Rukia Kuchiki is the captain of the 13th Division of the Gotei 13, one of the armed forces of the Soul Society in the anime and manga series Bleach. Coming from a poor area, Rukia and her friend Renji, discovered they have supernatural powers and joined the Soul Society's academy for shinigami, training to become Soul Reapers. Showing immense talent and strength, Rukia was adopted to nobility and sent on a month long mission to the human world. Armed with her soul's own spiritual energy, represented by her sword "Zanpakuto", Rukia fights to free the world of corrupted spirits called Hollows.
Rukia's Zanpakuto is the Sode no Shirayuki (trans. "Sleeve of White Snow"), which is considered to be one of the most beautiful Zanpakuto in Soul Society. It is an ice-powered Zanpakuto that when released, decreases the wielder's body temperature below freezing, which allows Rukia to freeze anything she touches. The Sode no Shirayuki is white katana with a slight flame-like patterned guard and intricate wrapping on its handle.