Vizards: who they are, all members, masks and abilities

Who are the Vizards

Vizards (Japanese: 仮面の軍勢, Vaiza:do, "Army in Masks") are shinigami who acquired the powers of hollows. In essence, they are the opposite of arrancars: if arrancars are hollows who removed their masks and gained shinigami powers, then vizard are shinigami who put on the masks of hollows.

In their normal state, Vizards look like ordinary Shinigami. But when they put on their hollow mask, their spiritual pressure mixes with the power of a hollow, and their combat characteristics sharply increase. The process of putting on the mask and transforming is called hollowfication.

From the perspective of the Soul Society, the Vizards are criminals who violated the main prohibition: a shinigami has no right to use the powers of hollows. Therefore they were going to be executed as hollows, but they managed to be saved thanks to Urahara and Yoruichi, and they hid in the human world for a long time.

History of appearance

Approximately 100 years before the main events, shinigami began to disappear in the Soul Society — only their clothes remained. Captains and lieutenants were sent to investigate, but they themselves became victims.

As it turned out, behind this was Sosuke Aizen, then still a lieutenant of the 5th Division. He used his zanpakutō Kyōka Suigetsu for manipulation and infected Kensei Muguruma's squad with an experimental substance that causes hollowfication.

Infected shinigami began turning into hollows, but the process was stopped when Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin helped them escape to the human world. Urahara created a vaccine that stabilized their condition and allowed them to learn to control the hollow within.

This is how the eight Vizards came to be: all former captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13, forced to hide from the Soul Society.

Known Vizards

There are eight Vizards in total. Ichigo Kurosaki is considered the ninth, but unofficially.

Powers and abilities

Hollow Mask. The main ability of the Vizards is the ability to put on a hollow mask, which grants a boost to speed, strength, endurance, and spiritual pressure. According to Aizen, the fusion of shinigami and hollow powers allows one to reach a level surpassing both of them individually.

Time limit. Every Vizard has a limit on how long they can wear their mask. After centuries of training, most can hold it for about three minutes. Ichigo started with a few seconds but quickly built up to several minutes. The exact factors of the limit are unknown.

Increased speed and strength. In the mask, Vizards move and strike much faster and stronger. Kensei in his mask could suppress a Gillian with a barrage of blows, and Love tore a Gillian apart with his bare hands.

Cero. Vizards can use Cero — a Hollow technique. This was shown by Shinji, Hiyori, and Mashiro.

Spiritual pressure. As with Arrancars, the spiritual pressure of Vizards is mixed. Ulquiorra noted that Ichigo's power in the mask resembles the power of an Espada.

Zanpakutō. Vizards continue to use their Zanpakutō like ordinary Shinigami. The exceptions are Mashiro (who prefers hand-to-hand combat) and Hachigen (a Kido master).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How are Vizards different from Arrancars?

Why are Vizards considered criminals?

Who is the leader of the Vizards?

How many Vizards are there?

Can Vizards use Bankai?

What to read next

• **Gotei 13: all captains, divisions, and their abilities** — what the Vizards became after their return.

• **Shikai and Bankai: what is the difference and how to obtain them** — the basics of Shinigami powers.

• **Espada: all 10 Arrancars, their aspects of death, and abilities** — the strongest Arrancars.