. So when faced with a strong opponent, he instead releases his zanpakuto with another name - Fuji Kujaku which means 'wisteria peacock'. This annoys his zanpakuto and causes it to take up a weakened form of a sickle-shaped blade which can split into four identical blades. According to Yumichika, his zanpakuto's favourite color is azure and it's least favourite is wisteria purple. Although it was never shown in the anime,Yumichika zanpakuto's spirit most probably takes the form of a peacock based on all the clues given so far.

The Shikai command for Fuji Kujaku is sake or 'bloom'. To release Ruriiro Kujaku, Yumichika calls the command sakikurue or 'Split and Deviate'. Ruriiro Kujaku flares up and takes the appearance of multiple peacock feather-like vines. In its true form, Ruriiro Kujaku drains an opponent's spiritual power, allowing Yumichika to beat even lieutenant-level fighters with ease. The peacock feathers become vines that ensnare an opponent. Flowers then grow from the vines as they steal the victim's spiritual power. When the flowers bloom, the collected spiritual energy is turned against the opponent. By chewing on the flower petals, Yumichika was hinted to be able to take some of the stolen power's properties. The only time he used Ruriiro Kujaku was during the duel against Fraccion Charlotte Cuuhlhourne. To this day, there's no mention if Yumichika has achieved bankai although Ikkaku Madarame already has.

Let's take a look at the Yumichika Ayasegawa Shikai Fuji Kujaku Zanpakuto Bleach Sword from 247Swords.The Bleach sword replica has an overall length of 34.5", blade length 23" (4 of them) and handle length 11.25". It comes with a free wooden display plaque. The Fuji Kujaku blade is made of 440 stainless steel which splits open to 4 blades with black and silver color. The handle is made of replicated ray skin and black cotton wrap. Inside the cord-wrapped handle are two traditional Japanese dragons with two pegs holding the tang together. What worries me about this sword is the wear-and-tear on the hinge where the 4 blades rotate. With frequent use over a long term, the hinge may loosen-up so it's wise not to tighten and loosen it numerous times. The blades are shorter compared to what's seen in the anime. Other than that, it looks pretty awesome.

If you don't mind the price, there is another version of the Yumichika Ayasegawa Shikai Fuji Kujaku Zanpakuto Bleach Sword from TotalActionAnime.This Bleach sword replica has the same overall length of 34.5". Each of its 4 blades also measures 23" long while the handle is 11" long. A custom-made wall plaque is included with the sword. From the image, this sword looks more stunning cause the blade's curve is at a less angle compared to the one from 247Swords, which makes it look longer too. In my opinion, this replica looks more similar to the anime.

Kurosaki Ichigo Zanpakuto Tensa Zangetsu Bankai Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:30:00.001+08:00

Ichigo’s bankai sword called Tensa Zangetsu won rave reviews from Bleach fans everywhere when it made its debut in the duel with Kuchiki Byakuya, the 6th Division taicho. Initially ridiculed by Byakuya due to its zanpakutou form, Tensa Zangetsu is actually the result of condensing all of Ichigo’s power into that small physical form enabling him to battle at lightning speed with the full force of his bankai. The sword no doubt looks stunning in black and makes a great collector item for Bleach fans. Only thing I wasn’t so much impressed with Ichigo's bankai ability. Just lacks the shock and awe compared to other taicho's bankai. Ichigo die-hard fans can blast my comment page for this.

The name Tensa Zangetsu translates into "heavenly chained moon cutter". In bankai state, the previous huge shikai cleaver shrinks into a nodachi (long 2-handed Japanese sword). The sword is black from blade tip to hilt, radiating the dark and mystifying aura it's associated with. The tsuba (guard) appears in the shape similar to a swastika. It's ironic the swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word svastik meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and objects to denote good luck. It may be your lucky sword. Also a short black chain takes the place of the overhanging white bandage cloth from shikai state.

