Highlights
- Ikkaku Madarame, the 3rd Seat Officer of the Gotei 13, surpasses the fighting skills of lieutenants with his formidable strength and unique fighting style.
- Ikkaku's mastery over swordsmanship and his novel method of fighting, which involves misdirection and surprise, set him apart from others.
- Ikkaku's Zanpakuto, Hozukimaru, is a naginata-like weapon that defies expectations and enhances his offensive capabilities, making him a force to be reckoned with.
The Gotei 13 is filled with all-powerful Soul Reapers with exceptional abilities, yet Bleach has set a precedent that only those that achieve the rank of lieutenant or above are to be deemed as worthy fighters. However, Ikkaku Madarame might be the only exception as his formidable strength and novel fighting style had been acknowledged to far surpass the likes of lieutenants, despite being a 3rd Seat Officer at the time.
While Ikkaku is initially introduced as the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13, he soon advances through the ranks and becomes lieutenant of the same division. However, his skills are still thought to be captain-level, as only a few have ever survived a battle against him unscathed. With a unique Shikai and an even stronger Bankai, Ikkaku Madarame is truly a force to be reckoned with, and his place within the Gotei 13 is a testament to his unrivaled skill.
Mastery Over Swordsmanship
Ikkaku’s one-of-a-king fighting style is what initially set him apart from the rest of the 3rd Seats of the Gotei 13. His skills with his Zanpokuto were considered to be almost at captain-level, as only a few could keep up with his complex fighting style. With a combination of lunging forward to attack with his blade and defending with his sheath, Ikkaku can easily hold his own in a one-on-one sword fight.
His novel method of swordsmanship also involves the use of misdirection, allowing him to essentially take his opponents by surprise. Most opponents fighting Ikkaku for the first time are taken aback by his abrasive fighting style, making the element of surprise his biggest strength. However, this method of fighting leaves several holes in his defense, forcing him to give up defense for a stronger offense.
Ikkaku’s Zanpakuto is unlike the rest, as it is essentially a Naginata or a polearm-type weapon. One would expect a polearm to be weaker against regular swords, yet Ikkaku’s mastery over his weapon defies this notion as he can fare quite well against regular swords. Instead, his opponents find themselves in a much bigger predicament, as only a few within the Gotei 13 are fond of using a weapon other than a sword.
Unmatched Physical Endurance
Unlike many in the Gotei 13, Ikkaku came from humble beginnings and has roots in the Rukon District. His love for fighting led him to travel throughout the Rukon District to find worthy opponents for a duel. Since people in the outer edges of Rukongai lacked even the simplest of necessities such as shoes, Ikkaku had to fight them bare-handed. His experience fighting without a weapon culminated into unrivaled physical strength.
Many of Ikkaku’s opponents have commented on his sheer physical prowess, as his attacks have the capability to shatter terrain into dust. His advanced muscle control is also worth nothing considering he has been shown to readjust his dislocated shoulder simply by flexing his muscles.
Apart from granting him unrivaled strength, these ragged street fights turned Ikkaku into a Hakuda master. The added benefit of being an expert in hand-to-hand combat shines through in his fighting style as it aids his movements and overall durability. His endurance is also rather exceptional, with most wounds and injuries barely stopping Ikkaku in his tracks. His battle against Moe Shishigawara showcases his iron will and physical endurance, as he was able to defeat his opponent despite taking on several heavy hits and almost succumbing to his injuries.
Ikkaku’s Zanpakuto: Hozukimaru
In its base form, Hozukimaru appears to be similar to any other regular Katana, with no unique features other than the hollow hilt where Ikkaku stores his ointment. While Hozukimaru may resemble a regular sword, Ikkaku’s method of wielding it with both hands makes its usage rather unique, allowing him to block with the sheath with relative ease.
Hozukimaru’s Shikai form is where it takes on its novel appearance, turning into a spear-like weapon. Ikkaku uses the command “Grow” to release Hozukimaru’s Shikai form, turning the Katana into a hilted spear. While this may seem like an odd weapon of choice, Ikkaku’s unique fighting style complements the Naginata. Ikkaku’s Zanpakuto also has a secret ability – Split Apart. This turns Hozukimaru into a three-sectional staff, allowing the parts to separate and reconnect at will.
However, Ikkaku’s Zanpakuto’s true strength lies in its Bankai, turning the simple three-part polearm into a weapon that resembles a spade and a polearm, but with extremely massive blades. Hozukimaru’s Bankai was released during Ikkaku’s battle against Edrad Liones, and his close victory over the formidable opponent can be owed to his extremely powerful Bankai: Ryumon Hozukimaru. This Bankai has a secret ability as well – the more blows Hozukimaru takes, the stronger it becomes. This essentially means that the longer the battle continues, the stronger Ikkaku will become, making it near-impossible to defeat him in a long-hauled battle.
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