Byakuya Kuchiki/Anime Continuity

is the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the four great noble clans in Soul Society. He is also the captain of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13. His previous lieutenant was Ginjirō Shirogane and his current lieutenant is Renji Abarai.

Bount arc (anime only)
When the Bount threat to Soul Society becomes serious, Byakuya receives a message from Captain-Commander Yamamoto and leaves to meet up with him. The next morning, Byakuya arrives at the First Division barracks. While there, Yamamoto tells Byakuya he believes Captain Kurotsuchi may have betrayed them. He asks Byakuya to check if there is any information on the Bount in the Kuchiki Clan's archive, which Byakuya agrees to do.

Byakuya later attends a captains meeting, where Yamamoto informs the other captains of what Byakuya's search revealed. He is present when a messenger arrives, reporting Rukia is currently fighting a Bount. Byakuya, arriving at the fight, saves Rukia from Yoshi, and has Rukia taken to the Kuchiki Manor to recuperate. After a brief exchange, Ichigo asks Byakuya to join with him to defeat the Bount, but Byakuya tells him to go back to his world, as the Gotei 13 will take care of the situation in Soul Society. Later, in a forest in Rukongai, Byakuya encounters the Bount leader Jin Kariya, and the two begin to fight.

When Byakuya asks Kariya about his intentions, Kariya tells him he is the most famous captain, and as such, his defeat would shock and demoralize all of Seireitei. Byakuya, dismissing this as nonsense, attacks Kariya, who responds with wind-based attacks, causing Byakuya to become enveloped in a tornado. Byakuya responds with Kidō, but Kariya evades his attacks. Continuing to attack relentlessly, they are both enveloped in a tornado of Senbonzakura's blades. Ichigo, arriving, disrupts the tornado with a Getsuga Tenshō, freeing the two combatants. Byakuya, noticing Kariya absorbing Reishi, listens as he explains how Bount can use the abundant Reishi in Soul Society to empower and heal themselves. Byakuya watches as Ichigo attacks Kariya with his Bankai, and while they are distracted, Byakuya uses his own Bankai to attack, telling Ichigo he is in the way.

Kariya admits Byakuya is much better than he thought, but reminds him he can continuously heal. As the trio battle, a large blast catches their attention. When the smoke clears, Ran'Tao, the creator of the Bounts, emerges. After a brief exchange between Ran'Tao, Ichigo, and Kariya, Byakuya continues to attack Kariya. They are all at a stalemate until Koga's doll, Dalk, attacks them. As Koga and Kariya make their escape, Dalk attacks, but Byakuya uses Shunpo to dodge every attack. After the battle, Byakuya, preparing to leave, is asked by Ichigo if Kariya should be followed. Byakuya tells him he is already gone, and there will be another time to catch him. Later, Byakuya watches Ichigo's final battle with Kariya, fully confident in Ichigo's ability to defeat him.

After Kariya's defeat, Byakuya scolds Renji and Ichigo, who are having an argument in the Kuchiki Manor, for making such a ruckus. He tells Ichigo that if his business in Soul Society is done, he should head back to the Human World as he does not belong here. Byakuya then leaves and Renji yells at Ichigo because it is his fault Byakuya is now mad at him.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Byakuya is present at a captains meeting where the new captain of the 3rd Division, Shūsuke Amagai is introduced. Byakuya has a lack of interest in the new captain, and when the meeting is over, he simply leaves. He is later sent a Jigokuchō by the Captain-Commander, which states Menos are invading the Dangai. Some time later, Byakuya asks Renji if he is in charge of the search party for Rukia and Ichigo, which Renji confirms to be the case. Renji asks Byakuya what he is going to do about them, saying there has to be a reason for their actions. Byakuya tells him it does not matter, as he has no compassion for those who would violate the peace of Soul Society. He gives Renji sole authority over the search party.

Upon realization of the treasonous actions of the Kasumiōji Clan, Yamamoto orders Byakuya and the 6th Division to lead the infiltration of the Kasumiōji Clan's compound. Byakuya, arriving in the middle of the fight between Shūsuke Amagai and Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, relays the order to subdue the Kasumiōji Clan. Shortly thereafter, Hitsugaya and Byakuya are waiting atop of a roof when the 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto arrives, asking what is going on. Byakuya explains that since the Kasumiōji Clan are a noble family with special status, the Gotei 13 could never interfere with them unless they violated a serious law.

He later watches the battle between Amagai and Ichigo. He bears witness to Yoruichi explaining the details behind what truly happened to Amagai's father. Byakuya prevents Ichigo from stopping Amagai from taking his own life, claiming that Amagai "has pride as well". He and the others watch as Amagai destroys himself because of his disgraceful actions.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Byakuya and Renji duel, with many Shinigami looking on. When Byakuya activates Bankai, Muramasa calls out to his Zanpakutō, telling it to hear his voice, causing one of the blades to cut Byakuya's arm. After a couple of attacks, he seals his Zanpakutō, and Renji notes something is wrong. Byakuya dismisses him, saying they are done for the day. He is later called to Sōkyoku Hill for an emergency meeting, where he and the other Shinigami are confronted by Muramasa. He witnesses his Zanpakutō's spirit materializing and joining Muramasa's side. Asking Muramasa who he is, he watches as the new enemy declares war on the Shinigami. Byakuya later stops Gonryōmaru from attacking Rukia. He is attacked by Senbonzakura, whose Shikai swallows up Byakuya.

