Hohō (Seireitou)

Hohō (歩法, Agility; Viz "Fast Movement"; lit. step method) is the name given to one of the four combat skills of the Shinigami and relates to footwork, although variations of Hohō are used among other beings, such as Arrancar and Quincy. Hohō is an important skill for most Shinigami, and is one of their four basic fighting styles. The agility and speed of Hohō can be enhanced and improved through mastery of it, concentration, and training. The foremost Shinigami practitioners of this technique are those assigned to the Onmitsukidō.

Shinigami Hohō
Shunpō (瞬歩, Flash steps) is a movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow, and is the main footwork used by Shinigami. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from point A to point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpō can move; those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower, which requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become winded far easier in a shorter amount of time. Yoruichi Shihōin was given the title "Goddess of the Flash" (瞬神, Shunshin), as she is the foremost Flash Steps Master.


 * Shukuchi (縮地, Reduced Earth) is an advanced form of Shunpō, and an extremely rare variation, even among Shinigami Captains of the Gotei 13, to obtain; let alone master. By rapidly increasing the speed at which each step is done at exponential levels, the user can move at beyond god-like speeds. A master of Shukuchi can easily match, and possibly surpass, the speed associated with Seireitou and Shōyō's Seiten Shiranui-ryū. These rapidly-increasing steps cause multiple sounds to occur, in contrast to Shunpō which produces a single light sound. When used by Saiga Ūtakata, the tatami mats below him appeared to explode with each of his steps. In some cases, one can produce a spark of spiritual energy, similar to that of a Fullbringer's Bringer Light, and even burn the ground beneath him with each step. This is because, in Shunpō, the user exerts a stress-induced force on their legs just once, and then uses their spiritual energy to accelerate their movement without the need for further force. However, in Shukuchi, force is exerted with each step, and with each step, more and more stress is exerted on the legs while using their spiritual energy to accelerate at god-like speeds. It is because of this that someone who is inexperienced in Shunpō who attempts to mimic this technique will end up breaking their legs. Notable masters of Shukuchi include Hibiki Asakura, Seireitou Kawahiru, Madara Kawahiru, and Hōsen Kuramoto. It has been seen to be used by others, such as Saiga and Noriaki Ueshiba, though it is unknown if they have mastered the technique.

Arrancar Hohō
Sonído (響転 (ソニード), Sonīdo; Spanish for "Sound", Japanese for "Sound Ceremony"): A variation of Shunpō that is used Arrancar, and considered equivalent to a Shinigami's Shunpō. In terms of speed, they are roughly equal. While somewhat similar to Hohō, Sonído appears to be more instinctual than Hohō, requiring no previous knowledge to perform. It also makes a different sound; rather than the swishing or sometimes silent Shunpo of the Shinigami, Sonído makes a booming or static sound.

Quincy Hohō
Hirenkyaku (飛廉脚, "Flying Screen Step/God Step"; Viz: "Flying Bamboo-Blind Leg"): Essentially, it is the Quincy equivalent to the Shinigami's Shunpo, or the Arrancar's Sonído. Uryū Ishida implied that its speed is superior to Shunpo or Sonído, though Mayuri Kurotsuchi's superior speed suggests that this is just a generalization. To perform the technique, the user gathers spiritual particles under their feet and rides them to the desired location. Like the air-walking skill displayed by most Arrancar and Shinigami, it can also be used to hover or fly for long distances. Mayuri compliments Uryū on being able to use this technique at such a young age, suggesting that it is difficult to master. Hirenkyaku enables Quincies to keep up with, and overpower faster opponents depending on the user's skill. The use of this technique aided Uryū as he defeated a seated Shinigami officer, a Números Arrancar, and even a Privaron Espada in combat. However, there is apparently more use for the technique than simply moving quickly.

Fullbringer Hohō
Bringer Light (完現光 (ブリンガーライト), Kangen Hikari (Buringā Raito); "Full Manifestation Light"): By using Fullbring, one can accelerate their movements. It stands as a representation that one is beginning to master Fullbring. Fullbring can allow a user to perform an amplified jump by fullbringing the concrete. It also allows a user to Fullbring the "Air", allowing them to mid-jump and use it to accelerate. To be capable of such uses of Fullbring is to be in the beginning of mastery of Fullbring. Bringer Light produces a light-green form of spiritual energy at the feet, which appear as flames, and sometimes as electrical sparks.