The highly anticipated anime, Bleach TYBW part 2, concluded on September 30, 2023, much to the excitement of fans. Produced by Studio Pierrot, this second cour of the Thousand Year Blood-War anime adaptation featured numerous breathtaking moments. Throughout the entire season, Studio Pierrot showcased their exceptional talent by consistently delivering outstanding episodes.
Every aspect of Bleach TYBW part 2, whether it be the animation or the storyboarding, exudes a remarkable level of sophistication. While the majority of episodes exceeded fans' expectations, a few fell short of reaching the same heights.
Last 9 Days, and three other episodes from Bleach TYBW part 2 that didn't live up to the hype
1) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 9: Marching Out The Zombies
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, featured in this episode (Image via Pierrot), demonstrated his exceptional skills by effectively neutralizing Bambietta's reishi bombs. However, compared to the outstanding prior episodes, episode 9 fell short of greatness, failing to live up to the high standards set by its predecessors. Nonetheless, Mayuri's brilliance rendered Bambietta useless in the ongoing battle.
Furthermore, the episode showcased Mayuri's intense struggle against Giselle's Zombies and culminated in the startling revelation of Toshiro Hitsugaya appearing on the battlefield as a zombie. The episode's lack of a controversial scene involving Yoruichi and Orihime from the manga could be a major contributing factor to its unfavorable ratings. In fact, numerous Bleach animators received death threats following the episode's release. Furthermore, many viewers noticed discrepancies in the animation quality throughout this particular episode.
2) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 10: Marching Out The Zombies 2
Mayuri and Toshiro in Bleach TYBW (Image via Pierrot)
Marching Out The Zombies 2, much like the ninth episode, failed to meet expectations due to various reasons. Numerous fans expressed dissatisfaction with the inconsistent animation in certain battle sequences, and there was a desire for more intensity in Mayuri's confrontation with the Zombified Hitsugaya.
However, the tenth part included an exclusive anime scene where Byakuya Kuchiki valiantly faced multiple Quincies, executed skillfully by the production studio. Despite this positive aspect, a significant number of series followers felt that the episode as a whole did not meet the desired quality.
3) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 1: Last 9 Days
Bleach TYBW Seiretei infiltrated by the Wandenreich (Image via Pierrot)
The first episode of the Bleach Thousand Year Blood-War fell short of capturing the same level of excitement as the initial cour. Despite its high ratings on IMDB, many viewers believed that the episode lacked that special something. It continued the story from the previous season, with Ichigo Kurosaki arriving at Ichibei's Palace.
Meanwhile, Yhwach publicly declared Uryu Ishida as his successor in front of all the Quincy forces and the Sternritters. The episode focused more on building suspense and setting up the storyline for the rest of the season rather than delivering thrilling action. Although it may not have met the audience's expectations, it still served as a solid start to the series.
4) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 2: Peace From Shadows
Toshiro and Matsumoto (Image via Pierrot)
The second episode of Bleach TYBW part 2, titled Peace From Shadows, left fans craving for more despite its thrilling high-octane action. This episode centered around the Shinigami captains who, devoid of their Bankai, had to rely on innovative techniques to confront the second invasion of the Quincies.
Unfortunately, the Quincies proved to be too formidable for the captains to handle solely with their innovative approaches. Studio Pierrot did a remarkable job in faithfully adapting the source material, showcasing breathtaking action sequences and a captivating narrative progression. Overall, the second installment surpassed the quality of the first episode.
Master, Black, and two other episodes from Bleach TYBW part 2 that surpassed the expectations
Despite that, it would have been preferable if the fight scenes had been more drawn out. The encounter between Soifon and BG9 could have been prolonged, as followers were deprived of witnessing Sternritter’s Schrift in the final moments.1) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 6: The White Haze
Rukia Kuchiki's Bankai (Image via Pierrot)
In the sixth episode of Bleach TYBW part 2, titled "The White Haze," Rukia Kuchiki had a significant moment as she showcased her Bankai: Hakka no Togame for the first time and triumphed over the Sternritter 'F' called As Nodt. The episode successfully lived up to the audience's expectations with its impressive animation quality and outstanding voice acting. Notably, Yoshitusgu Matsuoka, who voiced As Nodt, delivered a fabulous performance, truly capturing the essence of the character.
2) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 7: I Am The Edge
The combination of the intense "fear" portrayed by As Nodt and Yoshitusgu-san's performances truly enhanced the episode. Additionally, the captivating entrance of Byakuya Kuchiki, accompanied by Shiro Sagisu's exceptional original soundtrack, further elevated the overall quality of the episode. Consequently, Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 6 exceeded the audience's expectations and received significant acclaim from both critics and viewers alike.
The Shikai of Kenpachi Zaraki (Image via Pierrot)
Bleach enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the triumphant return of Kenpachi Zaraki in Bleach TYBW, and their expectations were fully met. One of the standout episodes of the second cour, titled I Am The Edge, showcased Zaraki's impressive reentrance onto the battlefield after his intense Zanjitsu training with Unohana Retsu.
In the series, the 11th Division Captain engaged in a fierce battle against Sternritter V, Gremmy Thoumeaux, while unleashing his Shikai release: Nozarashi. This episode showcased exhilarating action scenes and captured the essence of war as the Shinigami effortlessly sliced through any obstacles, even destroying a massive meteor. Studio Pierrot's exceptional animation breathed life into the manga's iconic moments, particularly when Zaraki's Nozarashi triumphed over Gremmy and his powerful imagination. Undoubtedly, the Bleach TYBW part 2 episode was a visually stunning spectacle that surpassed fans' expectations.
3) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 12: Master
Kirinji vs Jugram in Bleach TYBW (Image via Pierrot)
The second part of the penultimate episode of Bleach Thousand Year Blood-War was a remarkable display of Studio Pierrot's artistic prowess. Under the supervision of Tite Kubo, the episode introduced numerous anime-exclusive sequences that solidified Squad Zero as the most formidable force. From the electrifying clash between Kirinji and Jugram to Uryu's intense showdown with Senjumaru, the grand finale portrayed a multitude of thrilling battles. However, the true highlight of the episode was Yhwach's stunning utilization of Auswahlen to resurrect his fallen Schutzstaffel. Accompanied by Shiro Sagisu's awe-inspiring background music, this scene reached its pinnacle, rendering everyone speechless and sending shivers down their spines.
4) Bleach TYBW part 2 episode 13: Black
Senjumaru's Bankai (Image via Pierrot)
The final episode of Bleach TYBW part 2 caused quite a stir on the internet for several reasons. Tite Kubo, the supervisor, took a different approach with the ending, showcasing Squad Zero in a whole new way. With its impressive action sequences and captivating storytelling, this episode had all the makings of a masterpiece.
One particular highlight of the finale was the shocking revelation of Senjumaru's Bankai. No one could have anticipated a Squad Zero member using their Bankai, and this unexpected twist exceeded fans' expectations. The animation, narrative, and overall execution of scenes were nothing short of magnificent.
Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2023 progresses.
