When does byakuya die

Bleach fans have been wondering for years whether or not Byakuya was really supposed to die during the battle with As Nodt in the Thousand Year Blood War arc. Rumor was that series creator Tite Kubo kept him alive due to fan outcry on social media, but he never spoke on it.

But with a new interview in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump as part of their 50th Anniversary celebration, Kubo finally addressed the influence social media may have had on his work.

Kubo: A new manga artist seems better not to do social networking. Professor Kubo says it is persuasive. The pervasive rumor for years among fans has been that Byakuya was set up to die in the fight with As Nodt because fans point out the amount of attention Kubo pays to setting up Byakuya death flags.

Not only is he defeated by his own Bankai, Byakuya begs Ichigo to save Soul Society because he failed to and even apologizes to Rukia and Renji for his "failure. In addition, he also provided Rukia and Renji with safety cloaks to protect them against Hueco Mundo's rough terrain.

Because of his promise to Hisana, Byakuya smothered Rukia despite his pride by making sure she would never become a seated officer because of the risks that involve missions for such positions. Byakuya is popular among the female Shinigami of Soul Society, and was voted number one in the "captain we desire to release a photo book for" poll taken by the Shinigami Women's Association.

He likes Japanese cherry blossoms, night-time walks, spicy food, and bananas, but does not like sweets. Byakuya excels in calligraphy. He would spend countless hours training, preparing to take over the leadership of the Kuchiki family. On one such occasion, approximately years ago, she is presented to a training Byakuya by his grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki. Upon seeing Yoruichi, he attacked and insulted her. Yoruichi playfully teased him, complaining about his greeting after coming all the way there to see him.

Byakuya, expressing his displeasure at seeing her, stated he would be the head of the Kuchiki Clan soon enough, so he had no time to waste on her. Yoruichi, stealing his hair tie, exclaimed that if the head of the Kuchiki Clan could get his hair tie stolen by a girl at play, she is worried about its future.

She used Shunpo to escape from him, leaving an angry Byakuya, claiming his superiority, promising to make her see the error of her ways. Byakuya about to adopt Rukia into the Kuchiki Clan. Fifty-five years ago, Byakuya married Hisana Kuchiki , a commoner from Rukongai , breaking the rules by accepting her into the noble Kuchiki Clan. Five years after the marriage, she became sick and was near death.

Hisana asked Byakuya to find and adopt her biological sister, Rukia , whom she had abandoned as a baby, as her final wish. She made him promise he would not tell Rukia she is her sister. By adopting her, Byakuya respected his late wife's final wish, but had broken the rules of his clan again. He later swore upon his parents' graves he would never break the rules again, no matter what. Less than 49 years ago, not long before Rukia joined the Gotei 13, Byakuya became the captain of the 6th Division.

Gin Ichimaru , becoming captain of the 3rd Division at the same time, would often start conversations with Byakuya when they crossed paths. When Isshin Shiba , captain of the 10th Division, makes his report concerning the mysterious Hollow and the string of events occurring in Naruki City , Byakuya is present to hear his speech, along with all of the other captains of the Gotei When Renji is almost hit by Ichigo, Byakuya tells his lieutenant he is being too careless, but Renji simply states Ichigo is nothing to worry about.

Byakuya explains he knew Ichigo looked familiar, as 33 hours ago, Special Forces obtained his image after he fought a Menos Grande, giving it a scar. Eventually, Ichigo gains the upper hand against Renji.

As he prepares for a finishing strike, Byakuya cuts Ichigo's sword in two, and subsequently inflicts a grievous wound on his chest. Byakuya tells him not to be like that, for if he is always the spectator, his skills may degrade. When Rukia runs to Ichigo's body, Byakuya asks her if she would still go to Ichigo's side after all that has just happened, and tells her he understands, as he does resemble "him".

Ichigo, coming to, grabs Byakuya's leg. Kicking his arm away, Rukia scolds Ichigo, and tells Byakuya she is ready to leave. She asks Byakuya to leave Ichigo be, to which he agrees. He states Ichigo should die from his injuries in a half hour, and if he does survive, his Shinigami powers will be gone. He has Renji open a Senkaimon back to Soul Society. Later, in Soul Society, Byakuya informs Rukia she is to be executed for her crimes.

