Kenpachi Zaraki (更木 剣八, Zaraki Kenpachi) is the current captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13. He is the eleventh Kenpachi to hold the position. His first lieutenant was Yachiru Kusajishi and his current lieutenant is Ikkaku Madarame.
Appearance[]
Zaraki is a very tall, muscular Shinigami with a wild and aggressive appearance. He has a long face with pronounced cheekbones, and pronounced, hairless brow ridges. He has green eyes and stringy black hair reaching past his shoulders. A noticeable trait in his appearance is a long, thin scar running down the left side of his face and across his left eye, inflicted on him by Retsu Unohana while he was still a child.
In addition to the standard Shinigami shihakushō, he wears white bandages across his midsection and a sleeveless captain's haori (which belonged to the previous captain and was taken after his defeat), which has a ragged look to it. He styles his hair into stiff strands during his baths, attaching small bells at its tips, and wears a special black eyepatch over his right eye. During his first battle with Ichigo, the eyepatch is more elegant, having a gold-like lining and a chain as one of the straps. He also wore a black choker necklace. Later, he removed the choker and gave his eyepatch normal straps.
17 months after Aizen's defeat, Zaraki's hair grew to mid-back and no longer has the bells in it. His eyepatch's design has changed again, as it is now a single piece with no straps and a grey outline.
Personality[]
Although he is known to be a violent fighter, Zaraki's actions tend to be for the best. Zaraki lives for battle, and enjoys a good fight more than anything. He even holds back in an effort to make any fight last longer. He claims injury and death are nothing but the price one pays for a good fight. Despite his tendency to be brutal, Zaraki usually stops a fight if his opponent is too injured to fight back, not interested in fighting "weaklings who can't fight anymore", and he does not feel obligated to deal a death blow to anyone who cannot fight any longer. However, he will unhesitatingly kill his opponent if they refuse to stop fighting, such as during his battles with Kaname Tōsen and Nnoitra Gilga. He also takes his title as Kenpachi seriously, telling Gremmy Thoumeaux that there is nothing the latter can create that he cannot cut because the power his title implies is not to be taken lightly.
Zaraki strongly believes fun comes before working. One example is when Zaraki sends his 5th seated officer, Yumichika, to fend off the Bount in Karakura Town, as he is the only high-ranking officer who is not busy, or rather, busy having fun, as Yachiru was snacking and Ikkaku was napping. During his free time, Zaraki always takes his afternoon nap. He does not have a particularly favorite dish, but he particularly hates nattō.
Zaraki regularly shows great respect to those who can push his limits or even defeat him. Ever since Ichigo Kurosaki handed him his first known loss since against Retsu Unohana, Zaraki has considered Ichigo a member of his Division. Despite Ichigo's refusal to engage in a rematch with Zaraki as he considers him an ally, Zaraki constantly expresses his desire for it every time they meet. He also aided Ichigo in his fight against the Bount, doing so as it would make Ichigo stronger for "their anticipated fight". Zaraki also holds great respect for Unohana, the only person he ever admired, as she was the first person to make him experience the thrill of battle, readily acknowledging they are very much alike, and is brought to tears at the thought of being unable to beat her before he dies. Upon inadvertently killing Unohana, Zaraki was reduced to screaming and begging for her to not die.
Zaraki sometimes contradicts his own logic in fighting. While wishing to grow stronger, he use various methods to restrain his might to make the fight longer and tougher, including fighting with only one hand. Although he thrives for battle, Zaraki is capable of showing complex emotions. Zaraki and his lieutenant, Yachiru, have been close ever since they met, and have a father-daughter-like relationship, making Yachiru one of the few people he cares for. However, he has stated if his subordinates interfere in his fights, he will "cut them up first". Aside from Yachiru, Zaraki deeply gives meaning to his name. Following his fight with Ichigo, Zaraki talks about the pain of not having a name, as he lived his early years without one. This causes him to feel guilty his sword is not acknowledged by its own name. Since then, he has strived to learn its identity.
After killing Unohana and knowing he could never cross blades with his admired foe again, Zaraki for the first time in his life felt remorse in his actions. This experience, combined with finally learning the name of his Zanpakutō, made Zaraki became somewhat calmer and more focused. Though he retains his desire to battle and is not overly interested in the details, he is more willing to listen to reason, having backed down from searching for his missing lieutenant on his own when Nanao Ise explained it would be more practical to have his division conduct the search. Likewise, he shows far more concern for Yachiru than previously; when he discovers she is missing, Zaraki frantically orders his men to begin looking for her.
History[]
Not having a name to go by for as long as he could remember, he eventually chose to take his surname from the district he once resided in, Zaraki, which was District 80 of the North Alley of Rukongai. District 80 was the worst, most lawless region of Rukongai, full of thieves and murderers (whereas area #1 was the most orderly and law-abiding). As a young boy living in the streets of the Rukongai, Zaraki, coming upon the dead body of a Shinigami, took his Asauchi, later imprinting his soul upon it to make his own Zanpakutō. During that time, he eventually became proficient in swordsmanship, and killed numerous opponents. Sometime during this, he, coming upon Yachiru Unohana, fought with her. The fight was the first time he felt fear, and subsequently the first fight he ever enjoyed, having been bored slashing anything else. He subconsciously sealed his power to allow them to fight longer and consequently lost to her. After their fight, he began to admire her, and wanted to fight like her.
Sometime later, as a young man, Zaraki, coming upon a young girl, named her Yachiru, in remembrance of the only person he ever admired, after she showed no fear of his sword. Yachiru came from District 79, Kusajishi, where her parents were murdered, seemingly not too long before Zaraki arrived. On that day, he took on a name: Kenpachi, the title bestowed upon the strongest Shinigami in every generation, the one who has slain the most enemies and won the most battles. Later, he had an encounter with Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa before they entered Seireitei. Yachiru warned Ikkaku messing with Zaraki while he was in a good mood was a bad idea, though Ikkaku did not take the warning seriously. When Zaraki and Ikkaku meet face to face, the latter immediately became alarmed by the former's Reiatsu, but was happy to finally have a real challenge. Zaraki attacked with enough force to create a crater in the ground under Ikkaku, which somewhat alarmed Yumichika. Due to Zaraki's strength, Ikkaku was forced on the defensive, holding off Zaraki's relentless strikes. As the two continued to fight, Ikkaku tried to overwhelm Zaraki, though he failed in doing so, only succeeding in increasing his own wounds while his opponent remaining untouched by his blade. While Zaraki mentioned he was having fun, he decided to finish Ikkaku with one quick strike, resulting in his loss of the fight. Ikkaku became mad Zaraki would just walk away without finishing him off. Zaraki, plainly telling him he had no interest in weaklings who could not fight, noted he did not have any obligation to finish Ikkaku off. Ikkaku, thinking he was toying with him, demanded Zaraki kill him. Zaraki, losing his patience, grabbed hold of Ikkaku and asked why he was screaming for death if he loved to fight so much. Zaraki explained to him a philosophy to follow for people like them: "Don't admit defeat and seek death. Die first, then admit defeat. When you lose, but don't die, it just means you were lucky. At those times, think only about survival. Survive, and think only about killing the guy who failed to kill you". Zaraki, smiling at him, stated it was not like he went easy on him; he was just lucky to escape death. He said Ikkaku should live, come back, and try to kill him again. As Zaraki went to leave, Ikkaku, asking him his name, is told he is Kenpachi from Zaraki. Sometime later, Zaraki killed Kenpachi Kiganjō, the captain of the 11th Division, in a single blow in front of over two hundred members of the Division. As per the 3rd Captain Qualification Trial, Zaraki became the new captain of that division. By killing the 11th Division captain, he became the official and uncontested holder of the title, Kenpachi, as well as becoming the 11th person to hold the title. The following day, during Zaraki's first addressing of his division, he was greeted by Ikkaku and Yumichika, who had already become Shinigami and joined the division. Ikkaku told Zaraki he had come back just as he suggested, causing Zaraki to smile. Later, they were present at the battle of the division against a caterpillar Hollow. While initially the division lost, Ikkaku showed up to fight it, but was stopped by Zaraki, who decided to kill it himself. After the Hollow was dispatched, more came, prompting Ikkaku and Yumichika to join in the fight. Though at first he was against it, Zaraki was persuaded upon realizing the two had similar fighting traits, and, as such, would like to fight by his side. After this, Zaraki allowed them to participate in his fights. Shortly after joining the Gotei 13, Zaraki was forced by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to learn Kendō because he had not learned any formal swordsmanship training, having bypassed those normally necessary qualifications due to the way he attained his position. Central 46 ordered Yamamoto to stop the training after one day, as they became concerned that if Zaraki realized his full potential and rebelled, he could become an unstoppable force. |
Plot[]
Agent of the Shinigami arc[]
Zaraki and Gin Ichimaru both tease Byakuya Kuchiki about his sister Rukia Kuchiki being sentenced to death, saying he is depressed, as a noble family would not stand to have a criminal as a member. Byakuya, retaliating, says lower-class people do not understand the feelings of nobles. Zaraki, admitting he does not really, says he is very bright, and since he is so bright, Byakuya should allow him to finish Rukia off before she is executed. When Byakuya states he did not know Zaraki, at his level, could actually kill people, Zaraki tells him to try him, and before the two can engage in combat, Gin, stopping Zaraki, ties him up and drags the protesting man away.
