What can I say? I'm a sucker for dramatic death scenes.

I knew Dr. Worm was gonna have to be important still, but not like this.

It's a development that I'm not exactly angry about or anything, but it did leave me wanting a bit more. Oh well.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. This episode is all about showcasing how not only is Gren Ghost still alive, but that there's a reason that "Ghost" is in his name. Mainly in that his soul will allow him to keep reviving even after he's blown up.

Mixed with that is the episode pretty much resolving both of the love triangles that it's had going all show in a pretty casual way. The ships now lean heavily toward Kaori/Koichi and Kenji/Rin. I'm not surprised by the outcome, but moreso how casually Ryukendo went "Yeah these are the ships now. Anyway..."

But really, the thing that I want to give the biggest highlight to is whoever they got to direct/edit the action scenes in this episode. When it comes to the bout against Gren Ghost at the end especially, every single hit looks and feels like it hurts a ton. Especially the scene where he reflecs the finishers of Ryujinoh and Magna Ryugunoh. I really felt those impacts!

The ending though, man, what a tease. Makes me wish I had more time tonight for one more, but alas. We must see how Dr. Worm eaten by Gren Ghost ends up next time.

Man, imagine an alternate timeline where both Master Ryukendo and Bima Legend are played by Gackt? I'd've lost it.

Man what an episode to end the night on!

Not much else to say but we are very much at a heavy climax what with Gren Ghost now fully appearing thanks to Doctor Worm. I do agree that they surprisingly handle the love triangle stuff in a fairly casual way though. It's kind of nice though as we can focus on more important matters... next time anyway.

At the very least you won't have to wait a week for the resolution.

Yeah, and while it is thematically fitting that everything begins and ends with Dr. Worm, I am still hoping for his part in the story to go a certain way.

It most likely won't, but I can dream.

Alot goes on in this episode.

But I think the part that impressed me the most about it was showcasing just how horrifying Gren Ghost winning would actually be.

People around the world being converted into Tsukaima isn't just some instant event. It's slow, painful, and soul crushing. That scene with Kaori struggling to hold onto her sense of self was terrifying in all the right ways.

That's not to say the rest of the episode was any sort of slouch. The characterization and drama were all top notch, everyone got an Ultimate form, and the final finishing attack was legit cool even if it wasn't what I wanted(They should've formed a Beast King Megazord!).

Really, in practically any other show this would've been the final episode, and as such I have to ask: Just what the heck goes on in the next few!?

Yeah this was very much the big bombastic finale with a pretty hefty emotional core, so it's odd to think of our 52 main episodes... this is only episode 50.

Also will say, after kind of feeling a bit cheated out of only Ryukendo getting Ultimate (especially when they made a whole deal about 3 Keys), it was very fun to see both Ryugunoh and Ryujinoh get their own Ultimate Modes even if they're more simplistic in terms of how they're executed.

Suck it, Blade! Every hero got their own King Form in this show!

Ex-Aid could take a couple pointers from Ryukendo here.

I knew Jack Moon was still alive, and man, to think he's such a great character that he gets to have two great sendoffs in one show!

While it would be rather easy to have the entire episode be about Jack Moon's' return(and the duel to finish) and that's it, this Christmas episode held a few bonus surprises in store.

The biggest one being that we actually got a little bit of a follow up on Rin's' brother from way back towards the start of the show. Not only were the extra scenes with him nice, but the callback to how similar he and Kenji are in terms of their resolve, and how Rin uses that as a vehicle to sympathize with Kenji and Jack Moon's' pride as swordsman was a cool thing to see.

One thought that crossed my mind as the episode was playing out was that it was going to be revealed that Jack Moon was actually a corrupted form of Rin's' brother, and uh, thankfully that did not happen. As not only would it make no sense, it would've cheapened some of the drama surrounding Jack Moon.

Jack Moon is easily my favorite of the villains, no question.

The short version: Jack Moon is the coolest.

With that out of the way...

Yeah this was a really good episode. I was a bit worried when Jack Moon came out and demanded a duel that it'd be similar to 21, but despite this episode being Ryukendo and Jack Moon having a climatic Duel at the end, the episode had a lot more going for it.

The surprise callback to episode 8 of all things with Rin's part in all of this was definitely what helped this be a bit more special.

Combined with wrapping up the oddly absent Mechani-Moon after Bloody's death alongside the entirety of the Jamanga empire being destroyed, and you get a wandering swordsman with only one thing on his mind.

Overall definitely a favorite episode of mine from the show.

Yeah, same here. Now, my all time favorite of Ryukendo, that's something I'll have to really think about. Because this show has had some absolute bangers.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

When the Power Spot begins to go out of control, our heroes are left with two options: Either give up the Dragon Cores forever, or let Akebono go up in flames.

And while the episode does its best to make the sacrifice of Gekiryuken, Goryugun, and Zanryujin be the most optimistic take it can, it doesn't take much thought to realize that the three are being sent off to die.

But, if you're willing to buy into the character dialogue that the three will still be alive and running around somehow, just in another dimension, then yes, this episode's' overall message is fine, and the character interactions and sense of finality surrounding it all is very satisfying.

The best part is absolutely seeing the different ways inwhich our main trio say goodbye to their partners. Koichi promises Zanryujin to find new meaning in life with Kaori, Kenji decides to practice his swordsmanship with Gekiryuken one last time, and Fudo... Fudo gets drunk and confesses his love to Goryugun. I did not see that one coming and it was surprising just how heartfelt it was.

Very low on action with a rather mellow mood to match, I felt this was a great way to send the show off.

And plus, you know, Takara beat Toei to the Dance Ending, which was its own great treat to see.

I will say, I do like it when shows kind of give us a chance to just wind down with the characters as an ending.

Like yeah we could've finished with the big bombastic battle against Gren Ghost and that'd be fine. But as much as I've enjoyed the action and stock sequences, Ryukendo's always best when it focuses on its characters.

So having our final two episodes focus on smaller scale stories was really nice. Jack Moon got an excellent send-off and while the threat of an explosion was imminent for our final episode, it was still very subdued as we got to take a look at the relationships between our main characters and their partners as they say goodbye.

It's a unique ending that really plays towards Ryukendo's strengths.

Like, the only thing missing to make this the most Ryukendo ending of all time is a scene where a bunch of the townsfolk are looking back on the Caster Warriors. But I mean, I suppose the dance ending helps fill that gap somewhat.

So remember how neither Q3 or Q4 had a recap episode? Well here ya go.

But the thing is, while it is a recap episode, it barely qualifies as one. It's more like an HBV from Kamen Rider than anything.

And that is to say that this is every bit as fun as a given HBV tends to be. Full of high energy silliness that I just can't help but love even if I don't feel like I fully process it.

Because really, how I can I possibly dislike an episode where the Jamanga Generals look back on their lives by playing the Game of Life while in the afterlife? The sheer premise alone would be worth buying the DVD for. And the fact that it's all very fun to see play out just makes it better.

My favorite part about this is Jack Moon, because of course.

Mostly because the guy's finally satisfied and is able to move on, so he doesn't have any real regrets like the others. Which means he gets to have the time of his life while everyone else is suffering, and considering how some of them treated him at various points, well deserved lol

Jack Moon is of course great, but my favorite bit is how Rock Crimson keeps getting forced to skip turns. Because skipping rocks.

Fudo ended up being my favorite character in the end.

While his personality and arc are relatively simple when compared to many of the characters around him, it was always carried with grace.

He brings a sort of balance to the cast that often goes underappreciated in shows like this. In any cast and/or show full of crazy or larger than life personalities, you almost always need a straight man, and that's Fudo.

That's not to say he's a stick in the mud. He gets more than his fair share of comedic moments. And keeping in the balancing he does for the cast, he himself is also a balanced character in that he has fears, worries, love, and resolve. He takes up his role with so much resolve that it's hard not to like the guy.

And funnily enough, in this bonus episode that's barely half the length of your average regular episode, alot of what makes Fudo great is showcased here. He takes up the mantle for someone he barely knows out of sheer empathy. And despite his own doubts and fears, he powers through them in order to do what he knows has to be done.

It's something only he can do. Something he must do.

But ya know, there's no reason we can't have fun with that very same angle.

The big gag of the special is Fudo doing his best to perfect the transformation pose and signature intro of Ryugunoh. And while it's presented in a comedic light, it's also presented as being very important to the job, and the episode presents it all very genuinely, which makes it all the better once that iconic phrase of "Shooting In!" is perfected.

For something so short, it speaks volumes, and I dug it alot.

This is a fun DVD Bonus they made, it's got the usual Ryukendo charm and humor while focusing on what makes Fudo who he is. Plus we get a rather unique origin story too in how it plays out in a more personal way.

To the point that he's matched up against a little girl, even now.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON RYUKENDO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO7OwIhfBjE

I'm paraphrasing a bit, but someone once made the claim that Kamen Rider W isn't the tale of the titular Kamen Rider, but rather of its primary setting, the Windy City of Futo.

And while there's plenty in that particular post that I disagree with, I feel as though that idea in and of itself, while not entirely untrue, isn't accurate to the kind of story that W goes on to tell.

Yes, the world building in KRW is rather good, with one getting a very solid sense of the type of place that Futo is, but the two people who make up the titular Double are still very much the prime focus first and foremost. Philip especially takes center stage most of the time, as he's directly tied to the overarching narrative dealing with the Sonozaki family, and Shotaro, while far less prominent, isn't entirely divorced from everything going on, and is integral to many events and bits of character development.

Futo is very important, yes, but without Kamen Rider, there'd frankly be no story.

Meanwhile, Caster Chronicles Ryukendo? That is the story of Akebono City. Ryukendo just happens to be a part of it.

As many aspects of this show as there is to love, the world building in Ryukendo is absolutely the best that I've seen in any tokusatsu. You really get a feel for its locales, its culture, and most importantly, the kinds of people who live there, and all of their individual quirks and tales. From the old couple who sell croquettes, to the flower shop owner, to the various kids who run the streets, the various personalities and stories we experience throughout the show's' run really do make Akebono itself feel alive. And Kenji, despite being the title character, is merely a small drop in the bucket of it all.

