Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the TYBW Arc in BleachBleach creators recently announced the premiere of the upcoming season along with a brand-new trailer. Studio Pierrot is apparently pulling out all the stops for the upcoming Shinigami-Quincy Battle Royale, and it shows. Striking animation, vibrant animation, and gore galore abound. Bleach's final animated arc is gearing up to be one of the hottest anime this fall for both its nostalgia and hype.
From the looks of it, the Gotei 13 will sure have a run for their money against the powerful Sternritter led by the fearsome mustachioed Ywach. Equipped with a shinigami's primary weapon, the Zanpakutō, members of the Gotei 13 are able to rely upon them when encountering enemies ranging from Hollows to the Quincy. A Zanpakutō is capable of two release forms: Shikai and the famous Bankai. The former is the one that most Shinigami in Bleach are able to employ, but some within the ranks are able to use this second form to the absolute limit with devastating effect.
Zabimaru
Renji's Zanpakutō is unique in that it's the first one for audiences to witness a shikai release firsthand -- the feat of a Zanpakutō becoming more than just a simple katana.
Zabimaru is unique in that when it's released in shikai form, it becomes more a whip than it is a sword. According to the 6th Division Lieutenant himself, Zabimaru's shikai is the most difficult to use out of all the lieutenants within the Gotei 13. This is debatable, but he is the only one where it essentially becomes an entirely different type of weapon, making it interesting in that sense.
Hyōrinmaru
Everybody's favorite first anime crush of the naughts, Tōshirō Hitsugaya is the one with the cool hair, cold personality, and ice-based Zanpakutō, enough to make anyone swoon with admiration.
Hyōrinmaru is considered to be one of the most powerful Zanpakutō with an ice-based attribute. Once released, it ultimately becomes a Chinese folklore dragon composed of ice that freezes anything it touches. But what makes it more interesting and strong is that it doesn't require water to make anything freeze.
Ruri'iro Kujaku
Ruri'iro Kujaku is easily one of the most dissed Zanpakutōs in Bleach history for how it's treated by its wielder, but the ability to ensnare its victims in a web of vines and drain them of their power until their death is a special one indeed.
The only hitch is that its weilder, Yumichika, doesn't use it much, considering their association with the battle-hardened 11th division. Yumichika believes that Ruri'iro Kujaku is not a worthy enough Zanpakutō' for the 11th due to its deceitful nature.
Nozarashi
"Drink, Nozarashi" is easily one of the more appropriate phrases for a Zanpakutō's master, considering how bloodthirsty said master is. Kenpachi Zaraki, captain of the 11th squad is most known for two things: being played by the voice actor of one of the worst characters of Evangelion and having a Zanpakutō that has no name.
After his bouts with the original "Kenpachi," Onahana, in order to unleash his latent talent, uncovers his Zanpakutō's name in the midst of the war against the Quincy. It's only fitting that its release is a large cleaver that can only be handled by a butcher like Kenpachi Zaraki. The shikai is so powerful that it's able to cleave meteors in two.
Wabisuke
When it comes to edgelords of anime, the first rule is to bring the whole mood down with them. And there is no better example of a Zanpakutō's ability to weigh down its opponents with each slash than Wabisuke's.
Izuru Kira, lieutenant of the 3rd Division, sadly finds himself on the wrong side of politics concerning Soul Society, but their ability manages to keep themselves above the rest (literally). Whatever is slashed by Wabisuke, double its weight is inflicted upon it.
Suzumebachi
More stinger than an actual sword, Suzumebachi should not be mistaken as a mere finger glove. It's the perfect tool for an assassination squad such as the second division considering it only needs but two strikes to kill its target.
Soi Fon/Suì-Fēng is the captain of the 2nd Divison and successor of the former captain of said division, Yoruichi. Though her bankai is considered to be too boisterous for covert operations, her shikai is all but perfect for the tasks.
Sode No Shirayuki
From Tite Kubo himself, Rukia was the first character to be conceived for his magnum opus, so it's only fitting that she receives one of the best Zanpakutō's in the series, as well as be one of the most liked in Bleach. Her Sode no Shirayuki has yet to make its bankai debut in the anime, but her shikai has been prevalent since the Arrancar Arc.
Her shikai's ability is ice-based, just like Captain Hitsugaya, with the only difference being instead of freezing without water, it reduces the user's area to absolute zero degrees. Anyone caught in her shikai's domain will immediately be frozen with no hopes of escaping its Zhivago like ice-prison.
Katen Kyōkotsu
Who said Hunter X Hunter was the only one with befuddling powers -- Tite Kubo is more than capable of creating an op ability that causes viewers to scratch their heads. Enter Shunsui Kyōraku, the laid back and loquacious captain of the 8th division and his dual-wielded Zanpakutō.
Once released in its shikai form, Shunsui has to "play" with his Zanpakutō and his opponents in a number of games that would be perfect for Squid Game. From Kageoni to Takoni, Shunsui is able to confound his enemies by switching up games on the fly, confusing them in order to ensure victory like a game of a handheld Simon.
Senbonzakura
"Scatter, Senbonzakura" is still one of the coldest sayings for a villain-turned-heroes to utter. And Senbonzakura is still easily one of the most beautiful yet deadly Zanpakutōs to grace the screens of anime-only viewers. It's also only fitting that it's used by such a dignified personality as Byakuya Kuchiki.
The ability to make their blade shatter into microscopic blades that act as a flock of birds for the wielder to control and direct at their opponent is pretty spectacular. Leaving a no-hit area for the wielder alone, Senbonzakura is one of the most horrifyingly beautiful attacks that no enemy could ever hope to escape.
Kyōka Suigetsu
While there are countless lieutenants in the Gotei 13 to not reach the level of Bankai, there are but two to reach captain that have neither achieved nor revealed their bankai. Former disgraced captain of the 5th divison, Sosuke Aizen, is one of these two and managed to pull the wool over everyone's eyes in Soul Society merely with his shikai.
A special ability like hypnosis for one's shikai makes it perfect for anyone who is set to betray an organization such as the Gotei 13. Kyōka Suigetsu is also the perfect weapon for a villain in that it not only fools its victims via sight but also in sound and smell. It's even enough to fool omnipotent beings like Ywach and the legendary captain of the 1st Divison, Genryūsai Yamamoto.