1. Zanpakutō

Your character's Zanpakutō is a large source of unique, personal abilities to them. Every Shinigami and Vizard gets 1 Zanpakutō which must be unique to them.

1.1 Sealed Zanpakutō

Every Shinigami and Vizard character receives a unique Zanpakutō. You are free to customise the look of your character's Zanpakutō how you see fit, with the following Factional restrictions;

• Must be a single oriental sword (Japanese, Chinese, Korean)
• Its length is 240 centimetres or 94½ inches or less.
• It is at least 10x longer than it is broad (e.g. 200 centimetres long and 20 centimetres broad or thinner)

1.2 Tier Release Chits

You gain access to the Release Chits upon acquiring your Character's Shikai.

2. Shikai

Shikai (始解, Initial Release) is the second form of a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami utters a unique Kaigo (解号, Release Call). This can be as simple as a command or as elaborate as a poem, always hinting at the Shikai's theme or characteristics. The Zanpakutō will then physically transform into a new weapon.

2.1 Attaining Shikai

Your Character can attain Shikai from Tier C. You acquire the Shikai through a Manifestation RP and which you complete with a passing C grade or higher. The particulars are largely left up to you and/or your Unit as long as the Manifestation RP is about your character connecting with their Zanpakutō Spirit and passing their challenge(s).

2.2 Release Types

Your character's Shikai must fall under one of the following Release Types and is bound by its conventions. Within its conventions, you are given a very large amount of artistic freedom to create a unique Release. Different Release Types will have access to a different set of abilities to add, with some overlap between the Types and some off-limits areas for each Type.

2.2.1 Kidō Type

Theme: magical abilities and magical effects with no weapon upgrades.

A Kidō Type Shikai revolves around a central theme from which a number of abilities are derived. You can think up this central theme and the abilities with a very large degree of freedom. As long as the abilities can be logically classed as falling under the umbrella of your theme and they abide by the Godmode rules, you are generally fine. Abilities come in 3 stages: Learnt, Controlled and Mastered. Each upgraded level to an existing Ability must be submitted for approval.

Kidō Type Shikai cannot durably improve the attack power of the weapon itself, no matter what changes in its form you make for its Shikai. Even a weapon ten times as big and heavy as your Sealed Zanpakutō will deal no more damage in and of itself, so moderation with your design to something your character can practically wield and use to defend themselves makes the most sense. You *can* improve Melee damage using magical effects, which means non-permanent and expending energy.

2.2.2 Melee Type

Theme: increased attack power with a very limited number of abilities.

The main ability of the Melee Type Shikai is improved damage output from the weapon itself. You do this by upgrading the Enhanced Power Chit. There are 3 levels of this Release Chit:

* An adjective to the sort of improved melee damage is used. What adjective is appropriate depends on the form of the weapon, for instance, "Enhanced Cutting Power", "Enhanced Attack Power", and so on. Only adjectives expressing a form of melee damage are allowed.

Melee Type Shikai are allowed 1 additional Ability (see Kidō Type) of the player's own making which may project damage outward. This Ability must deal direct damage only but otherwise follow the normal Ability rules.

2.2.3 Elemental Type

Theme: utilisation of one of the following elements:

• Fire
• Water
• Air
• Earth
• Ice
• Lightning
• Darkness
• Light

An Elemental Type Shikai uses one of the Elements for both offense and defense. You can create direct damage as well as area effect and even weapon improvements using an Elemental Type Shikai. You cannot, however, mix Elements. This makes Elemental Shikai more versatile than Melee Types while having the option to improve Melee damage (which Kidō Types do not). They are not as dedicated to either side, though. You may or may not (your choice) add 1 Passive Element Ability which is unique to Elemental Type Shikai:

The Passive Element upgrades the weapon of your Shikai itself with that Element, imparting some kind of effect upon a successful Melee attack (ex., a fire-blazed Ryuujin-Jyakka, a freezing Sode No Shirayuki). 

All other Abilities you add follow the Kidō Type Abilities rule, with the addition that your Theme is your Element. 

2.3 Adding and Upgrading Abilities

You can add abilities using the Free Release Chits at your disposal. You are free to spend your Free Release Chits how you see fit on your Shikai (and later Bankai). You can earn additional Release Chits through doing Roleplays just like you can earn them for your Powers & Abilities. Abilities come in 3 stages: Learnt, Controlled and Mastered and Type-specific Abilities will mimic this layout. The Chit cost for each mastery tier doubles compared to the previous tier.

All Abilities must be approved before use, and if you make any improvements (for instance to upgrade their mastery) will have to be approved as well.

3. Bankai

Bankai (卍解, Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō. The power of a Zanpakutō's Bankai is generally 5 to 10 times greater than that of its Shikai. To activate it, the Shinigami must utter the command "Bankai", followed by its true name. Unlike Shikai, there is no Kaigo and the Zanpakutō will respond purely to the command and their true name. Bankai can cause dramatic changes to the Zanpakutō.

