Mayuri’s Bankai Ability in Bleach

Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the mysterious leader of the 12th Division and head of the Shinigami Research Institute in Bleach, is known for his unconventional techniques and unwavering thirst for knowledge. Through the controversial Nemuri Project and years of experimentation, he has mastered his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, a grotesque but powerful manifestation of his scientific brilliance.

Mayuri’s Bankai not only displays his mercilessness in combat, but also symbolizes his intricate past, including his time in the Maggot’s Nest and his subsequent rise to replace Kisuke Urahara.

Bleach: Understanding Mayuri’s Bankai Ability

Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Upon activation, Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Bankai, known as Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, takes the form of a repulsive being with the physical features of a caterpillar, a golden infant with a silver halo for a head, and a crimson cape. As a result, Mayuri’s Zanpakutō returns to its original state and emits a scarlet Reiatsu, while the grotesque creature carries out Mayuri’s instructions as directed.

The poison has a range of 200 meters and is nearly impossible to avoid. Its strength is so great that it immediately starts to deteriorate the body of anyone who breathes it in, as seen in Mayuri’s fight against Szayelaporro.

Pierrot has shared an image of Nemu and Mayuri from Bleach TYBW.

To combat the consequences, Mayuri and Nemu both possess an antidote that is capable of modifying the poison’s structure, thereby hindering the creation of immunity or a perfect remedy. Additionally, the creature possesses retractable blades in its chest that can impale adversaries and has the ability to consume foes while charging at them. To ensure his safety, Mayuri has inserted a self-destruct mechanism in Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, causing it to revert to a sealed state if it tries to harm him.

Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō is featured in the image, which is from Shueisha’s Matai Fukuin Shōtai.

The modified version of Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, known as Matai Fukuin Shōtai, takes the form of a gigantic, purple-skinned infant with a deformed head, perched atop a heap of veiny umbilical cords. This revised Bankai emits a purple mist reminiscent of its original poison and is capable of generating duplicates of itself through data supplied by Mayuri, granting it the power to counter the unique abilities of its adversaries.

In his confrontation with Pernida Parnkgjas, Mayuri made further modifications to this form by incorporating nerves onto the creature’s exterior. This enhancement enabled it to withstand excruciating agony and counter Pernida’s The Compulsory technique by shedding layers of its nerves.

Mayuri’s Bankai in Bleach

In the anime, Uryu Ishida is portrayed as depicted by Studio Pierrot.

During his fight with Uryū Ishida, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was forced to use his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, when Uryū’s powerful Quincy abilities posed a threat. This Bankai unleashed a lethal poison that could kill anyone in its range, with the exception of Mayuri himself.

Despite Mayuri’s confident claim that the poison would surely kill Uryū, he was undeterred and countered with a powerful spiritual arrow that split the creature in half and severely wounded Mayuri. Although Uryū’s attack inflicted fatal injuries on Mayuri, he managed to evade them by stabbing himself with his Zanpakutō and transforming his body into liquid.

The anime depicts Pernida (Image courtesy of Shueisha).

During the Thousand Year Blood-War arc of Bleach, Mayuri Kurotsuchi utilized his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, in order to fight against Pernida Parnkgjas. To do so, he adapted his Bankai into a new form known as Matai Fukuin Shōtai, which had the ability to produce multiple Konjiki Ashisogi Jizōs.

Mayuri’s approach involves crafting specialized beings to counter the unique abilities of his opponents, such as Pernida’s nerve manipulation. One of his tactics is to generate a Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō with an impressive 70,000 layers of surface nerves, specifically designed to shed and evade Pernida’s attempts at control. This adaptation effectively thwarts Pernida’s power and prevents it from being used effectively against his Bankai.

Mayuri utilizes his Bankai’s distinctive capabilities to analyze and retaliate against his adversary’s techniques, revealing his clever and methodical nature in combat. Additionally, he incorporates Quincy techniques such as Hirenkyaku to improve his agility, resulting in a strategic and versatile fighting style that ultimately leads to his Bankai consuming Pernida and its clones.

Final thoughts

The image of Kurotsuchi Mayuri is provided by Studio Pierrot.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, in Bleach demonstrates his cleverness and brutality by fusing elements of biological terror and strategic genius. With its adaptive capabilities, such as deadly toxins, layered defenses, and self-enhancement, Mayuri’s Bankai truly exemplifies his scientific expertise and functions as a formidable weapon in his unyielding quest for knowledge.

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