What is a Vizard
Definition and Characteristics
Vizard (ヴァイザード) are Shinigami who have obtained
Hollow abilities. Whether it was through a desire to seek this power, or a battle somewhere
that lead to the forced awakening of their inner-hollow, the Vizard are all former
Shinigami whose inner-hollow awoke and began to try to take control. In order to keep their
hollow from controlling them, each of the Vizard have had to face their inner-hollow in
a battle within themselves.
By defeating the hollow within the Vizard are able to retain their personalities and
control because their Shinigami side remains dominant. As a result
of dominating their hollow however, or as Shinji says, by devouring the hollow and
forcing him into the very core of their soul. Vizard
able to access their hollow's power which greatly augments their own, whether they're
actively tapping into it or not. When a Vizard is fully using their Hollow abilities they
don their Hollow's mask, a process referred to as Hollowification (horou-ka). Unlike
Hollows, the Vizard do not have any holes on their body and retain their
shikai and bankai. Along with greatly augmented strength, endurance, speed, and power,
the Vizard also gain the ability to use Cero blasts which is a Hollow ability.

Because the Vizard have obtained Hollow abilities and committed the ultimate taboo
(after all, even Kisuke Urahara, a captain at the time, was exhiled for trying to merge
hollow and shinigami abilities) they are viewed as outlaws, rogues, and
freaks by Soul Society. Hollow do not look kindly upon the Vizard either because they are
former Shinigami, not that the Vizard would really like to associate with them anyway.
Because they are neither Shinigami nor Hollow, the Vizard are the true outcasts of the
series, for they do not belong to and are not welcome by either camp. This is contrary to
the Arrancar, Hollow who have removed their mask and obtained Shinigami power, who are
reverred by their fellow Hollow. In the manga and anime, Hiyori
reveals that not only are the Vizard ostrasized by Hueco Mundo and Soul Society, but that
they do not quite fit in with humans either.
It should also be noted that, as of yet, the Vizard's agenda has not yet been revealed.
Because they are Soul Society outlaws, and by Shinji's own offhand comments about not
wanting to get involved in "Shinigami affairs" it is known that they do not care to
follow or assist in Shinigami matters. It is known however that the Vizard are aware of
Aizen's plots and are not on his side. For all intents and purposes, the Vizard are on
their own side.
Meaning Behind the Name
The term 'Vizard' is an archaic word for a mask that completely obscures the face and
identity of the wearer. In the manga the kanji (仮面の軍勢)
for kamen no gunzei "masked troops" is used. However, the kanji is read as:
ヴァイザード (vizard). The name Vizard has been spelled
and pronounced as "vaizard" and "vaizardo" but the proper spelling is Vizard.
Statistics and Rumors
Of the nine Vizard (including Kurosaki Ichigo) only Sarugaki Hiyori (pictured left),
Hirako Shinji, and Kurosaki Ichigo have been
seen wearing their masks. Earlier in the series when Hitsugaya Toushirou
(10th division captain) was explaining what Arrancar were, and subsequently their
antithesis the Vizard, a picture of the Vizard was seen. However it was only their
silhouettes and so the masks of the other Vizard are completely unknown.
To date, the names of the Vizard's zanpaktou remain unknown. None of the Vizard
(sans Ichigo of course) have yet had the need to release their zanpaktou, so it is also
unknown how many (if any) have acheived bankai.There is, however, speculation that both
Hiyori (purported to be the second strongest Vizard) and Shinji (the leader and the
strongest of the Vizard) have both acheived bankai. There is no official word on the
matter however, to support or disspute this rumor.
With the release of chapter -108 (316) of the manga, "Turn Back the Pendulum", it is now known
at least four of the vizard have achieved bankai. It has been revealed that Shinji, Love,
Kensei, and Rose are former captains of the Gotei 13 which signifies that they have in
fact achieved bankai. It is unknown whether Lisa, Hiyori, Hachigen, and Mashiro have also
attained banaki however.
Updated: April 3, 2008
back | home


Kamen fanlisting Copyright ©2006 Fanatic Otaku. View our Copyright and Privacy Policy. Reproduction
and redistribution of any material connected to this site without approval of the admin is
strictly prohibited. For more information please view my
Disclaimer and Policy statement. Bleach,
Vizard, are the property of Kubo Tite. This is just a fan creation, I make no claims
to their ownership. If you have any comments or concerns please feel free to
contact me.
|