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A very large sword with mystical powers from Japanese mythology.
The "Buster Sword" from the videogame "Final Fantasy XII" and the "Tetsaiga" from the manga series "Inuyasha" have been based on the zanpaktou.

The manga series "Bleach" have also made the zanpaktou an important part of its storyline, with several characters using their own. These zanpaktou differ in size and can be as small as a knife.
zanpaktou by poopguy July 26, 2009
Urban Dictionary Merch
A zanpaktou¨­ (”ØÆÇµ¶, zanpakut¨­? lit. soul-cutting sword) is a fictional type of weapon in the Bleach series wielded by those with shinigami powers. The art of using a zanpakut¨­ is called zanjutsu (swordsmanship).

itchigo's Zanpaktou is called Zangetsu
zanpaktou by Dillan July 9, 2007
Related Words
A sword forged from a shinigami soul and has a name by which the shinigami must learn to release it to shikai or bankai.
Ichigo's zanpakuto name is Zangetsu.

zanpakutou 

Japanese, best translation comes out to "soul cutter." Supernatural weapons used by shinigami in the popular Bleach manga/anime. Each zanpakutou has its own power and persona. Zanpakutou purify Hollows and send spirits to Soul Society. Although, they're also kickass weapons that have two forms of attack (releases). There's the shikai and the strongest, bankai, which can do anything from crate a giant-ass monster thing to giving you a badass yakuza look :p
Did you see Renji use his zanpakutou's bankai?! It was sweet!
zanpakutou by hanatarou March 17, 2005
The literal interpretation of the term Zanbatour is "horse-slaying sword." This is the term for a sword used during the japanese feudal era. It was intended to remove a cavalryman's horse from underneath him by "slaying" it in one fell swoop. However, due to its massive size its was determined ineffective in combat and its use was therefore abandoned.
The zanbatou is a formidable weapon.
Zanbatou by Jolly Roger December 6, 2003

zanpaku-to 

Japanese for soul-cutting sword.

The supernatural swords that soul reapers use to exterminate Hollows and perform Honso on Wholes. Can attain two levels of power; shikai and bankai. These levels often change the look of the sword or the soul reaper. Each zanpaku-to has a unique name and call phrase.
"Rumble!! Iwahyouryu!" - anon. Sould Reaper yelling call and name of zanpaku-to.
zanpaku-to by Verdugg the Imperialist December 22, 2008

zanpakutou 

A sword weilded by a Shinigami(or Death God), to defeat and judge Hollows. Also used in combat against many other things, such as 'Kwin-Shi'(or perhaps, Quincy)s, and other Shinigami. A Zanpakutou(or Soul Slayer) can awaken to it's true form once the Shinigami has ventured inside themselves to find their sword's, and perhaps their own soul's, true identity and name.
Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakutou is kinda lame...
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