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Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5, released on November 2, 2024, provided fans with delight, as Sosuke Aizen entered the Seireitei and showcased his raw Spiritual Pressure. Pierrot Films endowed Aizen with the best production they could have given. Yet, somewhere down the line, the studio perhaps fumbled on one crucial area, which is the usage of proper OSTs.
Unlike Aizen's appearances in the original anime, where Shiro Sagisu's memorable OSTs enhanced the character's appeal, the latest episode lacked the proper background score to elevate Aizen. That said, from the animation perspective, the studio deserves huge praise.
Aside from Aizen, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 marked the return of Grimmjow. His entrance at the end of the episode created massive hype in the anime community, leading fans to speculate about his role in the arc. Although the episode didn't have much action, it primarily flaunted Sosuke Aizen's strength and showed Shunsui Kyoraku's leadership qualities.
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Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion and contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5.
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 review: Evaluating Pierrot Films' production for Aizen and other scenes
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 had promised a lot, with Rina Suzuki and Hiroshi Natsuki working on the episode as the animation director. Undoubtedly, the episode's production didn't disappoint most fans. That said, there are some aspects where the studio could have done better.
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 kicked off with some creatures from the Soul King's palace dropping into the Seireitei through a fissure in the red canopy above. The Soul Reapers, including Soifon, Byakuya, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Shuhei, and others fought relentlessly to ensure those creatures didn't infiltrate the Department of R&D.
However, their swarming numbers were a challenge to the Soul Reapers. That's when Sosuke Aizen made his dramatic entry. With the sheer strength of his dense Spiritual Pressure, Aizen crushed the creatures, and later demonstrated his signature, Hado 90: Kurohitsugi, to destroy every last one of them.
Pierrot Films knew their assignment was to give Sosuke Aizen as much aura as possible. The episode truly revolved around him, providing the Soul Reaper with the necessary screen time. Whether it's the animation or the voice acting, everything was incredible for Aizen, save for one part: OST.
Although Shiro Sagisu is a master of providing outstanding OSTs to the characters, somehow the maestro missed a trick with Aizen's scene. During Sosuke Aizen's Kurohitsugi scene, the anime played the OST 2022 TYBW Suspense.
The OST didn't have the same vibe as Stand Up Be Strong, the OST played during Aizen's Kurohitsugi scene in Karakura Town. Although the time and place are different, the studio could have chosen to replay that OST, or even give Aizen his signature, Treachery OST.
That's perhaps the only area where Pierrot Films fumbled in the entire episode. Had the studio paid more attention to the OST, Aizen's scenes could have been a lot better. Likewise, when Aizen arrived at the Soul Society, the anime lacked a proper background score.
On the contrary, Pierrot Films did well to accentuate Shunsui's scene, where he delivered a rousing speech to everyone assembled at the Department of R&D. Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 did massive service to Shunsui Kyoraku's character, who seems to be the ideal Captain Commander the Gotei 13 deserved after Yamamoto.
Although his decisions in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 infuriated many Soul Reapers, Shunsui knew he had to take some tough calls to defeat Yhwach. Coming to Aizen, the production studio used a combination of CGI and 2D animation to make the Soul Reaper's Kurohitsugi and his Spiritual Pressure look stunning.
Aizen's calm demeanor and aggressive strength, even though he was bound to a chair, was truly the major highlight. Especially, the scene where he suggested shooting down the Royal Palace was a stunning adaptation by Pierrot Films.
Unlike the previous episode, where fans had some problems with Aizen's character model, the latest episode had many shots of Aizen's face, that resembled Tite Kubo's original drawing in the manga.
The production studio added their zest to enliven the panels even more. For example, the scene in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5, where NaNaNa demonstrated his Schrift to immobilize Aizen was spectacularly done. Overall, the episode had everything that an Aizen fan would have wanted, except perhaps his signature OSTs.
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 review: Soul Reapers and the Quincy's alliance
Aside from Aizen, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 marked a slight twist in the narrative, as Bazz B, Liltotto, and Giselle decided to join the Soul Reapers to take down Yhwach. The surviving Quincies, except NaNaNa, wanted to seek revenge against Yhwach, who abandoned them.
Shunsui was pleasantly amused by the sudden turn of events, but he welcomed them. Although Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 lacked action, the episode compensated with many beautiful sequences, such as a scene featuring Bazz B and Renji.
The Quincing joining hands with the Soul Reapers was also poetic, as Sosuke Aizen observed. Besides that, the episode saw Shunsui Kyoraku assembling the active Soul Reapers at the Department of Research and Development since he required their Spiritual Pressure to build the gate to the Royal Palace.
That's when Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 introduced Hiyori, Love, Hachigen, and Lisa, the Vizards, who remained absent throughout the season. They brought the special substance collected from the distortion, which was eventually used as the main ingredient to create the gate.
Moreover, the episode skillfully showcased the Gotei 13's resolve. Although they knew that the way to the Royal Palace could be a one-way ticket for them, the Soul Reapers didn't cower. Rather, they embraced the risk, since the world's fate was on the line.
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 review: Grimmjow's return sets the stage on fire, Yhwach awakening new powers
Besides Sosuke Aizen, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 will be remembered for Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's (voiced by Junichi Suwabe) return to the narrative. The former Espada was invited to the Royal Palace by Yoruichi Shihoin, who latched a special device on the Royal Palace's ground to let Grimmjow open the Garganta and emerge from there.
After entering the Royal Palace, Grimmjow greeted Ichigo Kurosaki, his rival and former enemy. Although Grimmjow's entrance didn't have the same aura as Aizen, it was nonetheless a fascinating scene.
Following the Espada's return, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 ended with a post-credit scene, where Yhwach completed consuming the Soul King's Spiritual Pressure. The act endowed the Quincy King with new powers, as he began to build his own empire in the Royal Palace.
Pierrot Films has done a decent job with both these crucial scenes in the episode. Whether it's Grimmjow's aura or Yhwach's ominous scene, the esteemed studio perfectly captured the essence from Tite Kubo's manga in the anime form.
Conclusion
Although Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 5 was a comparatively "low-priority" episode than the previous ones, Pierrot Films didn't compromise on the production quality. Besides the mild missed opportunity in the Aizen scene, the episode delivered fans with an excellent experience.
Also read:
- Bleach TYBW episode 31 full highlights
- Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 4 review
- Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 complete release schedule
