Bleach Hakusho 2 Round 3: Renji Abarai vs. Kazuma Kuwabara

VS.

Welcome back to another installment where I pit the worlds of Bleach & Yu Yu Hakusho (YYH abbreviated). So far, YYH leads against Bleach 2-0, but within September, anything can happen. Bleach Hakusho 2 Fight Night posts will be on Mondays & Fridays all throughout September. Without further ado, let's start off the 3rd Matchup ~ Renji Abarai vs. Kazuma Kuwabara: The Battle of the Friends/Rivals of our Protagonists. Take into account that Storyline & Powers/Abilities are the deciding factors in these Fight Night posts. Let's jam! 

*Most of the material is copied from previous Fight Night posts. 

Storyline (Renji)

Prior to joining the Gotei 13, Renji, along with his friends, grew up in the 78th District of Rukongai, Inzuri. Ravaging for food and entertainment, Renji & his pals were unable to afford anything and thus resorted to stealing. However, despite their bad reputation, Renji & his friends were like a family since it's unknown on the circumstances surrounding their families. It wouldn't be long before Renji & his pals become acquainted with a young Rukia Kuchiki, who saved them from a storekeeper who saw Renji steal a jug of water. Welcoming another member into their family, the group stood together despite Rukia & Renji being the only ones of the group that had spiritual power. Soon after their friends all died, Renji & Rukia vowed to enlist in the Gotei 13 where they'll soon meet future Shinigami Kira Izuru, Hisagi Shuhei, & Momo Hinamori. Already being gifted, the two studied, trained, and relentlessly night and day improved their spiritual prowess up until Rukia was adopted into the Kuchiki family, leaving Renji alone and without family for the first time. Angered by this, Renji continued onward in hopes to enlist under the 6th division to challenge the one and only Byakuya Kuchiki, the very man who took Rukia away from Renji's life. During his time in the Gotei 13 ~ he served under the 5th and 11th divisions later to finally settle in as Lieutenant of the 6th division. 

Renji is one of the two Shinigami Ichigo met in the Human World, but it wasn't a warm welcome ~ Renji and his Captain, Byakuya, were sent to the Human World to retrieve Rukia Kuchiki; her staying in Karakura town as well as relinquishing her powers to an unknown stranger are forbidden and thus there was a warrant for her arrest. Ichigo tried to thwart their plans to take away Rukia, but Renji and Byakuya easily dealt with Ichigo since he was inexperienced with fighting Shinigami. During the Rescue arc, Team Ichigo's priority was to save Rukia, but Renji couldn't stop idly by and watch as his friend and only family is to be taken away again; he'd rather have Rukia be sentenced to death than allow her to escape with Ichigo. Renji challenged Ichigo in Round 2 and, due to Kisuke's training, Ichigo overcame Renji and he came to the realization ~ Ichigo wasn't the enemy and Renji lost track of his main objective ~ overcoming and beating the very person who took everything from him ~ Byakuya Kuchiki. Renji entrusted Ichigo to save Rukia and, from then on, was now an enemy of the Gotei 13 as he challenged Byakuya with his newly formed Bankai (thanks to his training with Yoruichi), but lost due to not being able to comprehend his own's Captain Bankai. Recuperating in hopes to fight again, Renji shows up in time to save Rukia and run away, but was stopped by Aizen & Tosen who wanted Rukia for the Hogyoku implanted within her. Renji, unable to comprehend Aizen's scheme in this, was unable to save Rukia as he was left powerless before Aizen's superior abilities. Sometime after Aizen's defection, Renji, alongside Rukia, Hitsugaya, Rangiku, Ikkaku, & Yumichika, were sent to the Human World to thwart Aizen's newly formed Arrancar army. It is during this time that Renji fought against one of Grimmjow's fraccion and eventually won, but was forced to return to the Soul Society under orders from Captain Yamamoto in not aiding in Ichigo's attempts to save Orihime from Aizen's grasp. Renji and Rukia would disobey orders and tag alongside Ichigo to save Orihime where he challenged 8th Espada, Szayelaporro, and it came to a draw. In round 2 against the Espada, Renji was unable to comprehend Szayelaporro's abilities and Mayuri, the 12th division Captain, steps in to aid Renji & Uryu in fighting the Espada. Being completely healed after his previous fight with Szayelaporro, Renji fought against the 0 Espada, Yammy Llargo and was defeated easily. After Aizen's imprisonment, Renji shows u briefly to deal with Ginjo's fullbringers and was successful in defeating Jackie thanks to his training after Aizen's imprisonment. Following the end of the Fullbringer Arc, a new threat titled the Wandenreich invade the Soul Society and the Shinigami are left powerless and unable to comprehend why their Bankai(s) are being stolen or why the enemy is stronger. Renji is ambushed by Mask De Masculine and, after this loss, was forced to recuperate and train in the Royal Palace where he learned his True Bankai's form ~ Soo Zabimaru. Returning once more, Renji easily defeats Mask De Masculine and now, alongside everyone, is planning an-all out attack against the Wandrenreich. 

