Summary
- Byakuya Kuchiki evolved from a stoic leader bound by duty to a caring protector of his family and allies.
- His journey from adversary to ally to Ichigo and Rukia showcases his growth as one of Tite Kubo's best-written characters.
- Byakuya's loyalty and willingness to protect those he cares for highlight his transformation into a proud and honorable hero.
Byakuya Kuchiki is one of the faces of Bleach, a stoic, powerful, and honorable Soul Reaper captain. Byakuya is the captain of Squad 6, with Renji Abarai as his lieutenant—a key figure in the lives of Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki. Byakuya is one of the most beloved characters in the Bleach fandom, renowned for his cool design and powers. Still, his amazing evolution throughout the story makes him stand out as one of Tite Kubo's best-written characters.
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Byakuya stands for the values and honor of Soul Society and the Gotei 13, at times to an extreme. Byakuya has been at odds with himself and his own family due to this commitment to his duty, and from that he grew up as one of the series' most admirable heroes. Captain Kuchiki is a proud protector. Let's explore how much he's evolved throughout Bleach.
The Head of the Kuchiki Clan to a Fault
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Byakuya is the current head of the Kuchiki clan, one of the Noble families in the Soul Society. The Kuchiki carry out the duty of being the historians of the Soul Society, documenting every significant event, and also have a working member of the Gotei 13. When Byakuya was a young boy, he was trained by the then captain of Squad 2, Yoruichi Shihouin, in the arts of Shunpo or Flash Step. Giving Byakuya the blinding speeds he's now known for. After he became an adult and the head of the clan, he met a woman named Hisanna. The two fell in love and got married. Hisanna often talked about her strange younger sister that she had to abandon as a baby in the Rukongai district. Hisanna would always express profound sadness thinking about this.
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Hisanna eventually became terminally ill, and on her deathbed, she asked Byakuya for a favor. She seeks out her sister and adopts her into the family, looking after her. As if ordained by fate, this girl had joined the Soul Reaper academy. Her name was Rukia. Byakuya and the Kuchiki clan went to see her and adopted her into the family as Byakuya's sister. She was then given a place in the Gotei 13, as a non-seated member of Squad 13. And since that day, Byakuya hasn't ever looked at Rukia directly and always treated her coldly.
After Rukia gave her powers to Ichigo Kurosaki and stayed in the Human World too long. She is ordered to be arrested by Byakuya and his now lieutenant, Renji Abarai, Rukia's childhood friend. It was here when Byakuya met Ichigo for the first time, making quick work of the boy in battle. Rukia was later sentenced to death by Central 46, and Byakuya never questioned this decision. When Ichigo and his friends infiltrated Soul Society to save Rukia, Byakuya was Ichigo's biggest obstacle. After his battle with Ichigo and his words cutting deep into the stoic captain, Byakuya battled to save Rukia from Sousuke Aizen, who had betrayed the Soul Reapers.
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A heavily wounded Byakuya told Rukia the truth. He told her about her sister Hisanna, and the reason why he couldn't look at her, it hurt him deeply, as she always reminded him of his late wife. Byakuya apologized to Rukia and his wife, as he had betrayed Hisanna's dying wish, he would now give his life to protect his sister.
A Loyal Ally to Ichigo, a Caring Brother
After the events of the Soul Society arc, Byakuya's relationship with Rukia and Renji took a more positive turn. He was now much more supportive and honest with them. When Ichigo and his friends went to Hueco Mundo to save Orihime Inoue from the Arrancar, the Gotei 13 declared Orihime as a traitor to the Soul Society, forbidding captains from aiding Ichigo. But when Ichigo, Sado, and Uryuu face dangerous enemies in Hueco Mundo, Rukia and Renji arrive to assist them and join the rescue operation. They were sent by Byakuya, showing his growing respect and willingness to help Ichigo.
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Later, when Rukia is about to be killed by Septima Espada, Zommari Rureaux, Byakuya arrives to save her life and quickly defeats Zommari. Telling Zommari he was defeating him not out of his duty as a Soul Reaper to defeat Hollows, but because "he hurt his pride", referring to Zommari attempting to kill his sister Rukia. Byakuya had now taken a protective role towards Rukia, as he had promised Hisanna.
During the Fullbring Arc, when the Gotei 13 came to the aid of a helpless Ichigo, his powers were restored by a special method using the reiatsu of all the captains of the Gotei, including Byakuya. Later, he faces Shukuro Tsukishima, the one responsible for Ichigo's mental torture. He had the ability Book of the End, which implanted Tsukishima into someone's past. He attempted to convince Byakuya of these fake memories, but Byakuya powered through with his loyalty to Ichigo, and defeated the Fullbringer as he was "an enemy of Ichigo Kurosaki".
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During the First Quincy Invasion, Byakuya was brutally beaten down by Sternritter F - The Fear, Äs Nodt. In his last moments, he spoke to Ichigo, and with tears in his eyes, he asked Ichigo to protect his Soul Society. When Rukia unleashed her Bankai, Hakka no Togame, and defeated Äs Nodt, he complimented Rukia's beautiful Bankai and reassured her by telling her how strong she'd become, finally giving his sister the approval and care she always wanted from him. Byakuya's closeness to his sister had improved and his respect and friendship with Ichigo did too. Byakuya started by seeing this human boy as an intruder and now saw him as a valuable ally and friend he owed much.
Byakuya started as an antagonistic obstacle in Ichigo's way, binding himself to the laws of the Soul Society at the stake of his family. Now he is a proud and loyal hero, looking out for his sister, lieutenant, and newfound ally, Ichigo.