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Under the production of Pierrot Films, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 came out on December 14, 2024. The episode titled Shadows Gone witnessed a heartwrenching backstory, involving Nanao and Shunsui. It was revealed how Shunsui shouldered a heavy responsibility from Nanao's mother to ensure her daughter's safety.
Apart from exploring Shunsui's bleak past, the episode showcased Nanao's resolve, as she willingly chose to forfeit her happiness to protect the person she admired the most. Bleach TYBW episode 11 was a poetic brilliance from Pierrot Films, marked with exceptional art direction and production quality.
Undoubtedly, Pierrot Films has been setting new bars with every episode this season. Although the episode lacked action compared to the previous ones, it nonetheless hit it out of the park due to its exceptional narrative.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11.
Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 review: Exploring Pierrot Films' production for Shunsui and Nanao's backstory & the adaptation
Although Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 was a one-on-one adaptation without many anime original additions, the episode offered a pleasant experience for fans with a rich narrative and impressive production quality. Right from the onset, Pierrot Films ensured the audience would be treated with excellent art quality and OST.
The fluid transitions between the frames and the scenes were a testament to the superior animation quality. From the adaptation perspective, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 covered chapters 650 to 653, rearranging the events to suit the flow.
Rather than beginning with Lille Barro piercing Shunsui and resurrecting himself into a sinister form, the episode commenced with a short flashback featuring Shunsui, his older brother, and Nanao's mother. The opening scene set the mood and tone of the episode and revealed that it would revolve around Shunsui's past.
Masaki Hiramatsu did a fascinating job in the screenplay, while Shinichiro Ueda handled the direction expertly. Shinichiro Ueda, who was also in charge of the Storyboards, captured Tite Kubo's vision from the manga well. The episode didn't have unnecessary zoom on any character or the lack of proper frames.
At any rate, the decent production by the staff ensured Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 would meet a regal treatment. Right after the opening scene, the episode transitioned to the moment, when Shunsui Kyoraku got pierced by a light beam. Lille Barro, who survived the Captain Commander's Bankai, transformed into a sinister form.
That's where the episode's second main aspect came into play. There was quite a bit of apprehension among the Bleach manga fans, about whether Pierrot Films would do justice to Lille Barro's second form. Undoubtedly, the esteemed studio nailed the Schutzstaffel's leader form and voice.
The grotesque transformation was accompanied by the Bleach TYBW version of Precipice of Defeat, which added a foreboding note to Lille's character. Additionally, the distorted high-pitched voice modulation went ideal with the character.
Besides, Lille Barro's character design and the transformation of his wings' colors from green to a golden color palette was an interesting change, reflecting his status as a Godly being. Lille's scenes, where he demonstrated his Divine Judgement and other moves were marked by sublime animation.
Following the opening segment, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11's narrative moved to the next important part: Nanao Ise's arrival. Nanao's presence in the episode was the key element, which elevated the episode's narrative to the next level. She complimented Shunsui's character, and finally got her moment to shine.
After returning to the battlefield, she asked her captain for her Zanpakuto. Shunsui Kyoraku was taken aback. He wasn't aware of the fact that Nanao knew about it. Since Lille was behind them, Shunsui quickly summoned Okyou (Kyokotsu) and escaped to the Shadow Realm.
Following that, the narrative for Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 explained Shunsui and Nanao's backstory. According to the episode, Shunsui Kyoraku had Ohana give birth to Kyokotsu to hide Nanao's sword at the behest of her mother, Isuzu.
Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 explained that the Ise family members were matrilineal. Since only girls were born into the clan, the family adopted sons-in-laws from the other families. However, it was said that all men who married into the Ise family prematurely died due to the Ise Curse.
While some laughed it off as a joke, Nanao's mother believed in the curse. Hence, she left her clan and married into another home. According to Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11, Nanao's mother married Shunsui's older brother. However, she couldn't escape her curse, as the man died shortly afterward.
After returning to her clan, Isuzu speculated the root of the curse must be their clan's sacred weapon. Thus, she stole the blade and entrusted it to Shunsui to hide. That's how Shunsui Kyoraku shouldered a huge responsibility from a young age. Later, it was revealed how Nanao's mother was executed for her actions.
Shunsui cursed himself for her fate. He thought it was all his fault Isuzu had to die. Prior to Nanao's mother's death, she gave Shunsui her flower-patterned Kimono and a hairpin, which was a gift from her husband. However, that's not all. On his deathbed, Shunsui's brother entrusted his prized possession, the other half of the hairpin to him.
In a monologue, Shunsui explained how the people he had loved always left him after entrusting their prized possessions. He abhorred shouldering responsibilities. However, he didn't want to go through the same experience with Nanao. He handed over the Ise clan's Divine Sword, Shinken Hakkyoken, to Nanao, who used to against Lille Barro.
Apparently, the sword could withstand God's power and disperse it in all directions. However, Nanao had never held a blade before. Therefore, she was scared to hold the blade properly and face her enemy head-on. That's when Shunsui Kyoraku emerged from the shadows and guided Nanao.
Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 seamlessly fused Shunsui's past with Nanao's through a meticulous change in perspective. The episode showed Nanao's days at the Soul Reaper Academy. She couldn't give a form to her Asauchi, so she earnestly practiced Kido and excelled in it. Eventually, she was selected in the 8th Division.
Notably, Nanao had eavesdropped on her mother and Shunsui's conversation in the past. That's how she came to know about the sword's existence. However, she didn't know whether her would-be captain was the same person. When Nanao first saw Shunsui, he was wearing a girl's Kimono, similar to her mother. He also had the same hairpin as her mother's.
Back then, Nanao thought it was only a coincidence. However, after joining the Squad 8's barracks, she discovered Shunsui no longer wore the Kimono and the hairpin. That's when she realized Shunsui was truly that person, whom her mother had entrusted with her clan's prized possession.
Thus, when Shunsui held her hands from behind, Nanao could feel his kindness flowing into her. She realized how her captain had always stood out for her, whenever she was in trouble. With renewed courage, Nanao Ise confronted Lille Barro and reflected his Godly powers back at him to disintegrate him.
Undoubtedly, Pierrot Films did a fascinating job of portraying and connecting two backstories from Tite Kubo's manga in Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11. The episode was all about Shunsui and Nanao, the uncle and niece, who finally had their cathartic moment in the series.
Conclusion
Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 11 was truly poetry in motion, with excellent animation quality and rich narrative running concurrently.
Pierrot Films has once again delivered an astonishing episode to immortalize Kubo's work in the anime form.
Also read:
- Bleach TYBW episode 37 full highlights
- Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 announces one-hour finale and new cast
- Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 12 release date and time
