hc + 🗡
Thematic Headcanons. A series of subject-specific headcanons you can ask your favorite blog and muse.
hc + 🗡 for a weapon-themed headcanon
The form of Ichigo's Zanpakuto has gone through so many changes over the years of Bleach, and I think it's really fitting. Originally, his borrowed powers manifested as a cumbersome, overly-large katana...thing. Pfft. I feel like this represented how his powers were unstable, unwieldy, and affected the world (and people) around him.
Later, after regaining his powers (and dying), his Zanpakuto was more like a Shinigami's, more stable, but still somewhat immature. Like him. I think his perpetual Shikai is a representation of his hypervigilance, to an extent. Plus, if you think about it, he's never had an Asauchi...I think it might be a bit 'weird' to try to fit yourself into a container that doesn't feel right, and you don't really know how to do so.
I'm not entirely sure how to describe and think about his Bankai. Perhaps his is a representation of how...straightforward Ichigo is, at least on the surface. He has a goal, and it's to protect. If you're just looking at the Bankai and him as a person, and not seeing him, he's very straightforward and simple. "It's just a katana." "He's just [_____]."
After he regains his powers, for my interpretation, Ichigo has two swords, and the bigger of the two is different, when compared to the canon duals.
The smaller of the pair isn't changed (partially because I'll cry if I have to draw more swords right now), and...honestly? This is basically just his 2nd Shikai form with a gap in the middle. (lol) I chose this because, during those 18 months without his powers (thank you Silk for helping me with figuring that out, I'm too biased for my own good), he pushes everyone away. And he's lonely, lying to himself that he's fine, that this is what he wants. He practically jumps at the opportunity to regain some type of power, but by then, he's hurt himself and everyone he was friends with. I've been thinking that his 2nd Shikai form is very...dangerous to himself. The lack of a guard is normal for him, but now the blade can hit him too, if he's not careful. I'll believe that it's intentional.
His 2nd Bankai form is very similar in this aspect, the sharp, pointed guard, and the points (however soft) along the back of the blade. I think Zangetsu is mirroring his subconscious self-sabotage and hurt.
Sadly, I haven't thought much about what changes (if any) happen to the Shikai and Bankai forms after reforging. Maybe I'll have him use a Tachi and Wazikashi pair, like Katen Kyokotsu's sealed form, to follow the trend of his Bankai being smaller. Not sure yet.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to think deeply about this, I had a lot of fun! -Mori