Soul Society arc[]
After Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends arrive in Soul Society, Zaraki tells Ichimaru a captain should have no problem killing a Ryoka. When Zaraki asks Yamamoto where the Ryoka are heading, an invasion alarm goes off, and Zaraki runs out of the captains' meeting.
He begins to hunt the strongest Ryoka, but his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, guides him in the wrong direction for some time. While he is lost, he, coming across the 4th Division's compound, finds and stops Mayuri from "interrogating" his 3rd Seated Officer, Ikkaku Madarame. Once Mayuri leaves, Ikkaku tells Zaraki the Ryoka he fought is getting stronger, and is fully aware of the captain. Ikkaku tells an excited and curious Zaraki that the Ryoka's name is Ichigo and what he looks like. After a while, Zaraki, having figured out where Ichigo is heading, waits there for him to arrive. While Ichigo, Ganju Shiba, and Hanatarō Yamada run through the Seireitei, they feel Zaraki's tremendous Reiatsu. As he tries to discern who among the three is the strongest, he finally realizes it is Ichigo. Introducing himself, he tells Ichigo he has come to kill him. As the others, trying get away from his strong Reiatsu, cannot get far, Zaraki confronts Ichigo. Zaraki is determined to fight Ichigo no matter what the issue may be, showing himself to be unconcerned with his friends or Rukia's fate. Zaraki, seeing Ichigo's battle stance, compliments him on it, though noting it has openings, and admits he likes his spiritual pressure. Zaraki, acknowledging he understands why Ikkaku lost to him, notes Ichigo is still weaker than him, so he decides to give Ichigo a fighting chance. Zaraki, baring his chest, tells Ichigo to cut him anywhere and not hold back. When Ichigo refuses to attack an unarmed opponent, Zaraki, while commending him, states it is simply a handicap, and while he appreciates the thought, Ichigo should save his sympathy for someone else. Zaraki tells him to either kill or be killed. Ichigo, attacking Zaraki's exposed chest, causes no injury, much to his confusion. Zaraki, disappointed, begins to unsheathe his Zanpakutō, and, telling Ichigo it is his turn, asks him to not die too quickly. When Ichigo's hand starts to bleed, Zaraki, asking him why he is surprised his sword cannot cut him, pushes Ichigo back, using his arm against his blade. Zaraki, explaining why Ichigo's sword cannot scratch him, takes out his own sword and tells Ichigo he should try, at the very least, to place a dent upon his sword. Ichigo, trying to run away from Zaraki, cannot seem to shake him, and ends up running into him at every turn. Eventually, Zaraki, growing bored of chasing after him, sits down. When Ichigo confronts him, he, finally seeming happy, asks if Ichigo is preparing to die or if he is surrendering. Ichigo refuses to do either and, attacking, finally succeeds in injuring Zaraki. Zaraki, extremely excited Ichigo can actually injure him, telling Ichigo to keep his spiritual pressure up and not relax, attacks Ichigo. The two clash and the battle continues, with Zaraki, while having the upper hand, happy to see Ichigo improving. When Zaraki comments on how Ichigo is using the sounds of his bells to determine his position, Ichigo asks if he is underestimating him, as he has not released his Zanpakutō. Zaraki explains his Zanpakutō has no name and, having never had a seal on it, is currently in its true form. As Ichigo, relieved to hear this, attacks once more, Zaraki, stopping him, further explains his Zanpakutō's state. He, thrusting his Zanpakutō through Ichigo's, breaking right through it, stabs Ichigo in the chest. Zaraki tells Ichigo he warned him not to relax his spiritual pressure, and it has become weak because he saw a chance to win. He, frustrated the battle was so easy and is now over, retracts his sword. Eventually, much to Zaraki's surprise, Ichigo gets up, accompanied by a large burst of spiritual pressure. Ichigo, attacking Zaraki, surprising him further, deals him a serious injury to the left side from his shoulder down the side of his torso. Zaraki, deflecting Ichigo's next attack, stabs his sword into a nearby building. Zaraki, beginning to laugh, becoming extremely excited, says now the fight is just getting started, noting they should drag out the fight. He, lunging at Ichigo, lets his face get cut by the blade just to get close to Ichigo. As the battle escalates even more, Zaraki, despite his injuries, continues to fight, teaching Ichigo the drive behind his personality. Zaraki, realizing both he and Ichigo are evenly matched, enjoying the feeling and euphoria of the moment, takes off his eyepatch, noting he considers Ichigo a worthy opponent, so it only makes sense to fight him at full power. Zaraki's spiritual power skyrockets as he removes his eyepatch, prompting Ichigo to wonder what is going on. Zaraki, explaining to him what the eyepatch does, takes out his Zanpakutō and, cutting a nearby building in half with a single slash, tells Ichigo he will use all his power to kill him. When Ichigo, increasing his power, greatly impresses Zaraki, Ichigo, explaining he can do so by borrowing Zangetsu's power and fighting side by side with him, states he will never lose to someone like him, who only fights by himself. Zaraki asks if Zangetsu is Ichigo's Zanpakutō, fighting side by side with it and borrowing its power, as he finds it ridiculous. He believes Zanpakutō are just tools of war, and fighting side by side with one are words for weak losers who are afraid to fight on their own. They, both releasing their spiritual pressure, run at each other to make a final strike, releasing enough spiritual pressure to collapse all the buildings around them. The battle ends in a draw, with Ichigo falling first apologizing to his friends as Zaraki looks down on him. With blood shooting out his shoulder, Zaraki questions Ichigo's apology, calling him stupid as he gives him the victory of the fight before falling down shortly after. As Yachiru calls for Retsu Unohana to heal Zaraki, Zaraki tells Yachiru he lost, but needs to pay him back. He, raising his sword, acknowledges he ignored it for a long time and wants it to communicate with it. Zaraki, not hearing it speak, faints, which scares Yachiru. During Zaraki's recovery in his quarters, Yachiru and Makizō Aramaki bring back Orihime Inoue, and he tells her he will help her find Ichigo. Much later on, Orihime guides Zaraki, Yachiru, Ikkaku, Yumichika Ayasegawa, and Makizō to Ichigo, and finds Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida, and Ganju Shiba on the way, freeing them in the process. As they continue to search for Ichigo, Zaraki realizes they are being followed, and Captains Kaname Tōsen and Sajin Komamura, as well as their respective Lieutenants Shūhei Hisagi and Tetsuzaemon Iba, confront them. Zaraki tells his subordinates to go ahead without him, but Ikkaku and Yumichika stay behind, eager to fight as well. Though reluctant, Zaraki accepts their help, and they fight against Hisagi and Tetsuzaemon elsewhere. Zaraki, battling Captain Komamura and Captain Tōsen, easily fends them off, leading him to goad them into releasing their Bankai. Although Komamura is reluctant to do so, Tōsen obliges, revealing he always had an uneasy feeling about Zaraki since he became a captain. When Tōsen releases his Bankai, Zaraki learns he cannot see, hear, and sense spirit energy. However, he fights off Tōsen with the sense of touch, as he can feel when the blade makes contact with his body. However, Zaraki, becoming frustrated with this style of fighting, lets Tōsen impale him with his sword. Zaraki, grabbing hold of Suzumushi's hilt, figures out only by grabbing Suzumushi can he see and hear Tōsen. Before Tōsen can attack him, Zaraki, grabbing Suzumushi once more, gravely wounds Tōsen, which dispels his Bankai. As Tōsen tries to retaliate, Komamura blocks a slash from Zaraki, which shatters his helmet. Zaraki, revealing he never cared what Komamura looked like (though he was curious), proceeds to fight against him once he releases his Bankai. However, the battle doesn't last long; Komamura, sensing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto fighting, abandons his fight with Zaraki. Later, Yumichika tells Zaraki the result of his battle. Zaraki, in turn, tells him Komamura ran off. Zaraki, surprised to see Yumichika with no signs of injury after fighting against Hisagi, begins to question him, but, much to his annoyance, Yumichika begins to talk about beauty. While they do receive Isane Kotetsu's message about Aizen's betrayal, they do not accompany the other captains to Sōkyoku Hill. A week after the incident with Aizen, Zaraki finds Ichigo training with Ikkaku on his division's grounds. Seeing his wounds healed completely, Zaraki tries to fight him again, but Ichigo runs off, and Zaraki cannot find him. He does not see Ichigo and his friends when they leave Soul Society, telling Yachiru he and Ichigo will certainly meet again because they are the only ones who are what they seem to be. |
Arrancar arc[]
When Yamamoto calls him and the other captains for an emergency meeting, Zaraki complains.
