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TokuNation
(https://www.tokunation.com/forums/index.php)
- Tokusatsu Show Discussion
(https://www.tokunation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20)
- - Androzani84 Watches Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger
(https://www.tokunation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96971)
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Scroll 22: Wings and Ninja
Not much to say to begin with. Just that we’re continuing where we left off last time. Kouta suggests they escape their predicament by all changing at once. After miraculously surviving the room exploding (Don’t ask), Satarakura commends them on a well played move, before stating that they’re doomed anyway and leaving. Oboro then summons all of them (even the Kasumi Bros) to Ninja Base to check something. Back at the Centipede, Satarakura states that he’s changed his mind about Manmarva: he actually does have a sense of fun. Furabijo is understandably confused about his change of heart. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva5s6CX...jpg&name=small Manmarva explains that he placed a space scorpion inside Ikkou when he punched him last episode, that has now spread to the others due to unexpected pregnancy (That’s why they felt pain last episode, FYI). Then Wendinu points out exactly how dangerous these scorpions are. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva5s6AX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva5s6EX...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, Oboro analyses everyone and discovers a scorpion in all of them. Ikkou then decides not to sugarcoat the situation they’re in. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva5s6KX...jpg&name=small Oboro then states that there’s no way to get the scorpions out without killing the hosts. Elsewhere, Jin-Giron has finished constructing his bomb. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva51I3X...jpg&name=small Ikkou then gets the idea to find Jin-Giron by analysing the metal that was on his illusion’s foot (Don’t ask how he noticed that) and find a factory rich in the same material. After locating him, everyone heads out to the battle, ignoring advice to wait until they can cure them of the scorpions (That would probably take too long). Elsewhere, the mysterious batter is inside a Karakuri Giant, cleaning off the dust, much to his dismay. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva51I9X...jpg&name=small Finding Jin-Giron’s factory hideout, Yosuke steals the bomb before he can set it off and makes a dash for it. Jin-Giron responds by sending all of them into a world of illusions, wherein the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers see each other as Jin-Giron, resulting in them unknowingly fighting each other. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva51KjX...jpg&name=small After they clear these illusions, Jin-Giron appears and traps Yosuke in another layer of illusions, where he can’t tell the real from the fakes. That is, until two words appear in his head “Hey, boy.” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva51JqW...jpg&name=small The voice tells Yosuke to shut his eyes and focus on sensing Jin-Giron (and there’s more random English in there. The VA has the accent nailed, but his pronunciation leaves something to be desired). With this advice, Yosuke finds and shoots the real one, breaking the illusion (and it turns out the others had the same telepathic message). The Hurricanegers then destroy Jin-Giron with the Victory Gadget, despite being weakened by the scorpions, freeing all the people he captured. Satarakura is happy about this, even when Furabijo tells him that he’s about to fail. So he gives something to a clearly unwilling Wendinu: a Dekkamen (lit. “giant mask”) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva58Q4X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva58SAX...jpg&name=small With a bit of sweet-talking, Wendinu complies and we get our third monster growth method for the season. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva58SNX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva58SsW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6Ei4W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6EjmW...jpg&name=small The heroes summon Senpuujin and Gouraijin, with Oboro sending them Karakuri Ball 09: Karakuri Mantle. It’s a cloth (Don’t worry, it’s just a promotional item. It won’t be appearing again). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6EkLX...jpg&name=small While this turns both invisible and works as a boomerang, it’s insufficient to beat Jin-Giron (I wonder how Arakawa feels about promotional items being advertised). As our heroes lie close to death on the ground and Furabijo offers to give Satarakura TWO flowers (recall that a flower equals a pass), a fleet of giant helicopters appear as the sun goes down. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6EkpW...jpg&name=small After shooting Jin-Giron away from his targets, the hologram disperses, revealing there is in fact one helicopter and it is still very much broad daylight. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6Jk-X...jpg&name=small The pilot then steps out to reveal himself: the mystery man that’s been appearing throughout this two-parter (who was also the guy who helped out earlier). He uses his bat, which is also a microphone (don’t ask how that works) to announce himself. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6JlLX...jpg&name=small “I am Ninja of the Ninja The Ninja among Ninja. The green light bullet, Tenkuu Ninja Shurikenger, is what they call me.” (The VA for Shurikenger is Taiki Matsuno, better known as Jun Manjoume/Chazz Princeton in Yu-Gi-Oh GX. He’s also the dub voice for Spongebob) Back to the fight, Shurikenger takes his seat and attacks with his Karakuri Ninpo: Tenkuji Ripper (using his propellor to cut through the ground and send Jin-Giron falling). He then, using a sphere like piece of apparatus, instigates the helicopter’s transformation into Hisho Henkei Tenkuujin (Soaring Transformation Sky God) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6JlsW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6JmiW...jpg&name=small https://youtube.com/watch?v=mGOeC1tqT2U The new robot manages to easily overpower Jin-Giron (buy the toys), even more so when Shurikenger summons Karakuri Ball 10: Spin Bee and uses it to defeat his opponent. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6PrcX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6PtdW...jpg&name=small Having defeated his opponent, Shurikenger then leaps down to the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers… and pulls a sword out of his bat. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6Ps5W...jpg&name=small But before you can get the wrong idea, he then uses the mic part to call his attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6PuNW...jpg&name=small He freezes the 5 and then does some slashes to their bodies, removing and killing the scorpions without harming the hosts. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6UqHX...jpg&name=small He then uses his Fire Sword Please to defrost everyone harmlessly (tissue damage, it’s overrated). Then Yosuke asks who he is. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6UsQX...jpg&name=small When clarified that they meant his real identity, he merely leaps back into Tenkuujin without saying anything, saying that he’ll reveal that next time. As the heroes wonder who he was and the Jakanja decide they have a new enemy, Manmarva closes the episode by noting this. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eva6UrHX...jpg&name=small Next time: A guy who is seemingly both a badass and a klutz shows up. Could he be Shurikenger? This and more on Scroll 23: Perfume and Detective. Final thoughts: I take back my criticism of last week’s opening fight. It had a really great payoff for all the setup they gave it (looking at you Kiramager and your handling of a certain Demonic General of Betrayal). And the new guys, Satarakura and Shurikenger, are both a lot of fun and I look forward to more from them, especially seeing who’s behind the green spandex. |
Scroll 23: Perfume and Detective
Well this episode is another Miyashita one, and it introduces what I’ve been told is one of the main plots for this season. I’m also using it as an excuse to explain who the guest star for Den-O episode 15-16 is (Since I’m not doing live actors on Die’s thread for Den-O this time). With that said, on with the review. We begin where last week left off, with our main trio wondering who this “Shurikenger” guy could be. Oboro can’t recognise what school he represents, but Yosuke is quick to dub him better than Ikkou and Isshu (I know they tried to kill you, but let it go man). Hamster Headmaster then reveals through an inner flashback that he found out the basic details of Shurikenger, but not his identity or school. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVtdXW...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, things are as normal as they get around there… except for one thing. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVtdWW...jpg&name=small Sargain insists they ignore him and get on with eliminating Shurikenger. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVtdXX...jpg&name=small Wendinu compares him to a “weirdo who likes to make puns”. Speak of the devil, Satarakura appears with a gift that pleases the ladies (and aggravates Sargain’s sense of smell). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVtdXX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant can tell that the perfume was made by Kira-Cologne, a monster of Satarakura’s based on hands (Jin-Giron was based on eyes). Sure enough, said monster is attacking the people, turning them into a chemical which will become perfume in 24 hours. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVyjHX...jpg&name=small In the midst of this, we are introduced to this guy (played by Hayato Osuba, better known as Kenta Date/Mega Red.). He gladly takes on the case of Kira-Cologne… only to find that she vanished while he wasn’t looking. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVyjlX...jpg&name=small Wendinu and Furabijo are suddenly more pleased by their gifts… until Satarakura reveal the truth. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVyj_W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlVykaX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlV5fLX...jpg&name=small And to add insult to injury, he unleashes a real space cockroach to attack them and Sargain (Some boss Tau Zant is, to be letting this all happen). In the city, the Hurricanegers investigate, with Kouta debuting Hayate-Ryu Ninpo: Inu Hana (which does exactly what you’d get if you translate it into English). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlV5f7X...jpg&name=small The guy from earlier then shows up and sees that they’re also on the case (Which is a bit of a stretch). He uses a card to introduce himself as the famous detective Taro Kakkio… who is starving and impoverished because no-one is hiring him. (To quote another show by the same producer, he’s half-boiled). Our trio, obviously, leave the nut alone and his attempts to tag along cause him to almost fall into a manhole (that’s what a high school education spent playing video games gets you). Kira-Cologne attacks a restaurant where all the staff and customers turn out to be the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers (the fate of the real staff is left undisclosed). They transform, Kira-Cologne summons the Magerappas and a fight breaks out. Midway through, Ikkou collapses suddenly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlV5geX...jpg&name=small This turns out to be why Manmarva was chanting before: it’s part of his current plan for revenge against KabutoRaiger (what about KuwagaRaiger? He diddled you just as much). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlV5g-W...jpg&name=small Taro then shows up and gets himself into trouble, eventually falling into the sewers. Nanami and Kouta go to help him, only to end up bottled by Kira-Cologne. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWYeHX...jpg&name=small It’s then that Taro leaps up from out of the sewers, proceeding to deliver a beatdown to the Magerappas. Kira-Cologne is so dumbfounded that Ikkou is able to shoot her, even in his weakened condition. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWYeoW...jpg&name=small Kira-Cologne then realises that she can simply succeed by leaving and waiting until the bottled humans turn into perfume. Yosuke tries to get frustrated, but Taro stops him (“Don’t worry. I know where she’s going.”) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWYfLX...jpg&name=small Turns out he managed to get a tracking device on her before… using a baseball move with a broom (hmmm). He then leads them to a rundown warehouse, where they detect the essences behind an apparently solid wall. As Kira-Cologne appears to stop them, Taro steps forward (“I’m sorry.”) and attacks her, while still pretending to be a detective (“Don’t you believe me?”). He quickly gives this up and prepares to do something (“Attention please.”) before pulling something out of his pocket. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWYfqW...jpg&name=small Ikkou (miraculously, considering he never saw it in the previous episode) recognises this as Shurikenger’s Shuriken Ball. (Buy the toys) https://youtube.com/watch?v=gO-tAWxMVwg Taro then uses the ball to transform into Shurikenger. (And if you doubt that he’s really Mega Red, he does the Megaranger/In Space pose as he transforms) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWKt8W...jpg&name=small Shurikenger and the Gouraigers hold off Kira-Cologne while Yosuke finds and frees the people and animals she captured. All but Nanami and Kouta, who Kira-Cologne uses as hostages to get everyone to drop their weapons before releasing them… and attacking our main 5. This ends up breaking Shurikenger’s “seal of anger”, allowing him to throw his vest off. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWKt4X...jpg&name=small With a command of “Great Reversal! Face Change!”, he becomes Shurikenger Fire Mode, as his insert song (Shoko Fujibayashi’s one contribution to Tokusatsu songwriting in 2002) plays. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWKt9X...jpg&name=small https://youtube.com/watch?v=l6BgQxiPiNg The newly empowered Shurikenger makes an announcement denouncing Kira-Cologne’s status as a ninja and giving himself a lengthier introduction. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWKuJX...jpg&name=small Oboro is confused by this, while Hamster Headmaster recognises the name “Space Union Way” as Gozen’s name for a hybrid of Hayate and Ikazuchi. The fight resumes, with Shurikenger using his bat (now named the “Shuriken Zubatto” or “Shuriken’s Bat”, depending on the translation) as is to perform his special attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWPEHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWPGfX...jpg&name=small After hitting her with multiple burning softballs that push her outside, Shurikenger then does a more powerful version, which causes the balls (not that kind, you dirty devil) to disappear from in front of her and reappear above her. This defeats her for good. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWPFHW...jpg&name=small Until Satarakura begs Wendinu to throw a Dekkamen, reviving Kira-Cologne as a giant. Tenkuujin initially handles the fight, before Senpuujin Hurrier (Manmarva chose now to attack Ikkou again, taking Gouraijin out of the equation) joins in, with the two combining their attacks to destroy the enemy for good. On the ground, while Ikkou recovers, Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta say how cool they think Taro is… before a second Taro emerges from the sewers, having been saved by “a green guy”. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWPFxW...jpg&name=small The fake Taro then explains it to them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvlWTwjX...jpg&name=small He then turns back into Shurikenger and leaves. Taro vows to solve the case of Shurikenger’s identity… only to fall back into the sewers. The episode ends with Hamster Headmaster wondering if Shurikenger is Gozen (Which would certainly make sense, but we’ll have to see). Next time, Ikkou grapples with his own mortality and both Kasumi Bros go drumming (So it’s one of “those” episodes). All this and more on Scroll 24: Taiko and Lightning. Final thoughts: This was a stronger debut to Shurikenger than last episode. I love the misdirect where we’re made to think that Mega Red will be playing him (especially since that’s how a lot of earlier Sixth Heroes were cast). And the intrigue angle is something I wish more Toku shows do, since it’s a simple yet impressive use of the full body costumes. |
Scroll 24: Taiko and Lightning
Today’s pre-thread rant will be mostly just me rambling. I’ve seen some early clips for Zenkaiger and I’m already in love with it (the theme song is a definite step up from Kiramager’s). Also, I’ve got something special planned for next week, which I’ll reveal in full at the end. With that said, on with the review. To start with, the titles have had a major overhaul, not least of which Ikkou and Isshu now get their own “hero” cards. (The hell took so long? They turned good 6 episodes ago) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OWNMW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OWNHX...jpg&name=small After a recap of last time, Satarakura is informed that he’s lost twenty points (not that he cares). As he prepares a new plan, Sargain points out that the former has done nothing but fail and that HE has a new puppet ready to go, based on his latest research. He also promises to keep Manmarva informed of the progress. We then cut to a Taiko master (played by Ruichiro Nishioka, better known as Matoi Tatsumi/GoRed from Kyukyu Sentai GoGoV) noticing clouds covering the sky. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OWNNX...jpg&name=small On the ground, the Hurricanegers see the change in weather and assume that the Gouraigers are behind it, since only the Ikazuchi Way could do this (oh, come on). Ikkou and Isshu show up quickly to call them on their bullshit (that was fast) and throw some shade at the Hayate Way (Honestly, I love that their dynamic is mostly insults). The true culprit is then exposed; Lightning Ninja Unadaigo (who Sargain made by “taking inspiration from the Gouraigers”). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OWNOX...jpg&name=small The Gouraigers confront him, but Unadaigo overpowers them and the Hurricanegers. Not helping matters is Manmarva showing up to distract the Gouraigers with a separate fight. He hits both of them with his Uchuu Ninpo: Kaendama (which involves him turning back into Floaty-Head, setting himself on fire and crashing into his opponents), before Ikkou begins to suffer from chest pains. Manmarva states that the Grim Reaper is laughing at KabutoRaiger, before making his leave. The Hurricanegers then pull back using a smoke out, only to find the Kasumi Bros are missing. The Taiko Master then appears to berate them for not defeating the guy using taiko for evil, before deciding to defeat the guy himself (He probably could, he’s got experience). Shurikenger then makes his appearance, knocking the guy out with a finger click before assuming his appearance (Most OP character ever). At the Gourai Cave, Ikkou uses a technique to transfer his consciousness into a beetle (instead of say, going to a hospital) to see what’s up with his body. Turns out there’s an egg in there, which Ikkou theorises Manmarva put there when he punched him three episodes ago. Manmarva himself doesn’t confirm this to his compatriots, merely saying that it’s a space scorpion egg (as in, the space scorpions that nearly killed the heroes 2 episodes ago). Satarakura meanwhile is calling in a guy named Vamp-Iyan to come and help out, but he can’t make it this week. (I love this kind of foreshadowing). Elsewhere, the disguised Shurikenger approaches Unadaigo, under the pretence of wanting to learn from him. Unadaigo complies, which allows Shurikenger to do what he intended to do: discover the puppet’s weak point, which turns out to be the lightning absorbing antenna on his head. Shurikenger then drops his disguise (and if you’re still not convinced he’s GoRed, he does the GoGoV/Lightspeed Rescue pose). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OcK4X...jpg&name=small Shurikenger and the Hurricanegers then fight Unadaigo, but end up on the receiving end of a beatdown. In the Gourai Cave, the two brothers prepare to move out, but the egg causes Ikkou pain again. Isshu suggests going to Hayate for help, but Ikkou then goes on a lecture about how 500 years ago, the Gouraigers were forced to remain in the darkness, while the Hurricanegers were allowed to stay in the light, so they should keep it that way (Yeah, you just have to watch it to make sense). As Unadaigo continues to win, the Kasumi Bros show up to challenge him to a taiko battle. They then have their battle, which awakens the Taiko Master from his unconsciousness (and presumably leaves a nearby Oni wondering why the Makamou is so weak this time). Despite Ikkou suffering from chest pains, the Gouraigers pull through and manage to win, impressing the Taiko Master. The fight then begins, with a song I've been wanting to share since this thread began: the Gouraigers’ theme song, which is written by Miyashita and composed by Miyake. And would you believe me if I told you it was performed by the guy who did Ultraman Z’s opening?) https://youtube.com/watch?v=XhBTLVIuKIs After the fight is over, the Gouraigers kill Unadaigo with the Double Gadget. But then he gets revived by a Copy Giant, causing Taiko Master to faint (it’s just not his day, is it?). The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers summon Senpuujin and Gouraijin, but the fight quickly turns south when Ikkou’s chest pains flare up at the worst time. Then Shurikenger flys in and sends him a new Shinobi Medal, allowing him to summon Karakuri Ball 11: Kabuto Spear (which despite the name, the shape of the Medal and who summons it, actually belongs to Isshu). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OcK3X...jpg&name=small Oboro is shocked that Shurikenger has Karakuri Balls 10 and 11 (available in Karakuri Ball set 05, now available at all good toy shops in 2002 Japan). Hamster Headmaster sees this as proof he is Master Gozen… until Master Gozen calls him at that moment (well, you know what they say. Bang goes that theory). Gouraijin uses its new weapon to fire a long blade of electricity through Unadaigo, which is used to throw his body into the air as it explodes. As Sargain gets failed, Satarakura secures his man to show up next week. As Taiko Master regains consciousness and decides he wants the Kasumi Bros to teach him their ways, Shurikenger and a Kuroko-bot both show up to wipe his memory (the former succeeds). As the Hurricanegers compliment the Kasumi Bros on their drumming skills (with Nanami already thinking of new ways to further her own career from it), Ikkou starts hurling insults at the trio and declares that he can’t be allies with such weak warriors, before he and Isshu leave?… which turns out to be the point of his earlier “defend the Earth from the darkness” speech: he wants the Hurricanegers to hate them to make their job easier. The episode ends there. Next time: Kouta meets a mysterious girl who’s always wanted to hold him. This and more on Scroll 25: Ghost and Schoolgirl. Final thoughts: Admittedly, this episode exists to pad out the “Hayate/Ikazuchi” rivalry a while longer. But I’m okay with that. Ikkou dealing with his surprise pregnancy from his jilted admirer’s date rape sounds like a good reason to extend it. And I love that the “old introductions prove their relevance in the face of new ones” plot was less based on the jealousy of the new guy, but more annoyance that a monster stole their gimmick. And now for the hint to the special thing I’ve got planned for next week. https://youtu.be/mZYabZgyaPQ |
Scroll 25: Ghosts and Schoolgirl
Welcome to the beginning of “Tenkuu Gattai” week. We begin with another episode by Naruhisa Arakawa, who one guy on Twitter recently described as “Great at social commentary, not so great at writing villains”. And given that this is a “revived monsters” episode, let’s just see how well that holds up. And now, on to the review. The episode opens with Kouta paying homage to his grandma Ayame, who died when he was 4 (given it’s been established that his parents died when he was at least 6, I’m surprised he even knew her name). His one memory of her is when she cheered him up by making her folded arm look like a pair of buttocks (apparently, the Bitou clan are renowned for their bizarre sense of humour). At the Centipede, Sargain and Furabijo chew Saturakura out because his “strongest commander ninja” hasn’t shown up (sure, single out the new guy for your complaints). But Manmarva sides with said new guy in saying that he IS here, they just have to listen. They hear a buzzing and Wendinu notices something on her… tools. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Op2EX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant then speaks of Vamp-Iyan’s skills highly, before Satarakura sends him out to attack 5 schoolgirls (why schoolgirls? Damn if I know). Vamp-Iyan gets on with his task, attacking 6 schoolgirls. (No, you read that right). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Op2MX...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers arrive on the scene and see Satarakura, who states that there’ll be no riddles this time (good, because you were kind of dickish back then). Vamp-Iyan then fires his beams at several locations across Japan, (some of which will be familiar if you’ve watched the show so far) before leaving with his boss. As the Hurricanegers wonder what happened, someone puts heir hand on Kouta’s shoulder, suggesting they go on a date. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Op2NX...jpg&name=small The girl states that she’s wanted to hold Kouta for so long (errmmm), leading Nanami to assume she’s his ex (if she is, then she’s remarkably happy to see him again), which Kouta denies. As the girl drags a reluctant Kouta away, Satarakura realises something. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Op2MX...jpg&name=small Vamp-Iyan explains that he got hungry while on the job, but Satarakura doesn’t mind, as he thinks he can get another Commander Ninja out of the deal (wait for it). We then get treated to a montage of the girl dragging Kouta all over the place, set to a generic pop song that was presumably in the charts at the time (if I had to guess the name, it would be “Shiawase Beam”. Apparently, playing one public domain song was mandatory in Sentai at the time. It’s something I don’t miss). As they sit down and ask her who she is, all she says is that she used to hold Kouta in her arms, which (obviously) doesn’t narrow it down. She then picks up a softball and poses with it, as the Shuriken Ball standby plays… before throwing the ball away and clenching her folded arm to look like a pair of buttocks (funny gag, but it requires you to ignore every in and out of universe rule about how Shurikenger works to make sense). She introduces herself as Ayame Bitou, Kouta’s grandma. She insists on being called “Ayaya” and explains she was mysteriously revived by that monster’s beam (which opens up a lot of questions, like why did it revive her immediately, why did it revive her specifically and why it reverted her to the body of a teenage girl). She states that Kouta looks like his grandfather and she wanted to go on a date with him because she didn’t get to go on dates at this age the first time around due to the war (nice explanation, but the first part just seems creepy. This isn’t a sins video, but I’m adding 5 sins for the implications). Elsewhere, Vamp-Iyan revives the targets of his other beams (which only brings up the same question as before: Why did Grandma Ayame get revived immediately?): Higenamezukin (see episode 13), Yumebakushi (see episode 11), Flora (see episode 5), Orlin (see episode 9) and Octonyudo (see episode 14). (Why did he only revive Chuzoobo’s monsters?). The 5 then proceed to attack the cities of Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hakata and Okinawa with their abilities. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OwGrX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OwGjW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OwGjX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0OwGrW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0O50wW...jpg&name=small The Kasumi Bros see the chaos and decide to help out in Sapporo and Okinawa. The Hurricanegers set off for the other locations… except Kouta, who is held back by Ayaya (Geez, lady. Does the fate of the Earth mean nothing to you?). She states that she doesn’t want Kouta to fight because his grandfather died in the war (so, was Kouta’s dad the result of an unmarried teen pregnancy? If so, she seems remarkably blasé about that for a child of the 30s and 40s) and Kouta is a crybaby (Lady, have you been watching his life at all since you passed on? He’s literally has the driest eyes of the cast so far. Besides maybe Ikkou). Kouta ignores her and flies off to face Flora. A fight breaks out with everyone facing an opponent in one of the 5 cities (with some glorious use of split screen), but none of them can be killed, since they already died once (so is Ayaya going to live forever? Imagine what that must be like for her), with only Vamp-Iyan’s defeat being able to send them back to the afterlife. So Ayaya uses her mosquito luring skills to bring him out (fortunately for her and a concerned Kouta, Vamp-Iyan chose that moment to get hungry). Kouta defeats Vamp-Iyan by poking her, much to his grandma’s surprise. Vamp-Iyan is then revived with a Dekkamen at giant size… relative to his original height. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0O507W...jpg&name=small Kouta this has to face him in a regular fight, destroying him single handedly again. Then Satarakura throws another Dekkamen, reviving him at regular giant size (making you wonder why they didn’t do that with all their monsters). The Hurricanegers reunite and form Senpuujin (with Ayaya riding shotgun in Hurricane Leon), but are overwhelmed by Vamp-Iyan sucking up their power enough that the Goat Crusher is insufficient. As Kouta gives a rousing speech about doing it for their ancestors (all of whom are dead and are not being threatened right now). Shurikenger then appears, apologising for being late (seriously, where was he this episode? It might’ve been better if he showed up earlier) and asks HurricaneBlue to detach so he can reward HurricaneYellow for his speech (how he heard it, I can’t tell you). So Hurricane Dolphin detaches and Tenkuujin replaces it via a Tenkuu Busou, forming TenkuuSenpuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0O506X...jpg&name=small As Oboro wonders how Shurikenger can pull off these combos (he works for Bandai, obviously), TenkuuSenpuujin destroys Vamp-Iyan for good, causing his summoned monsters to fade away (apparently, Flora, Orlin and Yumebakushi were just dancing on the spot instead of causing destruction). Ayaya on the other hand, has a more slow and dramatic fade out, giving her time to tell Kouta how proud of him she is and that she’ll be watching over him (presumably from now on, since her previous intel seemed very lacking), in addition to having had the ultimate date (I’ll admit, it’s hard to top sitting in on a giant robot battle). The episode ends there (fairly downbeat for this show). Next time: Isshu falls in love with Nanami (he has taste, I’ll give him that). Also there’s a cow. All this and more on Scroll 26: Bow and Arrow and the Beach. BUT FIRST: Jakanja calls in some help to defeat the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers. Who is it? Find out in Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger vs Gaoranger. Final thoughts: This… could’ve been a good episode. Unfortunately, the things that help the show shine like the Kasumi Bros and Shurikenger were absent from most of it, beside a few mandatory appearances. And in their place are elements that weren’t much on their own (besides the gag of the tiny Vamp-Iyan bursting into sparks instead of exploding). I’m not even sure how much I’m supposed to feel for the grandma, since she just comes off as incestuous and entitled. |
Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger vs Gaoranger
Welcome to part 2 of Tenkuu Gattai week. Today, we’re doing the team up with the previous Squadron, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (or in layman's terms, the team-up Power Rangers fans were disappointed never happened back in 2003). As with most Sentai crossovers, this is written by the most senior writer who’s written for both shows, but (normally) isn’t the head writer. In this case, that’s Naoyuki Sakai. With that, on with the review. (Please note that I will be using different subs, provided by Gao Soul Forever, for the screenshots, which may result in different romanisations and translations. I will be using my regular subs to write the review, for consistency.) We open with the Hurricanegers defeating a whole army of Magerappas, through the use of stock footage (which is fairly obvious, as they go from a forest, to a lake, to a quarry and finally to the coast). As they call out for the Jakanja to send them someone good, they get blown back (be careful what you wish for) by these guys. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKblX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKbgW...jpg&name=small As the Hurricanegers are shocked, GaoRed says this. (Followed by “Hurricanegers, prepare yourself”) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKbnX...jpg&name=small Cue titles, which come with a one off modification with the Gaorangers added to the opening shots. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKbmX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXrX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXqW...jpg&name=small A fight breaks out, with the Hurricanegers being beaten down, with GaoWhite pushing Nanami into the water where GaoBlue has the advantage, GaoYellow avoids Kouta’s Earth-based techniques with his wings and Yosuke’s techniques and weapons are outmatched by GaoRed and GaoBlack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXsX...jpg&name=small Oboro bids the three retreat, which they do just as they get his with a blast from the Gaorangers’ JuuOhKen (Don’t ask how a sword can fire a laser). At Ninja Base, Oboro and Hamster Headmaster explain that the 5 Gaorangers - Kakeru Shishi, Gaku Washio, Kai Samezu, Sotaro Ushigome and Sae Taiga - defended Earth from Org while the three were training at the Ninpuukan (Nice to see them explain why the current heroes haven’t heard of the last ones, rather than just have that be a thing that happens). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXrW...jpg&name=small As the heroes wonder why heroes of justice would turn evil, we cut to the Centipede, where the Seven Spears (still two short) celebrate having overpowered the Hurricanegers, with Manmarva giving praise to the Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger’s power. This victory turns out to have been brought on a new member, Chubozoo (No title, he’s just Chubozoo). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PfxkX...jpg&name=small As Satarakura praises “Chubo” (coming from him, that’s not nothing), Sargain suggests a different reason for his success. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PfxpX...jpg&name=small As we see that all of the regulars now have a glowing pendant around their necks, Chubozoo asks to inherit his brother Chuzoobo’s place as the Second Dark Spear, to which Tau Zant agrees, provided the plan succeeds. Elsewhere, the Gaorangers have begun to attack the Gouraigers, with the Hurricanegers catching word and running in to help them. They stop Ikkou from shooting the Gaorangers with the Double Gadget, before asking the Gaorangers why they’ve joined the Jakanja, to which the 5 detransform, revealing that at least, they look like the real thing. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PfxiX...jpg&name=small The Gaorangers then explain themselves while passive-aggressively insulting the Hurricanegers. It then turns out the whole thing was just an excuse to make colour puns (hmm, who else likes making bad jokes?). Yosuke of course, isn’t amused. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PfxiX...jpg&name=small GaoRed then explains that they’re evil for a very good reason: They sold their souls to the devil (Finally, a simple explanation for villainy). They then transform back and restate their desire to destroy the Hurricanegers, calling the Gao Jewels to return to them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9eX...jpg&name=small The Gaorangers then use the Gao Jewels to summon the Power Animals, forming GaoKing. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers summon their Shinobi Machines to form Senpuujin and Gouraijin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9fX...jpg&name=small The Gaorangers then escalate by summoning GaoGiraffe, combining with it to form GaoKing Spear, which defeats Gouraijin with its Neck Thrust attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9YX...jpg&name=small This causes Yosuke to get dangerous and transform Senpuujin into Senpuujin Hurrier to fight in earnest. We then see the male Gaorangers and the Gao Miko Tetom tied up in a cave, watching the scene helplessly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9ZX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PxcVX...jpg&name=small But where is their sole female member, Sae? She escaped and runs towards the battlefield, where GaoKing defeats Senpuujin with the Super Animal Heart. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PxcSX...jpg&name=small Sae yelling causes GaoTiger to block GaoShark from destroying Senpuujin. When Sae explains the ruse, the Power Animals disengage the combination and eject the fake Gaorangers, who dodge an attack with a ninja dash (curiouser and curiouser). At Ninja Base, Sae explains that they were captured by a Jakanja monster (Chubozoo) who stole their G-Phones and attached talismans to them that limit their movement. