Absolute Anime

Zanpakuto are living swords. They have spirits and personalities all their own. They even have their own inner world. It is when a Soul Reaper [Shinigami] realizes this and reaches into this inner world and makes contact that Soul Reaper and Zanpakuto can begin the journey to full power.

Zangetsu is Ichigo's Zanpakuto. As a spirit, he is portrayed as a dark-robed man of middle age, wise and sage-like, and a stern if fair taskmaster, always seeking to teach Ichigo if in unusual ways. But when it really matters, and if Ichigo truly believes it, Zangetsu promises to be there to help him, such as during the fight with Kenpachi Zaraki.

Ichigo is forced to make contact to prevent being turned into a Hollow inside Urahara's Shattered Shaft. Doing so allows Ichigo to regain his Soul Reaper powers. Then, when Ichigo is facing Urahara himself, Zangetsu intervenes again to make Ichigo call out his name. Doing so releases the sword into its released or "shikai" state. With help from Yoruichi, Ichigo brings Zangetsu out into the real world and eventually is able to gain his acquiescence and thus the power of the final release or "bankai" state.

The spirit of Zangetsu seems to be connected to Ichigo himself, as Zangetsu seems connected to Ichigo's inner Hollow (an integral part of Ichigo himself) as well.

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