Why is Ichigo's Zanpaku-to always stuck at shikai?

[gigguk]

I don't think this was ever fully explained, but why is Ichigo's Zanpaku-to always stuck in its shikai form? When he was fighting Ikkaku, he noticed that the Zanpaku-to returns to its normal form when the user loses conciousness...but so far Ichigo has lost conciesness lots of times but zangestu is still at shikai.
If there are any manga spoilers please put them in tags...cause I don't want to spoil myself.

[terrylee79]

It was fully explained.
http://forums.bleachportal.net/showthread.php?t=10704&highlight=ichigo%27s+shikai

Because zangetsu is in shikai mode all the time. simple.

[Caesar]

you are right and and wrong...
right:this discusion is made a thousands of times..
wrong: there havent made a real explaination for this...
(moderators are gonna kill me T_T)

ps: what do you hate the search button? :confused: lol

[Machiavelli]

I think, for the benefit of this man, someone should explain... being redundant is not quite bad, for some circumstance per se.

[Hits]

It's been explained countless times. Ichigo doesn't know how to control his reaitsu therefore his zanpakuto is always in shikai.

[DiabloTerrorGF]

I think Ichigo sees it as pointless because he doesn't stay in shinigami form.

[ramenkage]

control is not an issue. he demostrated through his bankai that ichigo can focus and channel the energy from his zanpakuto.

the link posted above doesnt prove anything.

when he loses consciousness, it can be assumed that no spirital energy is flowing through his zanpakuto and so it should be as it is for everyone else, reduced to its first form

[Undying]

So far, the best explanation that has been demonstrated is that Zangetsu is always in its Shikai form, and is a sword that is constantly released by nature.

Anything other is purest speculation, so I stick to this one untill anything denies it.

[Hotaru]

I think Ishida said smethng like Ichigo's reaitsu leaked out massively and constantly the whole time as he has too much of it... and I think that by having Shikai, you are draining reaitsu, even faster when using Bankai... thats why you dont see Captains totting around in Shikai or Bankai forms... So, Ichigo used it as a way to spend his reiatsu... a bit like Kenpachi's eyepatch...
This is what I think...

[Katen Kyoukotsu]

I thought they expalined it that he had so much spiritual reiatsu that it couldt be contained in the original form of his sword. So when he learned shikai more was contained and it was unable to change back because the earlier form couldnt take it.

[Telvanni]

that and it would look kinda weird having him walking around with a hilt ...>.< cause urahara and what's his face (forgot name) when and sliced it to peices

[Hotaru]

I thought they expalined it that he had so much spiritual reiatsu that it couldt be contained in the original form of his sword. So when he learned shikai more was contained and it was unable to change back because the earlier form couldnt take it.
I thought thats what i said...
that and it would look kinda weird having him walking around with a hilt ...>.< cause urahara and what's his face (forgot name) when and sliced it to peices
I think once you "know" your Zanpalutou, they can be healed.. like Renji's Zabimaru...

[SumDumGai]

I think Ishida said smethng like Ichigo's reaitsu leaked out massively and constantly the whole time as he has too much of it... and I think that by having Shikai, you are draining reaitsu, even faster when using Bankai... thats why you dont see Captains totting around in Shikai or Bankai forms... So, Ichigo used it as a way to spend his reiatsu... a bit like Kenpachi's eyepatch...
This is what I think...

At the beginning of the Bankai training while Ichigo is talking to Yoruichi it's proven that Ichigo can't reduce his Zanpaktou to below it's Shikai form, he's not doing it on purpose, but there shouldn't really be a reason for him to care other than that it could be a hassle to carry around. (which i think is the only really reason other Shinigami keep their Zanpaktous in regular sword form, it's small and easy to carry around.

[Hotaru]

At the beginning of the Bankai training while Ichigo is talking to Yoruichi it's proven that Ichigo can't reduce his Zanpaktou to below it's Shikai form, he's not doing it on purpose, but there shouldn't really be a reason for him to care other than that it could be a hassle to carry around. (which i think is the only really reason other Shinigami keep their Zanpaktous in regular sword form, it's small and easy to carry around.
So you are saying that Byakuya's katana is easier to carry around than those tiny blades which jst floats around him mid-air?

