Summary
As the first Soul Reaper to ever be introduced inBleach,Rukia Kuchiki has interacted with and befriended many people, whether they be ordinary humans or her fellow Soul Reapers. While the series itself mainly focuses on Ichigo’s relationships, Rukia’s relationships can be said to receive just as much focus due to her beingone of Ichigo’s best friends.
Despite her initial hesitance in befriending people, Rukia treasures all of her friends and will go to great lengths to keep them out of harm’s way. While every friend means a lot to her, these friends in particular have had a big impact on Rukia’s character in one way or another.
9Ashido Kano
Rukia’s Brief Acquaintance
The lone Soul Reaper, Ashido Kano, first meets Rukia when she is trapped in the Menos Forest while she and her group are en route to rescue Orihime. Initially saving her froman onslaught by powerful Menos, Ashido later engages Rukia himself with the intent of testing her strength, with successful results.
During their short time together, Rukia learns of the deaths of Ashido’s friends in the forest but resolves to keep going to Las Noches despite Ashido’s protests. When Ashido decides to remain in the Menos Forest, Rukia is shocked at his decision but makes a promise to herself to come back and rescue Ashido someday.
8Uryu Ishida
Rukia’s Ally
While the interactions between these two have been very minimal, there is no question that Rukia and Uryu get along without problems. Despite emphasizing his hatred of Soul Reapers during much of the early parts ofBleach,it was Uryu who first stepped in to defend Rukia when she was accosted by Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki.
After the events of the Soul Society arc, Rukia and Uryu continue to get along, usually interacting whenever they try tostop Ichigo from doing something reckless or stupid. In the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, upon learning of Uryu’s defection to the Wandenreich, Rukia, along with Renji, was shocked and saddened.
7Miyako Shiba
Rukia’s Role Model
While under the tutelage of Kaien Shiba, the previous lieutenant of the 13th Division, Rukia also managed to become acquainted with his wife Miyako, who was considered to be a mother to the entire division. After treacherous missions and assignments surrounding Hollows, it was always Miyako who tended to Rukia’s wounds, something which never failed to put Rukia at ease.
Because of her overall gentle and selfless nature, Rukia looked up to Miyako and vowed to become a person like her someday. When Miyako is sent off on a reconnaissance mission, Rukia has faith in her abilities as a Soul Reaper, but she is ultimately one of those left concerned when Miyako’s dead body is returned to the 13th Division Barracks.
6Jushiro Ukitake
Rukia’s Captain
GivenUkitake’s friendly and likable demeanor, it isn’t too farfetched to assume that he and Rukia are friends rather than just Captain and Lieutenant. As the Captain of the 13th Division, Ukitake views Rukia as a respected member of his division and frequently protects her whenever she finds herself against overwhelming odds.
In addition, Ukitake is also friendly towards Rukia on a personal level. When observing Rukia sparring with Orihime, he remarks on how glad he is to see her making friends despite having had trouble opening up to people in the past. At her end, Rukia holds Ukitake in high regard and usually assumes a leadership position whenever he falls ill.
5Orihime Inoue
Rukia’s Important Friend
Though Rukia has acted as a mentor to Ichigo throughout the series, she has also done the same withthe kindhearted Orihime Inoue, whom Rukia regards as an important friend. On the other hand, Orihime also holds Rukia in high regard due to the immense trust Ichigo places in her as well as Rukia’s power and wisdom.
During the Arrancar arc, it is Rukia who offers Orihime advice on how to avoid becoming a liability on the battlefield, something which Orihime takes to heart. Upon her subsequent kidnapping, Rukia, alongside Ichigo’s other friends, ventures into Las Noches to save Orihime, with Rukia in particular sympathizing with her situation due to having once been a captive herself.
4Byakuya Kuchiki
Rukia’s Older Brother
Despite being related to each other by law (due to Rukia’s sister marrying Byakuya), Rukia was not very close to Byakuya at first, though she still held him in high regard due to his battle prowess and his station as the head of the Kuchiki Clan. This was also the case for Byakuya, as he initially had no objections to Rukia’s impending executionupon her return to Soul Society.
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After the events of the Soul Society arc, however, it is clear that Rukia and Byakuya have gotten closer as both siblings and fellow members of the Gotei 13. While Rukia’s admiration for her brother never waned, even during the events of her execution, Byakuya has kept a close eye on her progress as a Soul Reaper and acknowledges her strength, even calling Rukia his pride during the Hueco Mundo arc.
3Ichigo Kurosaki
Rukia’s Pupil & Core Ally
The headstrong yet selfless Ichigo Kurosaki is the first human Rukia meets during her mission to purify Fishbone D, a Hollow that she was tracking down at the time. Despite Ichigo initially not believing her about Soul Reapers and the Soul Society, Rukia ultimately entrusts her powers to him when the Hollow begins attacking Ichigo’s family.
Throughout the rest of the series, the pair place unwavering faith in each other and care for the other’s well-being. WithRukia serving as the brains to Ichigo’s brawn, it is she who teaches him the expectations and burdens of being a Soul Reaper. As a result of Ichigo’s influence, Rukia has re-learned the ability to open her heart and make friends, a trait that is noticed by Rukia’s superior, Jushiro Ukitake.
2Renji Abarai
Rukia’s Childhood Friend & Husband
Having met each other on the streets of Rukongai, Renji Abarai has the distinction of knowing Rukia the longest, even longer than Ichigo and Byakuya. Though they spent some time apart due to Rukia’s induction into the Kuchiki Clan, the two renew their friendship after Renji helps Ichigo thwart Rukia’s execution, and they prove to be an inseparable duo.
From surviving the dangerous streets of Rukongai to training at the Royal Palace, Rukia and Renji have stood side-by-side as they braved the various conflicts with Aizen and his Espada as well as the invasions of the powerful Wandenreich army. In addition to viewing each other as equals, the pair also prioritize each other’s happiness, making their marriage at the end ofBleacheven more appropriate.
1Kaien Shiba
Rukia’s Mentor & First True Friend
Though Rukia’s bond with Renji is strong in its own right, there is no question that Kaien Shiba, the former lieutenant of the 13th Division, has had the greatest impact on Rukia’s life and character. Insisting on treating Rukia as a typical subordinate despite her status as a noble, it was Kaien who taught her everything she knew about combat, including her techniques with Sode no Shirayuki.
Kaien was a true friend to Rukia in every sense, but it was his death that solidified his place as Rukia’s beloved friend, as he held no ill will towards her for killing him in the end. Though Kaien’s death sent Rukia into despair, she later gained closure by both killing the Espada Aaroniero Arrurruerie (who had assumed Kaien’s likeness at the time) and acknowledging that she had been entrusted with her mentor’s heart before he died.
