Intriguing to see this backstory contrast between Ray and Dimas, showing that while Dimas is genuinely heroic and wants to help, he hasn't suffered as much tragedy as the other Satrias (2 sets of lost parents is kind of hard to top!) or even Ricca, so he cannot understand as deeply. However, I think that actually justifies Dimas' decision to try getting to know Ray better, allowing him to appreciate more what they're fighting to protect and earning Ray's respect.

The screencap was confusing, until I remembered it was Niko, not Reza. I liked how Shadow Crisis' plot to try using human hosts again was defeated this time by showing the power of humanity in Niko, who despite lacking the physical strength of his opponents has the strong spirit and boxing skills to make up for it, making this another time where Zacros underestimates humanity's bonds.

R.I.P.

I guess this can be expected with the larger roster of writers. I agree that it makes sense for Bima-X to have had this ability all along, at least since he obtained Storm Mode.

I figured it was a Kuuga reference, considering the colors and the order of their debut.

Congrats on your 1400th post!

Yeah, the highs are really high in this one, which helps alot.

Even if someone had the preview, the context within the episode itself is still a bit irksome, given that, again, half the goal of the show up to that point is to get all of the Stones back. And there's still no proper explanation given for why Bima-X can't use the White Stone.

That is one neat detail: Dimas was all in on being a hero of justice from day 1, whereas Ray was reluctant a first before deciding to put others above himself.

Just imagine how the family felt! Haha.

It really does help to sell these episodes as a callback to the style of BIMA. Daisuke Kihara really did his homework for that.

Dunno if this isn't too easy for her but that, it's also what Ray felt himself that his parents died and he's adopted by the Iskandar family, and Ray extends that to Ricca as well.

I too felt that perhaps it'd be better for the marketing team if they don't reveal the human disguises of the Death Phantoms, even though you do think that Chris Ruslan is suspicious already.

Well yeah, the actors of Bima are, like some of the KR actors, are beginners for acting scene. The males are selected based on them winning L-Men competition, so yeah, based on how they're shirtless.

That makes alot of sense honestly. Thanks for that info.

The mystery of Iron Mask could've so easily gone wrong.

This sort of slow build up for a character I've grown to like... it builds a sort of expectation and anticipation, you know?

However, I'm happy to report that, in terms of my own personal tastes, these two episodes came very close to being perfect. And the mystery of who Iron Mask is concluded in a way that I was very satisfied with.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Befor we tackle what is very much the biggest highlight of this two-parter, I wanna take some time to give credit to various others aspects that shouldn't be overlooked. Because there's alot going on here, and it all comes together for a very enjoyable experience.

First off, Rexor has the best showing here that he's had all show. This is the first time we get to see him be very direct in his manipulation of his enemies, and he does it all while carrying a gravitas that makes him very enjoyable as a character. He's the one primarily responsible for pushing this story forward, and characters providing plot is how I tend to like things most of the time.

Next, the technicals of these particular episodes are surprisingly good. The score for episode 34 especially is rather memorable all around and great to listen to. And the action across both episodes is superb, with big highlights being stuff like Torga rebounding between iron pillars, and Bima-X Storm's' arrows being wielded as swords, which is one of the most badass things I've seen in a long time. Combine those with a moody and dramatic atmosphere and I'm locked in.

But now the big one. The very crux of the entirety of these two episode: Iron Mask's' backstory. As it turns out, both of Iron Mask's' bodies were made by Rexor. And Iron Mask is a Kamen Rider in all but name: Being a human who was experimented on and turned into a cyborg. And the entire plan set in motion by Black Lord was to fill Iron Mask with enough hatred that they would cause the Synthetic Power Stone in Iron Mask's' new body to evolve, and turn him into an Anti-Satria: Evil Torga.

Although while I don't think Black Lord fully thought out this plan of his, it does bring back an aspect of the Power Stones that we haven't seen in a long time: That being how they can absorb emotions. Remember, that was a whole part of Rasputin's' plan in building Grand Gator. But more than just thematic symbolism, there's also a very direct reason as to why Iron Mask is a Satria; And that's because he was one. Infact, he's the original Torga. And in ages past he decided he was beyond the very people he'd been chosen to protect, and had to be put down by Bima Legend. Which in turns helps explain his beef with Bima.

