Tōshirō Hitsugaya hails from Junrinan in West Rukongai's 1st District, living with his grandmother and childhood friend Momo Hinamori. Uncontrollable spiritual power (Reiatsu) marked his early life, causing freezing effects and recurring dreams of an ice dragon. This endangered his grandmother, prompting Shinigami Rangiku Matsumoto to intervene. With his grandmother's blessing, she guided him to the Shinigami Academy to master his abilities. Hitsugaya displayed prodigious talent, graduating in just one year—the shortest time on record—while achieving the highest academic scores. He rose through the 10th Division ranks, first serving as 3rd Seat under Captain Isshin Shiba before becoming the youngest Captain in Gotei 13 history. He commands the 10th Division with Rangiku Matsumoto as his Lieutenant. Physically, Hitsugaya possesses a youthful appearance with turquoise eyes, short spiked white hair, and a stature of 133 cm (4'4"), often leading to mistaken assumptions. His standard attire includes a sleeveless captain's haori secured by a green sash (later replaced by a thin chain) and a star-shaped clip. After Aizen's defeat, he adopted a longer turquoise scarf and an adjusted hairstyle. Preparing for the Wandenreich conflict, his hair grew longer, worn with a bandanna, and his robes became looser. Following temporary zombification by Sternritter Giselle Gewelle, he wore a white trench coat with black lapels, a black belt, and boots. Personality-wise, Hitsugaya exhibits maturity and seriousness, contrasting with Rangiku's free-spirited nature. He resents being perceived as childish and insists on being addressed formally as "Captain Hitsugaya." Exceptions include Hinamori, who uses "Hitsugaya-kun" or the childhood nickname "Shirō-chan," and Jūshirō Ukitake, who shares the nickname due to similar naming conventions and hair color. He dislikes warm weather and summer, favoring watermelon and amanattō while avoiding dried persimmons. A skilled spinning top player in his youth, he remains dedicated to naps, believing "children who sleep well, grow well"—a habit his subordinates discreetly encourage despite his lack of physical growth. His Zanpakutō, Hyōrinmaru, is the strongest ice-type blade in Soul Society. Its Shikai summons an ice dragon that freezes anything it touches and manipulates atmospheric moisture without external water sources. His Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, initially manifests as ice wings and a tail for flight and combat, with early limitations symbolized by melting ice petals. Post-Aizen's defeat, rigorous training eliminated this weakness, enabling a mature form that ages him into a young adult for enhanced power and range. During the Wandenreich invasion, Quincy Cang Du stole his Bankai, but Hitsugaya reclaimed it with Kisuke Urahara's assistance. Later zombification under Giselle forced battles against allies until Mayuri Kurotsuchi restored his autonomy, albeit with a reduced lifespan. Key conflicts include confronting Gin Ichimaru over suspicions during Rukia Kuchiki's execution arc and fighting alongside allies against Sōsuke Aizen's forces. In the latter, he battled Espada Tier Harribel and was outmaneuvered by Aizen's illusions, resulting in Hinamori's near-fatal injury. In the Tōjū storyline, he partnered with Ichigo Kurosaki against a Hollow-merged Zanpakutō spirit. The film *Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion* explores his past with Sōjirō Kusaka, a fellow ice-type Zanpakutō wielder whose death influenced Hitsugaya's resolve. During the Quincy Blood War, he contributed to battles against Gerard Valkyrie, utilizing his completed Bankai's full potential.