After Orihime is taken to Hueco Mundo, Zaraki arrives with Byakuya Kuchiki to retrieve Tōshirō Hitsugaya's group and bring them back to Soul Society.
Hueco Mundo arc[]
Zaraki arrives, alongside Captains Byakuya Kuchiki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Retsu Unohana, in Las Noches after the battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Zaraki comes to Ichigo's aid as he blocks an attack by the Arrancar Tesra Lindocruz. As the Arrancar tries to attack again, Zaraki deals a fatal slash wound down his chest. Finished with Tesra, Zaraki looks to Nnoitra Gilga to be his next opponent. When Ichigo asks what Zaraki is doing in Hueco Mundo, he responds by kicking Ichigo, stating he is in the way of the field of battle. Zaraki reveals Kisuke Urahara was asked by Captain-Commander Yamamoto to send them to Hueco Mundo in preparation for the upcoming battle in Karakura Town. Nnoitra, finally deciding to attack, is blocked, though still impressing Zaraki with his strike. When Nnoitra asks Zaraki his name, both men give their name and rank.
As the two opponents continue to fight, Zaraki, getting close to dealing a fatal blow to Nnoitra, cannot cut through the Espada's skin with his sword. Nnoitra, cutting Zaraki on his left shoulder, laughs, telling him his Hierro is unsurpassed by any current and former Espada. He tells Zaraki his blade will never cut him. Zaraki, undeterred, continues to fight Nnoitra with even more ferocity, much to the Espada's surprise. After Nnoitra dodges an attack, Zaraki deduces it must have been dangerous for him to dodge it. Dismissing it as a reflex, Nnoitra continues the battle until Zaraki, saying he has never met an opponent whose eyes and neck cannot be cut, stabs Nnoitra in the eye hidden by his eyepatch. However, Nnoitra, unaffected, reveals the remains of his Hollow mask and hole hidden under his eye patch. The Espada, moving closer, stabs Zaraki in the chest. After the two argue over Nnoitra's inability to be cut, Zaraki keeps trying to slice up his opponent. Eventually, Zaraki cuts Nnoitra, and, fighting fiercer than before, cuts him again, this time cutting off a part of Nnoitra's Zanpakutō. Zaraki states he has finally gotten use to the strength of Nnoitra's Hierro. The battle carries on until Zaraki's eye patch is knocked off. After Zaraki explains the nature of his eye patch, Nnoitra, in a rage, releases. When Nnoitra asks how it feels to see an Espada release their Zanpakutō for the first time, all he gets in response to his question is a smile from Zaraki, who tells him he has nice Reiatsu, and it is like the Reiatsu itself is sharpening his blade. Zaraki, wasting no time, goes on the offensive, but he, surprised when his attacks are blocked, is dealt a grievous wound across his chest. Nnoitra sends Zaraki flying away from him as he mocks him. Noticing there is no movement from an unresponsive Zaraki, Nnoitra sets his sights on Yachiru, but Zaraki, recovering, cuts off one of his arms. When Nnoitra comments on Zaraki playing dead, Zaraki says since Nnoitra will just block his attacks with his many arms, he just has to cut them off. However, Nnoitra, mocking Zaraki, regenerates his arm. Zaraki, grabbing Nnoitra, slams him into the ground, prompting Nnoitra, reveal his two hidden arms, to stab Zaraki in the chest. Nnoitra, generating two more scythe weapons, tells Zaraki it is over. However, Zaraki, laughing hysterically, keeps fighting, only to be injured several times. He reluctantly decides to use Kendō, though he admits it has been quite some time since he has used it. When Nnoitra becomes confused, Zaraki reveals the Captain-Commander made him learn it when he first joined the Gotei 13, but he never liked it. When he asks Nnoitra if he knows a sword is far more powerful when you use two hands instead of one, Nnoitra, becoming bored with the conversation, charges at Zaraki, who, gripping his sword with both hands, swings it down. Zaraki lands a very powerful blow, dealing Nnoitra a lethal wound to his chest, severing a few of his limbs, and almost cutting him in half. Surprised the Espada is still alive, he turns to walk away. When Nnoitra yells at him, asking where he is going as the fight is not over, Zaraki explains he does not know what he is talking about, as the blow finished him and he is not about to be bothered with finishing someone off who cannot fight back. Undeterred, Nnoitra, getting up, tells him the fight is not over, taunting him to come back and continue fighting. As Nnoitra moves to attack him, Zaraki, giving in, lands another blow to his chest, and Nnoitra falls to the ground. Zaraki, standing over Nnoitra's corpse, victorious, thanks him for the good fight. Zaraki, asking Ichigo what he is, reminds him he, as a Substitute Shinigami, must protect Karakura Town. He tells Ichigo to take Orihime and return, as he is no longer needed in Hueco Mundo. He, telling Ichigo to get his sword, yells for Orihime to come over and heal him. However, Coyote Starrk, arriving, recaptures her, narrowly avoiding both Zaraki's and Ichigo's attack in the process. When Ichigo hears from Aizen he plans to destroy Karakura Town, he proceeds to run off. Zaraki, telling him not to be so hasty, reveals everything is planned, and Urahara not only sent the captains to Hueco Mundo, but made it possible to wage war in Karakura Town. When Ichigo notices Ulquiorra near Orihime, he, reminding Zaraki of their earlier conversation, informs him he is wrong. Telling Zaraki his job is not to protect Karakura Town, but instead to protect his friends, Ichigo takes off, leaving Zaraki behind. |
Fake Karakura Town arc[]
Later, Zaraki, alongside Byakuya Kuchiki, arrives at the battle between Yammy Llargo and Ichigo. After Byakuya attacks Yammy with Sōkatsui, Zaraki cuts off one of Yammy's legs, making him fall over. He, berating Byakuya for "stealing" the first blow, tells him to get away from the battle area. Byakuya, calmly calling his statement nonsense, since he was the first to arrive, states Zaraki should learn his place. Zaraki, ignoring Byakuya, tells him not to complain if he get sliced into pieces alongside Yammy.