For a functional sword replica with reasonable price and quality, the sleek Musashi Handmade Ichigo Bankai Sword Replica Tensa Zangetsu sold by Swords Swords is a good buy. Last checked, there were no stocks available even from other dealers. Made of high-carbon steel, the sword has razor sharp edge with a full-tang. Overall length is 41” while blade length is 30”. The guard is made of stainless steel with black liquid finish. Although Ichigo Bankai Sword does not have a scabbard in the anime, for a functional sword it's just wrong not to have one. Cool thing is the Musashi scabbard has the same high-gloss black liquid finish. The sword replica comes wrapped in a sword bag placed inside a dazzling Chinese red silk box. Nice touch actually but if you prefer to display it out in the open, there is a display stand included.

If waiting for available stock is too much for you, check out the functional 56” Ichigo Bankai Sword replica Tensa Zangetsu sold by Shopusmore. As its name implies, the overall length is 56” while blade length is 37”, much longer than Musashi's. The blade is made of high-carbon steel and the sword comes with a wooden scabbard, both having black liquid finish.

There is also another option - the 56” Ichigo Bankai Sword replica Tensa Zangetsu sold by Royal Arm which I believe is more of a decorative sword.

Or if safety is a concern, you can opt for the wooden 52” Ichigo Bankai Sword replica Tensa Zangetsu sold by 247swords, excellent for cosplay. The wooden blade has a solid black liquid finish and the guard is made of plastic with the same black liquid finish.

If you're looking for Bleach costume, check out the site at AllAnimeDVD.com. They have several selections of Shinigami, Espada, Quincy and other Bleach costumes. Perfect for Halloween, birthdays, cosplay events and themed parties. Just take your pick.

Kurosaki Ichigo Zanpakuto Zangetsu Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:24:00.001+08:00

Kurosaki Ichigo is the main lead of Bleach but lately I feel his character is overshadowed by the presence of other cooler shingami and espada as the story advanced. If the much-awaited Vasto Lorde were to make their appearance that would really hurt his popularity. Maybe this post can help Ichigo boost his votes.

Before we feature the Ichigo Sword Replica from TopSwords, a quick description : Ichigo's zanpakutou is called Zangetsu which translates "moon cutter". Unlike other zanpakutou, Zangetsu is always in shikai form which is a huge long cleaver (a butcher's dream come true). The sword doesn’t have a cross-guard (hey it’s an oversized cleaver) and the handle is actually the full-tang of the sword wrapped in white bandage cloth. Only in animes can you get a thin-tang that supports a huge blade without fail.

The cloth originally wraps the whole blade when not in battle, kind of like a scabbard. When Ichigo wield Zangetsu for a fight, the cloth mystically unveils the huge blade and shortens to just a meter or two overhanging from the handle end. Zangetsu has the ability to strike an energy blast in the shape of a crescent moon called Getsuga Tensho or "moon-fang piercer of heavens". The energy blast is blue in shikai state and black in bankai state.

Bleach fans will be keen to have their own Ichigo Ichigo Sword Replica Zangetsu from TopSwords. It is made of 440 Stainless Steel with a full-tang construction. The blade has 2 tones of colour – one black and the other polished steel. White cloth wraps the handle with a short excess overhanging from the hilt-end just like in the anime. The sword replica also comes with a leather sheath.

The Ichigo Sword Replica Zangetsu is not exactly the same size as that in the anime. I guess if it was, the cleaver would be one heck of a sword to wield – too much weight and unbalanced. The sword would wield you, not the other way around. Also the tang would probably fail after a few swings.

Some customers feedback that the cloth grip comes off after some time which is quite common in many decorative swords in the lower price range. So buyers just need to avoid abusive force on the grip. You may also want to be careful when sheathing the sword since the scabbard is made of leather and not wood.

If safety is your concern, there is always the wooden Zangetsu sword from 247Swords. It has an overall length of 52” and blade length of 40”. There’s also the 2 tone colours applied to the blade – black and silver.

If you're looking for Bleach costume, check out the site at AllAnimeDVD.com. They have several selections of Shinigami, Espada, Quincy and other Bleach costumes. Perfect for Halloween, birthdays, cosplay events and themed parties. Just take your pick.

Toshiro Hitsugaya Zanpakuto Hyourinmaru Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:20:00.001+08:00

I’m a big fan of Bleach created by Tite Kubo and after watching the second movie release The Diamond Dust Rebellion, I’ve upgraded myself to a die-hard fan. My favourite Shinigami Taicho (Soul Reaper Captain) is Toshiro Hitsugaya of the 10th Division in Gotei 13 whom I am dedicating this post to. If you are not a fan, check it out on the net for both the manga and anime. I guarantee you will be hooked.

