Shinigami with Special Abilities Aside from Bankai

   Hey readers, sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been really busy at school,... but now I'm back! Feels good to be back. Aside from the matter of my return, I was recently asked a question by a fellow Bleach fan. Why is it that some characters either don't have bankai or don't possess the ability to summon bankai, but possess a number of other special abilities beyond the release of shikai? Characters like this include: Kisuke Urahara, Kenpachi Zaraki, & Hanataro Yamada. This has always been a subject that I've pondered upon because Kenny and Hat 'n Clogs are two of my favorite characters. 

   Hanataro wields a zanpakuto named Hisagomaru (瓠丸 Gourd). He resides in the 4th Division and is captain of its 14th Relief Squad. At many points near the beginning of Ichigo's journey's in the Soul Society, Hanataro takes care of his wounds. He saves his life many a time. Like all Shinigami, Hanataro has a zanpakuto, though he rarely uses it in battle. Its shikai, as I previously mentioned, is named Hisagomaru. Hanataro either cannot or will not release bankai, but the sword has healing abilities that Hanataro has used to close wounds with Renji, Ichigo, and more of his close relations.

   Kenpachi's zanpakuto's name is never known. The explanation by Tite Kubo and many of his loyal fans is that Kenny is merely strong enough to fight off most any foes without the aid of a bankai. An example of this is when Ichigo first uses Zangetsu to try and slash  Kenny's chest. The attempt uses a lot of Ichigo's strength, but no mark is left. Not even the slightest scratch. Plus, whenever Kenny is nearby, most anyone can sense his presence because of the super immense strength of his spiritual pressure. He does, however, reveal extra abilities predominately triggered by the removal of his eye-patch which is thought to be a binding on his spiritual pressure. Some think, that without the patch, most would die in the presence of Kenpachi Zaraki. These extra abilities include large outburst of yellow energy accompanied by Kenny's insane laughter and the signature bell tones associated with the bells at the tips of his hair spikes.

   Kisuke Urahara is well known to be a pretty powerful Shinigami though he was exiled to the human world. He was once the captain of the 12th Division and is the founder of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. His zanpakuto's name is Benehime (深紅色のプリンセス Crimson Princess). He does know bankai and can release his. This is learned when Yoruichi mentions that Kisuke was able to accomplish bankai in the same three day training like Ichigo. Special abilities aside from bankai include: Nake (Scream or Sing), Chikasumi (Blood Mist Shield), Shibari (Binding), Hiasobi (Fire Playing), and Juzutsunagi (Beaded Mesh)