Shikai
The Shikai (始解, Initial Release) is the second form (or first "upgraded" form) available to a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakutō. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, as the living spirit of the Zanpakutō already has its own name. Therefore, the Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakutō effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world.
A Zanpakutō can change size and shape depending on the spiritual strength of the owner.
Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakutō, and it appears to be a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, as presumably most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is also required in order to achieve the rank of lieutenant; as it is a requirement most captains look for. After first learning the Zanpakutō's name, the Shikai can be performed at will simply by speaking a command followed by the Zanpakutō's name. The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakutō's signature ability, or hint at the nature of its spirit. This step may be bypassed by expert Shinigami who have learned how to use their Bankai.
Constant-Release: In rare cases, a Zanpakutō, once released, will remain in that state indefinitely. This is due to the vast amount of spiritual energy the possessor has that cannot be finely controlled upon initial generation of their Zanpakutō, as such the Zanpakutō is described as a constant released form. The only known Shinigami with Full-Time Release Zanpakutō are Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki. By the nature of this type of Zanpakutō, a Shinigami with a constant release form does not need a release command nor is it necessary to even know their Zanpakutō's name. However, not knowing the name of one's Zanpakutō can put a Shinigami at a disadvantage in terms of power against those who do know their Zanpakutō's name.
Shikai Forms: Once the Shikai is activated, the Zanpakutō will change form to access whatever special abilities it is capable of. They almost always take on the form of a weapon of some kind, though the type of weapon can vary greatly among different Zanpakutō. One exception is Retsu Unohana's Shikai, which seems to take on the characteristics of an animal, rather than a weapon.
Special Abilities: Once the Shikai is activated, the Zanpakutō will change form to access whatever special abilities it is capable of. The special abilities of the Zanpakutō, like the Zanpakutō itself, have specific names that usually must be announced to fully activate the effect. As Ichigo's Zanpakutō, Zangetsu, explains, knowing the name of an attack and not knowing it makes a very drastic difference in the amount of power that attack utilizes. Some special abilities are automatically activated upon release.
For an example of a shikai, Shinigami A's zanpaktou
Shikai
Release Phrase: Rise
Name: Tsukuyomi
Translation: God of the Moon(in Japanese mythology)
Appearance: Tsukuyomi, when called upon, quickly wraps around A's hands and forearms, turning into long gloves that have metal plating on the back of the hand as well as the front, to allow blocking of blades as well as increased protection. Tsukuyomi's abilities, much like the moon it represents, lie in the manipulation of gravity, though only limited to A and things he is touching. This means that A is able to increase the gravity affecting his own body, able to make it almost non-existent, or double it, and so on. The same is said for objects he holds. Though, there is a drawback to this power. For the change in gravity, A must have the strength or control to be able to maneuver while it is active. For instance, doubling the gravity on his own body will make him harder to push around as well as increase his attack power, but he would need to develop the strength to move while in that increased gravity. The same for decreasing gravity. A must be able to control himself while there is lesser gravity, otherwise he could easily overshoot his target or be much easier pushed around. This applies as well for objects. The heavier they are the more force is can cause, but the more strength it takes; the lighter the object, the easier to move around, but also much easier to be moved by the opponent, as well as using too much force behind the object used.
While this may work for one person, other variations are allowed. If you have questions, please pm a mod and see if your idea can be done, or if not, if it can be toned down to be accepted.
Please note, though, that you do not gain Shikai by your own choice. Your Captain must approve of you getting shikai, and then it must be overlooked once again if any changes have been done to the shikai to approve it. As a rule of thumb for many captains, shikai cannot be achieved until at least two months of activity, though it is up for each individual captain to decide.
And once again, PLEASE spell out your powers as completely and in depth as possible to avoid any confusion a misread shikai may cause.
Bankai
The Bankai (卍解, Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō. To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakutō's inner world. Instead the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakutō's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it.
The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakutō. They also vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it. It is also the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutō. Even the Four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, have a member capable of Bankai only every few generations. Those who achieve Bankai always have remarkable roles in the history of Soul Society.
Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara are the only known individuals that have mastered Bankai through a far shorter, yet much more dangerous method. Using a special device created by Urahara, which forcibly materializes a Zanpakutō spirit (thus bypassing a large portion of the training), they were able to attain their Bankai within three days instead of the normal hundreds of years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated that training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was also forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days.