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PxcaW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PxcdW...jpg&name=small After a closer examination, Oboro and Hamster Headmaster have determined that the talismans are transmitting a copy of their victim’s biological data somewhere (which they surmise to be the fake Gaorangers), but Ikkou wonders how the Jakanja found out about the Gaoranger. The answer reveals itself when the captive Gaorangers ask the same question: the Duke Orgs Yabaiba and Tsuetsue, who survived being crushed to death in the destruction of the Org Temple. They then proceed to torture the Gaorangers in revenge for their defeat. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0P4ZrX...jpg&name=small The heroes and Sae make their way to the cave where Chubozoo is keeping the Gaorangers (One wonders why he doesn’t just imprison them on the Centipede). Then the fake Gaorangers appear, no longer acting as the Gaorangers and displaying familiar behaviours. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0P4ZrX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0P4ZmX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0P4ZgW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QBDHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QBDQX...jpg&name=small Sure enough, the fakes turn out to be the Jakanja’s Seven Dark Spears (still two short), who have the G-Phones. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QBDIW...jpg&name=small They then proceed to transform into the Gaorangers, complete with transformation sequence, before they do a corrupted version of the Gaorangers’ roll call. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QBDSX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QHZuX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QHZmX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QHZyW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QHZoX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QOmMX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QOmRX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QOmTX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then shows up, having been informed of the situation, to help the Gouraigers face the Jakanja-as-Gaorangers while the others go on, where they end up facing Magerappas untransformed (and Yosuke’s actor Shun Shioya breaks his arm. That’ll be important later) and Chubozoo. Unfortunately for the former three, it turns out that the Jakanja-with-Gaoranger-powers are still Jakanja, abilities and all. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QOmKW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QV3GW...jpg&name=small And to make matters worse, the talismans kick in, draining Sae of her energy mid-fight. Elsewhere, a mysterious figure feels the wind calling. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QV3HW...jpg&name=small Then Kouta notes that they’re controlled by the device on Chubozoo’s chest. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QV3IX...jpg&name=small A series of flashy combos later, the device gets hit and the talismans are destroyed (or more accurately, the Hurricanegers hit Chubozoo in a random area and the device stops working). Seeing that their easy prey can fight back, Yabaiba and Tsuetsue summon the Magerappas (apparently, none of the Orgettes survived the destruction of the Org Temple) and flee. The heroes all reunite, but the Gaorangers still don’t have their powers back, which the Jakanja take advantage of, with Tsuetsue and Yabaiba saying some variant of “this is for Masters Shuten, Ura and Rasetsu” (but not Senki). It’s then that the man in the shroud appears and reveals himself: he’s the last member of the Gaorangers, Tsukumaro Oogami. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QV3RX...jpg&name=small Tetom gives Tsukumaro his G-Brace Phone, which he uses to communicate with the Power Animals to strip the powers of the Gaorangers from the fakes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QbyQW...jpg&name=small As the fakes are weakened, the Hurricanegers perform a Kage no Mai to detransform them, allowing the G-Phones to return to their rightful owners. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qbx-W...jpg&name=small Tetom then restores the jackets to the Gaorangers, causing them to start referring to each other by colour, like the good old days. (For reference, Kakeru is Red, Gaku is Yellow, Kai is Blue, Sotaro is Black, Sae is White and Tsukumaro is Silver). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QbyEW...jpg&name=small We then get an extended transformation sequence and roll call for everyone (Shurikenger goes into Fire Mode), ending in a group shot (not this one, a different one). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QbyEW...jpg&name=small The villains then charge into battle… except for Satarakura, who has to be dragged in. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMYW...jpg&name=small And so a fight breaks out. Yosuke and Red take on Chubozoo, breaking his inherited Kyodai Ni no Yari, Ikkou and Silver have a bike duel with Manmarva, Kouta and Yellow beat up Yabaiba, Blue helps Isshu take down Sargain and in a battle with all the girls, White gives Wendinu what Nanami considers a flattering new look. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMbX...jpg&name=small After Shurikenger and Black beat up Satarakura, the former teams up with Silver to defeat all 5 Jakanja regulars with the Shuriken Zubat and the HajaSeijuu Cue. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMWW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMdX...jpg&name=small The two then launch their attacks in tandem, with Silver delivering his iconic “Evil, die gloriously!”, blowing up the Jakanja (but this being a V-Cinema released near the end of the season where 3 of them were still alive and 2 had had death episodes, they survive). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QsEIX...jpg&name=small The main teams then confront Chubozoo and the two Duke Orgs with the Victory Gadget and the Haja HyakujuuKen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QsEDW...jpg&name=small The two attacks hit the three targets with both teams giving their post-victory lines (“Say bye bye” for the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers, “Evil, disperse” for the Gaorangers). As the Duke Orgs state they’ll be together in death, Chubozoo uses the Yami Majin Damashii Shokan no Jutsu to revive himself. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QsEFW...jpg&name=small He then uses Uchuu Ninpo: Fukatsu Chunin no Jutsu to revive Papa G, Kangaroulette and Jin-Giron. The heroes respond by forming GaoHunter, GaoKing Sword and Shield, Tenkuujin, Gouraijin and Senpuujin to begin an even more epic battle. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qyl5X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qyl2X...jpg&name=small In the ensuing fight, Tenkuujin re-enacts its last showdown with Jin-Giron and GaoHunter hits Papa G with the Revolver Phantom, before combining its Beast Hurricane with GaoKing Sword and Shield’s Evil Crusher to destroy Kangaroulette (so much for fair play). As Gouraijin hits Chubozoo with the Daikaiten Todoroke Giri, he uses Uchuu Ninpo: Aniki Damashii Shokan no Jutsu, which, as the name implies, summons Chuzoobo to attack Senpuujin and Gouraijin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qyl3W...jpg&name=small Yosuke and Ikkou summon Furaimaru, who combines the two into GouraiSenpuujin, who finishes off Chuzoobo with one punch (apparently, not even death prevents villain decay). Chubozoo then combines his power with his remaining two monsters, releasing an energy wave that knocks GouraiSenpuujin’s arm off and knocks the others out of the fight. And for added symbolism, Yosuke’s broken his arm (a script change resulting from the injury I noted earlier). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qyl_W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63eW...jpg&name=small GaoRed then suggests going into GaoMuscle Striker so they can rejoin the fight, but GaoLion has other ideas. GaoRed then appears in Yosuke’s cockpit (Don’t ask how), with the idea GaoLion gave him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63iX...jpg&name=small Yosuke accepts the idea, with the other half of Gourai Stag detaching so that GaoShark and GaoTiger can take their place, before GaoElephant joins in, forming GouraiSenpuujin Sword and Shield. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63bW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63kW...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster is surprised, but Oboro isn’t. (Because she knows Hurricane Dolphin, Hurricane Leon, Gourai Stag and Tenkuujin were designed to be backwards compatible with the Power Animals due to how well they sold). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYfX...jpg&name=small After destroying the two monsters with Hissatsu Ougi: Furai Hyakujuu Giri, all that’s left is Chubozoo. Luckily, Shurikenger and GaoSilver are on hand with another idea. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYaX...jpg&name=small And this is born the second feature of this week: TenkuuGouraiSenpuujin. And they then channel the power of the Power Animals into their ultimate attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYhW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYhW...jpg&name=small The full power of this attack destroys Chubozoo. As GaoRed formally passes on the Earth’s safety to Yosuke, every duo celebrates… except one (Its not Kouta and GaoYellow. They were celebrating, but I didn’t have a picture of them). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RK9bW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RK9iX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RK9fX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RK9jX...jpg&name=small Tsukumaro returns his jacket and Brace to Tetom before mounting his bike. He tells Shurikenger that it would be harder if he said goodbye to everyone’s faces, and refuses to answer where he’s going clearly. Shurikenger calls him a snob for his non-answer (this coming from a guy who never reveals his face?). As the credits role, Tetom screws up Oboro’s computer, Ikkou and Sotaro wrestle (This is exactly how JUNretsu got started), Nanami and Sae go shopping, Kouta spars with Gaku, Kai draws in a crowd of women - to Isshu and Yosuke takes Hamster Headmaster to Kakeru for examination. Turns out being a vet doesn’t include courses on turning hamsters back into humans. After the credits, we get one last scene with the Gaorangers signing off to the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers, with the sub that gave me these screenshots giving us an etymology page (which is slightly inaccurate). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RQhyX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RQh1X...jpg&name=small Final thoughts: A fairly good crossover with a very unique application of the “vs” part of “vs movie”. I also lie, that they explained how the current Sentai was unaware of the older one, unlike how some crossovers just gloss all of that over (Goseiger vs Shinkenger is another favourite for similar reasons). |
Scroll 26: Bow and Arrow and Sea-Bathing
Here we are, at the episode that got me back into the series. It?s written by Atsushi Maekawa and it came out in the same week as Kamen Rider Ryuki episode 29, which has a similar plot (and, if I remember correctly, our own Kamen Rider Die declared it his favourite episode of the series, much to Fish Sandwich?s disbelief). With that said, on with the review. The episode begins with the Hurricanegers checking up with Isshu on how Ikkou is doing (recall that he has a scorpion egg in his heart that will kill him when it hatches). This tender scene is interrupted by Nanami stating that Hase (her boss, if you?ve forgotten, since he hasn?t appeared for a while. Speaking of absent bosses, Yosuke?s boss?s actress appears in the aforementioned Ryuki episode as the female victim) has offered to introduce her to Kazuya Misaki (Ah yes, Kazuya Misaki. The big star created specifically for this episode) and she asks if the others are interested (Nanami, honey. Do you really think Isshu would be into that sort of thing?). Isshu, predictably, gets annoyed and leaves. Elsewhere, a woman gets shot by an arrow fired by a mysterious figure. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RmN4W...jpg&name=small The figure then reveals himself to be Love-Sickness Ninja Chupid, whose attacks on other people quickly catch Isshu?s attention (way to blow your own scheme, you moron). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RmN6X...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Kazuya Misaki, played by Masaya Matsukaze, better known as Shun Namiki/Mega Blue (and he also unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in Kamen Rider Kuuga. Imagine how differently things would've gone if he got the role), prepares to disembark his bus. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RmN5X...jpg&name=small He is almost immediately hit by Chupid (talk about bad luck) and knocked out, forcing Nanami and Hase to go looking for him. Isshu is soon after hit by another arrow, causing him to fall back into Nanami?s arms. He takes one look and becomes smitten, before she sends him off. Kazuya Misaki then comes to and also becomes smitten with Nanami when he sees her (It?s easy to see where they?re both coming from, but?). Chupid?s other victims begin to fall in love with the first thing they see, a plan that doesn?t inspire much confidence from the non-Sargain Dark Spears. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RmN9X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RreHX...jpg&name=small Isshu then goes to his brother to ask for romantic advice? which causes Ikkou to spit his drink out (I know right? Guy like him in love with someone?). Kazuya Misaki (look, if the episode is going to use the full name every time, then so am I) shows up to Nanami?s dressing room with flowers and asks her to the beach. Isshu then disrupts the actual concert (Guy has no tact) to hand Nanami a love note… written on a calligraphy scroll, complete with flowery language. Nanami later announces to her friends that Kazuya Misaki is taking her to the beach (which makes Oboro dejected). Yosuke and Kouta thus decide to give Isshu some much needed advice (apparently, a jerk is a better match than a total stranger in their eyes). Ikkou listens in, saying that he?ll support his brother no matter what he decides. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RreJX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, the things people are falling in love with after being hit with the love arrows? becomes stranger. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RreKX...jpg&name=small Isshu then goes to Nanami as she?s waiting for Kazuya Misaki to pick her up with the cute animal he found for her? a cow. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RreAX...jpg&name=small Predictably, she ends up leaving with the rich guy with some sense of taste, who gives his rival some much needed words of advice. (?Cowboy, go home.?) Elsewhere, as a political meeting with a foreign senator goes awry since the Prime Minister is enamoured with a dog doing a tinkle on a tree, Sargain explains his plan. (It?s amazing nobody thought to follow up on Isshu chasing after him when Chupid first appeared) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RvmzX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Rvm1W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RvmsW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Rvm6W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R029W...jpg&name=small The other Spears begin applauding him all of a sudden and Tau Zant gives permission for the plan to begin (Um, it?s been in operation for a while? Is this a flashback?). At the beach, Kazuya Misaki and Nanami are playing volleyball (and the ball is green), before Isshu turns up to fight for the maiden?s hand. Then Chupid shows up to attack, causing KuwagaRaiger to change tact and battle him for Nanami?s affection. Kazuya Misaki then stops him and pulls out the Shuriken Ball (and in case you?re not convinced he?s Mega Blue, he does the Megaranger/In Space pose, though I captured it at a different point to Taro doing it a few episodes ago). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R020W...jpg&name=small Nanami is frustrated that he?s not the real Kazuya Misaki and even more frustrated when Isshu starts fighting Shurikenger when he calls Nanami ?My honey?. And when she tries to face Chupid by herself, she gets blown up for her troubles. This does have the effect of getting the boys to stop fighting and help her? only for them to get blown up too while Wendinu and Furabijo watch from the side in bikinis. But luckily for them, Isshu is able to stand up to way more explosions than the others. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R023W...jpg&name=small The two Spears are confused, since his love for Nanami should be weakening him. Yosuke, Kouta and Ikkou (all of whom have arrived late) explain that love doesn?t weaken you, it makes you stronger when the one you love is threatened. Isshu then continues to tank all of Chupid?s shots until Shurikenger throws him his Stag Breaker (which he dropped earlier), which he combines with the Ikazuchimaru to create the Ikazuchi Breaker. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R02zW...jpg&name=small This new weapon combo defeats Chupid, breaking his love spell. Wendinu revives him with a Copy Giant, with the Gouraigers and Shurikenger responding by calling their Mecha. During the fight, Tenkuujin detaches its armour to use it as a Shuriken. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R3mBX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then suggests they do a threesome? by which I mean they combine their robots into TenkuuGouraijin (Incidentally, part 3 of our feature) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0R3mAW...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster is shocked, while Oboro is just about ready to give up with all these new combos. After Chupid is defeated again and the Jakanja withdraw, Shurikenger explains that he knocked out and imitated the real Kazuya Misaki to investigate Chupid, but didn?t think he?d get hit with one of the arrows. Nanami dismisses it, since she knew the real deal would never fall for her (unless he got hit with one of those arrows). As everyone leaves, Isshu notes that the feeling he had for Nanami under the spell hasn?t faded. (Make of that what you will) Next time: Yosuke apprentices under a middle aged Sky Ninja. This and more on Scroll 27: Yakiniku and Gravity. BUT FIRST: The Hurricanegers must travel to an abandoned island to rescue a princess from space chimps (not to be confused with the movie Space Chimps). Will they succeed? Find out in Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger: Shushutto the Movie. Final thoughts: Much like Die?s review of the Ryuki episode, I think this might be my favourite out of the series. The love triangle involving Shurikenger is just hilarious, as is Isshu?s ideas of cute. It?s just the right level of goofy and sentimental for this show (especially compared to the last episode). |
Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger: Shushutto the Movie
Sentai movies are criminally underrated. Seriously, everyone knocks them for the short runtime and prefers to talk about Rider movies. Well the truth is, Sentai movies are an unskippable part of the main viewing experience (which makes watching the series as its airing rather, for lack of a better term, missing something), whereas with four exceptions (Den-O, W, Gaim and Ghost), Rider movies can be skipped with nothing of value lost (They’ve tried to rectify that in later years by adding in retcons to the plot of the show, but many of them have no bearing on either the plot of the show or the movie). This movie is no exception to that creed as, despite being incredibly important to the events of the series (it comes up again in episodes 37 and 39), it’s only mention on TV Tropes is a brief bullet point on the page for Non-Serial Movie (which this film most definitely is not). Indeed the movie exclusive item here is not an exclusive, more a sneak peek at what’s to come. And now, we conclude Tenkuu Gattai week in style with the one combination that video DIDN’T show you. We open with Tenkuujin (and by extension, Shurikenger) under attack by a mysterious spaceship for reason he in his infinite resources cannot fathom (they’re aliens, do they need a reason?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SKj5W...jpg&name=small In this ship are our two movie-only antagonists, Hisaru (hi = fire, saru = monkey) and Blizaru, who are carrying an important package… which has legs. (Apparently, they’d felt the need to goof off during a job. Some professionals they are). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SKkEX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SKj-X...jpg&name=small Oboro alerts the Hurricanegers of Shurikenger’s peril and they transform and race to the scene… using horses (because the producers actually have a budget to work with and they’re gonna use it). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SKkCX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Tenkuujin seems to blow the enemy ship to pieces… but it reassembles (rather like a toy, I might add) and launches its own attack, causing a crash. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SRgaW...jpg&name=small The two space chimps (not to be confused with the movie Space Chimps) celebrate their minor victory and prepare to make their delivery… but their hostage breaks free with a knife (why didn’t she use that before?) and causes THEM to crash (karma right there, folks), which the Hurricanegers investigate. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SRgdX...jpg&name=small Before our heroes arrive on the scene, the Princess uses an amulet to make the ship disappear (by which I mean, it’s no longer there, not that it’s invisible). Upon observing them, she decides that Yosuke will be the one she wants to bang - er, protect her. But then Hisaru and Blizaru show up and beat back the Hurricanegers, taking the girl’s amulet with them as they leave, observed by the Kasumi Bros. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SRgbW...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, the girl seems to have gotten over the trauma of being kidnapped remarkably quickly and has made herself at home. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SRgdW...jpg&name=small While Yosuke refuses to acknowledge this b*tch, Oboro tries asking her her name and where she comes from (slow down, that’s second date knowledge). The girl doesn’t answer, instead noticing Hamster Headmaster (somehow, for the first time) and kisses him. She then gives an introduction when trying to get Yosuke to do her bidding. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SVUWW...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster wonders where Astram could be… but Nanami, Kouta and Oboro are too busy noticing something different about him to think about that. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SVUPW...jpg&name=small Yosuke couldn’t care less about Mugensai being back to normal, instead reiterating to the Princess that he won’t be her servant. Annoyed, Laina storms off, dropping another of her jewels… which turns out to be a mini robot named Knuckle (voiced by Yuko Miyamura, whose other major Sentai role was as Kyoko in GoGoV). They narrowly stop him from escaping so they can wring some answers out of him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SVUPX...jpg&name=small Knuckle narrates that Laina is known for being the most stubborn princess in the universe (that’s not a surprise), and that she was kidnapped by those two monkeys three days ago for the Jakanja (why they’d want her, I don’t know. It certainly isn’t for a ransom demand). As Ikkou and Isshu watch, Laina turns seaweed into a flower as Knuckle gets to the dark part of the story. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SVUYX...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Hisaru and Blizaru get a frosty reception since they didn’t bring back Princess Laina for the “Soul-Eating Ceremony” (evidently, the Tricondor isn’t as necessary as it was made out to be). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SY3PW...jpg&name=small The two then admit that they think Satarakura is the greatest master of puns in the universe. Satarakura falls for it and shows them where the Soul-Eating Ceremony will take place, despite Tau Zant using his requisite line (seriously, he seems to only say one thing a day at this point) to warn him against it. Sure enough, Hisaru was expecting for the flattery to result in that. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SY3JX...jpg&name=small He then has Blizaru freeze the Jakanja in place before they can do anything, before leaving. (I’ll admit. It’s unique to see the bounty hunter betray the big bad. Normally, it’s the other way around) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SY3JX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SY3JX...jpg&name=small The Kasumi Bros meet with Laina, suggesting that she go back to her home planet for her own protection (to be fair, they didn’t know her that well), to which Laina, true to her title as the most stubborn princess in the universe, says no. The two monkeys then appear, beat up the Kasumi Bros and abduct the princess before the Hurricanegers arrive, having learned of the Soul-Eating Ceremony from Knuckle. The Kasumi Bros insist on joining in, to get back at the monkeys for beating the Gouraigers, as Oboro and Mugensai locate the best place for the Soul-Eating Ceremony. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SgK8X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SgLFX...jpg&name=small The heroes then depart for the island, as Knuckle explains the Soul-Eating Ceremony to the viewers. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SgLHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SgLLX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SkOSW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SkOOW...rmat=jpg&name= https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SkORW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SkORX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SnybX...jpg&name=small On the island, the Hurricanegers put on their ninja masks while the Gouraigers adjust their Gourai Changers… but their arrival hasn’t gone unnoticed. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SnycX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SnyeW...jpg&name=small Hisaru has Blizaru use his Uchuu Ninpo: Sama Saru to summon the Magerappas. When that doesn’t work (why would he think it would?), he summons a bigger fish. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SnyWW...jpg&name=small The Kasumi Bros bid the Hurricanegers go on, before transforming to hold off Manmarva and the Space Kunoichi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SsHVX...jpg&name=small Manmarva discards his cloak and summons his bike, the Honoo Kiba (Fire Fang), which Ikkou counters with his BariThunder. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SsHYX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SsHVW...jpg&name=small After a brief joust, Ikkou ends the fight by shooting Manmarva off his bike (if Manmarva was in control, he would’ve uttered a chant to make the scorpion egg inside Ikkou affect him). Meanwhile Isshu faces Wendinu and Furabijo, who even on a fantastic movie budget which can afford to have the human actors fight still relies on special effects (admittedly, beefed up ones, but still). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SsHLW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SwRPX...jpg&name=small Isshu manages to win by beating them at their own game: using his own special effects based attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SwRTW...jpg&name=small As the first barrel of gunpowder used for the Ceremony explodes, the Hurricanegers run into their second obstacles. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SwROX...jpg&name=small But before anything serious can happen, Shurikenger appears to clear this, allowing our heroes to continue (even on a fantastic movie budget, he’s stuck using stock footage). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SzoeW...jpg&name=small Satarakura uses his Uchuu Ninpo: Yomi no Houou to revive Higenamezukin, Orlin, Kekkaibo, Copy Ninja and Two-Pig, all wearing masks (a lot of revived monsters lately). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SzolX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger defeats the monsters and the two Spears using his Fire Mode attacks. In spite of being thrown off by Hisaru’s Uchuu Ninpo: Carcer, the Hurricanegers aren’t licked yet, transforming and rescuing Laina before the last barrel of gunpowder can explode. They take her to safety and discuss how she and Yosuke aren’t so different after all (one’s a fabulously wealthy princess with no friends, ones a relatively poor ninja with two friends and three acquaintances. Yep, lot of similarities there). They then go to face the two monkeys (and my terrible camerawork reaches its apex, as I crop Nanami out of the shot) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SzonX...jpg&name=small After a fight where Yosuke and Nanami overpower Hisaru and Kouta uses his Mai Jishi to outnumber Blizaru, the two space chimps combine their powers for an attack… which causes the theme song to kick in, allowing a Kage no Mai to be used to kick their asses. The Hurricanegers then form the Victory Gadget and blast the monkeys (in real time), defeating them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0SzoqW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S3BdW...jpg&name=small The Tricondor then flies back to Laina’s hand, to her relief. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S3BYX...jpg&name=small However, Hisaru and Blizaru have survived, now fusing into the gargantuan Combined Nin-key Ashurasaru. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S3BfX...jpg&name=small The heroes gather and summon their Shinobi Machines, combining into their three robots and summoning their weapons, to Laina’s surprise (with some foreshadowing to boot). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S3BZX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S5-SX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S5-MX...jpg&name=small When none of their attacks can phase Ashurasaru, Laina uses her Tricondor to create three blank Karakuri Balls. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S5-RX...jpg&name=small The balls knock Ashurasaru down, before opening and combining into the ship from earlier. Laina explains that Tricondor has the power to combine their three Karakuri Giants (I’d say this is convenient, but it was implied they have similar giants on Astram, so). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S5-TX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S9e6X...jpg&name=small And so Senpuujin, Gouraijin and Tenkuujin use the Tricondor to do a Ginga Choetsu Sanjin Gattai (Galaxy Transcendent Three-god combination), forming TenraiSenpuujin. https://youtube.com/watch?v=K_bzqBU0hNg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S9ezX...jpg&name=small The heroes are all teleported into one cockpit. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S9ewX...jpg&name=small Oboro and Mugensai wonder how another planet can have compatibility with the Karakuri system (maybe because they’re much more advanced). Ashurasaru summons a naginata to do battle, which TenraiSenpuujin blacks using the Tenkuu Shuriken as a sword. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0S9e3X...jpg&name=small When Ashurasaru tries hitting them directly, they block him with the Cross Formation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0TDx7W...jpg&name=small They then destroy the enemy once and for all with the Zettai Kyukyoku Ougi: Ultima Storm. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0TDx9W...jpg&name=small With all said and done, Laina and Knuckle return to Astram, having taken Yosuke’s words to heart. But with her gone, Mugensai turns back into Hamster Headmaster. We then get something special for the credits. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oL15-v7VtcA https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0TDx3W...jpg&name=large Final thoughts: A pretty alright movie, all things considered. Laina did come off as slightly annoying, but given her one-off status, she avoids becoming unbearable. And as stated, I like the Space Monkeys turning on the Jakanja. Normal updates will resume beginning this Sunday (and there may be some issues later this month, as I am moving house and will probably have to, at best, post a picture-less review using my mobile data. |
Scroll 27: Skewers and Zero Gravity
Not much to say here. After 2 episodes and two movies with new Tenkuujin combos, we’re back to business as usual with a Naoyuki Sakai episode. Our episode begins with Yosuke being sent by his job to work in a Yakiniku shop. To his surprise, the manager turns out to be Ichiro Taisho, a former classmate from the SoraNin class, who was kicked out in the first month (not to body shame, but it may be because the dude lacks the figure to be a ninja). Taisho recognises Yosuke because he beat up the Kuroko that came to mind wipe him (that poor robot) and assumes Yosuke was another case of this. As if on cue, the Hurricane Gyro rings and Yosuke leaves in a hurry, with Taisho following him. This week’s monster is a foot-themed monster from Satarakura’s group, Gravity Ninja Omo-Karo (and to avoid the spell checker getting on my ass, I’ll call him “Foot-face”, since that’s what he looks like). Foot-face is going around putting seals on people, when Yosuke arrives with Nanami and Kouta. Taisho gets shocked when the three “losers” turn into the legendary Hurricanegers. But Foot-face proves too much for them and they have to be bailed out by Shurikenger, who assumes his Fire Mode when Foot-face insults him (not the best idea, dude). After the monster withdraws, Taisho reveals himself. Back at the restaurant, while Shurikenger eats his fill of yakitori (how does he eat? Or pay, for that matter?), Taisho suggests that Yosuke should quit being a Hurricaneger, since he’s clearly not good enough (might be a good time to tell him just HOW long they’ve been Hurricanegers) and work full-time at the shop (given how horrible Yosuke’s current boss is, that seems like a good offer, even if he doesn’t quit being a hero). We then get a flashback where Yosuke and Taisho both failed to performed the Sora Ninpo: Hibarijaku to escape from a pitfall. Taisho attributes this to his quitting the Hayate Style… that, and he managed to marry a hot woman named Megu and got her pregnant (I assume it wasn’t necessarily in that order). Back at Ninja Base, Oboro notes that the robot should’ve erased his memories (nobody brought up that he overpowered it) and Yosuke seriously considers becoming a Yakiniku chef. Conversely, Taisho tries to become a ninja by using skewers as shurikens. Key word “tries”. At the Centipede, everyone but Tau Zant and Manmarva criticises Satarakura’s plan (what else is new?), to which the latter prepares phase 2. Foot-face uses his Uchuu Ninpo: Jūryoku Muchitsujo Jī to send everyone he placed a seal on to begin floating in the air, bringing him to the Hurricanegers’ attention. As they begin to lose (seriously, what’s with them this episode?), Ikkou and Isshu show up to deliver a beatdown to Foot-face along with Shurikenger… which turns out to be what Foot-face was banking on. He placed seals on all 6 of our heroes and uses his Uchuu Ninpo: Jūryoku Jizai to make them bounce all over the place, before bringing them down, with Yosuke getting stuck in the ground (hmm, this seems familiar). Taisho works up the courage to try his improvised Ninpo: Kushiyaki Shuriken, which actually works. Yosuke then uses some words of encouragement from Taisho to use the Hibarijaku (turns out he mastered it ages ago and didn’t mention it) to escape his imprisonment and defeat Foot-face, negating his spell. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers then kill him with the Victory Gadget, he gets revived by a Dekkamen and the two groups summon their Karakuri Giants to fight him. After some initial difficulty, the two summon Furaimaru and combine into GouraiSenpuujin. Foot-face lifts them into the air, but they use the angle to hit him with the Rolling Thunder Hurricane, killing him. Everyone goes to the yakitori shop to celebrate (including a terrified Kuroko-bot), Taisho reiterates that he dropped out to protect his family because he wasn’t brave enough, to which Yosuke says that doing that requires real bravery (I’ve gotta give it to him on this one). Everyone then sings the Ninpuukan school song as the episode ends https://youtube.com/watch?v=uc85Ou7q...xQntptjS0BjJyo Next time: Sargain debuts a new Megatagame (because that worked out so well the last time), with a few new tricks. This and more on “Scroll 28: Hurrier and Counterattack”. Final thoughts: There’s not a lot special to this episode. But I will say that I got behind Taisho’s reason to not want Yosuke to fight more than I got behind Ayaya not wanting Kouta to fight two episodes ago (probably because it came off to me as less selfish). Also, there wasn’t enough Shurikenger. |
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This seems like a really cool crossover! It makes me really curious how exactly PR would've changed things, given how it seems like Wild Force was more more down to Earth than Gaoranger is here. Their antics wouldn't exactly be out of place in Ninja Storm, though. |
Scroll 28: Hurrier and Counterattack
