“ |
We all die as we are born. We always find the end before the beginning. If to live means to continually search for wisdom, we'll find the end waiting after our last lesson. To finally see the subtlety of the end and understand it completely is what it means to die. We cannot help ourselves from growing wiser. Those who are helpless to their search for knowledge are those who cannot transcend death. |
„ |
“ | Ichigo, what's the difference between a king and his horse? I don't mean kiddy shit like "One's a person and one's an animal" or "One has two legs and one has four." If their form, ability and power were exactly the same, why is it that one becomes the king and controls the battle, while the other becomes the horse and carries the king?! There's only one answer. Instinct! In order for identical beings to get stronger and gain the power they need to become king, they must search for more battles and power! They thirst for battle, and live to mercilessly, crush, shred, and slice their enemies! Deep, deep within our body lies the honed instinct to kill, and slaughter our enemies! But you don't have that! You don't have those pure, base instincts! You fight with your brain. You try to defeat your enemies with logic! And it doesn't work! You're trying to cut them with a sheathed sword! That's why you're weaker than me, Ichigo! | „ |
~ Zangetsu to Ichigo |
“ | Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate. | „ |
~ Zangetsu to Ichigo |
“ | Look at this world! Your world! Littered with hope-filled skyscrapers that pierced the sky! It's now been degraded to a copy of that tiny town you grew up in! The constant raining in this world has stopped, but in return, everything has sunk into this sea!! It's all, Ichigo, because you despaired and ceased to walk forward. Ichigo. I won't let you remain this way. Right here and now, I will pull out the source of your despair. | „ |
~ Tensa Zangetsu to Ichigo |
“ | Ichigo, do you remember what I said when we began this fight? The things that you want to protect are not the things that I want to protect... What I wanted to protect was you Ichigo. | „ |
~ Tensa Zangetsu to Ichigo |
Summary[]
Zangetsu (斬月, Slaying Moon) is the manifested spirit of Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakutō as well as his inner Hollow. He has been variously called Hollow Ichigo (虚 (ホロウ) 一護, Horō Ichigo), more properly called The Hollow within Ichigo (一護の内面 (ないめん) の虚 (ホロウ), Ichigo no naimen no Horō) or White Ichigo (白一護, Shiro Ichigo). Zangetsu is an offshoot from the experimental Hollow White that infected Ichigo's mother Masaki Kurosaki and transmitted to Ichigo as a consequence. Zangetsu stated himself to represent Ichigo's purest instincts.
Before Ichigo learned that his mother was a Quincy, Ichigo assumed the embodiment of his Quincy powers was his Zanpakutō. Claiming the name Zangetsu, and appearing as Yhwach in his younger years, the "Oldman Zangetsu" explained to Ichigo that both he and the real Zangetsu are two halves of the human's full potential as a being that possesses the traits of Soul Reaper, Hollow, Quincy, and Fullbringer.
Powers and Stats[]
Tier: 7-C | 6-B, far higher with Bankai, even higher with Getsuga Tenshou | At least 6-A | At least High 6-B, at least High 6-A with Full Hollowfication | At least High 6-A, 3-C when merged with White | 3-C
Key: Pre-Bankai training | Post-Bankai training | Hollow Mask | Possessing Ichigo | Tensa Zangetsu | Asauchi Zangetsu
Name: Zangetsu, previously known as "Hollow Ichigo" (Ichigo's Inner Hollow)
Origin: Bleach
Gender: Male
Age: Unknown (Biologically 15-17)
Classification: Zanpakutō Spirit, Ichigo's Inner Hollow