[Misheru]

SumDumGai is right. Though Ichigo can control his Reiatsu, he cannot lower it enough to go beneath Shikai level.

So you are saying that Byakuya's katana is easier to carry around than those tiny blades which jst floats around him mid-air?

I think it's rather rude to talk to others or have meetings while hundreds of blades are floating right beside you, ready to cut. :whatevah:

[Undying]

I also think that those baldes might cut someone, unpurposefully... so yeah, it's easier to carry around as a swrod. Besides, Soul-Society rules forbid the releasing of Soul-Cutter Swords unless time of emergency arises (like when Aizen was "murdered" and Ichigo and co. entered the Seireitei).

[Hotaru]

Ok... that was a BAD example... how abt... damn it, why cant i think of one...
Ikkaku's Naginata.. yes it is more cumbersome...
Iba's??? I suppose his Tonto is more compact that weird shape thing...
Arakawa? (11th 5th Seat).... I suppose it is hard to carry the curved blade in a scabbard...
But yeah, Ichigo cant lower his reaitsu, so he has to use Shikai to burn it off..

[Undying]

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:
1. Zangetsu, by its nature, is a fulltime release (like Yoroichi said... though I am skeptical).
2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).

Choose the one you like best.

[Hotaru]

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:
1. Zangetsu, by its nature, is a fulltime release (like Yoroichi said... though I am skeptical).
2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).

Choose the one you like best.
Yes.. I ll pick the 2nd thanks!

Yeah, but surely Zangetsu isnt always stuck in its Shikai as I did wield the original form before Urahara breaks it to the hilt. I think Zanpakutou can be fixed... This is also another argument, do you need to "know" your Zanpakutou to get it fixed? Like Renji, his Zabimaru avatar did materialized when his blade was fixed... But if thats the case, then Kenpachi has learnt the name of his Zanpakutou????
AM all confused...

[jsu]

Yes.. I ll pick the 2nd thanks!

Yeah, but surely Zangetsu isnt always stuck in its Shikai as I did wield the original form before Urahara breaks it to the hilt. I think Zanpakutou can be fixed... This is also another argument, do you need to "know" your Zanpakutou to get it fixed? Like Renji, his Zabimaru avatar did materialized when his blade was fixed... But if thats the case, then Kenpachi has learnt the name of his Zanpakutou????
AM all confused...

I feel the same way. how is ken able to have his zanpakutou fixed if he doesnt know its name. btw it would be pretty nuts if ken went to bankai. Maybe he will when they go to the hallow world. After he lost to ichigo he was speaking about his zanpakutou and basically implying that he is going to get to know it.

[AznPoi]

Because KT wanted Ichigo's zanpakuto to be released the whole time. DUH

[Undying]

Well... tehre's no need to know the name of a soul-cutter for it to heal... because a soul-cutter is a seperate entity, when it comes to healing he is like someone that you've never met before. Regradless of whether you know the guy's name or not, he'll heal, right? You don't have to know the name of every patient in the infirmary for them to heal, as well.

So, that doesn't imply that Ken knows the name of his sword...

[Cassie]

It would seem pretty natural to have a zanpakto that was constantly in a shikai form since when Yoruichi talked about it, she didn't seem to be amazed or anything. Also, Kenpachi's zanpakto is constantly in shikai like Ichigo, so there's another example to show that it's not all that rare.

[Tenebrus]

It would seem pretty natural to have a zanpakto that was constantly in a shikai form since when Yoruichi talked about it, she didn't seem to be amazed or anything. Also, Kenpachi's zanpakto is constantly in shikai like Ichigo, so there's another example to show that it's not all that rare.


that's not true...Zaraki's zanpakuto doesn't have a shikai cause it has no name, or most likely like Ichigo told Zaraki, he never stoped to listen to his zanpakuto's name because he relied on only himself...
The answer is that Zangetsu is in constant shikai because that is his form and nature. If Ichigo had to burn his reiatsu Urahara would give him something like Zaraki's eyepatch to eat his reiatsu (which by the time he called out zangetsu wasn't that big)

[laughingman]

It's been explained countless times. Ichigo doesn't know how to control his reaitsu therefore his zanpakuto is always in shikai.
I second that statement.

