Kuchiki Rukia Zanpakuto Sode no Shirayuki Sword Replica

Bleach was first conceived from Tite Kubo's desire to draw a shinigami in a kimono, which formed the basis for the design of the Soul Reapers. Due to this, Rukia was one of the first characters of the series to be created. Kubo originally thought of all Soul Reapers should use guns while only Rukia used a scythe. However, this was later changed as he created the Soul Reaper kimono. Kubo also mentioned that Rukia did not seem like a lead character, so he created Ichigo Kurosaki to be the series protagonist. Ichigo's initial design had black hair like Rukia, Kubo had to modify Ichigo's appearance to contrast with hers, giving Ichigo his orange hair and trademark scowl.

As for her name, Kubo stated that since Rukia looked like a shinigami, he wanted her name to sound like one. When deciding upon her family name he considered using "Kuchiru" (literally "to rot") because it sounded like a name a shinigami would have, and then decided to use "Kuchiki" (literally "rotten wood"). He adds that he once heard something that sounded like "Kuchiki Rukia" on Japanese TV, and liked it enough to use it as a name. Her first name was conceived as a result of Kubo hearing the Latin name for cosmos on TV, and later decided that the name really suited her since the Latin word means "light" and Kubo sees her as "a ray of light" for Ichigo.

Rukia's zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki (literally "Sleeved White Snow"), is released with the command "dance". In its released state the blade becomes completely white and a ribbon forms from the pommel, earning it the recognition as the most beautiful zanpakuto in Soul Society. During the anime's 13th season, Sode no Shirayuki manifests in a yukionna-like form, voiced by Mie Sonozaki.

Sode no Shirayuki utilizes ice to attack, each of its abilities being labeled as "dances" by Rukia. "First Dance, White Moon" (some no mai, tsukishiro) denotes a circular area around Rukia's target and freezes everything within the circle from the ground upwards until it reaches the sky. "The Next Dance, White Ripple" (tsugi no mai, hakuren) fires a massive wave of ice from Sode no Shirayuki's blade. "Third Dance, White Sword" (san no mai, shirafune), her third ability reserved only when her blade is broken, reforges her zanpakuto with ice particles, piercing through any object in its path and freezing anything in the vicinity. A fourth ability was used in the anime only, "White Tree" (Juhaku), in which she stabs the ground and creates a trail of ice in the direction of her intended target. The ice then freezes the target from the base up until they are completely frozen.

The Kuchiki Rukia Zanpakuto Sode no Shirayuki Sword Replica is exquisitely crafted to be an exact duplicate of the zanpakuto wielded in the anime. The sword replica has a white carved and wrapped handle, pure white plastic tsuba and highly polished blade. The zanpakuto piece includes a solid white scabbard and ribbon chain from the hilt.

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