Let's Watch Gekiranger 7-9!
 

Let's Watch Wednesdays marches on with more episodes of Juuken Sentai Gekiranger! This week we're catching episodes 7-9!

This was a really good bunch of episodes. I really don't have any massive complaints at the moment, the show is just awesome. We had a pretty fun dance episode (with some damn catchy music) that progressed into a slightly more serious (if toad and scorpion monster love can be taken seriously...) episode. It was a nice way to introduce a new weapon for the team, my only problem is how polarizing Jan is becoming. He goes from complete child to fairly competent leader in time for the finisher or the mech battle. It just seems to clash too much.

Then we have Braco and his Madoku episode. Loved this episode, the conflict between braco and melee was awesome and something that we need more of in sentai.

Bring on next weeks episodes, I'm struggling to not watch ahead its that good =p

So let's get the less interesting episodes out of the way first. I thought the fight dance with dancing was neat. Maga managing to impress Sorisa was a surprise. A "woman" like that didn't seem like she'd impress easy. I always crack up at Mele's reaction when her Ultimate Spear and Shield blew her off. I liked Maga's special technique. If you're defense double down on the defense. Sorisa's though was definitely the worst of all the Five Venoms. Throw a bunch of tiny scorpions onto the enemy. Did she not remember getting schooled by the Kaliedo Spiral Jump a few episodes prior. Even during my first viewing years ago I knew that Gekitouja had that easily countered. And the Geki Bazooka was nice, but I remember really questioning why martial artists needed a bazooka. Also "PORK CUBE STEW!" :lol

Now let's get onto the main event, episode 9. This when you realize Gekiranger is almost two shows for the price of one. This is the episode where I fell in love with Mele. And I don't mean just because she's a hot girl in a qipao. You see in this episode she is far more than some tsundere cheerleader lackey for the big boss. She went after the Gekirangers after losing to Braco to get shot at with the Geki Bazooka in order to learn how to counter his technique. Her devoition for Rio managed to awaken him from the dream. And when Braco offers her a Madoku to give her true life, she just cuts them off, kills Braco, and offers them to Rio. These are things that makes Mele such a beloved character by the fandom. And this is just the start of awesome characters moments for her and Rio.

Ok, now that I'm down gushing about Mele part of the episode, I suppose I should comment on other things. Seeing Rio take out Kademu with a single blow was holy crap inducing. I found the rematch with Moriya has shown just how much the Gekirangers had grown since they last faced him in such a short amount of time(granted he wasn't trying to stick to buildings this time, but still).

Next week is definitely going to be good, as we'll start meeting some of the big players in the series.

I only got to watch 7, so I'll just comment on that.

I had forgotten how surreal it got, between Maga's actions, Sorisa's and the Rinshi's dancing, or just how the Gekirangers won through dancing.
While I knew who held the Madoku even on first viewing (It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out), I still like the mystery angle they're playing at, and Braco does hold a good point that the bigger twist would be giving the greatest power to the supposed weakest member (It's unfortunately played straight, but I still enjoy that they do try to hide it).

Jan seemed pretty loud this episode, louder than normal, but it's not really a gripe, more of a general observation.
Speaking of Jan, I don't know what it is about him that I like over other hotheaded heroes like Ban (...Huh) or Gen. It might be my Gekilove winning him over, it might be just something that I never noticed, but I love Jan's energy compared to the likes of similarly energetic heroes...

EDIT:
Finally watched 8 and 9.
Mele was always awesome. I love that she actually has dimension as a character beyond "I love Rio!" She presents a character worth following, and I love every second of it.
Anyway, while she received a nice amount of back story, Rio now getting the Madoku means his story will soon begin, and I'm hype. I seriously want to continue watching, but I want to keep with the Let's Watch, so I'll just hold off.

Yeah, I did like how Braco tried to deflect the attention away from himself. We know it's bumpkiss, but he brings up a good point. And speaking of Braco, I remembered something I forgot to mention I made in my post. Remember that he was killed by Mele, it will come up later.

Oh yes, foreshadowing. Mele isn't zowazowa. :p

Not baddy bad, more flippy flop. :lol

I liked these episodes. I'm still a little ambivalent about Jan, though. I'm not sure if he's amusing or annoying. I tend to think it's the former, but then he always finds something to do that resets the scales.

And, of course, Mele is still hot.

