Renji Abarai

Renji Abarai
Bleach character
Renji Abarai by Tite Kubo
First appearance	Bleach manga chapter 51 Bleach anime episode 16
Created by	Tite Kubo
Voiced by	Japanese Kentarō Itō Reiko Kiuchi (child) English Wally Wingert (English) Yuri Lowenthal (child)
Profile
Species	Soul Reaper
Relatives	Rukia Kuchiki (spouse), Ichika Abarai (daughter)

Renji Abarai (阿散井 恋次, Abarai Renji^?) is a fictional character and protagonist in the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo. In the series, he initially dedicates his life to defeating Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of the series, before joining forces with him to rescue Rukia Kuchiki halfway through the Soul Society arc. He has since become a major protagonist and a consistent ally of Ichigo. His weapon is Zabimaru.

Abarai and his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, are sent to the human world to find Rukia Kuchiki and bring her back to Soul Society. Once they find Rukia and prepare to return home, Ichigo Kurosaki arrives to save Rukia. Renji and Ichigo briefly fight; however, Ichigo easily gains the upper hand after a sudden release of reiatsu, which was actually random bursts of resolve. Byakuya steps in and easily defeats Ichigo. After they return to Soul Society and Rukia is imprisoned, Renji periodically checks up on her, trying to keep her spirits high despite her impending execution. It is revealed that Renji is a childhood friend of Rukia's; their relationship was strained by Rukia's adoption into the Kuchiki family and Renji had striven to prove himself as a shinigami in order to match Rukia's new social standing and to be acknowledged by Rukia's adoptive brother, Byakuya.

Ichigo soon arrives in Soul Society to continue his attempted rescue of Rukia. Renji, feeling Ichigo is to blame for Rukia's sentence, goes to fight him. Despite his best efforts, Renji is defeated and subsequently imprisoned for his failure. Before Ichigo leaves, Renji pleads for Ichigo to save Rukia. Once he recovers, Renji escapes from his confinement and begins training to achieve bankai of his zanpakutō. After completing his training, Renji sets out to free Rukia. Before he can do so, however, he is stopped by Byakuya. The two clash with their respective bankai. Byakuya's mastery of bankai and Renji's inexperience result in Byakuya's victory.