Ichigo’s True Bankai Explained: Why Zangetsu Returned in BLEACH TYBW

Why Did Ichigo’s True Bankai Turn Back Into Zangetsu in BLEACH?

What is Ichigo Kurosaki’s true Bankai in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc? Why does Tensa Zangetsu ultimately appear to return to its original cleaver-like form when Ichigo delivers the final blow to Yhwach? This in-depth analysis explores the secret behind the fusion of the twin blades, Yhwach’s fear, and the philosophy hidden within that seemingly simple final strike. Thinking about collecting this legendary Zanpakuto? CoolKatana reveals the truth behind the blade.

Throughout the long-running classic anime BLEACH, the evolution of Ichigo Kurosaki’s Zanpakutō has always fascinated fans—from the original oversized cleaver, to the sleek black katana, and finally to the dual-blade form in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

Yet the greatest mystery emerges in the final battle:
What does Ichigo’s 'true Bankai' actually look like? And why, when he defeats the final boss Yhwach, does his sword seem to revert to its original Shikai appearance?

Today, CoolKatana takes you deep into the core of Ichigo’s power to uncover the meaning behind this fate-altering weapon.

What Is Ichigo Kurosaki?

Ichigo Kurosaki is the protagonist of the Japanese manga and anime BLEACH, created by Tite Kubo. Originally a high school student who could see spirits, Ichigo becomes a Substitute Soul Reaper after gaining powers from Rukia Kuchiki, taking on the responsibility of protecting the human world.

Ichigo uniquely combines the powers of a Soul Reaper, Hollow, Quincy, and Fullbringer, allowing his strength to grow at an extraordinary rate. His signature weapon is the Zanpakuto Zangetsu, which transforms into Tensa Zangetsu upon Bankai activation. With his strong sense of justice and deep loyalty to his friends, Ichigo embodies BLEACH’s central theme: fighting in order to protect.

I. The Ultimate Unification of the Three Realms: The Birth of the True 'Tensa Zangetsu'

Within the Phoenix Palace of the 'Sword God' Oetsu Nimaiya, Ichigo undergoes more than simple reforging—it is a purification of the soul. By fully accepting every part of his lineage, he awakens the unprecedented Dual Zangetsu:

• The long black blade represents his core Soul Reaper power, intertwined with the instinctive force of the Hollow.

• The short blade symbolizes his Quincy heritage—the silent guardian long known as 'Zangetsu Old Man.'

1. A Dual Fusion of Form and Soul

When Ichigo activates his true Bankai against Yhwach, the transformation is not merely mechanical—it is ritualistic.

He inserts the Quincy short blade into the hollowed section of the long blade. This act fuses the power of protection with the instinct to fight, uniting all aspects of his being.

As golden spiritual pressure erupts, the two swords merge completely, giving rise to a massive black-and-white greatsword.

2. The Visual Impact of 'Bone and Black Steel'

The design of the true Tensa Zangetsu embodies a paradox of savagery and divinity:

• The Shell: A white, organic, bone-like outer layer envelops the blade, symbolizing Hollow power. It functions as both armor and seal.

• The Core: At its center lies a jet-black blade, representing pure Soul Reaper power.

• The Chain: Unlike the thin chain of the original Bankai, the true Bankai features a thick, heavy chain linking the hilt and tip, forming a closed loop that signifies completeness and infinite circulation of power.

3. The Peak of Hybrid Combat: Gran Rey Getsuga

This form is not purely aesthetic—it enables Ichigo to seamlessly combine high-level Hollow techniques with Soul Reaper swordsmanship.

In this state, Ichigo fuses full Hollow power into his swordplay, unleashing a Getsuga Tenshō infused with Gran Rey Cero. The destructive force is so immense that it tears through the ground of the Soul King’s Palace and forces even the omniscient Yhwach to defend himself.

This is Ichigo Kurosaki at his absolute peak—a transcendent being who surpasses the boundaries of Soul Reaper, Hollow, and Quincy alike.

II. The Fear of 'The Almighty': Why Was the Bankai Instantly Broken?

Just how powerful was this true Bankai?
We never even got to see it display a special ability—aside from a simple swing.

That’s because its very existence was enough to inspire fear in Yhwach, the wielder of 'The Almighty.' Across countless future timelines, Yhwach foresaw the threat posed by this blade. Rather than face it head-on, he used his power to break Tensa Zangetsu in the future itself.

