Kidō (鬼道, "demon way", or "spirit way" sometimes translated as Demon Arts) is one of the four basic Shinigami combat forms, at least according to Sōsuke Aizen. Kidō is the technique that Shinigami use to focus their Spiritual Energy into magic spells of various powers. These spells serve a wide variety of uses such as healing, defense, or combat. The Kidō Corps is a branch of Soul Society's military which excels in the mastery of Kidō.
Kido Mechanics
Each spell is graded on a scale from 1 to 99, the latter being the most powerful and the most difficult to perform. The scale is a measure of difficulty, as there can be multiple spells which share the same level. To use Kidō, a Shinigami must recite the specific incantation for the spell, which is often long and requires a few seconds to speak.
This weakness can be negated by Shinigami capable of using Eishohaki, a technique that releases Kidō without a spirit chant. While it decreases the time needed to release the Kidō, it drastically weakens the spell While anyone well versed in Kidō can use this technique, it is most effective when done by a skilled practitioner, otherwise the spell could utterly fail. The most skilled experts are capable of using this technique to amazing effect. The power of a spell relies on the power of the user, as even a low-level spell can be utterly devastating when utilized by a high-class Shinigami.
Kido Types
There are three main types of Kidō: binding spells, destruction spells, and healing spells.
- Bakudō (Binding spells): are a broad category of defensive spells which block or repel attacks or freezes enemies in place.
- Hadō (Destructive spells): refer to offensive spells which harm an enemy or cause damage.
- Healing spells: do not have known names, numbers, or incantations to cast, and simply heal the target. As the user holds his hands above the patients wounds, his/her palms glow with green spiritual energy to facilitate healing. For the mechanics of healing, the patient's Reiatsu is replenished first. Then the body's Reiatsu works with the healer's Reiatsu to heal the patient's body.[1]
Kido Combat
Though Kidō is commonly used by Shinigami in combat, it has several weaknesses that make it difficult to use for that purpose. All of the spells have fairly long incantations and require concentration; because of this, the person using the Kidō leaves themself open to attack during the duration of the incantation. In addition, if an opponent is familiar with Kidō, there is the possibility of them identifying the spell by its incantation before it can even be used. However, highly skilled Kidō users can use various techniques to counter these weaknesses, such as Eishohaki and "Double Incantation", which involves mixing the incantations of two or more Kidō spells together to save time and confuse ones opponent. A rarer use of Kidō is mixing various spells (such as Bakudō and Hadō together) for unique effects, which is the mark of skilled user. Kidō is commonly seen used in instances of surprise attacks rather then all out assaults, being most effective when one's opponent doesn't see it coming.
Bakudo
| Spell # | Spell Name | Spell Information | Spell Picture | |||
| Bakudō (縛道, "way of binding") | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sai (塞, Restrain) | Locks a target's arms in place behind their back.[2]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 4. | Hainawa (這縄, Crawling Rope) | An energy rope entangles the target's arms.[3]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 8. | Seki (斥, Repulse) | Creates a round shield that seems to temporarily paralyze and repel whatever strikes it.[4]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 9. | Geki (撃, Strike) | Engulfs the target in red light, completely paralyzing them.[5] Incantation: "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat!" ("自壊せよロンダニーニの黒犬!! 一読し・焼き払い・自ら喉を掻き切るがいい!") | 
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| 9. | Hōrin (Disintegrating Circle) | Causes an orange hued tendril with spiraling yellow patterns to erupt from the users hand and attempt to trap a target. the end of it remains in the hands of the user allowing them to control the path of the tendril before and after capture. The Kidō is able to connect with another one of itself if both have captured a target and bind them together.[6] Incantation: "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat!" ("自壊せよロンダニーニの黒犬!! 一読し・焼き払い・自ら喉を掻き切るがいい!") | 
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| 11. | Kyōmon (鏡門, Mirror Door) | Tōshirō Hitsugaya used this to seal Momo Hinamori's hospital room. It creates a glass-like barrier which is difficult to break from the outside, but quite simple to break from the inside. Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 12. | Fushibi (伏火, Ambush Flare) | Momo Hinamori uses this spell in conjunction with Shot of Red Fire and a Kidō net that has entangled her opponents resulting in a large explosion around them all. Rangiku Matsumoto states that it is number 12, but does not specify whether it is a Destructive or a Binding Spell although from the name and effect, it is highly likely to be a Binding spell. | 
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| 20. | Hakufuku (白伏, White Crawl) | This technique muddles the consciousness of its target. Momo Hinamori uses this spell while imprisoned to knock out a guard and destroy everything within a certain radius of herself. The Bleach Official Character Book Souls states that it is a Binding spell. Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 21. | Sekienton (赤煙遁, Red Smoke Escape) | Creates a blast upon activation and is used like a ninja's smoke bomb.[7]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 26. | Kyokko (曲光, Curved Light) | Hides the target from sight, by bending light. The spell has the ability to totally hide the presence and reiatsu of the user or specified object.[8]Incantation: unknown. | ||||