Later, Byakuya (without his captain haori) knocks out a group of guards at the Seireitei records building. Sometime after this, he, standing on top of a building, watches as Ichigo is attacked by Senbonzakura. When Ichigo notices him, he uses Shunpo and disappears. While Senbonzakura and Ichigo are fighting, he reappears, stopping Senbonzakura from continuing. Appearing to be defecting, he states he is following his inner desires to protect his pride. Byakuya warns Ichigo to stay away from Muramasa, or he will die. Senbonzakura, Muramasa, and Byakuya depart.

Byakuya arrives in the Zanpakutō Spirits' hideout, where he is questioned about his reasons for defecting. Some of the spirits do not want to work with him, as they feel it would go against their original purpose of betraying the Shinigami. Senbonzakura commands his former master to destroy Sode no Shirayuki to prove his loyalty. Thinking he would not do this, the others prepare to attack him. Byakuya surprises them by fighting and defeating Sode no Shirayuki. Kazeshini is enraged, but Muramasa commends Byakuya's resolve, and the other Zanpakutō accept him. Muramasa gives Byakuya a task. Later, in the partially-destroyed Sixth Division offices, Byakuya is found among a pile of bodies by Rukia. Senbonzakura tosses the broken fragments of her sword to Rukia. Renji questions Byakuya before trying to arrest him as a co-conspirator. Byakuya defeats him, and is subsequently asked by the Zanpakutō spirits why he did not finish Renji off. Kazeshini prepares to step in to do the job, but the Onmitsukidō, several senior Gotei 13 officers, and Ichigo surround them.

As the fight between Shinigami and Zanpakutō begins, Byakuya watches silently. Eventually, Kenpachi engages Byakuya. After it becomes clear he may lose if he doesn't fight seriously, after just managing to dodge a massive blow's full impact, Byakuya unleashes his Shikai. Before they can finish their fight, Ashisogi Jizō ravages the battlefield, allowing Byakuya to escape with Senbonzakura. Upon returning to Muramasa's hideout, he witnesses a Jigokuchō communicating with Muramasa, and asks if the Zanpakutō Spirit intends to travel to the Human World. Instead, Muramasa brings Byakuya to the location of Yamamoto.

He approaches the Captain-Commander, but is impeded by a burst of fiery spiritual energy. Byakuya later witnesses the return of an injured Kazeshini, who openly expresses his unwillingness to risk his life for a Shinigami. Byakuya later accompanies Muramasa and Senbonzakura to the Human World. Muramasa thanks Byakuya for leading him to Karakura Town, saying he likely would not have found it without his aid. Byakuya leaves Muramasa's side to confirm that there are no Hollows nearby. After Muramasa frees Kōga Kuchiki, the rogue Shinigami tries to strike down Muramasa. Before he can do so, however, Byakuya appears and blocks his sword, expressing his shock at how Kōga calls his own Zanpakutō a "tool" and attacks it. He says Kōga does not deserve to be called a Shinigami.

It is revealed Byakuya only pretended to be a traitor in order to fulfill his promise to his grandfather to find and destroy Kōga should he ever resurface. With Ichigo and Rukia dealing with the unstable Muramasa and the Hollows he is releasing, Byakuya concentrates on Kōga. Kōga grabs one of the spears which sealed him, and the two quickly show themselves to be well matched in swordsmanship, Shunpo, and Kidō. When Kōga tries to utilize his unique powers to bind and mislead Byakuya, Senbonzakura lends his vision and power to Byakuya. They activate their Bankai's Senkei form, and as Kōga becomes enraged that Byakuya is able to fight as his equal, Byakuya explains it is only natural, as Kōga arrogantly restricted his full potential by abandoning his Zanpakutō, while Byakuya learned to trust in his Zanpakutō and hence unleash his true potential. Byakuya unleashes his Bankai's Shūkei form, and charges at Kōga for a final clash, defeating him. Pitying Kōga for falling so much to his ego, Byakuya goes to aid the others in dealing with Muramasa, where he discovers Muramasa's unstable energy has opened a Garganta, caused him to fuse with all the Hollows which came out, and transformed him into a giant dome-like structure which continues to grow.