This is almost unprecedented in BLEACH—a Zanpakutō so dangerous that a god feared it simply for existing.

III. The Core Mystery: The Shattered 'Sheath' and a Return to the Beginning

The emotional peak of the story lies in the final strike that transcends causality.
When Shukuru Tsukishima used Book of the End to insert a past where 'Zangetsu was never broken,' and Orihime Inoue rejected and repaired reality with Sōten Kisshun, Ichigo regained the weapon that even a god feared—and swung it once more at Yhwach.

1. The Fated Clash: The Collapse of the Outer Shell

In the final moment, Yhwach tried his old tactic, reaching out to crush Ichigo’s Bankai with his bare hand.
With a piercing crack, the thick, white, organic outer layer of Tensa Zangetsu began to shatter under the immense pressure. Yhwach believed he had once again broken the future—

—but then, something shocking happened.

That white substance did not crumble along with the blade. Instead, it peeled away like a discarded cocoon. From within the broken shell emerged a blade with no ornate decorations, rough and familiar—the original cleaver-like Zangetsu (Shikai) from the very beginning.

2. Tite Kubo’s Ultimate Romance: The Sheath Theory

Why would the strongest Bankai conceal the original Shikai within it?
This was not a mistake or a narrative retreat, but one of BLEACH’s deepest metaphors:

• The true 'blade and sheath': In Ichigo’s true Bankai, the white outer layer (symbolizing Hollow and Quincy power) is actually the sheath, while the inner black blade (pure Soul Reaper power) is the true sword.

• A sacrificial defense: At the final moment, the white 'sheath' absorbed Yhwach’s attack and shattered, allowing the untouched 'blade' within to deliver the killing blow.

• Return to purity: From this moment on, Ichigo no longer relied on Hollow savagery or Quincy techniques. What he swung was the most fundamental, stripped-down strike of Ichigo Kurosaki as a Soul Reaper.

3. A Nightmare Fulfilled: The Blind Spot of The Almighty

This scene also perfectly pays off an earlier foreshadowing.
Yhwach once dreamed of being killed by a blade that looked like Zangetsu. He dismissed it as a nightmare sent by Haschwalth—never realizing it was an unavoidable future glimpsed by The Almighty itself.

The form he once dismissed—the most primitive version of the blade—ultimately severed his throat and ended the thousand-year war.

It began with Zangetsu, and it ended with Zangetsu.

A Metaphor of 'Returning to Simplicity'

Many fans believe this was Tite Kubo’s ultimate thematic statement:

1. The Sheath Theory: The white outer shell of the true Bankai is the sheath; the black blade within is the sword.

2. The Essence of Power: In that moment, Ichigo fights without Hollow ferocity or Quincy technique—only a pure Soul Reaper strike.

3. A Closed Loop of Fate: Yhwach foresaw his death by a Zangetsu-like blade and mistook it for a dream, unaware it was destiny.

Stripped of ornate chains and armor, the original Zangetsu ended the final war.

IV. Why This Blade Is the 'Holy Grail' of Collectors

For anime sword collectors, Ichigo’s Zanpakutō is more than a weapon—it is a symbol of youth.

Compared to the complex dual blades or the sleek black katana, the true fused Tensa Zangetsu and the returned Shikai form hold unique narrative weight, making them exceptionally rare and challenging collectibles.

How Does CoolKatana Recreate the Legend?

Reproducing Zangetsu from the Thousand-Year Blood War arc is no easy task. It requires:

• An extra-wide blade: Forged from reinforced 1095 high-carbon steel to capture the overwhelming presence while maintaining balance.

• Distinct black-and-white coating: Recreating the 'sheath' effect demands advanced layering, polishing, and finishing techniques.

• Chain detailing: The chain connecting the hilt must be solid metal to convey authentic combat weight and texture.

Handmade Anime Bleach Ichigo Bankai Sword New Tensa Zangetsu Katana 1060 Carbon Steel Quenched Blade

V. Conclusion

Ichigo Kurosaki’s battle has ended—but the legend of the Soul Reaper never fades.

Whether you favor the imposing dual-blade style or the original Zangetsu that ended it all, both embody Ichigo’s famous vow:

'I fight to protect what I want to protect.'

To own a Zangetsu is to safeguard the fiery still living in your heart.