Ikkaku Madarame

Ikkaku Madarame
3rd Seat of 11th Division
H: 182cm W: 76kg Blood type: – Birthday: November 9

Zanpakutou: Hozukimaru (Demon Light, Winter Cherry)
Bankai: Ryumon Hozukimaru (Dragon Crest Demon Light)
First Appearance: Manga chapter | Anime episode 26

Ikkaku Madarame is the third seat of the 11th Division under Captain Kenpachi Zarachi. But despite only being a seated member, his fighting ability is on par with that of a near-Captain level Shinigami. The strongest evidence of this is the fact that Ikkaku has already achieved his Zanpakuto’s Bankai state. However, because of his personal reasons for wanting to continue to serve under Kenpachi in the 11th Division, Ikkaku has hidden his Bankai ability from most of his teammates.
Ikkaku’s most distinctive feature is his bald head. He has grown sensitive of the fact mainly because the Division Lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, always calls him by nicknames such as “cue-ball” or “pachinko head.” Ikkaku is a typical member of his division; he is hotheaded and loves a good fight. Ikkaku taught Abarai Renji how to fight when he first joined the 11th Division. Like Renji, he was originally from Rukongai where he befriended friend and teammate Yumichika Ayasegawa. Even after Ikkaku became a Shinigami, he used to still wander the streets of Rukongai looking for fights. He eventually challenged Zaraki Kenpanchi and was beaten until he was near death. Kenpachi told him he did not kill him because he wants to have an even better fight with him in the future. Ikkaku gained a lot of respect for Kenpachi that day, after he heard Kenpachi became the Captain of the 11th Division, he immediately submitted for transfer into that division.

Ikkaku’s Zanpakuto is called Hozukimaru (Demon Light, Winter Cherry). It is a normal katana in shape with the exception that the hilt is hollow which allows Ikkaku to store a blood-clotting ointment inside. Ikkaku is known to fight with his sword in one hand and the scabbard in the other; he is possibly ambidexterous. To activate the shikai state, Ikkaku connects the hilt of his sword into the opening of his scabbard while shouting the shikai command “grow.” The activated Hozukimaru takes the form of what appears to be a spear, but although it can be used as such, in reality it is actually a three-sectioned staff. The command “split” is used to cause the staff to separate and bend on its hinges. This tactic, used at the appropriate time, can be a nasty surprise for Ikkaku’s enemies.

Ikkaku’s Bankai is called Ryumon Hozukimaru (Dragon Crest Demon Light). In this form, the Zanpakuto actually consists of three large weapons connected by an oversized chain. The two main weapons which Ikkaku wields are a Chinese spade weapon and a guan dao. The third piece is an axe-shaped blade which Ikkaku usually keeps behind him floating in the linked chain. Ryumon Hozukimaru has the unusual property of being quite weak after activation but becoming stronger as the battle progresses. The dragon crest attached to his Zanpakuto fills in more as it receives or causes damage, until it unleashes its full power when the crest is filled. The danger is that a sudden release of all that power can leave Hozukimaru weak and brittle.

2 Comments

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  By BSK17, March 28, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

  madarame ikkaku, i like his name. is it legal for shinigami to hide their true strength? strength that can promote them? he is clearly at lieutenant level. he needs more training to challenge a captain.

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  By ahahah, November 20, 2010 @ 8:25 pm

  its “extend” NOT “grow” for the command

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