Captain Hitsugaya's zanpakutou is Hyourinmaru which literally means “ice ring”. Hyourinmaru’s spirit is a giant winged ice-dragon. In its sealed state, Hyourinmaru looks like a common Japanese katana with a unique tsuba (guard) design similar to a flower with four petals.

To release Hyourinmaru’s shikai state, Hitsugaya recites the phrase "soten ni zase Hyourinmaru" translated as “sit upon the frozen heavens”. In shikai state, Hyourinmaru looks no much different with only an additional crescent blade attached by a long chain to the katana’s hilt.

To release its more powerful bankai state, Hitsugaya commands the phrase "Bankai Daiguren Hyourinmaru" which means “great crimson lotus ice ring”. The katana tsuba (guard) changes to eight petals from the original four. Ice partly covers Hitsugaya’s body to form two giant dragon wings on his back, a dragon tail, a dragon head frozen over his right hand and sword’s hilt, also dragon claws enveloping his left hand and both feet. Three huge flowers (with 4-petals each) similar to his sealed zanpakutou's tsuba appear behind Hitsugaya. Each of the petals fade away slowly as the bankai state prolongs.

There are two special techniques Hitsugaya used in bankai state. The first is "ryuusenka" or “dragon hail flower” which freeze opponents that Hitsugaya stabs, imprisoning them in a cocoon of ice. The second technique is "sennen hyoro" or “thousand year ice prison” which envelops the enemy with pillars of ice and freezing them.

In this post, we feature the elegant Hitsugaya sword replica Hyourinmaru, manufactured by Musashi. It is a full-tang functional sword replica with overall length of 42”, blade length 29.5” and handle length 12.5”. The blade is made of high-carbon steel with razor-sharp edge so take caution. The tsuka (handle) is hardwood wrapped in ray skin. The wooden scabbard is attached to a black back-strap which should have been green as shown in the anime (that should be easily taken care of). The Hitsugaya sword replica comes delivered in a sword bag placed inside a stunning long gift box decorated in red Chinese silk. A display stand is also included and with the sword helps enhance the interior of your living room or study. If you are looking for a functional sword, the Musashi Handmade Hitsugaya Sword replica Hyourinmaru is a good buy for its low price and quality.

But if you just intend to use the sword as a decorative item, the 440 Stainless Steel Hitsugaya Sword replica Hyourinmaru from TopSwords is a better choice.

For cosplay events, I would recommend the Wooden Hitsugaya sword replica Hyourinmaru from RoyalArm which is safe to handle even for a child.

Kisuke Urahara Zanpakuto Benihime Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:19:00.001+08:00

Kisuke Urahara's zanpakutou in sealed form is a shikomizue called Benihime which translates to "crimson princess". Shikomizue which literally means "prepared cane" is actually the name of the mounting where the sword blade is placed in, to conceal the fact that it is a sword and thus provide the element of surprise. In Urahara's case, it is a walking cane stick and I guess it reflects Urahara's mysterious and reserved personality.

This type of mounting was used commonly by shinobi (Ninja) in ancient days and made popular by the fictional blind swordmaster Zatoichi. The sheathe of Benihime also has the ability to dislodge a soul from the body.

To release Benihime's shikai form, Urahara uses the command "okiro" or "awaken". In shikai form, Benihime's blade is wider and the hilt end bends at an angle. Its slim guard runs parallel with the blade which is rare among all zanpakutou. There are two red silk tassels attached to the guard and pommel. A short chain is also hangs from the guard.

Benihime has two known special abilities activated by the command "nake" or "sing/cry". It creates a polygonal "blood-mist shield" which defends against most attacks and hurl a crimson energy blast similar to a cero. Urahara being a former captain of Gotei 13 has achieved bankai but it is yet to be revealed. Amazingly he achieved bankai in only three days. His previous comments suggest it's either insanely powerful or not an offensive type.

The Kisuke Urahara Benihime Sword replica from RoyalArm is a beautiful decorative sword with great attention to detail. The sword has an overall length of 47". The blade is made of 440 stainless steel and features a full-tang construction. Benihime Sword's guard and pommel have polished copper-like surface similar to the anime design. There were some replicas I came across on the net having gray-weathered black guard and pommel instead, and priced higher than RoyalArm's.

