The 15 Most Underrated Bankai In Bleach, Ranked

Despite being a major early player in the anime, former 12th Division captain Kisuke Urahara never got the chance to show off his Bankai. Manga readers, however, are well aware of Urahara’s Bankai: the Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame. The Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame takes the form of a giant dark-haired woman wearing a risque red robe. It has the power to restructure anything it touches for offensive and supportive purposes, such as splitting open an object within its area with a knife, or, healing Urahara’s eyes in his fight against Askin Nakk Le Vaar.   

While Shunsui Kyoraku, captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, may wish to live life as a pacifist, he will engage in combat if the situation demands it. As a storyteller, Shunsui’s Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju, provides him the perfect opportunity to illustrate his somber tales of violence. 

When activated, Shunsui’s Bankai unleashes black, root-like tendrils into the ground, as Zanpakuto Spirit, Katen Kykotsu, appears behind him. The move covers the battlefield with a gloomy aura that affects the psychological well-being of the enemy. There are also various special abilities to the Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju, such as the user and the enemy sharing the wounds they inflict on each other, or, covering the enemy’s body with black spots that result in profuse bleeding.

Retsu Unohana, former captain of the Fourth Division in the Gotei 13, has one of the creepiest Bankai in Bleach. Her Bankai, the Minazuki, liquifies the blade of Retsu’s Zanpakuto into a thick, dark red substance that can surround her proximity. After most of the liquid has flown off the Zanpakuto, the remainder hardens into a shortened katana that’s capable of clashing with Kenpachi Zaraki's blade.   

It may seem odd to suggest that the Bankai of Ichigo Kurosaki, the hero of Bleach, is overlooked in the series. However, as manga readers already know, Ichigo’s Bankai, the Tensa Zangetsu, never got the moment of glory it deserved. The Tensa Zangetsu was the symbolic manifestation of Ichigo coming to terms with his Quincy and Hollow powers; resulting in a black-and-white fusion of immense power. 

A sample of the Tensa Zangetsu’s great power was a golden-colored Getsuga Tensho that’s fired from Ichigo’s energy-engulfed sword. Unfortunately, the Tensa Zangetsu never got its moment to fully shine, as Yhwach put a stop to it by absorbing all the Quincy and Hollow powers from Ichigo. 

Shinji Hirako is the goofy, yet, perceptive captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13. While he never uses his Bankai in the Bleach TV anime series, the novel, Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World III, revealed its power. 

Shinji’s Bankai, the Sakasama Yokoshima Happō Fusagari, transforms his sword into a staff with a large ring on the front end, while he stands on a large construct of flowers. It has a wide-range attack that targets multiple opponents without bias; injuring friends and foes alike. 

To match the cold personality he often shows his peers, 10th Division captain Toshiro Hitsugaya has a Bankai that can ice the competition with ease. Toshiro’s Bankai, the Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, encases his limbs in ice until he has the icy features of a dragon, such as wings and claws. 

Naturally, Toshiro can use his Bankai to freeze anything within his radius and has many ice-related attacks to aid him in battle. However, he can also use the ice dragon appearance for a more animalistic approach to fighting, like swinging his icy tail at an enemy, or, using his icy wings to launch an aerial attack.  

Chojiro Tadaoki Sasakibe, lieutenant of the 1st Division, is all about proper (Western) appearances. This is why his Bankai, the Koko Gonryo Rikyu, is such a great fit for him. Its thunderous attack is very theatrical and powerful to boot. When Chojiro raises his Zanpakuto above his head, bolts of lightning are produced to form an electric dome. Chojiro is able to manipulate the weather and fire incredible bolts of lightning at his enemy.

Renji Abarai, a childhood friend of Rukia Kuchiki and lieutenant of the 6th Division, wields an underrated Bankai called the Soo Zabimaru. In its true form, Renji’s Bankai is worn like an attire made from a snake’s skull and bones. The snake skull isn’t just for looks, as Renji is able to extend a large blade from its mouth. 