Byakuya says he didn't think lower-class people could understand the feelings of nobles. Byakuya and Kenpachi bicker and threaten each other, but Gin steps in, ending the dispute, and they leave. Byakuya is present during the captain's emergency meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto , where he remains silent throughout the bickering between his fellow captains. Byakuya tells them there is no need, as Renji is to be thrown in jail. When Momo pleads with him, Byakuya tells her that since Renji went alone to fight, it is unacceptable that he lost.

Momo asks him how he can say that, but she is stopped by Izuru, who apologizes to Byakuya before a reluctant Momo does the same. Ganju tells him a coward who could be scared away by such an attack does not exist in the Shiba family. Upon hearing his family name, Byakuya, apologizing for not hitting Ganju harder, ignores Rukia's plea and releases his Shikai, severely injuring Ganju.

Byakuya informs him of the special war time orders, which had been activated, lifting this ban. Byakuya and Ukitake sense the arrival of a strong spiritual pressure at the level of a captain.

After a brief exchange of words, Byakuya states he doesn't know how Ichigo has reacquired Shinigami powers, but he should have resumed his normal Human life. After failing in an attempt to use Senka on Ichigo, Byakuya releases Senbonzakura's Shikai, [36] but is stopped by Yoruichi.

When Byakuya states she will not be able to escape easily, Yoruichi asks him if he ever won even one time against her in a game of tag, and Byakuya asks if they should try again. The two engage in a test of speed using Shunpo, with Yoruichi, carrying an unconscious Ichigo, staying a step ahead of Byakuya.

Yoruichi, moving to the top of a nearby building, yells down to Byakuya that in three days, she will make Ichigo stronger than him, and that their fight is on hold until then. She flees with Ichigo. After the date of Rukia's execution is moved up, Ukitake tries to convince Byakuya to try to stop it.

Byakuya simply brushes him off, saying he will honor Central 46 's decision. When Ukitake's illness flairs up, Byakuya tells him not to become worked up over it, reminding him of the loss of his former lieutenant. Stating Rukia is a member of his family and not Ukitake's, he insists it does not concern Ukitake.

On the morning of Rukia's execution, Byakuya is in his quarters, praying at the shrine to his wife, when he is told the execution is about to commence. He, saying goodbye to Hisana's picture, departs for the execution grounds. Upon learning of Renji's intentions, Byakuya states he will not allow him to do so.

Renji, telling Byakuya of his long standing desire to surpass him, activates his Bankai. Byakuya, somewhat surprised, asks Renji when he acquired Bankai. Renji tells him he will never know, since he never cared about his subordinates. Renji attacks his captain, who affirms he is indeed using Bankai. Byakuya uses his Shikai to attack Renji's Bankai, seemingly breaking it apart.

However, it reconstitutes itself, briefly forcing Byakuya to his knee. Byakuya tells Renji he should be proud to still retain the form of his body after being struck by his Bankai. Renji, refusing to give up, lunges at Byakuya, who uses his Bankai to immobilize him. Commenting on the disappearance of Renji's Bankai, he threatens to kill him. Renji, telling him he swore on his soul to save Rukia, [48] attempts to attack him again, but his sword breaks upon contact, and he falls to the ground, defeated.

Byakuya throws his scarf on top of Renji, congratulating him on having given Byakuya a superficial injury, before leaving. Byakuya, arriving at Rukia's execution, refuses to look at his sister. The two clash, and Byakuya states he will kill Ichigo and execute Rukia himself. Byakuya, activating his Bankai, injures Ichigo, who admits his error of using only his Shikai.

Unimpressed, Byakuya says he is talking as though he has achieved Bankai, which Ichigo claims is the case. Before Byakuya, who is confused by the small size of the Bankai, can attack, Ichigo, getting up close, points the tip of his blade at Byakuya's throat. He asks Byakuya if pride has anything to do with Rukia's execution, because if so, he will step all over it. Byakuya tries to catch Ichigo by directing his Bankai's movements with his hands.

