Ikkaku's Bankai!

I have just passed the Bleach arc where you see Ikkaku's Bankai first hand in a battle against the Arrancar.

And i have to say that so far it is one of my fave.

But im wondering, When Ikkaku fought Ichigo in the Soul Society did he already know Bankai?
Or did he learn it at a later date after the events in the Soul Society?
Just something that popped into my head. xD

I'm preeeetty sure he knew bankai when he fought Ichigo. He just didn't wanna use it because he wants to keep it a secret. ;D

Yeah, I'm pretty sure his is the coolest out of everyone's Bankai. Until I see Yumichika's (Which will be so f**king pretty.)

Hitsugaya's bankai is my favorite.

I LOOOOOOOVE THOUSAND YEARS ICE PRISON

Ikkaku's bankai is by farrrrrr.. the most impressive. You can just tell how super strong he is with all that.. stuff.. he's swinging around. XDD
I also like Hitsugaya's. Big ice dragon ftw.

Oh, yeah, and I like the design of Renji's bankai... but it's not all that *cool*. He just swings it around basically like it's a huge sword.. which it kind of is. Doesn't seem to do a lot of damage on others for some reason.
I guess once he "masters" it, it will be a lot more powerful and effective. I want to see some cool action with it.

I really want to see Captain Uketake's(sp?) Bankai.
But i suppose we'll be seeing it soon...i hope.

Ikkaku's bankai is super awesome, but I don't think his is the most powerful. I mean, look at Komomura's and Byakuya's. I don't think Ikkaku's bankai could beat theirs.