And we’re back, with a sequel to episode 15 (which so far, has been the worst episode I?€™ve come across). Will this be better? Let’s find out. We open with Senpuujin in battle with Sargain’s Megatagame Mk II (already?), thinking that this one will be easy to defeat, given how much of a pushover the last one was (nice to see Miyashita and I are once more on the same page). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_hsXW...jpg&name=small However, Gouraijin isn’t here, because Isshu is on the ground, wondering where “Anija” is at a time like this. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_hsfX...jpg&name=small (Given that the lack of Isshu piloting Gouraijin alone was a major gripe I had with episode 15, it’s nice to see they explained why that didn’t happen. Still slightly disappointed though) It turns out that Ikkou is at a cabin in the woods, wearing nothing on his upper body, not even his Gourai Changer, doing… something with someone unseen (well, I’ve seen enough hentai to know where this is going). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_hseW...jpg&name=small Tenkuujin joins the battle, warning the Hurricanegers to be wary, since this Megatagame is an upgrade from the first one. Sure enough, when Senpuujin hurries up, Megatagame Mk II follows suit with its own Hurrier Mode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_hseX...jpg&name=small And unlike Senpuujin, Sargain’s Hurrier Mode doesn’t have a time limit: he can change between the two forms at will (though the patent for this is pending). Senpuujin gets wrecked, Tenkuujin and the Hurricanegers barely escape with their lives and Ikkou only now receives Isshu’s call for help. As Isshu calls out Ikkou on his recent mysterious disappearances (aren’t they employed now? What does their foreman think of the absences Ikkou takes?), Oboro tells them in no uncertain terms that they’ll need Gouraijin to beat Megatagame Mk II. At the Centipede, while Furabijo and Wendinu think the new Megatagame is an undisputed success, Satarakura points out that the Gouraigers haven’t been defeated by it, to which Manmarva makes his point to Tau Zant, who uses his one line of the episode (seriously, he’s been getting less and less dialogue as of late) to tell him to carry on as usual. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_rE1W...jpg&name=small Isshu follows his brother to the cabin, where we learn he’s been working with an old teacher by the name of Yusaku Ramon (played by Toshiya Fuji, better known as Gaku Hoshikawa/FiveRed from Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman, who was also incidentally a teacher) to try and remove the scorpion egg from Ikkou’s heart. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_rGQX...jpg&name=small But as it turns out, they’ve only been able to slow it down. Ramon suggests that Ikkou tells his brother about what they’ve been doing, revealing that he knew the latter was here the whole time. Isshu says that he wants to be an equal partner during this, to which Manmarva enters with an entourage of Magerappas, offering to put an egg in his heart so they’ll both go to hell (I’m not sure that’s what he meant). Ramon remains behind while the brothers escape, beating up the Magerappas with a mix of martial arts amid mist dispelling powers (how he has these is sadly, never explained). But Manmarva simply beats him up and continues on his way. Meanwhile, Megatagame Mk II reappears, with Senpuujin having conveniently just been repaired (so, the damage wasn’t that bad, considering Gouraijin’s damage took more than 3 days to fully repair), but managing to struggle. In the woods, Ramon is found by Shurikenger, who asks if he’s associated with the Kasumi Bros. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_rFbW...jpg&name=small Speaking of whom, they manage to come to a river, where they think they’re safe. Unfortunately, Manmarva returns and blasts Ikkou with his dark energy, then revealing what the blast does. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_rFuW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_zPQX...jpg&name=large https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_zPvW...jpg&name=large But before he can do anything else, Ramon seemingly returns and beats up the Magerappas. This time, Manmarva chooses to withdraw, having already done what he set out to do. Ramon gives the brothers some advice. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_zQMW...jpg&name=small He explains that there’s a temple there where they can learn Qipong to help remove the egg. Ikkou refuses, instead choosing to stay and fight, even though that would limit his time. The Kasumi Bros then receive Oboro’s SOS and leave, at which point it turns out that Ramon has been replaced by Shurikenger (and in case you don’t believe he’s FiveRed… then I can’t help you, since he doesn’t do the pose), working with the real Ramon. Gouraijin appears in the battle with Megatagame Mk II, saving Senpuujin. Sargain shifts to Megatagame Mk II Hurrier to continue the fight. Yosuke suggests they combine, summoning FuraiHead… which is promptly grabbed by Megatagame MK II Hurrier (nice display of genre savvy, Sargain). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_zQrW...jpg&name=small But as all seems lost, Shurikenger shows up in Tenkuujin with Karakuri Ball 12: Catch Spider. After using it to throw Megatagame Mk II Hurrier onto its back, he then uses it to grab Karakuri Ball 07 and use it as a mace (okay, this is one of the most epic uses of a mundane object as a weapon I’ve seen). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewh_4V_W...jpg&name=small With 07 back in hand, Ikkou summons 08, allowing for Furaimaru to be formed. After apologising for that bit of weirdness, Furaimaru combines the two into GouraiSenpuujin, which shrugs off Megatagame Mk II Hurrier’s attacks, before destroying it. However, Sargain survives, swearing vengeance (hopefully, the next Megatagame isn’t made of explosive materials. Oh who am I kidding? You know it will be). Back at the cabin, Ramon tries the ritual again, only to find that Manmarva’s spirit wave has not only sped up the egg’s hatching, he’s also made slowing it down impossible (just how powerful was that energy?) and now Ikkou’s only hope is to go to Tibet. But as he once more refuses, Manmarva predicts that KabutoRaiger will die on the next full moon (which going by the shape of the moon in this episode, isn’t too far away). As the Jakanja celebrate this, Manmarva foresees himself exploding (well I didn’t need prediction powers to know that was coming) as the episode ends. Next time: Kouta becomes leader of the Hurricanegers (for some reason) and Yosuke isn’t happy. This and more on “Scroll 29: Lingering Summer Heat and Stamps”. Final thoughts: Well, this was mostly a bleak episode. But it did give us a good look at Ikkou, who was mostly flat when he first appeared. Plus, it gave the Megatagame a better showing than the last time, so there’s that. Overall I don’t think this arc with the scorpion egg is particularly unwelcome here. |
Scroll 29: Lingering Summer Heat and Stamp
This episode introduces our final new writer for this series: Shin Yoshida. If you’re a purely Tokusatsu person, I don’t expect you to have heard of him, since this and 3 other Hurricaneger episodes are his sole contribution to the genre. He’s mostly known for his work in the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise, having written the Waking the Dragons and Millennium World arcs of Duel Monsters, the infamous Season 4 of GX, everything after the Fortune Cup in 5Ds, the entirety of ZEXAL (anime and manga), the manga for Arc-V and the entirety of VRAINS. He’s fairly controversial among the crowd that insists everything should be dark and gritty, but ZEXAL is the most popular Yu-Gi-Oh series in Japan, and I’ve seen it has more fans than detractors (it’s just that Yu-Gi-Oh’s detractors can be REALLY vocal). Will this episode follow suit? Let’s find out. The episode opens with Kouta suffering under the heavy sun, while the rest of Ninja Base tries to alleviate this by making curry (If you ask me, that’ll just make things worse). Hamster Headmaster thinks that with the Kamen Ninjas and Karakuri Giants Jakanja is throwing at them (even though they only sent out two of the latter), the Hurricanegers need a leader (then what’s Yosuke been doing for 28 episodes?). After Kouta stops everyone from turning the curry into a spicy disaster, Hamster Headmaster decides to make him the leader. Yosuke gets dejected and leaves. Elsewhere, Jakanja had summoned Lingering Summer Heat Ninja Bero-Tan (who I will refer to as the Licker). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewt6RQnW...jpg&name=small Licker’s special ability activates. For everyone he takes down, he gains a stamp counter. Yosuke shows up and, motivated by a traffic light laughing at him (specifically, the yellow light) and the fact that he should be leader because he’s in the centre, decides to fight him alone, summoning Sky Ninja HurricaneRed. Unfortunately, Nanami and Kouta caught wind of Licker on the monitors, summoning Water Ninja HurricaneBlue and Land Ninja HurricaneYellow to join the duel. But when Licker proves immune to the Quake Gadget, Yosuke and Kouta argue over who deserves to be leader, much to Nanami’s concern (maybe SHE should be leader. Just saying). Luckily for them, since there are three Ninja Hurricane monsters on the field, Ikkou can summon Horn Ninja KabutoRaiger to the field, with Isshu being able to summon Fang Ninja KuwagaRaiger to join him. But then Manmarva triggers his trap, Curse of the Space Scorpion, which cuts KabutoRaiger’s ATK points in half so he can attack. After warning that Ikkou will die on the next full moon, Manmarva leaves with Licker. Isshu sees Yosuke and Kouta still arguing, and leaves in disgust with Ikkou (and that’s all they do in this episode). As Nanami drags the two boys kicking and screaming back to Ninja Base, Shurikenger looks on. Hamster Headmaster and Oboro try to teach the boys that while one arrow can break easily, three arrows are unbreakable… only for the three arrows to break easier than the one (Oops). Yosuke suggests that a single arrow made of steel wouldn’t break easily and vows to be the steel arrow, to which Kouta insists he’ll be an arrow stronger than steel (they’re both taking this metaphor a tad too literally). We then cut to two near identical scenes where the two try and fail to destroy a scarecrow after destroying one easily, before the other appears to throw them a torn scroll with a new move on it. At the Centipede, we see that Satarakura has Licker and the other 3 Spears writing his postcards (including to one guy named after producer Hideaki Tsukada). It turns out that he’s converting Licker’s stamp counters into letter counters. And once Licker amasses enough of both, he’ll unleash a fireball that will reduce the Earth’s LP to 0, while delivering all of Satarakura’s postcards to their recipients (Hey Satarakura, Emperor Exhaus from Carranger called, even he thinks your plan is dumb). The Hurricanegers arrive to where Licker is preparing to unleash his load. Yosuke activates the spell Hayate Style Technique - Sky Slash, while Kouta follows suit with the Hayate Style Technique - Earth Slash. Oboro realises that Hamster Headmaster tore the two apart so they’d become stronger (to which he basically says “sure, whatever”). But it turns out Licker survived both hits, causing the two to argue again over who failed to kill him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewt6RQlW...jpg&name=small As Nanami gets frustrated again, Licker takes the opportunity to capture her. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewt6RQmW...jpg&name=small As the two react in horror to this, Shurikenger appears to give the lesson HH and Oboro failed to give earlier: the Hurricanegers can’t function without teamwork (it helps that he isn’t trying to use cheap arrows to make his point. He just explains the gravity of the situation). As the two apologise, they decide to combine the two attacks and hit Licker at the same time. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewt6RQnW...jpg&name=small This works, destroying Licker. Shurikenger then reveals that the two torn scrolls are actually one that he ripped in half and disguised himself as Kouta and Yosuke in order to teach them a lesson. As they’re talking, Satarakura activates the spell “Giant Mask”, which not only resurrects Licker from the GY, but also doubles his ATK points. Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta summon Shinobi Machines Hurricane Hawk, Hurricane Dolphin and Hurricane Leon, using them to Link Summon Karakuri Giant Senpuujin. This trigger’s Licker’s Trap, Tongue of Constraint, tying them up. This is resolved when Shurikenger summons Tenkuujin, using its special ability to negate the last Trap that was played. Oboro then reveals she’s completed a new Karakuri Ball, which Kouta and Nanami both suggest she give to their leader, Yosuke. Touched by their faith in him (where was this faith when this whole mess started?), Yosuke equips Senpuujin with Karakuri Ball 13: Karakuri Stamp (a candy toy that made its way into the show. It comes in red, as seen here, or in green and has seven stamps). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewt6d3AX...jpg&name=small The Stamp’s effect is that when a monster equipped with it battles, the attack is negated, and the opposing monster loses all counters placed on it (so, would the people trapped in stamps have died if Licker hadn’t been made a giant? That’s pretty grim). Shurikenger then activates Tenkuujin’s other effect: since Senpuujin is on the field and Hurricane Dolphin is in the GY, he can banish the latter to equip Tenkuujin onto the former. TenkuuSenpuujin destroys Licker for good and we end the episode with our trio eating curry with Oboro and Hamster Headmaster. Next time: Furabijo quits Jakanja and joins a reluctant Nanami as an idol group. This and more on Scroll 30: Idol and Friendship. Final thoughts: I’m… not quite sure what to say about this episode. It’s fairly decent as a stand-alone episode, but it’s not got that great a premise. |
Scroll 30: Idol and Friendship
And here we are, with another Arakawa episode. Let’s see if he can deliver this time (because up to now, he’s been probably the least impressive of the show’s writers. Yes, even compared to Yoshida’s efforts in the last post). We begin with Furabijo failing Sargain for Megatagame Mk II’s failure, Satarakura for Licker’s failure and Wendinu and Manmarva because she thinks their performances have been lousy (she clearly hasn’t been watching Manmarva’s efforts to kill KabutoRaiger). She then insists she’ll make up for all their failures (again, KabutoRaiger isn’t dying of his own accord) with her own plan, revealing Bishoujo Ninja Furabijennu, a puppet made with her traits, all amplified to 300%. (And the voice of Emi Shinohara, better known as the voice behind Sailor Jupiter) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gA0XW...jpg&name=small As Manmarva expresses disgust that Sargain would build such a thing, wondering just what dirt Furabijo has on him, our First Spear sends out Furabijennu to perform the “Greatest Earth Corruption Plan in the Universe” (which, as the narrator points out, isn’t actually explained in any detail). As Furabijennu shows up to a factory, she faces down the Gouraigers and beats them up easily (and Manmarva wasn’t even doing his thing, so she managed to beat both Ikkou and Isshu in a straight fight). The Hurricanegers only show up as she’s finished beating up Shurikenger (which considering this is his one appearance in the episode, is kind of disappointing). But luckily, Furabijo calls Furabijennu back to the Centipede, since she’s used up 75% of her power (what kind of batteries does she use?). As Furabijo has all but Manmarva doing her bidding (he leaves this episode to prepare for the next one), Furabijennu returns and is fitted with a recharger, which will take 2 weeks to repower her (again, what batteries did Sargain use to build this puppet?). The other three then decide they’ve had enough and decide they’d rather have Furabijennu as their First Spear. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gA0ZX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gA0RW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gA0YX...jpg&name=small And so, by overwhelming majority, Furabijo is voted out in favour of her robot double (there’s an anti-automation message there, somewhere). At Ninja Base, Nanami ducks out of the search to attend a campaign signing (wow, she’s gone up in the world. From doing kindergarten performances to releasing an album). Back at the Centipede, Furabijennu is giving Sargain a sauna treatment (pictured below, in a picture that shows off what kind of computer I use to get these screenshots), Wendinu a massage and Satarakura help with his jokes (What does a mountain made of blankets weigh? A few-tons). She then states internally her desire to get rid of them all and become leader of Jakanja “because my ambitions are 300 times greater than Furabijo’s”. (What’s a good Sentai villain group without backstabbing?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gK71X...jpg&name=small As Nanami signs autographs (turns out, there’s a large market for Enka songs), Furabijo appears and transforms into a civilian guise to explain her situation. After Hase-san determines that the new girl is a friend of Nana-chan’s, he decides to recruit her as an idol. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gK72W...jpg&name=small Thus, Hase-san proposes putting the two together as an idol unit, known as “Bishoujo Girl 7”. With some persuasion from Hamster Headmaster (who suggests that it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Furabijo), Nanami and Furabijo rehears their debut single “Shiawase Shaking Hands” (which sounds a lot like one of KR Gaim’s transformation sounds), a peppy song about friendship across barriers written specifically for this episode. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4BfHWTQG...8PFZoL1_n9bl0q https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gK71X...jpg&name=small After deciding that Furabijo is on the up and up, Nanami speaks with her as a friend. Furabijo reveals that she was kicked out of Space Ninja School for constantly getting zeroes (I’m sensing a Freudian excuse here). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gK73W...jpg&name=small After that, she was inducted into Jakanja because Tau Zant thought she had the perfect look to be the First Dark Spear (Now I’m interested in the backstories of the other Spears. Was Sargain discriminated against due to his small stature? Did Satarakura need an outlet for his bad jokes? These are the things I want to know). And to commemorate her redemption, Nanami takes her into Ninja Base, where she shares with Oboro the plans for a controller that will shut down Furabijennu, who will be fully recharged in two days (They set up this whole campaign in 12 days?). After another montage set to the song (I’m not posting the video again), we cut to the Bishoujo Girls 7 in bed together (Make your own interpretations about that. I prefer to think Nanami is too poor to afford a second bed). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gTk2X...jpg&name=small Furabijo is worried about Furabijennu showing up, so she leaves in the middle of the night to grab the completed remote and confront the recharged Furabijennu at Toei’s Edo set (because Arakawa was in a period where he tried to fit it into Sentai once a season. The only reason he didn’t in Go-Onger was because Shou Aikawa beat him to it by making it the setting for the movie), with Yosuke and Kouta watching. After a short fight, Furabijo attaches the remote to Furabijennu… who is reprogrammed to serve her and attacks the onlookers. Furabijo then states that she was merely acting nice in order to fool HurricaneBlue into helping her build the remote and in actuality, she cares about nothing other than suffering, which she demonstrates by tearing the campaign poster in half. Unfortunately for her, Nanami heard everything from Ninja Base and promptly shows up, dressed in a kimono, wielding a sword and a parasol with the Water Ninja crest on them (how did she make the sword brand so quickly? The parasol, she uses for the roll call, but the sword confuses me) and speaking like a Jidai Geki hero (uh, heroine), as her Enka song, “Shinobi Koi” plays in the background (and I’ll share the video again for your consideration). https://youtube.com/watch?v=PGDgd3Vw...P6rH1KjR2pWfJQ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gTk6W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gTk2W...jpg&name=small After Nanami swiftly deals with the Magerappas, she then transforms into HurricaneBlue, with the faceplate retracted (I can see why PR didn’t use much footage from this episode) and engages in a sword duel with Furabijennu, defeating her in one stroke (are the heroes getting stronger, or are the villains getting weaker? You decide). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gTk3X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7geePW...jpg&name=small After some begging, Furabijo gets Wendinu to send a Copy Giant, while the Hurricanegers wake Oboro up to send the Shinobi Machines (with both stock footage clips getting skipped). Oboro then sends Nanami the Shinobi Medal for Karakuri Ball 14: Pitatto Hitode, which Senpuujin uses to kill Furabijennu with the Kyukuku Ougi: Starlight Knee Drop. (Is it just me, or have the Karakuri Ball debuts gotten more anticlimactic since Shurikenger showed up?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7geeQW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7geeQX...jpg&name=small Back at the Centipede, Tau Zant deducts 300 points from Furabijo, much to everyone else’s (except Manmarva) glee. But Furabijo then tries to salvage this by stating she knows where the Hurricanegers’ base is. (Should’ve hit her with the Kuroko-bots before she left for the Centipede) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7geeRW...jpg&name=small They then hand Furabijo the missile system and she fires… on the Centipede (I can see why she flunked out of Space Ninja School). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ew7gl9NX...jpg&name=small Instead of showing us the aftermath of this, the episode ends with Nanami looking at the torn poster the next day, crying. Next time, a close to death Ikkou fights Yosuke and a trio of werewolf monsters appear. This and more on Scroll 31: Meteor Shower and Three Wolves. Final thoughts: I thought this was a fairly good episode about not fully trusting everyone and being cautious. Also, Furabijennu is incredibly cuter than she has any right to be (I think it’s the voice) and Nanami has taken the title of second most badass person in this show. (The first is Shurikenger) |
Quote:
Wait, I'm biased, you say? What do you mean I'm biased? https://i.imgur.com/BLH6xfJ.jpg |
Scroll 31: Meteor and Three Wolves
Well, here we are again. Another three part turning point that resolves an arc building up for 10 episodes. Will it live up to the “island battles” three-parter? Let’s find out. The episode opens with meteors headed towards Earth, as Tau Zant receives a vision of a face and a voice (the real big bad of this series? Let’s see). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFah4aX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFah4iX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Ikkou and Manmarva are in battle, a battle which ends with the latter’s victory and the former’s apparent death (man, they’re wasting no time this week). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFah4hW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFah4dX...jpg&name=small Thankfully, it turns out to be a nightmare Ikkou was having (and don’t let the bad exposure detract from how literally and figuratively dark this episode is). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFapQ0W...jpg&name=small Back at the Centipede, Manmarva notices the full moon in the sky and looks over a strange cocoon (if I learned anything from Lost Galaxy, it’s never ignore a strange cocoon). He once more mentions how “traitors will be punished” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFapRWW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFapRxX...jpg&name=small In the main room, Tau Zant gives Satarakura full permission to begin his plan. The latter complies, calling out his trump cards, the Ninja Wolves Fangarou (Make your own Garo joke, I know next to nothing about the franchise). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFapSOW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFauoIW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaup4X...jpg&name=small Satarakura explains that he saved these three from the forced extinction of their species (making me wonder who carried out this extinction) and created a special whistle that allows him to command them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFauoxX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Yosuke is called out to the middle of a quarry in the dead of night by Ikkou for one reason. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaupVW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaz1NX...jpg&name=small As Isshu wakes up to find himself alone, Ikkou defeats Yosuke with the Ikazuchi Style’s best move, the Kabuto Raigekiha. Yosuke brushes off Ikkou’s vague excuse of “there isn’t much time left” and leaves, asking why he isn’t teaching his brother this. A question that answers itself when Isshu shows up. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaz2BW...jpg&name=small As the two brothers leave, Shurikenger looks on (probably wondering what disguise he can take on to fix this problem). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaz2gW...jpg&name=small The next day, the three Fangarou appear in the city, devouring the shadows of the people. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFaz3DX...jpg&name=small Oboro and Hamster Headmaster notice this and call in the Hurricanegers, with Yosuke arriving late due to the lack of sleep he got. They soon find that the city is empty, with Shurikenger appearing overhead in Tenkuujin (that’s our mecha action for this episode). He leads the trio to the woods, where they find the people… who have now become feral (apparently, losing your shadow turns you feral. Good to know). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa4rdX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa4s7W...jpg&name=small The Fangarou then appear, have a brief fight with the Hurricanegers and Shurikenger, and then return to the city. The Hurricanegers and Shurikenger give chase, eventually joined by the Gouraigers (with Ikkou having talked Isshu into accepting his death), but all of them run foul of the Seven Spears, with Satarakura choosing to face Yosuke, Wendinu choosing to face Kouta, Nanami taking the choice away from Furabijo (apparently, she’s still annoyed about the last episode) and Sargain going to Shurikenger through a mixture of default, Manmarva already being assigned to deal with the Gouraigers and Sargain wanting to test Shurikenger’s mettle. (And it turns out that Wendinu can actually fight without using green screen. Who knew). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa4sWX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa4tXX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa_MPW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa_M_W...jpg&name=small Manmarva easily overpowers Isshu and then pursues Ikkou to Ikazuchi Village (I’ve no idea if there’s any connection to Ikazuchi Valley, but it looks just as desolate). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa_NoW...jpg&name=small Yosuke sees Isshu leaving and follows him, which leaves the others so outmatched they have to withdraw. After knocking Isshu down. Yosuke learns about the Scorpion Egg implanted in Ikkou’s heart. Yosuke refuses to allow Ikkou to die and follows him. At a news studio, a reporter comments on the mysterious disappearances, having missed the Wolves turning everyone savage. Really missing them, since one of them decided to make the studio its next target. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFa_OYW...jpg&name=small At Ikazuchi Village, Manmarva has defeated Ikkou and is prepared to watch the end of the show. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbETiX...jpg&name=small But then, Yosuke and Isshu appear, with the former taking up the fight. After he fails to defeat Manmarva with his own moves, Ikkou suggests he use the Kabuto Raigekiha, to which Yosuke kicks up some dust so he can comply. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbESsX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbEUKW...jpg&name=small But even defeating Manmarva soon proves hollow, as Ikkou’s baby hatches from its egg and gives daddy a hug. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbEU1W...jpg&name=small Manmarva then backs out of taking custody of the child. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbJ4LW...jpg&name=small As Yosuke begs Ikkou not to die, because he really wants to see him do the Kabuto Raigekiha, the meteors fall to Earth and Hamster Headmaster receives a call from Master Gozen as the episode ends on a cliffhanger. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbJ5RX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExFbJ57X...jpg&name=small Final thoughts: Like the last three parter, I’m reserving full judgement for the end of the story. For now, the episode did have some good, horrific imagery and there’s a nice display that there’s an air of hopelessness, especially since Yosuke was only able to beat Manmarva by borrowing a move from Ikkou. |
Scroll 32:The Grim Reaper and the Final Secret
Here we are again, with part two of this arc. Let’s find out what happens? Continuing from where last episode left off, Hamster Headmaster learns from Gozen that the meteor shower is a message from the Evil Will and that it’s the same one Ikki Kasumi saw on the Egypt soundstage back in episode 18 (like that wasn’t obvious). As Hamster Headmaster wonders if Jakanja are serving the Evil Will (again, it really should be obvious based on the name alone). Shurikenger is forced to leave Nanami and Kouta to deal with the Fangarou while he translates THIS prophecy (evidently, the “same darkness/same parents” prophecy is off the table). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMLgsW...jpg&name=small Luckily, the two find help when Yosuke and Isshu appear to fend off the Fangarou with them. But they realise something’s wrong when Ikkou isn’t with them (did they learn about the whole Scorpion thing offscreen?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMLgtW...jpg&name=small Satarakura appears and laughs at them over Ikkou’s death (what a dick), before stating the others will be joining him. At a hospital, Ikkou is looked over by a doctor who’s in on the whole “Ninja” thing. The Hurricanegers (and Isshu) escape the fight when they’re losing and visit Ikkou on his deathbed. As Yosuke walks by the doctor’s office, he overhears something useful. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMLgtW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMLgwX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMXxAW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMXxHW...jpg&name=small Unfortunately, Ikkou’s body is so weak that the antidote might kill him before it saves him. Yosuke thus rushes out to the middle of nowhere to demand Manmarva face him, which the latter does. The others quickly note his absence (and Hamster Headmaster realised that he overheard his talk with Doctor Nameless) and pursue him. As Yosuke gloats to Manmarva that putting a scorpion egg in him would take too long, Manmarva simply cuts out the middle man and sends a scorpion to poison him directly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMXw7X...jpg&name=small The others quickly appear to save him and Yosuke heads to the hospital, while they head to the city to face the Fangarou (what’ve they been doing for the last few in-universe hours?). Meanwhile, Shurikenger translates the prophecy. “When the human beasts roam the city, the gateway to the Final Secret will be unlocked” Shurikenger: The city? Not the forest? At the hospital, Yosuke enters, begging them to put the serum in him to make an antidote. Despite some hesitation from the doctor, the procedure is successful in creating an antidote that destroys the scorpion egg completely (what was in that antidote? Acid?). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMXxBX...jpg&name=small In the city, Nanami, Kouta and Isshu fight the Fangarou once more and figure out their weakness: they like to attack as a pack, like regular wolves. As they exploit this, Ikkou wakes up in the hospital, finding that Yosuke risked his life to save his, much to his lament. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMyjKW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMykUX...jpg&name=small Satarakura tries to get the Fangarou to change their fighting style, but it just makes them fight each other (the dogs of war, they are not). The three heroes take advantage of the chaos and hit the three wolves, causing them to dissolve into light. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMyj0W...jpg&name=small Satarakura vows that this is not over and leaves. In the forest, the affected people get up and leave. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQMyk6W...jpg&name=small The others return to the hospital to see Yosuke is now on his deathbed. As they plead for him to recover, he flatlines (as dramatic as this is, do you really expect it to stick?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQM7acX...jpg&name=small In the city, the affected people turn out to have become werewolves, who proceed to bite other people to make more werewolves. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQM7bNW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger realised that this is what the prophecy was referring to... and then he discovers that there’s more to the prophecy. As Wendinu notes that Satarakura’s plan to turn everyone into werewolves until Earth is corrupted is no fun without the Fangarou, Satarakura blows on his whistle, reassembling the light particles as the Giant Beast Fangerus, as the planet begins to be corrupted and the rest of the prophecy is revealed. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQM7bzW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQM7cdX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQNDlAW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQNDl3W...jpg&name=small At the hospital, Yosuke makes a full recovery… and he’s hungry. Ikkou on the other hand, is glad that he’s alive. (As much as I called it, this is a genuinely heartwarming moment. I’m not made of stone) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQNDmXW...jpg&name=small As Shurikenger observes Fangerus, he realises he should hurry up work on the secret weapon. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers return to the city, summoning their Shinobi Machines, which catches the attention of Jakanja, with Manmarva in particular reacting to a certain presence. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExQNDnNW...jpg&name=small The episode ends with Senpuujin and Gouraijin facing down Fangerus, ready to take it down. Next time, as the fight seems almost hopeless, Shurikenger reveals his hand. This and more on “Scroll 33: Mammoth and Six Ninjas”. Final thoughts: Again, I’m saving the full judgement for the end of the three-parter. But I am glad they didn’t just end the scorpion plotline with an anti-climax where they just wish the scorpion away. They had to work hard and almost suffer another tragedy to achieve this happy ending. |
Scroll 33: Mammoth and Six Ninjas
