What are the abilities of Hikifune in Bleach? Explained

Modified Sep 05, 2024 06:00 GMT

Bleach: Kirio Hikifune's abilities explained (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach has been the source of numerous iconic and fan-favorite characters within the anime fandom. Although characters like Aizen and Yoruichi dominate the fandom's character-centered discussions, Kirio Hikifune of the Zero Division has managed to carve out a dedicated fanbase ever since her appearance in the anime adaptation of the TYBW arc.

Although being from the Zero Division already puts Hikifune on a power level above most of the Gotei 13 captains, her abilities remain some of the most enigmatic and mysterious in the series. Kirio Hikifune was originally part of the Gotei Squads and served as the captain of Squad 12 alongside Shinji Hirako.

While it has not been explicitly stated, the chronology of events indicates that she served under Yamamoto and was promoted to the Zero Division only recently. Kirio Hikifune's main ability is the ability to imbue any object with her own spiritual pressure to change its nature; it has numerous applications, like the creation of food that increases the abilities of its consumer.

Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for the Bleach series.

Kirio Hikifune's abilities in Bleach, explained

Kirio Hikifune as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kirio Hikifune is a Zero Division member who conventionally takes on a support role due to her "specialty," which led to her becoming part of the Zero Division in the first place. Hikifune previously managed to intercept one of Lille Barro's bullets. While the bullet still managed to injure Oetsu Nimaiya, Hikifune's ability to react to Lille Barro's attack and keep up with the rest of the Schutzstaffel solidifies her status as one of the fastest characters in the series.

Hikifune's main specialty lies in her ability to mold life and souls, as well as her capacity to imbue her spiritual pressure into different objects. She specializes in culinary arts, creating special food imbued with her spiritual pressure that pushes the power levels of its consumers to unnatural heights.

Kirio Hikifune in her plump form as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Hikifune's main contribution to Soul Society was the creation of artificial souls called Gikon, which eventually served as the base for the creation of modified souls like Kon. As depicted in the Bleach TYBW arc anime, Kirio Hikifune's plump form results from the reiatsu she stores in her body, which eventually returns to a much slender form once her reiatsu is sufficiently depleted.

Hikifune's Zanpakuto

Hikifune's shikai as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kirio Hikifune's Zanpakuto has appeared in both the original manga and the anime but has not been explored in depth. Her Zanpakuto takes the form of a slender, single-edged blade closely resembling a Chokuto.

Although its name has not been revealed, its released form looks like an oversized wok spatula, which she uses as a weapon, a hairpin, and an actual spatula for cooking.

Hikifune's Bankai has not been revealed in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, but the anime has confirmed that the Bankai of the Zero Division members is powerful enough to send tremors throughout the three realms. It is also sealed and tied to the lifeforce of the Zero Division members.