Each spell is graded on a scale from 1 to 99, the latter being the most powerful and the most difficult to perform. The scale is a measure of difficulty, as there can be multiple spells which share the same level. To use Kidō, a Shinigami must recite the specific incantation for the spell, which is often long and requires a few seconds to speak.

This weakness can be negated by Shinigami capable of using Eishōhaki (詠唱破棄, lit. "Incantation Abandonment"), a technique that releases Kidō without a spirit chant. While it decreases the time needed to release the Kidō, it drastically weakens the spell. While anyone well versed in Kidō can use this technique, it is most effective when done by a skilled practitioner, otherwise the spell could utterly fail (ie: the spell explodes in the user's face). The most skilled experts are capable of using this technique to amazing effect.

There are three main types of Kidō: binding spells, destruction spells, and healing spells.

* Bakudō (縛道, lit. "Way of Binding"): These are a broad category of defensive spells which block/repel attacks or freezes enemies in place. This class of spells include Kidō Barriers & Seals.

* Hadō (破道, lit. "Way of Destruction"): These are offensive spells which harm an enemy or cause damage to objects.

* Healing spells: These do not have known names, numbers, or incantations to cast, and simply heal the target. As the user holds his/her hands above the patient's wounds, his/her palms glow with green spiritual energy to facilitate healing. The mechanics of this healing technique involves the replenishment of the patient's Reiatsu first, then using the body's Reiatsu with the healer's Reiatsu in order to heal the patient's body.

Hadō (破道, "Way of Destruction")
(A category of Offensive spells.)

1. Shō (衝, Thrust)
Pushes the target away from the caster.

4. Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)
The user fires a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from their finger.

11. Tsuzuri Raiden (製本電, Bound Lightning)
Electric current flows through any object the user touches and is able to lead electricity, damaging any target that is in contact with the object the current runs through.

31. Shakkahō (赤火砲, Red Fire Cannon)
Fires a ball of red energy at a target.

32. Ōkasen (黄火閃, Yellow Fire Flash)
Fires a wide arc of yellow energy at a target.

33. Sōkatsui (蒼火墜, Blue Fire, Crash Down)
Fires a burst of blue spiritual energy at a target in a similar manner to #31, but over a wider area and with more power.

54. Haien (廃炎, Abolishing Flames)
Fires a blast of purple spiritual energy that will incinerate a target completely when it makes contact.

58. Tenran (闐嵐, Orchid Sky)
A widening tornado-like blast is fired towards the target.

63. Raikōhō (雷吼炮, Thunder Roar Sear)
Fires a massive wave of yellow energy at a target.

73. Sōren Sōkatsui (双蓮蒼火墜, Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down)
Essentially a doubled version of #33, this spell fires two shots of blue fire with greater potency than the single-shot variety.

88. Hiryugekizokushintenraiho (飛竜撃賊震天雷砲, Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon)
Fires a gigantic electricity blast of spiritual energy resulting in a truly enormous explosion.

90. Kurohitsugi (黒棺, Black Coffin)
Envelops the target with a powerful torrent of gravity that takes the form of a box of black energy, covered in several spear-like protrusions. The spears then pierce the box, lacerating the one inside from head to toe.

91. Senjū Kōten Taihō (千手皎天汰炮, Thousand-Hand Bright Heaven Culling-Sear)
Summons several spears of light that are all fired towards the same focal point where the intended target resides. The culminating explosion is exceedingly devastating.

96. Ittō Kasō (一刀火葬, Single Blade Cremation)
A forbidden spell. It is a spell that causes a huge pillar of fire to erupt from the ground in the shape of a katana's tip.