| 30. | Shitotsu Sansen (嘴突三閃, Beak-Piercing Triple Beam) | Forming a golden triangle with one's finger, it shoots three beams of light that pin the target to one place on a surface, slamming into his or her body in three places in a shape of a perfect triangle.[9][10]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 37. | Tsuriboshi (吊星, Suspending Star) | Creates a star-shaped cushion of Spiritual Energy, which anchors it to nearby objects with "ropes" of spirit particles. It can stop falling objects, acting like a safety net.[11]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 39. | Enkosen (円閘扇, Arc Shield) | Summons a shield of condensed reiatsu to block opponents' attacks.[12]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 58. | Kakushitsuijaku (摑趾追雀, Summoning of the Tracking Sparrows) | Tracks and locates any spiritual force the user focuses on. To activate it, the user must draw a circle on the ground, cut into four parts with a specific character in each. The incantation animates the circle, causing various numbers to appear within until the specific set is found. The number set seems to be a variation on longitude and latitude.[13]Incantation: "Heart of the south, eye of the north, finger of the west, foot of the east, arrive with the wind and depart with the rain." ("南の心臓 北の瞳 西の指先 東の踵 風持ちて 集い雨払いて散れ")[14] |  | |||
| 61. | Rikujōkōrō (六杖光牢, Six Rods Prison of Light) | Summons six thin, wide beams of light that slam into a target's midsection, holding them in place. The target is then unable to move any part of their body including the parts that were not struck by the beams.[15]Incantation: "Carriage of Thunder. Bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six!" ("雷鳴の馬車 糸車の間隙 光もて此を六に別つ!")[16] | 
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| 62. | Hyapporankan (百歩欄干, Hundred Steps Fence) | A rod formed of energy is thrown towards the target before it disintegrates into numerous short rods which are used to pin the target to the surroundings and render them immobile.[17]Incantation: unknown | 
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| 63. | Sajo Sabaku (鎖条鎖縛, Locking Bondage Stripes) | Similar to Bakudō No. 4, but stronger, this spell binds the arms of a target.[18]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 73. | Tozanshō (倒山晶, Inverse Mountain Crystal) | Creates an inverted pyramid-shaped barrier around the caster.[19]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 75. | Gochūtekkan (五柱鉄貫, Quintet of 1 kan Iron Pillars) | Summons five incredibly tall and thick pillars which are connected to each other by chains to pin a target to the ground.[20]Incantation: "Walls of ironsand, a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies. Standing upright, silent to the end." ("鉄砂の壁、僧形の塔、灼鉄熒熒、湛然として終に音無し")[20] | 
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| 77. | Tenteikūra (天挺空羅, Heavenly Rickshaws in Silken Air) | Transmits messages mentally to anyone within an area of the caster's choosing. In addition to reciting the spell, the user must draw specific markings on their arms, which are animated by the spell to convey the messages. The messages can be spoken either by the caster or by another within the vicinity of the caster.[21]Incantation: "Black and white net. Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts. Footprints, distant thunder, sharp peak, engulfing land, hidden in the night, sea of clouds, blue line. Form a circle and fly though the heavens." ("黒白の羅！二十二の橋梁 六十六の冠帯 足跡・遠雷・尖峰・回地・夜伏・雲海・蒼い隊列 太円に満ちて天を挺れはし)[22] | 
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| 80. | Sora Inkan (空印鑑, Empty Seal) | User clasps his/her hands together and releases several blue beams of light, wich seek towards nearby Zanpakutō. When Zanpakutō are hit by light, they are reversed to unreleased state. Beams chain Zanpakutō spirit within, and must be released from outside with Jinzen (刃禅, Blade Zen/Sword Meditation) or by overpowering the spell with spiritual pressure. It is mostly used by Rei Ushinawa . Incantation: 'Light seeking Shadows. Blade of Justice. Chains of Sins. Seal the Soul. Throw the Key to the depths of Hell! (影を求める光。 正義の刃。 罪の鎖。 魂を封印しなさい。 地獄の深さへの鍵を投げる! / Kage o motomeru hikari. Seigi no ha. Tsumi no kusari. Tamashī o fūin shi nasai. Jigoku no fuka-sa e no kagi o nageru!) |   | |||
| 81. | Danku (斷空, Splitting Void) | Creates an energy barrier in the form of a rectangular wall. According to Byakuya, it is capable of stopping destructive spells up to #89.[23] This is seen also when Aizen uses it to block Tessai's Hadō #88.[24]Incantation: unknown; although Tessai hinted that it has an incantation when he fights Aizen. | 
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| 98. | Shisō Kekkai (四葬結界, Quad Burial Barrier) | This technique was used by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and is the seal used to lock away Kōga Kuchiki. Four spears are used to trap the target by their hands and legs. The target rises up into sky and is then sealed in a black coffin-like box with chains wrapping around it. The four spears then pierce the box all at once. Incantation: Unknown | 
