Wistoria: Wand and Sword episode 10 brought about a flurry of wonderful production techniques. Whether it was smooth scene transitions, clean animation sequences, character development, or plot development, it had it all. Heading into what is the climax of the season, Wistoria is looking to end the summer with a bang and it might just execute with something exciting.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword Episode 10 Production
The production for episode 10 of Wistoria is arguably the best yet since the series premiere. The opening animation sequence with Wignall, the multiple scene transitions that carry over a centered focal point, etc. There are just so many things from this episode that I was enjoying outside of what was happening and being discussed.
Series director Tatsuya Yoshihara was back this week working the storyboard alongside episode director Masakazu Yoshimoto for the first time since episode 1. With an episode chock full of rack focus camera moments, clean scene transitions, and some distinct framing, it’s clear as day this episode had Yoshimoto’s and Yoshihara’s influence all over it. I was as happy as Will getting credits after a dungeon raid. Just take a look at a handful of the camera work in the stills below. This little technique can really make a production feel more high-end and, more importantly, give scenes a sense of depth.
There’s just something about an anime episode that makes it more special when you see one of your favorite directors have an influence on the course of events. Of course, being the director, Yoshihara’s influence is felt throughout every episode in some capacity. But in episode 11, that feeling was amplified within both its action and dialogue.
A perfect rating for this episode goes beyond just the nooks and crannies of Yoshihara and Yoshimoto’s work. The voice cast for Wistoria dialed their acting up to 11 in this episode, especially Kohei Amasaki as Will and Kengo Kawanishi as Wignall. The high-stakes moments gave me more goosebumps and adrenaline than any others from this season.
This was also amplified by techniques like the one in the stills above. Notice how the background behind Lihanna and Colette is clear when Headless shows up for the first time. They’re confident and ready to take on what was coming. Then it cuts back to them and the darkness begins to creep behind them while their guards begin to falter. It may not be noticeable at first, but little things like that amplify a villain’s presence on top of the already scared reaction moments.
The music by Yuki Hayashi, Luke Standridge, and Asa Taylor was also played at perfect moments throughout the episode, something Yoshihara has proven to be great at handling. The script and series composition handling by Yoshihara was also magnificent in this episode and that leads to another important spotlight for this episode that made it so damn perfect—similarities and contrast.
The Writing Shines
Learning that those like Lihanna, Wignall, Sion, and Julius aren’t actually special and that they’re considered the lessers of the current Magia Vender, instead of being their successors, was a huge wake-up call. Despite Julius and Sion seeing William as a laggard, they’re also the same in their own ways.
I was about to be disappointed in Wignall during episode 9 because I genuinely thought he was going to be another Sion and Julius, leaving me dreading the repetitiveness. But seeing the growth he endured in this episode, all thanks to Will, the story is moving towards a better path.
Wignall having a similar motivation as Will (love interest) while simultaneously having a similar problem as Lihanna (being surpassed) was a surprise change of pace. Lihanna realizing that she and the others are the lessers shows how grounded she actually is, making her an easily likable character. Even more so, Wignall reaching out his hand at the beginning and his magic disappearing to reaching out his hand later on with Will grabbing it is a wonderful piece of storytelling. That may seem basic in such a simple breakdown of it, but, of course, there’s much more to it.
The villains getting a little more screen time themselves makes me believe that Wistoria may have a little more in store than just a couple more episodes after this week. It seems like this series could be continuing even further in the near future. The villains are mysterious. They’re brutal. And the fact they see themselves as just ordinary villains rather than some grandiose world conquerers keeps it fresh as if they’re simply agents of chaos.
I also love how Wistoria is still consistent with its dark elements rather than shying away from it. Wearing a severed professor’s head and then crushing it in front of Lihanna and Colette is pretty damn metal. This was a great way of establishing who the villains really are as people in a way. Now, it’s all a matter of keeping that level of evil consistent.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword Episode 10 Wrap-Up
This was ultimately my favorite episode of Wistoria since the season premiere. As a Yoshihara fan, there was just everything there that I could possibly ask for from this series. He’s done such an unreal job of getting the best out of this series and that goes for the rest of the staff. Hopefully, next week’s climax goes even further as we know this staff can do.
Episode 10 rating: 10/10
If you enjoyed Wistoria: Wand and Sword episode 10 then vote for the episode in our weekly poll! Episode 11 will be released on Sunday, September 22, on Crunchyroll.
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Fujino Omori, Toshi Aoi, Kodansha/Wistoria: Wand and Sword Production Committee
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