Besides Ichigo Kurosaki, the only non-captain Shinigami known to have achieved Bankai are Renji Abarai (Lieutenant), who finalized his training at about the same time as Ichigo (although he did not use Urahara's device, but rather perfected it while Ichigo was training), and Ikkaku Madarame (3rd Seat), who did so through his own years of training.
Bankai Forms: After a Shinigami is able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō's spirit, the Zanpakutō can assume its final and most powerful form. Unlike the Shikai, there is no command phrase to activate Bankai, though the user will usually say "Bankai" beforehand. A Zanpakutō's Bankai is often a manifestation of the spirit itself, usually creating a massive creature or a very powerful effect to aid the user in battle (Ichigo's Bankai is an exception, becoming more compact instead). The Bankai itself will receive a different name in addition to the ordinary Zanpakutō (for example Ichigo's Zangetsu becomes Tensa Zangetsu, Byakuya's Senbonzakura becomes Senbonzakura Kageyoshi). Certain Shinigami also change with their Zanpakutō, gaining clothing similar to what their Zanpakutō's spirit form looks like. Most Zanpakutō will also gain additional special abilities, or a more enhanced version of the usual one. Like with the Shikai, most of these abilities have an associated name. Maintaining the Bankai is taxing for the wielder, and it is difficult to maintain it for long periods of time for most Shinigami, with the exception of Ichigo, as it becomes more compact, thus allowing him to hold it for long periods of time.
Special Abilities: The power that comes with Bankai tends to be similar to the Shikai's ability/theme, but amplifies it to much greater levels of power and effect. Some simply increase the original ability, such as Byakuya Kuchiki's blade count multiplies greatly, Ichigo Kurosaki's Getsuga Tenshō becoming faster, far more powerful, and its color becomes black, or Sajin Komamura's, who instead of only generating pieces of the giant, summons the whole giant itself. While other Bankai follow the theme of the sword, such as Renji's remains whip-like while containing baboon and cobra features, or Mayuri summons a monster with the same face (j**ō) on his trident-esque sword, but kept the theme of poison that came from the monster's breath.
Weakness: A high enough level of spiritual energy can be used to disrupt the rhythm of a Bankai. The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond that of a normal weapon.
Bankai can be included in a person's profile upon entrance into the guild, but will not be formally accepted until that person is eligible for bankai. While bankai is much more powerful that a shikai, much more rigorous restraints are put on it to discourage overpoweredness. If you have come to this level, not only your captain, but also GVC's or the Guild Captain must accept your bankai recommendation. Any changes made to a bankai must be pm'd to a crew member before officially adding them in, to get said changes approved.
Example of a good Bankai
Shinigami B's Bankai
Bankai: 鮮麗欠片蜘蛛の巣 Senrei Kakera Kumo no Su (Sehn-dlei Kah-keh-dla Ku-moh Noh Soo) Resplendent Fragmented Spiders Web.
At the utterance of Bankai, B holds her blades upright as the metal liquefies, dripping down her hands before shooting away in threads in all directions. These threads cover the entire battle field in a spider like webbing, the metal strands impeding movement for the opponent. The strands are extremely strong and are difficult to cut with any sort of blade. They can be destroyed by various attacks and skills, but once shattered they return to a liquid state and rebuild in only a few seconds, that is if B is still strong enough to support them. In turn B is unaffected by the hindering metals as they move with her, braking apart and rebuilding at her passing. By removing a single thread, she’s able to create a slim Naginata, the entire short tsuka the same shimmering silver metal like the rest of the blade. While wielding this singular weapon, she’s trailed by a stream of liquefied metal following the blade and tsuka of her Naginata.
Attacks:
Literally the movements she can control by moving the threads of the web. They can ensnare, move freely, cut, etc. There is no other named attack or defensive skill associated with her Bankai.
While the bankai seems short and only has one "power" it can be utilized to great ability, while at the same time placing a limiter on the user. Bankai is the complete release of a spirit, which can turn into either the spirit's inner world, or completely allow part of the spirit in the world, give the user the spirit's full powers, etc.
HOWEVER, this power is only given to a select few due to it's power and ability needed to control it effectively. A complete Bankai User's List will be kept by the crew at all times, to ensure no one tries to use it out of turn. At the same time, a person who gains Bankai can also lose the freedom to use it, due to it's power. Misuse of a bankai, or anything the crew deems worthy of sealing that power, will be kept in a record. If used when this power is not allowed, it can result in serious consequences.
