This article contains information pertaining to unused content.
The subject was never implemented or was removed, cut or altered at some point of its development, and this article pertains to its original implementation.
When performed, Ichigo would concentrate his spiritual energy and envelop himself in a dark, massive whirlwind-like explosion that deals 25% damage and high knockback to opponents hit. When it would disappear, his Zanpakutō would be transformed into Tensa Zangetsu and Ichigo himself would be temporarily transformed into his Bankai form. Bankai Ichigo was one of the many "Final Forms" in the game, which means he was much different from his normal form and had greatly improved attributes, such as more powerful attacks and increased knockback resistance.
As a Final Form, Bankai Ichigo excelled in his speed, possessing one of the fastest dashes in the game. Bankai Ichigo also had a floating ability and could midair jump infinitely. This, coupled with his good aerial attacks, made him a less "slippery" character when it came to controlling him in the air or jumping. He had two aerials, down and forward, that would meteor smash and semi-spike opponents without any need of a sweet spot. However, his aerial attacks had a long start-up lag.
In front of himself, Ichigo slashes vertically, then horizontally. Afterwards, he moves forward slightly and does an 180-degree slash. The blade slows slightly when hitting backwards, making Ichigo prone to six o' clock (from the behind) counterattacks. Ichigo's arcing blade hits an opponent multiple times, but one hit will always deal the same amount of damage.
Stabs with his sword in front of him diagonally upwards. Despite the sword going upwards, opponents can still be hit if they are standing in front of Ichigo, even if the blade does not come close to touching them.
Lifts his sword in the air, then thrusts it into the ground, releasing a wide blast of Hollow energy. Similar in appearance to normal Ichigo's down smash, but black in color and with a much larger ground range.
Slashes horizontally to downward swiftly, the blade adapting a hammer-like motion as it goes downwards. This move semi-spikes enemies diagonally when the blade goes downwards. Very fast, and the Meteor Smash is usually lethal when used offstage. The aerial causes Ichigo to slightly levitate off the ground as he executes it, and the speed of his move means he could effortlessly spam this aerial when off the stage, making it one of Bankai Ichigo's most integral KO moves.
Briefly teleports, halting his falling momentum and slashes downwards with his sword in a wide arc. This move is an extremely powerful meteor smash and is very effective in using to fatally meteor smash opponents off the stage. Great finisher/spammer due to its speed, large hitbox, and how Ichigo halts in midair when using it.
Stabs his sword into the ground and exposes the victim to a powerful blast of spiritual energy; identical to his down smash but it does not meteor smash nor hit any other opponents despite the wide blast range.
Floats in midair and says: "Omae o kiru ze" (「お前を斬るぜ。」).
Side
Down/Up
Half of his Hollow mask grows on his face, making him be controlled by his Inner Hollow and he begins to laugh, but rips it off before it completely controls him.
Holds his sword sideways at hip level and stands on the ground with his back turned to the camera, looking over his shoulder as the lower "cape" of his outfit blows in the wind. This is the same stance that Ichigo took when he first used his Bankai in the Bleach anime.
Lose
Gasps for breath while on his knees. This is the same animation that occurs when Bankai Ichigo's shield breaks, leaving him stunned.
In the Bleach franchise, Bankai is the second and final form of a Zanpakutō. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutō. To achieve this form, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit, meaning the wielder needs to summon it into the physical world. It usually takes ten years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it, but Ichigo was able to achieve it in just three days with Yoruichi's training. The training program involved using a Tenshintai (転神体), which forcibly materializes the spirit of a Zanpakutō into the Human World when stabbed by the Zanpakutō, effectively bypassing a large portion of the training and significantly reducing the amount of time needed to complete it. This device was invented and tested by Kisuke Urahara, the only other person who attained Bankai through the same method that Ichigo would eventually use. The power and forms of Bankai vary according to the wielder's strength and training, but in general, one's power can grow five to ten times greater by attaining it. Because Ichigo is a very special Shinigami, Bankai power multipliers could be much larger.
Gallery[]
Artwork[]
Bankai Ichigo's first early art, used from v0.5a to v0.8b. After that version, he started sharing artworks with Ichigo.