Renji Abarai/Anime Continuity

is the lieutenant of the 6th Division under Captain Byakuya Kuchiki.

Bount arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

After the events in Soul Society, Renji is assigned to the Human World in Rukia's place. While he does not mention exactly why, he is angered at Ichigo's suggestion that he has been demoted from lieutenant. He claims that Ichigo's inability to hide his huge spiritual power attracts Hollows, and that he's there to lend a hand. During his visit to the Human World, Renji stays at the Urahara Shop where they give him the nickname of "nihongo" (freeloader) and constantly deny him second helpings of food by playing on his guilt. When Ichigo starts to feel down about his early defeat by one of the Bounts, Renji and Ganju Shiba provoke and attack him, forcing him to realize his strength again.

After the Bounts fully reveal themselves, Renji joins Ichigo's friends in confronting them at Kariya's mansion, where Jin Kariya sacrifices Yoshino Sōma to create the Bitto. While patrolling the city, Renji finds a child being attacked by the Bitto and defends him. The Bitto eventually withdraw on orders, but Renji is left seriously injured and the child is almost completely drained of his soul. Renji is healed by Hanatarō Yamada, but the child is left struggling to stay alive. Hanatarō eventually successfully heals the child.

Meanwhile, Izuru Kira, Shūhei Hisagi, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Yumichika Ayasegawa are assigned by Tōshirō Hitsugaya to defeat the Bounts in the Human World. The Shinigami find the hideout of the Bounts and enter, but are all disabled by Ugaki's doll, Gesell. Renji, Ichigo, and his friends enter the cave later on and are also attacked by Gesell. Most of the group is left to tend to their injuries while Renji and Ichigo continue on, finding the other injured Shinigami along the way. After Gesell almost kills Yumichika Ayasegawa, Renji remembers the fighting spirit he had when he was in the 11th Division and fights Gesell one-on-one with his Bankai. Yumichika keeps Ichigo from interfering, explaining that anyone who's been in the 11th Division believes their fights should be one-on-one, and that helping would be considered dishonorable. Renji manages to wound Gesell, driving it insane and causing it to kill its owner.

During the brief discussion period between Ichigo and the Shinigami after the Bounts enter Soul Society, an injured Renji (needing Yumichika's help to walk) tells the group he will also be returning to Soul Society. Although he does not enter Soul Society with Ichigo, he is later visited by Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who wants to know if Renji has any helpful information about the Bounts. In Soul Society, Renji, Hitsugaya, and Matsumoto investigate reports of strange activity in a forest in Rukongai. By the time the three of them arrive at the forest, the Bounts are gone. Maki Ichinose, on the other hand, is waiting for them, hoping to slow their pursuit and buy time for the Bounts. Though initially successful, he is engaged by Kenpachi Zaraki and abandons his plan for the opportunity to kill Kenpachi.

After returning to Seireitei, Renji fends off the many Shinigami possessed by the Bount Mabashi's doll, Ritz. After Mabashi is killed, he assists in caring for the wounded. He later helps take Rukia to the execution grounds, where Kariya and Ichigo were fighting. After the fight is over, he sits with Rukia and Ichigo and reflects upon his appointment as lieutenant of the Sixth Division before Ichigo leaves.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Renji is seen drinking with Izuru, Iba and 3 other Shinigami. Renji appears again with his captain, talking to him about Ichigo and Rukia's mission persuading Rurichiyo. He appears again with his friend Ikkaku Madarame from his previous division when trying to prevent fellow Lieutenants Hisagi and Iba from approaching Ichigo. Renji arrives at the scene of Kira's fight with Kibune after the latter has been defeated. 3rd Division Captain Shūsuke Amagai wants to fight him, only for the latter to state he is "on their (Ichigo and Rukia's) side." He then tells him to take one of Kibune's Bakkōtō's halves and bring it to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to inform all the captains of the Bakkōtō. Later, Renji, along with Kira, Byakuya Kuchiki, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Yoruichi Shihōin, encounters Ichigo fighting Captain Amagai, just as the latter is about to stab Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Renji is initially seen engaging Byakuya Kuchiki in a training session while other members of their division and Captains Ukitake and Kyōraku look on. After a few strikes, Byakuya ends the battle, stating that they are done for the day. Later, like many of the other members of Gotei 13, he is called to Sōkyoku Hill for an emergency meeting. There, he first meets Muramasa and watches on while he declares war on the Shinigami, using the Shinigami's own Zanpakutō. Renji escapes from the hill with Rukia Kuchiki, and they encounter Kazeshini and Gonryōmaru. While Renji seems to hold his own against Kazeshini, Rukia quickly falls. However, before Gonryōmaru can continue to attack, Byakuya arrives and stops him. Muramasa, looking on, takes note of this and sends Senbonzakura to fight Byakuya directly. With Rukia, Renji watches on while Byakuya seemingly loses to his Zanpakutō.

