Tite Kubo's Bleach stars a fun and colorful cast, from the grouchy hero Ichigo Kurosaki and his upright archer friend Uryu Ishida to the gentle giant Yasutora "Chad" Sado. Along the way in his adventures, Ichigo meets new friends and enemies alike, and one foe, Renji Abarai, became a trusted ally and compatriot early on.
This redhead hails from the Gotei 13's Squad 6, operating directly under Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. But Renji doesn't just live in Byakuya's shadow; he gets plenty of screen time and has more than one chance to shine and take center stage. Renji's fans can easily count up some of this Lieutenant's best moments in the spotlight, with some moments of extraordinary heroism shining through.
10 10. The battle chant
This scene was really just fluff, but it adds a dash of spice to the Soul Reapers' way of life, and shows that Renji shares Ichigo's sense of camaraderie. Before plunging into the depths of Las Noches, Renji gathers his friends for a pre-battle for courage, steeling everyone's resolve in the face of the enemy. It's a great gesture on Renji's part, especially since Soul Reapers seem to consider that chant silly and outdated by now.
9 9. Meeting Zabimaru at last
All Soul Reapers need a strong, personal connection with their zanpakutoto realize its true potential, and learning Shikai is impossible otherwise. While Renji does know Shikai from the start of Bleach, his defeat at Ichigo's hands prompts him to explore his relationship with Zabimaru a little more deeply, and do some sefl-refletion while he's at it. Renji isn't just fighter; he knows now that fighting with purpose is superior to fighting for fun.
8 8. He entrusted Rukia's rescue to Ichigo
At first, when Ichigo and his friends invaded the Soul Society, Renji was ready to fight off all the invaders, even to the death. He and Ichigo fought a bitter duel until Ichigo narrowly bested him, and this caused Renji to reflect on his friendship with Rukia in great detail. Showing a great deal of inner strength, Renji let go of his stubborn pride and entrusted Ichigo with the mission to rescue Rukia. Much later, Byakuya would say much the same to our hero.
7 7. He bested Mask de Masculine
After the anime's end, Bleach's manga continues into the Thousan Year Blood War arc. This chronicles the Quincy invasion of the Soul Society, and one of the many Sternritter villains is the comical but deadly Mask de Masculine. This loudmouthed baddie bested the Visored Captain Rojuro Otoribashi... until Renji confronted him with a brand-new iteration of Zabimaru. With it, Renji fearlessly fought the Sternritter one on one and burned him to ashes.
6 6. He fought with Ichigo against Aizen
This Soul Reaper Lieutenant may not be Bleach's main hero, but he squared off against many of the series' biggest villains. Once Rukia was in safe hands, Renji fearlessly faced the traitorous Captian Aizen with Ichigo, despite the vast diffrence in his power compared to Aizen's. Even with Zabimaru in pieces, Renji brought the pieces to bear for one last attack, buying time for Ichigo to make a mighty swing. It didn't win them the battle, but it was a truly heroic deed all the same.
5 5. He helped Rukia try to escape execution
Renji is loyal to the Soul Society and the 13 Court Guards, but not in the face of the Gotei 13's increasing madness and cruelty. By the time Ichigo reached Sogyoku Hill to rescue Rukia, Renji stepped up to get her out of there. It takes courage to side with a condemned woman and thus become a criminal yourself. Renji's loyalty to his childhood friend proved stronger than blind devotion to the Gotei 13, and that is truly admirable.
4 4. He defeated a Gillian arrancar with limited power
Renji was part of the Hitsugaya Advance Team, sent to Karakura Town to help Ichigo fend off arrancar interlopers. While there, Renji sparred with one of Grimmjow's minions, the blond Ilfort Grantz (younger brother of Espada Szayelaporro Grantz). Like the other Soul Reapers, Renji had a limtiter placed on his power and so fought with a disadvantage, but that didn't stop him from giving it his all. His warrior spirit is a flame that truly never goes out.
3 3. He cleared Ichigo's path to Ulquiorra
As the Hueco Mundo arc transitioned into the Fake Karakura Town arc, Ichigo was healed and ready to find and confront Ulquiorra at long last. But being in enemy territory, Ichigo ran into many lesser hollows on the way, and they soon cornered him. That is, until Zabimaru's Shikai arrived out of nowhere and cleared the way, slashing apart the Exequias soldiers. Ichigo's friends were there to help, and Renji led the way.
2 2. He dueled an Espada
The Espadas are the top ten most powerful arrancars, and most of them can outclass even Soul Reaper Captains. But once again, Renji's stalwart bravery was totally unshaken. Even as Szayelaporro Grantz (8th Espada) showed off his superior power, Renji struck again and again, fiercely determined to rescue Orihime no matter what. Later, when Uryu arrived to help, Renji did his part to deal a serious blow to the mad scientist Espada.
1 1. He stood up to Captain Kuchiki
It's one thing to put up a brave front and fight your enemies, but Renji even confronts his much-esteemed Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. After Ichigo's resolve convinces Renji that Rukia must be rescued, Renji's determination to succeed in that cause isn't even fazed when his own Captain blocked the way. Ultimately, Renji couldn't overpower his superior, but his act of defiance, and loyalty Rukia, are the stuff of legend.