Here we are, at the conclusion to this arc. Unlike the last three-parter, Miyashita decided to entrust the conclusion to this third of the season (officially, the actual conclusion is next episode) to Maekawa. I can’t think why, but Maekawa’s been consistently my favourite writer on this show, so let’s see if he can deliver. The episode begins where the last one left off, with Ikkou rubbing his survival in Manmarva’s face. Yosuke then invites him out for ramen, an offer which he accepts. As Manmarva leaves in annoyance that he was tricked by HurricaneRed (so, KabutoRaiger’s survival was the fault of the guy who would’ve been responsible for his death. Irony right there), while Satarakura states that he can defeat the heroes with his wolves. As Fangerus overpowers both Senpuujin and Gouraijin, they combine into GouraiSenpuujin and blast it with the Rolling Thunder Hurricane. However, Fangerus survives the explosion unscathed. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfrlsBW...jpg&name=small As Satarakura rubs his victory in the heroes’ faces, the flute he uses to control the Fangarou breaks (Jesus, there’s stupidity and then there’s this). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfrlr-W...jpg&name=small With the flute destroyed, the Fangarou split back into three and depart to their own devices. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfrlr8W...jpg&name=small Shurikenger regroups with the 5 on the ground and explains the Evil Will’s prophecy, while Tau Zant explains the same thing to the Spears. Isshu summarises that the prophecy is entirely dependent on “those wolves” (to be fair, no-one’s actually named them in scenes featuring the heroes) and to prevent the Final Secret from appearing, they need to destroy them. But there’s nothing to help the heroes defeat them… except for an escape clause in the prophecy: if the conditions aren’t met quickly enough, then the Jakanja’s greatest enemy will appear. Nanami correctly surmises that the Jakanja’s greatest enemy is their ally, to which Shurikenger has a request in order to summon it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfrlsEW...jpg&name=small Despite Kouta pointing out they can’t Shinobi Change without their Medals, Yosuke convinces everyone to give them up. They then move on to rescuing people who haven’t become werewolves from the mob, during which Yosuke finds that his boss has become one (is that justice, or gross overcompensation? You decide) and ties her up (I bet he’s been wanting to do that for a while) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfr_oPW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfr_pAW...jpg&name=small In his chamber, Manmarva reasons that since KabutoRaiger’s death didn’t come true, then that means his death might not happen… and then more of the vision is revealed, showing that he’s going to die at KabutoRaiger’s hand (Death by irony right there). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfr_ppW...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Satarakura has fixed his flute, using it to call the Fangarou back to him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfr_qCX...jpg&name=small He then has them recombine into Fangerus, knocking Tenkuujin out of the sky. Fortunately, Shurikenger survives. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsJNRX...jpg&name=small He transforms into Fire Mode and runs off into the woods. Back in the city, the heroes see Fangerus approaching and decide to face it. Despite being warned that they can’t combine, they summon the Shinobi Machines to hold it off, leading to some of the most awesome shots in the show. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsJQMW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsJQGX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsJQNX...jpg&name=small As the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers hold off Fangerus with their individual moves, Shurikenger enters the cave where he and Gozen are working on their new Karakuri Mecha. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsVBKW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsVCLW...jpg&name=small He then inserts the six Shinobi Medals (including his own never-before seen one), opening the alcove to reveal the newest addition to the Hurricaneger arsenal, the Ninjamisen, which he inserts his Shuriken’s Bat into and begins playing (and despite the name, it sounds like a guitar). Elsewhere, the Sky Ninja, Water Ninja, Land Ninja, Horn Ninja, Fang Ninja and Heavenly Ninja insignias are printed onto a wheel as Karakuri Balls 01, 03, 02, 04, 11 and 12 are loaded. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsVC6W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsVDjX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfscaeW...jpg&name=small As the legendary heirs and the Kasumi Bros start to lose, Shurikenger appears in his regular mode, playing the Ninjamisen to summon the new Karakuri Mecha, Revolver Mammoth, which causes Tau Zant to realise they’re too late. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfscbbW...jpg&name=small https://youtube.com/watch?v=2jQODyijK2Q The buildings retract into the ground, providing the Mammoth with a pathway (man, how much blasting and construction does that entail? And how many people are in on this to avoid problems?) and attacks Fangerus. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsccIW...jpg&name=small Oboro then checks their ancient records, finding Revolver Mammoth is indeed in there. Hamster Headmaster recognises this as the work of Master Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfscc5X...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then finishes his epic rock solo and restores everyone’s Shinobi Medals to them, allowing them to Shinobi Change and combine into GouraiSenpuujin again. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfskDdW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then has Revolver Mammoth deploy Karakuri Balls 01, 02 and 03, allowing GouraiSenpuujin to dual wield the Sword Slasher and the Goat Hammer (it would’ve been cooler if it was wielding the Sword Slasher and the Plant Axe, but whatever). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfskEqW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfskFNW...jpg&name=small After doing some damage to Fangerus through this, GouraiSenpuujin then combines with Revolver Mammoth to form Revolver GouraiSenpuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfskF9X...jpg&name=small They then load all the Karakuri Balls (even ones they don’t actually have) and send them rolling at Fangerus as they perform the Hissatsu Kyukyuku Ougi: Thunder Hurricane Strike, which involves firing lasers at the enemy after the ball attack. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfsttdX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfstuJW...jpg&name=small As Fangerus is defeated, the werewolves turn back into humans and Satarakura gets failed. Manmarva: So not even Fangerus could defeat KabutoRaiger. Back in the city, we get a comedic scene where Yosuke tries to con a raise out of his boss in exchange for untying her… during which Isshu notices Ikkou is missing. Turns out he’s facing Manmarva at the beach at sunset, with the two engaged in a sword duel, which ends quickly with Ikkou slashing Manmarva twice with the Kabuto Raigekiha (nicely bookending this trilogy, I might add). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfstu4W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExfstvuW...jpg&name=small Manmarva: The prophecy came true after all. But… And then he explodes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exfs0waX...jpg&name=small The episode, and this arc, ends with Ikkou joining the others in eating ramen at a stand. Next time: Wendinu takes over the episode and a school. This and more on Scroll 34: Mushroom and 100 Points. Final thoughts: This three-parter, throughout its run, hasn’t disappointed me. A lot of the arcs got some satisfying conclusions. Even Manmarva’s low key death fits his character more than a big spectacular death in the limelight would have. He’s not a major threat to everyone, just Ikkou. So it’s fitting that Ikkou takes him down alone. |
Scroll 34: Mushrooms and 100 Points
This episode is Maekawa’s second episode in a row (he can finally join the club that Miyashita, Sakai and Arakawa are in with this show). Aside from that, I regret to say that from next week, there may be some delay to me posting reviews (after episode 37, if you’re wondering), because I’m moving house. But the thread will remain open during the hiatus for anyone who wants to drop in and share their thoughts. That said, on with the review. We begin where last episode left off, with the Jakanja witnessing Ikkou’s defeat of Manmarva. While Tau Zant decides to punish Satarakura (even though, as he points out, Satarakura had nothing to do with Manmarva’s death). Wendinu on the other hand, is absolutely furious and vows revenge. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGvbZW...jpg&name=small Wendinu: Sargain, the puppet, if you please. Sargain (literally scared naked): Yes, ma’am. At Ninja Base, Oboro wonders how Shurikenger built Revolver Mammoth, while Hamster Headmaster wonders how long he can keep Master Gozen a secret from the others. Back with the heroes, Yosuke light-heartedly calls out Ikkou for defeating Manmarva on his own. But the others are too upset, counting down how many they’ve got left to kill. Nanami: We’ve only got 4 more Spears left to defeat. Isshu: Five. Remember, there are SEVEN Spears, including one who hasn’t shown up yet. Ikkou: And Tau Zant. Kouta: But it won’t be easy, especially since we’ve killed two of Jakanja’s commanders. They’ll be on alert. The next day, Wendinu has taken over a cram school, along with the latest puppet, Brainwashing Ninja Jukinoko (Who I will nickname Motorboard Mushroom, or MM for short) and discusses the plan to brainwash the children. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGvbZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGvcAW...jpg&name=small Wendinu then goes around various places, adopting a variety of disguises in order to persuade parents to send their children to the “Wendy Cram School” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGvf7W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGwSVX...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Sargain is embarrassed, but reluctant to actually take over the plan. Satarakura tries to start his own plan, only to be told he’s been grounded. When he tries to force the issue, Furabijo gags him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGwRRW...jpg&name=small Wendinu’s Sishi-Henge spree takes her to a supermarket, where she ends up attracting the attention of real cashier Hashimoto (played by Yoshihiro Masujima, better known as Naoki Dumon/Blue Race in Gekisou Sentai Carranger). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGwTQW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGwZmX...jpg&name=small She tries to recruit him to work at her school, only for him to be scared by a monster… at which point MM appears, offering to take over the job of handing out fliers. Predictably, this just causes panic and Wendinu beats him up for it. The Hurricanegers then show up to see this, with Yosuke and Kouta thinking that the pretty woman who beat up the monster is a friend of Shurikenger (come on, really?). It takes Nanami (who I remind you, has probably seen one of the Jakanja naked) to point out that it’s Wendinu, at which point the two make their exit… but not without picking up fliers for the cram school. The next day, as the students March into the cram school, Hashimoto shows up (wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, for some reason) and takes over the reception area, where Wendinu was getting a massage. MM then zaps the children with his spores (which the sun informs me are “not photons”. Good to know), making them susceptible to brainwashing. As the Hurricanegers sneak into the school, they overhear a physics lesson involving magnifying glasses (which have the Jakanja logo on them. Hooray for corporate branding). Since the classroom doors are electrified (but not to lethal levels, apparently), Hashimoto shows them a way into the Japanese class through the boiler room. In the class, Wendinu is teaching the kids theat the Hurricanegers are the enemies of the people, the Gouraigers are the messengers of the devil (which isn’t too far off from how they were introduced) and that Shurikenger is the origin of all evil (At least she doesn’t use doctored footage like that one episode of Sun Vulcan). The Hurricanegers break into the classroom and Shinobi Change, but Wendinu deploys the kids to strangle them. (But only Nanami appears to be in any actual danger from this). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxCDX...jpg&name=small Just when all hope seems lost… Hashimoto (making a finger pistol motion): Hold up. Wendinu wonders what he’s doing… until he pulls out the Shuriken Ball (and if you’re not convinced he’s Blue Racer, he does the Carranger/Turbo pose) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxC7X...jpg&name=small Shurikenger reveals that he knocked out the real Hashimoto and took his place to investigate, which makes Wendinu mad (again). Elsewhere, the cram school physics class attack the Kasumi Bros with their magnifying glasses, which have lasers built in (I have to wonder if anyone actually invented something like this in real life). They reunite with the other heroes and Shinobi Change into the Gouraigers, but he kids manage to overwhelm the 6… until they do the spare costume trick. After which a combination of KabutoRaiger’s Raigeki-zan, Shurikenger using the Ninjamisen as a gun (yes, it can do that as well as summon a giant robot mammoth) and the Hurricanegers using the Sonic Gadget defeats MM. This makes Wendinu so mad she freakishly deforms (seriously, what the hell)?) before returning to her normal appearance… as a giant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxEoW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxK3W...jpg&name=small Tau Zant explains that his is what happens when Wendinu gets too stressed and that the last time she did this, she destroyed a whole planet (in the midst of this, Satarakura tries to mime his scheme, only for Furabijo to borrow a move from Shurikenger). Sure enough, Giant!Wendinu manages to hand both Senpuujin and Gouraijin their asses, before proceeding to corrupt the Earth… which gets interrupted when she sees Hashimoto, causing her to shrink back to normal. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxwEW...jpg&name=small After Hashimoto runs away in fear, calling Wendinu a monster (which causes me to wonder what was the joke the last time he did this), she looks in the mirror and reveals she’s vain… and, you know, summons a Copy Giant to grow MM. MM proceeds to hand GouraiSenpuujin its ass, but loses when Shurikenger allows them to become Revolver GouraiSenpuujin. As Furabijo fails Wendinu and Sargain laments the waste of a perfectly good puppet, Tau Zant says something ominous. Tau Zant: Don’t you think now is the time… Manmarva? In Manmarva’s chamber, the cocoon he prepared earlier hatches to reveal an exact copy of Floaty-Head, as the episode ends. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxwoX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExpGxylX...jpg&name=small Next time: Ninja shamisen lessons! This and more on Scroll 35: Sparkle and Shamisen. Final thoughts: This was a pretty average episode. Nothing really bad, but nothing really good either. |
An announcement
Post haste, I will be discontinuing the thread Reality has intruded upon my time to work on it I am very sad to do this Life gets in the way Furthermore, all photos I Originally took for later episodes will be put up to Observe on my Instagram feed. I will put up a Link very Soon. |
Quote:
Well played. |
Yes, that last post was an April fools joke. I have no intention of ending this thread until I have watched both every episode of the show and every bit of post show official media in which one of the show’s characters has a prominent role (Abaranger vs Hurricaneger, Boukenger vs Super Sentai, Gokaiger episodes 25 and 26, Akibaranger Season Tsuu episode 7, Hurricaneger 10 Years After, Ninninger episodes 7 and 43 and Hero Mama League. If you think this is long, you should see the list you’d be stuck with in a similarly dedicated Dekaranger watch thread). For now, let’s move on to the one episode who’s monster was never adapted into Power Rangers (all the other ones at least managed a cameo).
Scroll 35: Sparkle and Shamisen Instead of the usual opening credits, we open with Shurikenger training the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers to use the Ninjamisen (well, after a shot of Revolver Mammoth) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IlZOW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IlZJW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IlaFX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IlhgW...jpg&name=small After Ikkou is unable to lift the ball higher than few feet, Shurikenger hands the Ninjamisen over to the Hurricanegers to try (Apparently, Isshu doesn’t even get a turn). Now, we cue the titles. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ImRWX...jpg&name=small After the OP, the copy of Floaty-Head has a prophecy showing a cosmic event. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ImSiW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ImQvW...jpg&name=small He then raps himself in a cocoon, in (what I’m sure is) reused footage from when the original did this (he even has the same dialogue once he’s fully rapped up) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ImZ0X...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, all three Hurricanegers try the Ninjamisen (which only brings up my earlier Isshu, er issue) and fail to even move the ball (but at least their playing sounds like a Shamisen. Looking at you Shurikenger and your rock solos). Before Shurikenger can fully berate them, he receives a call on the phone in his Shuriken Zubatto (just what can that thing NOT do?) Shurikenger: Hello. What? The Evil Will? Are you sure, Master Gozen? Before he can explain who he’s talking to, he leaves, telling them to keep practising (giving no actual practical advice, I might add). At the Centipede, Tau Zant discusses the Evil Will’s latest message (that thing wastes no time) using his 4 heads (sadly, they all speak with the same voice and personality, so this is just to be visually interesting). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1InHwX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1InI5X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IneVW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1InfzW...jpg&name=small Sargain then enters the room, offering a new plan, involving his newest puppet, Gliding Ninja Musasabitaru (which I do have a nickname for, you’ll have to wait a paragraph). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IoGhW...jpg&name=small As Satarakura mocks it, Sargain leaps out of his own body and into the puppet’s (thus, I shall dub this “Squirrelgain”) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IoHwW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IoJBW...jpg&name=small Squirrelgain stated that he’s controlling this one so the operation won’t be an utter disaster like the last one (and Furabijo gets a laugh out of the sick burn directed at Wendinu). Tau Zant is intrigued enough to let him try this plan. Soon enough, Squirrelgain glides over the city, dropping down jewels, which trap anyone who picks them up, before returning to sender. All of this is witnessed by this guy (played by Yuji Kishi, better known as Kyosuke Jinnai/Red Racer in Gekisou Sentai Carranger. He’s also a voice actor and provided the voice for Chubozoo in the vs movie with Gaoranger, in addition to dubbing over his second PR counterpart TJ). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IoPFW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers are alerted to the attack and fly in on their Hurricane Wingers… which Squirrelgain promptly shoots down. When they try to fight him, Squirrelgain quickly gains the upper hand. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1Io3CW...jpg&name=small When the Gouraigers show up, they for, the Victory Gadget… which fails to do anything (In all honesty, they seem to have more luck when they solo/pair kill a monster lately). Shurikenger shows up and suggests they use the Ninjamisen. Yosuke uses it… in gun mode, which is not what Shurikenger meant at all. So Ikkou plugs in the Ikazuchimaru and attacks him with a low frequency sound attack, which causes some damage. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1Io4jX...jpg&name=small However, Shurikenger chooses to criticise him for this, which gives Squirrelgain an opening he happily takes. This forces the 6 to withdraw, much to the pleasure of the rest of Jakanja, with Tau Zant advocating that Sargain hurry up and corrupt the Earth. Back with the heroes, Shurikenger reveals that Squirrelgain’s weakness is supersonic waves (quick, call Voicelugger), which can be generated with the Ninjamisen. But then the Hurricanegers speak up to say they’re sick of Shurikenger treating them as his whipping boys and not actually telling them anything about himself(as much as I like Shurikenger, this was long overdue). The state that they’ll defeat Squirrelgain without his help. And even the Kasumi Bros admit that Shurikenger focuses too much on the results rather than the actual method of getting there. It’s then we see that the guy from earlier has been watching them and he’s a Shamisen player himself… which gives Shurikenger an idea. Elsewhere, as Hamster Headmaster tries begging Master Gozen for another chance, it turns out the Hurricanegers have no idea how to beat Squirrelgain… until they see our guest character, who they recognise as the “Charisma Shamisen Player” Kazuma Namikawa. They decide that he’d be a much better teacher than Shurikenger and get him to agree to teach them… once they’ve worked out a payment plan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IpAsX...jpg&name=small As Kazuma tells them to focus more on heart than technique, the Kasumi Bros show up, also deciding to take the lessons https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IpA3X...jpg&name=small Kazuma tells them to keep playing until they reach a state of zen and are able to grasp the “Nagare Basho” (Running Water Bomb. Hmm, that sounds a lot like a Ninpo technique). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IpwEW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IpwxX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Squirrelgain tests his powerful laser, powered by the people he captured. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IpyTW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1Ip5tW...jpg&name=small Hearing of the trouble, the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers abandon the lesson, stating they’ve found their resolve. Pleased by this, Kazuma hands them the Ninjamisen (as the episode itself states, don’t ask where he got it). Thus they run to the scene, Shinobi changing and facin down Squirrelgain with the Ninjamisen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IqpzX...jpg&name=small Yosuke inserts his Hayatemaru and goes first in attacking. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IqxJW...jpg&name=small Nanami goes next. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IqovW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IqsKW...jpg&name=small Then Kouta. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IraBW...jpg&name=small Ikkou then inserts his Ikazuchimaru to take over the chain. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1Iri5W...jpg&name=small And finally, Isshu gets his turn. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IrbFX...jpg&name=small Kazuma then appears and pulls out the Shuriken Ball (and if you’re not convinced he’s Red Racer, he does the Carranger/Turbo pose, just like the last guy). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IrcOW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then takes up the Ninjamisen and inserts his Shuriken Zubatto, performing the final part of the Nagare Basho: Shuriken Sonic. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IsP3X...jpg&name=small This successfully destroys Squirrelgain and sends Sargain flying clear of the blast (strange. Normally a bad guy turning into a monster of the week means they’re going to die). Shurikenger apologises for his earlier lack of tact and Wendinu grows the Squrrel body, with Sargain returning to his old one to control it remotely. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IsQ3W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IsR8W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IsXcW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger hands Yosuke the Ninjamisen, confident he can use it to call Revolver Mammoth. Despite Yosuke playing it differently to Shurikenger (again, his playing sounds more like a Shamisen), he successfully manoeuvres Revovler Mammoth to take down the Squirrel robot, before they form Revolver GouraiSenpuujin to destroy it for good. Back at the Centipede, a copy of Manmarva (who I will dub “Clonemarva) emerges from the cocoon, reeling from the power he has now, ending the episode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ItGfW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ItHvW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ItIlW...jpg&name=small In our next instalment, “Scroll 36: Ring and Revenge”, Clonemarva goes full force against the heroes. And in addition to the pre-title scene, we now get an extended next time trailer, with no dialogue beyond one line at the end, set to an instrumental of the main theme. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1ItLsW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1It5mW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1It6eW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1It7lW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1It9wW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex1IvSyX...jpg&name=small Final thoughts: as said, I like that Shurikenger was actually called out for his aloof ally schtick, rather than being allowed to carry it on throughout the show. And it’s cool that the Ninjamisen does more than control the final upgrade Mecha. As for Manmarva’s clone… you’ll hear my thoughts on that next time. |
Scroll 36: Rings and Revenge
This is another Arakawa episode, so I’m just going to cut the filler and just get to the main event quickly. We begin with the Hurricanegers running through a quarry, which is beset with mines and spear traps (so, a regular training exercise), all of them carrying a blank shinobi medal on their chests. They get pursued by the Gouraigers, who manage to take the medals from them using the BariThunders. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3VzIW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3VzLX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3VzMW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3VzVX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3fPxX...jpg&name=small After the credits, Kouta points out the Hurricanegers have lost this exercise 19 times (how about we try again and make it an even 20?). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3fRYW...jpg&name=small Then Yosuke and Nanami point out that there MIGHT be a bit of a power difference. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3fQbX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3fRBX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3nuYW...jpg&name=small As Kouta tries to stop the two Red and Blue duos from devolving into a real fight, Yosuke and Nanami decide to hop on the BariThunders and try them out… and it turns out that there’s a difference between hopping on a bike and knowing how to use the bike (Kamen Rider’s been lying to you this whole time. Sorry kids). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3nu5X...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Satarakura is waiting on his latest Ninja Commander’s arrival through the mail (no, really. Satarakura is just that crazy). As Sargain mocks him for not using express delivery, someone comes in… but it’s Clonemarva. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3nvdW...jpg&name=small As Satarakura hides from “Manmarva’s ghost” (that’s a surprisingly apt description), Clonemarva explains how he came to be. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3nwZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3xKzX...jpg&name=small Furabijo is confused, but Wendinu explains it to her succinctly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3xLqW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3xMPX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant insists that Clonemarva is much stronger than the original (I’ll believe that when I see it), and Clonemarva reveals his latest prophecy (I have to wonder how much of this he made up). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD3xM2W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD35bWW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD35cRX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, the three Hayate students comment on Ikkou’s latest career. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD35cwX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD35dUW...jpg&name=small It also turns out that the mothers are literally fighting each other for Isshu’s sweat (that’s not an exaggeration. That actually happens). So, The Hurricanegers decide to ask for help from the wisest person they know. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4AiXW...jpg&name=small But Hamster Headmaster tells them to not disturb her, since she’s working on something. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4AjSW...jpg&name=small It turns out she has a hot date to work on this with. As they wonder who it could be, he announces himself with “Hi, my honey.” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4Aj3W...jpg&name=small As everyone is shocked by this (yes, even Hamster Headmaster), they get even more shocked by what happens next. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4AkcW...jpg&name=small As everyone is even more shocked, Nanami tears into “Ikkou” for being a flirt, he tells them they don’t understand, before he puts the bouquet back in front of his face and pulls it off. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4K9OX...jpg&name=small As Yosuke asks why Shurikenger disguised himself as Ikkou, Oboro explains it was to make his entrance interesting, on her request (that seems an incredibly trivial use of Shurikenger’s powers). Elsewhere, Ikkou and Isshu help an old lady pick up her suitcase filled with excessive apples, while Clonemarva walks through a tunnel, carrying a set of large rings in his hand. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4K-DW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4K-wW...jpg&name=small The Kasumi Bros then help a little girl recover her kite (I think they’re going a little overboard in showing their good sides). They quickly hear her scream and run back to her, finding a ring around her neck. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4K_cW...jpg&name=small Ikkou and Isshu attempt to remove the ring, but it turns out to be electrocuted. They then hear another steam and find the old woman also has a ring on her neck. Noticing a pattern, they run back to the kendo school… where all the kids are being loaded into ambulances. Isshu then notices the rings look like Manmarva’s face (eh, not really if you ask me). At the Centipede, Furabijo wonders why Clonemarva is bothering with this torture of innocents (that’s a very good question), to which Furabijo and Sargain explain is him punishing the Gouraigers for not living in the shadows (I’m not convinced. I doubt Manmarva would’ve resorted to this kind of assholery before he was cloned). Elsewhere, we get a glimpse of Shurikenger and Oboro’s project. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4U4XW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4U2AW...jpg&name=small As they wonder where the Hurricanegers have gone, we see the trio are working on their moves down by the riverbank. Then Clonemarva appears and collars all of them, knocking them out with an electric shock. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4U3EX...jpg&name=small As all of Clonemarva’s victims are rushed to the hospital, he confronts the Kasumi Bros, informing them that all who have the ring around their necks will die when the eyes open (Again, I’m not convinced the original Manmarva would’ve resorted to this kind of sadism) and to meet him at the abandoned Onibi New Town. As Ikkou and Isshu overlook everyone in the hospital, they head out, while Clonemarva has overwhelming visions of destruction. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4U30W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4oUsW...jpg&name=small He informs Tau Zant that once he’s defeated the Gouraigers, he will be able to see what “that” looks like (Wait, they didn’t even know what they were looking for? No wonder they haven’t found it). Tau Zant then reveals Jakanja’s plan: to dominate the universe using “that” (rather dull, if you ask me). The Gouraigers meet with Clonemarva at an abandoned warehouse and engage in a prolonged duel using their respective bikes, for which Manmarva’s Honoo Kiba has the advantage throughout. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4oVqW...jpg&name=small In the hospital, Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta wake up, tear off their apparently needless bandages (making me wonder why they put them on) and running to the scene, in spite of the eyes beginning to open. Elsewhere, Clonemarva has defeated the Gouraigers. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4oWUW...jpg&name=small Before he can finish them off though, a meteor shower happens (a lot of those in this series), to which he turns his attention. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD4oW-W...jpg&name=small He absorbs the information in the meteors… which turns out to be too much for him (and the Jakanja once more voice my thoughts for me). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD44wSW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD44xZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD44yBW...jpg&name=small Clonemarva then mutates into a gigantic monstrosity (who I will heretofore refer to as “Clonemonstrous”) with none of his intelligence or personality intact. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD44y7W...jpg&name=small Tenkuujin tries to stop Clonemonstrous, but gets easily defeated. The beast then begins to suck Ikkou and Isshu in, succeeding just as the Hurricanegers Shinobi Change on the scene. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD5DSOX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD5DTaW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD5DUKX...jpg&name=small The episode ends with the Hurricanegers facing down Clonemonstrous. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyD5DVIW...jpg&name=small Next time: the Hurricanegers must learn to use the BariThunders to rescue the Gouraigers (why? Don’t they have hang gliders?), but Jakanja won’t make it easy for them. This and more on “Scroll 37: Third Spear and Great Escape.” And our next time line? All: TenraiSenpuujin, on stage! Final thoughts: Yeah, I wasn’t too keen on this episode. In addition to going overboard with the Kasumi Bros doing good deeds, I also didn’t like the fact they brought back Manmarva after his perfectly good death and turned him into a monster that barely resembles him purely so he can have an “epic” death. It annoyed me with Messiah and Escape in Go-Busters and it annoys me here. |
Scroll 37: The Third Spear and the Great Escape
Look, what can I say at this point: It’s an Arakawa episode. It’s his last one as well, which is the best news I’ve had this week. After a recap of last time, Shurikenger tries hitting Clonemonstrous with the Spin Bee… which fails. The Hurricanegers then summon Senpuujin to help out, which doesn’t help much. They then try forming TenkuuSenpuujin and summoning Revolver Mammoth, but Clonemonstrous is simply too powerful, knocking both down and opening the eyes on the rings more. Fortunately for them, he then goes to sleep. Tau Zant theorises that this is a result of the mutation bought on by the energy of the meteors and states that Clonemonstrous won’t be returning to normal (How did he think that would make me feel?), but he is going to be using a spell to dissect his brain for information. The next day, while Shurikenger and Oboro begin work on “that flying object” (which is starting to look familiar to those who’ve seen the movie), while the Hurricanegers forego bed rest in favour of learning to use the BariThunders. But they only have four hours before Clonemonstrous digests the Gouraigers successfully. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuI9xX...jpg&name=small Nanami and Kouta (Yosuke’s broken his arm) practice to clear the three car gap needed to enter Clonemonstrous’s mouth from a skyscraper (they aren’t practising from a skyscraper, that’s what they’re going to be jumping from). Not helping matters is that Clonemonstrous stirs long enough to open the eyes on their rings slightly more and destroy a few buildings with his breath (how has he not destroyed the city yet?). As Clonemonstrous wakes up fully, Yosuke pilots Senpuujin to hold him off. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuI9tW...jpg&name=small With Senpuujin holding Clonemonstrous in place, Kouta and Nanami make the jump (And now I remember to ask: why are they doing this with the BariThunders? They have hang gliders, which would surely be much more useful in this situation). Despite interference by Wendinu and Furabijo, the two succeed and enter the mouth of madness (literally) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuI9qW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuI9uW...jpg&name=small Once inside, they surmise that the mouth is a separate dimension created by Clonemarva to torment the Gouraigers (somehow). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuPP0W...jpg&name=small They find the Gouraigers and pull them out, driving them to safety. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuPQdW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuPQtW...jpg&name=small Once they’re safe, Nanami and Kouta join Yosuke in Senpuujin, while Ikkou and Isshu form Gouraijin. Then Tenkuujin appears as Oboro sends all three Mecha a Shinobi Medal, which they use. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuPRLW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger deploys Karakuri Ball 15: TriTsuno, Yosuke deploys Karakuri Ball 16: TriKanmuri and Ikkou gets 17: TriTsume. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuWhiW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuWiNW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuWimW...jpg&name=small The three Balls combine to form Tri-Condor, which Shurikenger identifies as coming from space (they could’ve come up with a better way to reference the movie than that). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuWjOW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNuck2X...jpg&name=small And since the rest of the fight isn’t that original, I’m just going to quote from my review of the movie, with the pictures changed. Quote:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNucnYX...jpg&name=small Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
As Furabijo and Wendinu mourn, Tau Zant has taken what he wants from Clonemonstrous’s brain (mostly images of destruction). The rings then dissolve from all their victims and we get one last scene, but who cares about that because ARAKAWA’S TIME ON THIS SHOW IS OVER!!!!! A full summary of what I thought of his episodes will be included here. Next time: Isshu picks up his father’s katana, but Ikkou doesn’t want him to have it. This and more on Scroll 38: Demon Sword and Balloons. And our next time line: Isshu: Father!! Final thoughts: No, just no. Final thoughts on Arakawa: In all honesty, he’s definitely he worst writer on his shows. He never fully gets any of the characters he writes for and practically makes up traits for them that are never seen outside of his episodes. Plus he seems to believe this show is operating on straight black and white morality, when the rest of the writing staff go to great lengths to show that it isn’t (the heroes have their own less than ideal quirks, while the villains do have some noble qualities). His best episode was probably episode 30 (and I’m not just saying that to please dreamcastergirl. I legitimately thought it was the closest he came to understanding the world of Hurricaneger). Well, as we leave this post behind, I’ll conclude it with this reply I got after Arakawa’s first episode, to motivate me to go on. Quote:
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Scroll 38: Demon Sword and Balloons