The following day, Renji returns to the scene, looking for Byakuya, and while there, he is confronted by his Zanpakutō Zabimaru. Initially, he succumbs to their insults and attacks, afraid to destroy the source of his power. While they beat him up, he ponders why he's even bothering to fight at all. He decides that his source of power and his desire for strength is so he can best Byakuya. Encouraged by this, he blocks an attack from the snake end of his Zanpakutō. Zabimaru is surprised, and Renji states that his current weakness is irrelevant, because he will get stronger no matter what it takes. Renji says "Howl Zabimaru," and surprisingly, his Zanpakutō goes into Shikai state. As Renji began to gain the advantage, Zabimaru unleashes their Bankai, completely overwhelming Renji. Being surprisingly crafty, Renji begins relying on Kidō despite his limited control on rapid usage. Renji then takes advantage of Zabimaru's overconfidence by using his Shikai's special attack to finally defeat his Zanpakutō and return them to normal.

Renji later battles the rogue Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Senbonzakura in the 6th Division barracks, with the help of Zabimaru. When Byakuya fights Kenpachi Zaraki later on that night, Rukia runs towards their battle. Renji follows her and tries to protect her when they are caught in the poison mist of Ashisogi Jizō's Bankai form. When Retsu Unohana arrives she mentions that she has already developed an antidote to Ashisogi Jizō's poison. Renji asks her if others have been caught in the poison mist.

Renji next appears in the Human World with his fellow Shinigami for a final face-off against the now Hollowfied-Muramasa. Renji and Zabimaru set about slaying the Gillians. When Byakuya appears nearby, Renji voices his delight at seeing his captain. As he tries to tell Byakuya something about his actions, Byakuya tells him to just concentrate on the mission at hand. Zabimaru openly mocks Renji's attempt to act "cool". After it becomes clear that the Garganta has to be sealed, Byakuya and Senbonzakura try to use their Reiatsu to close it. Renji joins his captain and allies in using their Reiatsu to seal the Garganta. After wiping out the remaining Gillians, Renji and his allies turn their attention to Muramasa, who continues to grow in size. After Renji and his allies defeat the remaining Gillians, Ichigo emerges from the destroyed dome with a defeated Muramasa.

Beast Swords arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Following Muramasa's defeat, the Shinigami are given a day off to recover and party. Renji, although happy his captain has returned, decides to let Byakuya do as he pleases. Renji also notes to how much the Seireitei has already been repaired, to which Rukia proudly stated it was thanks to Kuchiki Clan. The fun is short-lived, however, as several rogue Zanpakutō Spirits, called "Tōjū", begin attacking Soul Society. After several of them escape to the Human World, Renji is one of the Shinigami sent to take care of the problem. To increase their numbers, Renji has the spirits of Zabimaru remove their chain to move independently. However, the childish Hebi half becomes too interested in having fun in the Human World to be of any help against the Tōjū. When Hebi decides he does not want to return to being a normal sword for Renji (after being tricked by a Tōjū), he runs off. While the Saru half of Zabimaru is worried, Renji insists that Hebi should be allowed to deal with this on his own. Later, the same Tōjū attacks Hebi. Renji arrives in time to save Hebi and deal with Tōjū.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

When a time gap is discovered in the Dangai, Renji is ordered to assist Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi in his study of the problem. Along with Byakuya Kuchiki, Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Kagerōza Inaba, he enters the Dangai. When they reach the point where they were supposed to meet up with Mayuri and his group, he is not there. They find Ichigo Kurosaki's Substitute Badge nearby and return to Soul Society. They are greeted by a group of Shinigami and are informed that contact has been lost with Mayuri and that a state of emergency has been declared. Renji accompanies Byakuya and Tōshirō to Captain Yamamoto's office where Byakuya presents the item to the Captain-Commander.

Renji appears later in the Human World before Ichigo and Rukia, after the former is defeated by Kagerōza Inaba, as the real Gotei 13 arrive. Later, Renji heads the Shinigami Imposter Crisis meeting held in Ichigo's room, in which he is berated by Ichigo for holding a meeting within his house. After forcing Inaba to flee, Renji initiates the Gotei 13's meeting in Ichigo's room in which they discuss Inaba. When Kon races to find out where Nozomi Kujō is, Renji is puzzled by his erratic behavior. When the Reigai counterpart of Rangiku is about to finish off Nozomi, Renji intervenes alongside Rukia and Ichigo, forcing her into a retreat. He then joins the others at the barbecue.

