What is Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai in Bleach: Thousand Year Blood-War?

Learn about Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, the power that reconstructs reality.

Kisuke Urahara
Kisuke Urahara (Source: Studio Pierrot)

After years of anticipation, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War unveiled one of its most closely guarded secrets – Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai. The former Squad 12 Captain’s ultimate technique had been teased throughout the series, speculating endlessly about what powers the mysterious shopkeeper might possess.

Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai was revealed during his intense battle against Quincy Sternritter ‘D’ Askin Nakk Le Vaar in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. His Bankai is called “Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame” (Modification of the Crimson Princess’ Dissection at the Doors of Avalokitesvara). This powerful ability gives Urahara the capability to restructure anything within its range.

Urahara’s Appealing Bankai in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

Urahara and Rukia
Urahara and Rukia (Source: Studio Pierrot)

For over a decade, fans of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War had been speculating about the true nature of Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai. As a former captain of Squad 12 and the founder of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, expectations were sky-high for what his ultimate technique might entail.

The moment finally arrived in chapter 664 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Backed into a corner by Sternritter ‘D’ Askin Nakk Le Vaar’s lethal ability “The Deathdealing,” Urahara faced a dire situation. Askin’s “Gift Ring” had completely destroyed his eyes, leaving him effectively blind. It was in this desperate moment that Urahara uttered the release command for his Bankai.

He had always maintained that his Bankai was “not fit for training or helping others,” suggesting its power was either too dangerous or too specialized for casual use. This built-up mystery finally paid off in one of the most anticipated moments of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

The Form and Appearance of Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame

Urahara's Bankai Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame
Urahara’s Bankai Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame (Source: Viz)

Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai manifests in a truly unique and striking form that sets it apart from other Bankai seen in Bleach. Upon release, a massive feminine figure emerges behind Urahara, towering over the battlefield. This entity represents an embodiment of his Zanpakuto spirit, Benihime (the crimson Princess).

The figure’s appearance is both beautiful and unsettling, with a giant woman with dark, intricately braided hair arranged in elaborate loops.

Interestingly, Urahara maintains his sealed blade for combat while the giant figure operates independently behind him. This dual-wielding aspect – controlling his sword and the giant figure- showcases Urahara’s control over his spiritual power.

The doll-like appearance mirrors its ability to modify and restructure, while the surgical precision of its movements hints at Urahara’s scientific background. The crimson theme carries over from his Shikai. It maintains the connection to Benihime’s identity as the Crimson Princess.

The name itself combines Buddhist terminology with medical imagery, suggesting its restorative and destructive capabilities.

How Urahara’s Bankai Works in Bleach

Kisuke Urahara explaining his Bankai
Kisuke Urahara explaining his Bankai (Source: Viz)

The fundamental power of Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War lies in its ability to restructure anything. This restructuring manifests in two distinct ways: through dissection and reconstruction. When used offensively, Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame can split open targets as if performing a surgical procedure, cutting through them with supernatural precision.

The supportive aspect of Urahara’s Bankai is equally impressive. Through its reconstruction ability, it can repair and enhance anything it touches. This process is visualized through a series of mystical stitches that appear on the modified target. During his battle in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Urahara displayed his power mostly when he reconstructed his eyes after they were destroyed by Askin.

The process takes mere seconds to complete, even with complex modifications. This speed makes it effective in combat situations and lets him adapt and respond to threats in real time. The Bankai can affect inanimate objects also and even spiritual constructs.

Combat Applications and Strategic Uses

Urahara vs Askin in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Urahara vs Askin in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (Source: Viz)

Urahara’s Bankai’s primary ability is to instantly repair grievous injuries. The restructuring power extends beyond mere healing – it can actively improve body parts beyond their natural limitations.

Urahara displayed another strategic use by reconstructing his arm to possess enhanced strength. This modification allowed him to overpower Askin in direct combat, something he struggled with previously. The ability to enhance his physical capabilities on the fly makes Urahara an unpredictable opponent.

By reconstructing the space, he created a route for Grimmjow to penetrate Askin’s Gift Ball Delux. It enabled a surprise attack that proved decisive in the battle.

In essence, Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War represents the perfect mixture of his scientific genius and combat expertise. It allows him to analyze, adapt, and overcome any situation through its restructuring powers.

Limitations and Drawbacks of Urahara’s Bankai

Urahara and Grimmjow
Urahara and Grimmjow (Source: Viz)

The most prominent restriction of Urahara’s Bankai is its range. Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame can only affect targets within a specific area around Urahara. It was shown by Askin, where he was able to escape the Bankai’s influence by moving outside its effective range.

Another drawback is the temporary nature of its modifications. When Urahara’s Bankai is deactivated, all changes made by its restructuring ability revert to their original state. This impermanence means that Urahara must maintain his Bankai to keep any beneficial modifications active, which requires a continuous expenditure of spiritual energy.

There’s also an apparent limitation regarding internal modifications. This could indicate that the Bankai works primarily on physical structures rather than biological or chemical processes. Although the exact limitations remain somewhat unclear in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

Conclusion

Kisuke Urahara’s Bankai in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War lives up to the years of anticipation surrounding its reveal. The brief but impactful appearance of Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War shows why Urahara was considered one of the five Special War Powers. The humble shopkeeper’s true capabilities extend beyond what most had imagined.


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