Maybe LuPat suffers from budget cuts due to Zi-O being cameo heavy

I think zamigo probably does have a contract while returning riders alumni veterans /toku allies doesn't, so he's still probably obligated to come back. Way too many fillers in sentai as usual compares to rider since they need a lighter tone to contrast it. Damn, he was featured in the opening along with his freezing ice powers. I doubt we will get a good twist or flashback about the collections and gangler history. Even good toku series rarely explain backstory like evolt is a good example. I like it to be simple shouchi from mars, but they went the overly confusing route and retcon stuff even the tie in to zio and movie. The budget cost them a decent rd suit. They didn't even tease the movie one.

I believe that it had to be the K-Man because he is the only Patranger that is seen as being inflexible so if they can get him to be sympathetic to the Lupinranger cause, then things will be smoother for the Lupinranger team in gathering collection items as if he is willing to bend a little then the others will too.

I also believe that Noel slipped up on purpose saying that they have to all get their loved ones back and it works as you see Keichiro thinking about it while looking out the window and paused during the fight as he remembered what Lupin Red said to him.

This is possibly the best episode of LupPat to date. Why? NO FLUFF. Without all the wacky hi-jinks, you end up with a story that actually makes sense, has a sense of danger, as well as intrigue, and still sells to the kids. I completely agree, if you paired the entire plot of LupPat down to 12 episodes you'd be done. Or be GoBusters.

To me Noel doesn't come across as creepy anymore. He's got an agenda. He's lost someone. Either that or he's Lupin's grandson. And aside from some dire need for allergy medication (see Noel and Keichiro's undereyes), the PatRangers actually DID something.

Where did Zami....go is a thing. But it will be settled in two episodes and really fell flat, which was a waste. Gauche is a much more maligned villain at this point.

I mean. They're vigilantes and thieves. That's reason enough as those aren't legal professions.
Good episode, however, Noel took the L three fucking times. Not only did he lose the duel due to Keichiro deciding to change his mind, not only did he accidentally reveal information that hopefully would be used for the Pats to search for their identities behind Noel's back (who am I kidding that wouldn't happen), but the binocular collection piece clearly concerns him. I think I'm seeing a twist of Noel actually being a Gangler being foreshadowed

Something is up, and it is either Noel or Kogure, both become flustered when they mention the collection piece Goche has, Noel went into a full panic state due to it.

This could go several ways, hell Noel clearly wants a precious person returned, what if said person ends up being the actual true villain ?

Kogure being a gangler is more likely overall though, and I still say he is on the teams side here, but his priority is keeping the collection safe, and he was likely the person who gave the collection to Lupin originally.

Or all our speculation is pointless and it is a far simpler reason, we shall see XD

Noel as Gangler will be really interesting. And I I will not surprised if Kogure is Gangler too....

I doubt that Noel and Kogure are ganglers, but something is up with them. I'm waiting for Arsene Lupin or whoever employs Kogure to make an appearance. If anyone is going to spill the secret, it will likely be Goodie.