Additionally, the skeletal body of the Soo Zabimaru is part of its special abilities, such as the cowl transforming into a large skeletal arm, or, the vertebrae structure unfurling around Renji’s waist and extending like a tail, while the blade portion of the Bankai changes into a larger, serrated form. 

The standout ability of Renji’s Bankai, however, is the Soo Zabimaru, Zaga Teppo, which crushes its victim with a spiritual construct of a snake’s jaw, before finishing them off with a blast of energy.

Rojuro Otoribashi, also known as “Rose,” is the captain of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13. As a music lover, Rose’s Bankai, the Kinshara Butodan, puts him in the role of a musical director to the “Dancers of Death.” His Bankai unleashes a large pair of floating hands that can conduct an army of petal-shaped dancers. Rose also has the special ability to create physical illusions to harm his enemies, as long as they are deceived.

Anyone afraid of spooky children in horror movies will not like the Bankai of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the 12th Division captain of Gotei 13. As the mad scientist of Bleach, Mayuri's Bankai, the Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, hits the mark of artificial horror. The Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo takes the form of a giant caterpillar monster in a red cape, while its arms and head are that of a horrific golden baby. As grotesque as that sight might be, the real power of Mayuri’s Bankai is the poisonous gas produced from the creepy baby’s mouth.

Serving as a lieutenant and former Third Seat in the 11th Division of the Gotei 13, Ikkaku Madarame is a terribly underrated character in Bleach. What’s even more underrated than Ikkaku is his Bankai: the Ryumon Hozukimaru. While it has no special abilities or defenses, the Ryumon Hozukimaru gradually increases Ikkaku’s Reiatsu in battle. It’s two main weapons are a giant Chinese Monk’s spade and guandao; both connected to a center chained axe blade.

Among the many great characters in Bleach, former 7th Division captain Sajin Komamura seldom gets the credit he deserves in terms of power. A shame, as his Bankai, Kokujo Tengen Myoo, is a testament to the wolf’s untapped potential. By the power of his Bankai, Sajin is able to summon a giant samurai warrior for combat. As if controlling a samurai giant wasn’t cool enough, Sajin can have his monster shed its armor to reveal its demonic form that’s invulnerable to physical attacks. 

Before he betrayed the Soul Society, Kaname Tosen was captain of the Ninth Division of Gotei 13. Tosen’s Bankai, the Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi, is one that is extremely elaborate, yet, tailor-made to the user. With the help of the spiritual rings that fling out of the Suzumushi katana, a black void dome forms around the battlefield. It centers itself around Tosen’s body; nulling all regular and spiritual senses except touch. The Bankai is perfect for making Tosen’s enemies experience the blindness he's lived through since birth. 

Suì-Feng, Yoruichi Shihouin admirer and 2nd Division captain of Gotei 13, possess a highly-explosive Bankai that isn’t fully appreciated in the Bleach fandom. Jakuho Raikoben, Sui-Feng’s Bankai, takes on the form of a golden missile launcher that’s encased on her right arm. As you may have guessed it, Sui-Feng’s golden missile launcher does exactly what a missile launcher does: launch missiles. 

The firepower of the Jakuho Raikoben is tremendous; creating a massive explosion in its wake. As a Covert Ops agent, Sui-Feng saves her giant and destructive Bankai as a last resort.

Making her first appearance in the Nintendo DS video game, Bleach: The 3rd Phantom, Matsuri Kudo was a Shinigami of the Fifth Division during Seigen Suzunami reign as captain. Her Bankai, the Ryukyu Kotomaru, installs a dragon head on her left shoulder, a piece of gray fur on her right shoulder, and a cape that stretches from her waist to foot. 

Matsuri’s Bankai greatly increases the power of her Zanpakuto, the Ryukyu Zessho (enlarges her pink-energy blade for slashing), and raises her defensive strength as well.