Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 review: Pierrot Films bids Nemu an emotional farewell with solid production

Produced by Pierrot Films, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 was released on December 7, 2024. The episode titled Baby Hold Your Hand 2 [Never Ending My Dream] witnessed Nemu Kurotsuchi's tragic fate as she sacrificed her life to save Mayuri from Pernida, the Left Arm of the Soul King.

Even though she fought against Pernida to her full potential, Nemu couldn't survive the ever-evolving abomination, which shredded her to pieces. Undoubtedly, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 was narratively important for Mayuri and Nemu, as it revealed their backstory and the latter's fate.

Pierrot Films surpassed all expectations, enamoring the episode with the garland of tragedy. The incredible production, marked by Shiro Sagisu's iconic OSTs, accentuated the emotional appeal and turned the episode into a tear-jerker experience for the fandom. Undoubtedly, the esteemed studio has done complete justice to Tite Kubo's manga, if not surpassed it.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10.

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 review: Evaluating Pierrot Films' production for Nemu's death scene, and the overall adaptation

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 picked up the events from episode 8 and resumed the Mayuri vs. Pernida battle. Prior to the episode's release, the official staff mentioned in an interview on the anime's website how the production team readjusted the events to suit cour 3's narrative.

In the manga, Shunsui vs. Lille Barro commenced right after the Mayuri vs. Pernida ended. However, the staff decided to alternate the battle events. This only added intensity to the narrative. Following this rule, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 picked up the adaptation from chapter 640 (Baby, Hold Your Hand 3) and covered up to chapter 644.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Under the production of Pierrot Films, the episode witnessed better animation than episode 8. The CGI on Pernida appeared precise and sharp, with no odd movements. Rather, the CGI accentuated a fear factor Pernida possessed. While the episode didn't have as impressive camera angles as episode 7, it was close to a one-on-one adaptation of the manga.

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 didn't deviate at all from the manga and showcased the battle exactly as Tite Kubo had envisioned. Whether it's Mayuri deftly dodging Pernida's Holy Arrows or Nemu interfering in the battle, every moment was produced with acute precision.

Young Hoon Jung did a fascinating job directing the episode, with Leo Kawamoto, Mika Ookubo, and Natsuko Suzuki as the animation directors. Besides them, the episode staff included Kiyoshi Komatsubara as the chief animation director, Masaki Hiramatsu in charge of the screenplay, and Susumu Nishizawa in the storyboards.

Nemu as a child (Image via Pierrot Films)

Earlier, fans were skeptical about Susumu Nishizawa's contribution to the series. However, the eventual outcome of Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 showed the animator did justice to the storyboards. The episode featured many frames directly cut from the manga. At the same time, the staff added some extra frames to accentuate the production.

Besides, the OSTs used in the episode were the icing on the cake. Shiro Sagisu, considered one of the finest composers in the anime industry, played a masterstroke by adding Here to Stay ft. Hazel Fernandez to Nemu's death scene. The OST immediately added pathos to the scene, evoking raw emotion from fans.

The tear-jerker episode witnessed several moments where the audience couldn't help getting teary-eyed. For instance, Nemu's backstory in Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10, was beautifully captured, emphasizing OST, art, and screenplay.

Nemu's death scene in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Pierrot Films' production was on point for Pernida's scene as well. The esteemed studio dexterously captured the Left Arm of the Soul King's evolution as it collected information from its nerves and grew its intellect. Bin Shimada deserves special credit here, as the voice actor had to mimic Mayuri and Zaraki Kenpachi's speech patterns.

These were some acute details Tite Kubo couldn't incorporate into the manga. Hence, it was always going to be the studio's job to execute such visions. Notably, Tite Kubo is heavily invested in the cour's production. Therefore, he could have relayed his visions to the staff.

Coming back to Nemu, Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 showcased a different side to the 12th Division Soul Reaper. She wasn't the same Nemu who had waited for Mayuri Kurotsuchi's orders. When she realized her Captain was in danger, she jumped onto the battlefield, risked her life, and snatched the arrow about to hit Mayuri.

Szayelaporro Grantz in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

She had the presence of mind to cut off her hand, or else she would have turned into a meatball. Mayuri rebuked Nemu for going against his orders and realized that she was, too, going through an evolution period. The episode further revealed Nemu's original identity as Nemuri Nanago, the seventh incarnation of the 12th Divison Captain's Project Nemuri.

She was an artificial Soul Reaper Mayuri created out of oblivion. Unlike the previous failed attempts, she surpassed the general lifespan of an artificial soul and grew day by day. Therefore, she was dubbed Mayuri's greatest creation. In Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10, she surpassed her limits and evolved beyond Mayuri's comprehension.

Nemu's Gikon Jurinju (Image via Pierrot Films)

She shaved 6% of her Konpaku Cells and fired them at Pernida in a highly concentrated form. Although the attack obliterated Pernida, its bits gained sentience and shredded Nemu to pieces. Nemu's tragic fate also moved Mayuri, who witnessed everything from the ground.

As he plunged into despair, Szayelaporro Grantz appeared in his consciousness as a figment of his imagination. Szayelaporro Grantz symbolized Mayuri's personality as an unhinged scientist who strove for perfection. The Espada as a vision reminded Mayuri that Nemu was far from being perfect; hence, she perished.

Mayuri with Nemu's brain (Image via Pierrot Films)

That's why the 12th Division Captain secured Nemu's brain, suggesting he would continue his Nemuri Project. Besides that, the episode witnessed Mayuri Kurotsuchi's grand feats. He was able to de-zombify Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto but at the cost of a reduced lifespan.

However, one of the most significant moments of Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 was when Mayuri felt he had come out of Kisuke Urahara's shadows by creating an artificial soul that could evolve. Pierrot Films didn't only do justice to Nemu but ended Mayuri's character arc with perfection.

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10: An anime only addition after the end-credits

Jugram and Bazz-B (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 wasn't a total one-on-one adaptation of the manga. Pierrot Films ensured the episode had some intriguing moments. After the end credits rolled out, the episode switched to Lilotto and Giselle entering Yhwach's castle. As they confronted a group of soldiers, Giselle summoned the deceased Bambi sisters, Candice, Bambietta, and Menias, as her Zombies.

The scene adds intrigue to their characters and confirms the Bambi sisters' fate, which is left unresolved in the manga. Elsewhere, the episode featured Bazz-B confronting Jugram Haschwalth. The episode teased the content for the season finale, which will likely show Bazz-B vs. Jugram's battle.

Conclusion

Nemuri Nanago's childhood in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 10 witnessed brilliant production from Pierrot Films. The esteemed studio heightened the emotional appeal of the episode with appropriate OST and screenplay. The voice acting by Mayuri, Pernida, and other characters further enriched the episode. Undoubtedly, the studio captured the essence of Tite Kubo's manga.