Storyline (Kuwabara)

Kuwabara loves picking fights with Yusuke back in school. The two delinquents pretty much have a understanding when it comes to fighting, but they have respect for one another because of the strength they possess. Kuwabara is leader of a group of delinquents, has a older sister, a cat, and befriends the Spirit Detective alongside various demon allies. Yusuke's spirit detective days have begun and it wouldn't be long before Kuwabara has powers of his own, creating a spirit sword ~ his first opponent was Byakko and almost died trying to kill him. Despite having friendly bickering in the past, Kuwabara now fights alongside Yusuke in fighting against various demons (The Toguro Brothers & Shinobu Sensui to name a few) and protecting the Human World from annihilation. The only time Kuwabara was unable to help out Yusuke is when he met to the Demon World to train as a potential candidate in line for succession for  Toshin Raizen. 

Powers/Abilities (Renji)

Being a Lieutenant-level Shinigami, Renji possess incredible power that was able to surpass Ichigo in the very beginning and rival him in their 2nd Round (Now Renji doesn't even stand a chance against Ichigo). He is a skilled swordsman, has enhanced strength, very durable, and, like certain characters in Bleach ~ has a Bankai. He is one of the few characters in Bleach that is not good at Kido or even proficient in Shunpo, but is able to attempt it. Renji's true power lies in his Zanpaktou ~ Zabimaru. In its Shikai state, Zabimaru is able to disconnect into broken segments and attack (Higa Zekko). In swordmanship, Zabimaru is able to stretch and expand to attack his foes. (much like a whip). The new form of his Bankai, Soo Zabimaru, is able to transform into a Large skeletal arm that follows Renji's movements that are able to crush bones and, when his Bankai bites down on his opponents, is able to completely close down on the enemy as well as firing a blast of spiritual energy that was enough to disintegrate Mask De Masculine. Prior to learning of Zabimaru's true form, his Zanpaktou had various abilities and formerly went with the name Hihio Zabimaru (still was underdeveloped, but Soo Zabimaru is the fully developed Bankai). 

Powers/Abilities (Kuwabara)

Much like Yusuke, Kuwabara didn't start off with powers. It's much like Chad and Ichigo really. Kuwabara is able to summon a spirit sword made from his own spirit energy. His sword is able to grow longer or even, when Kuwabara puts his mind to it, become stronger when concentrating his Spirit Energy (and even changing the sword's form). He's had his fair share of wins and losses, but despite his clumsy, bumbling, and confident persona - he's had more time to flesh out his powers on strong foes (Ex: Byakko, Elder Togoro, and Seaman). The few times he loss were due to his bravado (EX: Rinku & Shishiwakamaru), but even then it was only because of Kuwabara's overconfidence. 

Verdict

And the winner is...

This was a very easy decision for me, so why pit these two together? Well, prior to BH, I was wondering who'd I pick to go toe-to-toe against Yusuke Urameshi's best friend, Kazuma Kuwabara. When Kuwabara fought up against Ichigo's friend, Yasutora Chad Sado, it became quite apparent that that fight was very easy to read ~ Kuwabara, as a friend & fighter has much more drive to his character and, to me, offers more the story than Chad does in Bleach. So I thought, hey Kuwabara is often bickering to Yusuke - the very same way Renji Abarai bickers with Ichigo. It was easy to pit these two together just on that understanding, but let's judge them as character. For me, I knew Renji was going to win because, like the Kuwabara vs. Chad BH Fight post, Renji has MORE drive to his character, is in every arc of Bleach (both continuity & non-cannon), and has much more to offer in terms of powers/abilities than Kuwabara. Kuwabara can create an energy sword, reshape it, and use his own spirit energy to throw energy shards at his opponent, but on the surface, I knew that that wasn't enough to subdue Renji. Renji has gotten stronger & has even perfected his Bankai. Another thing to notice is this: Kuwabara always lost to Yusuke when they fought whereas Renji almost killed Ichigo on their first meeting. That alone shows the difference in strength ~ Kuwabara is always below Yusuke where Renji, in my opinion, has gotten stronger to the point where he's not on par with Ichigo AND he's in a league of his own. Kuwabara and Renji are similar in a lot of aspects, but since Bleach is still ongoing, we have to see the potential Renji still possesses in both the storyline & powers/abilities. With Kuwabara, he's a great friend & fighter, but not even remotely close to Renji. Sorry if it felt like this Match was short, but it became apparent when compiling all my thoughts on these two bad@$$e$. Victory goes to Renji Abarai from Bleach. 

So who do you think won this matchup? Kazuma Kuwabara from YYH or Renji Abarai from Bleach? Comment below & let me know. Look forward to BH 2 posts on Mondays & Fridays all throughout September. Until then, you stay classy. YYH still leads 2-1 against Bleach.