[Hotaru]

I think my theory is pron one of the best explainations...

[Zanga]

Episode 17, Ichigo went beserk on Renji. Why? Too much power. It must stay in shikai not to burn his reiatsu, but to control it. Up until the first Menos Grande incident, Ichigo had relied on Rukia's powers and not his, but his was the power used to create his zanpakto and obviously because he wasn't using it, Ichigo's powers just stayed there and leaked. We know this because Ishida said that he could sense Ichigo's power from a mile away because it just oozed out. So when Ichigo's power was pryed out while deflecting the Cero, so much power came out that his entire body probably would've exploded, hence why even Renji had a hard time even MOVING in Ichigo reiatsu hence why Byakuya had to save him.

[DrSnake]

i dont know but i think it would be cooler if it wasnt always in shikai

[Riyu]

yeah i agree. 'cause shikai is seen as something "special". i think that the fact of being allways in shikai, makes his bankai look weaker and easy to achieve, since he only as to go up "1 lvl". imagine goku allways in super sayian form T_T

[Undying]

That isn't exactly the case here... besides during the Cell Games, Goku was supersayin for all the time.

But unlike the super Sayian, Bankai isn't easier to achieve, because you must first master Shikai, which Ichigo did only during his Bankai training...

[krumpage]

i was wondering what happened to ichigos sheath? when other shinigamis have turn shikai they still have there sheaths so what happend to ichigos. Since he doesnt even have a sheath it might not even be possible for it to return to its normal form because in normal form it should have a sheath i dont know sounds lame but what ever im trying here

[Mercurius]

I think that the dissapearanc of his sheath just has to do with the fact that Zangetsu just doesn't nicely fit in a sheath.
Or maybe he just lost/forgot it somewhere, however I don't really bother about that because I think that the ribbon where he puts it in now is cooler then just a simple sheath.
I always thought that it doesn't go back to normal form just for the simple reason that Ichigo doesn't know how.

[neo-gold]

Doesnt Yorichi(sp?) explain this when she give Ichi his Bankai training? Certain swords, by their nature stay in shikai form. Or were you looking for something more indepth?
And I know the lack of a sheathe was talked about in the series. Its also probably related to the fact that its always in Shikai form - I cant imagine a sheath for Zabimaru in Shikai...

[Mercurius]

I can't recall that Yoruichi said/explained that, are you sure she did??
What ep. did she say that then??

[SumDumGai]

I can't recall that Yoruichi said/explained that, are you sure she did??
What ep. did she say that then??

Around episode 42, after she takes Ichigo back to the underground training area, right before he begins Bankai training.

[Insight]

Around episode 42, after she takes Ichigo back to the underground training area, right before he begins Bankai training.

thats right she says ichigo has a full time release zanpakouto and it's probably because he has so much spirit power it dosn't tire him out to keep it in shikai but thats only a guess.

[demonnaruto143]

it doesnt need to be explained.
its just the way it is.
the creator explained it that way, and what u say cant change what happens in the story.

[Mercurius]

I am not saying it is different, I am just asking where she said that so I can rewatch that part ^_^

[InsaneShiyn]

I agree with all these theories....but as for my own. I think Ichigo is just that unique Shinigami. Every 1,000 years theres suppose to be some SuperShinigami with light colored hair crazy eyes, and mad aura.


He's just special. It'd be wierd if his normal zanpakatou was his Bankai...silver instead of black or whatevever...but its probably his normal zanpakatou he got from Rukia....


I think his Shikai is his Normal Zanpakatou, he got this one from himself n urahara, not Rukia.

Getsuga Tenshou is his Shikia? RIght.


School computor....mind the wierdness. back to classe.

[SmallKid57]

i always thought his zanpakuto was stuck on shikai b/c he likes it on shikai? lol idk but i think he likes having a huge kick @$$ sword all the time. i no i would!

[Hotaru]

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:
1. Zangetsu, by its nature, is a fulltime release (like Yoroichi said... though I am skeptical).
2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).

Choose the one you like best.
Well... this was the conclusion me and Undying came up with 23 days ago...