Well, it turns out my big move has been pushed back to next week. I shouldn’t be affected adversely, since not only am I likely to be staying somewhere I can easily set up a connection, but when I do move in, the previous owner is going to leave her network service there until we’re all set up. But enough about my personal life. This is the second episode by Shin Yoshida, and I kind of know the plot already thanks to this fanfiction (which, incidentally, is the oldest surviving Super Sentai/Power Rangers crossover story on FF.net [though not the first to be created, if the author’s notes are any indication]) referencing events from it. Though I am still looking forward to what happens and do recommend you read that fanfic. With that, on with the review. This episode opens with Sargain and the girls mourning Manmarva (that was four episodes ago, get over it) and noting he won’t be coming back, since he didn’t make a clone (can you imagine if he did? That would be a disastrous plot). Satarakura on the other hand, has skipped all 5 stages of grief for the one guy who was remotely supportive of him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNu4z_W...jpg&name=small He then reveals the package he was waiting for has arrived, opening it to have his latest Ninja Commander come out (don’t ask how he fit in there). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNu4zsX...jpg&name=small The delivery, Balloon Ninja Gomi-Biron (who I will just call “Driftloon” to prevent auto correct going crazy) reveals why he chose to defy physics with his entrance. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNu40JX...jpg&name=small Satarakura announces that his latest plan is going to succeed, ignoring Tau Zant saying “Soon, it will all be over”. (Gee, that probably won’t be important later). After the opening credits, we cut to Shurikenger consulting his old enemy from episode 22: maintenance. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNu40eW...jpg&name=small He notes that Yosuke took a lot of damage in that last battle (even though he only wears a sling in one scene of this episode) and that TenraiSenpuujin is too powerful. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvAGKW...jpg&name=small And, as if Yoshida had the same reaction to Arakawa’s script as I did, the Shinobi Medals for Tri-Condor have shattered and won’t be able to be repaired for a while (I love that the show runners introduced a powerful combination that’s immediately taken away the next episode. It’d be like Kanzaki giving Ryuki his Survive card and then immediately confiscating it since he refuses to “tatakae”). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvAGtW...jpg&name=small Oboro then notes that both Senpuujin and Gouraijin were heavily damaged, so she has to begin maintenance on them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvAHOW...jpg&name=small Isshu seems peeved that she’s removing the Ikazuchi parts, and even more peeved that Ikkou is okay with it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvAHuX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvHiVW...jpg&name=small Isshu then turns annoyed, since he realised that only HIS parts are being removed. And then Oboro makes a suggestion. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvHi5W...jpg&name=small This… this is what sends Isshu into “murder” mode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvHjaX...jpg&name=small After Kouta and Nanami intervene to prevent a bloodbath, we cut to Isshu in the ruins of Ikazuchi Valley, pondering the future. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvHjzX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvOFyW...jpg&name=small Thunder then strikes a nearby rock, revealing something interesting. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvOGsW...jpg&name=small He investigates the cave, finding a series of statues. When Isshu touches one of them, the top half falls off, perfectly cut. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvOHHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvOHkX...jpg&name=small He then sees something interesting in the cave. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwb1gX...jpg&name=small After a flashback to his abusive childhood (remember that? It was the crux of the show’s first third), he recognises it as his father’s katana, the Kiraimaru (Demon Thunder Sword) and begins training with it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwbzHX...jpg&name=small In the city, Satarakura and Driftloon go around feeding people rice balls (I guess all the good plans have been done). The Hurricanegers and Ikkou show up, but find themselves being pelted by Driftloon’s Uchuu Ninpo: Fuusen Bakudan. When Isshu finally shows up, Yosuke calls for them to form the Victory Gadget… but Isshu refuses to contribute. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwbz0W...jpg&name=small He states he doesn’t need the Hayate Style anymore. All he needs is the Ikazuchi Style(He’s basically become a less angsty version of Yaguruma from Kabuto). He then pulls out the Kiraimaru, much to the shock of both Ikkou and Satarakura. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwb0nX...jpg&name=small After delivering a few powerful slashes to Driftloon, he and Satarakura withdraw. Isshu then asks Ikkou to ditch the Hayate students and help him rebuild the Ikazuchi Style… and doesn’t get the answer he expects. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvhKrX...jpg&name=small But, this doesn’t deter Isshu in the slightest and he leaves. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvhKwW...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, Hamster Headmaster and Oboro surmise that Isshu is doing this because he hasn’t got over the mental scarring his father gave him. Back at the cave, Isshu begins training and gets introduced to his ghostly opponent… Ikki Kasumi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvhKrX...jpg&name=small They fight, and Thundad (a nickname I’ve wanted to use for a while, but never had a reason to use) has the advantage. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvhKsW...jpg&name=small But Isshu prevails and destroys the cave with the Ikazuchi-Ryu Ougi: Kirai Bakugekiha. Elsewhere, Ikkou does some research and is horrified by what he sees. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvk_3W...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Wendinu tries to punish Driftloon for his apparent laziness by grabbing his skin… only to find that it doesn’t work, since his skin is made of rubber. Satarakura says that while he could defeat the Gouraigers through insulation alone, he chose to have some fun after seeing the katana KuwagaRaiger had, which is in a book of evil space weapons (as opposed to, evil Earth weapons?). Back in the city, Driftloon makes all the people he force fed yesterday turn into balloons and float into the sky. He then explains his plan to nobody in particular. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvlA4W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvlBdW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers and Shurikenger show up to battle, but everything they hit him with gets deflected back at them. Soon, Ikkou and Isshu arrive separately, with the latter using his new attack, which hits… the other Earth Ninjas. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvlCLW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvrVjW...jpg&name=small Satarakura then shows up to explain why. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvrW5X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvrVkW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvrWNX...jpg&name=small Isshu is understandably upset by this awful truth. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvzXxX...jpg&name=small Driftloon then takes advantage of this chaos to force feed the Hurricanegers, KabutoRaiger and Shurikenger his rice balls (through their helmets, no less), causing them to inflate. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvzZAX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvzaCX...jpg&name=small After Satarakura shoots them down with a blowpipe, he and Driftloon leave to move onto phase two of the plan. Isshu then explains why he wants to use the Kiraimaru to make things right. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNvzayW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNv5ohX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNv5p6W...jpg&name=small Despite Ikkou’s misgivings, the Hurricanegers overlook the pain Isshu put them through and support him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNv5qzX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNv5ryW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwCvPX...jpg&name=small Isshu head to the coast, where he faces Driftloon. Driftloon gives himself a bad start when he beats up Isshu in the same way Ikki Kasumi always did. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwCwXW...jpg&name=small As Isshu is reinvigorated, Driftloon proceeds to bombard him with his Fuusen Bakudan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwCxLW...jpg&name=small Isshu eventually gets an idea from Driftloon’s boasts and breaks the Kiraimaru in two, plunging one half into his opponent. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwCyEW...jpg&name=small Then he performs the Kirai Bakugekiha and since the Kiraimaru’s “friend” (its other half) is inside Driftloon, it destroys him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwIu9W...jpg&name=small As Isshu apologises to everyone, Driftloon gets revived as a giant. As the two Karakuri Giants appear, Nanami suggests to Isshu that they combine and Oboro apologises for her earlier cracks, saying that Isshu’s parts are absolutely essential (she has put them back, right?). But even GouraiSenpuujin isn’t enough, as Driftloon traps it using… well, balloons. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwIwOW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then frees them using Revovler Mammoth and reminds us that even with Tri-Condor in the shop, they still have a way to combine the three schools into one. And thus, Driftloon is put down for good by Revolver GouraiSenpuujin. As Satarakura fumes, he realises something unnerving is happening. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwIxKW...jpg&name=small Tau Zant then explains his cryptic foreshadowing from earlier, shocking everyone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwIyBX...jpg&name=small The episode then ends with Isshu thanking the others (basically saying he’s learned his lesson without actually saying he’s learned his lesson). Next time: a shark man beats up everyone (even the Jakanja), the Hurricanegers stalk a dude in a trench coat and Shurikenger kneels before someone behind a silk curtain (Master Gozen?). All this and more in “Scroll 39: The Seventh Spear and the Mysterious Stone”. Yosuke: Next time, we’ll fight with a whoosh. Final thoughts: This was definitely the story I needed after the last two episodes. It basically reminds us where the Gouraigers were when they first appeared and shows how far they’ve come. It also gives me ample opportunity to ignore the previous two-parter, via the Tri-Condor being benched. |
Scroll 39: The Seventh Spear and the Mysterious Stone
Not much to say here. This is Miyashita’s return after 4 episodes and it features the debut of our final villain. With that said, on with the review. The episode opens with something zooming through space, heading towards Earth. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwoGVW...jpg&name=small As the Jakanja are lying around (literally, in Satarakura’s case), the something impacts the Centipede. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwoGDW...jpg&name=small As everyone gets shaken by the impact, a newcomer enters the main chamber. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwoG0W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwoGlX...jpg&name=small The 4 regulars ask who he is, to which he gives his name (a portmanteau of Sunday, dahlia and the Japanese pronunciation of “eel”), while Tau Zant says he’s been waiting for him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwsjoW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwskVX...jpg&name=small (I’ll mention that Sandaaru is voiced by Shuichi Ikeda, better known as the voice behind the original Char Anzable in the Gundam series. He’s also the dub artist for Jet Li in Japan) After the titles, the Hurricanegers are pursuing Shurikenger, who assumes a disguise (played by Shuuhei Izumi, better known as Domon/TimeYellow in Mirai Sentai Timeranger). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwskqX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwslGW...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, Oboro is giving a slideshow summarising the plot so far to Hamster Headmaster, who is feigning disinterest. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwxa7W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwxbjW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwxcHW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNwxcjX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw3V2X...jpg&name=small In their training sessions, the Kasumi Bros have come to the same conclusion as Oboro regarding the big mystery. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw3WnX...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers follow Shurikenger to a baseball stadium, where Yosuke reveals his theory that he is a pro baseball player, due to his HiDan Senban Knock finisher. He is dismayed to find out he’s wrong. They then pursue him to a business centre, where Kouta reveals his theory that Shurikenger is a foreign diplomat, hence his tendency to speak English. He is dismayed to find he is also wrong (“Why?”). The next stop is a guitar shop, where Nanami shares her theory that the man is a rockstar, hence the Ninjamisen (which isn’t based on a rock instrument, but whatever). She is… happy to find out she’s incorrect (because that means there’s less competition in the music world, despite their two different mediums.) (In general, this seems like some kind of commentary on fan theories that are way crazier than the truth). At the Centipede, Furabijo, Wendinu and Sargain all attempt to defeat Sandaaru… only to end up soundly defeated. (Not sure why this scene is here. Feels pointless) Back with the trio, they’ve chased Shurikenger to a gyoza shop… where it turns out he just wanted somewhere to eat a cheap lunch (there were food places at all of his previous stops). While eating, he receives a phone call from Master Gozen (which is partially overheard by the Hurricanegers). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw3XGX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger retreats into the bathroom. The Hurricanegers go in and pull him out… only to find he’s swapped places with the real guy, 7 times ramen eating champ Teppei Sakaki. They realise he knew they were following him as he makes his getaway. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw3XtW...jpg&name=small Back at the Centipede, Tau Zant has an announcement, and Sandaaru is ready to follow orders. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw8v4W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw8wtW...jpg&name=small Sargain interjects, revealing he’s created his final, ultimate puppet (which means that he either doesn’t expect to surpass this or he intends to die before he makes another one). Everyone is annoyed by his rudeness… except Sandaaru, who says “If he has a plan, let him carry it out.” Tau Zant thus gives an annoyed Sargain permission to start the plan. Back with the main heroes, Yosuke and Nanami are annoyed at Shurikenger… and not just for throwing them off the scent. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw8xYW...jpg&name=small Their search is then disrupted by falling gold dust… which turns everyone it touches to gold (this is basically Miyashita saying “this show ain’t funny anymore. Now it’s all business). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNw8x9W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxBSTW...jpg&name=small This turns out to be the work of the newest puppet, Corrosion Ninja Fushokuruga (While the name is straight to the point with the whole “corrode Earth” plan the Jakanja have, I’m going to call him “Gabriel” to go easier on my spell checker). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxBUKW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers Shinobi change and fight Gabriel off fairly easily, destroying him with the Triple Gadget. But if you thought his would be over that quickly, you’re wrong, as more gold dust scatters and Gabriel rebuilds himself with the aid of a light on his back. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxBS2W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxBToW...jpg&name=small The Gouraigers then show up and Ikkou destroys Gabriel again with the Ikazuchi-Ryu Kengi: Raigeki-Zan. Which once again, just makes things worse. Sargain then appears to explain that his is exactly what he planned. (Well duh, why else would you do it if it wasn’t?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxH0yW...jpg&name=small As the fight continues, Shurikenger appears in a void, fading back to his suited appearance (booooo). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxH1uX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxH2bW...jpg&name=small Turns out this is the home of Master Gozen, who apparently sits on a bed with silk curtains with his face covered by a cloak (just how paranoid and rich is the guy to go to these extremes?). Shurikenger has a simple request. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxH3GW...jpg&name=small Gozen wordlessly tells him not to do so yet (I guess they haven’t cast an actor to play this role? That’s the only reason I can think of why they wouldn’t have him talk). He then informs Shurikenger of a mysterious cosmic phenomenon. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxNTRW...jpg&name=small (I always knew Jakanja had allied with Davros for their final plan) We then get a visual of the planet Astram from the movie exploding(that princess and her talking bracelet? They’re dead now). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxNUFW...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Satarakura and the girls are ready to let Sargain finish off the Earth Ninjas. But Sandaaru has other ideas. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxNUwX...jpg&name=small After a speech about the values of teamwork and friendship (it’s strange to see the villains preaching this), the other three become communists. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxNVjX...jpg&name=small With the riffraff out of the way, Sandaaru does what he came to Earth to do. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxSjcX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxSkqX...jpg&name=small Back with Shurikenger, he receives distressing news from Gozen and decides to rejoin the others. (And as is usual in these situations, this news is too late to do anything about it) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxSlaW...jpg&name=small As Gabriel is beating up the Earth Ninjas, the other Spears appear and join the battle, to Sargain’s dismay. From the side, Sandaaru watches, the mysterious stone in hand, as Tau Zant explains the prophecy that came with the last meteor shower 4 episodes ago. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxSmPW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxYqBX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxYrZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxYsOW...jpg&name=small (Which reminds me, when is the new Floaty Head going to come out of his cocoon? Manmarva only took two episodes). As our heroes are about to lose, they get saved by Tenkuujin’s Karakuri Ninpo: Tenkuu Ripper. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxYtKX...jpg&name=small He then engages Gabriel with his Chou Ninpo: HiDan Senban Knock... which gets deflected back at him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxdcXW...jpg&name=small But this damages’s Gabriel’s regeneration device enough that Sargain has him withdraw. Rather than turning the tables in the hero’s favour, as you’d expect, Sandaaru decides to help his comrades, much to Shurikenger’s concern https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxdbPX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxddNW...jpg&name=small He then attacks the Earth Ninjas with his Uchuu Ninpo: Jiyuu Saku, which captures them in his cords. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxdeOX...jpg&name=small He then pulls Shurikenger towards himself to make a point, defeating him int the process. (When even the strongest member of the team is getting beaten, it’s not a good sign). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxgZbX...jpg&name=small As their allies look on with shock (well, I assume Gozen is shocked, but I can’t see his face) and Tau Sant watches with glee, the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers charge into a sword fight with Sandaaru as the episode ends. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxga6W...jpg&name=small Next time: Shurikenger is torn between loyalty and friendship. This and more on “Scroll 40: Decoy and Ninja Law”. Yosuke: Everyone. Be sure to visit our website. (That’s http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/hariken for anyone interested. The link’s probably dead now). Hurricanegers: We’ll be waiting. Final thoughts: Like I said, the subplot with the Hurricanegers tailing Shurikenger and ending up paying his bill was a nice bit of levity in what is otherwise a very plot-based episode. And Shurikenger is getting a chance to shine, which I like. And I’m already in love with Sandaaru, to the point I’ve been reading his dialogue with the voice of Marc Thompson (look him up). Which leads me to a question: if this show was dubbed into English, who would you cast as who? |
Scroll 40: Decoy and Ninja Law
Welcome to this, the last write-up I will do at this house (though not the last to have screenshots taken at this house, that would be episode 45). The next episode I do will be a transitional one written while I’m at my grandparents’ house, before I move into my new house by the time of episode 42. With that said, let’s get on with this episode. Last time, the final Spear, Sandaaru, showed up with a mysterious stone related to a prophecy involving “the Grieving Bow and the Raging Arrow”. Shurikenger learned that he had destroyed several planets (including the one from the movie) in order to obtain it. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers faced one of Sargain’s puppets which had the ability to regenerate (I named him Gabriel), which was interrupted when Sandaaru and the other Spears appeared. Now, the six Earth Ninjas run into battle with Sandaaru. Yosuke initiates a Kage no Mai… which Sandaaru handily overcomes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxujqW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers get hit with Sandaaru’s Same Shuriken, which they try to escape using a vanishing act. But Sandaaru is too smart for that, using his Uchuu Ninpo: Gyoza Mei to find them and attack again. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxuj6X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxukLW...jpg&name=small When the Gouraigers try attacking, not only does he trick them into attacking each other, but then he uses another new technique (which I can’t remember due to distractions while I’m writing this!!). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxukZW...jpg&name=large Cue the titles, which have been updated to replace Manmarva with the new guy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxyDpW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxyEFW...jpg&name=small As the Earth Ninjas yell that they won’t give up, the stone Sandaaru carries with him begins to glow. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxyEhX...jpg&name=small He then leaps up and uses the stone to extract their rage. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNxyE_W...jpg&name=small As Oboro determines the stone is extracting their life energy, Tau Zant shows some (by his standards) excitement. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx34-X...jpg&name=small After a quick decision is made, everyone pushes Shurikenger out of the field, deciding that HE alone needs to survive. This somehow causes the field to dissipate, causing Sandaaru to call it quits for now. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx35qX...jpg&name=small From his fan emerges… A DRAGON KAIJU (Okay, Sandaaru is confirmed best character), which covers the Jakanjas’ retreat. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx36JX...jpg&name=small Instead of summoning their Karakuri Giants to stop this thing, Yosuke and Ikkou decide to attack with their weapons. Predictably, they get beaten as soundly as Sandaaru beat them, before Badogi disappears. Now safe, everyone decides to ask Shurikenger some questions, which he’s hesitant to say more than this. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx36mX...jpg&name=small Yosuke surmises why expertly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx8bQW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx8b9W...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster is shocked as Master Gozen calls him… only for Oboro to pick it up and tell this guy exactly what everyone thinks of him. (For the record, we don’t see Gozen react anymore than we’ve seen him do so up to now). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx8cdW...jpg&name=small Back at the Centipede, Sargain is annoyed that Sandaaru had everyone but in on his plan. But, to his anger, no-one is supporting him. Sandaaru points out that they’re all following orders here and allows Sargain to carry on his plan… with some words of encouragement, which Sargain rejects. (I love how Sandaaru is turning the Jakanja into a happy family, for the record) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNx8c_W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyApuW...jpg&name=small Back with the heroes, after failing to get more out of Shurikenger, news reaches them of Gabriel’s return. But Hamster Headmaster has something for them to use, courtesy of Master Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyAqbW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyArIW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyArqW...jpg&name=small As the Gouraigers hold off Gabriel, the Hurricanegers receive a gift in the form of a sealant meant to protect from the puppet’s gold dust. They then proceed to spray it from the air. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyFeJX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyFe4W...jpg&name=small They then join the battle, beginning to spray themselves with the sealant (I had a picture, but it was terrible, so I had to delete it). But then, Shurikenger receives a message from Gozen (which is represented by this shot), which results in him not using the spray. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyFfpW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyFgVW...jpg&name=small During the ensuing fight, the Earth Ninjas shrug off the gold dust and manage to determine the source of Gabriel’s regenerative powers: a light on the back of his chest. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyNeKX...jpg&name=small But before they can make effective use of this knowledge, the sealant coats their entire suits (and I do have a picture for this) and freezes them in place. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyNeJW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyNfhW...jpg&name=small Oboro is shocked at this, realising that this was Gozen’s plan all along… and she gave the sealant to them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyNe0X...jpg&name=small Shurikenger stands overhead, thinking about the mission he was given: wait for the sealant to freeze them, then use his Chou Ninpo: Bunshin Magyuu to hit the light, destroying it. But instead, following a montage showing them saving him earlier, followed by all 5 (yes, even the Kasumi Bros) smiling at him, he uses it to hit the Hurricanegers, wiping away the sealant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNySWeW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNySXWX...jpg&name=small After getting thanked for defying Gozen’s orders to help them, Shurikenger uses his Chou Ninpo: HiDan Senban Knock to hit the light on Gabriel’s back, shattering it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNySZQW...jpg&name=small With this handicap removed, The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers destroy Gabriel with the Victory Gadget. This in turn, frees everyone he turned to gold. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNySYOX...jpg&name=small As everyone gets disappointed, Wendinu sends out a Copy Giant (and we get a special sequence). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyXvnW...jpg&name=small The heroes summon/call for their Shinobi Machines, forming GouraiSenpuujin. But after a few minutes of having the advantage, Sandaaru reappears, sucking up more of their rage into the stone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyXucW...jpg&name=small But after Gabriel inadvertently frees them by jumping in the way, Shurikenger summons Revolver Mammoth, which combines with GouraiSenpuujin to finish off Gabriel once and for all (evidently, his regenerative abilities weren’t restored with the Copy Giant). Hamster Headmaster is concerned about how things have developed, but Oboro is happy that Shurikenger disobeyed orders and saved them. (Which leaves me asking, was Gozen really willing to sacrifice the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers? Or would he not let any harm come to them?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyXxQW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger flies off into the sunset, calling everyone something other than “Boys and Girl”. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNyXxwW...jpg&name=small As everyone walks off into the sunset, Yosuke resolves a gag from last episode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyNya-OX...jpg&name=small Next time: Kouta’s sister (remember her?) thinks he’s hiding something, Satarakura forms a comedy duo and Sandaaru unveils… what looks like a sand dollar (and I don’t even know what they are). This and more on “Scroll 41: Medal and Manzai”. Satarakura: What does a mountain made of futons weigh? A few-tons. (Silence) Final thoughts: I continue to be amazed at how much character development they give to Shurikenger, even thought they could easily use his status as a suit character as an excuse not to give him any (Power Rangers SPD and Kamen Rider Den-O being prime offenders in this regard). And I like that the plot, which wasn’t that slow, is picking up speed, which can only be good. |
Scroll 41: Medal and Manzai
Well, here we are at my new house. And the place is terrible in pretty much every way (this is my THIRD attempt to write this due to the internet constantly referencing every page when I leave them). It’s the last “monster of the episode” episode and the last episode written by Naoyuki Sakai. With that said, on with the review. The episode begins with Satarakura crashing into Sandaaru “accidentally” while practising his routine. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27DngU...jpg&name=small However, Sandaaru is as perceptive as Manmarva (I’d hope so, since they’re the same suit actor) and realised that Satarakura has stolen his stone (the one that absorbs anger). However, instead of being mad, Sandaaru has an idea. At Ninja Base, Oboro and Shurikenger fight over repairs to the Tri-Condor (apparently, the destruction of Astram propelled it all the way to Earth), with Oboro’s insistence on doing it herself causing Shurikenger to leave in frustration. Hamster Headmaster wonders where Kouta is, to which Yosuke and Nanami explain he’s meeting his sister, Meiko (last seen leaving for Africa back in episode 4). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27DoBU...jpg&name=small We then cut to Meiko in the cafe. She gets bored of waiting and decides to step out for some air. (Wait for it) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27DnpU...jpg&name=small As Kouta rushes to the cafe with Meiko’s passport, he gets stopped when he sees this week’s monster, Manzai Ninja Tsukko-Minna. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27DneU...jpg&name=small The others show up as Kouta Shinobi changes, as Meiko just happens to stumble upon the scene (of course). Then Tsukko-Minna begins his comedy act (which I can’t really describe. Japanese comedy is weird), which blows everyone to the floor (literally). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27UspV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27UtJU...jpg&name=small Tsukko-Minna then blows the Gouraigers down, before Satarakura orders him to withdraw. As Kouta goes to meet with Meiko in the cafe, she drags him out to show him the ninjas she saw earlier (mwa mwa). As luck would have it, not only have the Kasumi Bros not left the scene yet, but they got knocked out of their Shinobi suits in the battle). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27UuBU...jpg&name=small Kouta then tries to bluff his way into convincing her he does not know these guys (despite Ikkou calling him by name) and that Meiko was imagining it (which begins to fall apart when she sees the Hurricane Gyro on his arm). He thus changes the subject by handing over her passport and leaving quietly. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27UubU...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, as Kouta explains things, Hamster Headmaster sums up the situation, while Oboro continues to be confounded by Tri-Condor’s workings (well it was built on another planet). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27ugpV...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Wendinu wonders why Satarakura didn’t kill the Gouraigers when he had the chance. He explains that he has a new plan now, to which Furabijo calls him on his bull. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27uhVU...jpg&name=small Luckily, Sandaaru has inherited the position of “Satarakura’s biggest supporter” from Manmarva, telling the others to “just watch”. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27uh1V...jpg&name=small Satarakura sends a YouTube poop of himself to Oboro, who directs Yosuke, Nanami, Kouta, Ikkou and Isshu to a stadium (I presume the location was included with the video), where they see a sign on the wall. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey27uinV...jpg&name=small Satarakura and Tsukko-Minna appear and begin a Boke and Tsukkomi routine. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey279xQV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey279yVV...jpg&name=small Everyone then does their role call, which is observed by a passing through Meiko. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey279zRU...jpg&name=small Satars then continue their act. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey279ytU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28M-CU...jpg&name=small As they get blown back, Meiko notices something (namely, a Hurricane Gyro) on the Yellow ninja and realises something. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28NAqU...jpg&name=small As the heroes are blown back again, Meiko goes over to Kouta and begs to know the truth. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28M_oV...jpg&name=small But before Kouta can say anything, they are joined by… Kouta? (I’m sure you can figure out who that’s possible) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28NAMV...jpg&name=small Kouta then persuades Meiko to let herself be carried to safety on his back, almost blowing the game in the process. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28bWUV...jpg&name=small With the civilians dealt with, Ikkou tells the two wannabe comedians what we’re all probably thinking. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28bXRU...jpg&name=small This is exactly what Sandaaru wanted, taking the chance to absorb their anger into the stone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28bYtU...jpg&name=small They are then saved by Kouta, who tells Kouta that he got Kouta’s sister away from Kouta’s battle (I’m as confused as you are). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28bX8V...jpg&name=small Kouta then pulls out the Shuriken Ball and in case you’re not convinced he’s HurricaneYellow, he does the Hurricaneger/Ninja Storm pose. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28mjJU...jpg&name=small With Shurikenger in the fray, Kouta realised that Tsukko-Minna’s powers come from his hands. After shooting them out, the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers destroy an angry Tsukko-Minna with the Victory Gadget… which just plays into Sandaaru’s plans. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28mkUU...jpg&name=small He now has enough anger energy collected to reveal the true form of the stone (note that unlike every other weapon name in this series, “Raging Arrow” is a translation of the Japanese “Ikari no Ya”, which means roughly the same thing) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28mlQV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28mmLV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28wUhU...jpg&name=small As the heroes react in shock to this, the villains all have their own exclamations. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28wXhV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28wV1V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey28wWhV...jpg&name=small As the two villains leave, Tsukko-Minna is grown into a giant by a Dekkamen. Everyone summons their Karakuri Giants, and Oboro announces that she’s fixed Tri-Condor. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey287w3X...jpg&name=small She sends Yosuke, Ikkou and Shurikenger new Shinobi Medals, which are used to summon Karakuri Balls 15: TriTsuno, 16: TriKanmuri and 17: TriTsume. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey287ykV...jpg&name=small The three combine into the Tri-Condor, which allows Senpuujin, Gouraijin and Tenkuujin to combine into Gingachoetsu Sanjin Gattai TenraiSenpuujin. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XN-l6rUkGJ4 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey287zNV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey2870EU...jpg&name=small Tsukko-Minna tries attacking with his explosive powers… which fail to so much as scratch the robot. Kouta then says what we’re all thinking. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29GXJU...jpg&name=small And so, TenraiSenpuujin one-shots Tsukko-Minna with the Zettai Kyukyuku Ougi: Ultima Storm. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29GYFW...jpg&name=small Later, Kouta sees Meiko off at the airport. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29GZgV...jpg&name=small Meiko then gushes about her brother (aw, she’s just so cute) and lets slip that she knows he’s a Hurricaneger. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29GbIU...jpg&name=small Everyone is shocked at the revelation… though it doesn’t stop Yosuke and Nanami from blocking the Kuroko-bot from doing his job. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29NL_U...jpg&name=small And the episode ends with Meiko waving everyone off (and unofficially welcoming Shurikenger into the family). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ey29NNRU...jpg&name=small Next time: everyone angsts over knowing nothing, while having to contend with both a new Megatagame (not another one) and a new puppet. This and more on Scroll 42: Armour and Raging Arrow. Yosuke (to Shurikenger): You’re our ally, right? Please tell us! Final thoughts: If you’d ask me which character of the day I’d like to see come back for another episode, I wouldn’t have said Meiko. But I’m amazed by how well she manages to work as a two episode character despite only being intended for one. Also, that was a pretty good debut for TenraiSenpuujin on TV and I’m looking forward to seeing where the plot with the Raging Arrow medal goes. Final thoughts on Sakai: He does a lot of good emotional plots and I like his focus on continuity. Though the action scenes do tend to be a bit hit or miss. If I had to recommend an episode, I’d go with episode 6 for the emotion involved in it. Though I’d give episode 10 a close second, which I’ll use this quote summarise why. Quote:
