Bankai ( Tensa Zangetsu "Heavenly Chain Cutting the Moon" ) Unlike most Bankai forms, which usually create some sort of massive creature or effect, Ichigo's Bankai actually shrinks his sword down to a daito (Japanese long sword) with a black blade instead. The cross guard has four prongs bent outward like a reverse swastika, and a short length of chain with a broken link at the end dangling from the base of the hilt. Ichigo's robe is replaced with a long-sleeved, ankle-length black coat (or haori) with red lining that is closed at his chest, then left to flare out into ragged ends. This coat is part of Ichigo's bankai and the damage it can take is directly proportionate to the remaining level of Ichigo's reiatsu. Tensa Zangetsu retains the use of Getsuga Tenshou and can be used in the same manner, as well as an enhanced form. When used in bankai, the cresents are black with a red outline and their path is more controlled, but the result is far more destructive. Ichigo can also charge, and keep Getsuga Tenshou within Tensa Zangetsu to augment his sword swings. Along with enhancing his strength, Ichigo's bankai likewise enhances the speed of his shunpo exponentially, and can allow him to move so fast he creates afterimages of himself to confuse his opponent. Also, because all of his energy is "compressed", using his Bankai doesn't expel as much reiatsu as other shinigami's bankai from the point of activation; allowing him to use Tensa Zangetsu for longer than anyone has yet been able to.
Hollowification; When Urahara Kisuke helped Ichigo regain his powers, he threw his bound soul into something that Urahara called "The Shattered Shaft" and told Ichigo he had to learn to climb out on his own within the time limit, or else eventually turn into a hollow. Ichigo was actually mid-transformation when he regained his shinigami powers, and since then, whenever he goes back to the "inner world", always by falling unconscious, he has seen a sort of doppelganger of himself, only twisted, and a little crazy. This "inner hollow", as it were, comes close to taking Ichigo over more than once. During his first fight with Kuchiki Byakuya Ichigo actually does fall unconscious, and something like another personality took over. For the short time the hollow was in control of his body, all of Ichigo's strength, and speed took such a quantum leap that he wounded Byakuya before Ichigo, himself, was able to regain control; ripping the forming mask off his face. After meeting Hirako Shinji, Ichigo learned that a small group of shinigami had similar circumstances, yet they had subdued the hollow within themselves, and now wielded stronger, blended powers. After Ichigo did face, and defeat his inner hollow, he was able to call his hollow mask into being. When wearing the mask, Ichigo's physical strength, endurance, and the strength of his Getsuga's destructive power are improved.
Kurosaki Ichigo || Bleach || Part 3 of ?
Bankai ( Tensa Zangetsu "Heavenly Chain Cutting the Moon" ) Unlike most Bankai forms, which usually create some sort of massive creature or effect, Ichigo's Bankai actually shrinks his sword down to a daito (Japanese long sword) with a black blade instead. The cross guard has four prongs bent outward like a reverse swastika, and a short length of chain with a broken link at the end dangling from the base of the hilt. Ichigo's robe is replaced with a long-sleeved, ankle-length black coat (or haori) with red lining that is closed at his chest, then left to flare out into ragged ends. This coat is part of Ichigo's bankai and the damage it can take is directly proportionate to the remaining level of Ichigo's reiatsu. Tensa Zangetsu retains the use of Getsuga Tenshou and can be used in the same manner, as well as an enhanced form. When used in bankai, the cresents are black with a red outline and their path is more controlled, but the result is far more destructive. Ichigo can also charge, and keep Getsuga Tenshou within Tensa Zangetsu to augment his sword swings.
Along with enhancing his strength, Ichigo's bankai likewise enhances the speed of his shunpo exponentially, and can allow him to move so fast he creates afterimages of himself to confuse his opponent. Also, because all of his energy is "compressed", using his Bankai doesn't expel as much reiatsu as other shinigami's bankai from the point of activation; allowing him to use Tensa Zangetsu for longer than anyone has yet been able to.
Hollowification; When Urahara Kisuke helped Ichigo regain his powers, he threw his bound soul into something that Urahara called "The Shattered Shaft" and told Ichigo he had to learn to climb out on his own within the time limit, or else eventually turn into a hollow. Ichigo was actually mid-transformation when he regained his shinigami powers, and since then, whenever he goes back to the "inner world", always by falling unconscious, he has seen a sort of doppelganger of himself, only twisted, and a little crazy. This "inner hollow", as it were, comes close to taking Ichigo over more than once. During his first fight with Kuchiki Byakuya Ichigo actually does fall unconscious, and something like another personality took over. For the short time the hollow was in control of his body, all of Ichigo's strength, and speed took such a quantum leap that he wounded Byakuya before Ichigo, himself, was able to regain control; ripping the forming mask off his face. After meeting Hirako Shinji, Ichigo learned that a small group of shinigami had similar circumstances, yet they had subdued the hollow within themselves, and now wielded stronger, blended powers.
After Ichigo did face, and defeat his inner hollow, he was able to call his hollow mask into being. When wearing the mask, Ichigo's physical strength, endurance, and the strength of his Getsuga's destructive power are improved.