3.1 Attaining Bankai

Your Character can attain Bankai from Tier B+ and when you have earned 6 Earnable Release Chits. You attain Bankai through a Manifestation RP where your Character manifests their Zanpakutō Spirit and finds out their true name through the challenges they set. The further particulars of this Manifestation RP are largely left up to you and/or your Unit. You must complete this Manifestation RP with a B Grade or higher to succeed.

3.2 Bankai Types

Your Character's Bankai inherits its Release Type, theme or element from its Shikai. Bankai can make improvements and in some ways diversify in its Release Type not normally accessible to Shikai. You may also opt for a sub-type, changing the main type in subtle or not-so-subtle ways.

3.2.1 Kidō Type

The Kidō Type Zanpakutō retains its theme from Shikai and begets more powerful Abilities to use. You are allowed to elaborate on or moderate your theme logically to distinguish between a lesser version for Shikai and a stronger version for Bankai (for example, Benihime and Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame).

Kidō Area Effect Sub-Type: the Area Effect (not to be mistaken with Area of Effect) casts an Area in which effects are permanently present. The Area can either be a designated radius around the Shinigami or a static area upon activation of Bankai. A static Area may also feature a perimeter. The Effects are permanently Active and circumvent the Automatic Hit rule (see Godmode). They may not deal direct damage and must for the rest abide by Godmode rules. They may also not together perform formal Godmode. Each Effect is otherwise treated like a Kidō Type Ability. The Shinigami's Zanpakutō does not change its form and they can not make use of any other Abilities. 

Kidō Summon Sub-Type: the Shinigami summons a Familiar (puppet they control) who can fight on their behalf using Kidō Type Abilities. Unlike Melee Summon Bankai, the Familiar is controlled telepathically and any damage the Familiar sustains is not reflected on the Shinigami. The Familiar may, next to the Abilities, also become either stronger or more durable. Its size must be appropriate to its level of Strength or Durability. The Shinigami may or may not lose their Zanpakutō but cannot use the Familiar's Abilities themselves.  

3.2.2 Melee Type

All Melee Types can readily upgrade already existing damage improvements. This may happen with the transformation of the Zanpakutō into a larger, more powerful weapon. They will inherit the melee damage type (e.g., Cutting Power cannot transform into Blunt Power).

You may also improve an existing Ability along Kidō Type Abilities rules while staying direct damage.

Melee Condensation Sub-Type: Melee Types may choose for a Condensation Bankai, in which case their wielder's speed may also be improved. This is the only physical improvement a Shinigami can undergo with their Zanpakutō. If you choose this sub-type, your Zanpakutō's Bankai form must shrink instead of grow. Your character's speed is then increased based on their existing Speed Chit.

You can still upgrade an existing Ability to Bankai level according to Kidō Type Ability rules, while still only being able to deal direct damage.

Melee Summon Sub-Type: Melee Types may choose a Summon Bankai, in which case they retain their Zanpakutō's original form while summoning a Familiar to fight for them. If you choose this sub-type, your Zanpakutō's Bankai form must be a Familiar (controllable puppet) and be sized appropriately to the chosen Strength Chit. Melee Summons are controlled psychosomatically and will mimic the Shinigami's movements (so despite their size are not necessarily slow). Any damage the Familiar may receive is reflected on the Shinigami. Neither the Shinigami nor the Familiar can use any Abilities outside of the Strength and Durability augmentations of the Familiar itself. You can add Hakuda/Zanjutsu Abilities to your Shinigami with the express intent of having the Familiar use them.

Unlike the Kidō Summon Type, the Melee Summon Type can have both Strength and Durability augmentations.

3.2.3 Elemental Type

The Elemental Type Bankai follows the same Element as their Shikai. Abilities can be improved along Kidō Type Ability rules using the Element as a theme. Like the Kidō Type Bankai, moderation of the Element may also occur to distinguish between a weaker form in Shikai and a stronger form in Bankai. This moderation must logically follow the coherent Element theme.

Elemental Condensation Sub-Type: this type loses its ability to freely project its Element and instead condenses it to the blade of the Zanpakutō. This imparts an effect upon a successful Melee attack. This is done through the Passive Element, which is mandatory for an Elemental Condensation Type and must feature this condensing effect. Projection of its Element in offensive or defensive means can only be done through passive Abilities (one-time abilities which await activation). Strictly logical moderation of the Element may take place (ex.: Ryuujin Jyakka's element of Fire to Zanka no Tachi's element of Heat). 

3.3 Adding and Upgrading Abilities

You can add abilities using the Free Release Chits at your disposal. You are free to spend your Free Release Chits how you see fit on your Bankai. You can earn additional Release Chits through doing Roleplays just like you can earn them for your Powers & Abilities. Abilities come in 3 stages: Learnt, Controlled and Mastered and Type-specific Abilities will mimic this layout. The Chit cost for each mastery tier doubles compared to the previous tier.

All Abilities must be approved before use, and if you make any improvements (for instance to upgrade their mastery) will have to be approved as well.