steer for the star

Loyal, competitive, and downright perservering, Renji's certainly an eccentric character that despite his flaws and somewhat marred past, manages to win the hearts of just about everyone he meets (on some level, at least). He was the childhood friend of Kuchiki Rukia and because his extreme loyalty to her, nearly died twice. Regardless of that, he kept going, and because of this, it's plainly obvious what he would do and how far he would go just for one of his friends. Everyone elses needs outweigh his own, plain and simple.

Renji came from the 78th district of Rukongai and grew up as an orphan with several other children, including Rukia. The company of children lived by stealing or hunting for food, but eventually they died one by one until only Renji and Rukia were left, which is when they decided to become shinigami. At the shinigami academy, Renji was admitted into the top class, being very adept at swordsmanship, although quite inept at demon arts (kidou) despite being recognized as having high spirtual power. At the academy, Renji befriended Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo, who later became lieutenants. His relationship with Rukia became distant after her adoption by the Kuchiki family and he felt he had no place interfering with her life now that she was a noble, despite the fact they both seemed to regret losing the company and confidence of the other.

Renji, Kira and Hinamori served under Aizen Sousuke in the 5th division, after which Kira and Hinamori (the loyal ones) were put under Ichimaru and Aizen in the 3rd and 5th divisions respectively. The rebellious Renji was moved to the 11th Division. It is here that he became friends with Madarame Ikkaku, the person who would teach Renji how to fight. Sometime during Rukia's two month stay in the human world, Renji became lieutenant of the 6th Division. Ever since he first met Byakuya, Renji's greatest dream has been to surpass him in strength (hinted as not so much to advance as a shinigami but for the sake of Rukia).

When we first meet Renji, we assume he's an antagonist by the way he treats Rukia in the living world and helps take her back for her imprisonment. As the two converse back in Soul Society, however, it's obvious Renji wants to help her and that he doesn't want to see her die, despite the rules that she broke. He blames Ichigo for the trouble she is in and seeks him out after Ichigo and the rest of the gang invade Soul Society. Renji is defeated, and begs Ichigo to save Rukia, after which he is healed by a member of the fourth division, only to be put into prison by Byakuya. He, of course, escapes, and goes to Yoruichi's hideout to train his bankai in hopes of still saving Rukia on his own.

After achieving bankai, he takes off to save Rukia, but is intercepted by Byakuya on the way. During the battle, Renji and Byakuya both use their bankai. Despite his new-found and for a moment seemingly overwhelming power, Renji is soon shown to be too inexperienced to properly use bankai in battle. Renji's bankai is broken, and he is left almost dead (and with only a scarf as a momento). Fortunately, one of his subordinates, Rikichi, brings Hanatarou to him and Renji recovers enough to arrive just after Ichigo has stopped Rukia's execution. Ichigo throws Rukia off the Soukyoku's stand to Renji and orders him to run and defend Rukia with his life. Renji willingly obliges and escapes from the execution grounds with Rukia in his arms. However, he doesn't make a complete escape, as Tousen intercepts the two and returns them both to the execution ground. There, he refuses Aizen's command to leave Rukia, and attacks Aizen along with Ichigo, who has not recovered entirely from his encounter with Byakuya and is driven mostly by the desire to protect Rukia. Despite their combined efforts, both are defeated easily.

Once Aizen's plans were revealed and everyone was healed in the aftermath, Renji's next appearance occurs by Byakuya's bedside, where he and the captain seem to be having a conversation of depth that I doubt had occured before. Renji is glad that Byakuya is not dead, and while it may be for simply competitive reasons, I also believe it could be a friendship and loyalty growing between the two. Byakuya was clearly impressed that Renji had managed to even come near him in their fight, and while Renji is not satisfied, he can understand why Byakuya acted the way he did now that the truth was revealed. A pity his words are cut off by Ichigo, as god knows how many of us wanted to know what he was going to say to Byakuya that was so "important" and "cool."

After the Soul Society Arc, Renji is sent to the living world to help combat the troubles brewing there. Renji, along with Rukia and four other shinigami, are assigned to aid Ichigo in the living world. It appeared as if he were going to be living with Kisuke Urahara for the duration of his assignment, and ends up helping to train Chad and do odd jobs about the place in order to convince Urahara to answer his questions for him. However, this is cut short when Byakuya and Zaraki come to retrieve the shinigami assigned there to, so it seems, prevent them from going after Orihime, who was kidnapped.

This, of course, ends up being futile. Despite the fact he is forced back to Soul Society, Byakuya gives both him and Rukia permission to enter Hueco Mundo to fight along Ichigo's team. More updates will follow as the plot progresses!

I think Renji, overall, is just a big giant luffbunny. He's a sweetheart deep down, and that shows plainly by how much he cares for his friends. The amazing Kira and I often say he's like a biker - yeah, really badass, but nice and as kind as can be once you stop being intimidated by the outward appearance. We also say he is the alpha and the omega, because he can be absolutely adorable one minute and total smex the next. He's a homemaker through and through, too; you know it.

Outside of that, he's willing to fight, kill, and die for whatever he believes in, Renji is a dangerous man to those who stand in his way. He's also got some major hang-ups, as far as the Kuchiki family goes. While I think he loved Rukia and still does love Rukia, I think he fully accepts that she has no romantic interest in him. That's just my opinion, but I think after all the years they spent together, if she was going to fall in love with him, she would have. Renji accepts that and nevertheless still cares for her, protects her, and nearly dies twice for her. If that isn't loyalty and the making of a true friend, I don't know what is.

Renji's name itself means "second love" when literally translated. The entire kanji for his name "Abarai Renji" goes as follows: 阿散井 恋次. Here's a brief breakdown of the kanji in his name (thank you, Charles Kelly).

阿 - flatter, fawn upon, etc. Most interesting is this can also be the kanji for "Africa", which, considering Renji's tribal-like tattoos...

散 - scatter. Interestingly enough, that's the command for Byakuya's shikai release.

井 - well, community, etc. Not much to say here, other than "well" makes me think of falling into one, and that goes back to the parable of Enkou Sokugetsu that Byakuya spouts.

恋 - romance, in love, yearn for, etc. Ahahaha. Considering how hard Renji falls in relationships, this does not surprise me.

次 - next in sequence. This is what basically makes Renji's name 'second love.' Poor baby.

Kabalarians also gives an explanation of Renji's first name. This is just their brief analyzation, so take it as you will.

1. Although the name Renji creates an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it causes procrastination, lack of confidence, and the inability to realize your goals and ambitions.

2. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, and fluid systems.

3. The name of Renji has given you a very imaginative, creative mind.

4. You always have new ideas, but too often they are for an easy way out of a difficulty, or an easy way of making money.

5. You are not inclined to apply yourself consistently to a job and to reach the fulfilment of your goals through perseverance and hard work.

6. The influence of this name has caused you to feel unsettled emotionally and mentally.

7. You are never satisfied with conditions, because your feelings and desires are so changeable.

8. Hence you seek change in order to have the opportunity for travel, new experiences, and new friends and associates.

9. There are people in your association who could influence you unfavourably and thereby mislead you; disillusionment, embarrassment, and bitter experiences then become your lot.

Interesting, eh?