Renji, along with the other lieutenants, searches for Nozomi when she goes missing once more. He comes across Sado and the Reigai version of himself battling and decides to get involved. Using their teamwork, the two are able to defeat Reigai-Renji so that he reverts back to a red pill. Renji comments that he feels odd defeating himself and that the pill is no ordinary Gikon. Later, Renji joins the others as Urahara gathers information on the situation in Soul Society. After Ichigo disappears, Sado asks if they should go to Soul Society, but Rukia and Renji say they should trust in the captains.

When Urahara says that he still cannot detect Ichigo's Reiatsu, Renji asks if it means he is dead, but Urahara says that he cannot say. As everyone worries, Renji says he is the most worried, prompting a fight. Later, when Urahara detects Reiatsu like Ichigo's he asks Renji to accompany him. Renji goes with Urahara into the Dangai where they find Ichigo and bring him back. As Ichigo awakens, he yells out, only to find Renji and the others sitting before him. Ichigo asks Renji if he was the one who rescued him, but Renji says no.

Renji participates in a meeting with the other Shinigami and Ichigo's friends where they are updated on the situation. Later, he reports to Ichigo, Sado, Rukia and Uryū, who are training Nozomi that the enemy is attacking. He states that they need to bring Nozomi to somewhere safe, but she tells Renji that if the Reigai are coming, then there is no safe place and she needs to regain her Shikai. Seeing that the others agree, Renji reluctantly decides to help too. Eventually, their efforts help Nozomi release her Shikai.

Afterwards, Renji joins the battle. There, he is aided by Rukia as they face the Reigai-Byakuya. Despite their combined efforts, they are easily forced back by their opponent and they regroup with their allies. Seeing how bad the situation is, it is hesitantly decided to rely on Nozomi's Reiatsu-absorbing Shikai. They all launch their attacks at Nozomi, who then uses the collected energy to defeat all the Reigai, except for Reigai-Byakuya who uses the "Dankū" to narrowly block it. Reigai-Byakuya then blasts everyone knocking out Renji and everyone except for Ichigo and Nozomi. They are saved by the arrival of Yamamoto, who instantly defeats Reigai-Byakuya by blasting it with his flames.

Unable to get up, Renji is forced to watch as Nozomi and Ichigo fight the captain Reigai and later Inaba. This effort costs Ichigo too much energy, causing him to plummet to the ground. Renji manages to get up and catch him. Determined to stop Inaba, Renji joins Rukia and Ichigo. As Ichigo voices his refusal to let Inaba take Nozomi as she doesn't want to go with him, Inaba states that it is laughable they act like they understand her. He declares that he and Nozomi are created from the Reiatsu of the same Shinigami. Renji joins Ichigo and Rukia in charging at Inaba, only to be quickly defeated in their weakened state.

Ultimately, Inaba succeeds in capturing Nozomi, and in the process destroying the remainder of Ichigo's powers. After getting his wounds treated by Unohana, Renji insists that they attack Inaba while he is still injured. Unohana, however, voices that they cannot attack so reckless with several high-ranking Shinigami, including Yamamoto, currently incapacitated. Later, Renji joins Rukia (in his Gigai) to check on Ichigo. While Ichigo tries to act calm about losing his powers, it is clear how pained he is by this. Renji and the others then go to Urahara's to discuss the situation. Renji listens as Kisuke theorizes that they can restore Ichigo's power by using the remaining Reishi instead the Kōtotsu, which shocks him. Renji is present when Ichigo successfully returns from the Dangai.

Afterwards, Renji and the others agree to act as diversions through the Dangai while Ichigo and Kisuke sneak into Soul Society. Inside the Dangai, they are confronted by two Reigai, who realize that they are decoys and withdraw. Later while waiting for news from Kisuke, Renji and the others become concerned. After some convincing from the Tessai and the healed Shinigami, Renji and the others decide to go to Soul Society. There, they find that Ichigo has again transformed into a Hollow and has been subdued by a man who bares a resemblance to both Inaba and Nozomi. The man, Yushima, quickly displays his incredible power by completely overwhelming Renji and the others.

After the Hollowfied Ichigo surprisingly saves Rukia from Yushima's attack and returns to normal, albeit deprived of his Reiatsu again, Renji comes to and joins his friends to protect Ichigo. Renji follows Uryū's lead in setting up for his "Sprenger". While succeeding in restraining Yushima long enough to use the technique, Yushima counters with a "Hajokuri" spell to dispel the attack and subdue his enemies again. Kon then arrives and gives Ichigo a Mod-Soul pill of his Reishi, restoring Ichigo's powers. As Ichigo manages to fight evenly with Yushima, Kon convinces everyone to help Ichigo. Renji and the others launch group attacks on Yushima. Their attacks are ultimately defeated, but it give Ichigo an opening to strike Yushima hard. After a final clash, Ichigo is able to defeat Yushima.