I gotta say when I first started watching bleach, I didn't know what I was signing up for. Seeing Ichigo the main character assume the role of a part type shinigami after he filling in for Rukia was quite intriguing. As a shinigami he was tasked with exterminating Hollows that pose a threat to the spiritual and human plane with his trusty zanpakuto ( a form of reaper's scythe) by the name of Zangetsu. The anime continued down the usual shounen anime route and I thought Kurosaki might just be the coolest character in the series until I wound up in the soul society arc where the team had to go rescue Rukia from the soul society's death penalty sentence passed on her.
The soul society arc introduced a new power up/ boost that was distinct from the shikai we were already accused to. It was the criteria for any shinigami to boost his rankings and even acquire the title of a team captain. This is none other than the Bankai. In a flash back scene, it was revealed that Ichigo had to train to acquire this skill to equip himself for the battle ahead which... He did. After successfully infiltrating the spirit realm Ichigo encounters countless opponents who were hellbent on stopping. They all possessed unique abilities, battle experiences and then there's Zakaraki Kenpachi, a fighting machine who gets his thrill from fighting * worthy adversaries*. There were a lot of interesting battles and swordplay that wowed me in this arc but my favourite of them all would have to be Byakuya's Bankai- SENBONZAKURA KAGEYOSHI. Byakuya Kuchiki who is the 6th captain of the Gotei 13 and Rukia's own brother technique is an artistry masterpiece that is not only alluring but deadly as well.
The moment he activated his senbonzakura kageyoshi, he lets go of his zanpakuto which falls and phases through the ground. This is followed by two rolls of swords emerging from opposite sides shattering into pink cherry blossoms powerful enough to strike down foes with the might of a thousand blades at his complete control.
Although Byakuya still lost to Ichigo in the end, anytime I get an opportunity to watch sure beauty unravel in any episode I fight to watch it to the very end. The pink petals not alone represents beauty but also symbolizes strength even in the most fragile things. The moment the bankai is activated, opponents find it difficult to react or even fight back as the attack comes from different angles and the petals appear too tiny to be fought yet strong enough to cause life threatening injuries. A true work of art.
Lately the Thousand Year Old blood War Arc also gave my boy the opportunity to shine amping his power set even higher than it already was. The elegance from how everything just stands still for this particular bankai to display why it should not be underestimated matched with the calmness from the originator compliments everything together.
Byakuya may not be the main character of the story, but his Bankai definitely stole my heart and will always remain one of the best characters to the bleach universe.
PS. Pictures are screenshots from IMDB