application
[series]: Bleach
[character]: Abarai Renji (Renji Abarai)
[character history / background]: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Renji <- Quick Link.
Everything included but the Bount arc, as he's not coming from the anime.
[character abilities]: His zanpakutou: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Renji#Zanpakut.C5.8D
Other abilities: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Renji#Powers_.26_Abilities
He has standard shinigami abilities, from flash step (or shunpo) to kido, of which he is not very skilled. Most of his abilities lie in his sword-work, of which he is very proficient, obvious in how he is capable of bankai even though he is only a lieutenant instead of a captain. He is not invincible, but is physically stronger and able to withstand much more damage to his body than any human. Despite the fact that he may act like a rowdy teenager, it is obvious he is easily over one-hundred years old and he will live (exist?) to be much older. (more info on Shinigami: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Reaper_(Bleach)#Characteristics)
[character personality]: Being a high ranking officer like he is, you might expect someone diligent, hard-working, but good hearted in the end. Renji may be those things, but not in the manner expected. He's loud, he's obnoxious (if not rude), and arrogant- but in a way that's so true to his character it's almost commendable. Almost. It's not exactly a chore to piss him off, but then he's a loud-mouth by nature. Subtly isn't really in his vocabulary. But at least his stubborn nature comes to light more-so in determination. An endless supply of it, because in the end, Renji has that whole 'hero' thing down pat. If you can ignore all his faults, such as being about as smart as a brick-wall in certain situations... until the very last second, of course (coughrukiacough). He's not stupid, even if he prefers the overly simple method of doing things. Again, it's that bull-headed hero complex coming into play. Despite the exterior, he's a man that'll give his life for someone. As simple as that.
At the very least, he's not necessarily black and white in his nature of doing things. But he will always have good intentions when it comes to doing something, even if his determination comes off as bloodlust (it's the tattoos). In the end, he's not at all an 'evil' character. Only someone that doesn't seem to give a damn about playing a part, only doing what he thinks is right. But he is eager to fight, and not at all a coward. But he obviously makes mistakes, and can be more than a little reckless at times- even if he isn't stupid, he's bull-headed and not even he will deny it.
Loyalty isn't something he writes off easily, and in turn he's someone easy to trust. Often times, he has that obnoxious older-brother air about him of someone that's dependable and good-natured in the end. But he's shown a rebellious side against the 'authority', but again this is only because of his beliefs. He's stupid enough to try and save his friends from an impossible situation, and stubborn enough to succeed. He puts some things above others, contradicting himself in the process. Maybe it's easiest just to say he's the kind-hearted fool. It's true enough, at any rate.
He's a man of pride, a man that fights, but he's kind-hearted and loyal in the end. His quirks only serve to make him a more interesting individual. Sometimes, he's even someone worth looking up to- especially when he learns to shut up.
[point in timeline you're picking your character from]: Manga verse, chapter 295 (the last mission)
[journal post]: [voice post]
Pesshe? Pesshe? What the hell are you doin--?!
[COUGH HACK OOPS THERE WENT HIS LUNG]
Wh-what?
...
... What the hell?
Damnitt. What happened. Ishida? Where'd they-- Like it matters--
HEY, YOU BASTARD, I WASN'T FINISHED YET--!
[--and static as the device suddenly cuts off.]
[third person / log sample]: Renji knows; the worst moment was when he could do nothing. His blade shattered, his will along with it (and he was on his knees; begging like the street-rat he used to be). But at that exact moment, the instance of his defeat, he could finally see what it was he had to do.
He had to fight. To try. To save the life of his friend.
'She would do the same thing.'
He wasn't going to let her die. Or any of his friends, for that matter (his nakama). But everything was in turmoil, and he was in pieces on the ground. His pride a splash of black on his skin; burning a hole through his heart. His heart seeping red into the very pores of his skin, the white of his bone.
It wasn't stupidity that made him stand. And it couldn't simply be called determination. His loyalty was screwed- enough that for a few sheer seconds, he hated himself. 'I brought her here,' he would think, despite his own dying breath. But if he was anything, he wasn't someone that was going to dwell on what had happened.
Maybe he needed to repent. Or maybe he felt it was wrong to lay there on the ground- defeated -when he had something he could live for.
So he stood; he grasped the last pieces of his sword (and in his mind he heard an answering howl) and he swore to himself. Never again. He might be a fool, but he wasn't going to be a bastard and a traitor for what he knew mattered most.
A shadow loomed ahead, he knew; something of more than his own make. A thousand petals falling, as sharp as raining needles (but even he could see the beauty in those glistening blades).
But that pain would hardly be the worst thing he would ever feel.