The Unparalleled Strength of Shinji Hirako in Bleach

Highlights

Shinji Hirako, the previous commander of the Visored and present Captain of the 5th Division, brings significant value to both the Gotei 13 and Soul Society. As a Shinigami, he exhibits incredible prowess and has the capability to harness the powers of Hollows.

Shinji, a skilled swordsman and master of Shunpo, showcases exceptional speed and agility. In addition, he possesses a remarkable level of Reiatsu that surpasses the expectations for a Captain level Shinigami and demonstrates keen judgment and perception.

His Zanpakuto, Sakanade, wields powerful abilities capable of inverting an opponent's perception and inducing disorientation. Deploying his Bankai, Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari, poses a risk as it can turn allies into enemies. When adorned with his Hollow mask, Shinji experiences substantial enhancements in strength, speed, and durability.

Shinji Hirako, formerly the leader of the Visored and currently the Captain of the 5th Division in Bleach, is a highly valuable asset to the Gotei 13 and Soul Society as a whole. He is renowned for his snide, sarcastic, and unfiltered personality, as well as his extraordinary strength as a Shinigami. Unlike most Shinigami, Shinji has the rare ability to transcend their limits and harness the powers of a Hollow, thanks to his involvement in the Hollowfication Incident orchestrated by his former Lieutenant, Sosuke Aizen.

Due to his exceptional power, charisma, and tactical prowess, Shinji naturally took on the role of leading the Visored. Together, they provided crucial assistance to Ichigo Kurosaki and their former comrades in the Gotei 13 during their successful defeat of Aizen and his Arrancar in the Battle of Fake Karakura Town. In addition to his remarkable combat skills as a Shinigami, Shinji possesses unique abilities stemming from his Zanpakuto and Hollow mask, setting him apart from others. However, the exact extent of his strength remains a question.

An Elite Captain

Starting with his Zanjutsu prowess, Shinji is a highly skilled swordsman capable of effortlessly taking on formidable opponents like an Espada using only his sealed Zanpakuto and Hollow mask. This was evident in his confrontation with the 6th Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, where he effortlessly matched his opponent's strength without exerting undue strain on his own abilities. While training with Ichigo, Shinji demonstrated his ability to keep up with Ichigo's swordplay and even held back his own power, despite Ichigo's own efforts to suppress his inner Hollow.

Shinji's mastery of Shunpo is highly commendable, surpassing even Grimmjow's speed with Sonido during their battle. He displayed his exceptional swiftness by arriving at the Hollowfication Incident scene ahead of all other Captains and Lieutenants, showcasing his remarkable speed. While Shinji possesses decent skills in Kido usage, he prefers other approaches to combat.

Shinji also possesses an incredibly high level of Reiatsu, comparable to and even surpassing that of a Captain-level Shinigami. He demonstrated an exceptional ability to prolong the effects of Hollowfication, far exceeding his fellow future Visoreds, and fought relentlessly even as he struggled to maintain control. Moreover, Shinji's outwardly immature demeanor when interacting with individuals like Hiyori is contradicted by his sharp judgment and keen perception. He can swiftly assess situations and react effectively, earning even Aizen's respect for his astuteness in deciphering deception.

Unleashing The Power Of Sakanade

Shinji's Zanpakuto, Sakanade, appears like a regular katana when sealed. However, it is a highly intricate weapon with incredibly potent abilities. During his battle against Aizen, the sword revealed its Shikai form, exhibiting a subtle alteration in its appearance. The pommel of the blade transforms into a ring, affording Shinji the ability to effortlessly rotate it around his wrist without the need to grasp it. Furthermore, the blade itself adopts the shape of a slanted razor, bearing five holes along its length.

When the command "Collapse" is used to release Sakanade, a pink mist is emitted, which serves as the foundation of its primary technique. Known as "Upside Down World" or "Sakasama no Sekai," the sword's Shikai has the ability to reverse the perception of anyone who inhales the pink mist. This mist can be dispersed further as Shinji swings his sword. Primarily employed as a powerful strategy, this optical illusion is highly impactful. It completely reverses an opponent's understanding of up, down, left, right, forwards, and backwards.

Moreover, this technique also inverts the opponent's vision, the direction from which attacks come, and the body parts on which they sustain injuries. This makes it nearly impossible for them to process and respond to the sensory information they are receiving. As a result, targets become disoriented, experiencing vertigo, nausea, and other adverse reactions. In its most extreme form, it even flips the words spoken by Shinji. The only effective countermeasure against this move is to launch attacks simultaneously from all directions.

Sakanade's Bankai, known as Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari, surpasses his previous ability in terms of dreadfulness. When activated, the sword gains an additional ring at its tip, while a golden bud-like structure blossoms around Shinji and releases a pink mist from its apex. This mist wields its power indiscriminately, affecting a vast range of individuals and distorting their perception. Friends become foes and vice versa, compelling them to eradicate one another within seconds. However, Shinji remains unaffected by this chaotic force, safely cocooned within. Bearing the potential peril it presents, the usage of this Bankai is highly precarious, especially if allies are nearby. Consequently, Shinji has shown great restraint in deploying it.

Leading The Visored

BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 3 showcases the intense battle surrounding Shinji Hirako. Following the Hollowfication Incident, Shinji's condition was stabilized through the assistance of Kisuke Urahara's Hogyoku. As he regained his strength, Shinji discovered the ability to tap into the power of the Hollow residing within him, a trait shared by the other members of the Visored. Wearing his Hollow mask grants Shinji a remarkable boost in strength, speed, and endurance, although the effects are short-lived due to the strain imposed by the mask. Additionally, he unleashes a formidable crimson colored Cero while in this form.

Shinji, a natural leader, possesses keen intellect and sound judgment, allowing him to easily discern the intentions of his subordinates, peers, and enemies. Within the Gotei 13, he is undoubtedly one of the strongest Captains, surpassing even the Visoreds who themselves boast three other Captain-level Shinigami. Unfazed by challenges and always strategizing his next moves, Shinji is a formidable force, especially since he has transcended the divisions between Shinigami and Hollows. Watch BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 – The Separation on Hulu and Disney+ for more.