Bleach: Unveiling the Ultimate Powers of Squad Zero Members in the Thousand Year Blood War

Result: The season 2 finale of The Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War showcased Squad 0, the most powerful Soul Reapers in Soul Society. Also known as the Royal Guard, they are a group of five Soul Reapers entrusted with protecting the Soul King. Each member of Squad 0 was selected for their significant contributions to Soul Society's foundation. They possess unparalleled strength, surpassing even the Thirteen Court Guards. However, due to the immense destructive potential of their powers, the members of Squad 0 must restrain themselves with seals during battles, as unchecked usage could obliterate the three realms of Bleach's universe.

Squad 0 has solidified their position as some of the mightiest individuals in the Bleach series, particularly in the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime. While the abilities of several Squad 0 members have yet to be fully explored, the anime has shed some light on their existing powers. There is still much to delve into regarding each character, drawing from what has already been revealed in the anime and manga. Hopefully, future installations of Bleach will continue to expand on their backstories and capabilities.

Tenjiro Kirinji

The 1st Officer of Squad 0 is Tenjiro Kirinji, known as the Holy Guardian of the East. He earned the nickname "Hot Spring Demon" due to his unique healing hot springs that can mend fatal injuries for those strong enough to endure them. Considered the greatest healer in the world of Bleach, Kirinji served as Unohana's mentor and is the creator of the healing arts of Kaido, which ultimately granted him a position in Squad 0.

Kirinji wields Kinpika as his Shikai, a blade attached to a long wooden pole that possesses remarkable striking power and has the ability to emit blinding flashes of golden light. His combat style is characterized by astonishingly swift movements, surpassing even Suì-Fēng's mastery of Shunpo, earning him the moniker "Lightning-Fast Tenjiro". Furthermore, Kirinji can utilize the water from his hot springs as a weapon, inflicting burns upon enemies upon contact, or alternatively, using it to heal himself and his allies during battles. As of now, the nature of Kirinji's Bankai remains undisclosed.

Kirio Hikifune

Kirio Hikifune, known as the “Ruler of Grain”, holds the position of 2nd Officer in Squad 0, and serves as the Holy Guardian of the South. Formerly the captain of Squad 12 prior to Kisuke Urahara, Kirio is the most recent addition to Squad 0. Her induction into Squad 0 was a result of her creation of artificial souls, which are utilized by Soul Reapers to inhabit their gigais in the human realm. These artificial souls served as the foundation for advanced Mod Souls, such as Kon, as well as the trio of Lirin, Kurodo, and Noba, who were exclusive to the anime adaptation.

Kirio’s Shikai manifests as a colossal spoon. However, at present, the name and abilities of her Shikai remain undisclosed. In addition, Kirio possesses expertise in tools that manipulate an individual's spiritual pressure, particularly food items that significantly restore one's power upon consumption. Furthermore, she has the ability to generate sturdy tree branches known as the Cage of Life, capable of absorbing the energy from anything they come into contact with, rendering them nearly indestructible.

Oetsu Nimaiya

Oetsu Nimaiya, the Holy Guardian of the West, serves as the 3rd Officer of Squad 0. Known as the "God of the Sword," Nimaiya is credited with creating the Zanpakuto and crafting every Asauchi, the foundational form of the Zanpakuto, which Soul Reapers bond with to develop their unique abilities. Given the long-standing significance of Zanpakuto in the history of Soul Reapers, it can be inferred that Nimaiya holds a senior position within Squad 0.

True to his title, Nimaiya possesses exceptional combat skills; he successfully defeated Yhwach's Schutzstaffel single-handedly, even prior to their enhancement through the Auswählen process. Although Nimaiya's personal Zanpakuto remains undisclosed, during his confrontation with the Schutzstaffel, he wielded a blade named Sayafushi. This weapon's razor-sharp edge necessitated containment within a specialized jelly-like substance. While Nimaiya regarded it as flawed for not meeting certain sword requisites, it exhibited formidable power regardless.

Senjumaru Shutara

Senjumaru Shutara, the 4th Officer of Squad 0, is known as the "Great Weave Guard" and serves as the Holy Guardian of the North. She is renowned for creating the iconic black uniforms, known as shihakusho, which are worn by all Soul Reapers. In addition to her skill as a seamstress, Senjumaru possesses impressive abilities to enhance the durability of clothing by infusing them with the Oken, the bones of the Royal Guard. This allows the wearer to resist certain energy-based attacks, as demonstrated in the anime during Byakuya's battle against NaNaNa Najahkoop.

Senjumaru's Shikai, named Shigarami, takes the form of a sewing needle with exceptional piercing power. With this weapon, she can utilize various sewing and cloth-based abilities. For example, she can turn an opponent's clothes into a self-destructive weapon, create illusionary tapestries, and even produce healing cotton to mend deadly wounds.

Incredibly powerful and formidable, Senjumaru's Bankai is Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji. This bankai transforms into a colossal sewing room that ensnares her adversaries within tapestries, subjecting them to a barrage of diverse attacks. The injuries sustained by Uryu, Haschwalth, and the Schutzstaffel while facing this bankai foreshadow their impending fates depicted in the manga. Thus, it can be inferred that Senjumaru's Bankai functions by assaulting individuals with attacks that symbolize their inevitable future challenges.

Ichibe Hyosube

Ichibe Hyosube, the leader of Squad 0, is the final member. Known as the "Monk Who Calls the Real Name" or Manako Osho, Ichibe possesses the unique ability to bestow names upon everything in Soul Society. This naming ability is not only incorporated into his fighting style, but also allows him to create seals that can replicate the effects of any kanji written on them. Remarkably, by shortening the name of something, Ichibe can diminish its power, and he even possesses the ability to resurrect himself merely by having his name spoken by someone else. Additionally, Ichibe wields enormous spiritual hands that imitate his movements and strike with formidable strength.

Ichibe's Shikai, known as Ichimonji, is a massive calligraphy brush equipped with a blade at its tip. When Ichibe strikes something with Ichimonji, it is tinged black and loses its name, consequently robbing it of its power. Furthermore, Ichimonji can harness the energy from any black object in the surroundings to augment its abilities. Ichibe's Bankai, which he refers to as "Shin'uchi," is Shirafude Ichimonji. This extraordinary Bankai permits Ichibe to rename anything that has lost its name due to his Shikai, and bestow upon it the qualities and capabilities associated with the new name. These powers proved to be more than sufficient in overpowering Yhwach, and Ichibe would have emerged victorious if not for Yhwach reclaiming the power of The Almighty.

Squad 0, positioned within the lore and renowned for their remarkable achievements, stands out as exceptionally distinct and powerful characters in the series. This distinction is particularly evident in the anime adaptation of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, where substantial content was introduced to showcase Squad 0's formidable capabilities, particularly Senjumaru. The future remains uncertain regarding the potential alterations the anime may bring, but hopefully, it will persist in offering Squad 0 and other characters the much-deserved focus and recognition they lacked in the manga.