Creation and Conception
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. Because of this, Kuchiki was one of the first characters of the series to be created. Before deciding that every Soul Reaper had swords, Kubo thought that they all should use guns, while only Kuchiki used a scythe. However, this was changed as he created the Soul Reaper kimono. Kubo also mentioned that Kuchiki 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 Kuchiki; Kubo had to modify Ichigo's appearance to contrast with hers, giving Ichigo orange hair and a trademark scowl.
As for her name, Kubo stated that, because Kuchiki "looks like a shinigami", he wanted her name to sound like a something a shinigami would have as a name. When deciding upon her family name he considered using "Kuchiru" (朽ちる?, lit. "to rot") because it sounded like a name a shinigami would have, and then decided to use "Kuchiki" (朽木?, lit. "rotten wood"). He adds that he once heard something that sounded like "Kuchiki Rukia" on Japanese television, 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 television, and later decided that the name really suited her since the Latin word from which her name is derived means "light" and Kubo sees her as "a ray of light for Ichigo." Shonen Jump asked in an interview if Kubo had any plans to make Ichigo and Rukia a couple, but Kubo chose neither to confirm nor deny it. After designing Rukia's zanpakutō, Kubo noted he liked it a lot and made it to be the most beautiful one from the series.
When Kubo was asked to make a cover with a female character during Christmas, Kubo initially thought of using Kuchiki; he later changed to use Orihime Inoue as he thought Inoue was more suitable for such role. However, Kubo commented he previously made a Christmas illustration with Kuchiki, and that he received request by several fans wanting to see the image. In contrast to this Kubo has found he liked Kuchiki more in the illustrations in which her face expresses pain such as when she is going to be executed in the manga.
Read more about this topic: Rukia Kuchiki
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