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Soul Physiology, Hollow Physiology and Quincy Physiology (Soul: High-Tier/Hollow: High-Tier Arrancar/Quincy: High-Tier), Master Swordsman, Hand-to-Hand Combatant, Duplication, Limited Blood Manipulation (Using Blut, Zangetsu can flood his blood vessels with energy to reinforce them), Energy Absorption, Regeneration (Low-Mid, only in his advanced Hollow forms), Limited Power Nullification (Reiryoku can null the abilities and techniques of those massively weaker than Zangetsu), Resistance to Power Mimicry (Tokinada can only copy Zangetsu appearance but not its power), Extrasensory Perception when using Sonído (Using Sonído allows the user to bypass Extrasensory Perception), Space-Time Manipulation and Gravity Manipulation (Capable of withstanding the effects of Sosuke Aizen’s Kurohitsugi with full incantation which is stated to be able to warp space and time), Absolute Zero via Blut Vene (Possesses more powerful Blut Vene than As Nodt)
Attack Potency: Town level+ (Should be at least equal to Pre-Bankai training Ichigo) | Country level (White clashed evenly with Shikai Ichigo[1], which Masked reiterates[2] [38.94 Teratons]), Country level+ with Bankai (White is slightly superior to Bankai Ichigo, prior to Ichigo learning killer instinct[3][4] [77.88 Teratons]), even higher with Getsuga Tenshou | At least Continent level+ (Should be at least as strong as Hollow Mask Ichigo) | At least Large Country level+ (Forced Love to use his Hollow Mask[5] [443.5 Teratons]), at least Multi-Continent level with Full Hollowfication (Possessed Ichigo to kill Segunda Etapa Ulquiorra [887 Petatons]) | At least Multi-Continent level (Overwhelmed Bankai Ichigo[6][7] [443.5 Petatons]), Galaxy level when merged with White (Was able to continue fighting with Ichigo as he neared the end of his Dangai training[Statistics Values 1]) | Galaxy level+ (On par with Ichigo Kurosaki, Zangetsu grows alongside Ichigo as his true power[Statistics Values 2])
Speed: High Hypersonic (As fast as pre-Bankai training Ichigo) | Massively Hypersonic (Superior to Post-Bankai Training Bankai Ichigo in speed) | At least Massively Hypersonic (Should be comparable to Hollow Masked Ichigo) | Sub-Relativistic (Was casually blitzing R2 Ulquiorra, who in turn could casually blitz Hollow Mask Bankai Ichigo in only his R1 form) | At least Sub-Relativistic, likely Relativistic (As fast as Post-Dangai Ichigo and was keeping up with him) | Massively FTL (On par with Ichigo)
Lifting Strength: Class M (As strong as Ichigo [164887800 kg]) | Class M (Is physically stronger than Ichigo as he can clash with and eventually overpower Ichigo during their interaction[8] [164887800 kg]) | At least Class M (As strong as Ichigo) | At least Class G (As strong as Ichigo) | Class T (As strong as Ichigo)
Striking Strength: Town level+ | Country level (Comparable to his Attack Potency, as he is physically equal to Ichigo), Country level+ with Bankai (Comparable to his Attack Potency, as he is an equal if not stronger than Ichigo at this point) | At least Continent level+ | At least Large Country level+ (Comparable to his Attack Potency, as he physically harmed Love), at least Multi-Continent level with Full Hollowfication (Comparable to his Attack Potency, as he scales to the Ichigo that killed Ulquiorra) | At least Multi-Continent level (Physically overwhelmed Bankai Ichigo), Galaxy level when merged with White (Fought Ichigo physically at the end of his Dangai training) | Galaxy level+
Durability: Town level+ | Country level (Can clash with Ichigo [38.94 Teratons]), Country level+ with Bankai (Swiped away Ichigo's Black Getsuga Tenshou with his hand [77.88 Teratons]) | At least Continent level+ | At least Large Country level+ (Comparable to his Attack Potency, as he can withstand the force of his own strikes [443.5 Teratons]), at least Multi-Continent level with Full Hollowfication (Scales to the Ichigo that killed Ulquiorra [887 Petatons]) | At least Multi-Continent level (Blocked attacks from Bankai Ichigo [443.5 Petatons]), Galaxy level when merged with White (Fought Ichigo physically at the end of his Dangai training[Statistics Values 3]) | Galaxy level+ (On par with Ichigo[Statistics Values 4])
Stamina: Superhuman, fought with Ichigo for 3 months in the Dangai.
