Bleach is an action-packed anime where characters gain power by transforming. While the Soul Reapers’ Shikai and Bankai are well-known examples, every group in the series has unique transformations. These powers lead to exciting and visually creative battles.
The anime and manga series Bleach is known for its characters changing forms, and the main character, Ichigo Kurosaki, has transformed more than anyone else in the series. As of now, Ichigo has had over a dozen different forms, and with the series continuing, he’s likely to have even more in the future.
14) Ichigo’s Original Zanpakuto
When Ichigo initially became a Soul Reaper, his sword looked similar to Rukia’s sealed Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki. This happened because he hadn’t yet learned to control his spiritual power, so his Zanpakuto manifested as a sword formed from Rukia’s energy.
Ichigo’s initial Zanpakuto was more of a basic form, lacking any special abilities. He relied entirely on his natural strength and skills in battle. While this was sufficient against common Hollows, it wasn’t enough to compete with skilled Soul Reapers, which resulted in a significant defeat against Renji during their first encounter.
13) The First Form Of Ichigo’s Shikai, Zangetsu
When Rukia was taken to the Soul Society, Ichigo began training with Urahara to learn how to use his own Zanpakuto and become strong enough to save her. Through training, Ichigo finally mastered Zangetsu, his unique Zanpakuto, which looked like a large knife and, unusually, didn’t have a standard sealed form.
Zangetsu, unlike most Zanpakuto, didn’t have many special abilities of its own. Ichigo continued to depend on his naturally immense spiritual power to make it effective. While he could still use his signature Getsuga Tensho technique with Zangetsu, he didn’t have the strength or precision to use it frequently.
12) Ichigo’s Original Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu
When Ichigo discovered that Zanpakuto had different power levels, he understood he needed to reach the ultimate form, Bankai, to rescue Rukia. Normally, it takes Soul Reapers years to unlock Bankai, but with a special tool from Urahara, Ichigo achieved it in just a few days. His Bankai manifested as a black Japanese longsword named Tensa Zangetsu.
Tensa Zangetsu makes Ichigo even stronger and faster by focusing his power into a smaller space. It also allows him to use Getsuga Tensho – a powerful energy attack – with ease, and this attack has become Ichigo’s most recognizable move.
11) Ichigo’s Hollowfication Mask
During the battle in Soul Society, Ichigo nearly became a Hollow, but he developed Hollow-like powers instead. With the Vizards’ help, he learned to manage these powers without losing control. Later, it was revealed that these powers didn’t originate during that fight; they came from an event involving his parents, and Urahara’s training simply unlocked abilities that had been hidden for years.
Ichigo can access immense power by summoning a mask resembling a Hollow, which dramatically increases his strength and allows him to battle even the most powerful of Aizen’s Espada. However, he can only use this ability a limited number of times in a row, and it largely disappears from his skillset after the events in Fake Karakura Town.
10) Vasto Lorde Ichigo
Ichigo’s second fight with Ulquiorra went badly when Ulquiorra unleashed the full power of his abilities, quickly overwhelming Ichigo and putting his life in danger. Driven by his need to protect Orihime, Ichigo lost control, and his inner Hollow completely took over, turning him into a powerful, monstrous being both in body and mind.
When Ichigo fully transforms using his Hollow powers – a form fans call “Vasto Lorde Ichigo” – his abilities reach their peak, allowing him to even use the powerful attack, Cero. While in this state, he easily overpowered Ulquiorra. However, after reverting to his normal self, Ichigo was filled with self-loathing, upset that he’d relied on such a dangerous transformation and hadn’t defeated Ulquiorra through his own strength.
9) Final Getsuga Tensho
After Aizen became incredibly powerful by merging with the Hogyoku, Isshin understood that Ichigo’s only chance of winning was to learn the Final Getsuga Tensho, his Zanpakuto’s most powerful attack. While this would give Ichigo the strength to defeat Aizen, it would also mean he’d lose his spiritual powers forever.
Ichigo’s Final Getsuga Tensho dramatically changed his appearance, giving him long black hair and a heavily bandaged body. This form was far more powerful than Aizen’s, allowing Ichigo to defeat him with an incredibly strong attack called Mugetsu, an enhanced Getsuga Tensho. While it’s likely the most powerful Ichigo ever became in Bleach, the specific circumstances that enabled it mean it’s unlikely he’ll ever achieve this form again.
8) Ichigo’s First Fullbring
In the ‘Lost Agent’ story arc of Bleach, Ichigo encounters a group called Xcution. These humans have a unique spiritual power known as Fullbring, and Ichigo discovers he might be able to develop this power himself. If he does, he could potentially regain his abilities as a Soul Reaper, which he lost 17 months prior.
