The Reason Behind Ikkaku’s Decision to Conceal His Bankai in Bleach

Fans of Bleach often ponder the question, “Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai?”This mystery arises because it has been established in the series that a member of the Gotei 13 can achieve the rank of Captain if they have mastered their Bankai. Nevertheless, Ikkaku Madarame holds the position of the third seat in the 11th Division under Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, and the dynamics of their relationship are key reasons why Ikkaku conceals the full potential of his Zanpakuto.

Throughout his journey in Bleach, Ikkaku demonstrates profound respect and admiration for Kenpachi, which leads him to keep his Bankai a secret. He is reluctant to change divisions and has no desire to usurp Yachiru’s role as a lieutenant, further explaining his current position.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Ikkaku’s Motivations in Bleach

Madarame about to use his Bankai (Image via Studio Pierrot).

Ikkaku conceals his Bankai to maintain his status in the 11th Division and to avoid taking over Yachiru’s position as lieutenant. His deep respect for Zaraki Kenpachi drives his desire to stay as his subordinate, a sentiment reiterated throughout the storyline.

Additionally, it’s important to note that a Shinigami who achieves Bankai is typically expected to hold a lieutenant position within their division. This societal expectation is another reason why Ikkaku prefers to keep his abilities under wraps.

This aspect of his character is significant and contributes to his role as a prominent figure in the 11th Division, renowned for its warriors who thrive in battle.

Ikkaku’s Bankai Explained

Madarame Ikkaku using his Bankai (Image via Studio Pierrot).

Ikkaku’s Bankai is called Ryūmon Hōzukimaru, transforming his Zanpakuto into dual pommels connected by a chain at the center, forming an axe-like blade, complemented by a parallel handle and a dragon crest on one side. This makes it one of the few dual Zanpakuto in Bleach, a rare trait shared with only Kyoraku Shunsui and Jushiro Ukitake.

This Bankai lacks significant special abilities and relies on movement and taking damage to charge its power. According to Ikkaku, during his confrontation with Edrad in the Arrancar arc, his Zanpakuto is described as lazy, needing to be awakened to utilize the full potential of Ryūmon Hōzukimaru.

Ikkaku has only activated his Bankai once in the series during the aforementioned battle against Edrad, where it ultimately broke. Given that it has not been shown to be repaired, it is plausible that his Bankai remains broken and he cannot maximize its abilities.

Final Thoughts

Many fans wonder, “Why does Ikkaku hide his Bankai?”largely because he seldom utilizes it. The core reason is his desire to maintain his position within the 11th Division and continue serving under Zaraki Kenpachi. Furthermore, the series indicates that a Bankai cannot be repaired without external assistance, suggesting that Ikkaku may never have had the chance to restore his.

Source