In Bleach, shikai is the first form and special ability of a zanpakutou. Each individual has their own unique shikai with their own appearance and abilities. Users are usually able to release and revert their shikai at will, though some individuals have a "full-time release" shikai where their sword is always in shikai form.
A shikai is less powerful than the second and final form, bankai.
For the artist formerly tagged here, see shikai_(iesiki_56).
The following tags are aliased to this tag: shikai_(bleach) (learn more).