The Encounter, Renji Abarai!

The Encounter, Abarai Renji! is the sixteenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: February 8, 2005
 * English Airdate: January 12, 2007
 * Opening Song: *~Asterisk~
 * Ending Song: Thank You!
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 52, Chapter 53, Chapter 54.
 * Kanji: 取り戻せ! 死神の力!
 * Romaji: "Abarai Renji, misan!"
 * Arc: Agent of the Shinigami arc

Synopsis
Ichigo faces off against the Shinigami Renji Abarai, who has come to capture Rukia. Renji triggers his Zanpakutō's initial release (Shikai), gaining the advantage by transforming his sword into a unique weapon, and Ichigo finds himself overwhelmed fighting a fully-trained Shinigami.