Despite his icy and regal manner, Byakuya cares for and protects those important to him, even referring to Rukia, his adopted younger sister, as his "pride".

He likes Japanese cherry blossoms, night-time walks, spicy food, and bananas, but he dislikes sweets.

On other occasions, Byakuya has jokingly remarked that he uses Senbonzakura to cut his hair[5] and has claimed that life in general is not supposed to be entertaining, and even makes up an idea for a game that is not meant to be amusing.

Over fifty years before the main storyline,[10] Byakuya married Hisana, a commoner from Inuzuri, one of the poorest districts of Rukongai; in doing so, he broke the rules by accepting her into the noble Kuchiki family.

Shortly before her death from illness, Hisana asked Byakuya to find, adopt, and protect her biological sister, Rukia, whom she had abandoned as a baby.

It is implied that Byakuya became a captain of the 6th division about 50 years before the main Bleach storyline (shortly before Rukia had entered the Gotei 13).

Byakuya first appears on a mission with his lieutenant, Renji Abarai, to capture Rukia Kuchiki and kill Ichigo Kurosaki.

Following Ichigo's inner hollow's forced submission, both focus their remaining power into one final attack, resulting in a tie.

Byakuya, aiding Rukia in her battle with Yoshi, attempts to seek out the Bount leader Jin Kariya.

Byakuya reappears to retrieve Tōshirō Hitsugaya's team on General Yamamoto's order near the end of the Arrancar Arc, but he secretly assigns Rukia and Renji to rescue Orihime.

He reasons that he was only ordered to bring them back to Soul Society and that what they chose to do afterwards was none of his concern, though Ichigo and Rukia suspect otherwise.

He later returns to the Soul Society sufficiently healed with his strength increased, arriving during Rukia's battle with Äs Nödt.

However, the Soul Reapers are overwhelmed by Wandenreich Schutzstaffel Gerard Valkyrie, who grows in size each time he is cut down by the power of "miracles."

He orders Rukia and Renji to go join Ichigo at the Soul King's palace, while Byakuya, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and Kenpachi Zaraki continue to try and subdue Gerard Valkyrie.

Of particular note is Byakuya's speed: he is skilled in the use of shunpo (Flash steps), having trained with (but never surpassed) Yoruichi Shihōin.

[13] Yoruichi also taught Byakuya some techniques of her own creation that involved flash steps, including one called utsusemi (空蝉, lit.

Cast-Off Cicada Shell, in reference to their molting), which allows Byakuya to move out of harm's way while leaving an after-image behind.

Flash Blossom), a flash step combined with a spin to quickly move behind the enemy, followed by a combination of two quick thrusts to destroy the opponent's soul chain and soul sleep in one move, destroying the opponent's source of spiritual power.

When manifested in the anime Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc, Senbonzakura resembles a masked man in samurai armor with a half-cherry blossom decoration on his helmet.

The release may be negated before it is complete, such as when Yoruichi Shihōin wrapped the blade in cloth during Byakuya's short battle with Ichigo.

This aligns every blade in a spherical formation around his opponent, which then collapses into them from every possible angle, leaving no blind spots and no chance to escape.

[21] He also possesses a secret move known as "Annihilation Scape" (一咬千刃花, Ikka Senjinka) which sends all the blades of Senkei towards his enemy at once.

The blade appears bright white, and its aura takes the form of a dragon, earning it the name lit.

Byakuya also grows pure white wings and a halo-like circle in the back, both made of spiritual power.

[citation needed] Dan Woren, Byakuya's English voice actor, liked how his character is able to deal with anything while staying cool.

He also noted his need to stick to the rules but found it tragic due to the fact he becomes determined to execute Rukia Kuchiki, his sister.

[24] IGN praises his character's faults and contrasts with Ichigo shown during their climactic battle, stating that "his problem...is that he's arrogant."

His lack of truly villainous characteristics as an antagonistic role was also praised; in the same review, IGN notes that Ichigo and Byakuya are both "just two people fighting for what they think is right.