[Mercurius]

Yes, that sounds quite logical just like Kenpachi uses his eyepatch

[Caesar]

sorry but being by its nature at shikai isnt enough... its not still explained.. its inst enough just by given us a term we have to pretend its expalined.. and wny is it by nature in full release shikai mode?? and hotaru's theory is based in undyings.. cause ichigo says he doesnt know how to turn shikai off in the first place..but its said that a zampakuto is able to return in its original form when the weilder faints.. but zangetsu didnt when ichigo fainted...

[Neve]

I would say that it was so powerful that it couldn't be sealed back into its original form - containing the power it had would be near impossible.

666 posts XD

[Smiler]

but its said that a zampakuto is able to return in its original form when the weilder faints.. but zangetsu didnt when ichigo fainted...
Are you referring to the bit where Renji was defeated by Byakuya? I think that concerned Bankai, where the form is lost when the user is close to death.

Yoruichi did say that his Zanpuktou is a full-time released type - which I took to be a formal type, i.e. by it's nature. Asking why is like asking why Hitsugaya's Zanpuktou is a snow-type and why Yamamoto's is a fire-type. To me I just accepted it, and it may have something to do with Ichigo's abnormally high reitsu - like Kenpachi's (though others disagree with my belief that his is also a full-time released type).

[TheBigBoss]

It must be because his spirit power is too huge so that he can't seal his Zanpakuto on a normal form, so he keeps it in Shikai...

[MasterX25]

Short and easy,Ichigo is too stupid to turn his zanpakuto back to seal form.

[Caesar]

Short and easy,Ichigo is too stupid to turn his zanpakuto back to seal form.
that sounds good! xD

[Hotaru]

Short and easy,Ichigo is too stupid to turn his zanpakuto back to seal form.
The most abstract one we had so far...

[Kenken]

Maybe is easier for ichigo to leave it in shikai form since he get's in all kinds of trouble so he can instantly use his zankaputou ability right away if he needs it

[Neve]

Are you referring to the bit where Renji was defeated by Byakuya? I think that concerned Bankai, where the form is lost when the user is close to death.
Nope, I believe he was referring to when Ichigo knocked out Ikkaku.
Short and easy,Ichigo is too stupid to turn his zanpakuto back to seal form.
haha...yep - that's gotta be it XD

[Ghost]

Yes.. I ll pick the 2nd thanks!

Yeah, but surely Zangetsu isnt always stuck in its Shikai as I did wield the original form before Urahara breaks it to the hilt. I think Zanpakutou can be fixed... This is also another argument, do you need to "know" your Zanpakutou to get it fixed? Like Renji, his Zabimaru avatar did materialized when his blade was fixed... But if thats the case, then Kenpachi has learnt the name of his Zanpakutou????
AM all confused...
Waaait.. Waaait..

When training under Urahara shop and Zangetsu talks to Ichigo he says: 'Throw away your fear' *ichigo throws hilt of old sword away*.. so I am not buying the fact that that sword is Zangetsu's normal form (and another thing: 'Benihime isn't generous enough to be stopped by a blade like yours *cuts blade up* didn't no one tell you? your blade is simply big, it contains no spiritual pressure whatsoever'

Ok end of my story ^^

[Undying]

Actually, Ichigo never tossed away the hilt of Zangetsu. It remained in his hand. And it is the normal form of Zangetsu, since no other was shown. Next, Urahara was trying to force Ichigo's Shikai out, so he cut his sword apart. He was refering to Zangetsu's normal state, which truly did not contain any spiritual power, because Ichigo had no idea how to stuff power in there.

In short, I think you misinterperted what Urahara was saying (or else, what Byakuya says: "I will kill you with my own hands has to be understood directly. Byakuya will rip Ichigo's heart out.).