She can flippy my flop anyday. Who's a baddy bad girl?:cool:

Well yes, there is that. But there is another reason why I mentioned it. It isn't one of the huge spoiler twists of this series, but I'll keep it to myself.

:lol :lol :lol

My response wasn't in direct reply to yours :lol
I was just pointing out the foreshadowing for Mele, is all ^^

We all know it's dat hair.

Kinda responding late since I didn't get time to watch it on Wednesday.Yeah,this series is getting even better.Dance episodes of any toku can be hit or miss,but 7 was a hit for me.Sorisa was a pretty fun monster and Maga wanting to win her over had me cheering for him. :lol

I'm kind of on the fence about Jan.I like that being childish and whatever is kind of his thing,but these eps did make me teeter towards annoying every so often.Oh and Shafu in episode 8,his reactions to the piano :D

I'm kinda bummed that the Venom-ken didn't stick around long,but they obviously lead into something even bigger.Rio and Mele continue to be some of the best Sentai villains I've seen so far(having only seen Shinkenger to Go-Busters).If I wasn't trying to stick to 3 eps I week,I'd probably blow through them right now to see what happens next.

I was away during the weekend so I could only catch 7 and 8 for now. I fully plan to catch 9 tomorrow, especially with an enticing preview that promises to explore more of Mele's character (aka one of the best characters of the show).

This show really continues to pick up steam at an alarmingly fast rate. I was rather dismissive of all 3 Gekirangers during the first episode, but now I have grown to love them very much, even tolerating Jan's annoying lack of an indoor voice. :) How likable they've become.

The monsters of the week have all been rather memorable too, which is nice icing on the cake for a Super Sentai show.

Finally got to catch all of these. I'm sorry but the 2-parter with Maga and Sorisa was just silly. Dancing to learn better coordination? Piano to gain dexterity? I get the practicality of them learning these things but it seemed like Maga and Sorisa were flaky just to facilitate this growth for the Gekirangers. And the Geki Bazooka is pretty weak design (dodges Matrixbeast fist).

Now 9 was good. Nice to get more backstory on Mele, and Braco finally made his move after being almost non-existent til now. Really loved Mele being a badass too, like deflecting the Geki Geki Hou and defending Rio. Really loved all the characterization she got this episode, it was a refreshing change of pace from the last few episodes.

Like I said. Those episodes were pretty out there. I just enjoyed watching the Rinshi dance. That's end credits level stuff right there. :lol
As for the Geki Bazooka, I quite like it. Visually, I find it to be a lot better in design compared to the D-Bazooka or whatever Ohranger's cannon is called (Ole Bazooka).

Episode 9 is just awesome, and with Rio in possession of the Madoku, he can now finally start doing stuff! I'm hype!

It just looks like a giant super soaker that someone painted :lol To be honest I dislike most cannon/bazooka weapons that aren't a conglomeration of parts. Even the Gokai Galleon Buster bugged me because it just a giant thing. I think things like the Gosee Buster are much more awesome and practical than just a giant stand alone weapon because they are the sum of their parts. D-Bazooka isn't perfect but at least it transformed from a robot dog into a cannon.

For characters like the Gekirangers, I would prefer for them to take the GekiViolet/Dairanger route and just fire a giant Hadoken, but what're ya gonna do? :\

While I much prefer cannon weapons that are formed from individual parts, eh, I'm glad they didn't try to force 4 Geki Tonfas and a pair of nunchucks into a cannon :lol

Ala the Pentaforce Cannon from Battle Fever? Now that thing's a joke. Fucking PVC Pipe Potato Gun is what they should've called it.

Oh, that thing was an embarrassment, for sure.

Aww,I actually like the Penta Force Cannon.C'mon,it was the 70s :lol

The Gorengers' team finisher was a ball,but then again JAKQ's was a massive medieval style cannon...you can't blame them for being all over the place,they were just trying to hit their stride.

As far as big-ass cannons go, my favorite is probably the one from Flashman. That thing was a beast.

I don't know man. Arthur G6/Earth Cannon from Fiveman was pretty boss.

I haven't seen any of Fiveman, sadly.

Finally finished episode 9. That was a solid episode, a completely villain-centered story. Mele is a very complex character and her choice to serve Rio over her chance at life was very interesting. I can't wait to see how these two develop over the episodes.

I guess the next episode begins the "Jungle Master" arc, if I remember my Jungle Fury correctly. Can't wait!