Range: Extended melee range to several meters in melee combat, several hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers with projectiles
Standard Equipment: Hollow Mask; His white version of Ichigo's Zanpakutō
Intelligence: Despite his arrogant and insane demeanor, Zangetsu is a very insightful and crafty fighter. While regularly mocking Ichigo, his mocking also has deep rational knowledge behind it which ultimately helps Ichigo come to better understand himself and his powers. Zangetsu's intellect has also been useful in battle. He quickly realizes mistakes in Ichigo's battle tactics and corrects them, and almost instantly adapts to his opponent's battle tactics to perfectly counter them.
Standard Tactics: Is naturally bloodlusted
Weaknesses: None notable
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
Deadly Darts (デッドリー・ダーツ, Deddorī Dātsu): Zangetsu uses the cloth on his blade to swing his Zanpakutō and toss it at opponents for mid-range combat. The blade moves very fast when thrown, and its impact can damage a building. If the person dodges the attack, Zangetsu can use the cloth to manage the sword's direction and try to hit the target once more. By gripping the cloth, he withdraws the blade and swings it to attack again.
Immense Spiritual Power: Zangetsu can emit a large amount of uncontrollable red-colored Reiatsu, which can pulverize the area around him. When Zangetsu began taking over Ichigo's body, Ulquiorra Cifer, the 4th Espada, stated Ichigo's Reiatsu fluctuated from weak to higher than his own. His Reiatsu is great enough to visibly intimidate the Hollowfied Hiyori Sarugaki and the rest of the Visored.
Advanced Growth Rate: Like Ichigo, Zangetsu has an astounding growth rate. He gains any power Ichigo does, evidenced by his use of Bankai. He could use the black Getsuga Tenshō before Ichigo, despite both learning Bankai around the same time. His own Getsuga Tenshō is incomparably stronger than Ichigo's.
Mask Shielding: Because Ichigo's body is necessary for his very existence, Zangetsu protects it with his mask. During Ichigo's more difficult battles, he manifested the mask to block attacks on Ichigo's body from within his shihakushō, serving as a shield to stop or lessen attacks on him, sometimes saving his life. The mask blocked several hits from Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō, which could have been fatal. Although the mask was thrown away afterward, it reappeared while Ichigo was fighting Kenpachi Zaraki, preventing his torso from being cut in two.
Zangetsu Possessing Ichigo
Zanpakutō[]
Zangetsu (斬月, Slaying Moon)
Since the inner Hollow Ichigo inherited from his mother fused with his original Shinigami powers, Ichigo's inner Hollow is also his Zanpakutō spirit. Zangetsu and the manifestation of Ichigo's Quincy powers are both the source of Ichigo's power and share the same spiritual body in Ichigo's inner world, the stronger presence retaining more control (and overall appearance) of their body. Zangetsu takes the form of an all-white (clothes and being), somewhat deranged version of Ichigo's Shinigami form with a strong desire to take control of Ichigo's body and power for himself. Zangetsu originally used a black Zangetsu obtained from the manifestation. However, after he becomes the dominant spirit inside Ichigo's mind, Zangetsu carries his white version of Ichigo's Zanpakutō.
- Shikai: The Shikai form of Zangetsu resembles an oversized khyber knife. It has no tsuba and no proper hilt; what Zangetsu holds is the cloth-wrapped tang. The sword is as long as Zangetsu is tall (1.75 meters), and has a silver blade with a black edge. The cloth wrapping on the tang seems to react to Zangetsu's will, changing length at a thought or twining about the blade in an impromptu sheath. When in combat, the cloth falls away when necessary, shrinking back to a manageable size. The cloth can be used to swing the weapon like a flail and toss it at opponents for mid-range combat and can wrap up wounds. The wide blade can be used as a shield from incoming attacks. Unlike most Zanpakutō, which can be sealed into their original form, the blade is always in its Shikai form. Yoruichi Shihōin states this Zanpakutō is a full-time released form type because of Ichigo's vast but uncontrollable Reiryoku upon generation of it.
Shikai Special Ability: While primarily used for melee combat, the blade possesses a special ability.
- Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer): At the instant of the slash, the blade absorbs Zangetsu's Reiryoku and releases highly condensed Reiatsu at the tip of the blade, which magnifies the slash attack and flies forward. This slash takes the form of a crescent moon or the shape of a wave.
Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heaven Chain Slaying Moon): It is considered completely out of the ordinary for any Zanpakutō. Unlike most Bankai, which usually create some sort of massive creature or effect, Zangetsu's Bankai shrinks his sword down to a daitō (Japanese long sword) with a white blade, crossguard, and handle instead. The crossguard has four prongs bent out to form the shape of the manji (which is the kanji for "ban," meaning "full", as in "full release"). The blade itself is durable enough to withstand even the strongest of attacks, making it quite effective in blocking and deflecting incoming attacks. It can withstand getting crushed by force. Instead of the cloth, Zangetsu's Shikai had a short length of chain with a broken link at the end dangles from the base of the hilt. The chain can be used to spin the sword with one finger. In addition to his sword, Zangetsu's robe is replaced with a long-sleeved, ankle-length white coat with black lining which is closed at his chest and left to flare out into ragged ends. Zangetsu wore a black shihakushō after Ichigo stabbed him, causing his white shihakushō to turn black.
Bankai Special Ability: Tensa Zangetsu, much like its Shikai form, is used heavily for melee combat, but possesses a certain special ability.
- Enhanced Getsuga Tenshō: Tensa Zangetsu retains the use of Getsuga Tenshō which can be used in the same manner but enhanced. When used in Bankai, these potent blasts, white with a red outline, can have their path controlled, and possess explosively augmented power and speed. When Zangetsu uses this technique in the physical world, it is black. During Byakuya Kuchiki's fight with Ichigo, Byakuya refers to this attack as a "Kuroi Getsuga" (黒月牙, Black Moon Fang), referring to the attack's darkened color. Both Ichigo and Zangetsu have stated the Kuroi Getsuga was originally the latter's technique.
- Hyper-Speed Combat: Zangetsu takes all the power of his Bankai and compresses it into a small, condensed form, which allows him to perform high-speed combat. His new speed allows him to move behind a Shunpo master like Byakuya and attack him. He can appear in front of a Shunpo expert like Ichigo, leaving no time to react.
- Enhanced Spiritual Power: His Reiatsu is so intense and rough, as well as thick and heavy, it can suffocate Humans just by being in the general vicinity of his released Bankai, and easily surpass Byakuya's Reiatsu. His Reiatsu is solid in his Bankai, despite him only recently acquiring it. While in Bankai, Zangetsu's Reiatsu turns white, with a red outline.
- Enhanced Bankai Duration: Since all of his energy is compressed, usage of his Bankai does not expel as much Reiatsu as other Bankai from the point of activation, allowing him to use Tensa Zangetsu for a much longer duration than any other Bankai users of his level.
Hollow Form[]
Hollow Form: When Zangetsu takes full possession of Ichigo's body, the body undergoes a full transformation into a Hollow creature. His mask resembles a Human skull, complete with a jaw joint and rounded forehead, and has dark red stripes on the left side. This full Hollow is a white humanoid lizard with three-toed feet and a tail, with black marks all over its noticeably more muscular body. It possesses long orange hair and reptilian eyes seen through the eyeholes on its full mask. Unlike normal Hollows, this form used an actual weapon, using Ichigo's Zanpakutō.
- High-Speed Regeneration: Like some Hollows, Zangetsu possesses the ability to instantly regenerate any wound and even a missing limb.
- Enhanced Getsuga Tenshō: Zangetsu's Getsuga Tenshō surrounds his blade. The extent of its power is currently unknown, for it has never been utilized in this form.
- Enhanced Spiritual Power: Even when only partially transformed, Zangetsu's Reiatsu greatly increases. Upon awakening, the Hollow form broke free from a full-powered Bakudō #75. Gochūtekkan.
- Cero (虚閃 (セロ), Sero; Spanish for "Zero", Japanese for "Hollow Flash", Doom Blast in the Viz translation"): Zangetsu can fire a potent Cero from either his fingertips or his entire hand. This Cero is crimson and tri-focused. The blast is strong enough to force Love Aikawa to summon his Hollow mask.
- Extra Appendage: In his full Hollow form, Zangetsu can grow a large, worm-like appendage from various locations on his body (during his Visored training it emerged from his arm, and during his fight against the manifestation it emerged from his chest).
