Bankai with the biggest flaws

Key conclusions

• Bankai Byakuya can leave it open thanks to a hidden safe zone that enemies can use.
• Bankai Kyoraku risks damage to allies due to its range, limiting its use.
• Kenpachi's Bankai rips his body apart for immense power, risking harm to himself and others.

In the world BleachBankai is the Soul Reaper's main trump card, which they will only use when absolutely necessary. While these special abilities are generally incredibly powerful and often successful in defeating opponents because they are all unique in how they work, some of them have some major weaknesses and drawbacks that limit their general use. convenience.

Because of this, some captains chose to only use the can once or twice throughout the series, so as not to leave them open in the middle of a fight. When looking at the most obvious flaws that can severely limit the user's abilities in battle, these Bankai take the cake for having the biggest holes in their reliability.

8 Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Byakuya Kuchiki)

Byakuya's safe zone can be exposed by his enemy in Bankai

• First appearance: Episode 58

Arguably the most popular bankai in the series, Zenbonsakura Kageyoshi sees Byakuya surround his opponent with a swarm of razor-sharp petals before slashing them with an infinite number of blades. Considering how many times Byakuya has used this technique, the risk level isn't as high as some of the others, but it still has one pretty big flaw that Tsukishima discovers during the Fullbring Arc: the safe zone.

It turns out that Byakuya's enemy can be attacked from any direction at any time, but Byakuya, meanwhile, remains protected as he can stand in a small safe circle in the center of the Bankai. If a fighter manages to get close to Byakuya so that they also stay within the circle, this can be a real problem for the captain as it essentially renders the ability useless.

7 Katen Kyokotsu Karamatsu Shinju (Kyoraku Shyusui)

The area of ​​effect with this Bankai can make it risky to use with companions around

• First Appearance: TYBW Episode 35

Bankai Kyoraku consists of four different actions, each of which involves chipping away at the opponent's strength and willpower bit by bit, as well as breaking them into pieces as you go. Kyoraku has only released his bankai once throughout the series, as Ukitake states that it works wonders for one purpose, but also endangers Kyoraku's allies.

Kyoraku's Bankai has an area of ​​effect, meaning if an ally rushes into the same battle while he's using it, things can get really ugly and can easily lead to someone's death. After Kyoraku used the can against Lil Baro, he also suffered serious injuries due to the heavy strain it puts on his body, which is another drawback of this flashy technique.

6 Ryumon Hozukimaru (Ikaku Madarame)

Bankai's slow startup limits its overall usability

• First appearance: Episode 118

The moment when Ikaku launches his bankai against the arrancar is often cited by fans as one of the most epic and exciting bankai activation scenes in the entire show. ​Although not even a captain, Ikaku managed to achieve a truly impressive Bankai that turns his Zanpakutō into two massive cleavers, more than large enough to tear through even the toughest opponents.

However, as he admits up front, Ryumon Hazukimaru is a “slow starter” as his Zanpakutō spirit will only begin to awaken as the fight progresses. As explained later in the series during Fake Karakura Town, Ikaku's Bankai also becomes weaker whenever it breaks. So even though it's still very powerful and certainly a frightening sight, the amount of time it takes to get this bankai into full power is a time that most Soul Reapers can't afford. during the intense struggle.

5 Zanka No Tachi (Henryusai Yamamoto)

Yamamoto's destructive can can only be used for a limited period of time

• First Appearance: TYBW Episode 6

Zanka no Tachi, the Bankai of none other than Chief Captain Yamamoto is definitely one of the most destructive and powerful in all of Soul Society. When Yamamoto unleashes the power of his Zanpakutō, he goes through four different attack phases, all of which involve burning his enemies and killing them for life, but such power comes at a pretty high price.

As Yamamoto makes clear during his battle with Ihwach, using Zanka no Tachi for too long will destroy not only his enemy, but himself, and even the entire Soul Society. Even when Yamamoto first displayed his bankai, the air in Soul Society almost immediately became heavy, seemingly only getting worse the longer the sword was active.

4 Suzumushi Tsuishiki Enma Karogi (Kaname Tosen)

Tosen's bankai is instantly canceled if an opponent gets too close to his sword

• First appearance: Episode 51

Since Tosen was only the captain for a short period of time in the series, fans only saw him use his cankai once, and against the second captain no less. However, this fight with Kenpachi fully explains how Tosen's banka works, being able to completely shut off his opponent's senses, allowing Tosen to hit him from multiple angles without feeling, seeing, or hearing anything.

Fortunately, Zaraki was able to find Bankai's one major weakness when he grabbed Tosen's blade, completely disabling his power and leaving him completely exposed. Since Kenpachi is a fighter who likes to engage with his enemies up close, he was able to figure this out pretty quickly, so Tosen's bankai is probably more suited to ranged opponents, limiting his versatility.

3 Kokujo Tengen Myo (Kamamura Sajin)

Kamamura will take all the damage dealt by his bank

• First appearance: Episode 51

It specifically focuses on Kamamura's Bankai before he got an upgraded version later in the story. Kokujo Tengen Myo is essentially a giant version of Komamura in every sense, meaning that it will follow each of his physical movements and attacks exactly as he does them. However, this also means that since the two are inherently linked, any damage received by the Kokujo Tengen Myo will also be dealt to Kamamura.

It doesn't help that this Bankai, while fast for its size, is still slower compared to many others, and can easily be used if the opponent has abilities that make it too nimble for the eye to see. Again, Kamamura improves this bankai in the Millennium Blood War arc, but it has always had flaws that still make it risky to use.

2 Nazarashi (Zaraki Kenpachi)

Zaraki's Bankai rips his body apart for a massive burst of energy

• First appearance: Chapter 669

Kenpachi's extremely powerful Bankai is a last resort that seems to deal as much damage to the user as it does to their opponents. Freeing Nozarashi, Zaraki takes on the form of a theyni, with glowing red skin and black patches on his skin. He also gains a stunning increase in strength and is much more ruthless than before, though Kenpachi will also lose all sense of reason in this form.

This means that he essentially becomes a one-man killing machine that will strike friends and foes alike when his mindless gaze is fixed on them. Additionally, the Bankai is so powerful that it also tears Kenpachi's body apart during use, leaving him paralyzed after its use. There's always the possibility that Kenpachi could kill himself or others when using Bankai, so the other captains strongly recommend limiting its use as much as possible.

1 Hakka No Togame

One wrong move with this ice jar could result in Rukia losing a limb or even her life

• First appearance: TYBW episode 19

Rukia's Bankai, which she first used against Sternritter Yak Nodt during the Millennium Blood War arc, sees her freeze everything nearby, including herself. While Rukia's opponents who are attacked will immediately disintegrate, Rukia will survive, though moving her body too fast will cause serious damage to her body and can even lead to her own death if she is too hasty.

It's also implied that Rukia doesn't have too much experience with her bankai, and while it's not a weakness in itself, it can still be risky when paired with a bankai that requires so much care to use correctly, no having received an injury. Fortunately, Byakuya is present during the battle with Ace Nodt to remind Rukia that slowly unwinding the bankai is essential for its safe use.