No technique from Bleach is more iconic than that of Bankai. As the ultimate technique of a Soul Reaper, every time a Bankai makes its debut, it’s treated as a major event for both the characters and the audience, and the anime and manga both go all-out to sell that point as well as possible.
Bankai have always been one of the biggest parts of Bleach, and some, of course, are better than others. While every Bankai is powerful on its own, the sheer diversity in what they can all do gives some abilities that are often more useful than others, and because of that, there’s a natural hierarchy in which of the Bankai in Bleach are better than others. Naturally, any sort of ranking is highly subjective, but for anyone familiar with the ins and outs of Bleach, there’s bound to be some general idea of how things should go.
25 Ryumon Hozukimaru (Ikkaku)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 118
While Ikkaku’s Ryumon Hozukimaru is certainly powerful, not only does its long charge-up time make it a liability, but Ikkaku’s constant hesitance to use his Bankai out of loyalty to Kenpachi means that there’s rarely ever a chance to show it off. No Bankai has had a worse showing than Ikkaku’s, and there’s no better case for the worst Bankai in Bleach.
24 Kokujo Tengen Myo’o (Komamura)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 53
Komamura’s Kokujo Tengen Myo’o has some of the highest overall power of any Bankai, and that’s further bolstered when it's upgraded into its Dangai Joue form. However, Komamura’s unique weakness of taking damage whenever his Bankai is damaged ultimately makes it harder to use than most other Bankai, and because of that, it’s hard to rank it too highly.
23 Tekken Tachikaze (Kensei)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 285
The figurative and literal explosive power of Kensei’s Tekken Tachikaze certainly makes it a powerful Bankai, but unfortunately, Tekken Tachikaze’s lack of variety in functionality makes it too limited for dealing with opponents that can’t be beaten in a few attacks. That weakness was best seen in Kensei’s loss to Mask de Masculine, and it’s unknown if it will ever get a better showing.
22 Suzumushi Tsuishiki Enma Korogi (Tosen)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 53
Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi’s ability to shut off the opponent’s senses is a difficult ability to contend with, and it’s perfect for a blind fighter like Tosen. However, Tosen having to rely solely on basic swordsmanship while using his Bankai makes it difficult to use, especially if someone can overpower him, so despite Tosen’s high level of power, it’s difficult to rank his Bankai too highly.
21 Kinshara Butodan (Rose)
First Appearance: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Episode 18
On the surface, Rose’s Kinshara Butodan should be an incredible Bankai with its ability to bring illusions to life, but the fact that Rose’s Bankai only works if the opponent can hear his music is too easy to exploit and leaves Rose powerless when it happens. That happened far too easily in the fight with Mask de Masculine, and overall, it just leaves Rose’s Bankai as a worse version of Kyoka Suigetsu.
20 Souou Zabimaru (Renji)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 52
While Renji’s original Bankai was infamously not that useful, Renji’s true Bankai, Souou Zabimaru, is one of the most versatile Bankai in all of Bleach with power to match, as seen in Renji’s battle with Uryu in the anime. It was the perfect upgrade for Renji so late in the series, and it only ranks low because of just how powerful other Bankai are.
19 Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari (Shinji)
First Appearance: Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World
Shinji’s Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari expands on his Shikai’s powers by creating a powerful toxin that makes people see their allies as enemies and vice-versa, and that makes it one of the most unique and overall powerful Bankai to ever be introduced. The situational aspect of its power does bring it down a bit, but Shinji’s Bankai is nonetheless a force to be reckoned with.
18 Kamishini No Yari (Gin)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 297
As simple as Gin’s Kamishini no Yari might be, its power and speed still make it hard to deal with, and more than that, Kamishini no Yari’s ability to create a deadly poison that even Aizen almost fell to means it can’t be underestimated. Gin didn’t get much use out of his Bankai before he died, but fortunately, that doesn’t make it any less powerful.
17 Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo (Mayuri)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 44
While Mayuri’s Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo might not have the raw power of other Bankai, Mayuri’s ability to alter the power of his Bankai makes it one that can work in any situation, something that can’t be said about any other Bankai. That adaptability was best shown off in Mayuri’s fight with Pernida, and overall, there’s never been a Bankai quite like it.
16 Jakuho Raikoben (Sui-Feng)
First Appearance: Bleach Episode 276
As a powerful missile launcher, Sui-Feng’s Jakuho Raikoben is an extreme departure from the stealthier abilities of her Shikai, Suzumebachi, and it’s to the point that it might be entirely unfitting. That being said, the raw power of Sui-Feng’s Jakuho Raikoben makes it a powerful Bankai in nearly any situation, and that more than makes up for the discrepancy between it and Sui-Feng’s Shikai.
