The story takes place in the world of Remnant, which is filled with supernatural forces and shadowy creatures known as the "Creatures of Grimm." Prior to the events of the series, mankind waged a battle of survival against the Grimm before discovering the power of a mysterious element called Dust, which allowed them to fight back against the monsters. In the present day, Dust is used to power magical abilities and weapons. Those who use these abilities to battle the Grimm are known as Huntsmen or Huntresses.The series focuses on four girls, each with her own unique weapon and powers. Together, they form team RWBY at Beacon Academy in the city of Vale, where they are trained to become Huntresses alongside team CRDL (pronounced "cardinal"), team JNPR (pronounced "juniper"), team SSSN (pronounced "sun") and team CFVY (pronounced "coffee").
Jaune is being blackmailed into one terrible situation after another, but when Pyrrha becomes the target of a mean prank, he stands up to his tormentors.
Pyrrha comes up with a plan to help Jaune, but things get complicated when he reveals how he came to the school.
Tensions rise in Schnee Manor as our reunited heroes find themselves backed into a corner.
After the press conference, Blake and Sun fail to get signatures for their petition to save Haven Academy due to the Faunus in Menagerie wanting to avoid conflict. Despite knowing she will have to face Ilia, Blake hopes to save her from the White Fang. Ilia, however, is given orders by the Albains to orchestrate the assassination of Blake's parents and bring Blake alive to Adam.
Our heroes have one shot to pull off the heist of their lives, and if they're going to succeed, they'll need everyone to do their part. It's go time.
Jacques and Ironwood engage in a dangerous game of wits. Meanwhile, the kids must face their most dangerous threat yet: a high class dinner party.
Cinder strikes a deal with Raven and Vernal to help her unlock the relic. Despite knowing that Salem will have her killed anyway, Raven accepts her offer on the condition she kills Qrow, while secretly planning to use it as a distraction for taking the relic for herself. Blake and Sun defend Ghira, and while Blake is on her way to look for Kali, she is stopped by Ilia.
Two new contenders come to town in anticipation of the coming tournament. Blake and Weiss clash over prejudices concerning the faunus.
Ruby makes a new friend, the bumbling swordsman Jaune Arc, during her overwhelming first day at Beacon.
The kids have a heartfelt reunion, and after dinner, Yang confronts Ozpin about using magic. Ozpin explains that he gave Qrow and Raven shapeshifting abilities to spy on Salem and the Maidens, as well as being the old man in the story that gave the Maidens their power. He offers them all the choice to continue to fight, which all of them accept. Meanwhile, Cinder, Watts, Mercury, and Emerald arrive at Raven's camp.
Resolving the "Jaune Arc", Jaune shows everyone that he truly has potential. But can he still repair his friendship with Pyrrha?
Jaune, the least-capable of the new Hunters, suffers under a bully.
Jaune makes the mistake of flirting with Weiss but finds a friend in star athlete Pyrrha Nikos, while Ruby is horrified to learn the details of Beacon's initiation ritual.
Yang becomes upset when Ruby mentions Blake in the morning, but Weiss comforts her, asking her to trust Blake until she comes back. In Menagerie, Blake receives a note from Ilia to meet with her. The meeting becomes an ambush, and Sun rescues Blake from her captors. Blake and Sun rush to help her parents, who are defending their home from White Fang insurgents.
While Weiss struggles with her pride, Ruby begins to really wonder if the headmaster made a mistake in making her leader of team RWBY.
Sometimes it's worth it all to risk the fall.
Between missions, training, and rising political unrest, these fledgling huntsmen and huntresses have quite a lot on their hands.
The teams have been formed and classes at Beacon have begun, but Weiss can't understand why Ruby was put in charge of RWBY instead of her. Does the young prodigy really have what it takes to lead?
While Cinder shares her plans with Neo, Maria shares her past with Team RWBY, and both groups are dead-set on making it to Atlas.
To their mutual displeasure, Ruby and Weiss are paired up during the initiation. Meanwhile Pyrhha lends a hand to Jaune, who may be in over his head at Beacon.
How far would you be willing to go to do what's right?
RWBY is joined by Sun and Neptune in their hunt for Torchwick. While scouring the town for clues, Ruby bumps into her friend Penny, who's been behaving even more strangely than usual.
The first year students receive their first real missions as Huntsmen and Huntresses as Ozpin and his allies seek a way to counter their mysterious foe.
Jaune, Ren, and Yang's pursuit of a mysterious new Grimm results in unexpected complications. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake find a new place to lay low. Cinder receives an ultimatum.
Raven explains to Yang and Weiss that she joined Beacon to fight back against other Huntsmen that would pose a threat to her tribe, but lost trust in Ozpin after learning about Salem's existence. She shows off her shapeshifting ability as proof and offers Yang a choice to stay with her. Yang and Weiss choose to leave and reunite with Ruby.