[Ghost]

Actually, Ichigo never tossed away the hilt of Zangetsu. It remained in his hand. And it is yjr normal form of Zangetsu, since no other was shown. Next, Urahara was trying to force Ichigo's Shikai out, so he cut his sword apart. He was refering to Zangetsu's normal state, which truly did not contain any spiritual power, because Ichigo had no idea how to stuff power in there.
In short, I think you misinterperted what Urahara was saying (or else, what Byakuya says: "I will kill you with my own hands has to be understood directly. Byakuya will rip Ichigo's heart out.).
Now you made me doubt.. I will rewatch those epis tomorrow after I *hopefully* download & view episode 78. :)

Though, does it really say that much when no other sword was shown that could be Zangetsu's normal form? Darn.. I could swear Ichigo threw the hilt away -_-.. oh well, off to sleep now ^_^

Edit: Oki Undying, you were right, still leaves me with the question why Zangetsu is still a freaking large sword even out of shikai..

[Undying]

Oki Undying, you were right, still leaves me with the question why Zangetsu is still a freaking large sword even out of shikai..
Of course I was right, I'm me... Anyway, it's a freakin' huge sword because Ichigo is the main character, so he needs to be unique at something.

[Ghost]

Of course I was right, I'm me... Anyway, it's a freakin' huge sword because Ichigo is the main character, so he needs to be unique at something.
*sigh* I guess Ichigo will always need to show something off.. else he wouldn't be Ichigo :p:

[Hotaru]

*sigh* I guess Ichigo will always need to show something off.. else he wouldn't be Ichigo :p:
i think Rukia or smeone mentioned it really early in the series that the size of the zanpaktuo reflects the reiatsu that person owes... but then thinking abt that, we would see Captains walking around with the rest of their Division carrying their zanpakutous for them!! XDD!!!!

[yumisan]

Short and easy,Ichigo is too stupid to turn his zanpakuto back to seal form.

simple and accurate.that is the best statement to say about him.:D

[Winter-war]

the reason it's always stuck in shikai is because zangetsu is to powerful too seal.

[Dark Fire]

well I think that on top of Zangetsu's seal form was completely destroid by Uraharra

[Hotaru]

the reason it's always stuck in shikai is because zangetsu is to powerful too seal.
I back that up with my whole (what's left of it) CB reputation...

PS... I dont recognise the scene on your avvy... when was this?

[K.Ogawa]

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:

2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).
Choose the one you like best.

someone mentioned it before, like how zaraki's zanpaktou is always in shikai form also and can't put it in compact form because of his reiatsu. it seems logical, but like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop... the world may never know :eek13:

[Hotaru]

someone mentioned it before, like how zaraki's zanpaktou is always in shikai form also and can't put it in compact form because of his reiatsu. it seems logical, but like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop... the world may never know :eek13:
That is a good theory, the only thng is... kenpachi's is not stuck at shikai's...

[OrangePanda]

My theory is that he never learned to seal it..
He learned how to use bankai from yoroichi(sp) but nobody told him how to seal it.

[sniperz]

sort of like air gear's anime > Ikki our hero and buccha (fat guY) having the same path of wings... haha air gear is nice ;p juz compare the same meaning to bleach tats all XD ! zaraki+ ichigo same

[Yuki]

Well, trying to give an explanation to it, we can understand its eternal release as the imposibility to seal Zangetsu's power. I don't know which is actually its reason, but I think this one it's ok.

bye bye

[mrmyz]

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:
1. Zangetsu, by its nature, is a fulltime release (like Yoroichi said... though I am skeptical).
2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).
Choose the one you like best.

I was about to say that, yoruchi expalined it in the series and said that his was a type that always remained in shikai thats why it always looks like that, thats the true form of the sword. before his sword was like the normal ones just with out the crazy butchers knife look to it because he didnt know how to weild the sword so he just kind of had this huge sword

[MVIK]

I remember watching or reading that Ichigo didnt learn how to seal his sword to his normal, huge blade and not because of his reiatsu or such

[Undying]

Well, Yoroichi said that his sword was a fulltime release type. Period. We'll go by that until something new comes up.

[MaxP2P]

My theory is that based on what we know from Kenpatchi and Urahara.

Kenpatchi is not able to release his shikai or bankai because his raitsu is too great. And he can therefor not seal it inside any form of the Zanpaku-to.

As explained by Urahara, a Zanpaku-to is nothing without raitsu.