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Scroll 42: Armour and Raging Arrow
Here we are, at what I like to call the “big Christmas sell toys fest” part of the season. As someone on Twitter put it in his tweet along of Dairanger “this is your last chance to buy toys for the current show before the new one starts”. This is also the point where the show stops pretending there’s a status quo, with later episodes basically throwing out the formula and getting really dangerous. It’s written by Atsushi Maekawa (so I know it’ll have some good dialogue, at least), so with that said, on with the review. We begin with our heroes on the beach, discussing the recent reveal of the Ikari no Ya Medal. Isshu shoots down the idea that it’s a Shinobi Medal purely because Jakanja has it (racist, much?). Kouta then suggests that Gozen might know what it is, to which Yosuke points out the problems with that theory. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLAiYcV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLAiYgV...jpg&name=small Luckily, Ikkou has a suggestion on finding him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLAiYfU...jpg&name=small We then pan over to a fisherman on the rocks (played by the late Tatsuya Nomi, better known as TenGenSei Daigo/ShishiRanger from Gosei Sentai Dairanger), eavesdropping on their conversation and musing to himself. (I haven’t included his dialogue in this scene, but I’m sure you can tell who it is) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLAiYdV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBEyKV...jpg&name=small At the Centipede, Tau Zant shares the prophecy involving the Ikari no Ya and the Nageki no Yumi (Bow of Lamentation), which the others determine to be referring to “that”. Then Sandaaru points out that they still have no idea how to get the Ikari no Ya to appear from the medal. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBEyQU...jpg&name=small Sargain then volunteers to handle the study of how the medal works, to which Satarakura objects. But Tau Zant and Sandaaru speak up for him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBEySU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBEySU...jpg&name=small Sargain is grateful for their faith, but insists on working this alone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBqAXU...jpg&name=small With Sargain gone off, Tau Zant then designates a new mission to Sandaaru: Find the Nageki no Yumi medal. (Like that wasn’t obvious) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBqAWU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBqAVV...jpg&name=small On the beach, Nanami and Yosuke wonder if Shurikenger will really help them. On one hand, he’s utterly loyal to Gozen, but on the other, he defied her orders to save them two episodes ago. Then the fisherman is revealed and decides to offer his own two cents. Elsewhere, Sargain is at work. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLCJnzU...jpg&name=small He analyses the Ikari no Ya medal, discovering that there IS a link with the Shinobi Medals used by the Hurricanegers, Gouraigers and Shurikenger (all of which are animated using models that don’t even look like the real thing. Jakanja intel must be faulty). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLCSH2U...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLCSH2V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzP3kvdV...jpg&name=small As the fisherman states that Shurikenger must have a good reason for keeping things from his allies, everyone gets alerted to a disturbance at the quarry, where Satarakura appears with a simple request. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLCbOqV...jpg&name=small The 5 have no idea what he’s talking about, so he explains, using the Ikari no Ya medal for comparison. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBy8WV...jpg&name=small He then states that the Nageki no Yumi medal is much the same, and explains the logic in asking them for it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBy8WV...jpg&name=small But the heroes still don’t know what he’s talking about… which isn’t good enough for Sandaaru. (Getting some Percy Jackson vibes with this, specifically the movie version of the first book, which is my sole exposure to that franchise) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLBy8WU...jpg&name=small And so, the heroes Shinobi change and a fight breaks out. Elsewhere, the fisherman ponders a familiar ball (okay, hands up who didn’t call this. Ok, now all those who aren’t aware of how this show works out your hand down). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDA2yV...jpg&name=small Back with the fight, the Hurricanegers get blasted before they can even fire the Triple Gadget and the Gouraigers are barely able to fend off Satarakura borrowing a trick from Wendinu’s playbook. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDL23V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDL21V...jpg&name=small But before evil can win for good (beyond getting the Nageki no Yumi medal), Shurikenger appears to catch on to the fight. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDL21V...jpg&name=small He then leaps down and pulls out his Shuriken Ball (and in case you’re not convinced he’s ShishiRanger, he does the Dairanger/Magna Defender pose). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDL2-V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDoPDV...jpg&name=small Nanami asks why Shurikenger disguised himself as a fisherman, to which he explains he wanted to know how they really felt (okay, but how did he know they’d be there?). Yosuke then begs him to tell them everything, which he promises to do afterwards. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDoPDV...jpg&name=small He then attacks the two Spears with his Miracle Senban Knock… which gets reflected back at him. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDoPCU...jpg&name=small Attempts by the main five to use the Victory Gadget prove just as fruitless. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLDoPKV...jpg&name=small Before the fight can continue, they get interrupted when Sargain arrives in Megatagame Mk III (seriously, stop making these things). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLD-koU...jpg&name=small The 6 heroes summon their respective Karakuri Giants, giving us our first shot of all three together (most battles where all of them get involved never featured them in the same shot in robot mode). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLD-koU...jpg&name=small Senpuujin summons the Pitatto Hitode (which I now know roughly translates as “adhesive starfish”) and use Kyukyuku Ougi: Stardust Cracker, a new move that duplicates the original and launches the copies onto Megatagame Mk III… which do nothing but fill up a cd on its dashboard (these advanced aliens really haven’t invented USBs yet?). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLD-kmU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLD-klV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEKT-V...jpg&name=small Gouraijin then takes a stab with the Kabuto Spear. Literally, as they attack with Kyukyuku Ougi: Tokkan Kyōsha Zuki… which has the same result. Tenkuujin using Spin Bee for Kyukyuku Ougi: Abare Goma has the same lack of an effect. Sargain brags that this one has armour ten times stronger than the previous models (why doesn’t he just send a puppet made of that material then?), before blasting all three, with Shurikenger doing a save with his Tenkuu Shuriken. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEKUBU...jpg&name=small Gouraijin then blasts back with its hip mounted cannons (a concept that will never not be hilarious to me). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEKT9V...jpg&name=small The three then summon Tri-Condor, combining into TenraiSenpuujin and blasting Megatagame Mk III with the Ultima Storm… which gives Sargain the last of the data he needs. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEKUFU...jpg&name=small Shurikenger, after pondering the fact there are TWO medals, takes everyone to Master Gozen’s residence on an island. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEzPtV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEzPtV...jpg&name=small While Nanami is nervous about all this, Yosuke needs to go and take a whizz. Ikkou is not amused. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEzPoV...jpg&name=small They enter the cavern and discover Master Gozen… who turns out to have fled the scene and left behind a teddy bear. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLEzPqU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFVQKV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFVQEV...jpg&name=small As everyone assumes they were tricked, Shurikenger notices a scroll, which her reads, coming to a realisation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFVQFU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFVQHU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFkCZV...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Sargain launches his latest and greatest creation, Karakuri Giant Gaingain (finally, not another Megatagame). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFkCuV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFkCXV...jpg&name=small As Hamster Headmaster apologises to an understanding Master Gozen (he’s starting to seem less bad), Gaingain makes its appearance, with everyone returning to the scene in TenraiSenpuujin. They narrowly dodge Gaingain’s Dangan Punch, before hitting back with the Karakuri Kengi: Tenrai Shippu-zan. It’s at this point that Sargain inserts the Ikari no Ya medal into a new part of the console, summoning an unnumbered Karakuri Ball. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLFkCXV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF0bFV...jpg&name=small Sargain reveals that he found out that the Ikari no Ya medal was similar to their Shinobi Medals, so he used their previous battle as an opportunity to analyse their Karakuri system so he could rip it off. Which leads to this bit of banter. Yosuke: First Hurrier mode and now the Karakuri system. When will you stop copying other people’s ideas? Sargain: The best ideas are always thought of by other people first. Now, come forth: one of the items that will summon “that”! Ruler of the Darkness, Ikari no Ya! (I like that they didn’t acknowledge that Megatagame was itself ripped off from Gouraijin, basically all but saying how much the original sucked). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF0bFV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF0bDU...jpg&name=small (If this show were made today, the Ikari no Ya would be a P-Bandai item) The Jakanja are amazed at Sargain’s accomplishment, but none more so than Sandaaru. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF0bHU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF_SrU...jpg&name=small TenraiSenpuujin tries defending using the Double Cross Formation… only for Gaingain to shatter it with its new weapon. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF_S_V...jpg&name=small Gaingain then downs its foe with Ankokou Kyukyuku Ougi: Ganryu Giri. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF_S-V...jpg&name=small The episode ends with Gaingain standing over its defeated opponent, ready for the kill. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzLF_S_V...jpg&name=small Next time: the Hurricanegers hit Sargain with all they’ve got, Hamster Headmaster meets with the REAL Master Gozen and we get a traditional ninja battle. This and more in Scroll 43: The Super Combination and the Great Clash. Sandaaru: Too bad for you, Sargain. Final thoughts: A good beginning to the “last chance to buy Hurricaneger toys”. I can really buy Gaingain as a serious threat, even more so with the Ikari no Ya. And it looks like this jigsaw puzzle of a plot is about to come together and I can’t wait to see how it goes. |
Scroll 43: The Super Combination and the Great Clash
Here we are,a t part two of this climactic battle. And in a reverse of the Fangarou three-parter, the conclusion to a Maekawa cliffhanger is handled by Miyashita. But this time, it’s the same director (I think), so there shouldn’t be too much of a clash in styles. With that said, on with the review. We begin where last episode left off, but here, Shurikenger calls in Revolver Mammoth to save them from certain doom. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqUX6V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqUYDU...jpg&name=small But it doesn’t last past the titles, as Sargain uses the Ikari no Ya to perform the Gokuro Kyogekiha, which downs Revovler Mamkoth, causing Shurikenger to invoke his deity. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqUYHV...jpg&name=small TenraiSenpuujin tries to fight back with Ultima Storm, but Gaingain overpowers this, forcing them to retreat. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqUYIV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqj5lU...jpg&name=small Sargain returns to the Centipede, where Furabijo gives him a flower. Sargain then shows off that the Ikari no Ya medal is glowing, which pleases Tau Zant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqj5mU...jpg&name=small Sargain then elaborates on this (And yes, the subbers did spell the name of the planet differently between the movie (Astram) and the show (Astrum). While different spellings are common among fans of Japanese media (dreamcastergirl’s Yodonna Redemption Arc pretty much spelled it as “Astrom”), this sub has been especially bad at consistency, given the indecision over the two Mcguffins having a definitive article and whether Jakanja are trying to corrupt, corrode or destroy Earth. Given the exact word, the second one is the only correct one). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqj5mV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVqj5dU...jpg&name=small Wendinu summarise what he’s talking about. Or rather, who. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVq-R8U...jpg&name=small When Satarakura points out that the Hurricanegers didn’t know anything about the Nageki no Yumi, Sandaaru points out there is likely someone above them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVq-R0V...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base (and Shurikenger’s hangar), all of the Shinobi Machines are under maintenance. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVq-SCU...jpg&name=small Oboro states that the repairs of Revolver Mammoth have been left to “that person”, who Hamster Headmaster is currently meeting with. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVq-SCU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrMN1U...jpg&name=small Isshu and Yosuke talk about Ikari no Ya’s incredible power, before Ikkou and Nanami bring up that they mentioned another weapon by the name of Nageki no Yumi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrMN1V...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Hamster Headmaster is shocked at what Master Gozen told him offscreen, before the latter tells us a story (and although he’s finally speaking, I cannot identify who is playing Master Gozen due to a voice modulator [sadly, I am not that one guy on RangerBoard who figured out that A-Squad Red was a girl], but he sounds like the narrator), which Hamster Headmaster comments on. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrMOHV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrMOHV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrYVMV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrYVJV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrYVNU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrYVMV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrs56V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrs54U...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrs6MU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVrs6MU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVr41HU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVr41RV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVr41SV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVr41RV...jpg&name=small Master Gozen then orders Mugensai to ensure that Ikari no Ya isn’t used again. Unfortunately, Sargain is preparing to use it to search for Nageki no Yumi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsCcSV...jpg&name=small While everyone else is assured of Sargain’s victory, Satarakura thinks Sandaaru should get the glory of securing the weapon and killing the heroes. In the city, Gaingain reappears and summons the Ikari no Ya. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsCcNU...jpg&name=small As the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers are forced to race to the scene without their Shinobi Machines, they instead appear riding their respective ground vehicles. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsCcNU...jpg&name=small After buffeting Gaingain, Sargain leaves the Karakuri Giant to face his enemies on the ground. He quickly manages to gain the upper hand, managing to deflect everything thrown his way. Tau Zant then states what Sargain must do (even though the latter can’t hear him). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsCcPV...jpg&name=small As the fight continues, the Hurricanegers decide to attack with the Triple Gadget… which Sargain destroys easily with his GanryuKen (the shot, not the Triple Gadget). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsN0oV...jpg&name=small Sargain then blasts everyone with his finger lasers. Fortunately, the Shinobi Machines have been repaired and make their triumphant return. Sargain returns to Gaingain, facing down Senpuujin and Gouraijin. Both robots quickly prove outmatched, until Shurikenger and Tenkuujin reappear, with the three Karakuri Ginats forming TenraiSenpuujin once more. After a sword fight, which Gaingain manages to win out in due to its speed and mastery of the Ikari no Ya, Yosuke tries calling Revolver Mammoth, only for nothing to happen. And Gaingain still has the advantage over them. Luckily, Hamster Headmaster is here to clear everything up for Oboro. (And the same footage from episode 33 of Revolver Mammoth being imprinted with the six powers (Yosuke’s wind, Nanami’s water, Kouta’s ground, Ikkou’s darkness, Isshu’s light and Shurikenger’s fire) replays here). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsN0qV...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsN02V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsN06V...jpg&name=small Oboro passes this information onto a badly losing TenraiSenpuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsabwV...jpg&name=small Everyone begins to pray, which unfortunately doesn’t stop Gaingain from attacking. But a brief malfunction does just the job. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsab9V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsacBV...jpg&name=small Everyone’s prayers take the form of a giant spectral Ninjamisen playing Yosuke’s version of the melody (Which is now my new favourite shot of the series). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsacFV...jpg&name=small Revolver Mammoth emerges, now with added fancy light effects. It avoids Gaingain’s attack before TenraiSenpuujin mounts it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsmgOU...jpg&name=small It then summons, Sword Slasher, Goat Crusher, Tortoise Hammer, Plant Axe, Gatling Leo, Squid Attacker, Furaimaru, Spin Bee, Kabuto Spear, Catch Spider and Pitatto Hitode all at once (the one off promo items aren’t included in this). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsmgSU...jpg&name=small All these then combine to form Revolver TenraiSenpuujin as the theme song kicks in. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xL8Oygaz2WM https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVsmgPV...jpg&name=small As this happens, Sandaaru does to his faith in Sargain what Revolver TenraiSenpuujin is about to do to Gaingain. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVswtWV...jpg&name=small Sure enough, the Earth Ninjas launch the Zettai Kyukyuku Ougi: Ultima Rainbow, which annihilates Gaingain with the power of all the Karakuri Balls. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVswtmU...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVswtjV...jpg&name=small The Ikari no Ya then turns back into a medal, which Yosuke leaps out to grab. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVswtvV...jpg&name=small And since I didn’t capture a photo, I’ll have Wendinu explain what happened next. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVs7wfU...jpg&name=small As Furabijo fails Sargain, Tau Zant realises something. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVs7w9V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVs7wmU...jpg&name=small Out in the wastelands, Sargain refuses to back down until he beats the Hurricanegers and gets the medal back. So he furiously yells for them to come and face him (I doubt they can hear you). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVs7wtU...jpg&name=small But instead of his intended opponent, he gains Sandaaru, who wants to settle their feud. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtDV2V...jpg&name=small But Sandaaru has decided Sargain is too good to die by his katana… so he blows Sargain’s GanryuKen in half and stabs him with the blade. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtDV-V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtDV_V...jpg&name=small Sargain tries pleading for his life, pointing out he has valuable knowledge of the Karakuri system. But this doesn’t work. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtDV8V...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtOJxV...jpg&name=small After making it clear he’s never liked Sargain, Sandaaru pulls out a knife and cuts Sargain in half, tiny bug and all (um, no comment). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtOJBV...jpg&name=small The episode then ends with Sandaaru turning around and walking away as Sargain’s remains explode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtOI9V...jpg&name=small Next time: The Jakanja attack the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers to avenge Sargain (evidently, they missed the last scene of this episode), Masaru Shishido (Better known as Goro Hoshino/OhRed from Choriki Sentai Ohranger) guest stars (Lets not kid ourselves, we know who he’s playing) and a surprise new combatant appears. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtOJDV...jpg&name=small This and more in “Scroll 44: Master Gozen and the Misfortune Fan Beast” (with the trailer ending on Yosuke’s line for next week imposed over a shot of this woman). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzVtYQBV...jpg&name=small Final thoughts: I loved this episode. Granted, it’s hard to make me hate a “late season sell as many toys as possible” episode (only Kiramager has done that so far) and Revolver TenraiSenpuujin is exactly the kind of final combination I expect from this show. And I like the twist that it’s Sandaaru that disposes of Sargain rather than the heroes (not least for what Power Rangers did with it). And I’ve realised, based on Master Gozen’s story, and on the number of other ninja Toei heroes (Ninja Captor, DynaBlack, Kamen Rider ZX, Yellow Mask, the cast of Jiraiya, Kakuranger, Ninninger, Kamen Rider Fuma, Kamen Riders Shinobi and Hattari and Kamen Rider Kenzan) that Hurricaneger is, if you buy into the idea of one big extended universe for Toei’s heroes (which I don’t, personally), then Hurricaneger is one of the most important series lore wise. Which makes how little attention it gets from the wider fan base startling, to say the least. |
Scroll 44: Master Gozen and the Misfortune Fan-Beast
(That is the most Harry Potter title this show has had. Which is saying something, since the name of the show was derived from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone or Hari Poda to Kenja no Ishi). Here we are, at the last big battle of the year (for the show. For us, it’s late April). Not much to say, so onto the review. After a recap of last time, wherein Sandaaru killed Sargain for losing the Ikari no Ya medal to the Hurricanegers, we open with the funeral. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezfe7enW...jpg&name=small And then it turns out that Satarakura and Wendinu have their own ideas of how it happened, to which Sandaaru gives them the specifics of what happened. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezfe7epW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezfe7gtX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezfe7znX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant then quells any further discussion by (rarely, for him) paying his own respects, at which point we see they sized the coffin for Sargain’s real body (which is just cute). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffBJ2X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffBKIW...jpg&name=small Tau Sant then states the consequences now that the Hurricanegers have the Ikari no Ya medal. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffBKwW...jpg&name=small Sandaaru graciously accepts the task of retrieving the medal and goes over to a machine, inserting a disc Wendinu finds familiar. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffBNLX...jpg&name=small Cue the titles, wherein Sargain’s replacement is introduced. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffGr9W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffGtHW...jpg&name=small We then cut to Ninja Base, where the Hurricanegers’ sit down as Hamster Headmaster brings orders down from above: seal the Ikari no Ya medal. They then discuss what could happen if the weapon and Nageki no Yumi were brought together. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffGtRX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffGueW...jpg&name=small With the terrifying implications agreed upon, Kouta then asks an important question. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffKkOX...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster explains that Master Gozen is the only one who can do it, so they have to take it to him (Let’s just hope he’s in this time). As Nanami is happy that they’re finally meeting this guy (To be honest, so am I), Yosuke suggests a plan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffKlMX...jpg&name=small But Oboro and Hamster Headmaster point out the flaw in his plan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffKmIX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffKnJX...jpg&name=small So instead, they go on foot, disguised as high school students (As Kouta states, disguise is a traditional Ninja art, after all). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffN34X...jpg&name=small Providing backup is Isshu disguised as a businessman and Ikkou disguised as a mall Santa (did I mention this was a Christmas episode?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffN53W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffN5EW...jpg&name=small Partway through, they wonder where Shurikenger is, since he’s likely in on this too. So they accost a soba seller (played by Masaru Shishido, better known as Goro Hoshino/OhRed from Choriki Sentai Ohranger), who denies knowing them, as he takes off (Yeah, pull the other one man). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffQAkX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffR6LX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Sandaaru’s machine pings, getting a lock on the Ikari no Ya medal. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffSwiX...jpg&name=small Soon enough, the confused Hurricanegers are confronted by an angry Furabijo and Wendinu. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffTcSX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffTcUX...jpg&name=small Wendinu is confused by their lack of knowledge, but Furabijo fires darts from her mouth. But Ikkou and Isshu appear to hold them off as the Gouraigers, allowing the others to keep moving. The trip then change their disguise to shoppers. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffWiHX...jpg&name=small But this doesn’t help, as Satarakura’s disembodied head (ew) reattached to his body (show off) and lets them in on the secret (way to blow your good thing, genius). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffWiBX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffVQwX...jpg&name=small But before he can do much to them, he gets knocked back by the soba seller, who reveals that they were right: he IS Shurikenger (called it). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffVRUX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger (I’ll put this here: Is his disguise this week his real face, or is it another poor schmuck he stole the face of?) Shinobi changes to hold off Satarakura (and in case you’re not convinced he’s OhRed, he does the Ohranger pose [Zeo’s is less elaborate].). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffaNSX...jpg&name=small As the two episode 21 debuts fight, and the Space Kunoichi have the advantage over the Gouraigers, the Hurricanegers come to a damn, that’s the halfway point of their trip. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffaPoX...jpg&name=small But they get stopped by Sandaaru, who they’re forced to Shinobi change in order to fight. But Sandaaru has the upper hand, and only gets knocked back when the Ikari no Ya medal unleashes its power. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffaPiW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffaOKW...jpg&name=small Shocked by this power, Sandaaru releases his Misfortune Fan Beast Badogi (last seen in episode 40. You didn’t really think he’d only appear for one scene, did you?). The Hurricanegers recover from the energy released and summon the Shinobi Machines to form Senpuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffdKsX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffdLHX...jpg&name=small Badogi manages to overpower the Sword Slasher, while Ikkou and Isshu are stopped from leaving their fight, as is Shurikenger. Pitatto Hitode’s Starlight Knee Drop proves just as ineffective against the dragon Kaiju, so they decide to call out Goat Crusher, Tortoise Hammer, Gatling Leo and Squid Attacker, allowing them to dual wield Goat Hammer and Gatling Attacker (and since this is the last time Goat Crusher appears, I’ll make a retraction for something I said when it first appeared. The Karakuri Balls do come with their appropriate Shinobi Medals, except the two included with the Mecha). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffdMGW...jpg&name=small But neither weapon so much as scratches the monster (man, Gatling Attacker is still pretty useless after all this time). But then, as they begin to lose, Yosuke sees the cracked case for the Ikari no Ya medal and gets the idea to use it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffdMlX...jpg&name=small The summoning procedure knocks Badogi back long enough for them to equip it and turn the tide. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffhCsX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffhDKX...jpg&name=small As the other three overcome their opponents and arrive in Gouraijin and Tenkuujin, Senpuujin begins to malfunction, attacking its allies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffhEPX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffh6kW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffj2yX...jpg&name=small Master Gozen is shocked by this display of power and comes to a decision (is that lipstick?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffj22X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffj3LX...jpg&name=small Oboro analyses Senpuujin and discovers the source of the problem. (They forgot to install a surge protector) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffj1nX...jpg&name=small Sandaaru observes this and remembers Gaingain’s brief loss of control from the last episode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffpkSX...jpg&name=small Badogi then takes advantage of this to reclaim the upper hand. But then a light appears in front of Senpuujin and in that light is a woman. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffplQX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffpmJX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezffqt8X...jpg&name=small And if you’re wondering who this is, Shurikenger spells it out. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffuiFX...jpg&name=small I’d like to point out here that I am only pretending to be unaware of the major details of the later episodes of this show (because I looked them up). I knew that Gozen would be a woman for a while. And someone else is aware of this. Quote:
Quote:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffuklX...jpg&name=small Even Tau Zant seems shocked (or as shocked as you can be with a sculpted face). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffuiYX...jpg&name=small The woman then gives advice to the Earth Ninjas. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzffujtW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff0WnX...jpg&name=small They take it, combining into TenraiSenpuujin, wielding the Ikari no Ya. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff0XQX...jpg&name=small Badogi attacks once more, only to be defeated with two slashes with the Ikari no Ya (not a finisher, just a pair of regular slashes). Madame Gozen (which is what I’m calling her now) lands on an island nearby (even though they’re at a damn, not at sea). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff0YOX...jpg&name=small Yosuke leaps down to stop Sandaaru from capturing her on Tau Zant’s orders (even though she’s capable of handling him)… which Sandaaru uses as the chance to summon another Fan Beast, Disaster Fan Beast Dezargi, a crow Kaiju who outspeeds TenraiSenpuujin and knocks the Ikari no Ya out of its hand. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff0ZxW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff5R6W...jpg&name=small The Ikari no Ya reverts to its medal form and lands in the hands of Sandaaru, who leaves Madame Gozen with a warning. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff5SHW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff8CXX...jpg&name=small Sometime later, on a cliff, Madame Gozen formally introduces herself. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff8CWW...jpg&name=small Yosuke apologises for his actions that lead to Ikari no Ya’s loss, but Madame Gozen forgives him, since he saved her (no, you did that yourself). Her forehead then glows with a mysterious light, that it apparently doesn’t take a genius to identify. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff-oWW...jpg&name=small Gozen then explains her story of having the Dark Stone sealed within her. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff-phX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezff_XpX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzfgC_iX...jpg&name=small But now, the ninjas of Earth aren’t fighting, so Gozen has a simple request. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzfgD-nX...jpg&name=small The episode ends with everyone agreeing to this, while Gozen and Shurikenger leave to check on something. Next time: The Hurricanegers help an old priest clean Gozen’s house, while he battles a cat monster named Madogi (Another of Sandaaru’s Fan Beasts, I presume). This and more on Scroll 45: Refuge and Spring Cleaning. Priest: Let’s go, Madogi. Final thoughts: So this was the episode where the big good is revealed. I have to say, it’s fairly well done. And I love the ethereal music accompanying her everywhere. Kazunori Miyake, man. For the last battle of the year, it was fairly good. |
Scroll 45: Refuge and Spring Cleaning
