<p>A <em>bankai</em> has never been silently released before.  That is to say, a Soul Reaper has never silently achieved <em>bankai</em> in the middle of a fight and continued the battle.</p>

<p>Each <em>bankai</em> does have a formal declaration, even if it is a bit more sly than others (such as Kuchiki Byakuya throwing his sword down on some occasions), but there is still the ceremony of declaring it as <em>bankai</em> and revealing its name.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-27T09:47:27.247Z
After re-reading the manga, I've found this to be incorrect. See my answer
BlueMoon93
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-23T04:35:27.970Z
2019-05-23T04:35:27.970Z
Makoto
<h1>Yes, it has.</h1>

<p>After re-reading the manga, this happens twice. Once when Ichigo fights Ulquiorra for the first time in Las Noches</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2CsBi.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2CsBi.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kzMoq.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kzMoq.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>And again in his <a href="https://youtu.be/gr9qc_MNGJ4?t=147" rel="noreferrer">fight</a> against Grimmjow</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EUnyF.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EUnyF.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/O2bvO.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/O2bvO.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-19T17:40:27.603Z
actually it happens three times, you skipped the first time when he saved nel from dordoni and then cut his horn of and then cut the snake monster in half.
Nate Casey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-27T09:45:26.550Z
2019-05-27T09:45:26.550Z
BlueMoon93
<p>To activate a Bankai or its ability, is the user required to perform some verbal command activation? </p>

<p>For example, Ichigo often yells</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, I'm pretty sure that I've read some silent activations, but I can't remember for sure.</p>

<p>So has a Bankai ever been activated without a vocal command? </p>

<p>Note that this is not a duplicate of <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/q/51328/1458">Can a mute activate a zanpakutou</a>, as that question asks whether it is possible. And this question asks if a silent activation has ever happened in the series. </p>

<bleach>
Has a bankai ever been silently activated?
# Has a bankai ever been silently activated?
Posted by: username_0 on 2019-05-20
To activate a Bankai or its ability, is the user required to perform some verbal command activation?

For example, Ichigo often yells

> Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu

However, I'm pretty sure that I've read some silent activations, but I can't remember for sure.

So has a Bankai ever been activated without a vocal command?

Note that this is not a duplicate of [Can a mute activate a zanpakutou](https://anime.stackexchange.com/q/51328/1458), as that question asks whether it is possible. And this question asks if a silent activation has ever happened in the series.
**Tags:** bleach
---
## 2 answers
### Answer by username_0 on 2019-05-27. Score: 7 | Accepted answer
# Yes, it has.

After re-reading the manga, this happens twice. Once when Ichigo fights Ulquiorra for the first time in Las Noches

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2CsBi.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/2CsBi.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/kzMoq.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/kzMoq.png)

And again in his [fight](https://youtu.be/gr9qc_MNGJ4?t=147) against Grimmjow

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/EUnyF.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/EUnyF.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/O2bvO.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/O2bvO.jpg)
> **Comments:**
> **username_2** (2021-04-19): actually it happens three times, you skipped the first time when he saved nel from dordoni and then cut his horn of and then cut the snake monster in half.  
---
### Answer by username_1 on 2019-05-23. Score: 4
A *bankai* has never been silently released before. That is to say, a Soul Reaper has never silently achieved *bankai* in the middle of a fight and continued the battle.

Each *bankai* does have a formal declaration, even if it is a bit more sly than others (such as Kuchiki Byakuya throwing his sword down on some occasions), but there is still the ceremony of declaring it as *bankai* and revealing its name.
> **Comments:**
> **username_0** (2019-05-27): After re-reading the manga, I've found this to be incorrect. See my answer  
---
