Summary
Shinigami (死神, death god(s); Viz "Soul Reaper(s)") are guardians of the souls who are going through the circle of transmigration. In ancient times, they were known as Balancers (調整者 (バランサー), Baransā; Japanese for "Regulators"). They purify Hollows who do evil in the World of the Living and ensure the safe crossing of souls - the Pluses who have lost their way after death - by giving them a soul burial. Shinigami are the opposite of the Quincy.
Low-Tier Shinigami:
This rating is given out to any Shinigami within the series.
Example: Yumichika Ayasegawa
- Holy Manipulation/Purification (Type 2)/BFR/Matter Manipulation (Zanpaktou’s cleanse the souls of evil spirits[1] which are Hollows[2], cleansing their very Reishi particles[3], after which they proceed to either send them to the Soul Society[2] or Hell if they have committed heinous crimes whilst alive[4])
- Limited Spatial Manipulation (Only when opening a Senkaimon, Shinigami can request “Spatial Freezes” around specific areas)
- Likely Enhanced Invisibility (Ichigo Implies[5] that Shinigami and hollows are similarly hard to perceive)
- Multiple Selves (Types 1 and 2 - All Shinigami possess a Zanpakuto spirit, the origin[6] point of one's Zanpakuto is one's own soul and even before gaining an Asauchi they have sentience, will and power, clearly sharing the same body as the Shinigami)
High-Tier Shinigami:
This rating is given out to all Captain Level/Lieutenant Level Shinigami with the exception of Kenpachi Zaraki with specific abilities (Summoning/Awakened Power and Size Manipulation), he only gains the full list of abilities in the Thousand Year Blood War Arc after his training with Retsu Unohana.
Examples: Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai
All previous abilities including:
- Size Manipulation (Soul Reapers can manipulate the size of their Zanpakuto depending on the level of control over their Reiryoku[7])
- Limited Healing (Shinigami with high Reiryoku regenerate cuts and bruises[9] instantly when releasing Gentei Kaijo[10])
- Reactive Power Level (Soul Reapers passively shape their Zanpakuto the more time they spend with it[11], implanting it with their soul's “Essence”[12], changing its shape[7] and awaking its innate ability[11])
References
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 6
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bleach: Chapter 1
- ↑ Can't Fear Your Own World: Chapter 3
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 12
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 27
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter -16
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bleach: Chapter 187
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 127
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 209
- ↑ Bleach: Capter 210
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bleach: Chapter 529
- ↑ Bleach: Chapter 523
Discussions
Discussion threads involving Shinigami Physiology (Bleach) |