Here we are, at the last episode of 2002 and the penultimate contribution by Maekawa. Not much else to say, other than on with the review. We open with Sandaaru contemplating the appearance of Madame Gozen and theorising she might know where the Nageki no Yumi is. He then summons Cursed Fan Beast Madogi (who is unique in that a) she’s a she and b) she’s human sized) to find out what their next move is. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOLzaX...jpg&name=small We then cut to Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta coming to a temple in the hills, where they are put to work cleaning by the temple’s caretaker, Retsudo (played by Kenji Ohba, better known as Shiro Akebono/Battle Kenya in Battle Fever J, Daigoro Oume in Denshi Sentai Denziman and Retsu Ichijouji/Space Sheriff Gavan in his eponymous show), who sets them to work cleaning the temple. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOLzhX...jpg&name=small While doing this, all three grumble about how they’re too good to be doing this, while clips of their previous battles play, reminding us of their various techniques (Did I mention this was a recap episode?). In the woods, the Kasumi Bros, also looking for the temple, discover a force field protecting it (which isn’t that far fetched, if you remember the first episode). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOLziX...jpg&name=small They deactivate the force field long enough to get through, unaware that Madogi has smuggled herself in using Isshu’s shadow. Back with the Hurricanegers, the conversation turns to Shurikenger, his various disguises (so far, he’s been MegaRed, GoRed, MegaBlue, FiveRed, Kouta twice, Yosuke, Blue Racer, Red Racer, Ikkou, TimeYellow, ShishiRanger and OhRed) and his habit of speaking English (and in the spirit of the recap episode, I’m going to put some of my favourite Shurikenger English quotes for the next few lines). Baby, I’m coming. Hey boy I am Ninja of Ninja. I’m just an ordinary detective. Don’t you believe me? Cowboy, go home. Hold up. Hello. What? Hi, my honey. No, no. You don’t understand. Eh? What’s so exciting about an ondo, Dolphin Girl? Oh, I see. Sorry, my lunchtime. Jesus. Retsudo gets nervous and excuses himself with a “See you later.” (How do they not catch on to this?). Ikkou and Isshu arrive shortly afterwards and Ikkou points out that the guy is obviously Shurikenger, because who else could it be? (Correct). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOLzbW...jpg&name=small Everyone then discusses the Jakanja and their multiple attempts to corrode the Earth (for some reason, episode 12’s monster is part of this montage) followed by the prophecies to obtain “that”: “When the brave defeats the brave at the end of the world, Ninja’s final secret will be revealed. The brave will be defeated by one born from the same parents.” and “When the human beasts roam the city, the door to the Final Secret will be unlocked. And when the three headed beast rules the land, the Final Secret will appear.”, both of which were averted. Madame Gozen then appears, telling them of the third prophecy that they’re currently trying to avert. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOTIbX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOTIeX...jpg&name=small Yosuke then brigs up that they have to protect the Nageki no Yumi Medal in Madame Gozen’s head. Which Sandaaru takes as his cue to have Madogi attack. But, following a brief struggle, Shurikenger appears, still in his disguise, and fights Madogi off long enough for everyone else to get Gozen to safety. Halfway through the fight, he reverts to normal (and if you’re still not convinced he’s Kenji Ohba, he does the Gavan “Jouchaku” pose). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOTIcX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger tries defeating Madogi with his Miracle Senban Knock, but Madogi brushes this off, before Sandaaru withdraws her. Back at Ninja Base, Hamster Headmaster scolds our main trip for allowing Madogi into the temple (no, that was Ikkou and Isshu. These guys did bugger all this episode), only for a surprising presence to come to their defence. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOTIcW...jpg&name=small As they wonder why Gozen is here, Oboro explains. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvOfSOW...jpg&name=small The episode then ends with the trio being forced to clean Gozen’s home (start as you mean to go, I guess). And because this review is running short, I’m going to add in the Uchuu Ninja Files for the last 45 episodes, with the rest of them coming with their associated episodes. Barrier Ninja Kekkaibo: He specialises in shield-breaking Ninpo. Magnet Ninja Jishakumo: A puppet ninja that can magnetise anything. Copy Ninja Kurisottsubo: Be careful! Whoever you’re sitting next to could be an impostor, too. Excavation Ninja Mogudrago: Looks like someone else will have to dig those Jakanja subway tunnels. Poison Flower Ninja Hanasakkadoushi: He runs a flower arranging class on Saturdays. Severing Ninja Shiransu: Uses scissors to cut relationships into eights. Dimension Ninja Futabutabu: Its like a jack in the box with a different dimension inside. Water-Absorbing Ninja Gamajakushi: So, “that” can’t be born without water? Propagation Ninja Kurukkuhoshi: He’s gonna fill the world with cicadas until it’s too noisy. Fifth Spear, Sargain: is, as everyone knows, the commander of the mecha ninja army. He makes the puppets. Nightmare Ninja Yumebakushi: You can dream about anything your heart desires. Metal Ninja Tekkotsumoeba: Someone who likes to plan things in secret. Dancing Ninja Higenamezukin: His main technique is the Uchuu Ninpo: Namazu Hige. Shall we dance? Back-to Ninja Octonyudo: Candy of experience. No sweetness, only bitterness. Karakuri Giant Megatagame: Now matter how you read it, it’s Megatagame. Mist Spitting Ninja Kirikirimaishi: His father will show up in the next episode. Island Ninja Girigirigaishi: What’s going to happen to KabutoRaiger after that dose of Girigiri Gas? Third Spear, Manmarva: A prophet who’s never wrong. Something is happening to his body. Second Spear, Chuzoobo: He got high marks on his last battle. Disaster Ninja Kangaroulette: Earthquakes, lightning, fire or an old man, none of them are fun. Mirage Ninja Jin-Giron: Don’t get frightened or you’ll turn into an exclamation mark. Sixth Spear, Satarakura: The newest member of Jakanja. He likes making puns. Perfume Ninja Kira-Cologne: If you turned into a perfume, what kind of smell would you be? Lightning Ninja Unadaigo: He was made by copying, er researching the Gouraigers. Revival Ninja Vamp-Iyan: There are many ways to say “stop it”. Candidate for the Second Spear, Chubozoo: He’s a bit of a cocky rookie. Love-Arrow Ninja Choopid: Getting hit by a love arrow results in love at first sight. Gravity Ninja Omo-Karo: He’s really good at foot massages. Karakuri Giant Megatagame Mk II: The patent for a Hurrier system that doesn’t time out is still pending. Lingering Summer Heat Ninja Bero-Tan: Email is convenient, but snail mail is more personal. Pretty Ninja Furabijennu: The ultimate biggest best Earth corrosion plan in space - what exactly is it? Ninja Wolf Beasts Fangarou: They’re the evil space wolves. Not suitable as pets. Giant Beast Fangerus: It’s the fusion of the three Fangarou. It will rampage in the next episode. Third Spear, Manmarva: The prophecies are always true. But… Brainwashing Ninja Jukinoko: His favourite woman is the Upper Ninja. It’s a story of unrequited love. Gliding Ninja Musasabistaru: Its not equipped with AI, because Sargain wanted to pilot it himself. Fourth Spear, Wendinu: On the centipede, she’s a sexy Jakanja upper ninja. Third Spear, Manmarva: Berserk Form: His stomach is a strange place with digestive acid rain. Balloon Ninja Gomubi-Ron: In short, he lives in a faraway place in space. Corrosion Ninja Fushokuruga: Keeps on corroding and keeps on reviving. Misfortune Fan Beast Badogi: Fan-beasts are Ninja Beasts that Sandaaru keeps inside a metal fan. Manzai Ninja Tsukko-Mina: He has major doubts about today’s young comedians. Karakuri Giant Megatagame Mk III: It’s got a 10 in defence, but a 1 in offence. Karakuri Giant Gaingain: Farewell, great inventor Sargain. Disaster Fan Beast Dezargi: Its a giant space crow that will lead Jakanja to victory. Curse Fan Beast Madogi: What do you think of a woman dressed like a cat? Next time: Gozen sends Nanami mixed signals on her cooking. This and more in “Scroll 46: New Years Meal and Three Giants”. All: We’ll arrive with a whoosh in the new year. Final thoughts: All in all, a very decent self-contained plot, that does a surprisingly good job advancing the myth arc, if only slightly. This will basically be my justification for clip shows existing. |
Scroll 46: New Years Meal and Three Giants
Well, it’s the new year portion of the show, so you know we’re entering the endgame soon. It’s also the last script by Atsushi Maekawa (though not the last overall contribution to the Hurricanegers by him, that’s the vs movie with Abaranger). With that said, on with the review. We begin with everyone sitting down to a New Years meal prepared by Nanami. Everyone loves it, even Shurikenger (who shows Kouta, but not us, how he eats without removing his helmet). But Madame Gozen has barely touched hers, and leaves when the subject is brought up, to Nanami’s dismay. After the credits, Wendinu and Furabijo, having found Sargain’s work diary, discover a console, which gets turned on. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6FprBX...jpg&name=small The light turns on to reveal threee Karakuri Giants: Megatagame Mk IV (a repaint of Megatagame Mk II Hurrier) intended for Wendinu (who promptly renamed it Megatagame Sexy, to which I will rename it Sexytagame), FurabijenRobo (based on Furabijennu from episode 30) intended for Furabijo and Giant Musasabistaru (based on Squirrelgain from episode 35, which I will rename Squirrel Without the Gain) which was intended for Sargain, but we know what happened there. So Furabijo tries to get Satarakura to pilot it, but he refuses to be a replacement for Sargain (ironic, since he’s already the replacement for Chuzoobo), forcing Furabijo to leave to try and placate him, leaving Wendinu alone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6FprEX...jpg&name=small Back at Ninja Base, while Oboro and Shurikenger leave to work on something, Nanami wonders why Madame Gozen didn’t eat her cooking. Then Gozen returns… to report that Jakanja has appeared. Kouta: Doesn’t Jakanja take the new year off? (No Kouta. Their union is that horrible) Everyone heads out into battle, Shinobi Changing into the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers. Yosuke calls for Oboro to send the Shinobi Machines… but she’s still not back, so Gozen sends them, having been asked to fill in by Hamster Headmaster. Soon enough, both Karakuri Giants are formed (though for whatever reason, Gouraijin is missing the Double Horn Cutter. Is it possible to be off-model in live-action?). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6FprGW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6FprFW...jpg&name=small The two face down Sexytagame, though Senpuujin is slower, because Nanami is still broken up about Gozen not eating her cooking. The woman herself playing commentator isn’t helping matters. Gozen: That was terrible. Nanami: I’m sorry. Kouta takes charge, summoning Gatling Leo to perform the Kyukyuku Ougi: Dai Kaiten Shishi Bakuretsu Dan. But Sexytagame dodges, causing the shot to hit and damage Gouraijin to the point Isshu’s cockpit leaks gas (seriously, someone should check that out). Gozen: Awful. Nanami: Awful? I knew my cooking wasn’t good enough for Madame Gozen. Yosuke shifts Senpuujin into Hurrier Mode, allowing them to fight on even footing. But then FurabijenRobo and Squirrel Without the Gain show up (Furabijo having bribed Satarakura with an all you can eat Yakiniku buffet date with Wendinu). At the Centipede, Sandaaru and Tau Zant discuss recent plot developments, before taking note of the situation… and deciding to ignore it, since they have no chance of getting the Nageki no Yumi medal (Some faith there). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6Fx-NW...jpg&name=small During the fight, as Nanami continues to misconstrue Gozen’s comments as criticisms of her cooking (I won’t share them here, due to all the homophones that don’t work in English), the enemies somehow damage Gouraijin back to normal, turning the tables against them. It’s then that Tenkuujin shows up. Along with Tenkuujin. And Tenkuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6Fx-VX...jpg&name=small Oboro then returns, revealing that this is a project she and Shurikenger were working on: mass-produced Tenkuujins piloted by the Kuroko-bots. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6Fx-XX...jpg&name=small Tenkuujin 2 combines with Senpuujin to form TenkuuSenpuujin, while Tenkuujin 3 combines with Gouraijin to form TenkuuGouraijin, allowing the two combos to stand alongside the original Tenkuujin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6Fx-PW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger assures Nanami they can take it from here. but she’s already gone back to Ninja Base, where she discovers that Gozen still hasn’t eaten her cooking. As she leaves to return to battle, only Hamster Headmaster notices her, but says nothing. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6F6tEW...jpg&name=small Back with the battle, TenkuuSenpuujin destroys FurabijenRobo with Hissatsu Ougi: Dynamite Tornado, while TenkuuGouraijin destroys Squirrel Without the Gain with Hissatsu Ougi: Tensho Raigeki Ho. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6F6tHW...jpg&name=small But as the two pilots are ejected back to the Centipede, the copies of Tenkuujin malfunction, incapacitating the two Karakuri Giants. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6F6tAX...jpg&name=small In the city, where Tenkuujin is fighting Sexytagame, Hurrcane Dolphin returns to the fight, biting down on Sexytagame. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6F6tBX...jpg&name=small Nanami uses this opportunity to climb up the robot’s body, shatter its eye and doodle on Wendinu’s face with a marker, before returning to her own Shinobi Machine. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6GA3yX...jpg&name=small Nanami then recombined with Senpuujin, bidding everyone to combine into TenraiSenpuujin, after which she uses the Ninjamisen to summon Revolver Mammoth. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez6GA3zX...jpg&name=small They then combine into Revolver TenraiSenpuujin, destroying Sexytagame with the Ultima Rainbow. As Wendinu apologises to Sargain, Sandaaru has been watching the whole thing with mild amusement. Sandaaru: How exciting. It’s my turn now. Back at Ninja Base, as Oboro invites the damaged Kuroko-bots (who are bandaged for some reason), while Hamster Headmaster tells Madame Gozen what Nanami was getting so worked up about. Nanami has also explained this to everyone else, to which Shurikenger says this. Shurikenger: Don’t worry. Madame Gozen doesn’t eat. He explains that the Dark Stone sealed within her body sustains her. But when the Hurricanegers return to Ninja Base, they see Gozen sitting down and eating Nanami’s meal (which is likely cold by now)… and enjoying it. Uchuu Ninja File: Karakuri Giant Megatagame Sexy: She’s sexy, but a little big for my tastes. Next time: Sandaaru returns for the Nageki no Yumi medal, but the heroes won’t let him get it. This and more in “Scroll 47: Seal and Space Union”. Gozen: The time has come to form the Space Union Ninja Style. Final thoughts: This is just one last silly little episode before the main plot dominates the rest of the show. It’s still pretty strong, especially with Nanami’s obsession with Gozen liking her cooking. Writer final thoughts: Atsushi Maekawa: I’ve said he was my favourite writer on this show and I still mean it. His plots manage to be the right mix between hilarious, awesome and heartfelt. If I had to recommend an episode, it would be episode 26, mostly because that’s my favourite out of the whole series. |
Scroll 47: Seal and Space Union
Bad news folks. Due to real-life behind the scenes difficulties, there will be no pictures this time. I won’t go into details, but I do have pictures: I simply can’t upload them at present. So I’ll edit them in as soon as I can. But for now, this will be another text-only review. To make up for it, I’ll be doing updated re-reviews for episodes 1 and 8 on the main Sentai watch thread (since I was never happy with my initial reviews). But anyway, this is a Shin Yoshida episode, so onto the review. We open with the Heroes doing battle with Dezargi (last seen in episode 44), who has the advantage over them, even in TenraiSenpuujin. Sandaaru tells them they can get out of this mess if they hand over the Nageki no Yumi medal, but they refuse. Eventually, Dezargi wins and gets pulled back. At the Centipede, Satarakura and the girls are concerned that they’re becoming redundant, but Sandaaru assures them that they’re all working towards the same goal, so he does value them, especially when Satarakura and Furabijo kiss up to him (leading to a wordplay sight gag where they wear kitsune masks). Sandaaru then asks for the Ikari no Ya medal from Tau Zant for his next plan, to which he is obliged. At Ninja Base, Madame Gozen announces her intent to form the Space Union Ninja Style in order to increase eveyone’s powers by bringing them together as one (which as Nanami points out, was last brought up in episode 23). Despite Shurikenger pleading against it, and trying to appeal to “Mister Mugensai” (sorry, but I’m keeping the nickname I’ve been using since the start of this thread) for help, Gozen asks everyone what they know so she can begin training them. Since they’re all only second years, they don’t know that many techniques (Ikkou and Isshu boast to know 51 techniques), which causes her to dismiss them. Yosuke angrily points out that this isn’t the Sengoku era anymore and that things have changed… which causes Gozen to storm out of her room, with Shurikenger admonishing Yosuke for saying that. As everyone agrees that Yosuke went too far and they should give her idea a shot, Shurikenger returns to declare that she’s gone. It turns out that Gozen has turned herself into a ghost and is wandering the streets of Tokyo, taking in how much has changed in 500 years. Overwhelmed, she travels to a temple on a hill, which Sandaaru picks up by using the Ikari no Ya medal as a radar. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers soon find her at a castle with a 500 year-old tree, which she explains is the place where she grew up. Her father (played by Sargain’s actor in a face role) planted a tree on the site to symbolise how much she meant to him (she was also apparently a prodigy at everything, but since it’s the servants saying this, I imagine they were throwing everything). But then, the temple was attacked by bandits and she was the only survivor, thus leaving the tree as the one thing she had to protect. She has to prevent herself from crying, or the seal will break, hence she hasn’t made any friends for 500 years. Then Dezargi appears, with Senpuujin and Gouraijin going into battle (while Hamster Headmaster and Oboro cry about the situation). At the two Giants struggle, Sandaaru leaps in and forces Gozen to face him. She manages to defend herself with the power of the medal, but when a stray shot from the giant battle destroys the tree, she sheds a tear… which causes her powers to fade. Luckily, Shurikenger manages to fend Sandaaru off, and, after a cool sequence where Senpuujin blocks another stray shot from Dezargi (cool because it manages to not look incredibly fake). Everyone’s desire not to give up shows Gozen that both the Hayate and Ikazuchi ninjas have their essentials down pat. Thus, she joins Shurikenger in Tenkuujin, combining the three into TenraiSenpuujin and channeling all her power into the robot for the Uchuu Toitsu Ninja-Ryu Ougi: Ultima Storm Maximum: a stronger, gold-coloured version of Ultima Storm that breaks through the feathers of Dezargi, destroying him. But Sandaaru isn’t worried, since he’s discovered what he wants to know. On the ground, Gozen brushes off the apologies for the tree’s destruction, acknowledging everyone’s determination and vowing to defeat Jakanja. Uchuu Ninja File: First Spear, Furabijo: She was scouted by Lord Tau on Space Central Street. Next time: The heroes face their evil copies while Gozen faces Madogi. This and more on “Scroll 48: Trap and Eternal Life”. Sandaaru: The Nageki no Yumi medal… in my hand. Final thoughts: This episode gives us a fairly good look at Madame Gozen as a character, which could be easily bungled, considering that she’s a late addition to the story. But she actually does feel like someone we’ve known since the start after this episode. And it had a fairly good moral about change and determination to go with it. |
Scroll 48: Trap and Eternal Life
Well, I fixed my IT issues and I can once more present a full review of this, the last episode by Shin Yoshida. The rest of the series (three episodes) will all be on Miyashita?s back. With that said, on with the review. We begin at the Centipede, where Tau Zant is getting impatient waiting for the plot to move along (as I imagine some people up to this point in the series are). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THjUGX...jpg&name=small Sandaaru steps forward, once more vowing to get the medal. But everyone else is less than convinced. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THjUZX...jpg&name=small Furabijo brings up that he failed to get the Nageki no Yumi medal from Madame Gozen last time, but Sandaaru is more self-confident this time. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THjVdW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THlFxX...jpg&name=small Both then take a moment to express their admiration for Sandaaru (and Furabijo turns out to be incredibly homophobic for someone who?s slept in bed with another woman). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THtjXW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THtk2W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THtmOX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0THt4XW...jpg&name=small Sandaaru restates his vow to get the Nageki no Yumi medal as Tau Zant gives him the Ikari no Ya medal for his plan. After the credits, Gozen fills in the Hurricanegers on the backstory we haven?t got yet. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TH3gNW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TH3h-W...jpg&name=small Ikkou and Oboro theorise that Nageki no Yumi and Ikari no Ya exist to give life to ?that?, and were separated by a peace-loving civilisation so that it couldn?t be born (well they didn?t do a very good job of it). Yosuke then summarises what the medal is, based on the context he has. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TH304W...jpg&name=small Gozen agrees that it must be. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TH3g1W...jpg&name=small She then shares the backstory given 5 episodes ago with the rest of the Space Union Way, along with her interpretation of it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIA9ZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIA-eX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIA_VX...jpg&name=small The question then turns to what will happen once they defeat Jakanja and stop the birth of ?that?. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIBScX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIDAoX...jpg&name=small The main 5 then all make a vow to protect her, which Shurikenger approves of. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIDBZW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIDCvX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIDVMX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIMKMW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIMLkW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIMewX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIMfTW...jpg&name=small Gozen on the other hand, rejects this notion, before leaving. (Is this going to be her thing? Leaving after every disagreement?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIWYzW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIYyqW...jpg&name=small In the city, Sandaaru summons Cursed Fan-Beast Madogi (last seen in episode 45) and gives her 6 of Dezargi?s feathers to work with. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIY0FW...jpg&name=small Madogi throws the feathers away and zaps them, causing them to disperse to parts of the city with this show?s super speed sound effect (also heard as the ?jumping? sound effect in Gingaman). Elsewhere, the Hurricanegers are annoyed with Gozen rejecting their generous offer. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIY1MX...jpg&name=small Ikkou and Isshu then point out that she has a very good reason. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIgCtX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIgDhX...jpg&name=small Yosuke realises that they can never make Gozen sad? a thought that gets interrupted by Oboro annoyed at them for something. We then cut to a news report (and since the guest star budget has already been blown, he?s played by Bin Shimada, Satarakura?s voice actor). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIlPnX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIlRiW...jpg&name=small Oboro and Hamster Headmaster are annoyed at this. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIp99X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIqS4W...jpg&name=small Our heroes rush to the scene and rescue a civilian, who identifies her assailants. (If you?re confused as to why she?s acting like they?re a new thing, I?ll remind you that the Hurricanegers aren?t public knowledge. Hamster Headmaster and/or Shurikenger have the minds of anyone who sees them erased after every fight). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIp_YX...jpg&name=small They then react to the sounds of bells ringing, running to the source? the Hurricanegers? Wearing cat collars? (Didn?t we already do an evil twin story?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIqApX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIyeMW...jpg&name=small And for further confusion, the Gouraigers and Shurikenger show up, sporting the same accessories. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TIyfLX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI2a8X...jpg&name=small The real ones are annoyed and Shinobi Change to do battle. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI2bkX...jpg&name=small The score then gets evened for the heroes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI6ioX...jpg&name=small Oboro and Hamster Headmaster are relieved at this obvious turn of events, while Gozen walks in and finds out about the situation. A battle breaks out between the twelve ninjas. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI6jYX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI6jxW...jpg&name=small This is exactly what Sandaaru wanted, and he springs his trap on the heroes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TI_4_X...jpg&name=small This traps the 6 in a barrier, sapping their powers so the fakes have the upper hand. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJCadW...jpg&name=small At Ninja Base, all of this is observed by Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJGd8X...jpg&name=small Oboro discovers something about the barrier. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJEKjX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJGfGW...jpg&name=small But before she can finish explains, Gozen is already gone. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJLTpX...jpg&name=small Back at the battle, the fake ninjas blast the real ones with their Victory Gadget. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJLRAX...jpg&name=small But at the last moment before evil can win once and for all, Gozen appears to help. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJLmOW...jpg&name=small While this does allow the fight to become more even, it plays right into Sandaaru?s hands. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJLSSW...jpg&name=small Everyone then defeats their doppelg?ngers with slash attacks, with Isshu and Shurikenger getting their own just for this scene. Ikazuchi-Ryu Kengi: Raiga Issen and Tsubasa-Ryu Kengi: Tenkuu-zan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJTRMX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJTR_X...jpg&name=small The impostors are defeated by this, and the other Spears show their disappointment. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJYHkX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJYIkW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJc1dX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant on the other hand, assures them that there?s still more. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJfKfW...jpg&name=small Sure enough, Madogi uses her powers to graft the collars from the fakes onto the real Hurricanegers, Gouraigers and Shurikenger, placing them under her control. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJfL3X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJfNTW...jpg&name=small Madogi then forces her new puppets to battle a reluctant Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJlZqW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJlavW...jpg&name=small Eventually, Gozen uses the Dark Stone?s power to knock everyone out of their suits (except for Shurikenger). But they?re still under Madogi?s curse. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJlcAX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJr3EW...jpg&name=small The rest of the Jakanja are disappointed, except for Tau Zant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJufVW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJugBX...jpg&name=small Sure enough, the collared heroes can still fight, even if they don?t want to. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJuhFX...jpg&name=small Sandaaru takes the opportunity to mock Gozen over her reluctance to fight back. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJu0AW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJ3OWW...jpg&name=small In the middle of this rant, Gozen thinks about her father and the servants who died in the previous episode?s flashback. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJ3PhW...jpg&name=small After barely defending herself, the heroes then start saying the same thing that Sandaaru is saying: That it doesn?t matter what happens to them, as long as she is safe. (You know things are bad when both sides are making the same point https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJ7eaX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TJ980X...jpg&name=small Gozen then remembers her good times with them over the last 4 episodes, which causes the Ikari no Ya medal to stop reacting. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKAE5X...jpg&name=small Sandaaru takes this chance to send in Madogi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKAFdX...jpg&name=small Despite losing her powers, Gozen still charges into battle with Madogi, ending it in a single slash. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKAG6X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKFqmW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKHohW...jpg&name=small Though both sides are wounded, Madogi?s spell is still broken, with the collars falling off the heroes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKHqoX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKH9HX...jpg&name=small Everyone then Shinobi changes and then they perform a Kage no Mai with all six of them. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKH9XW...jpg&name=small With this done, the main 5 prepare the Victory Gadget, while Shurikenger decides to use his own weapon. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKQWwX...jpg&name=small They then hit Madogi with the Saikyo Ougi. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKYiyX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKab4X...jpg&name=small Though Madogi is destroyed for good, Sandaaru is still in the fight and grabs Gozen while they?re distracted. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKed9X...jpg&name=small Unable to do anything, our heroes are made to watch as Sandaaru uses the Nageki no Yumi medal?s link with the Ikari no Ya medal to pull the former out of Gozen?s body. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKgoNW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKgo-W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKgqGX...jpg&name=small ... https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKo-SX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKo-1X...jpg&name=small His prize in hand, Sandaaru teleports away, laughing evilly, while Tau Sant does the same back at the Centipede (have to admit, I saw this coming because Ninninger did a similar thing at the endgame, so when I saw similarities with the ?dark stone? plot line, I guessed where this was going). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKpTXX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKplkW...jpg&name=small A dejected Shurikenger can only crouch down in what LittleKuriboh dubbed ?the card game pose every Duelist takes upon defeat?, while everyone else rushes over to Madame Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TKxElW...jpg&name=small Gozen apologises for getting careless and states that now, 500 years will pass for her all at once. As Yosuke begs her to stay alive, even calling her ?Kagura? in the attempt, she silences him. Kagura then leaves everyone with one last message. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TLIecW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TLId7W...jpg&name=small And with that, Lady Kagura crumbles to dust in the wind, as she should?ve done centuries ago. (I?m not crying, you are). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TLIg8W...jpg&name=small The episode ends with everyone lamenting how they won?t be able to keep their promise to protect her forever (which I realise now was only made to facilitate this moment), as we linger on a shot of Kagura?s bow. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0TLU7vX...jpg&name=small Uchuu Ninja File: Seventh Spear, Sandaaru: He doesn?t trust anyone, so his subordinates are all Ninja Beasts. Next time: Shurikenger becomes a drill sergeant nasty to the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers, while Satarakura unleashes his final assault. This and more in ?Scroll 49: Mission and Heavenly Ninja?. Shurikenger: Sandaaru, I absolutely won?t let you get with this! Final thoughts: Yeah, this was a fairly depressing episode about the simple edict that ?no good deed goes unpunished?. Under a lesser writer, this could?ve been done poorly, especially since Gozen has only been in the show for 5 episodes, despite being a presence since the beginning. But I can say that they successfully pulled off the expected tragedy level. Writer final thoughts: Shin Yoshida: After a fairly rough first episode, Yoshida managed to contribute some fairly good episodes that expanded upon characters and their mythos, which honestly blows Ryuki?s character work out of the water (though since I never cared for Ryuki?s characters other than Ryuga, Femme and Zolda (maybe the second Verde from the Rider Time special), that?s not saying much. If I had to recommend an episode, I?d go for episode 38, mostly because Isshu is one of my favourite characters (why do you think he?s my signature?) and the episode really works for him. |
Scroll 49: Mission and Heavenly Ninja