As Zaraki tells Ichigo he is a disgrace, as he seems to get "beat to hell" everywhere they go, he tells him to move out of the way. When Ichigo, confused, stares at him, Zaraki goes to strike at him, but Ichigo, dodging, screams at him, saying he could have killed him. As Zaraki charges at Ichigo, he, slapped away by Yammy, is sent flying into a nearby structure. As Yammy rants and raves, Zaraki kicks a large piece of rock at him, but the Espada crushes it to rubble before it can make contact. Zaraki, stating he is surprised Yammy can throw a decent punch when he wants to, as he barely felt it when he hit him, tells Yammy even though he must think he is a big fly, if he is going to punch him, he better put some effort into it. Yammy, enraged, attacks Zaraki. As Yammy tries to punch him, Zaraki cuts off three of his fingers. Yammy, screaming in pain, holding his injured hand, notices Zaraki on his arm, which he runs up to strike at his head. Zaraki cuts off another of Yammy's legs, causing the Espada to fall down. Zaraki, admitting he is a tough one, is disappointed as Yammy lies unconscious, prompting him to call Byakuya to finish the Espada off. When Byakuya asks him what he is talking about, Zaraki states he figures Byakuya must be bored standing around, so he figures he would at least allow him to finish the Espada off. When Byakuya, deducing Zaraki expects him to clean up his mess, asks who he thinks he is talking to, Zaraki states he does not like to kill weaklings. When Byakuya states he will not, as a savage like him is better suited to the task, Zaraki takes offense, but before he can do anything about it, Yammy, making his presence known by confirming he is not down for the count yet, slams his large hand down in between the two. The two captains look up at Yammy as he prepares to fire a Cero at them. As the large blast is fired, they both dodge the attack, prompting Byakuya to state he cannot believe Zaraki thought he could finish off the Espada the way he did, pitying his poor judgment. Zaraki, brushing the comment off, states to him, Yammy is ready to be finished off, but the Espada is obviously too much for Byakuya. Byakuya, releasing his Bankai, tells Zaraki if Yammy is not too much for him, he should prove it. Zaraki, liking this idea, states he has always wanted to compete against Byakuya. As the two captains move toward each other, they turn toward Yammy, stating he is in the way, and lash out, hitting the Espada in his face. Yammy's huge form is knocked off balance by the powerful attack from the two captains, but he, surviving, gets back up, injured and infuriated. Zaraki states he is surprised Yammy survived, believing he has lost his mind. As the Cero Espada becomes frustrated with the two captains, his Resurrección changes form. After transforming, he warns the captains making him angrier is the last thing they want to do, since his release, Ira, increases in strength the angrier he becomes. He, taunting Byakuya and Zaraki, says if they make him even angrier, he will make sure their deaths are humiliating and painful. Later, after defeating Yammy, Zaraki is accompanied by Byakuya as they exit a Garganta. He is greeted by a few of the 11th Division. The 4th Division, immediately responding to their arrival, note while both are standing, they are horribly injured. When asked by his men how the battle was, Zaraki states it was boring. After having his injuries treated, Zaraki, along with Byakuya and Shunsui, is called to meet with Yamamoto, who scolds them for losing their captain haori. When each of them are indifferent to the matter, Zaraki saying his was a bother, Yamamoto grows even angrier. |
The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc[]
After Rukia stabs Ichigo with Urahara's specially designed sword, Kūgo Ginjō states he has already taken all of Ichigo's powers, and her power isn't enough to restore them. However, Renji, interrupting him, reveals himself and other Shinigami, including Zaraki, who all continue to watch the situation. Renji reveals they all, including Zaraki, donated their Reiatsu to Urahara's sword to ensure Ichigo's powers were restored to him.
As Yukio brings each of the duels into different chat rooms, Zaraki asks Byakuya to wait and trade with him, since his opponent, Shūkurō Tsukishima, looks stronger, but he cannot. When Giriko Kutsuzawa questions him, saying Zaraki must think he is weaker, Zaraki, telling him to stop talking, says it is boring to kill small fry. Giriko, calling him an imbecile, says he will teach Zaraki with brute force. As Giriko transforms into a larger, muscular form, he states his Fullbring allows him to do this. He, explaining his Fullbring as a contract with the gods of time, states the simpler the clause of this contract, the stronger he becomes. As he, saying his current contract allows him more power than ever before, claims he is unmatched, he is interrupted by Zaraki, who, cutting Giriko in half, says it was boring.
Having defeated Giriko, Zaraki looks around to see if anyone else is done with their match yet. Seeing no one is, he, getting bored, decides to go back home. However, Yachiru Kusajishi, popping up, smacks him, saying they all came together and promised to go home together, so if they leave, Yamamoto will have their heads. She continues to pull on his ears as he walks. When Zaraki greets Ikkaku as the dimension he was in disappears, Ikkaku is surprised Zaraki is out of his dimension so early, only for him to say Ikkaku is late. Zaraki, Yachiru, and Ikkaku notice Renji coming out of some bushes. When Ikkaku scolds Renji for his condition, Renji reveals he got out of his dimension a while ago, but could not move for a while, which surprises Zaraki. When Zaraki asks how Ikkaku did, Ikkaku says he lectured him for a bit and took off. Zaraki, frustrated to hear this, scolds his subordinate. He, along with the other captains, looks on as Ichigo breaks apart the last pocket dimension with his Bankai.
As Zaraki and the others turn to leave, when Byakuya reminds Rukia they were only tasked with observing Ichigo and his decision, Zaraki, interjecting, states he only came because he was bored. Later, when Ichigo, seeking the return of Kūgo's body, goes to Soul Society, Zaraki, informed of his arrival, is among the captains present to hear Ichigo's request.
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc[]
Zaraki attends a captain meeting, where he is informed about the Wandenreich's infiltration, and is ordered to prepare for war alongside other captains. After the Wandenreich invade Seireitei, Zaraki is told by Rangiku Matsumoto the enemy has the ability to steal Bankai.