New Hollow Form[]
New Hollow Form: Ichigo later has his body taken over by Zangetsu once again. This time, the full transformation is very physically different in appearance and is far more powerful than the previous one. In this form, Ichigo has long straight hair, reaching down to his waist, and a Hollow hole, smaller than his previous one, decorated with markings stretching from the hole across his chest and shoulders. He has retractable claws on his fingertips and toes, small, furry red tufts, two starting from his collarbone and stretching around his neck and one each on his wrists and ankles, and white skin. In this new form, he has a different Hollow mask. It covers Ichigo's entire head, and its markings are different, for it has four spike-shaped marks, two of them stopping by the forehead and the other two stretching past the eyes and teeth, going past his chin and joining with the marks on his chest. T here are small marks resembling a heart, but with the top and bottom open, extending from the inner corners of his eyes. The mask features two long forward-pointing horns, with black strips extending from their center towards the tips. Zangetsu has his version of this form, with the opposite colors alternating black with white and vice versa.
- Chain (チェイン, Chein): After transforming, Zangetsu called his Zanpakutō to his hand with a simple gesture.
- Enhanced Cero: Zangetsu's crimson Cero has become exceedingly more powerful, completely overwhelming Ulquiorra's Cero Oscuras and causing large-scale destruction to a large portion of the surroundings. It is fired from between the tips of his horns. However, if one of the horns are cut off, he is unable to form the Cero properly, and any energy already gathered will implode.
- Sonído: Zangetsu moves at exceedingly fast speeds, appearing behind Ulquiorra and throwing his severed arm at him before the former could even turn to face him. Ulquiorra states his speed is not reached by the use of Shunpo; he uses Sonído.
- Enhanced Spiritual Power: Zangetsu's already vast Reiryoku increases drastically, easily overwhelming the power of Ulquiorra's second Resurrección. The sheer strength of his Reiatsu terrified Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and Yasutora Sado at the bottom of Las Noches.
- High-Speed Regeneration: After Ulquiorra shatters Ichigo's mask, the energy from his Hollow transformation went above him and came down as some sort of energy, which regrew the lost flesh which made his Hollow hole (as a result of Ulquiorra's Cero Oscuras) and fully healed him of his injuries from Ulquiorra, who commented on it to this effect.
Merged Form[]
After the manifestation of Ichigo's Quincy powers pulls Zangetsu out of Ichigo during the latter's Dangai training, the two spirits merged into one form, which combined aspects from both spirit's appearances; Zangetsu's white Bankai coat, black horn mask remnant, white-colored hair, and left Hollowfied eye alongside the manifestation's appearance, right blue eye, and black Bankai sword, though the sword's tsuba is white like Zangetsu's. In this form, the manifestation explains he and Zangetsu were technically two parts of the same being, with both of them together representing all of Ichigo's spiritual powers. Ichigo claims if this merged spirit wanted to, he could have defeated him from the start of their battle, further stating they were this far apart in power.
Blut Activation: As the manifestation of Ichigo's Quincy powers, Zangetsu can activate Ichigo's Blut to aid him in combat.
- Blut Vene: During Ichigo's fight with Kenpachi Zaraki, Zangetsu forcibly sealed a wound which was previously gushing blood. Later, he saved Ichigo when he was fighting against Yhwach by stopping Yhwach's blade with Blut Vene.
Clones: In battle, Zangetsu can produce multiple solid clones of himself, allowing him to outnumber his enemy and attack from multiple directions simultaneously. However, doing so appears to reduce his sheer attack strength.
Shadow: Zangetsu can travel between realms through the shadows by extending his overcoat to obscure himself and whomever he wishes to teleport. During Ichigo's fight with Kenpachi Zaraki, Zangetsu transported Ichigo and himself into Ichigo's inner world.
Broadsword: Zangetsu can manifest a broadsword with a cross-guard shaped like wings. The sword is completely engulfed in Reishi flames.
Notes/Explanations[]
Others[]
Notable Victories:
Notable Losses:
Inconclusive Matches:
References[]
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