Well gang, here we are. Time for a song to set the mood before we get on with the review. https://youtube.com/watch?v=VScSEXRwUqQ We open with the Hurricanegers training in the woods with Shurikenger, while the Kasumi Bros watch the unfair advantage… over the Hurricanegers. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cj0EHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cj0EUX...jpg&name=small Shurikenger admonishes the trio for their sloppiness. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvhY0X...jpg&name=small They shook back that they want to, but the Jakanja killed Madame Gozen. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cj0EWX...jpg&name=small This gets Shurikenger to stop for a moment… https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ckWTUX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ckWTSW...jpg&name=small Then Ikkou points out the bad half of the situation (which is already pretty bad). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvnQzX...jpg&name=small Then our green weirdo who speaks English goes right back to business. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvnQsW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvz0PX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvz0RW...jpg&name=small After the credits, a meteor shower falls to Earth (again), and Tau Zant recounts his summary of the latest prophecy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvz0bX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cvz0gX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwPrwX...jpg&name=small Satarakura is ready to actually commence their season long plan. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwPsCX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwPr3X...jpg&name=small But, it isn’t that simple. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwPr7W...jpg&name=small As Wendinu and Furabijo summarise, he needs to get bigger (you didn’t think this ancient artefact pair was meant to be used solely for robots, did you). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwn8mX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwn8rW...jpg&name=small Tau Zant basically says “Sure, why not?” As Satarakura's celebrations get on the nerves of the two space Kunoichi, Tau Zant turns to the real competent minion. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwn8mW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cwn8zW...jpg&name=small Back at Ninja Base, Hamster Headmaster and Oboro are discussing what to do about their “Jakanja has Nageki no Yumi and Ikari no Ya” problem. And we find out why the Kasumi Bros didn’t lead the others in a full assault on the Centipede long ago. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxCQEX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxCP5W...jpg&name=small Oboro then sees a meteor shower incoming and begins deciphering it. Elsewhere, Shurikenger has finished beating the Gouraigers as well and is disappointed. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxCP_X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cmD-IW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers object to his draconian training methods. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxTtDX...jpg&name=small (Slight goof here. The word that gets translated as “robots” is “kugutsu”, which more accurately translates as “puppet”, and has been subbed as such so far in this series) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxTtIX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxTtNX...jpg&name=small This last one seems to get through to Shurikenger... https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxTtJW...jpg&name=small But he quickly snaps out of it and decides to modify the training. Namely, using the Fire-Ken on them while untransformed. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxwCcX...jpg&name=small But they escape this by Shinobi changing, so Shurikenger then pulls a new trick out of his metaphorical hat. Shurikenger: Chou Ninpo: Soragake! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxwCgX...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster shares Yosuke’s shock and confusion. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxwCdX...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Satarakura is armed with a new weapon made from Sargain’s leftover data, the Jacuum Gun (the subs spell it “Jakyumu”, but my spelling gets the joke across better), which is designed to suck anger and grief from people. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cxwCoX...jpg&name=small As Shurikenger finishes defeating all 5 again, he reminisces on how he first became Gozen’s servant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyOu_X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyOvAW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyOu6X...jpg&name=small Hamster Headmaster seems similarly reminiscent of a random pupil who left them suddenly ten years ago (all of a sudden). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyOvLW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0coCwWX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0coCwPW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0coCwWW...jpg&name=small Oboro wonders if this is plot-relevant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cykR6X...jpg&name=small In the city, Satarakura appears and drains a bunch of people. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyp6qX...jpg&name=small Among the victims are Nanami’s manager Hase and Yosuke’s still unnamed outside of the credits boss. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cok4UX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyp6zX...jpg&name=small The heroes get alerted to the crisis and cut the torture session short. The Gouraigers arrive first and demand that Satarakura return the energy he stole. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cyp60W...jpg&name=small They chase him to a quarry, where the Hurricanegers and Shurikenger appear to uneven the odds. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cpADqX...jpg&name=small But fortunately for Sata, Tau Zant intervenes for the first time in the series, zapping the heroes down to protect the Jacuum Gun. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cy96XW...jpg&name=small And it turns out that when Tau Zant says he won’t let anyone take the Jacuum Gun, he means it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cy96eX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cy96fW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czNHQW...jpg&name=small As the girls react with pity, Sandaaru is somehow shocked that Tau Zant doesn’t give a crap about his minions. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czNHXX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cpMi_W...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Oboro has finished deciphering the meteor shower… and has some shocking reveals. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czNHYW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cpxQhW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cpxQ-W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czfE-W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cpxREX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czlpwW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czlpuX...jpg&name=small Ikkou and Isshu realise there’s only one way to start (and stop) it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czlp3X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0czlqBX...jpg&name=small But wait, there’s more to this prophecy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cz49ZX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cqtjKX...jpg&name=small Now knowing this, Satarakura decides to have some fun by absorbing some of the energy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cz49pX...jpg&name=small Fun that is not endorsed by Tau Zant, prompting Sandaaru to teleport in there. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cz49mX...jpg&name=small Satarakura then unleashes his “Sata Kage Bunshin” technique, defeating the Hurricanegers, Gouraigers and Shurikenger handily. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crGNlX...jpg&name=small He then blasts them with the Jacuum Gun, which turns out to be a very good investment. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crGNiW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crGOBW...jpg&name=small Then Sandaaru appears and cuts the container off his ally’s back. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crGN-W...jpg&name=small He then lets him know, in no uncertain terms, that he’s fired. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crqo0X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crqo1X...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then declares that he’s going to avenge Gozen’s death at Sandaaru’s hands, which reassures everyone else that he still cares. But even in Fire Mode, Shurikenger proves no match for Sandaaru’s Uchuu Ninpo: Chosugai (I finally have a name for the giant head attack) and his Hidan Senban Knock is barely able to dent the container with one ball. Sandaaru then finishes his opponent off and rubs his victory in. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crqoyW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0crqo1X...jpg&name=small As Sandaaru leaves with his ill-gotten gains, everyone crowds around the dying Shurikenger (first Gozen, then the bosses, now Shurikenger. Who’s next to go?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0LIfW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0LIlW...jpg&name=small Shurikenger then shares the memory of when he first became Shurikenger (and we see that the Shuriken Ball was created by Gozen through a flower petal, presumably using the Dark Stone’s power). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0LIkW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0LItW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0ghiW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0ghxX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0ghuW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c0gh4W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c00vcW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c00vfW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c00vdW...jpg&name=small This moment then gets interrupted by Satarakura, who survived having his mask broken. (And I kind of wish it hadn’t been right now) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c00voX...jpg&name=small And then it becomes even creepier, as Satarakura + the energy of rage and sorrow - mask = RUN FOR YOUR FRICKIN LIVES!!!!! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ctmmBX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1LWmX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1LWpW...jpg&name=small Before anyone can do anything to counter this, Shurikenger gets himself up. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1LW1X...jpg&name=small He then throws Yosuke his Shuriken Ball and urges them to go on. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cuBBxX...jpg&name=small As they leave, he summons Tenkuujin and transforms it into robot mode. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cuBBzX...jpg&name=small Tenkuujin charges through the explosions and grabs onto an unstable (figuratively and literally) Satarakura. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cuBB5X...jpg&name=small As Tenkuujin is buffeted by the energy being released, Shurikenger gives his last speech (Without hope, without witness, without reward). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cuBByW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cutvtX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cutv6X...jpg&name=small Tenkuujin then explodes, taking out Satarakura with it, as everyone mourns Shurikenger’s death. (What is it with Sentai and killing off Green Sixths? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cutv7X...jpg&name=small As Furabijo mourns Satarakura’s death, Sandaaru literally swats an angry Wendinu away before presenting the tanker to Tau Zant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0cutwDX...jpg&name=small Back with the heroes, Yosuke recaps the situation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1dE9W...jpg&name=small Everyone affirms their commitment to stopping Jakanja as the only ones left who can do so. Yosuke summons Hurricane Hawk so they can make the trip to the Centipede, as the episode ends. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1dFEX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0c1dFCX...jpg&name=small Uchuu Ninja File: Boss Tau Zant: He has a hundred legs like a centipede. I learned something today. Next time: Tau Zant evolves into his ultimate form while our heroes face the remaining Seven Spears (now down to three). This and more in “Scroll 50: Darkness and the New World”. Ikkou: Protect the Earth… Isshu:… Hurricaneger! Final thoughts: Since this is another three-parter, I’ll reserve full thoughts on the overall plot until the end. But as for this episode, it’s kind of fitting they didn’t reveal who Shurikenger was, even at the end. Because by this point, any kind of reveal they’d do would be really anticlimactic. And Satarakura’s real face, while undeniably incredibly creepy, actually kind of works because of that. |
Scroll 50: Darkness and the New World
Here we are, at the penultimate episode of this watch thread. There?s nothing to say, so on with the review. Tau Zant receives the canister of energy that Satarakura collected in the last episode, beginning to absorb it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozQP2X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozQP8X...jpg&name=small As this takes place, we can see something embedded in the canister. Namely, a softball. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozQQFX...jpg&name=small But this goes unnoticed, as Tau Zant sucks up the energy (and apparently, he stores the two medals in his eyes). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozQP9W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozVG7W...jpg&name=small In Hurricane Hawk, Yosuke activates the Shuriken Ball?s tracking feature, causing the softball to glow with energy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozVJZX...jpg&name=small This allows the heroes to see the Centipede and fly into it, as Sandaaru realises. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozVYiW...jpg&name=small Yosuke then initiates Karakuri Ninpo: Kaentaka to crash into the Centipede. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozVg_X...jpg&name=small Cue the titles, which not only still include Satarakura, but have re-added Sargain (also Chuzoobo and Manmarva, but I wasn?t able to get captures for them). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozWhWW...jpg&name=small Hurricane Hawk survives the crash and Isshu and Ikkou have a moment of reminiscing. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozWxfX...jpg&name=small Because of this, they get told to lead the way to Tau Zant, who has begun to narrate his backstory (which becomes a staple for all of the producer?s main villains [Abrella, N Ma, Long, Ryubee, Gamou and Yodon] to only reveal their backstory as the show is ending, where it barely, if at all, factors into the plot, or causes us to reevaluate their characters). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozWxgW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0ozWxhX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pAijvX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pAij5W...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers hear all of this, as does Hamster Headmaster. As you?d expect, they?re not too onboard with the idea. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pAij0X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pAij-X...jpg&name=small The heroes fight off the Magerappas and make their way to the throne room. But before more than a confrontation can take place, Tau Zant?s transformation begins, causing the base to collapse. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pRvl5W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pRvmrW...jpg&name=small The heroes barely make it to Hurricane Hawk, and while they escape the destruction of the Centipede, they aren?t able to escape the shockwaves. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pRvm-W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pRvn0X...jpg&name=small Wendinu and Furabijo have also escaped? and they bear witness as Tau Zant transforms into his ultimate form. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pR-2EX...jpg&name=small Tau Zant then summons the Nageki no Yumi and Ikari no Ya to carry out his plan (and if you?re wondering, since I didn?t get a picture of it, the Nageki no Yumi appears in a red Karakuri Ball). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pR-J4X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pR-KKX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pR-2CX...jpg&name=small He fires the Ikari no Ya into the ocean, creating a whirlpool which Oboro recognises as a reference to episode 8 (which I?ll be reviewing in the main watch thread tomorrow). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSIKvX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSILWX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSIMGW...jpg&name=small But before Tau Zant can do anything else. A wild Sandaaru appears. The wild Sandaaru used Bullet Punch. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSIMyW...jpg&name=small It?s super effective! Tau Zant fainted. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSKK2W...jpg&name=small As Furabijo mourns the death of their leader, Wendinu simply says one thing to his killer. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSKMwW...jpg&name=small That ?bastard? then explains his reasoning. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSKOIW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSKObW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSXleX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSXnBX...jpg&name=small This last comment causes Wendinu to realise that it was Sandaaru who killed Sargain. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSXoBX...jpg&name=small But it?s too late for realisations, as Sandaaru has decided that he no longer needs either of them (to be fair, they were little more than sex appeal as it was). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSX66X...jpg&name=small Elsewhere, Hamster Headmaster underlines the gravity of the situation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSn9VW...jpg&name=small But back at the scene, Wendinu and Furabijo successfully get Sandaaru to take them on as temps by deconstructing his character and making him an offer. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSn-gX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSn_1X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pSoSUX...jpg&name=small Sandaaru accepts this and a new battle begins, with the remnants of Jakanja getting an early lead in on the Space Union Ninjas. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS0HpW...jpg&name=small But, when our heroes remember Gozen and Shurikenger, they get a second wind and are able to Shinobi Change, shocking their enemies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS0ISW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS0I8W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS0JdX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS2dQX...jpg&name=small They then form the Victory Gadget and fire on the three enemies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS2aaX...jpg&name=small There?s an explosion which clears to show that while Sandaaru prevails, the two Space Kunoichi have left nothing but their swords (Furabijo and Wendinu died as they lived - through special effects). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS2bWX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pS2cjX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTEmCX...jpg&name=small And since ?give up? isn?t in his vocabulary, Sandaaru plays his trump card: Uchuu Ninpo: Kyodai Mei no Jutsu. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTEmgW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTEnDX...jpg&name=small And now for something completely different. Instead of describing what happens next, I?m going to share a video and give you my attempt at subbing it myself. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4sMeBB1Fpeo Furaimaru: GouraiSenpuujin, on stage! Yosuke: Let?s go! Everyone else: Right! Sandaaru: Let?s test the power of the Earth Ninjas? Karakuri Giant. (Incidentally, a reference to Shuichi Ikeda?s previous role of Char Anzable?s famous line ?Let?s test the power of the Federation?s Mobile Suit?) Yosuke: Take this. Sandaaru: Is that all the power you can muster? Yosuke: Try this. Hissatsu Ougi! Everyone: Rolling Thunder Hurricane! Sandaaru: That won?t work if it can?t hit me. Kouta: Rolling Thunder Hurricane didn?t work? Yosuke: Then how about this. Come on, Revolver Mammoth! All: Hissatsu Kyukyuku Ougi: Thunder Hurricane Strike! Sandaaru: Uchuu Ninpo: Cho Sugai! Yosuke: He?s strong? Ikkou: What do we do? Hamster Headmaster: How?s it going, Oboro? Sandaaru: ?That? is about to be born. The birth of a new universe. When I, Sandaaru am ruler, a new world will be given life. Yosuke: Once more, let?s go with GouraiSenpuujin. Ikkou: If we had defeated them back then, this wouldn?t be happening now. Isshu: Brother, Sandaaru is our responsibility. Ikkou: Isshu Isshu: Brother. Ikkou: Isshu Isshu: Right. Shinobi Medal, set! Sword Slasher! Yosuke: Ikkou, Isshu. Sandaaru: What?re you doing? Let go. Kouta: Get out of there. Ikkou, Isshu! Ikkou: Yosuke, Nanami, Kouta. He?s ours. Gouraigers: Stop that thing! Protect this planet, Hurricaneger! Yosuke: IKKOU! Nanami: ISSHU! Sandaaru: So this is it? But this planet will? this universe will? be destroyed! Nanami: NOOOO! Yosuke: Nanami! Nanami runs to the wreckage, but it?s too late. Nothing remains of the Kasumi Bros, or Gouraijin. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTEo7X...jpg&name=small As Nanami mourns, Yosuke gives a slightly annoyed eulogy for the fallen heroes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTNXQW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTNYPW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTNZSX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTNsQX...jpg&name=small But the time for mourning quickly passes, as the whirlpool turns into the black hole Oboro predicted it would, sucking in Ikari no Ya and Tau Zant?s corpse, in addition to buffeting the heroes and blacking out the sky (and affecting the power). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTbLEX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTbKpW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTbNkX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTbMmW...jpg&name=small The Satarakura-portrayed newscaster then appears, reporting on the tragedy. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTmH4X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTmIuX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTmKBW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTmeEX...jpg&name=small Oboro finally devises a solution to the problem? though it?s not ideal. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTuRKW...jpg&name=small Nevertheless, she shares it with the others. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTuPzW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTuSpX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pTu0rW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pT8rfW...jpg&name=small But before anything else can be said, Ninja Base collapses on Oboro and Hamster Headmaster, cutting them off (man, this show is just eliminating all the regulars now, isn?t it?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pT8sGW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pT8svW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pT8slW...jpg&name=small The Hurricanegers then come to a sobering realisation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUIUCW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUIVdX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUIW9X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUIpUX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUUmTX...jpg&name=small But then the spirits of everyone who?s died appear before them to give them reassurance. (There are more, but I couldn?t be bothered to photograph them) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUUoWX...jpg&name=small Now reassured, they do a miniature role call before setting off. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUUpgW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUU-3W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUfidX...jpg&name=small They return to Senpuujin and pick up the Nageki no Yumi, preparing to fly into the black hole and stop this once and for all. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUfjlW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUfkEX...jpg&name=small To. Be. Continued. Uchuu Ninja File: Tau Sant: Ultimate Form: Sandaaru killed his own comrades. But he never thought his dog would bite back. (Which seems rather short-sighted, if you ask me) And since it?s the last time it will play, here?s Hurricaneger?s ED ?Ima Kaze no Naka De?, with translated lyrics courtesy of RangerWiki. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WCc1gP_n...d3axq048Ym8jAv You too Can you hear it? The song of the sky The waves of the sea The voice of the earth This irreplaceable Blue planet's Signs of pain Are an S.O.S. for us We want to receive The pulsation of these souls We want to embrace it With the whole of our bodies We become even stronger Now that we are inside the wind When it's time to stand up to the future The energy is born We become even gentler Now that we are inside the wind Only the true courage Is the energy we know When one heart and another one Are making each other's echo The infinite power Brings out the sympathy We will not give up For that extraordinary dream We want to pursue it Until the ends of this world We become even stronger Now that we are inside the wind When it's time to push on to that dream The energy awakes We become even gentler Now that we are inside the wind This world worth protecting Makes the energy shine We become even stronger Now that we are inside the wind When it's time to stand up to the future The energy is born We become even gentler Now that we are inside the wind Only the true courage Is the energy we know We become even stronger Now that we are inside the wind When it's time to push on to that dream The energy awakes We become even gentler Now that we are inside the wind This world worth protecting Makes the energy shine La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la... Tune in next time, for the exciting conclusion. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0pUfk_X...jpg&name=large Final thoughts: Once again, I?m saving overall thoughts for the final part. But as for this episode, I?m truly impressed with how they managed to insert a lot of call backs (such as the Copy Giant cameo and the payoff to ?that? needing water to be born) without losing momentum. And I?m truly impressed that Sandaaru managed to kill Tau Zant for leadership and hold onto it for even a scene. Not many Starscreams can claim that. |
Final Scroll: Wind, Water and Earth
Have to say, I love that title. Other than that, let?s end this puppy. We begin with everyone reminding us of what?s been happening. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zTqcHX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zTqcRW...jpg&name=small Senpuujin enters the Evil Will?s universe (which is a kaleidoscope with TARDIS SFX for some reason) by turning into Senpuujin Hurrier. But as they find Ikari no Ya, the Evil Will (the one behind all this, in case you?ve forgotten) speaks for the first time (and he?s voiced by Seizo Kato, who voiced several Tokusatsu big bads in the 80s, in addition to being the voice behind G1 Megatron). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zdlb1W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zdlcCX...jpg&name=small Despite the Evil Will?s best effort to stop them, Senpuujin Hurrier (worth mentioning that this takes place over 60 seconds, but time probably works differently in this universe, so I?ll let it slide) grabs Ikari no Ya and uses Nageki no Yumi to fire it at the point they came in from. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zdyUUW...jpg&name=small This has the desired result of reversing the reaction, while also causing Nageki no Yumi to disintegrate (which is both a good thing, since it means this can never be repeated, and a bad thing, since there?s now no way to make more Shinobi Medals or Karakuri Balls). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zdyR3X...jpg&name=small Senpuujin gets buffeted by the reaction. When Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta recover, not only has it reverted to normal form, but they?re back in their own universe and everything is fine. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd61SX...jpg&name=small As the darkness subsides, everyone who was drained by Satarakura recovers, with Hase and Yosuke?s boss returning to what they were up to. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd8zYX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd80XW...jpg&name=small Unfortunately, it?s not over yet, as a familiar voice is still alive and angry. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd81HX...jpg&name=small An old friend then appears. Namely, Tau Zant (who is voiced by Kiyoyuki Yanada, the voice of Armada Megatron), who?s body has been reanimated by the Evil Will. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd811W...jpg&name=small A fight breaks out, wherein Tau Zant (who is now speaking with the voices of two different versions of Megatron) holds the upper hand. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zd-_jW...jpg&name=small But the Hurricanegers get the idea to hit him where Sandaaru stabbed him, since the injury is still there. When he knocks them down, they get their chance, knocking him back with a Karakuri Ball and then stabbing him with the Sword Slasher. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeANlW...jpg&name=small While this works, it also destroys Senpuujin in the process, as Tau Zant decides to take them with him https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeAPdX...jpg&name=small Before our trio can celebrate their success, some familiar faces appear. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeAi8X...jpg&name=small And then they introduce themselves. ?First Spear, Furabijo.? ?Second Spear, Chuzoobo.? ?Third Spear, Manmarva.? ?Fourth Spear, Wendinu.? ?Fifth Spear, Sargain.? ?Sixth Spear, Sat-a-ra-ku-ra.? ?Seventh Spear, Sandaaru.? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeLyuW...jpg&name=small They announce that they?ve been brought back by the Evil Will, stronger than ever and with their past disputes settled, to defeat the Hurricanegers. Manmarva: Let?s go. Jakanja Seven Way Union! Chuzoobo: Combine! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeWOMW...jpg&name=small With this new ?combination?, the Seven Spears blast our trio with the Ankoku Bomber. But they get saved as a pair of shadows awaken. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeWOeX...jpg&name=small Sure enough, the pair are the Kasumi Bros, alive and well. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeez8X...jpg&name=small Ikkou reveals that they were saved by the ?Will of Ikazuchi?, on the condition that they stop fighting in the shadows and fight with the Hurricanegers (so basically what they were already doing. Some saviour the Will of Ikazuchi is). As the Seven Spears recover, Kouta sets off some familiar dialogue. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeowoX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeow1X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeoxWX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zesSIX...jpg&name=small They then do their role call unmorphed (a tradition I don?t expect to take off after this). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zesRQX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zevTKW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zevUJX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeyOcX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zeyPNW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zfEdEW...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zfEdbX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zfEemW...jpg&name=small As Sandaaru and Satarakura demand they get to the fight already (my sentiments exactly), the 5 do a one-off group Shinobi Change (initiated by Nanami and Isshu, of all people) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zfNv-W...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zf-6kX...jpg&name=small A fight then breaks out with Yosuke facing both Satarakura and Sandaaru (and he actually wins too), Nanami defeating Wendinu and Furabijo with her Chou Ninpo: Minamo Bosshiri, Isshu overpowering Chuzoobo with his Stag Breaker, Kouta overwhelming Sargain with his Chou Ninpo: Mai Jishi and Ikkou taking down Manmarva after an epic duel (well that certainly restores the balance after that awful two-parter). They then defeat the 5 with their respective sword techniques. Yosuke: Hayate-Ryu Kengi: Shippu Zan! Nanami: Hayate-Ryu Kengi: Geki-Ryu Zan! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zf-6-W...jpg&name=small Kouta: Hayate-Ryu Kengi: Daichi Giri! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zf-7PW...jpg&name=small Ikkou: Ikazuchi-Ryu Kengi: Raigeki Zan! Isshu: Ikazuchi-Ryu Kengi: Raiga Issen! The Seven Spears are destroyed once more? but when the explosion clears, the Evil Will is standing there (and because the costume budget?s run out, he looks like Tau Zant - Ultimate Form, only small sized). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zgNRzX...jpg&name=small As the Evil Will proceeds to beat up the 5 for wrecking his plan, Oboro climbs out of the wreckage of Ninja Base and observes what?s happening on the one intact monitor. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zgc6sW...jpg&name=small Oboro tries to urge them to continue, but it takes Mugensai, now human once more, to truly motivate them to stand up. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zgc8uW...jpg&name=small As the 5 espouse the virtues of the Space Union Ninja Way, the theme song?s first verse kicks in. (Credit to Tv-Nihon for the translation) https://youtube.com/watch?v=FDItdZdo...Wot9cKwgWOngEP Whoosh and arrive (arrive) With a whoosh, there are ninjas. Create a hurricane of courage. Though you feel as if you are overwhelmed If you change these feelings to a smile. You can run towards new days, looking only forward. For the sake of protecting this planet, we?ve inherited this secret power. Three hearts gathered as one, believing in a future to work hard for. Whoosh and arrive (arrive) With a whoosh there are ninjas Get ready, get ready, absolutely get ready. Whoosh and arrive (arrive) Whoosh through today, go go. Burn up the hurricane of justice Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. Become the wind. As they weaken the Evil Will with a Gonin Kage no Mai (let?s face it, that suit is too elaborate for a practical fight and I wouldn?t have this show?s final battle any other way), they then finish him off with a point blank blast with the Victory Gadget. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zgmNCW...jpg&name=small Later, as everyone sends a message to Lady Gozen and Shurikenger that they can rest in piece now, Yosuke gets the same sobering realisation that I have. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhRcYX...jpg&name=small Two months later, Mugensai is preparing to preside over everyone?s graduation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhS9_X...jpg&name=small He reveals that he was able to remember the ?turn back into a human? spell because of his desire to save Oboro. Oboro compares this to the bond the 5 heroes share with each other. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhS_tX...jpg&name=small In the same clearing where three kids once complained about being forced to be Ninjas, 5 Ninjas now discuss their uncertain future. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhVDfW...jpg&name=small Ikkou and Isshu look on the bright side, as they?ll now be sent on real Ninja missions. While Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta say they even when they?re apart, they?ll always be together. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhXvvW...jpg&name=small As they make peace with this, another element from the first episode returns. Namely, the Headmaster in an Oni mask. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhYmWW...jpg&name=small Mugensai then issues a challenge to the 5 students. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhgiXX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhgjAX...jpg&name=small As he runs off, the second and third verses of the theme kick in (I?m not uploading the video again). If annoying tears once more overwhelm you, flowing all over your cheeks. Aim for the boundless tomorrow, without any fears. Don?t give up until the very end, red, blue and yellow passion leave their marks. Within three blades lies our power that can?t be beat. Whoosh and arrive (arrive) With a whoosh there are ninjas. Defeat, defeat, defeat the incarnation of evil Whoosh and arrive (arrive) Whooshing through today, go go. Create the hurricane of courage. Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger, chase your dreams. For the sake of protecting this planet, we?ve inherited this secret power. Three hearts gathered as one, believing in a future to work hard for. Whoosh and arrive (arrive) With a whoosh there are ninjas Get ready, get ready, absolutely get ready. Whoosh and arrive (arrive) Whoosh through today, go go. Burn up the hurricane of justice. Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. Become the wind. Each of the students gets their diploma in their own unique ways? but instead, I?ll show you what they did next. Ikkou and Isshu became workers, living off construction money, as before. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zhglSX...jpg&name=small Kouta joined his sister Meiko in helping disadvantaged children. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znXOTW...jpg&name=small Nanami left the Enka life behind and became a pop sensation. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znkKGW...jpg&name=small Yosuke returned to his poorly defined job. He still doesn?t fit in. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znkMiX...jpg&name=small As everyone met up for lunch, they found the restaurant was serving Taiko Master (see episode 24), Kazuya Misaki (see episode 26), Mr. Hashimoto (see episode 34), Kazuma Namikawa (see episode 35), a fisherman (see episode 42) and an oden seller (see episode 44). What do all these people have in common? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znxySW...jpg&name=small But the first to speak English isn?t anyone on the table, but the chef (but since his actor?s a red link on the Wiki, he?s clearly not Shurikenger). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znxzBX...jpg&name=small As they chase the poor man out of his own business, everyone who Shurikenger impersonated stand in line for a group shot (and I see one of them is holding a softball. Could it be?) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znx0TX...jpg&name=small But the episode (and the series) end with the graduation of our heroes. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0znx0wX...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zn-B6X...jpg&name=small https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0zn-D-X...jpg&name=small Genin Megarappas*: Did you know that there are many different kinds of Magerappa? Next Week: New show, Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger. A warrior from the other dimension Dino Earth comes to find 3 warriors with the energy of justice, Dino Guts, to take the battle to the Wicked Life Form Garden, Evolian. Tune in next week for Episode 1: Abare Dinosaur Big Charge! (Don?t worry, I?m not going to do an Abaranger thread. But I?m not saying anyone else can?t) Cast in order of disappearance: Lady Gozen: Hitomi Miwa Voice of Shurikenger: Taiki Matsuno Futoshi Hase: Hiroshi Teruya Voice of Tau Zant: Kiyoyuki Yanada Voice of Sandaaru: Shūichi Ikeda Newscaster/Voice of Satarakura: Bin Shimada Wendinu: Mio Fukuzumi Furabijo: Azusa Yamamoto Voice of Chuzoobo: Daisuke Gori Sargain: Yoshinori Okamoto Voice of Manmarva: Takahiro Imamura Voice of the Evil Will: Seizo Kato Oboro Hinata: Shoko Takada Kanae Tsukumo: Shinobu Kawamata Mugensai Hinata: Ken Nishida Isshu Kasumi: Nobuo Kyo Ikkou Kasumi: Yujiro Shirakawa Kouta Bitou: Kohei Yamamoto Nanami Nono: Nao Nagasawa Yosuke Shiina: Shun Shiioya Writers: Jun?ichi Miyashita, Naoyuki Sakai, Atsushi Maekawa, Naruhisa Arakawa, Shin Yoshida. Main Director: Katsuya Watanabe Producer: Hideaki Tsukuda. Final thoughts: Overall a good ending to the show. Everything got resolved, there?s little left to wrap up and everyone?s happy where they are (except possibly Yosuke). I?ll be doing a full wrap up post for the series tomorrow (or if someone comments later today, today). * Yes, I deliberately misspelled that to add my own bookend to this. |
Congrats on finishing the show! I hope that you not only enjoying watching it, but posting about it too! Going about watching things in this manner is definitely a whole different beast.
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