Later, Rin Tsubokura, via transmitter swords, informs Zaraki, along with the other captains and lieutenants, Ichigo is currently heading to Soul Society. Later, Zaraki, after defeating three Sternritter, faces Jugram Haschwalth and Yhwach, asking the latter if he is the boss of the Wandenreich. When Haschwalth asks how he defeated three Sternritter so easily, Zaraki casually explains each situation while referring to the three as trash. Dismissing them from his mind, Zaraki, charging forward, attacks Yhwach, who blocks the sword attack with his arm, resulting in an enormous shockwave destroying the area surrounding them. Soon after, Zaraki is easily defeated by Yhwach, who holds up the bloodied captain by his throat. Stating he had considered the captain to be one of their five special war potentials, he concludes he has overestimated Zaraki, proclaiming him to be weak. As Yhwach declares Soul Society on the brink of collapse, Zaraki is saved from further punishment by the arrival of the Captain-Commander, who snatches Zaraki from Yhwach's grasp. After the battle for Soul Society ends, Zaraki is reported to have narrowly escaped death, despite being left in a comatose state. Days later, after somewhat recovering from his injuries, Zaraki is led to the lowest level of the Central Great Underground Prison by Retsu Unohana under the orders of the new Captain-Commander, Shunsui Kyōraku, in order to train him to become strong enough to combat the Wandenreich. Revealed to have scarred each other's bodies in the past, the captains, finally putting their long-kept contempt for each other into actions, begin their battle to the death. Zaraki, fighting Unohana, finds himself on the losing side, with the former using her free hand and legs to keep him from landing any blows on her. Praising him for removing his eyepatch at the start of their fight, Unohana cannot help, but note this also means he is fighting at his limits by doing so. She, continuing to wound Zaraki with a hidden knife, calls him weak, saying those who only fight with one hand, without using the other for anything else, do not look like they enjoy fighting to her. Zaraki, degrading her for using tricks she had not used in their last fight, states she has changed from the time he used to look up to her. Knocking Zaraki's sword from his hand and pinning him against the wall, Unohana tells him she did not change; he just had not given her the chance to use those tricks when they fought each other last. Reaffirming he had looked up to her, Zaraki reveals he had never felt fear until he fought Unohana, enjoying fighting for the first time in his life, and it was then he decided he wanted to fight like her. As Zaraki realizes he might be about to die without ever having defeated her, Unohana pierces him through the throat. When he temporarily loses consciousness, something catches Zaraki's attention and wakes him. Unohana, noticing this, asks him what happened, as it looked like he lost consciousness for a moment. Disregarding her question and whatever had caught his attention, Zaraki continues the fight against her. As the fight continues, Zaraki is continually injured and knocked out. As Unohana repeatedly heals him, he eventually wounds her. He realizes he was previously only reacting to her sword, but is now doing so reflexively. He further notes every time he regains consciousness, it feels as if he has been reborn, unaware the unconscious limits he placed on himself in their original battle are being released. Recovering from Unohana's onslaught, he delivers a powerful vertical slash. Despite having been dealt a critical blow, Unohana, pushing Zaraki back, heals herself and activates her Bankai. As the battle continues to intensify, Zaraki, greatly enjoying himself, laughs madly. Thinking to himself this is real fighting, he becomes grateful to Unohana. Zaraki, gradually overwhelming Unohana, stabs her through the chest. As Unohana congratulates Zaraki while dying in his arms, Zaraki pulls back his sword and drops it, realizing that this will be his final time fighting her. Begging her not to die, Zaraki screams out in rage as his opponent loses consciousness and dies. Suddenly, he hears a voice calling out to him, and as he turns, he realizes the voice came from his Zanpakutō. Later, during the Wandenreich's second attack, Zaraki feels Yachiru's Reiatsu weakening and goes to her location. Breaking through a nearby wall, he expresses his disappointment to find that Gremmy Thoumeaux is the one causing trouble. Being asked by Isane Kotetsu where Unohana is, Zaraki answers he has killed her and confirms that he has inherited her name. Gremmy raises the ground, thus setting up a stage for their battle. After Gremmy reveals his epithet, Zaraki charges at him, but his blade is stopped. Hearing Gremmy explain how he can stop it by imagining his skin is resistant enough, Zaraki proceeds to cut him and declare he can cut through anything Gremmy can imagine. As Zaraki notes the noise made by his subordinates, Gremmy reveals he's healed and then begins attacking Zaraki through imagining lava. Stating Gremmy's power is illogical, Zaraki says he doesn't dislike illogical things and then charges, cutting away the lava and telling Yachiru to get away. After hearing Gremmy revealing what Yachiru's bones are now made of, Zaraki asks what a cookie is and, hearing the answer, again attacks. Zaraki is surrounded by water and falls down a fissure in the ground which then closes. He breaks free and, carrying Yachiru, again tries to cut Gremmy, but he is blocked. Noting that Gremmy's power doesn't seem to work on Yachiru anymore, Zaraki speculates that it is because he shifted his attention away from her. After cutting through the beam blocking his sword, Zaraki tells Yachiru to have Isane heal her arm. As Yachiru gleefully scurries down the side of the structure, Gremmy notes Zaraki figured out how to disable his power. Confirming this, Zaraki asks Gremmy if he wants to fight and reminds him of his claim of being the strongest Quincy. Zaraki reasons that Gremmy would want to destroy the strongest fighter out there because of this status before proclaiming this will not be a fight if Gremmy is distracted so easily by things that aren't his opponent. As Zaraki lunges forward, Gremmy surrounds him with dozens of rectangular columns, which he easily cuts through. Eventually, a joyous Gremmy creates several dozen sub-machine guns around himself and has all of them fire at Zaraki, who emerges with only minor injuries and notes his sword is finally beginning to enjoy himself. Zaraki continues to attack Gremmy, each time taking advantage of Gremmy's lack of reaction to slash him again and again while cutting through his constructs as well. After slashing Gremmy in several areas, a confused Zaraki asks him if he is imagining his own death. Healing his wounds, Gremmy thanks Zaraki for pointing this out to him and state he will reveal his strongest technique before creating a clone of himself. When Zaraki attacks the clone, Gremmy reveals they will not die and points out a huge meteorite hurtling toward the Seireitei. As Gremmy proclaims this attack will obliterate Zaraki and the entire Seireitei, Zaraki tells his sword that it is great to find something he has not slashed yet and refers to it as Nozarashi. When Gremmy explains to him that he cannot destroy the meteorite because it is already in existence, Zaraki claims that Gremmy is the one who cannot do anything and leaps toward the meteorite. Releasing the true form of Nozarashi, Zaraki destroys the meteorite, causing chunks to rain down around him as he stands with his Shikai. Gremmy calls him a monster for being able to destroy a meteorite with a single attack, prompting Zaraki to state he can simply cut through anything. Surrounding Zaraki with more clones of himself, Gremmy proclaims this means he will simply have to kill Zaraki with something that has no form and encloses him in a large pocket of space. Zaraki begins to spew liquid from his mouth and eye and screams in pain as Gremmy explains how he will die a slow and painful death in the vacuum of space, but he bifurcates one of Gremmy's clones, cutting himself out of the void in the process. As the other clones grab onto him, Zaraki is engulfed in an enormous explosion, which he survives with a moderately burned and scratched body. Noting this as proof of Zaraki's monstrosity, Gremmy proclaims he shall simply become stronger than Zaraki and rushes toward him as his veins pop out, only for his body to begin tearing itself apart in midair due to his muscles and tendons growing too quickly for it to contain. As Gremmy falls to the ground below, Zaraki criticizes him for imagining Zaraki to be a monster and losing because of it. Heavily injured, Zaraki approaches the defeated Sternritter. Hearing Gremmy's explanation of his own loss and his real body, a surprised Zaraki watches as the Quincy dissolves and perishes. After the stage collapses, Zaraki calls out to Yachiru and notices her empty clothes on the ground. When his subordinates arrive, he orders them to search for her. He is soon surprised when the low-ranking 11th division members are struck by thunder. He then sees Candice Catnipp, Meninas McAllon, Giselle Gewelle and Liltotto Lamperd approaching. Noticing Candice electrocuting members of his division, Zaraki attempts to attack her, but Candice dodges and electrocutes him as Meninas punches him into the ground with tremendous force. As the four Sternritter slaughter dozens of 11th Division members around him and wonder how they should kill him, Zaraki notes he cannot move and wonders if this is the end as an explosion occurs overhead. When Ichigo arrives and moves to him, Zaraki asks him what he is doing here, prompting Ichigo to proclaim he is here to save him. When Ichigo asks him if he can stand, Zaraki laughs and tells Ichigo to look out for himself instead of worrying about him. Later, Zaraki is brought to Kisuke Urahara's laboratory, where Jūshirō Ukitake heals him. When Ukitake claims that he will not be able to move for a while, Zaraki