Kenpachi Zaraki - Plot Overview

Plot Overview

After Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends arrive in Soul Society, Kenpachi begins to hunt the strongest fighter in their group, and eventually battles Ichigo. During their fight, Ichigo becomes enough of a challenge that Kenpachi removes his eye patch, thus releasing the extra power it has been devouring. The battle ends in a draw, with Ichigo falling first and Kenpachi shortly after, both admitting defeat (though Kenpachi's sword breaks in the end, after it is deflected by the sudden manifestation of Ichigo's hollow mask, which spared the latter from death). Much later on, while searching for Ichigo with his friends in tow, they are headed off by 7th and 9th Division members. Kenpachi battles their captains Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen respectively, defeating Tōsen and fighting off Komamura before Komamura runs away to find Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai. He does not see Ichigo and his friends off when they leave the Soul Society. He tells Yachiru that he and Ichigo will certainly meet again because they are the only ones who are what they seem to be. Kenpachi also helps fight off the Bount invasion, and successfully defeats Maki Ichinose, a former member of his squad who left after Kenpachi killed his captain.

During the Arrancar arc, Kenpachi appears to Ichigo as his instinct and desire to win, explaining to him that they were both the type of people who live to fight (or fight to live) battle after battle. After Orihime is taken to Hueco Mundo, Kenpachi arrives with Byakuya Kuchiki to retrieve Tōshirō Hitsugaya's group and bring them back to Soul Society. Later, in Hueco Mundo, Kenpachi comes to Ichigo's aid during his battle with the arrancar Tesla, dealing the arrancar a mortal blow with a single strike and then engaging the 5th Espada Nnoitora in battle. Despite having "more fun than he has had in a long time," he suffers enough injuries to realize that he may die if the fight continues. He flashes back to his Kendo training, and grips his sword with two hands to deal Nnoitra a vicious, incapacitating blow. When Nnoitra refuses to accept defeat and charges Kenpachi, the latter kills him with another strike. Kenpachi then stands over Nnoitra's corpse, telling him their battle "was a blast". He later appears to save Ichigo from the Cero Espada Yammy by cutting off one of his legs, and further engaging him in combat with Byakuya Kuchiki. When it seems that Kenpachi and Byakuya are about to defeat him, Yammy undergoes a monstrous new transformation. Byakuya and Kenpachi ultimately defeat their opponent, though Kenpachi thought the fight was "boring". He is last seen being reprimanded by the Captain-Commander for losing his captain's haori in battle.

Seventeen months after the fight with Aizen, Kenpachi, along with all the other high-ranking members of the Gotei 13, are ordered to restore Ichigo's reiatsu. He arrives with Byakuya, Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, Rukia, and Renji to aide in combating the organization Xcution. Kenpachi is engaged by Giriko Kutsuzawa and quickly kills the Fullbringer, finding him "boring".

After these events, a group of Quincy called the Vandenreich appear and send their invading force of Stern Ritter (Star Knights in German) to take over Soul Society. Kenpachi manages to single-handedly kill Berenice Gabrielli, Jerome Quizbatt, and Loyd Lloyd without much difficulty. Kenpachi then confronts Juhabach and attacks him but was defeated in the process. It is later revealed that it wasn't Juhabach who defeated Kenpachi, but the shape changing brother of Loyd Lloyd named Royd. After the Vandenreich leave, Kenpachi is stated to be alive, but comatose.