If there are no stocks available at RoyalArm which do happens occasionally due to sudden high demand, you can opt for the alternative Kisuke Urahara Benihime Sword replica from Collectible Cutlery.

Kenpachi Zaraki Zanpakuto Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:18:00.001+08:00

Kenpachi Zaraki is the captain of the 11th Division within Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Kusajishi Yachiru. Kenpachi is the only captain who doesn't know the name of his zanpakutou and therefore he is not able to achieve bankai just yet. Even without a bankai, he was powerful enough to acquire the 11th Division captain position by defeating and killing the previous captain.

Although Kenpachi doesn't know his zanpakutou's name, it's always in shikai state due to his immense reiatsu or spiritual power similar to Kurosaki Ichigo's Zangetsu. His zanpakutou assumes the appearance of a worn-down dull blade with a guard that extends inward from its center. This reflects Kenpachi's practice of deliberately weakening himself to match his opponent's strength so he can prolong the fight and savour the battle for the longest possible time.

The sword's blade is much longer than a normal zanpakutou. Despite its worn out appearance, Kenpachi's zanpakutou easily cuts through most objects. This was proven when it pierced right through Ichigo's zanpakutou in a duel and effortlessly sliced a building in half after Kenpachi released the full force of his reiatsu. The sword was also featured in The DiamondDust Rebellion where it demolished a large section of a castle. Although Kenpachi's reiatsu is insanely immense, the disharmony with his zanpakutou causes the two's power to diminish each other. There's no telling how powerful Kenpachi could become once he successfully communicates with his zanpakutou.

The Kenpachi Zaraki Sword replica from TopSwords was the cheapest I can find at the time of this post. The sword replica has an overall length of 43" and blade length 28". The blade is made of stainless steel and the adjoining unique tsuba (guard) has the same design shown in the anime. White Cotton cloth wraps both the wooden sword handle and scabbard. The blade edge however is not worn-out and dilapidated like the anime, instead it looks brand new. If they could mimic the battle scars on the blade, it would have been an awesome wicked sword! Guaranteed!

If there are no stocks available, alternatively you can purchase the Kenpachi Zaraki Sword Replica from 247Swords.

If price is not an issue, there is the Kenpachi Zaraki Sword replica from Collectible Cutlery.

Abarai Renji Zanpakuto Zabimaru Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:17:00.002+08:00

Abarai Renji is one of my favourite shinigamis in Bleach partly due to the voice of Toru Furusawa which really brought life to his smug, arrogant and brash character. Renji is the lieutenant of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13 and reports to captain Kuchiki Byakuya. He earned his eccentric nickname "red pineapple" due to the long crimson hair kept in a high ponytail. His upper body is covered with black tribal tattoos which seem to spread everytime he achieves an advancement. His zanpakutou's spirit Zabimaru also bears similar tattoos but in purple.

Zabimaru means "snake tail" and its spirit (or spirits) takes the form of a baboon with a snake tail. The baboon was portrayed as more dominant of the two. To release Zabimaru's shikai form, Renji commands hoero or "roar". Zabimaru then transforms into a 7-segment blade with a pick-like protrusion on each segment. There are a total of 7 picks, the one at the blade tip the largest. The blade can take-on another form where the segments break from one another, connected by elastic threads. This converts Zabimaru into a long-range weapon more like a whip. It's as if due to Zabimaru's 2 spirits, the blade can assume 2 forms.

Abarai Renji's bankai is called Hihio Zabimaru or "baboon king snake tail"). In bankai state, Zabimaru turns into a giant skeletal snake with a red lion's mane similar to Renji's crimson hair. Renji's outfit also changes with a fur coat over his shoulders and a skeleton on the left arm. Unlike its shikai form, Zabimaru's segments are now bound together by Renji's reiatsu (spiritual power) which can detach and attach again at will. The segments themselves are extremely tough and even if one of it is damaged, Renji can simply detach it and reform Zabimaru. Renji's bankai has the special technique known as hikotsu taiho or "baboon bone cannon" which fires an energy blast from Zabimaru's mouth. He can also use a more powerful technique higa zekko where all the segments detach and sharpen using spiritual energy.