When Ichigo backs off, Byakuya calls him arrogant for not attacking when he had the chance. They continue fighting, until Ichigo becomes so fast Senbonzakura Kageyoshi is unable keep up with him. Byakuya begins using his hand to direct his Bankai, causing it to move even faster. However, Ichigo fends it off and, before Byakuya realizes it, appears behind him and stabs the captain. Realizing the power of Ichigo's Bankai, Byakuya, promising to destroy it, [58] activates his Senkei technique.

Byakuya, calling forth one of the surrounding swords to stab Ichigo in the foot, pierces Ichigo's shoulder with Byakurai. Byakuya, commending him on having made it as far as he did, says he must realize by now this is the end. He prepares for a finishing blow, but Ichigo's inner Hollow , taking over, stops Byakuya's attack. A stunned Byakuya is slashed across his chest. Byakuya, agreeing to ignore what just transpired, points out neither of them have the strength to continue this for much longer.

They agree to end the battle with the next blow. Both are badly wounded by this, and Byakuya reveals his reasons for not saving Rukia. Ichigo tells him that if he was in his position, he would fight the rules. Byakuya realizes Ichigo was fighting Soul Society's rules rather than him personally, and muses that Ichigo has the same personality as Kaien Shiba.

Byakuya, telling Ichigo his ferocity has shattered his blade and he will no longer pursue Rukia's death, leaves the area. He thanks Ichigo for helping him make his decision to save Rukia in the end, and apologizes to Rukia. A week after Aizen's escape, Renji sits with a recovering Byakuya, who asks Renji if he wished Byakuya was dead.

Renji says no as without him, Renji would have no reason to become stronger. They are interrupted by Ichigo and Orihime Inoue, who are searching for Rukia. After they leave, Byakuya voices his concern about Ichigo. When Renji asks about it, Byakuya responds that he was hoping Ichigo would stop using his first name and that he finds Ichigo to be very disrespectful.

Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material. When the Bount threat to Soul Society becomes serious, Byakuya receives a message from Captain-Commander Yamamoto and leaves to meet up with him. 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 saves Rukia from the Bount Yoshi. 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. Continuing to attack relentlessly, they are both enveloped in a tornado of Senbonzakura's blades.

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. They are all at a stalemate until Koga 's doll, Dalk , attacks them. 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.

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. Byakuya and Kenpachi retrieve Hitsugaya 's team on Yamamoto 's order. He secretly allows Rukia and Renji to return to the Human World to assist in the rescue of Orihime Inoue , stating he was only ordered to bring them back to Soul Society, and what they chose to do afterwards was none of his concern.

Byakuya is told Rukia and Renji have disappeared, and that the Second Division is looking for them throughout Seireitei. Byakuya, refusing to tell the enemy who he is, asks him if he is the one who injured Rukia.

Zommari tells him he is not the one, but he was going to finish the job. Byakuya, criticizing him for revealing his ability, uses Utsusemi to escape one of Zommari's attacks. Byakuya responds by severing the tendons of his left leg. Zommari turns his attention to the unconscious Rukia, but Byakuya shields her body with his own. He warns Byakuya to drop his sword, or he will force Rukia to slit her own throat. Byakuya finishing off Zommari Rureaux.

Zommari, begging for mercy, asks him to show some compassion. He angrily shouts at Byakuya that Shinigami are arrogant, taking an unnatural authority to proclaim Hollows as evil.

Byakuya, impassive, states he fought him because Zommari attacked Byakuya's pride referring to Rukia and kills him. Byakuya has a lack of interest in the new captain, and when the meeting is over, he simply leaves. Renji asks Byakuya what he is going to do about them, saying there has to be a reason for their actions.

Improve this answer. Kuchiki Byakuya didn't die here. He was saved by the zero division. And he shows up in chapter No, he shows up before that too. That chapter is just an example proof that he is still alive. Do you know which chapter he first appears in, again?? Sign up or log in Sign up using Google.

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