Unveiling the Mysteries of Zaraki's Zanpakuto in the Thousand-Year Blood War
Zaraki's epic showdown with the self-proclaimed strongest Quincy unveils a thrilling revelation as his Zanpakuto's Shikai is unleashed for the first time Brace yourself for a double dose of excitement, as the weathered warrior taps into his inner berserker
Highlights
Kenpachi's fight against Gremmy showcases the Quincy's ability to create anything he imagines and Kenpachi's resilience and excitement for the battle.
Kenpachi's activation of his Zanpakutō, Nozarashi, during the confrontation with the meteor showcases his unparalleled strength and untapped abilities. The bond he shares with Yachiru and the profound symbolism embodied by Nozarashi's weathered exterior serve as poignant reminders of Kenpachi's extraordinary path as a Shinigami.
Warning: The following text contains spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, which can be streamed on Hulu and Disney+.
In episode seven of the second cours of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, titled "I Am The Edge," there were some notable highlights, including a classic battle Shonen trope - a meteor. Gremmy Thoumeaux, the self-proclaimed strongest Quincy, was pushed to his limits by the relentless Kenpachi Zaraki. In response, Gremmy unleashed an obstacle that would normally be considered insurmountable. However, Kenpachi was only thrilled at the opportunity to cut something he had never cut before. With excitement, he prepared his once-nameless Zanpakutō: Nozarashi.
What impact does this development have on the future of the BLEACH storyline? With one of the strongest fighters in the Seireitei reaching the initial milestone for an average Shinigami,
Double Trouble
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Title: Gremmy Summons a Meteor – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 7
The battle between Kenpachi and Gremmy showcases the Quincy's remarkable ability to turn his imagination into reality. Despite Gremmy's ability to instantly protect and heal himself as needed, Kenpachi not only withstands every attack but revels in the clash between two formidable opponents. While Gremmy remains mostly indifferent during the confrontation, his eyes betray a certain lifelessness, except for moments when he is captivated by Kenpachi's unwavering determination and fighting spirit. As Kenpachi relentlessly delivers powerful blows that successfully strike Gremmy, despite his best efforts to defend himself, the Quincy's initial confidence begins to crumble, and a sense of panic overtakes him as he visualizes the possibility of defeat.
Exciting, Isn't It?
He eventually develops a taste for the battle and comprehends his yearning to demonstrate his strength to his formidable adversary. Accordingly, he creates a second Gremmy, effectively doubling his imaginative power. This leads to a pivotal moment where Gremmy² summons the central event of the episode – a meteor poised to devastate the Seireitei if left unchecked. The Quincy's certainty reaches its peak as he cannot fathom anyone capable of diverting or obliterating the meteor. Moreover, he gleefully reveals that his demise would bear no consequence since the meteor's impending impact is real. The latter part of the skirmish, after Gremmy acknowledges his enjoyment of the confrontation, is accompanied by the soundtrack "What Can You See in Their Eyes". The music briefly pauses as Kenpachi confronts the meteor.
In BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 7, Child Zaraki Kenpachi takes center stage. As a meteor ominously hangs overhead, Kenpachi's excitement brims, eager for the opportunity to slice something new. Holding his seasoned blade, Nozarashi, in anticipation, Kenpachi calls out its name for the first time. Running towards the meteor, he exclaims, "Exciting, isn't it, Nozarashi?", dragging the weathered blade along the ground. With a commanding "Drink", Kenpachi unleashes the power of Nozarashi's Shikai. As he swings, the initial appearance of the Shikai remains unseen, concealed in the clash with the meteor. In the moments before impact, the vibrant animation fades to black and white, symbolizing the blinding radiance of the celestial object. The subsequent scene delves into a flashback, revealing the fateful meeting between Kenpachi and Yachiru amidst the haunting presence of countless corpses. Then, the meteor cleaves in two, erupting into a breathtaking explosion that scatters debris in all directions. And there it stands, atop Kenpachi's shoulder – Nozarashi's Shikai taking the formidable form of an immense cleaver, while the soundtrack swells in epic resonance.
Gremmy's initial encounter with it elicits a rare display of genuine emotion in his eyes, leading him to exclaim that Kenpachi is a monstrous being. This sentiment is primarily triggered by the activation of Shikai. Nevertheless, as the battle progresses, Gremmy begins to develop a deep admiration for Kenpachi's immense power. Despite facing numerous fatal manifestations, Kenpachi miraculously survives, eagerly desiring to witness the full extent of Gremmy's abilities. Some of these situations seemed poised for certain victory, yet they were ultimately thwarted. With Kenpachi repetitively asserting that there is nothing he cannot cleave, Gremmy ingeniously employs multiple selves and schemes to employ an intangible weapon in an attempt to eliminate him. By banishing him into the vastness of space, the Gremmys boast about the agonizing processes that accompany exposure to vacuum, seemingly guaranteeing a certain death. However, despite enduring immense suffering, Kenpachi emerges from within a colossal rift in the sky, emanating an uncanny aura reminiscent of a Menos Grande.
Weathered
Yachiru Kusajishi Sanpo Kenju – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 7
Nozarashi (野晒), meaning "Weather-Beaten One," derives its name from the sword's sealed state, which resembles a badly damaged and worn sword. This feature not only represents Kenpachi's extensive combat experience and violent nature but also signifies the unconventional manner in which he acquired his Zanpakutō. Zaraki's uniqueness and the process through which he obtained his sword resulted in a completely different path of growth as a Shinigami, exempting him from the traditional requirement of mastering Bankai to become a Captain. Initially nameless, both Zaraki and his Zanpakutō were acquired from a fallen Shinigami, leading to the manifestation of a mysterious young girl who appeared unaffected by the brutality and bloodshed she witnessed. This enigmatic encounter served as a foreshadowing of the events that later unfolded as the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Due to being designated as a Shinigami by Kenpachi, Yachiru effectively assumed the role and hence her Shikai activation phrase remains unheard, as it is not a Shikai at all. The creatures summoned by her Sanpo Kenjū wield weapons that, when combined, form a weathered large cleaver. A popular theory on Reddit suggests that these creatures themselves symbolize Nozarashi, the weapon. Yachiru's childishness may have mirrored the early stages of Kenpachi's bond with his Zanpakutō and his exhilaration at the prospect of facing a formidable opponent. Although the anime has yet to explicitly reveal Yachiru as an aspect of Nozarashi, her distinct behavior during "I Am The Edge" while observing Kenpachi's battle from a distance and her subsequent absence points towards this possibility.
Berserker
Even when facing an opponent whose strength lies in their imagination, Kenpachi proves that he doesn't need to remove his limiter eyepatch and unleash his full power. The surge in his abilities is so immense that he gains the ability to slice through the vacuum of space. This power-up not only amplifies Kenpachi's monstrous nature but also highlights the gravity of the Quincy invasion. In the past, many opposed Yamamoto's decision to teach swordsmanship to Kenpachi due to the immense risk it posed to a natural-born fighter. Finally, the bond between Kenpachi and Yachiru reaches its conclusion as he can now truly communicate with his own Zanpakutō.