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| 99, Part 1. | Kin (禁, Seal) | Binds the arms of a target to their back like Bakudō #1, but with spiritual fabric and iron shafts.[25] Hachigen has displayed a far stronger version that ties the target's arms on the back in addition to wrapping the spiritual fabric around the entire body, and continues to pin the target with the spiritual fabric stacked to the ground around the target with several iron shafts in an "X" shape.[26]Incantation: unknown; although (Shinji Hirako hinted that there is an incantation). | 
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| 99, Part 2. | Bankin (卍禁, Great seal) | This spell covers the target from head to toe with spiritual fabric (First Song), stabs them with numerous metal bolts (Second Song), and then smashes them with an immense metal cube (Final Song).[27][28]. The full power of the seal is still unknown as Ichigo broke the first two seals before the metal cube landed on him during his Shattered Shaft training. Incantation: First Song: Halting Fabric (初曲・止繃, Shokyoku: Shiryū). Second Song: Hundred Linked Bolts (弐曲・百連閂, Nikyoku: Hyakurensan). Final Song: Great Seal of 10,000 Forbiddings (終曲・卍禁太封, Shūkyoku: Bankin Taihō).[27] | 
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Hado
| Spell # | Spell Name | Spell Information | Spell Picture | |||
| Hadō (破道, "way of destruction") | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Shō (衝, Thrust) | Pushes the target away from the caster.[29]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 4. | Byakurai (白雷, White Lightning) | The user fires a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from their finger.[30]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 11. | Tsuzuri Raiden (製本雷, Bound Lightning) | Electric current flows through any object the user touches and is able to lead electricity, damaging any target that is in contact with the object the current runs through.[31]Incantation: unknown | 
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| 31. | Shakkahō (赤火砲, Shot of Red Fire) | Fires a ball of red energy at a target.[32]:Incantation: "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!" ("君臨者よ！血雨の仮面·万象·羽ばたき·ヒトの名を冠す者よ！焦熱と争乱、海隔て逆巻き南へと歩を進めよ！")[32] | 
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| 33. | Sōkatsui (蒼火墜, Blue Fire, Crash Down) | Fires a burst of blue spiritual energy at a target in a similar manner to #31, but over a wider area and with more power.[33]Incantation': "Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws." ("君臨者よ！血肉の仮面·万象·羽ばたき·ヒトの名を冠する者よ！真理と節制、罪知らぬ夢の壁に僅かに爪を立てよ！")[34] | 
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| 34. | Kongōbaku (金剛漠爆, Adamantine Blast) | A blast of spherical, red energy similar in strength to a Sōkatsui blast. While both number and classification of this particular spell is not expressly stated, it is clearly a Destructive spell. Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 40. | Gaki Rekkō (牙気裂光, Raging Light Fang) | A spell that makes a circle of energy, before firing blasts of green light from its center in a cage-like formation. While both number and classification of this particular spell is not expressly stated, it is clearly a Destructive spell. Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 54. | Haien (廃炎, Abolishing Flames) | Fires a blast of purple spiritual energy that will incinerate a target completely when it makes contact.[35]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 58. | Tenran (闐嵐, Orchid Sky) | A widening tornado-like blast is fired towards the target.[36]Incantation: unknown | 
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| 63. | Raikōhō (雷吼炮, Thunder Roar Cannon) | Fires a massive wave of yellow energy at a target.[37]Incantation: "Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle!" ("散在する獣の骨！尖塔・紅晶・鋼鉄の車輪 動けば風 止まれば空 槍打つ音色が虚城に満ちる！") | 
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| 63. | Sōren Sōkatsui (双蓮蒼火墜, Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down) | Essentially a doubled version of #33 (labelled as #73 in anime), this spell fires two shots of blue fire with greater potency than the single-shot variety.[38]Incantation: "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens." ("君臨者よ！血肉の仮面・万象・羽ばたき・ヒトの名を冠す者よ！蒼火の壁に双蓮を刻む 大火の淵を遠天にて待つ") | 
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| 88. | Hiryugekizokushintenraiho (飛竜撃賊震天雷砲, Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon) | Fires a gigantic electricity blast of spiritual energy resulting in an truly enormous explosion.[39][40] Its full strength is however unknown since Aizen used Splitting Void before it could hit him. Incantation: unknown. | 
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| 90. | Kurohitsugi (黒棺, Black Coffin) | Forms a box of black energy around a target, which is then pierced by dozens of energy "spears", lacerating the one inside from head to toe. Its appearance and function is reminiscent of a common magician's trick, as well as certain torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition.[41]Incantation: "Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny! Grow numb and flicker! Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud! Unite! Repulse! Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness!"(滲み出す混濁の紋章. 不遜なる狂気の器! 湧き上がり否定し! 痺れ瞬き! 眠りを妨げる! 爬行する鉄の王女! 絶えず自壊する泥の人形! 結合せよ! 反発せよ! 地に満ち己の無力を知れ!) | 
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| 91. | Hyōga Seiran (氷河晴嵐, Glacier Vapor Storm) | A spell that fires a massive wave of ice capable of freezing its targets and surrounding area as well as destroying a group of Menos Grande through sheer power. While both number and classification of this particular spell is not expressly stated, it is clearly a Destructive spell. Incantation: unknown. | 