emerges from the medical room while asking him whom he is referring to, prompting Ukitake to express surprise. Zaraki asks Urahara where Yachiru is, and upon learning that his division is currently looking for her, he attempts to leave despite Urahara asking him to stay. When Urahara stops him with a Kidō barrier, an angry Zaraki begins moving toward him, only for Nanao Ise to confront him and point out how he has a duty to do here. After a minute or two, Zaraki admits that she is right and backs off, prompting Urahara to give him a sphere to charge with his Reiatsu. Later, Zaraki asks Urahara if charging the spheres will make them fly, prompting Urahara to explain how they will be creating doors to the Soul King Palace. When Urahara admits that there may not be a way back, Zaraki states that he is only interested in killing the Wandenreich members currently in the palace. As the Seireitei starts falling apart, Zaraki is shocked by Urahara's statement that the Soul King must have died. Zaraki then watches as Ukitake uses the power of Mimihagi to replace the Soul King. Zaraki arrives in the newly transformed Royal Realm alongside Nemu and Mayuri Kurotsuchi, much to the surprise and annoyance of the latter. The three soon encounter Pernida Parnkgjas. Zaraki decides to kill it and slashes it across the head, which draws blood despite it slashing his arm in return. However, Pernida starts growing, much to his shock. After expressing surprise that Mayuri finds Pernida creepy, Zaraki notices his arm being warped even further and immediately rips it off to prevent the rest of his body from being damaged, prompting Mayuri to commend him for doing so. As Nemu tends to his wound, Zaraki wonders how he can attack Pernida without getting close before rushing forward and slashing partway through Pernida, only to have his legs warped. However, in order to save him, Mayuri stabs Zaraki through the chest with Ashisogi Jizō before using Fear Factor 4, causing Zaraki to collapse. However, Zaraki retains the ability to move his eyes even after being paralyzed, causing Mayuri to call him a monster. Soon afterward, Ikkaku carries Zaraki away from the battlefield when Mayuri activates his Bankai. After Pernida is killed, Ikkaku and Yumichika place Zaraki in one of Mayuri's capsules to rehabilitate. Some time afterward, Zaraki's missing arm is restored and breaks out of the capsule. He then arrives at Gerard Valkyrie's fight with Hitsugaya and Byakuya, where he cuts off the giant Gerard's forearm before mocking his fellow captains for acting so chummy. After learning of Gerard's ability to regenerate from injuries and grow even stronger, Zaraki decides to see what will happen if he dices him up and attacks, only to be intercepted by Hitsugaya, who berates him for not thinking about what will happen if Gerard falls down to the Seireitei below. When Gerard stomps on them, Zaraki merely grabs his foot and throws him back before attacking him once more, prompting Gerard to repel him with a blow from his shield before drawing his own sword, Hoffnung. Releasing his Zanpakutō, Zaraki clashes with Gerard and manages to push him back before leaping into the air, only to be surprised when he suffers a large cut to his chest due to leaving a small nick in the blade of Hoffnung. As blood spurts from his wound, Zaraki wonders what just happened, prompting Gerard to claim that The Miracle gives form to the desires and emotions of the masses, which is what increased his size and made Hoffnung unbreakable. Zaraki ridicules Gerard for acting like a cliched villain, only for Gerard to ridicule him in turn for not yet having realized the gap between them. As a stunned Hitsugaya states that the two seemed made for each other as opponents, Zaraki and Gerard begin clashing, with the two of them complimenting each other's speed and reflexes. Hitsugaya attempts to intervene, but Zaraki smashes him to the ground below and tells him to stay out of this, with Byakuya agreeing, prompting Hitsugaya to point out how Zaraki considers Gerard enough of a threat to have already taken off his eyepatch. As Zaraki and Gerard continue clashing, with Zaraki slowly but surely being overwhelmed, Gerard points out the waning power behind his strikes before smashing him into the ground. Suddenly, Nozarashi appears before Zaraki and tells him that the fun has only just started. As energy begins flowing down Zaraki's arm from where she touched him, Nozarashi notes that Zaraki would be able to cut down anyone if he used her properly before revealing this is the power known as Bankai. A massive wave of energy erupts outward from Zaraki, startling Byakuya, Hitsugaya, and Gerard, before clearing to reveal that he has gained red skin and a differently shaped sword. Disappointed by Zaraki's Bankai, Gerard attempts to punch him, who responds by biting down on Gerard's knuckle and rip the whole arm off. Gerard reminds Zaraki that cutting off his arms will accomplish nothing, but Zaraki merely leaps into the air before slashing at Gerard, who has his left forearm cut off along with half of his shield when he attempts to block the strike. Zaraki punches Gerard in the chin, sending him flying back off the edge of Wahrwelt as he wonders what this power is. As Gerard activates his Quincy: Vollständig and flies toward him while proclaiming he is foolish for not retreating, Zaraki swiftly cuts him in half vertically. Landing on the ground, Zaraki suddenly roars and leaps back as Gerard reforms and activates his Quincy: Vollständig, Aschetonig. Zaraki attempts to resume his battle, but his right arm suddenly shatters and breaks as Nozarashi notes that she released more of his power than his body could handle, prompting Gerard to slash Zaraki into the ground. Hitsugaya confronts Gerard and is overwhelmed, but Zaraki manages to flip Gerard over and mutilate his feet. Zaraki survives the battle and ten years after the defeat of Yhwach, with Yachiru now gone, he heads to the promotion ceremony of the new 13th Division captain with his lieutenant, Ikkaku, and Yumichika, who disputes the assertion that the event is at the 13th Division's barracks. Zaraki insists that Yachiru was responsible for his bad sense of direction and heads there anyway. The three eventually turn up at the correct location where they are berated by Suì-Fēng for being late. |
Echoing Jaws of Hell arc[]
On the day of Ukitake's Konsō Reisai, Zaraki gathers with the other captains around Ukitake's grave and is confused to see Jigoku no Rinki floating through the air, only to be astonished when Shunsui reveals that the true purpose of the Konsō Reisai is to cast deceased captains into Hell.
Equipment[]
Eyepatch Power Seal: While unneeded, Zaraki wears an eyepatch he requested the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to create. In addition to reducing his depth perception and range of vision, it also seals the bulk of his Reiryoku. He wears this because he loves fighting so much that he cannot fight most opponents at full strength and enjoy it, as he would defeat them too quickly, to which he is still at least on par with most opponents while wearing it.
Reiatsu Bells: In order to further give the enemy an advantage, Zaraki wears bells on each spike of his hair. These bells can only be heard by enemies whose Reiatsu is concentrated to the point where it can actually defeat Zaraki. Sometime after Aizen's defeat, Zaraki stopped wearing them.
Powers & Abilities[]
Specialized Combatant: Zaraki did not attend the Shin'ō Academy, and thus has a limited skillset, especially for a Gotei 13 Captain. Despite that and even before accessing any of his Zanpakutō's power, he more than made up for his faults with his sheer might, resilience, and ingenuity. Training himself into a masterful combatant, he uses basic and direct, but effective methods to overwhelm his opponent. Fighting solely on instinct, reflexes, and present observation, he has no set pattern of attacks and likewise steadily improves with each exchange. From this, he can instantly change his approach and tactics, making it almost impossible for his opponents to anticipate him. These traits, combined with his monstrous power, easily make him one of the strongest Shinigami in the Gotei 13. His immense fighting prowess is the reason why Zaraki was recognized as one of the 5 Special War Powers by the Wandenreich, proving himself as such by having easily defeated three Sternritters back-to-back, who are said to possess above-Captain level might, early in their first invasion.
Master Swordsman: Due to the lawlessness of the Zaraki district, Zaraki's skill with his sword has been honed to essentially a masterful level, letting him strike multiple times with changes of attack type (from slash to pierce) without any difficulty. While still a child, his prowess was great enough to single-handedly kill hundreds of adult fighters and wound Retsu Unohana, the 1st Kenpachi, in battle. His unpolished skill, but immense might with his sword allows him to always fight with one hand free, only using both hands against opponents he feels will beat him otherwise, such as with Nnoitra and momentarily Ichigo. Likewise, he has equal might with either hand. As the captain of the 11th Division, which specializes in sword fighting, he is among the most, if not the most, proficient swordsmen in all of Soul Society.
Zaraki possesses some knowledge and skill in Shinigami Zanjutsu, which Yamamoto forced him to learn before officially joining the Gotei 13. He is particularly advanced in Kendō, able to defeat several Shinigami at once with it. However, the training only lasted a day out of Central 46's fear that Zaraki would become too powerful of a threat to the Seireitei if he fully completed and mastered his training. Also, Zaraki despises using skills and techniques learned from another source, only using his formal training as a last resort.
- Ryōdan (両断, Bisection): A technique which Zaraki uses when he is gripping his sword with two hands. It allows one to split an opponent down the middle, even being able to overcome the powerful Hierro of the fifth Espada.
Expert Hand-to-Hand Combatant: While preferring to use his blade in battle, Zaraki has proven several times to be very dangerous while barehanded, showing considerably effective brawling prowess. He can easily catch an opponent's attack with a single hand, perform powerful punches and kicks, and easily subdue opponents with throws and take-downs.
Immeasurable Spiritual Power: Even by a captain's standards, Zaraki's Reiryoku is monstrous. Even as he subconsciously suppressed the majority of his true power for centuries, his spiritual power was of such a degree that his fighting prowess is never noticeably hindered with his energy-sealing eyepatch, with Zaraki challenging two captain-level and Bankai-wielding opponents in succession. Ganju Shiba estimated his sealed power to be close to or at the same level as Byakuya Kuchiki's Reiatsu. Retsu Unohana, one of the most powerful captains of the Gotei 13, stated she was weaker than him even while he was still a child. During the Invasion of Hueco Mundo, he defeated the fifth Espada, Nnoitra Gilga, and could overpower Yammy Llargo, the strongest of the Espada. After defeating Unohana and removing his mental limits, Zaraki becomes powerful enough to fight on par with and defeat Gremmy Thoumeaux without taking off his eyepatch, and pressure Gerard Valkyrie while the Sternritter was vastly empowered by The Miracle and previously defeated several Shinigami in a single attack. When unleashing a strong enough surge of energy, it becomes visible and yellow in color, sometimes appearing as a skull.
- Unruly Reiatsu Control: By his own admission, Zaraki has poor control of his spiritual energy as it constantly remains very potent, forcing him to rely on his eyepatch to keep it at a more manageable level. Despite this, he is able to make liberal use of it in a variety of ways. It can affect large areas, spanning miles, and cause others within that area to enter a state of paralysis and confusion. When exerting his energy, the sheer magnitude of Zaraki's energy can cause considerable damage, destroying the area around him and launching away weaker opponents. Likewise, this can repel or disrupt most enemy attacks and abilities. After defeating Unohana, Zaraki gains considerable control over his Reiatsu; prior to fighting Gremmy, Shinigami in the nearby area were completely unable to detect his Reiatsu. He can also use his Reiryoku for more basic feats, such as standing in midair like other Shinigami.
- Damage Resistance: The intensity of Zaraki's Reiryoku also acts as a sort of armor, making it impossible for him to be harmed by anyone not at least at his level of power. This is first demonstrated when he faced Ichigo. At the start of the fight, Zaraki allows Ichigo to strike him, yet despite leaving himself completely unguarded and not resisting, not only did Ichigo fail to cut him, but Ichigo's hands started to bleed because of the recoil from the attempt.
Highly Perceptive Combatant: Despite his seeming disregard for any strategy and self-admitted aversion to thinking, Zaraki has regularly displayed a surprisingly keen understanding of various situations. Even Byakuya was impressed by Zaraki's ability to understand things he has no personal experience with. He is likewise able to quickly see through his opponents' attack patterns and battle methods, finding and exploiting weaknesses in his opponents' techniques, and likewise quickly adjust and alter his own methods to better counter them. Against Kaname Tōsen's Bankai, leaving him with only a sense of touch, he let Tōsen strike him simply so he could catch his opponent. He even deduced that Gremmy Thoumeaux's The Visionary only works on one target at a time and all effects on a previous target will disappear. He is also insightful to people's nature, able to notice subtle traits in people and see what drives a person's actions; he correctly singled out Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru as the only captains who are afraid to die. He possesses sharp intuition towards incoming danger, which allowed him to repeatedly dodge Tōsen's assault while still affected by his Bankai.
Immense Strength: Zaraki possesses an extreme degree of physical strength, most commonly displayed by his ability to push back his opponent's attacks with a single arm, even if the opponent's weapons and attacks are gigantic in size. When Pernida Parnkgjas began warping and damaging his arm, Zaraki ripped it off effortlessly.
He can launch full-grown men through buildings with a kick, as well as grab Ichigo's large sword to reel him in for an attack. He can also ram clear through a solid wall unscathed. He blocked the stomp of an enormous Gerard Valkyrie and throw him back a tremendous distance, and even succeeded in tripping Gerard with just one arm when the Quincy was even larger. With just his bare hand, Zaraki grabbed and deflected Nnoitra's Cero.
His attack strength allows him to launch opponents back during a weapons clash and slice apart a skyscraper with a mere flick of his wrist. He can easily cut through an Arrancar's Hierro, which is harder than steel, including Yammy's while he was in his released form, where Zaraki cut off his leg and knocked the enormous Espada off his feet in a single strike. Against Gremmy's imagination powers, Zaraki claims that the Quincy's powers cannot come up with anything that he cannot cut, proving so by slicing through Gremmy's hardened body.
Shunpo Practitioner: Though Zaraki originally possessed no known skill in Shunpo, after his battle with Unohana he developed it to some degree. Most notably, after recovering from the injuries inflicted by The Compulsory, Zaraki managed to instantly appear in another part of the Wahrwelt city and attack Gerard Valkyrie before the Sternritter could even defend himself, with Ikkaku and Yumichika shocked that Zaraki arrived before they did.
Immense Speed: Prior to learning how to perform basic Shunpo, Zaraki displayed deceptively fast physical speed for his size and build. Thanks to the tremendous raw strength in his legs, Zaraki's natural acceleration more than made up for his lack of Shunpo, allowing him to move fast enough to instantly close a huge gap of space between him and his opponent, and even seemingly disappear from sight. In battle, he can strike with incredible speed in rapid succession, making it highly difficult for his opponents to find an opening and counterattack. During his short battle with Byakuya, Zaraki manages to keep up with his opponent's incredibly fast Shunpo, a feat which shocked and impressed Byakuya.
Immense Endurance: His physical prowess is equally shown by his resilience. Zaraki often ignores most of the injuries he sustains in battle, not suffering any debilitation despite having multiple slash and puncture wounds on his body and rarely any signs of pain much like a berserker. He allowed himself to be stabbed during his first fight with Tōsen just to grab Tōsen's sword to dispel his Bankai's effect. During his first battle with Nnoitra, he suffered numerous slash wounds, was even impaled and almost beheaded with no visual impairment of his fighting performance; Nnoitra noting most people would have already been dead by then. Even after receiving grievous injuries which left him in a comatose state, he healed enough to return to training only days later, showing a high recovery rate as well. Even after Zaraki suffered severe organ damage from these attacks, it took the combined effort of four Sternritter to finally take him out of the battle, rendering him immobile from his injuries but still fully conscious.
Immense Durability: As resilient as Zaraki is, he is just as hard to damage. During his battle against Yammy, as Zaraki was focusing his attention on Ichigo, Yammy delivered a powerful blow with his massive fist, launching Zaraki several meters and smashing him into a large pillar. Despite the impact, Zaraki quickly emerged unfazed, unimpressed by the "decent punch" Yammy threw at him. During his battle with Gremmy, Zaraki remained unharmed after being fired upon by dozens of firearms and having missiles thrown at him, and later withstood the cold vacuum of space and having several clones of Gremmy self-destruct at point-blank range with only moderate injuries. Despite having his arm mangled by Pernida's The Compulsory, Zaraki still managed to nonchalantly hold his sword with that arm.
Zanpakutō[]
Nozarashi redirects here. For the manifested spirit see Nozarashi (Zanpakutō spirit).
