11th Kenpachi Zaraki

Although he's known to be a violent fighter, Kenpachi's actions tend to be for the best and is usually portrayed comically (this comical shift is primarily centered around his appearances in the anime and omake, with the exception his casual conversations with his lieutenant). He is usually depicted as a person who has a very poor sense of direction, asking Yachiru for directions (who then randomly points in a direction, as her sense of direction is just as bad). Kenpachi lives for battle and enjoys a good fight more than anything. He even holds back in an effort to make any fight last longer. He also claims that injury and death are nothing but the price one pays for a good fight. Despite his division being the most blood-thirsty squad of the Gotei 13, the 11th Division have their own code of ethics, which is different from the rules and regulation of Soul Society.

Although he thrives for battle, Kenpachi has shown to have emotions and cares for Yachiru. Kenpachi and Yachiru have been close, ever since they met, and have a father-daughter-like relationship (making Yachiru one of the few people he cares for, along with 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame and 11th Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa).

Aside from Yachiru, Kenpachi deeply gives meaning to his name. Following his fight with Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenpachi talks about the pain of not having a name, as he lived his early years without one. This causes him to fell guilty that his sword isn't acknowledged by its own name.[5] Since then, he has strived to learn its identity.

Despite his tendency to be brutal, Kenpachi usually stops a fight if his opponent is too injured to fight back, claiming that he isn't interested in fighting "weaklings who can't fight anymore; nor is he obligated to deal a death blow to anyone who isn't capable of fighting any longer". However, he will unhesitatingly kill his opponent if they refuse to end their fight, as seen during his battles with Kaname Tōsen and Nnoitra Jiruga.[6][7]

On multiple occasions, Kenpachi has shown to greatly respect those who can defeat him in a fight and to those who can push him to his limit. Ever since Ichigo handed him his first known loss(though Ichigo also considers their fight a loss for him), Kenpachi has considered the latter a member of his division. He also expresses his willingness to engage him in a rematch every time they meet, only to be turned down as Ichigo already considers themselves as friends. Nevertheless, Kenpachi still challenges him in a duel, as evidenced when he aided Ichigo in his fight against the Bount (where he gave "his blessing," stating that in doing so would make Ichigo stronger for "their anticipated fight").

Kenpachi also strongly believes that fun comes before working. In every battle, he tries to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible. One example is when Kenpachi sends his 5th seated officer, Yumichika, to fend off the Bount in Karakura Town, as he is the only high-ranking officer who wasn't busy, or rather, busy having fun, as Yachiru was snacking and Ikkaku was napping. During his free time, Kenpachi always takes his afternoon nap. He doesn't have a particularly favorite dish, but he particularly hates nattō.[8]

It seems that Kenpachi sometimes contradicts his own logic in fighting. On the one hand, Kenpachi wishes to increase his own personal power. On the other hand, he conceals his strength to enjoy a fight for as long as possible. Irrational to a certain extent, Kenpachi is one of the most complex characters in the series, as he exhibits a wide range of traits: lethargic, bloodthirsty, rebellious, empathetic, and wise.

editHistory
Kenpachi and Yachiru Kusajishi before joining the Gotei 13.Kenpachi's surname comes from the district he once resided in, Zaraki, which is district #80 of the North Alley of Rukongai. District #80 is the worst, most lawless region of Rukongai, full of thieves and murderers (whereas area #1 is the most orderly and law-abiding). While residing in District #80, Kenpachi was nameless. During that time, he became proficient in swordsmanship and killed numerous enemies. During his travels outside of District #80, he found a small girl and named her Yachiru, in remembrance of the only person he ever admired, after she showed no fear of his sword. Yachiru came from area #79, Kusajishi, where her parents were murdered. The two events were apparently quite close. On that day, he also took on a name: Kenpachi, the title bestowed upon the strongest Shinigami in every generation, the one who has slain the most enemies and won the most battles.[9][10]

They would later have an encounter with [[Ikkakua Madarame] and Yumichika Ayasegawa before they entered Seireitei. Yachiru warns Ikkaku that messing with Zaraki while he is a good mood is a bad idea though Ikkaku doesn't take the warning seriously. When is face to face he immediately becomes alarmed by his reiatsu but is happy to finally have a real challenge. Zaraki attacks with enough force to crater the ground under Ikkaku which somewhat alarms Yumichika. Due to Zaraki's strength Ikkaku is on the defense holding off Zaraki's relentless strikes. The two continue to battle with Ikkaku trying to overwhelm Zaraki though not able to wear him down, only succeeding in him getting wounds while his opponent remains untouched by his blade. While Zaraki mentions he is having fun he decides to finish Ikkaku with one quick strike resulting in his lose of the fight.[11] Ikkaku becomes mad that Zaraki would just walk away without finishing him off. Zaraki plainly tells him that he has no interest in weaklings who can't fight. He notes that he doesn't have any obligation to finish Ikakku off. To which Ikakku thinks he is toying with him and demands that Zaraki kill him. Zaraki loses his patience and grabs hold of Ikkaku and tells him that if he loves to fight so much then why is screaming for death. Zaraki explains to him a philosophy to follow for people like them. "Don't admit defeat and seek death, die first, then admit defeat. When you lose, but don't die it just means you were lucky. At those times, think only about survival. Survive and think only about killing the guy who failed to kill you". Zaraki then smiles at him and states that its not like he went easy on him, he was just lucky to escape death. He expresses that Ikkaku should live, live and come back and kill him. As Zaraki goes to leave Ikkaku asks him his name and is told he is Kenpachi from Zaraki[12]

Sometime later it becomes widespread news that Zaraki had beaten the captain of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13 in a single blow making him the new captain of that division (as per the 3rd Captain Qualification Trial).[11]


Kenpachi during his first days as the 11th Division Captain.The following day upon Zaraki's first addressing of his division he is greeted by Ikakku and Yumichika who have seemingly already become Shinigami and joined the division. Ikkaku tells Zaraki that he has come back just as he suggest causing Zaraki to smile. Later they are present at the battle of the division verses a caterpillar hollow, while initially the division loses Ikkaku shows up to fight it but is stopped by Zaraki who decides to kill it himself. After the hollow is dispatched more come prompting Ikkaku and Yumichika to join in the fight. Though at first Zaraki is against it, he is persuaded upon realizing the two have similar fighting traits as him causing him to concede to allowing their participation.[11]

Sometime shortly after joining Kenpachi was forced to learn kendō from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto because he hadn't learned any formal swordsmanship training, having bypassed those normally necessary qualification due to the way he attained his position. Kenpachi hates using kendō because his battles would end too quickly with it, so he only uses it if his own life is in danger.[13]