Despite the lack of practicality of Marechiyo and Soi Fon’s Shikai, Tite Kubo didn’t go all out in making them totally useless in Bleach.

Tite Kubo’s Bleach has often been a subject of criticism among the otakus for featuring a lackluster ending. However, one can’t deny the fact that the series has featured some mesmerizing battles and power-ups for its characters. For instance, one of the highest forms of power that a Soul Reaper can grab hold of is the Shikai release.

Aizen vs. Ichigo Kurosaki. Credits: Studio Pierrot

Shikai is the first upgraded form of a Soul Reaper’s sword, the Zanpakuto, which basically translates to “Initial Release,” where the wielder and their sword are in complete harmony. Thus, multiplying their powers by several folds.

Characters like Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and more have been blessed by the mangaka for having useful abilities and appearances. However, some are mightily pale in comparison. Marechiyo and Soi Fon were an exception despite having some of the most mediocre fights under their name.

Tite Kubo holds back on giving the worst Shikai to Marechiyo and Soi Fon in Bleach’s history

A little more than a decade ago, the anime world was dominated by the Big Three, with Tite Kubo’s Bleach being one of them. The Shonen series has featured some of the most epic showdowns that fans can’t grow tired of. However, the ones that topped the charts were the Zanpakuto showdowns.

Renji Abarai with Zabimaru. Credits: Studio Pierrot

After all, the mangaka boasted the fights with unique designs and concepts complimenting the character. Every design of the concept gave off edginess in the most iconic and elegant manner that makes the Soul Reaper badass. Except there’s a catch to it; some were only appealing to the eyes but had zero practicality in a battle.

Recently, a Bleach fan took it to r/Bleach, asking fellow community members, “Which character has the worst/lamest power?” A fan pointed out how Marechiyo Ōmaeda had the worst ability associated with the Shikai release of his Zanpakuto, Gegetsuburi.

Instead of sugarcoating the issue, they broke it down into how other Lieutenants had useful abilities like doubling the weights of things they hit, freezing areas, dual blades, etc. However, he, on the other hand, just turned his blade into a spiked ball.

Soi Fon vs. Yoruichi. Credits: Studio Pierrot

The lack of practicality for the Lieutenant of Squad 2 has been evident on several occasions, one being Ichigo destroying it with his bare hands. Additionally, for a member of a stealth group, it is far too blunt and impractical, as it requires brute strength to deliver devastating blows to his foes.

Following the path to criticism is his Squad Leader, Soi Fon, where many question the power of her Zanpakuto, Suzumebachi. Despite having useful abilities for an assassin, it has raised eyebrows because she has not been able to flaunt the full power of her Shikai, which heavily complements her fighting style.

Nevertheless, other characters have had a little rough for themselves, as Kubo-Sensei did not give much practicality to Love Alkawa’s Tengumaru and Tetsuzaemon Iba’s Zanpakuto, almost making them look like a part of some gag.

Bleach fans defend the Squad 2 members’ Shikai abilities

The Captain and her Lieutenant of Squad 2 members have had a difficult time, as they are yet to prove the abilities of their Zanpakuto’s Shikai. Despite being unimpressive and unimportant so far in the classic series and in Thousand-Year Blood War, fans have come in support of the two.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda. Credits: Studio Pierrot

They share positive comments following the two and support how it is not completely useless like some claim it to be. The fans commented

Nevertheless, the topic of being useless or useful can’t be defined based on the victories or the powers that follow the Zanpakuto, as all are tools that a Soul Reaper can use to defeat his foe and get out of a grim situation.

Bleach can be streamed on Hulu.