Yoruichi Shihōin is a legendary figure in Soul Society, known for her unparalleled speed and combat prowess. As the former captain of the 2nd Division and commander of the Onmitsukidō, she held significant power and influence. However, she chose to abandon her positions and noble status to aid her friend Kisuke Urahara when he was framed for hollowfication experiments.

In exile, Yoruichi has become a key ally to Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends, often providing crucial support and training. Her vast knowledge of Soul Society's inner workings and her exceptional skills make her an invaluable asset in the various conflicts that arise, from the rescue of Rukia Kuchiki to the war against the Quincies.

Personality & Appearance

Credits: bleach.fandom.com

Yoruichi is a confident, intelligent, and playful individual who often teases others, especially Ichigo, about their prudishness or inexperience. Despite her noble background, she is down-to-earth and values her freedom above social status. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and will go to great lengths to protect them. Her centuries of experience have given her a wise and strategic mindset, allowing her to assess situations quickly and act decisively.

In her human form, Yoruichi is a slender, dark-skinned woman with striking golden eyes and long purple hair, which she usually wears in a ponytail. She has a tribal tattoo on the outside of her left thigh. Her typical attire consists of a backless, black undershirt, an orange over-shirt, black stretch pants, and lightweight shoes. In her cat form, she appears as a small black cat with golden eyes, a disguise she often uses for stealth and convenience.

Powers & Abilities

Credits Studio Pierrot

Yoruichi is one of the most powerful characters in the Bleach universe, with centuries of combat experience and mastery over various Shinigami arts. Her skills are so renowned that even high-ranking Espada are wary of engaging her in battle. Despite rarely using her Zanpakutō, Yoruichi's hand-to-hand combat abilities and speed make her a formidable opponent against almost any adversary.

• Shunpo Master: Yoruichi is known as the "Goddess of Flash" for her unparalleled mastery of Shunpo, allowing her to move at incredible speeds and create multiple afterimages.
• Hakuda Master: As the former commander of the Onmitsukidō, Yoruichi is one of the most accomplished hand-to-hand combatants in Soul Society, capable of easily defeating multiple high-level opponents without weapons.
• Kidō Master: Yoruichi is highly skilled in Kidō, able to use high-level spells without incantation and even develop new techniques like Shunkō.
• Feline Transformation: Yoruichi possesses the unique ability to transform into a black cat at will, allowing her to disguise herself and move undetected.
• Shunkō: An advanced technique combining Hakuda with Kidō, surrounding Yoruichi's back and arms with pressurized Kidō based on the element of lightning, greatly enhancing her combat abilities.
• Immense Spiritual Power: As a former captain and noble, Yoruichi possesses an enormous amount of spiritual power, allowing her to fight on par with the strongest opponents.
• Enhanced Strength and Endurance: Despite her slender build, Yoruichi possesses incredible physical strength and durability, able to withstand powerful attacks and deliver devastating blows.

Trivia

• Yoruichi was voted the 15th most popular character in the first character popularity poll, 19th in the second, 7th in the third, 28th in the fourth, and 20th in the fifth. In the tenth poll, she ranked 10th.
• In the first best bout poll, Yoruichi's fight with Suì-Fēng ranked 9th; in the second, it ranked 7th, while Yoruichi's fight alongside Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Kurosaki against Sōsuke Aizen ranked 38th and her fight with Byakuya Kuchiki ranked 68th.
• Yoruichi has a tribal tattoo on the outside of her left thigh, which was based on a picture of her drawn by Tite Kubo in Volume 26.
• In the 19th edition of Tedious Everyday Tales Colorful Bleach, Yoruichi is colored with purple eyes. In the following releases, however, her eyes are golden again.
• When Yoruichi explained how Urahara was a former member of the Gotei 13, she was still in her cat form. In the anime, however, she transforms back into her original self and explains who Urahara is.
• In the anime, the three guardians whom Aizen summoned to Sōkyoku Hill were not shown. Instead, Kūkaku Shiba arrived with Jidanbō Ikkanzaka and used Raikōhō to attack Aizen before Yoruichi and Suì Feng subdued him.