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Pierrot Films's production for Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 was a love letter to Renji fans, showcasing the Soul Reaper engaged in a fierce battle against Uryu Ishida, his former ally. Released on November 16, 2024, the episode, titled Gate of the Sun, was a testament to the esteemed studio's production prowess.
From the direction of the OSTS to art and animation, everything was on point to deliver a memorable experience to fans. Although Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 can be considered a "low-priority" episode, the animation quality felt top-notch. With more than fifty percent of anime original content, the latest episode saw a huge shift in the narrative from the manga.
Yet, the episode retained the core elements from Tite Kubo's original work and only created hype for the upcoming events. Credit has to go to the production team, who ensured the latest episode was a visual treat.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7.
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 review: Pierrot Film's incredible production makes Renji vs. Uryu a visual fest
Evaluating the adaptation, production, and narrative
Under the direction and storyboards by Dali Chen at Pierrot Films, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 provided fans with a cinematic experience. Although the episode was low priority compared to the upcoming installments that will see the core of the final battles, it was still a marvelous exposition marked by clinical animation and production quality.
The staff involved in the episode did a fascinating job to portray the iconic moments from the manga and add Tite Kubo's vision for the Renji vs. Uryu's battle. Masaki Hiramatsu came up with a speculatualr screenplay based on the storyboards of Dali Chen.
Chief animation director, Sei Komatsubara, and the animation supervisors, Saeko Ozawa and Kazuo Takigawa, ensured the audience would get a movie-like experience from the episode. Undoubtedly, from the camera movements to the fighting choreography, everything was on point.
From the adaptation perspective, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 covered Chapters 629, five pages of Chapter 630, and seven pages of Chapter 635, with the rest being anime original content. As such, Dali Chen's storyboard for the episode was impressive. Once again, Pierrot Films used the modern CGI technology to accentuate the animation quality.
The usage of CGI, with Wahrwelt as the background, was certainly a masterstroke. However, it wouldn't have been possible without a solid narrative to back it up. Right off the bat, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 set the stage with Yhwach ordering his Schutzstaffels and Uryu to give the intruders a warm welcome. He wanted to pour their blood in the chalice and toast to the birth of a new world.
Following that, the episode witnessed a cinematic exposition, focusing on multiple narratives running concurrently. That's where Dali Chen deserves a special mention here. The fact that the episode could shift among the multiple narratives, without losing the hype, was excellent.
For example, after the opening scene, the narrative returned to Shunsui's location, where Bazz B and the Bambi sisters decided to part ways with the Soul Reapers. Meanwhile, Shunsui marshalled the Soul Reapers and headed for the Wahrwelt castle.
Soon after that, the episode switched to Ichigo's location, where Yoruichi sensed the Soul Reapers' Spiritual Pressure heading for the Castle. Ichigo thought they should also go there. Quickly, the episode switched to Shunsui's perspective, as he realized Mayuri Kurotsuchi wasn't there with them. Following that, the narrative moved to another location, where Mayuri re-opened the gate and entered Wahrwelt.
Mayuri was surprised because Kenpachi Zaraki had sneaked in, along with Yumichika, Ikkaku, and Hanataro. These rampant shift in the location in Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 established each character's status and whereabouts. For example, the episode cleared that Shunsui's group as faraway from either Ichigo or Mayuri.
The first half of the episode basically built on this set up. Soon after, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 moved to action, with Grimmjow chasing after Askin Nakk Le Var. The Sternritter "D" didn't want to fight Grimmjow, so he dashed as quickly as he could. Pierrot Films has done a decent job in portraying the humorous moments featuring Grimmjow, Askin, and Ichigo's subsequent reactions.
The episode hit the nostalgia with the familiar humor from the manga, which the first two installments of the series had more or less scrapped. At any rate, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 switched to Shunsui's location, where Lille Barro sniped four Lieutenants, including Shuhei, Sentaro, Isane, and Omaeda.
It created a diversion, as Shunsui ordered the Soul Reapers to take their cover. Renji Abarai followed his orders and went to a different direction. However, his path was blocked by Uryu Ishida. That marked the beginning of the 10-minute-long anime original content which filled the second yet.
Yet, before that, the episode shortly shifted to Askin who immobilized Grimmjow with his Gift Ball, laced with poison. The scene was comic and yet foreboding, slightly hinting at the Sternritter's true strength. Nevertheless, the narrative jumped back to Renji vs. Uryu.
Pierrot Films did a wondrous job with Renji's new Bankai, showcasing him in a different light. Previously, the anime showed Renji's Bankai against Mask de Masculine. That scene was straight taken from the manga. However, the latest fight, which is an anime original addition, truly did justice to Renji Abarai.
The 6th Division Lieutenant showcased a wide range of abilities of his true Bankai, So-Oh Zabimaru and almost cornered Uryu, before he had to activate his Vollstandig. Even then, Renji hid a trump card, which he used to trap Uryu and then demonstrate his new move.
However, Uryu didn't back down. He used Sklave Rai to gather Reishi and regained his powers. Following that, the Quincy demonstrated Feder Zwinger to imprison Renji and extracted his Spritual Pressure. The attack reduced Renji's Spiritual Pressure, depriving him of his Shikai and Bankai.
Even then, the Soul Reaper activated his Bankai, albeit, an imperfect version, to launch a final attack. However, Uryu shot an arrow through Renji's chest to incapacitate him. Pierrot Films' outdid themselves with the entire Renji vs. Uryu fight scene.
It was close to, if not equal to the Yamamoto vs. Yhwach battle, which is regarded as one of the best episodes of the series to date. Without a doubt, the latest fight scene showcased the production prowess of Pierrot Films. The animators has done a fabulous job, besides Dali Chen, who directed the fighting choreography to perfect.
Some close range frames, with CGI, enriched the visual quality of the episode. It's impressive how the studio captured the fight scene with a clever blend of CGI with 2D animation, something which has been a highlight of this cour. The new Renji and Uryu moves looked stunning as well. Undoubtedly, Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 was almost flawless to the naked eye.
Conclusion
Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7 graced fans with a sensational visual experience. The episode was a love letter to the two most underutilized characters in the series, who finally got their moment to shine. While Uryu had already received his redemption earlier, the latest fight further proved his calibre.
Likewise, Renji Abarai got the justice he deserved. Pierrot Films saved a special moment for Renji, and even though he lost the battle, he won everyone's hearts. Overall, Pierrot Films has certainly surpassed everyone's expectations with Bleach TYBW Part 3 Episode 7.
Also read:
- Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 complete release schedule
- Bleach TYBW episode 33 full highlights
- Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 6 review
- Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 7 reveals the true power of Renji's Bankai
