Zanpaktou Abilities

[DB_Hunter]

Ok so now we have seen Rukia's zanpaktou and its similar to Toushiro's. It got me thinking as to how a shinigami actually gets a zanpaktou with that particular ability i.e. Why is Yamamoto's the most powerful attack zanpaktou, Ichigo's one that magnifies his reiatsu, Byakuya's tiny blades etc.

Any thoughts? Or was this explained somehwere and I have missed it?

[Kraco]

A good question. I guess many of them match well, though. Toushiro's ice element certainly matches his looks and perhaps manners. Yamamoto's is kind of neutral considering his character, but on the other hand it's not like he was that well introduced man in the series anyway. And fire easily gives the impression of attack power. Byakuya is the epitome of aristocracy in this series, and maybe considering the Japanese background the sakura petals reflect that nicely. Gin is a sly fellow, so the elongating, sniping zanpakutou is really good.

However, I don't really see how ice and Rukia connect. In fact, I didn't expect at all an ice element for her. She's not a blond (or blue haired), not some ice queen, not even a bishoujo for any extra, cold beauty. Nor is her behavior anything like that. But then again, maybe not Toushiro's either, even though his looks are those of an ice elementalist.

[Genma]

I think zanpaktou abilities are just random and whatever the manga writer feels like making.

That's why I don't watch or read Bleach anymore. It doesn't have a real solid storyline... at least for me.

[NeoCybercoin]

Well that makes me wonder what Zaraki would get. A gaint axe because of his lust of battle and bloodshed? Or a huge hammer?

[Kraco]

Hard to say. But I guess it's safe to assume it wouldn't be anything too fancy or complicated like some people have, Byakuya as a good example (like too fancy for Zaraki, for Byakuya of course not).

However, Zaraki is a genuinely very good fighter. So, I don't see why he would need a huge axe or hammer. They don't fit a fighter who also knows how to rely on skills, not only sheer overpowering strength. Especially since Zaraki at least used to think zanpakutou is nothing more than a tool, and the power lies in the user.

[DB_Hunter]

So are we saying that the zanpaktou reflects the personality of the individual? Does the reiatsu of a shinigami then not only have size i.e. large or small but it also has personality?