The Functional Abarai Renji Unawaken Zabimaru Sword replica from SwordsSwords is a functional high-carbon steel katana (last checked all stocks were sold out). The Zabimaru sword replica has an overall length of 40", blade length 28" and handle length 12".The sword features a full-tang blade with razor sharp edge. The handle is nylon wrapped in beige red, ray skin and dual-pegged for full functionality. The wooden scabbard is painted in high gloss red liquid finish similar to the anime. Fittings are made of brass and blackened copper. The functional sword replica comes with a sword bag.

If you prefer a decorative sword, why not choose the Stainless Steel Abarai Renji Unawaken Zabimaru Sword replica from Hanzo Steel? The sword replica has an overall length of 41", blade length 27" and handle length 12". The sword comes with a wooden scabbard hand-painted in red with a lacquer coat finish. The tsuka (handle) is wrapped in a red cloth in the popular Tsumami Maki style. The stainless steel blade has a slight factory-sharpened edge with visible hamon (temper line).

If you prefer the shikai or awakened zanpakuto sword, bad news is there are no exact steel replicas available yet. Good news is the wooden 52" Awakened Abarai Renji Zabimaru Sword replica from SwordsSwords. This high-quality wooden sword replica is amazingly light for its size (3lbs) so toting it around the convention hall all day shouldn't work you much sweat. The blade is 35" long with an 11" wide protruding spike at the tip. It has a two-tone paint - silver along the blade edge while the rest is black. The 16" long handle is leather-wrapped for excellent grip. Great for cosplay events.

If you're looking for Bleach costume, check out the site at AllAnimeDVD.com. They have several selections of Shinigami, Espada, Quincy and other Bleach costumes. Perfect for Halloween, birthdays, cosplay events and themed parties. Just take your pick.

Grimmjow Pantera Zanpakuto Sword Replica

2008-12-05T16:16:00.002+08:00

Finally the Bleach anime series is back on track to Hueco Mundo after the long exhausting filler episodes. It's about time cause the pre-filler episodes where Ichigo battled it out with Grimmjow was jaw-breaking and fans were all hyped-up with the increasing excitement, only to be killed off by weeks of filler intrusion. Now that it's all over, guess what?

Halloween is just around the corner and if you decided to be Grimmjow Jaegerjaques, all eyes are on you. Not everyone is worthy (or brave enough) to wear Grimmjow-sama's gear. Why? You got to have 6-packs and not afraid of mosquitoes. And most critical of all, you must have a Grimmjow Pantera Sword replica.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaques (pronounced Gurimujo Jagajakku in Japanese) is the sixth Espada acknowledged by the number "6" tattooed onto his back. His character is one that is proud, fearless and impulsive but honourable nevertheless. Before becoming an arrancar, Grimmjow was an adjuchas class menos with a panther-like physique. In his quest to become stronger and more powerful, Grimmjow wandered Hueco Mundo hunting other hollows and consuming them. Eventually he stumbled upon a group of hollows with the same purpose and due to his peerless strength, became their unwilling new leader.

Grimmjow's zanpakutou Pantera translates "panther" for Spanish but in Japanese denotes "panther king". To release Pantera's power, Grimmjow commands kishire or "grind". In his released state Grimmjow looks more like a were-panther, assuming the cat's features of jagged teeth, feline pointy ears, clawed hands, and a long tail. His speed and agility is greatly enhanced in this state. His roar alone creates shockwaves in the air and he has the ability to shoot 5 lethal darts from his elbow. Grimmjow's ultimate technique is called Desgarron or "laceration" in Spanish which projects energy claws at an opponent.

The Grimmjow Pantera Sword replica is a marvelous piece of work. The decorative sword has an overall length of 41", blade length 27" and handle length 11". The blade is made of 440 Stainless Steel. The striking feature of this sword replica is its metallic tsuba (cross-guard) which assumes the unique shape of a crooked "S".

The tsuka (handle) is wrapped with blue nylon cord and at the hilt end is the copper kashira (pommel). The sword replica comes in a scabbard made of solid wood and painted in blue. The sageo (cord) tied to the scabbard is in darker blue. You can purchase the Grimmjow Pantera Sword replica from 247 Swords.