Bankai Bankai (卍解, Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō. Prior to Ichibē Hyōsube giving this form its name, it was known as a Shin'uchi (真打, True Strike), and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an "Evolved Zanpakutō" (進化した斬魄刀, Shinkashita Zanpakutō).[65] 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: 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.[66] Despite the Zanpakutō spirit being subjugated for their Shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakutō also becomes stronger and learns Bankai at precisely the moment their Shinigami learns it.[67] Even though Bankai is the final stage of a Zanpakutō, it does not mean the Shinigami's growth ends there. A Bankai, especially one recently obtained, can evolve even further as its Shinigami gets stronger.[68] Furthermore, obtaining Bankai allows a Shinigami to release their Shikai without calling its name, although some Shinigami still choose to release their Shikai by calling its name. The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakutō and vary according to the wielder's strength and training, but the power of a Zanpakutō's Bankai is generally 5 to 10 times greater than that of its Shikai.[56] Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutō. Even the four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, only have one member capable of Bankai 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 who have attained 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 attained their Bankai within three days instead of the normal ten or more years. After successfully testing the device and achieving Bankai, Urahara stated training by using this method for more than three consecutive days could prove to be fatal, which is why Ichigo was forced to achieve his own Bankai within three days. Drawbacks & Issues Training Requirement: The biggest flaw of Bankai lies in the overwhelming power it releases. Its power and form are often far beyond those of a normal weapon, which is why one needs to train at least 10 years with Bankai in order for one to become capable of using it completely and effectively. No Bankai should be used in battle before this period of time has been reached. Breaking & Fixing: While a broken Shikai will eventually regenerate, a broken Bankai can never be returned to its former state. The only known exceptions to this are the Bankai of Sajin Komamura, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi: Komamura and Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō share a bond so strong that when one is injured, the other reflects the damage, but the Bankai is healed when the captain is healed. Daiguren Hyōrinmaru can regenerate itself as long as there is still water in the air. Due to his modification expertise, Mayuri can remodel Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō whenever it is broken, though he insists it has never been properly fixed. The only known way to truly fix a Bankai is to have it reforged by the creator of the Zanpakutō, Ōetsu Nimaiya. Orihime Inoue's Sōten Kisshun also possesses the capacity to reject the damage inflicted upon a broken Bankai, thus repairing it. Witholding Power: A Bankai's form and strength is determinant on how much the spirit recognizes its wielder. If the Zanpakutō does not fully recognize its wielder, then it may not give its Bankai's true name. The result is the Bankai not being in its true form and therefore weaker. Possible Sign of Death: A Bankai normally only disappears with its user's permission. However, if a Bankai disappears without the permission of its user, it could mean that the user will soon die if not treated immediately.