Having said that. We all know that Ichigo has almost unlimited raitsu (or very high atleast). But the BIG difference between Kenpatchi and Ichigo, is that Ichigo once lost the power of a Shinigami.
When he got help from Urahara, he was able to seal his zanpaku-to in ShiKai before his raitsu went off full blast again. Since then, he has not been able to lower his raitsu ever again. And therefor, not able to "turn it down" to a normal zanpaku-to form.

This again is as we all know the cause of Ichigo not being able to control his raitsu. (Besides raising it for BanKai and "last stand attacks")

[Winter-war]

you make an interesting point and i totally agree with you're saying

[Elelith]

That would actually be really funny is some situations.

"Uh, hi Kuchiki sama" - *whistlings of many blades make it impossible to continue the convo as you promply collapse of terror*

[Undying]

Problem is, Kenpachi can release Shikai and Bankai. The thing is, he doesn't know the name of the sword. Actually, the greater your Reiatsu is, the greater the chance that your Shikai/Bankai would be something devastating.

Also, what Urahara speaks of is a Zanpakutou that has no Reiatsu pumped into it. It's just a brute extenstion of spiritons with nothing inside. Kenpachi can pump Reitsu into his sword. In fact, if you've read the manga, it is stated that a Captain leveled Shinigami is required to control the sixe of his sword. And finally, Ichigo's Reiatsu did go full blast as soon as he regained his Shinigami powers. He was every bit as powerful as before, and then got an addition from his Shikai.

And besides, according to your logic, that must mean that any Captain must be hanging around with Shikais released. You see, they are every bit as powerful as Ichigo (were), and just like him they had to develop their powers. Then, they released Shikai and they evidently already possessed a huge amount of power, being special (they could acsend to Captanicy). Going straight by your theory, every Captain mus be with a fulltime release... or be unable to release his sword, which we know to be untrue.

And again, Kenpachi CAN use Shikai. He just needs to hear the name of his sword and converse with it. Once he does, he will be ab;e to fully unlock it's abilities and will actually increase his power.

[AltoK]

Why did Ichigo manage to release Zangetsu ?
-> Because Zangetsu taught him how to.

Why did Ichigo manage to release his Ban Kai ?
-> Because Zangetsu taught him how to.

Why can't Ichigo seal his sword ?
-> Because Zangetsu didn't teach him how to.

Now, maybe Zangetsu can't be sealed, but I doubt it, personnally.

[shadow_of_89]

Zangetsu is special and requires something special and that is the permanent shikai form

[neroahs]

I think Zangetsu can't be sealed because Ichigo has too much spirit power to conceal his sword, just like Zaraki. However, Ichigo does not know how to control his spirit power, unlike Zaraki.

[shadow_of_89]

Zangetsu is just too powerfull to be sealed

[Mercurius]

I think Zangetsu can't be sealed because Ichigo has too much spirit power to conceal his sword, just like Zaraki. However, Ichigo does not know how to control his spirit power, unlike Zaraki.

Zaraki doesn't know how to control his Spirit Power to you know...the only thing that ''limits'' his Reiatsu is that eyepatch of his....wich was created by the technological development department. (12th Division)

[shadow_of_89]

he doesn't have even a shikai.....and shikai is a way to harness power

[neroahs]

Yeah, thats right Mercurius, that is his eye patch. I forgot about that part. But Zaraki can control it to some extent. With the eyepatch on, he can control whatever power he has in him.

[shadow_of_89]

he doesn't control it he limits it

[Chocolat]

Zaraki doesn't even know the name to his sword, therefore he can't have a shikai.

[shadow_of_89]

Zaraki might have found out after the fight with ichigo...but that is not certain.....depends now on the way the char will evolve

[LynnC]

Right.

Zaraki's sword is constantly in shikai form because he has never learned the name of his sword, and thus cannot seal it. He does have a shikai. That is what you see when he fights Ichigo. I'm pretty sure Zaraki himself states this when he is telling Ichigo about his eyepatch etc. This is true up until Ichigo defeats Zaraki, after which I am not sure because I haven't really got much farther than that. (I'm pretty new to this.. but catching up fast!)