And if the absolutely stellar fight he has with Bima-X and Torga wasn't enough to sell you on the power scale that Evil Torga wields, it's established that he was almost equal to Bima Legend, who back in BIMA was absolutely insurmountable. Wielding Storm Mode's' Hurricane Blaster as swords? Yeah, Iron Mask is the one who does that. Other feats include creating his own pocket dimension, no selling Torga Ice's' deep freeze combined with Bima-X Magnetic's' binding field, and forcing Atlas to work for him alongside his own weapon; Titan. And there's no sudden Azazel showing up or any of the sort here either. This ends with our heroes losing.

It's all high praise, but I did say "almost" perfect earlier, didn't I? There's just two small things that I feel could've been done to make these episodes even better. First is one that we've already discussed prior: That the Orange Power Stone really should not have replaced the Yellow one. Keeping the Metal Stone around, and thus here having it be revealed as the original stone that Iron Mask used in the past would've been very thematically fitting given his cyborg nature. Heck, even saying that the Blue Stone was originally his would've been better. But no, it is still the Thunder Stone, which works alot less smoothly. The other apsect being that I wish it had been revealed that Rexor had used pieces of Grand Gator to create Iron Mask's' new body, as it would've tied into how Rexor mentioned gathering the scrap way early in the show and also would've been very thematically fitting, given the angle of filling Iron Mask with hatred.

In the end though, both of those are very minor complaints. I had a really great time with these episodes, and I really don't know if BIMA-X will be able to top these.

Iron Mask has always been a fascinating character to witness, being a fairly cool general who seemingly died only to be brought back at the very end of Bima to serve as a bridge in the sequel.

Of course there was his second death and then his rebirth, in which we've slowly but surely been getting these hints that Iron Mask is more than he seems. And it all culminates in thee two episodes in which not only do we get to learn his backstory, but he gets an absolutely insane debut as an Anti-Satria.

Honestly I'm finding an appreciation for that dinky arm cannon of his on his new body now. Purely because that's pretty much how Atlas(and now TItan) functions as a weapon. So in a sense you could say it was very thematic that he's been using it all this time. Also Evil Torga? Killer name and a real slick suit.

Real solid set of episodes these two.

Yes, the Iron Mask/Evil Torga biography is truly insane. He connects with the main characters on so many levels.

Adds another layer to why his main weapon was a claw back in BIMA, too.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

There was similar thing in Bima's first season in Azazel defeating many of the returning MOTWs at once before iirc facing Velifer.

Satria is one of the models of Suzuki bikes. There was a joke that Bima's name is just a combined product names known in Indonesia, with Bima coming from KukuBima (an energy drink), Satria coming from Suzuki Satria, and Garuda coming from Garuda peanuts. The commercial break also quite often shows Suzuki Satria commercial at that time.

If you were able to guess that these episodes were an homage to the Karate Kid franchise based on their titles alone, then congrats, you've watched television before!

And hey, I'm a fan of martial arts flicks and shows. I love me a good training arc.

Which is why it pains me to say that I really didn't care for these two episodes at all. Everything they tried to do, I felt was done poorly, and I've seen done better.

The generous interpretation of Ray and Dimas' training is that the lesson that's imparted on them by the Master is all about mindset. That as long as you keep what's important in mind, you're be more motivated and thus perform better. Being focused is better than being scatter-brained or lethargic.

Unfortunately, the actual dialogue of the entire scenario instead makes the claim that somehow, the fight against Evil Torga made our heroes lose sight of the reason they fight in the first place. Which is frankly very stupid given that their struggle against their new found foe isn't treated any differently than any other threat to Earth that they've fought so far.

And the very ungenerous take on this is the implication that the lack of proper mindset is the reason why the duo couldn't beat Evil Torga to begin with. Which is frankly very insulting to the characters as well as very ignorant of the entire narrative up to now since a ton of episodes had to do with these characters putting others above themselves: Dimas using his wealth to aid the people of Jakarta, Ray resolving to help everyone he can ever since the original BIMA, etc.

Now, the episodes aren't a total wash: There's some decently interesting stuff done with the villains here. Such as Rexor reviving Draconer as a zombie, Iron Mask making an alliance with the Vudo Empire, and Mossa's' powers working how they logically should. But sad to say that they weren't cool or notable enough to me to make up for the main meat of the story. Needless to say, when it comes to fights to the death, I very much prefer what Dragon Ball Super had to say about the matter: