Hey now! There was a few hours difference! I have a minimal amount of self-control, thank you! :p

Oh absolutely. Him continuing to throw stuff at Bat-Man even after the flashbang was not only funny, but showed just how great of a dude Uncle actually is.

Speaking of that Stone, I have no idea how Metal as an element correlates to being able to create zombies. Like, it's cool and all, but... what?

Maybe it was a music reference or something I dunno.

Few things are more badass than impaling yourself just to prove a point.

The impression I got was that Parallel World is on its last legs, thus making the theft of Earth's' resources a perceived necessity. It's definitely the sort of moral dilemma I could see many having Words about, to say the least.

I'd feel that Mikhail/Reza as Azazel is just isn't himself, because he's never the dubious type in all his previous scenes as both Reza and Mikhail, with Mikhail only knowing that he vows to crush Bima as Azazel. He regains control back on himself after Bima's apparent death, not that he realizes he was bad all this time.

Though still, Azazel retains his dark motif after turning to the heroes' side, showing that light or darkness, or power type, doesn't matter as in, it's the person wielding it. And here the previous MOTWs are nothing compared to Azazel who just beat them all in a boss rush, though as usual, more lesser characters than main ones don't get upgrades like Azazel. Velifer is stated in the story as the strongest Shadow Crisis, despite his more cowardly tactics, facing both of the Satrias at once.

It's the beginning of the end.

Reza is back, and the newest member of the family, but unfortunately, Rasputin's' master plan is almost complete.

Turns out the Emperor of Vudo isn't all talk either, as he uses his magic to quickly steal the Power Stones from Bima and Azazel, and as such, his ultimate weapon, the Grand Gator, is activated and let loose on the populace of Earth.

Depowered or not, the Iskandar family isn't one to back down, and all four sibling steel their resolve to save whoever they can, while also trying to think of a plan to take the Grand Gator down. Their last ray of hope comes in the form of God Helios, and together, they ride into battle to face their destinies...

And what a final bout it is! This finale is packed full of fighting, fighting, and more fighting! Infiltrating and managing to take down Grand Gator from the inside and Bima and Azazel's' final fight with Rasputin take up the majority of the episode's' run time, and even features a surprise appearance from the biological parents of Ray and Reza.

It's a very Ultraman-esque finale, with the people of Indonesia all offering their prayers to the Garuda Knights in their last stand. And of course, the world is saved from the Vudo Empire, with the Satria returning home to celebrate their victory. While many a plot thread is left hanging, this final episode leaves off in a very emotionally satisfying way, with every major character arc resolved in a bombastic final battle.

...Is what I would say if not for the very last minute.

Turns out, Iron Mask is alive! And he serves a new leader now who goes by Black Priest. Iron Mask is the one to ultimately kill Rasputin and the metaphorical hand of Black Priest reaches out towards the Earth.

I've said before in my various write-ups on shows that I am generally not a fan of sequel hook endings. And while I get that BIMA-X was likely put into production before this episode was filmed, I'm still not really a fan of it. I much more prefer my endings to be definitive. But hey, maybe whenever I get around to seeing the sequel I'll consider it all worth it, just as I do now with the writer change happening during the second half of BIMA. For now though, it's such a cliffhanger that it doesn't quite sit right with me.

Overall, I do like the finale, I just wish the very last minute were handled a bit differently. Final thoughts post will come tomorrow.

I do think that Rasputin's fight scene is a treat to watch here, one of what I liked more in this series, but unfortunately this leads for me to (coming in ep. 26 talk later). Grand Gator's power is also showcased to be on different level. Though as usual regarding my question for VUDO's goal, I don't think that Grand Gator destroying Jakarta (Indonesia's capital city, though it's planned to be changed in 2024) relates to taking the Earth's natural sources, making VUDO overall just taking over the world type.

It was a fittingly heroic and awesome finale for sure! I enjoyed seeing all four siblings of the Bramasakti-Iskandar family finally working together, with Rena and Randy protecting civilians while Ray and Reza get back their Power Stones from Grand Gator, concluding with Bima's and Azazel's synchronized Berubah and final battle against Rasputin!

Maybe this scene could've been the penultimate one instead of the last. I think it's pretty exciting though, as Topeng Besi is such an intriguing villain and he'll get more focus in the sequel. Humorous how he actually lives up to Rasputin's namesake better than Rasputin himself.

Looking forward to it! I have a lot of thoughts about that show as well. Just remember to watch The Beginning before Episode 1, as that movie shows how Ray becomes Bima-X. Also, expect even more new writers.

More specifically, the same crew of staff writers as Gokaiger and Wizard.

I mean, everyone being dead would make him taking all the planet's' natural resources alot easier, I'd think.

Yeah, Iron Mask coming back for sure took me by surprise. Made me think he'd promoted himself to new big bad at first. Very interested in seeing what BIMA-X does with his character.

Now that's something to get excited about!

Well I'm mostly going to save the details for that thread, but yeah, Komura Junko worked as a secondary writer on Gokaiger, Akibaranger and Wizard.

I'd like to point out though that Bima-X is actually her first time as head writer, followed by Zyuohger, LupinPatren and Zenkaiger (the other show with scientist parents going missing after discovering parallel worlds).

Zyuohger is my favorite 10s Sentai and Zenkaiger my favorite Reiwa Sentai, so I have high praise for her work.

I'm waiting for her to become the main writer of Rider.