Kenji himself doesn't have some expansive backstory, or direct tie to the Jamanga Empire. Heck, he barely even has any personal stakes to anything in Akebono at first. He just wanders in and finds himself up against demons due to his own sense of justice. More often than not, Kenji finds himself wrapped up in other people's' stories, rather than forging his own.

That's not to say that the story itself is perfect mind you. There are definitely aspects that don't make much sense("Don't rely on the Keys!"), and character bits that go nowhere(Remember when Lady Gold was Ryujinoh's' rival and not Ryugunoh's'?), but really, every other aspect of the show is so fun and so likeable that really, it's not anything that I'm about to stress over. Logic alone isn't what makes or breaks a story or character, afterall.

Besides the fantastic world building, Ryukendo has so much more going for it, to the point that, if we're making direct comparisons to Kamen Rider, it's actually way ahead of its time, which is funny, given how much Ryukendo nabs from the KR shows that came before it(namely Ryuki and Blade). Stuff like having a primary focus on fun while inserting bits of drama here and there, and front-loading most of the toys into Q1, and giving the main hero a set of form changes before they get a direct upgrade. So many tropes are there that Toei would go on to copy in later years. It's not hard to imagine that Toei was taking notes as this show aired.

When talking about the deeper aspects of the show, Ryukendo is no slouch there either. The fight choreography is almost always on point, with alot of the finishing attacks being major standouts(as they should be!). The general tone and atmosphere is almost always on point, and most importantly, the cast in general is just extremely likable. Even Koichi, a character who I didn't care for at all when he first appeared, ended up becoming endearing in his own right as the show went on. But again, it's not like it's only the superhero characters who are great, but the supporting cast in general is just alot of fun. The citizens of Akebono City are just as much a main highlight as our heroes are, and many of them elevate pretty much any episode that they're in.

Now, in the end, Ryukendo isn't one of my all time favorite toku, as it doesn't quite hit the major emotional highs that I cling to in stories, but man, it's an overall great ride and I highly recommend it. It has an interesting spot in toku history, and I imagine it had to have atleast some amount of success given its overall influence and the fact that Takara is still showing support for the show in terms of merch all these years later.

The short of it is that Ryukendo might not being the greatest tokusatsu show of all time, but it is a very fun and enjoyable one, and that alone is worth celebrating. I give this show a 4/6.

Ryukendo's mostly average and you can definitely tell there wasn't much budget. But for the first time making a Tokusatsu especially in direct competition with Kamen Rider? I'd say they succeeded.

I will also agree that as enjoyable as Futo's World Building is alongside us seeing characters who live there every now and again (mostly Futo PD and the as the wiki puts it, 'Irregulars'), Ryukendo definitely is a couple of paces ahead.

The show has such a massive supporting cast that we see consistently throughout the various episodes. Whether its minor roles or them getting the spotlight, a lot of characters end up returning quite often. It was legitimately crazy to see how lively a lot of the sets could be during the episodes due to just the presence of all these recurring characters.

And I think that's what makes the big destructive stakes of the final few episodes hit harder because we knew the stakes at hand.

Overall Ryukendo can encompass a broad spectrum of emotions, it can be funny, cool, epic, beautiful, and yet it all manages to somehow work together in a really nice way.

It really does encompass the idea of a city where anything can happen, doesn't it? Ryukendo, and by extension, Akebono, will definitely have a special place in my memories from now on, that's for sure.

Popping in here to say that while I didn't end up contributing any thoughts of my own the whole time, I was reading along from the start, and really enjoyed seeing you make your way through a show that really pleasantly surprised me back when I first watched it... over half a decade ago now(!), apparently.

I had this to say about it at the time, which I think gets at the appeal pretty well:

It's really exactly the kind of series that makes me believe that trying to judge things solely as either being good or being bad generally distracts from the more important larger picture. "More than the sum of its parts" would probably be the simple way to describe Ryukendo's charm.

I've always been vaguely wanting to go back through it all again at some point, because even though some of the wacky gags and surprising emotional moments have definitely stuck with me over the years, there's also a lot about this show I don't remember too well. That proper rewatch will still have to wait, but for now, it was nice having this excuse to think back on this series more than I already do to begin with.

(Also, I'll take this opportunity to confess that, when I first saw the title of this thread, I 100% thought it was some show so obscure I'd never even heard of it.) :p

fish sandwich likes ryukendo better than go-busters confirmed

I can see what you mean, and that's probably a rather good philosophy to have when it comes to entertainment. One that I should probably try to adapt a bit more to, maybe, but eh.

Well the good news is that, if you ever do decide to watch it all again, Bereke Scrubs did an overall great job with their scrubs, I feel. There's a glaring typo here and there, but otherwise it reads great.

Haha, I look forward to the day I somehow find a toku that you haven't dabbed with in atleast some form. But for now, I'll take this as a victory of sorts.

Anyway, glad you decided to read along! I appreciate that.