What is the meaning of Bankai and Shikai in Bleach?

“Shikai” and “Bankai” are terms that originated in the anime and manga series “Bleach”. They refer to techniques used in battles that excite all fans, becoming words of great prominence, but what is the real meaning of Bankai and Shikai?

In this article, you will understand once and for all how the abilities of the swords in Bleach work, what is necessary to reach this level, and mainly the meaning of the word and etymology in the Japanese language.

What is Bankai in Bleach?

In Bleach, Bankai is an advanced sword technique that allows characters to unleash the full power of their Zanpakuto (sword) to achieve exceptional abilities and powers.

To achieve the Bankai form, a Shinigami must be able to materialize and subjugate the spirit of their Zanpakutō. This usually takes 10 years or more to be accomplished.

Bankai is generally five to ten times stronger than the Shikai form of the Zanpakutō. Those who achieve Bankai play notable roles in the history of the Soul Society, but there are also disadvantages.

If a Bankai is broken, it usually cannot be restored, and the disappearance of the Bankai without the user’s permission can indicate the user’s imminent death if not addressed immediately. Additionally, the form and strength of the Bankai depend on how much the Zanpakutō recognizes the user.

The Meaning of Bankai in the Japanese Language

In Japanese, the word “Bankai” is written as “卍解”. The first part “卍” is a symbol that can be read as “manji” in Japanese, and it is a Buddhist symbol that represents harmony, peace, and life.

The second part “解” is read as “kai” and means “release” or “unlocking”. Together, the two parts form the word “Bankai”, which refers to the advanced sword technique in the anime and manga series “Bleach”.

“Bankai” can be translated from Japanese as “final release” or “total liberation”. It is a technique that can only be performed by those who are capable of completely mastering their Zanpakuto and unlocking its true potential. It is considered the most advanced ability that a Shinigami can have in Bleach.

The ideogram [解] also conveys the idea of solution, explanation, interpretation, answer to the problem, thus showing Bankai as a strike capable of overcoming any barrier.

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Does Bankai Exist in the Japanese Language?

Obviously, the word Bankai from Bleach does not exist natively in the Japanese language, being created to address real meanings, and also referring to other words that share the same pronunciation.

In the Japanese dictionary, we have the bankai [挽回] which means something like restoration and recovery. There may be other derived words or words with similar meanings.

What is the Meaning of Shikai in Bleach?

Shikai [始解] is the first stage of release of the Zanpakutou, the sacred sword of the shinigamis. When a shinigami reaches Shikai, they can unleash the special ability of their Zanpakutou.

The Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize effectively with their Zanpakutō, which requires the ability to speak with the spirit within their world. Gaining access to Shikai and unleashing it for the first time is known as Manifestation (顕現, Kengen).

Achieving Shikai is a sign of control over a Zanpakutō, and it is a requirement for advancement within the ranks of Shinigamis, as most seated officers are capable of Shikai.

The word 始解 (shikai) in Japanese is composed of two kanji: 始 (shi) which means “beginning” or “start” and 解 (kai) which means “release” or “unlocking”. Thus, the word 始解 can be literally translated as “initial release” or “initial unlocking”.

The Meaning of the Manji in Bankai

Although Hitler was inspired by the Buddhist swastika and created an inverted version, this original symbol does not present anything malicious but has deep connections with Buddhism, Hindu traditions, and the Indian subcontinent dating back over 500 B.C.

The Manji [卍] present in the word Bankai brings a much greater depth than the literal meaning of “total release”. The four arms of the “manji 卍” represent the four directions, comets, and constellations, thus representing the totality of heaven and earth.

In other words, the manji represents the universe as a whole and not just the universe as a whole in a spiritual sense, but as a whole from a spiritual perspective as well.

Furthermore, the manji also represents the auspicious footprints of Buddha, serves as a meditation aid, and a way to “follow the footsteps of Buddha” on the path to enlightenment. It can also represent 10,000.

We can say that Bankai means much more than a special attack, but presents the essence of the character itself, their relationship with the universe, and what they truly are.

The characters who master “bankai” have a deep understanding of who they really are, reaching a form of enlightenment, the very names of the “bankai” reflect the “manji” symbol.

For example, Ichigo uses “Tensa Zangetsu”, which translates as “Heavenly Moon Cutter”, in reference to the Buddhist symbolism of the moon. Due to the deep meaning of the “manji”, there is no proper translation for the term “bankai”.

We recommend reading: Manji – The Swastika in Anime, Manga, and Japanese Culture