Does Aizen still have Kyoka Suigetsu in Bleach? Explained

Modified Oct 17, 2024 22:30 GMT

Does Aizen still have Kyoka Suigetsu in Bleach? Explained (Image via Toei Animation)

In the world of Bleach, Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu remains one of the most formidable Zanpakuto due to its unique power of complete hypnosis, Kanzen Saimin. After fusing with the Hogyoku during the Fake Karakura Town arc, the physical form of Kyoka Suigetsu disappeared, yet its powers became integrated into Aizen's being.

Even without wielding the blade, Aizen continues to use its illusionary abilities, as seen during his interaction with Yhwach in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

This article explores how Aizen retains the influence of Kyoka Suigetsu despite the loss of its physical form and its lasting significance in battle.

Kyoka Suigetsu fused with Aizen's body during the Fake Karakura Town arc in Bleach

Aizen has been imprisoned in the Soul Society (Image via Toei Animation)

As a result of the Hogyoku fusing with Aizen's body, the physical form of the Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu was no longer present as it fused with Aizen's body . However, the powers of Kyoka Suigetsu remained integrated within Aizen's being, even in his transformed state.

This fusion allowed Aizen to retain the ability to use Kyoka Suigetsu's primary ability, the complete hypnosis, without the need for the physical Zanpakuto.

During the Wandenreich's invasion of Soul Society, Aizen was being held underneath the First Division. When Yhwach, the leader of the Wandenreich, came to speak with Aizen, the imprisoned Shinigami captain was able to identify the Quincy king, to the latter's surprise.

Hogyoku fused with Aizen which also fused Kyoka Suigetsu with him (Image via Toei Animation)

Aizen also deduced from the surrounding Reiatsu that Soul Society was being invaded. Yhwach offered Aizen a place in the Wandenreich as a Special War Power, citing their shared goal of Soul Society's destruction. However, Aizen refused, finding it absurd that the Quincy king would ever walk the same path as a Shinigami.

Yhwach then departed, stating that while he saw the imprisoned Shinigami as a threat, it would be too time-consuming to either kill Aizen or restrain him, a decision Aizen agreed to be wise.

Unbeknownst to Yhwach, Aizen's eyes and mouth were bound, so he was speaking to an illusion Aizen created with Kyoka Suigetsu, allowing Aizen to confirm that Yhwach had already witnessed Kyoka Suigetsu's release and was thus, susceptible to it.

The power of Kyoka Suigetsu in Bleach

Hogyoku as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The special ability of Kyoka Suigetsu is Kanzen Saimin (complete hypnosis). It controls the five senses to the point where it can make the target misinterpret another person's form, shape, mass, feel, and smell to be an enemy's.

The initiation condition for the hypnosis is for the enemy to see Kyoka Suigetsu at the exact moment it is released.

After seeing it just once, this person will completely succumb to the hypnosis every time it is released, regardless of how long ago they saw it.

The complete hypnosis of Kyoka Suigetsu is absolutely flawless. Even if the target is aware of being under the hypnosis, they cannot resist its influence.

This makes Kyoka Suigetsu a highly useful tool in combat, as Aizen can create simple or complex illusions to deceive his opponents, allowing him to hide his own movements and attack with impunity.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the manga panel (Image via Shueisha)

As a result of the Hogyoku fusing with Aizen's body, the powers of Kyoka Suigetsu also integrated within Aizen's being. This allowed him to continue using the complete hypnosis ability of his Zanpakuto, as evidenced during his interaction with Yhwach in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

Aizen's mastery of Kyoka Suigetsu's illusion-based powers has been a key factor in his schemes and battles throughout the Bleach series, and it continues to be a formidable weapon even in his imprisoned state.