Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 review: Pierrot Films sets new standards with the adaptation of Jugram and Bazz-B's backstory

Under the production of Pierrot Films, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 came out on December 21, 2024. The episode featured the stunning adaptation of the FRIEND saga, showing Jugram Haschwalth and Bazz-B's backstory and their eventual fated battle.

Prior to the episode's release, Tite Kubo in his Klub Outside blog urged fans to look forward to the installment. Moreover, the official staff streamed a special PV to heighten the anticipation surrounding the episode. Undoubtedly, the final outcome was worth it.

Pierrot Films has set a new benchmark with a stellar production for Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12. From incredible art direction to the fluidity of animation to fighting choreography, every aspect was to the point. Most importantly, the episode featured many original scenes to accentuate the episode's overall appeal.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12.

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 review: Exploring Pierrot Films' production for Jugram and Bazz-B's backstory

Bazz-B and Jugram (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 was a visual spectacle, offering fans a cinematic experience. The communion of emotion and action, with a dash of drama, truly elevated the episode to the next level. Notably, the FRIEND saga could either have been a total success or a complete disaster and there was no in-between.

There's a solid reason for that as well. Both Jugram Haschwalth and Bazz-B haven't had a great deal of screen time in the series. Even though manga enthusiasts have known them for ages, it can't be true for most audiences. Many fans had stopped reading the manga after the anime adaptation ended with the Lost Agent Arc.

Therefore, most of those fans wouldn't have developed feelings for either Jugram or Bazz-B. If an audience doesn't connect to a character's motive, desires, and losses, they can't evoke any emotion. Understandably, Jugram and Bazz-B were one of those characters.

Bazz-B, as seen in the past (Image via Pierrot Films)

Whenever such situations arrive, it's up to the studio to ensure the moving media can inject life into those characters. It seems Pierrot Films knew their assignment. The esteemed studio laid the naked truth of Bazz-B and Jugram in front of fans in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12.

The episode was critical to understanding Bazz-B's motives as to why he wanted to settle a score with Jugram. From their tragic backstory to Bazz-B's eventual demise, every moment was given the spark of life. Pierrot Films injected a vibrancy into the characters, and it wouldn't have been possible without Tite Kubo, who has been actively involved in the production.

From the onset, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 witnessed Bazz-B and Jugram's past, including how they met for the first time. Following the opening scene, the episode returned to Wahrwelt, showing Bazz-B's battle against Jugram. The past and the present collided to tell the tale of two friends.

Jugram Haschwalth in his past (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 revealed that Jugram couldn't create Holy Arrow, a basic Quincy ability. Bazz-B pitied him when he further learned that the boy had no parents or friends. Thus, he decided to make him his sidekick. That was the beginning of a friendship doomed for failure.

Although Bazz-B had a superiority complex and looked at Jugram condescendingly, he always considered the boy to be his greatest friend. Then one day, Yhwach massacred Bazz-B's family and burned his castle to the ground. After barely surviving the onslaught, Bazz-B firmly made up his mind to avenge his loved ones' deaths and kill Yhwach.

There were certain small moments in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 that we must critically analyze. For example, the scene where Yhwach decimated Bazz-B's castle, was an original scene. In the manga, Kubo only showed the aftermath, not the execution. However, Pierrot Films boldly showed how the Quincies brutally killed Bazz's mother and other family members.

Bazz-B witnesses Yhwach's onslaught (Image via Pierrot Films)

Undoubtedly, the horrific scenes further injected life into Bazz-B's character, as the audience could feel his emotions. It was necessary to show such a scene, as it only aided fans to sympathize with Bazz-B. On the other hand, the episode subtly hinted at how Jugram Haschwalth's uncle used to abuse him.

The scar marks he tried to hide from Bazz-B in the opening segment were the proof. Therefore, when the man died in a forest fire caused by Yhwach, Jugram didn't feel an ounce of remorse. However, things were different for Bazz-B, who deeply cared about his family.

Since Jugram had no one and relied on Bazz as his friend, the boy decided to share his dream. By that moment, Jugram had grown to like Bazz-B as his best friend. The duo swore to become the strongest Quincies ever to take down Yhwach in the future.

Yhwach and Jugram in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 (Image via Pierrot Films)

Dali Chen perfectly directed the episode to elevate Jugram and Haschwalth's scenes. Masaki Hiramatsu wrote a beautiful screenplay, while Yasuaki Kurotsu drew stunning storyboards for the episode. Bazz-B and Jugram's backstory was truly a cinematic experience.

Yet, that was the only trailer. The second part revealed how their friendship was doomed. Some years later, Yhwach proposed to create a new team called the Sternritter. He wanted to conquer the Soul Society. Thus, his military police issued a recruitment notice to every village.

Bazz-B saw the poster and realized it was the best chance for him to get closer to Yhwach and succeed in his mission. He asked his friend, Jugram, to come alongside him. However, Yhwach chose Jugram and called him his other half. The Quincy King revealed how Jugram's powers were unique. The boy, who was not expecting to be recruited, looked behind to ask Bazz-B for his advice.

Jugram Haschwalth in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

However, he saw his jealous eyes. That's where the rift in their friendship formed. Jugram, who always relied on his friend, couldn't believe he could be jealous. On the other hand, Bazz-B shockingly learned his growth as a Quincy was due to Jugram's passive influence.

After some years, Jugram joined the Sternritters and challenged Jugram numerous times. However, the boy, who had then become the Commander of the Sternritter, refused his offer every time. Yet, Bazz-B wanted to have a match. The communion of past and present finally shifted to the latter.

Bazz-B's Burning Full Finger (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 stunningly portrayed Jugram and Bazz-B's battle. The fighting sequences had the same flair as the Renji vs. Uryu battle in the cour. Notably, Dali Chen directed that same episode. Likewise, the episode saw Cindy H. Yamauchi, Kazuo Takigawa, and Tomoko Hayashi's awesome performance as animation directors.

Kiyoshi Komatsubara has done a fabulous job as the chief animation director. Their combined efforts ensured Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 retained access as well as emotion. The final scene, where Jugram slashed Bazz-B to end his life was truly poetic. It was the fitting end to their Friendship.

Conclusion

Bazz-B's death in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 12 was truly a cinematic experience, featuring plenty of eye-catching visuals. Under the production of Pierrot Films, the episode had action, drama, and emotion.

The new voice actors for the young Jugram (Marina Inoue) and young Bazz-B (Chiaki Kobayashi) did a stellar job of bringing alive those iconic characters. Overall, the episode has nicely set up the season finale, which is expected to feature lots of action.