5/5

We finally, FINALLY see that Takatora isn't a bad guy, he's just been led down the wrong path because his subordinates are plotting against him ("Project Ark is the ONLY solution") ... and to see him discover the Overlords, and learn that through them might be a way to achieve peace and have him immediately join Kouta, was pretty refreshing for the character.

Though my favorite part is Baron vs Micchy. While short, I loved watching Micchy get his ass kicked and run.

Cannot wait for next episode.

So does anyone else think that Yggdrasil should REALLY consider upgrading their Trooper squads to something other than Matsubokkuri Arms? We know there are multiples of more powerful lockseeds, even if Suika has a cooldown.

Honestly, they need to consider a new approach now that the Inves are actively coming after them. "Jab with pointed stick" is just making the xenos angry.

Seriously.

The worst thing is, the Kurokage army aren't just getting overpowered by the Overlords, I can't even remember a single point in the series when they were effective and did something of value.

And yes, I know that is the fate of a footsoldier, but it still feels somehow sillier in context considering the Kurokage Army were actually part of the development of story at one point but they just fell into the background pretty much as soon as they were made and have been punching bags ever since.

This was another good episode. Not only has Takatora become a good guy, but his subordinates got exposed to him. I felt like the flashbacks were kinda pointless, as they just reinforced what we already knew, that Ryoma was hiding shit from Takatora since day 1 of Project Ark.

Is Ryoma working on a new Driver? He's been sorta glazing over his prototype sketches romantically for some reason. I don't see the point of that unless he's looking everything over to improve on it again. I know its an excuse for the flashbacks, but it feels like a subtle sign for something later.

Why the hell Gaim went Orange arms when chasing down Deemushu? I don't know. I guess its because he can run faster in order to catch up, yet still have protection but seriously Kouta, you're never gonna know what shit is gonna assault you in the forest anymore.

Also, I'm hella interested in what Deemushu might do with that Sengoku Driver. From the angle that I could see, it looked like it didn't have a blade on it, which cuts the fruit . I don't remember the organic belts thing that Den-O brings up every episode but mutating belts/monsters sounds interesting. Its always been interesting to see a person physically adapt due to the belt (see: Blade) but monsters? Holy shit, that's unique.

I'm still holding out that the president of Yggdrasil is the Gaim styled Overlord and has been manipulating everyone this whole time.

Didn't Ryoma showed Kaito and Kouta some weird looking belts on paper the very first time they were captured?

I guess it kinda makes sense for a new Driver to be made as the Energy Riders have kinda blown chunks. And I don't mean just personally - but I really don't like them either way - but despite dramatic introductions they're catching up to Kaito and the foot soldiers for amount of times their asses have hit the asphalt in ratio to landing their opponents on theirs.

It's starting to feel, minus Zangetsu, that Kouta could probably just take down the whole of Yggadrasil single handedly as they...kinda suck.

I'm still waiting for my Kachidoki vs all 4 energy Riders fight. That will prove if Gaim can take down Yggdrasil.

Also, funny you say that, because the troopers are getting a leader with a Genesis driver in the movie. So maybe by that point in the show, the energy Riders may be as useful as the troopers were when they were introduced.

I'm just saying that if I were in charge of their security planning, I'd have a mix of Donguri, Orange, Budou, and Kurokage, or preferably Banana, squads acting to support each other. Orange and Donguri act as skirmishers and keep in the target's face, Budou stays back and peppers the targets with ranged fire, and Kurokage/Banana runs interference by keeping the baddies away from Budou with their spears, and in range of Orange and Donguri's attacks.

I feel that Kurokage was chosen due to its availability and how it could quickly be replaced in the field, and ability to keep Inves away from the nerds with their spears, but this is escalation. It's time for them to get aggressive.

This is a situation that really calls for Jinba Cherry, or at the very least, Ichigo Arms. Super speed and all that.

He did. He keeps making references to godhood... Hmm.

I'm pretty sure Gaim would get completly wrecked in that fight. The weaker two might have lost on their own, but Zangetsu has already been shown to be able to hit Kachidoki hard enough to knock him around and Duke's only fight so far made it quite clear that he is ridiculously strong. Kachidoki is strong and can take hits, but I think it's just far too slow to be able to keep up with four high level opponents who move faster than Kouta can.

I've noticed not one of those troopers have put up the effort Hase did against Zangetsu. I mean seriously, they're supposed to be trained guards compared to some break dancing kid, and that kid still fought better than any of them have since they appeared.

Has a single Kurokage troop ever even used a finisher?

^ Only if you count dropping their nuts when they run away from Gaim.

I'm starting to think the Kurokage's must've went to the Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy or something.

Show of hands: who hates Micchy and wants him to end up as jam on Gen Urobuchi's morning bagel?

That would require them using some form of ranged attack. They're more like the Banana Guards from Adventure Time.

I'd rather see Gentaro use Giantfoot on him...

They used the Dandeliners..do those count? :lol

Speeders!

I'd also be happy with ground beef.

I actually know a good chicken salad recipe that calls for grapes...

Something about kiwis being tasty.

Sour Grapes....

Grape Juice!!

While we're on about "Things Michi must suffer"

Getting thrown into a set of spinning blades tends to be a hit.

And Takatora finally starts to realize he's being duped. Now if only Kouta would realize he's Micchy's brother...

The Overlords' lines really did reveal a lot. Things are getting most interesting.

Am I the only one who feels a bit badly towards Micchy? Poor guy seems to be regretting his decisions.

I made a pretty tasty salmon dish in cooking school that used a grape sauce.

I can see Kouta going the whole show without knowing that fact.

I bolded the operative word. Once he REALLY shows regret, like, an episode of nothing but "Oh god, what have I done?!", THEN I'll feel bad for him.

Maybe he'll kill the Acorn and send himself and Mr. Dangerous into their big character arcs?

My money is on him facing off against Knuckle.

I used to feel for him, but the dude has pretty much crossed the moral event horizon at this point.

I wish Kaito got a few more minutes to smack around Mitchy, oh well. One can only hope Kaito tells Kouta what really happened eventually. Interesting to see what Ryouma was like before Takatora turned his ambitions down. Nice to see that Oren taking a more heroic role over after him do nothing but antangonize the Beat Rider members of the cast. Also I liked that Kouta and Takatora have somewhat of a friendship now. And Demushu blows things wide open on secret keeping. Can't wait to see how things go down next episode