Bleach Rebirth of Souls features a plethora of mechanics you won’t find in other traditional fighting games. Yet, despite their uniqueness, they work in perfect harmony and synergy to create an adrenaline-packed, nail-biting experience where every dash and button matters. One of these mechanics, which also demonstrates the game’s cinematography, is Awakening, a one-time comeback move that can turn the tide of the battle.
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This is a near-universal move, meaning it’s available to almost every character in the game and gives them the same bounce-back dynamic. However, on top of learning what this move is and how you trigger it, it’s also important to learn when you should use it so you can squeeze out the maximum possible advantages.
What Is Awakening?
When you deal or take damage in Rebirth of Souls, your Fighting Gauge (the bar beneath your Reishi Gauge) fills up, and once it’s reached its peak, you can press the corresponding buttons simultaneously to activate Awakening — a transformation that enhances your attacks. You’ll notice a large “EVOLUTION” appearing underneath the Fighting Gauge when it’s fully charged, giving you the signal that you can awaken at any time.
The Enhancements When Awakened
On top of your basic Quick and Flash Attacks gaining almost a 20 percent damage boost, the most significant change you’ll see is to your Kikon Moves. Awakened Kikon Moves typically take out an extra Konpaku, meaning three Konpaku normally and four with Soul Break. You can check out the exact number of Konpaku they’ll eliminate as “Awakened Kikon Move 1” in the Character Select Screen.
Besides that, several characters will gain additional mechanics on top of their base attacks or unlock new moves altogether, like Shinshui Kyoraku getting the Children’s Game. It’s an interesting way to knowledge-check your opponent because they might not anticipate or be able to respond to these new strategies.
The Next Phases Of Awakening: Kikon Channel, Spirit Drive, And Reawakening
Your Fighting Gauge will continue charging even during Awakening, and the first time it’s maxed out, you automatically reach Kikon Channel, a new state that unlocks your second Awakened Kikon Move. This new finisher typically eliminates yet another Konpaku, capping at five with Soul Break.
In this state, you can finish off a full-health opponent with just two Kikon Moves, so the comeback potential is a real possibility here.
Your Fighting Gauge turns red when you enter the Kikon Channel.
Finally, once the Kikon Channel hits its peak, you reach your strongest state — Spirit Drive. Your attacks receive an even larger damage boost, your dashes are quicker with lower recovery frames, and your Fighting Gauge comes to a conclusive halt.
However, a few characters, namely Uryu Ishida, Sosuke Aizen, Ulquiorra Cifer, and Ichigo Kurosaki (Bankai) have a Reawakened state instead of Spirit Drive.
Like Awakening, Reawakening needs to be manually triggered, and may have certain conditions before activating (like Aizen losing all of his Konpaku). Fortunately, the payoff is well worth it since your basic and special attacks get an upgrade and are far more lethal, even more so than the characters with Spirit Drive.
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