Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai in Bleach? Explained

Modified Oct 03, 2024 01:30 GMT

Bleach and the answer to the question "Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai?" (Image via Studio Pierrot).

Bleach fans sometimes have the question "Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai?" because it has been stated in the series that a member of the Gotei 13 can become a Captain if he or she has learned Bankai. However, Ikkaku Madarame serves as the third seat of the 11th Division to Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, whose relationship is the main reason that the former hides the full potential of his Zanpakuto.

It has been shown throughout his run in Bleach that Ikkaku has a lot of respect and admiration for Kenpachi, which is why he chose to hide his Bankai from him. He doesn't want to change from Divisions and doesn't want to take over from Yachiru in terms of becoming a lieutenant, which is why he is currently in that position.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Ikkaku's motivations in Bleach

Madarame about to use his Bankai (Image via Studio Pierrot).

Ikkaku hides his Bankai because he doesn't want to lose his position at the 11th Division and doesn't want to take over Yachiru's place as the lieutenant, either. He has a lot of respect for Zaraki Kenpachi and wants to remain as his underling, which is something that has been shown time and time again throughout the story.

It is also worth pointing out that a Shinigami who achieves Bankai should at least have a place as the lieutenant in each Division, which is why Ikkaku doesn't want people to know that he has one.

This is a major aspect of his character and part of the reason why he is one of the biggest symbols of the 11th Division, which is known for its battle-loving Shinigami.

Ikkaku's Bankai, explained

Madarame Ikkaku using his Bankai (Image via Studio Pierrot).

Ikkaku's Bankai is named Ryūmon Hōzukimaru and his Zanpakuto turns into pommels that are connected by a chain to the middle section, resembling an axe blade, with a parallel handle forged into the blunt end and a dragon crest on one side of the blade. It is also one of the few dual Zanpakuto in Bleach, which is quite peculiar, since only Kyoraku Shunsui and Jushiro Ukitake.

This Bankai doesn't have any significant special abilities and requires movement and receiving damage to start loading power. As per Ikkaku, during his battle with Edrad in the Arrancar arc, his Zanpakuto is very lazy and needs to wake up in order for him to use the full potential of Ryūmon Hōzukimaru.

Ikkaku only used his Bankai once in the series during the aforementioned battle against Edrad and the story explains that it broke during said fight. So, considering that it was never shown that he had it fixed, it could mean that his Bankai has been broken ever since, and cannot get the most out of it anymore.

Final thoughts

A lot of people have the question "Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai?" because he rarely uses it but the truth of the matter is that he doesn't want to lose his position at the 11th Division and wants to continue to be Zaraki Kenpachi's underling. Moreover, it has been shown time and time in Bleach that a Bankai cannot be fixed without help from an outsider, so there is a chance Ikkaku never healed his.

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Edited by Prem Deshpande