Hyourinmaru

Hyōrinmaru is proud, solemn and protective. Unlike many of the rebellious spirits, he is not motivated by hatred of his wielder; Muramasa’s interference damages his memory and leaves him unable to recognize Hitsugaya.

His reserved humanoid manifestation contrasts with the dragon’s overwhelming presence. Once his memories return, he treats Hitsugaya as a trusted partner and acts responsibly toward other spirits.

Hyōrinmaru controls ice and atmospheric water. In Shikai, its dragon-shaped torrents can freeze targets and terrain, while the chain extending from the hilt can also freeze anything it catches.

Daiguren Hyōrinmaru forms ice wings, a tail, clawed coverings and three four-petalled ice flowers behind Hitsugaya. Its techniques include Ryūsenka, which freezes and shatters a pierced opponent, and Sennen Hyōrō, which surrounds a target with immense pillars of ice.

When the final ice-flower petal disappears, the completed Bankai matures Hitsugaya’s body and expands Hyōrinmaru’s power. Anything he freezes can have its function suspended, and Shikai Hyōketsu freezes all matter before him after four seconds.

Hyōrinmaru first calls to Hitsugaya before he becomes a Shinigami, its uncontrolled cold affecting the child and his surroundings. Their eventual communication leads Hitsugaya to enter the academy and master the Zanpakutō.

In the anime rebellion, Muramasa erases Hyōrinmaru’s memories of his wielder. Hitsugaya fights him and recreates the circumstances of their first meeting, allowing the spirit to remember his name and renew their bond.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya is Hyōrinmaru’s wielder and long-term partner. The spirit first reaches him in dreams before Hitsugaya understands what a Zanpakutō is.

Muramasa disrupts Hyōrinmaru’s memories during the rebellion. Rangiku Matsumoto recognizes the danger of Hitsugaya’s uncontrolled cold and encourages him to attend the Shin’ō Academy.