Bleach/Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya

Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya
Season 3, Episode 11
Airdate	October 4, 2005
Production Number	52
Written by	Genki Yoshimura Masahiro Okubo Masashi Sogo Michiko Yokote Natsuko Takahashi Rika Nakase
Directed by	Noriyuki Abe
← 3x10 Morning of the Sentence	3x12 → Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction
Bleach — Season Three

Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya is the eleventh episode of the third season of Bleach and the fifty-second episode overall. Renji attempts to rescue Rukia from her execution, but finds himself in a battle with his own captain instead.

Co-Stars: Richard Epcar (Zangetsu), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Dan Woren (Byakuya Kuchiki)

Plot Overview

Still in Yoruichi's training grounds, Ichigo tries as best he can to win in a battle with multiple copies of Zangetsu. He's making a great deal of progress, but still isn't breaking through to the level where he can use Bankai. For that reason, he continues to train while Renji, who finally realized his potential, runs to save Rukia. He makes it to the courtyard where Ichigo fought Kenpachi Zaraki when he's stopped by Byakuya, who won't allow him to try to save the prisoner. Because of this, Renji is forced to fight his own captain. Byakuya isn't impressed by Renji's confidence, he tries to trigger his shikai, but Renji stops the sword from scattering as it did in Byakuya's fight with Ganju without having to call its name.

Renji releases his sword's Bankai form, which transforms his sword into something resembling a skeletal snake. The two go at it again until Byakuya confidently states that that the sword only has the appearance of a Bankai and none of the true power. He tries to destroy it using his shikai attack, but Renji dislodges all of the snake's joints, making it only appear as if Byakuya has beaten him. When Renji reforms his sword with ease, Byakuya actually shows genuine surprise and is knocked to his knees by a blow landed by Renji, something which he suggested could not be done. After a couple of attacks, Renji's sword loses its power and Byakuya shames him for trying to use Bankai in battle so early without mastering it. In his moment of weakness, Renji is held by a spell and Byakuya demonstrates his own Bankai, which is like a fare more explosive version of his first attack. The one attack makes Renji hemorrhage blood from countless wounds and collapse. Byakuya tells him that he went easy on him and that Renji will never reach his level. Renji tries to attack one more time, but he's defeated quickly and pushed to the end of his lifespan. Byakuya promises that if Renji tries to move one more time, he will certainly die.

Despite this, Renji breaks free of the pink swords that he's been stabbed by and repeats some words said before by Ichigo about his promise to save Rukia. Renji hurls himself at Byakuya, but all he manages to do is destroy his own blade and put a tiny scratch on Byakuya.

Trivia

The Show

• Opening Theme: The opening titles for the series change to suit a new song, this time "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color. This title sequence starts out with flashes of many of the characters introduced in the "Soul Society" storylines, ending on Ichigo (which fades to show Ichigo's hollow form, as introduced in a previous episode). From there, the main characters are shown brooding or fighting, which includes Ichigo fighting Byakuya in a similar style to how he fought Renji in the previous opening sequence. The montage ends on Ichigo and Rukia in their school uniforms with their backs turned to the camera while dozens of hands tear open a hole in the sky and a Hell Butterfly flutters by.
• Special Presentation: This episode was originally broadcast along with the following episode in a hour long special unbroken by theme music. For that reason, this episode includes a very lengthy recap scene.