Summary
Sousuke Aizen is not only one of the most famous characters fromBleach, but also one of the most famous villains in the anime medium. Aizen’s evil machinations and manipulation of everyone around him led to a big part of the story’s events. Aizen is known for his uncanny ability to control everyone according to his plans, and his main ability embodies this: Complete Hypnosis or Kanzen Saimin. Aizen’s Zanpakutou, Kyouka Suigetsu, can control his victim’s senses, causing them to see, hear, smell, and tastewhatever Aizen wants them to.
Aizen’s Complete Hypnosis is one of the most terrifying and overpowering abilities inBleach. Here’s a breakdown of how Kyouka Suigetsu works, all he can and can’t do.
Aizen’s Treachery
The Master of Manipulation
When Sousuke Aizen was born, the balance of souls was thrown off. Aizen is one of the most powerful Soul Reapers to ever exist. His mere existence is an anomaly. And thus, his Zanpakutou possess an almost invincible ability, while also not being apower made for combat. Unlike Yamamoto’s fire-wielding Ryujin Jakka, Ichigo’s speed-focused Zangetsu or Byakuya’s long-range Senbonzakura. Kyouka Suigetsu’s ability is not the kind of power you’d often see in battle. It does not attack the opponent directly, rather it affects the enemy’s mind in a specific way.
There’s another Zanpakutou that affects the opponent’s senses. Shinji Hirako’s Sakanade reverts the victim’s sense of direction, giving Hirako an opening to attack. Kaname Tosen’s Suzumushi nullifies the senses of sight, hearing, and smell, only leaving touch. But these effects can be overcome, as shown whenZaraki Kenpachi used his touch and intuitionto find Tosen, and how Aizen simply attacked in the opposite direction, adapting to Sakanade’s inversion. While Bambietta Basterbine launched bombs in all directions, hitting Hirako.
Kyouka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis immerses his victim into an illusion that can last as long as Aizen wills it. The victim will perceive a reality Aizen dictates for them, without the victim ever even realizing they’re under its effect. Aizen used this ability to make Hirako believe he spent time with Aizen beside him, while in reality, a complete stranger was with him the entire time. All the interactions Hirako had withAizen as his lieutenantwere fake. Aizen was never there with him.
“When were you under the impression that I wasn’t using Kyouka Suigetsu?”
Most famously, Aizen used his power to make the most of the Gotei 13 and the Vizards believe they were fighting him all at once and even managed to defeat him. When, in reality, they were all attacking Momo Hinamori. Reality can turn into a nightmare of Aizen’s creation without the victim knowing when Aizen started the illusion. Completely blurring the line between reality and Aizen’s Complete Hypnosis.
How it Starts, and How it Ends
The Blade is the Key
The most terrifying aspect of Kyouka Suigetsu is how easily it snares victims in his trap. For Aizen to activate Complete Hypnosis and trap his enemy in it, he simply needs to release his Shikai, which the release command “Shatter”, and if his opponent sees Kyouka Suigetsu’s blade, the ability starts. There’s no indication of when the Hypnosis begins. When Aizen undoes the illusion, the image shown to the victim shatters like glass. And, even if the subject is aware of being under its influence because they noticed the release,they can’t resist the illusion.
To be freed from Complete Hypnosis, the victim must touch Kyoka Suigetsu’s blade with their bare hands, but considering how powerful Aizen is, this is easier said than done. After Aizen fused with the Hogyouku, he no longer needed to release and show Kyouka Suigetsu to activate its power, as shown whenhe used it on Yhwachwhile being sealed in the Muken.