Byakuya, with Senbonzakura's assistance, succeeds in destroying several Gillians. Soon, the other Shinigami and their recently freed Zanpakutō spirits join in the fight. Knowing the only way to stop the Gillians is to seal the Garganta, Byakuya decides to use his spiritual energy, reinforced by Senbonzakura's, to seal the portal. Their allies, upon realizing what they are attempting, join in and add their own Reiatsu, eventually closing the Garganta. After finishing off the last of the Gillians, Byakuya and the other Shinigami watch as the dome collapses, revealing Ichigo and a dying Muramasa. After Muramasa dies and apologizes for his mistakes, Byakuya, approaching Ichigo, sincerely thanks him for all he has done.

Beast Swords arc (anime only)
Back in Soul Society, the Gotei 13 is given a day off to party and recover from the recent chaos. Byakuya uses his clan's connections and money to greatly speed up the repairs to Seireitei, and allows his Division to celebrate at his mansion. Two creatures, attacking the manor, are fought off by Zanpakutō Spirits, surprising Byakuya, who wonders how the spirits can still materialize. After the spirits dispatch one of the intruders and the other flees, Byakuya and Rukia go to Mayuri Kurotsuchi for answers. Mayuri explains that several of the remaining rogue spirits succeeded in killing their masters, but rather than dying with their master, they became what Mayuri calls "Tōjū". Still having duties to take care of, Byakuya, putting Rukia in charge of this ordeal, has Senbonzakura join her.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)
Having entered the Dangai as part of a survey team, Byakuya emerges from the Senkaimon in Soul Society with Renji and Hitsugaya. They immediately enter the office of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, presenting him with the Substitute Shinigami Badge of Ichigo Kurosaki, which they found in the Dangai. They explain how they lost contact with the original search team in the Dangai, and that the badge was found at the rendezvous site. Along with several other Shinigami, Byakuya apprehends Ichigo. Some time later, upon arriving in the Human World, Byakuya saves Ichigo from Kagerōza Inaba. The next day, Byakuya and the Shinigami hold a meeting about the current situation in Ichigo's room.

Along with Komamura, Hitsugaya, and Kenpachi, Byakuya decides to travel back to Soul Society in order to take out Inaba. He deduces that the Kōtotsu will appear any time a Shinigami enters the Dangai, a theory Urahara agrees with. While the captains are running behind the Kōtotsu, the Kōryū closes in on them, forcing Komamura to stay behind and unleash his Bankai so the others can complete their journey. The remaining three captains split up in order to infiltrate the Twelfth Division's barracks. Byakuya encounters the Reigai counterpart of Hitsugaya. The two battle intensely, and Byakuya is forced to use his Gōkei technique to defeat the Reigai. He is then confronted by a Reigai copy of himself."

As the skirmish goes on, Byakuya is forced to fall back. As the Reigai's Shikai pursues him, it proceeds to cut him multiple times, much to his surprise. Later, as Byakuya perches atop a tower, his Reigai counterpart states his wounds are too severe to allow him to fight any longer. Byakuya continues to fight, releasing his Bankai, and defeats the Reigai. He rejoins the other captains as they confront Inaba. Byakuya, pulling back as several Reigai appear before them, uses his Bankai to surround the Reigai, which creates an opening for the other Shinigami to attack, as he tells them to follow through.

Byakuya and the other Shinigami watch as Mayuri fights Inaba. As Inaba releases the Reigai's true power, Byakuya and the other Shinigami prepare to fight them. As the Reigai jump down to attack the captains, Byakuya dodges their initial blows, coming face-to-face with the remade Reigai-Byakuya. Eventually, Byakuya and the other captains are forced to retreat. They return in time to help Ichigo and Kisuke against the Reigai. Determined to settle things once and for all, Byakuya, facing his Reigai counterpart, insists on proving who is the true head of the Kuchiki Clan.

As the battle continues, the Reigai, increasing in numbers, become much more dangerous, attacking whomever they see. The lieutenants arrive and aid the captains, which allows Byakuya to save Yoruichi from a surprise attack by Reigai-Shunsui, despite becoming injured in the process. As the battle progresses, Byakuya realizes the Reigai value self-preservation the most, and will not attack first in fear of being outnumbered. Byakuya deduces these ideals of relying on nobody and never truly trusting even their allies are traits the Reigai acquired from Inaba. While Reigai-Hitsugaya is surprised by the captains fighting together, Byakuya states they will do what they must to protect Soul Society. Later, Byakuya watches as the Reigai help stop Yushima.

Powers & Abilities
Immense Spiritual Power: As a captain of the Gotei 13 and head of one of the four Noble Houses, Byakuya possesses an immense amount of spiritual power. Kōga Kuchiki has stated few, if any, of the Kuchiki Clan leaders have been as powerful as Byakuya is, further elaborating on his power level.

Quotes

 * (To Jin Kariya) "Regardless of who or what they are, anyone who disturbs Soul Society will be cut down."


 * (To Muramasa) "It is really quite simple. My desire is to uphold my self-respect. That is all."


 * (To Sode no Shirayuki) "If it is for the sake of my pride, there is nothing I won't destroy."


 * (To Kōga Kuchiki) "I can't believe you called your own sword a tool and attacked it. You don't deserve the title of ‘Shinigami’."