Rangiku Matsumoto is the lieutenant of the 10th Division in the Gotei 13, serving under Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. She is a powerful Shinigami known for her beauty, laid-back personality, and impressive combat skills. Rangiku has a complex past, particularly her relationship with Gin Ichimaru, which continues to affect her throughout the series.

Despite her often carefree attitude, Rangiku is a capable leader and fighter when the situation demands it. She plays a significant role in various story arcs, including the battles against the Arrancar and the Quincy.

Personality & Appearance

Credits: mistowing 

Rangiku is known for her outgoing, flirtatious, and fun-loving personality. She enjoys drinking, shopping, and socializing, often neglecting her paperwork to the annoyance of her captain. However, she can be serious and focused when necessary, showing great loyalty to her friends and comrades.

Physically, Rangiku is a tall, curvaceous woman with long, wavy strawberry-blonde hair (in the anime) or golden blonde hair (in the manga). Her most distinctive features are her blue eyes and her very large breasts, which she often draws attention to with her revealing style of dress. She wears a standard Shinigami uniform but leaves it open to reveal her ample cleavage.

Powers & Abilities

Credits: Studio Pierrot

Rangiku is a skilled combatant with various abilities that make her a formidable opponent.

• Expert Swordsman: She is proficient in wielding her Zanpakutō, especially in conjunction with its special ability.
• Kidō Expert: Rangiku can identify Kidō spells on sight and use high-level Bakudō without incantation.
• Shunpo Practitioner: She is skilled enough in flash steps to keep up with captain-level Shinigami.
• Hakuda Practitioner: Rangiku has shown some skill in hand-to-hand combat.
• Expert Tactician: She can devise clever strategies in battle, as shown in her fights against the Arrancar.
• High Spiritual Power: As a lieutenant, Rangiku possesses a high level of spiritual energy.
• Zanpakutō - Haineko (Ash Cat): In its Shikai form, Haineko's blade turns to ash, which Rangiku can control to attack from various directions. 
  • Shikai Special Ability: The ash acts as tiny blades that can cut enemies and objects.
  • Neko Rinbu (Cat Round Dance): Creates a tornado of ash to envelop opponents.
  • House: Forms a multilayer wall of ash for defense.

Trivia

• Tite Kubo describes her as "A voluptuous beauty with an adult charm in the Gotei 13 Squads."
• Her theme song, chosen by Kubo, is "C'etait La Belle Vie" by Sylvie Vartan.
• Rangiku has consistently ranked in the top 40 in character popularity polls.
• Her Zanpakutō, Haineko, ranked 18th in both the first and second Zanpakutō polls.
• Rangiku's hair color differs slightly between the manga (golden blonde) and the anime (strawberry blonde).
• She contributes to the Seireitei Communication, including a column called "The Many Faces of a Wet Cat."