I think speed is a factor in evaluating Jimba's value.

When Kachidoki made its debut, Kouta basically stood there in place and ate fire from dozens of Kurokage/Dandeliners. When Kachidoki fights, it appears to move slower than any other form that Kouta's used - even Suika can access a flight mode and a rolling melon mode.

Jimba form, however, appears to be slower than Orange but more powerful, and faster than Kachidoki but less powerful. It's effectively "medium" between Orange and Kachidoki. I can't remember where, but some stats book out there said Jimba Lemon is supposed to provide strength, where as Cherry adds speed and Peach adds sonar.

I agree that aesthetically, the Jimba armor is far less pleasing than regular Orange or Kachidoki. . . but it still looks better than Pineapple to me.

Kaito's reaction to Micchy's backstabbery echos his reaction to Peco using the slingshot on Kouta

BIG SPOILERS, but for those who want to know, I checked the translation and the overlord said that they were humans during the fight.

But again, the show does not show this.

And the problem is, if the plot called for a middle-ground warrior, that'd be one thing. But Jinba Lemon has yet to achieve anything Kachidoki could not. It may not be fast, but again, it has a machine gun. Can even Jinba Cherry outrun hundreds of speeding bullets?

Ultimate the problem is the show has not convinced me of Jinba's continued use. It could, if it wanted, keep the armour effective. But it hasn't.

A Machine Setting he has to scratch that turntable thing at least twice just to turn it on, as opposed to yes, pulling back a fake bowstring once.

As Option Zero has said, and I have too, it's still faster than Kachidoki on foot, because like you said Kachi is a Tank, while being powerful enough to withstand more damage than his normal forms. You just saying its useless and using a "possible" excuse that Urobuchi made up the extra powers isn't proof, until Toei states otherwise like they did with Baron's new form. Still useful against Sid, was a nice bit of "take that" against Marika, and shows he willing to still talk, but isn't at the "Ubermensch" mode he seems to be in whenever he's in Kachidoki (destory Scaler system, wrecking Sid's Watermelons, basically taunting Marika). What was stupid is that he used neither when he got ambushed by Sid in this episode, but that's typical rider foolishness (unless it's Blade, he abused King form because it was a plot point).

The Flags looking cool is a rather subjective point. Sure, I like the looks of the flags too, as a pretty little decoration to his suit, but I don't seem to have this hatred for Jinba you do despite liking the look of the flags. This isn't Halo though, so as funny as it was to see Kurokages beaten with them, Kouta should just stick to using the gun/musou blade combo as his main melee weapon in that form. I can't take any fight seriously if he's pulling those out. There, I'm acting subjective too. Them being "batons" against guys with spears makes it sound more silly, even with the DJ gun as his main.

And besides, Jinba isn't lopsided like the actual energy riders, which is an instant bonus.

Who has machine guns besides Kouta in today's episode that he'd need to outrun them? Unless it's Yggdrasil Tower again, or Kurokages on those silly flying bikes, he doesn't really fight anyone with a fast rate of fire (ignoring Micchy, because he doesn't know about him yet). Against who he's actually fighting, it did just fine.

See this is why I have faith that Kaito is still a good guy and not with Ryouma and the others.He's already gone on record as saying that he would prove his strength by stopping the invasion,not becoming part of it.

I think it will lead to a personal struggle for him,and will ultimately decide his fate,but I believe he'll make the right choice and go along the lines of "He'll make his own power and prove he doesn't need the help"

He's power hungry too,but he is different.Where as they'll do anything for power,Kaito is more of a "fight and earn it" type.He doesn't want to take an easy way out.

can anyone share the link for the subs?

I loved this episode, I wish Kaito would've destroyed Micchy for everything he's caused. Oren was fantastic once again. Intriguing to see why Ryouma turned against Takatora in the beginning. Learning Takatora's back story and seeing him team with Kouta is why he is one of my favorite characters in this show, and I worry for him with what's coming.

The flags and puffiness are there for the same reason, though: Gaim's designs are based off of samurai armor. The flags are an actual thing some samurai wore called "sashimono" and both the Jinba and Kachidoki suits are designed to look like different kinds of samurai armor, which could be very thick and bulky. I can get not liking the look of the suit for personal aesthetic reasons, but it does fit what the show was going for. And I'm personally happy to see it get used more because Jinba is still my favorite Gaim armor. I think it looks great (and it doesn't just stand there and play with its gun).