Ichigo’s Fullbring ability is focused within his Soul Reaper badge. It first appeared as the badge creating spiritual energy shaped like the handle of his Zanpakuto, Tensa Zangetsu. Although it can’t cut things, Ichigo can use it to defend against strong attacks and shoot energy blasts. However, the blasts need to be charged up for a while to be truly effective.
7) Ichigo’s Second Fullbring
During Ichigo’s training with Xcution, his Fullbring ability evolved into a stronger version. This new form manifested as black spiritual energy enveloping his body, mirroring the look of his Soul Reaper attire. He even formed a blade of black energy with his arm, strikingly similar to his original Zangetsu sword.
Ichigo’s second Fullbring ability was even more powerful than his first, and its new form let him fight with swords like he did as a Soul Reaper. In this form, he also started using Bringer Light, a Fullbringer technique for incredibly fast movement, showing how much stronger he’d become.
6) Ichigo’s Final Fullbring
Honestly, watching Ichigo’s Fullbringer powers develop was amazing! They just kept getting stronger and finally reached their full potential. It was so cool to see him decked out in this awesome white armor, and he started fighting with this incredible, machete-like blade. The best part? His Substitute Soul Reaper badge actually transformed into a perfect sheath to hold the blade when he wasn’t using it – such a clever design!
Similar to before, Ichigo’s final Fullbring ability works just like his original Soul Reaper powers, letting him even use Getsuga Tensho again. However, because Ginjo took those powers away as part of his plan, and Ichigo doesn’t really need them back, regaining them wouldn’t be very useful.
5) Ichigo’s Second Zangetsu
Ginjo stole Ichigo’s Fullbring abilities, but at the same time, Rukia and other Soul Reapers were helping him regain his original powers so he could become a Soul Reaper again. Although Ichigo’s sword, Zangetsu, looked mostly the same, the remnants of his Fullbring made it a bit bigger and more curved.
Ichigo’s power increased dramatically thanks to help from his friends and his Fullbringer training. His new Zangetsu was significantly stronger, so much so that the sheer force of his spiritual energy resembled a Getsuga Tensho attack. While Ichigo was always strong, his enhanced abilities with the new Zangetsu made that power incredibly obvious.
4) Ichigo’s Second Tensa Zangetsu
Similar to his Shikai, Ichigo’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, underwent a transformation during the Lost Agent arc. Originally a standard sword, the new version of Tensa Zangetsu became longer and featured three spikes at its end. His Shinigami robes also changed, becoming more streamlined and decorated with X-shaped markings, reflecting his ties to Xcution.
Tensa Zangetsu retains the same core abilities as before, but Ichigo’s increased strength and experience now amplify those powers to a new peak. Even though Ichigo didn’t have much time to use this form, it was clear how much more powerful it made him.
3) Ichigo’s True Zangetsu
In Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Ichigo discovered a surprising truth: his inner Hollow was the original Zangetsu, twisted by a being named White. What he’d always believed to be Zangetsu was actually the power of his Quincy heritage. Despite this revelation, Ichigo embraced both sides of himself, leading to the creation of his real Zanpakuto spirit.
When Zangetsu reveals its true power, it splits into two swords – a larger one similar to Ichigo’s original weapon and a smaller, knife-like blade. This allows Ichigo to unleash two powerful Getsuga Tensho attacks simultaneously, a technique called Getsuga Jujisho. Combined with a significant increase in overall strength, this makes Ichigo an incredibly formidable opponent.
2) The Horn Of Salvation
During his final fight with Yhwach, Ichigo tapped into Yhwach’s own power to unlock a more powerful and controlled version of his Hollow form. This new form, frequently called the Horn of Salvation, changes his Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, to white and gives him a horn, as well as black markings covering the left side of his body. However, aside from these changes, Ichigo largely maintains a human appearance.
Similar to Ichigo’s Vasto Lorde form, the Horn of Salvation significantly boosts his abilities. He can unleash the devastating Gran Rey Cero and even combine it with his Getsuga Tensho attack. In this state, Ichigo was able to seriously challenge Yhwach in his strongest form, which proves just how incredibly powerful it is.
1) Ichigo’s True Tensa Zangetsu
I noticed a really interesting change with Ichigo’s Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, similar to what happened with his Shikai. It evolved into a completely different form – it actually started looking a lot like his original Zangetsu, but with a striking white outline and a large chain connected to the blade. It was a significant visual change and felt like a true unlocking of its potential.
We never got to see the full extent of Ichigo’s true Bankai in the manga, but Yhwach clearly considered it a major danger, suggesting it was incredibly powerful. The final part of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime is adding new scenes to the story, and fans hope it will finally reveal all of Tensa Zangetsu’s abilities.
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2025-11-08 03:42