In the Bleach series, Ichigo Kurosaki has delivered countless awe-inspiring moments that have left fans cheering. Tite Kubo's portrayal of the protagonist generates a palpable tension and excitement whenever he appears on screen. As the Bleach Thousand Year Blood War anime returns, fans are eagerly seeking answers, including whether Ichigo will unleash Mugetsu more than once in the series.
Disclaimer: This article could contain minor spoilers from the manga chapters.
Does Ichigo use Mugetsu more than once in Bleach?
No, Ichigo does not utilize Mugetsu for a second time in the Bleach series. The move is restricted to a single use by Ichigo. This raises the question of why Mugetsu can only be utilized once. To comprehend this, we need to delve deeper into Ichigo’s Bankai.
As fans know, Bankai is a weapon used by Shinigami, Arrancar, and the Visored. This weapon has a total of three forms: its original or sealed state, the Shikai, and the Bankai. The Bankai is the most upgraded and powerful version of one’s Zanpakuto, and Ichigo’s Bankai is known as Tensa Zangetsu.
Ichigo's appearance when he executes Mugetsu in episode 309 (Image via Studio Pierrot)
In Bleach episode 309, Ichigo Kurosaki uses the Mugetsu, or Saigo no Getsuga Tensho, technique which can only be used once. This results in a transformation where Ichigo becomes Getsuga itself. However, the use of this technique causes him to lose all of his Shinigami abilities. This moment was significant in Bleach for two reasons: the striking visual aspect of the attack and its use against series antagonist Sosuke Aizen. Fans were captivated by Ichigo's menacing new form and the dramatic showdown with Aizen.
What surprised fans was that the Mugetsu failed to defeat Aizen, even though it was considered one of Ichigo's most powerful moves. This speaks to Aizen's immense strength in both the anime and manga series.
Aizen in his strongest form (Image via Studio Pierrot)
When Mugetsu was revealed in the Bleach series, Ichigo generated a powerful black Reiatsu in his hand, then swung it toward Aizen, unleashing a massive Reiatsu cloud that quickly accelerated and ultimately destroyed everything in its path. At the time, Sosuke Aizen was in his formidable Final Fusion form, also known as "Butterfly Aizen" due to its striking appearance.
Aizen was invincible in this state, causing great concern for Ichigo and his allies. Fortunately, Ichigo's Mugetsu technique turned the tide. Despite this setback, Ichigo later regained his abilities, thanks to Rukia and the Gotei 13. Keep an eye out for more updates on anime and manga in 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Bleach, I was thrilled to read about Ichigo Kurosaki's reappearance and his use of the Mugetsu technique. The article provided an in-depth analysis of Ichigo's Bankai and the limitations of the Mugetsu, which can only be used once. This restriction adds a layer of intensity and drama to Ichigo's battles, as he must carefully choose the moment to unleash his most powerful move.
The description of the Mugetsu technique and its impact on the series antagonist, Sosuke Aizen, brought back memories of the epic showdown between these two characters. The visual aspect of the attack, with Ichigo transforming into Getsuga itself, was truly captivating and showcased the immense power of his Bankai. Although the Mugetsu failed to defeat Aizen, it demonstrated Ichigo's unwavering determination and willingness to risk everything to protect his friends and the Soul Society.