4 Best Ichigo Sword Replicas for Cosplay

Ichigo Kurosaki’s iconic Japanese samurai sword has been a favorite among anime fans ever since the Bleach anime was first released. While his contemporaries, namely One Piece’s Roronoa Zoro, seemed to switch swords every episode, Ichigo’s sword was unique to him because of how it mirrored his personality. Later shows like Demon Slayer and its Japanese Katana-inspired Nichirin blades adopted this theme.

That said, there’s nothing like having a sword used by the O.G himself. These cosplay swords are accurate replicas of Ichigo’s signature black blade that are great for adding to your collection or for use as a cosplay prop.

What Is the Name of Ichigo’s Sword?

Contrary to what some fans believe, Ichigo’s sword is called Zangetsu, not “bankai”. “Bankai” is just the word he shouts when he uses the bankai form.

Zangetsu translates to “slaying moon”, a nod to Ichigo’s dual nature as a Shinigami with an inner hollow. This is why the zanpakuto spirit within Ichigo’s sword looks like an exact copy of him but with pale skin, white hair, and eerie yellow eyes. 

There’s also another Zangetsu that lives in Ichigo’s inner world alongside the sword’s Zangetsu, but it’s a manifestation of Ichigo’s Quincy powers instead of strictly being bound to the Zangetsu sword.

Does Ichigo Have Multiple Swords?

Ichigo uses seven swords, most of which are katana samurai swords, in both the Bleach anime and manga. Usually, when characters change swords in an anime, the swords almost always stay as katanas such as in Naruto where all the swords used by Sasuke are one. But in Bleach, the swords change between traditional katanas, cleaver-style blades, and dual-wielding swords. 

4 Ichigo Sword Replicas for Cosplayers and Collectors

Ichigo’s anime swords may look like a tall order to get a replica of, but these replica swords nail each one. Though none of them are battle-ready, they are perfect for an anime cosplay or collection.

Zangetsu Butcher Sword

This iteration of the Zangetsu sword keeps the overall feel of a katana. The white handle wraps and ribbon at the pommel are reminiscent of Rukia’s sword when she uses her shikai form. Having said that, it has a very distinct curved tip and thick, cleaver-like center that lets the user make powerful swings that are sure to sever Hollow limbs if it were sharpened.

This sword replica comes with its own scabbard so you won’t have to worry about carrying its full weight during long conventions.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Length: 106 cm

Tensa Zangetsu Katana

This replica of Ichigo’s Zangetsu is a faithful reproduction of the iconic long katana that Ichigo uses in the later parts of the show. It features a jagged edge on the reverse side of the blade and a traditional curved edge on the right side. 

The tsuba is styled to look like the reverse edge and to top it all off, the sword has a long chain on the pommel. Like the previous sword, this replica comes with a scabbard.

• Material: Black steel
• Length: 140 cm

Zangetsu Dual Wield Swords

This is a replica of one of Ichigo’s more recent upgrades that combines a claymore-sized sword with a shorter blade that allowed for dual wielding in close-quarters combat. It has a similar form factor to the butcher sword but has a fuller blade and a hollow center.

The sword feels distinctly makeshift because of the loosely wrapped fabric on the handle, giving it a lot of character that’s certain to stand out in a cosplay. This sword also has a scabbard made of synthetic leather.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Length: 105 cm

Full Tang Zangetsu Sword

For a truly premium collector’s item, look no further than this Zangetsu sword replica that features a full tang blade made of high carbon steel. This is the gold standard in blade manufacturing as a full tang means that the blade extends into the handle, giving it more structural integrity compared to nearly any other replica sword.

Not only that, this replica ships with a wooden display box so it’s easier for you to use it as one of the focal points of your collection room.

• Material: 1050 High carbon steel
• Length: 142 cm

Conclusion

By now, Ichigo’s Zangetsu swords are anime icons that otakus from the 2000s and beyond are going to be on the hunt for for the sake of cosplaying and collecting merch. These Ichigo sword replicas are among the best available on the market. While they vary in price point, one thing’s for certain — they’re anime accurate pieces designed for dedicated Bleach fans.