Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 Review: Has Pierrot Set a New Standard for the Series?

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 Review: Has Pierrot Set a New Standard for the Series?

Crafted by Pierrot Films, the highly anticipated Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 made its debut on October 5, 2024. It has ushered in a new era for the series, showcasing remarkable animation and production values that set a high standard for future episodes.

Pierrot’s recently established subsidiary, Pierrot Films, aimed to deliver a cinematic experience to viewers, transforming the landscape of anime production. The release of Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 serves as a testament to their ambitious vision.

Under the direction of Hikaru Murata, the episode exemplifies Pierrot’s commitment to innovation, utilizing advanced CGI and cutting-edge animation to bring iconic scenes from the manga to life. It also stays true to Tite Kubo’s artistic intent by incorporating brand-new scenes exclusive to the anime adaptation.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1.

Review of Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1: The Impact of Pierrot Films’ Production

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 mesmerized viewers with its breathtaking visuals, resulting from exceptional production quality. In a recent interview with Men’s Non-no Magazine, Yoshihiro Tominaga, a producer at Studio Pierrot, highlighted their mission to produce top-tier anime efficiently.

Recognizing the industry’s competitive landscape, where shows like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer emphasize high animation quality, Pierrot Films was created to meet the demand for premium anime, offering viewers a film-like experience.

Before the premiere of Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1, Pierrot Films teased fans with a short clip of Senna Rin’s Reaper song, hinting at the exceptional production quality to come. The inaugural episode indeed aligned perfectly with that expectation, reimagining Tite Kubo’s source material with outstanding animation.

Yhwach's Almighty (Image via Pierrot Films)
Yhwach’s Almighty (Image via Pierrot Films)

Interestingly, director Hikaru Murata indicated that Part 3 would see a greater emphasis on CGI than its predecessor. While some fans expressed skepticism about this approach, fearing CGI could detract from their viewing experience, Part 3 Episode 1 skillfully showcased the potential of this technology. From Uryu’s confrontation with Senjumaru to Ichibe Hyosube’s Futen Taisatsuryo, and Yhwach’s iconic entrance to the Soul King’s palace, the episode was replete with stunning CGI enhancements.

The episode featured an abundance of frames, exceeding the standard count for average anime episodes. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the artwork remained pristine, regardless of where viewers paused. Such high-quality production stems from a deliberate effort by the production team to elevate frame counts.

Uryu Ishida in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)
Uryu Ishida in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

One standout moment is Uryu’s aerial battle against Senjumaru Shutara, where he skillfully navigates through the Great Weave Guard’s threads using his Licht Reigen, displaying flawless animation without any noticeable frame drops. The effective use of CGI in the background further enhances viewers’ enjoyment.

Production-wise, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 has already outperformed prior installments in both adaptation and animation quality. The team has recognized and rectified past shortcomings to create a more coherent narrative and superior visual execution.

Yhwach and Ichibe (Image via Pierrot Films)
Yhwach and Ichibe (Image via Pierrot Films)

Director Hikaru Murata has honored Tite Kubo’s manga through meticulous storyboarding and direction. Animation directors Sayoko Ozawa, Tomoko Hayashi, Yamauichi, and Cindy H contributed significantly to ensuring a captivating viewing experience through stunning animation.

Chief animation director Toru Hasegawa played a key role in overseeing production, while composer Shiro Sagisu’s powerful music enhanced the episode’s overall allure.

Diving into the Anime Original Scenes: Tite Kubo’s Influence

Uryu Ishida fights against Senjumaru (Image via Pierrot Films)
Uryu Ishida fights against Senjumaru (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 prominently features anime-original scenes, notably the showdown between Uryu Ishida and Senjumaru Shutara, a sequence Kubo could not include in the manga. Involvement from the mangaka, who is heavily engaged with the production of this cour, allowed for an expansion of his original concepts.

The need to depict the defeats of the Zero Squad members while granting Uryu Ishida a spotlight moment was essential. Although Uryu’s choice to eliminate a Soul Reaper might be interpreted as a betrayal to Ichigo and the others, it adds depth to his character.

Senjumaru gets captured (Image via Pierrot Films)
Senjumaru gets captured (Image via Pierrot Films)

The battle scene featuring Uryu Ishida against Senjumaru Shutara was not only visually superb but also enriched by Tite Kubo’s consultations on the storyboards, which may later be shared with fans. The expertly crafted aerial duel encompassing Uryu’s techniques against Senjumaru’s fabric manipulations is commendable.

In addition to that conflict, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 also presented a revamped version of Ichibe Hyosube’s ultimate attack, Futen Taisatsuryo, aimed at Quincy King Yhwach. The lyrical composition mirroring Ichibe’s actions, crafted by Kubo and set to music by Sagisu, elevated the tension of the moment.

The collaboration of these two industry luminaries resulted in a masterpiece, with the hymn adding a menacing atmosphere that heightened the scene. Furthermore, Kubo’s reimagining of Futen Taisatsuryo’s appearance from the manga was executed brilliantly.

Kubo disclosed in a conversation with the Krew BeInside program from Shonen Jump that he was unable to express his vision for Ichibe’s move effectively on the manga pages. Consequently, he sketched rough storyboards for the scene, which were developed into a captivating finished product by Murata and the dedicated staff.

Moreover, Yhwach’s entrance to the Soul King’s chamber was a visual highlight, with each step generating a reishi step. The production team creatively integrated CGI to produce the particle effects enhancing the scene’s visual impact. These moments undoubtedly enriched the overall experience of Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1.

Review of Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1: The Importance of the Recap

Ichigo Kurosaki, as seen in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)
Ichigo Kurosaki, as seen in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

The inclusion of a roughly seven-minute recap from the previous season finale in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 merits discussion. The prior episode concluded on a sudden note, failing to adequately convey the implications of Yhwach’s fall.

Thus, the recap serves as a crucial segue between Part 2 and Part 3, providing context. Even so, this recap does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the episode. Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 has set an exceptional tone for the remainder of the season, marked by impressive animation and direction.

Conclusion

Yhwach's Almighty powers (Image via Pierrot Films)
Yhwach’s Almighty powers (Image via Pierrot Films)

For fans of the series yearning for a visually spectacular portrayal of the narrative, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 1 delivered an unforgettable experience. While some viewers may be less enthusiastic about the recap, which consumed nearly seven minutes, the groundbreaking animation and production quality From Pierrot Films have dazzled audiences. The episode undoubtedly establishes a new benchmark for the series, leaving anticipation for how the esteemed studio will sustain this level of quality in future episodes.

    Source

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *