The sixth episode of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War was an absolute masterpiece in its adaptation of one of the original manga's most anticipated fights of the final arc. The fated rematch between the leaders of both warring factions saw the heat of battle reach fifteen million degrees Celsius as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, unleashed his Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka's fabled Bankai.
The Captain-Commander's Bankai is not seen in the series prior to this battle, and the anime lived up to the immense hype of the moment, delivering one of the most incredible fight sequences seen in recent times. This Bankai is multifaceted, so here's a complete breakdown of the devastating potential of Ryūjin Jakka's Bankai – Zanka no Tachi.
Etymology
The Captain-Commander's Zanpakutō goes by the name Ryūjin Jakka, which is written 「流刃若火」, written with the kanji for "flowing", also used in the Japanese term for "shooting star"; the word for "blade" – "yaiba"; familiar from the title of Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba. The last two kanji in the name of the Zanpakutō are "young" and "flame"; all together, "Ryūjin Jakka" becomes "Flowing Blade Young Flame" in the VIZ translation. The Shikai command used to unleash the Zanpakutō's fearsome flames is "Reduce all creation to ash"; or "All things in the universe, turn to ashes" in the VIZ translation.
The Zanpakutō's Bankai, "Zanka no Tachi" is written 「残火の太刀」in Japanese, with the word "Zanka", written with the kanji for "remnant" combined with the kanji for fire; "no" to denote possession and the kanji for sword. This kanji's pronunciation can differ, but it generally refers to a Japanese sword; a "nihontō" over anything else. All together, "Zanka no Tachi" becomes "Blade of Ember" in the VIZ translation, which is apt considering the attributes and abilities of Ryūjin Jakka in this state.
Attributes
While Ryūjin Jakka becomes immense blazing flames in the Shikai state, the Bankai of the Captain-Commander's Zanpakuto is a lot less flashy in its most basic state. All flames emitted by Ryūjin Jakka are all absorbed into the blade and concentrated – the flames burning within the sword are capable of burning anything it cuts out of existence. A side effect of the activation of Zanka no Tachi is a drying up of the air and surroundings due to the heat emitted by the blade evaporating all moisture in the surrounding areas. When it cuts, no flames are emitted from the slash – the target is simply incinerated on the spot.
One of Zanka no Tachi's most important attributes is the fact that it is a Bankai of many parts. Based on the cardinal points, the Captain-Commander has access to four separate devastating techniques – Zanka no Tachi, :
- North: Tenchi Kaijin (Heaven and Earth End in Ashes) – A powerful slash of heat that incinerates whatever it touches out of existence.
- East: Kyokujitsujin (Rising Sun Edge) – Zanka no Tachi, East is automatically activated when the Bankai is invoked, and it concentrates the immense flames of the Shikai into the tip of the blade. It does not burn nor erupt, but anything it touches is simply incinerated from existence. It is so powerful that it can even overwhelm the Blut Vene technique of the Quincies.
- West: Zanjitsu Gokui (Remnant Sun Prison Garb) – Like East, this technique is automatically activated when the Bankai is activated, and can only be seen by an onlooker if Yamamoto wills it to be seen. It covers him in heat that reaches 15 million degrees Celsius. It is therefore, impossible to touch him while he's using his Bankai.
- South: Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin (Great Burial Ranks of the Ten Trillion Fire Dead) – This is perhaps Zanka no Tachi's most devastating technique, first revealed in the Captain-Commander's apparent reunion with the Quincy King, Yhwach. This ability is activated by inserting the tip of the Zanpakutō into the ground, which calls forth the corpses and ashes of all those who have been killed with his flames to come and fight on behalf of the Captain-Commander. He can call forth any specific corpse he wishes, and attempts to use the faces of the allies of his enemy to add a psychological prong to his assaults.
Warmonger
Each of the aspects of this Bankai are incredible in their effect and sheer destructive potential. The Zanka no Tachi, South technique is incredibly striking in its presentation and when juxtaposed with Yamamoto's influence over the narrative. Aptly, Tite Kubo's character theme song for Yamamoto is "Mars, The Bringer of War" by The Planets, composed by Gustav Holst. The Bankai is so powerful that prolonged use of it would spell destruction; for Soul Society, for the opponent, and for the Captain-Commander himself.