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Forbidden Spells
| Spell Name | Spell Information | Spell Picture | ||||
| Kindō (禁じられた呪文, "Forbidden Spells") | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jikanteishi (時間停止, Temporal Stasis) | A forbidden spell[42] used by Tessai along with Spatial Displacement. It is a spell that halts time in a specific area.[43]Incantation: unknown. | 
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| Kūkanten'i (空間転位, Spatial Displacement) | A forbidden spell[42] used by Tessai with Temporal Stasis to teleport a specified portion of space from one point to another, transporting even other active Kidō spells.[44]Incantation: unknown. | 
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Unnamed Spells
| Spell # | Spell Name | Spell Information | Spell Picture | |||
| Unnamed Kidō | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Unnamed Hexagonal Barrier | This technique was used by Sōsuke Aizen. It is a powerful barrier which can be placed upon a part of the body and it activates when an attack reaches the point where it is cast. When the attack hits the barrier, a hexagonal shape appears. Aizen cast it on the back of his neck to protect his blind spot from attacks and it is powerful enough to withstand a point-blank black Getsuga Tenshō.[45] Incantation: Unknown | 
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| Unknown | Unnamed Spell | This technique was used by Shūsuke Amagai. By throwing special sheets of paper into the area, Amagai can form a green orb of bright light around himself, teleporting himself and anyone he touches to any desired location. While teleporting, the said people's Reiatsu is completely masked.[46]Incantation: Unknown | 
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| Unknown | Unnamed Pyramid Barrier | This technique was used by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. It forms a green pyramid-shaped barrier around the caster. It is immensely strong, able to resist all but the strongest of attacks. [47]Incantation: Unknown | 
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| Unknown | Unnamed Barrier | This technique was used by Ginrei Kuchiki. While it has not been explained, it forms a green barrier around one's person, that causes Muramasa's attacks to pass through the user. Ginrei explains that one must shut off one's heart to prevent Muramasa from entering their inner world.[48]Incantation: Unknown | 
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References
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 382, page 7
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 1, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 266, pages 14-15
- ↑ Bleach manga; chapter 336, pages 10-11
- ↑ Bleach manga; chapter 21, pages 17
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 239
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 360, page 9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 335, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 330, page 18
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 221
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 336, pages 14-15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 322, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 172, pages 4-6
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 172, page 4
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 266, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 266, page 15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 324, page 13
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -101, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 337, page 6
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 218, page 5
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 172, pages 6-10
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 172, page 7
- ↑ Bleach manga; chapter 302, page 7
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -98, page 12
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 61 page 16
- ↑ Bleach Manga; Chapter -100
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 64 pages 5-6
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 19
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 301, page 6
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 165, page 11-12
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 337, pages 8-9
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Bleach manga; Chapter -17, page 25
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 9, page 9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 9, page 8
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 213, page 15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 323, pages 5-6
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 177, page 15
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 266, page 16
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -98, pages 10-11
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 213
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 176, pages 11-12
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Bleach manga; Chapter -98, page 17
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -98, page 18
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -98, page 18
- ↑ Bleach manga; chapter 388, pages 7-10
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 186
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 247
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 251