Now, Ichigo's sword is similarly always in shikai form, simply because, as stated above (can't remember who said it, sorry), Zangetsu has not taught him how to seal it. Because Ichigo is not an actual shinigami, but only has a very large reiatsu, he has not attended shinigami school, where they teach such things as how to seal a zanpakutou, I assume. They definitely teach it at some point, because otherwise everyone would constantly go around with their swords in shikai (at least, those capable of achieving shikai.. so anyone like 5th seat and above, maybe more). So the simple answer is, Ichigo doesn't know how. I also have a feeling that Zangetsu may refuse to teach him, should he ever ask, because Ichigo is only a normal human and, like I said, isn't a real shinigami. Thus his zanpakutou will not respect him as much. (This is all purely theoretical now, of course.. but it makes perfect sense to me, and I think lots of other people have made similar comments.)

That's my theory. I don't actually care much; I love Zangetsu the way he is! As for the sheath debate... yeah, the ribbon sheath is way cooler than any conventional sheath that Zangetsu could have been given ;)

:headbang:

[shadow_of_89]

Zarakis Zanpakutuoh when he fight eith ichigo doesn;t have a shikai......BC shikai is the first release of u're Zanpakutuoh....and zaraki doesn't even know it's name so he couldn't have a shikai

[LynnC]

Zarakis Zanpakutuoh when he fight eith ichigo doesn;t have a shikai......BC shikai is the first release of u're Zanpakutuoh....and zaraki doesn't even know it's name so he couldn't have a shikai

sorry, but you're wrong... Zaraki states that his zanpakutou is permanently in shikai.

[Undying]

But that's what Zaraki states, while every other Shinigami only has Shikai after learning the name of his sword. That's gotaa say something, no?

Oh and btw, Zaraki doesn't say his sword is in Shikai mode. Zaraki claims his sword cannot be realased. That doesn't mean Shikai, that means that his simply doesn't have any other forms.

[shadow_of_89]

indeed.....i wasn't sure so 10x for the explanation:D

[Winter-war]

zaraki never said that his sword was in shikai mode, you thought that because, he said his sword was in full time release and that he was so powerful that he couldnt seal it.

[Undying]

zaraki never said that his sword was in shikai mode, you thought that because, he said his sword was in full time release and that he was so powerful that he couldnt seal it.
Yeah, "it's never sealed" means that he cannot release it.

[shadow_of_89]

So Zaraki does NOT have a shikai....concerning ichigo can't go out off the shikai mode because he doens't no how.....

[Winter-war]

right he doesnt know how to seal zangetsu

[shadow_of_89]

But i think we ask to much from him....he had to learn so many things in a short period of time....

[Winter-war]

yeah, thats right this kid has amost out ranked every shinigami in just a matter of two weeks

[Undying]

Again, I say, if we take Zaraki's statement literally we'll see that he has no Shikai... as he sword is already on bankai mode (it already is fully released).

[Hotaru]

Undying-san... I think this thread has been concluded since we made our conclusion a few pages ago.. dont you think so???

I don't know if he uses Shikai to burn it off... it seems a but off the hook to me. Anyway, the best explanation is either:
1. Zangetsu, by its nature, is a fulltime release (like Yoroichi said... though I am skeptical).
2. Ichigo needs to use Zangetsu's Shikai to burn off his tremendous Reiatsu (Hoatru's explanation).
Choose the one you like best.

Also, if you are talking abt Zaraki's Shikai:
But that's what Zaraki states, while every other Shinigami only has Shikai after learning the name of his sword. That's gotaa say something, no?
Oh and btw, Zaraki doesn't say his sword is in Shikai mode. Zaraki claims his sword cannot be realased. That doesn't mean Shikai, that means that his simply doesn't have any other forms.

As for the fully released:
But that's what Zaraki states, while every other Shinigami only has Shikai after learning the name of his sword. That's gotaa say something, no?
Oh and btw, Zaraki doesn't say his sword is in Shikai mode. Zaraki claims his sword cannot be realased. That doesn't mean Shikai, that means that his simply doesn't have any other forms.

A nice summary of this topic, dont you think so?

[Undying]

Exactly... I'm starting to think this topic totered around too much... let's kill it.

[evilMJ]

its becoz zangetsu power is too powerfull to be compressed.