Nozarashi (野晒, Weather-Beaten One; Viz "Weather Beaten"): Zaraki was able to imprint onto his Zanpakutō while still an untrained child. The blade is much longer than a standard Zanpakutō's, roughly the size of a nodachi, with a relatively narrow, but long tsuba shaped like a serrated, eliptical bicone. The hilt and braid are both white, though they are mostly wrapped in white bandages, as is his sword's saya. Originally, Zaraki was the only person in the history of the Gotei 13 who did not know the name of his Zanpakutō before becoming a captain, nor could he perform either of his blade's released states. Zangetsu noted Zaraki's disharmony with his sword caused the two to damage each other's powers; consequently, Zaraki could not hear the cry of his sword. Their disharmony left it with little spiritual energy and became easier to damage; the blade is chipped and seemingly worn-down upon its edge. Despite its appearance, Nozarashi can easily cut through most objects: with it, Zaraki stabs straight through Ichigo's Zanpakutō, and later slices a building in half with no apparent effort after releasing his full power. After his fight with Ichigo, Zaraki wished to learn more about his Zanpakutō because he wanted to become stronger and could identify with the pain of not having a name. Later, upon defeating Retsu Unohana in battle and awakening his true strength, Zaraki finally was able to hear his Zanpakutō's voice.
- Shikai: Before Zaraki knew its name, Soul Society believed that Zaraki's overwhelming Reiatsu was forcing Nozarashi into a constantly released state due to its more elaborate design. Its release command is Drink (呑め, nome). Upon release, Nozarashi takes on the form of a great axe/war cleaver hybrid with a long, cloth-wrapped handle. The top of the blade has a brass cover with a green tassel attached to the backside.
- Shikai Special Ability: In its released state, Nozarashi possesses tremendous additional attack power, easily destroying a huge meteorite with a single attack. Its cutting power is also greatly enhanced, allowing Zaraki to effortlessly cut through the bodies of his opponents and even through space itself.
- Bankai: Unnamed: Upon activation, Zaraki's Bankai releases a huge wave of energy powerful enough to level nearby buildings. In this form, Zaraki's skin turns red, and he gains multiple black markings across his face and horns on his forehead, causing him to resemble an oni. His blade becomes an altered version of its Shikai state, with a shorter, more jagged blade resembling a rough cleaver.
- Bankai Special Ability: Zaraki's Bankai grants him a tremendous increase in physical strength and cutting power, allowing him to effortlessly topple a gigantic Gerard Valkyrie with a single blow, rip off his arm in a single motion, and cut him completely in half from a considerable distance.
Weaknesses[]
Combat[]
Kidō: Zaraki has no skill or interest in the use of Kidō, leaving him only with direct-attack methods for battle.
Reiatsu Mental Limiters (Formerly): As noted by Unohana, because of Zaraki's strong desire for a challenging fight, but possessing such overwhelming power that quickly defeats most opponents, he subconsciously began limiting his Reiatsu, even without his eyepatch. Against foes of high power, his power will instinctively be just slightly above said foe. The longer he fights a foe that pressures him, the more he subconsciously removes his limits, steadily increasing his Reiatsu. Zaraki's subconscious limit was the reason he lost his fight with Ichigo, as he could not adjust to Ichigo's increase in power in time. After his death-battle against Unohana, Zaraki's subconscious barriers were permanently removed, granting him constant and instant access to his full power (when not wearing his eyepatch).
Zanpakutō[]
Range: While his Zanpakutō possesses extreme cutting power, it is limited to close-quarters combat.
Melee-Only: While powerful in melee combat, his Zanpakutō has no known special abilities.
Power Overload (Bankai): If Zaraki's Bankai releases more power than his body can handle, his body will start breaking under the pressure.
Berserker state (Bankai): While Zaraki uses his Bankai, he becomes a mindless berserker that is unable to differentiate between friend and foe and fights with no regards for his own well-being. After cutting Gerard in half, he attempted to attack Hitsugaya and Byakuya without warning.
Censorship[]
- Zaraki wasn't bleeding from the first slash wound Ichigo has inflicted upon him in the anime compared to the manga.
- Zaraki's slash wounds, inflicted by Ichigo, weren't as severe in the anime compared to the manga.
- After Zaraki was hit by Kaname Tōsen's Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō, he was less injured in the anime compared to the manga.
- When Tōsen impaled Zaraki, and when Zaraki managed to slash Tosen, twice, there was less blood shown in the anime compared to the manga, and Tōsen's slash wound isn't as visible in the anime either.
- In the anime, during a flashback to when Ikkaku first met Zaraki and was defeated by the latter, Ikkaku wasn't shown bleeding profusely from his grevious wounds as he was in the manga. Instead Ikkaku has fewer wounds on his body in the anime.
Trivia[]
- "Consume everything, demon of the blood-thirsty sword." - Tite Kubo
- Despite Kenpachi Zaraki being referred to as the "11th Kenpachi" and having bested the 10th Kenpachi in battle, it is eventually revealed that the 1st Kenpachi was never actually killed in a duel until she fought Zaraki, putting his actual position and the legitimacy of all his other predecessors' titles of Kenpachi into question.
- His theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is Massive Attack's "Superpredators."
- Zaraki ranked 15th in the fourth character popularity poll after ranking 27th in the second and 9th in the third; however, in the fifth, he ranked 5th. He rose again in the tenth, ranking 4th.
- Nozarashi ranked 29th in the first Zanpakutō poll while unnamed; in the second, it ranked 11th.
- In the first best bout poll, Zaraki's fight with Nnoitra Gilga ranked 10th; in the second, it ranked 14th, while his fight with Retsu Unohana ranked 6th, his fight with Gremmy Thoumeaux ranked 17th, his fight with Byakuya Kuchiki ranked 37th, his fight with Kaname Tōsen ranked 53rd, and his fights with Ikkaku Madarame and Yhwach ranked 83rd.
- Zaraki's unique hairstyle is partly due to his habit of taking a bath every day before going to sleep, which is a necessity to him due to his strong perspiration. During these baths, he usually washes his hair with soap, making it stiff. He does so to make it easier to set his hairstyle.
- He once tried a hair treatment recommended by Chōjirō Sasakibe, but his hair became too silky to set for a while. Zaraki has since greatly disliked the lieutenant.
- Zaraki attaches the bells to his hair himself. Despite taking him several hours, he refuses help as he thinks it is weird for someone else to style his hair.
- He has a very poor sense of direction, at times asking Yachiru for help (even though her sense of direction is just as bad).
Quotes[]
- (To his sword) "I'd forgotten it for a long time...the pain of not having a name. Those other guys had names that others called them, but I didn't. So, that kinda feelin'..."
- (To Yachiru Kusajishi) "I named you Yachiru, in memory of the only person I ever admired."
- "I want to get stronger. I've finally found a worthy opponent. I can get stronger. I want to fight. I want to get stronger. It sure has been a while. To feel this desire again. I want to get stronger."
- (To Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen) "You are shameless to sneak around like that, guys. Cowardly hiding spiritual pressure and stalking others isn't something that captains should do."
- (To Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tōsen, Tetsuzaemon Iba, and Shūhei Hisagi) "Blah blah blah! You're noisy! Just come on and fight already. It's best if all four of you come together. If you four surround me and attack at once, maybe one of you will actually wound me."
- (To Kaname Tōsen) "Sanity? Worthless things like that, I never had them for as long as I can remember!"
- (To Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa) "So you want to fight too? Fine, you can have them, but fight elsewhere. If you get in my way, I'll chop you up first."
- "This Reiatsu... Even though I don't know who it's from, they seem to be deep in the heat of battle. Not bad. It sure makes your blood boil, doesn't it?"
- (To Ikkaku Madarame) "Never admit defeat and ask for a quick death! Die first, then admit defeat! If you are defeated but didn't die, it just means you were lucky! At those times, think only about survival! Survive and think only about killing the one who failed to kill you!"
- (To Ikkaku Madarame) "Sorry but I'm not interested in weaklings who can't fight any more. Besides, I don't have any obligation to finish you off."
- (To Retsu Unohana) "Not criminals? That's rich, coming from you. You know damn well that if we weren't so damn powerful, petty criminals is all the both of us would be!"
- (To Gremmy Thoumeaux) "What’s that face for? Did you 'imagine' I wouldn’t be able to cut you? Just so you know, there ain't a damn thing your little brain can come up with that I won't be able to slice through. I'm the Kenpachi."