Zyuohger Episode 12- "The Elephant With The Short Trunk" Discussion
 

Tusk sets out to learn more about the human world, and quickly finds himself in trouble...

Ah, the oh so subtle manipulative episode that impresses good habits on children. Every season has one, and this one was pretty good.

Was fun. Old dude was kind of a dick, though. I thought they were going for a 'don't judge a book by it's cover' sort of deal, with the old dude throwing people out by what he assumes they're there for, but nah. He was just an asshole.

I thought it was kind of endearing that Tusk was still reading even after all the kids ran off.

One of the weakest episodes so far IMO. Tusk is the most boring member of the Zyuohgers as is, so I didn’t expect much, but I at least hoped it would give him a bit more depth. Something like Sela dealing with missing her family. And we did get a flashback, but it didn’t really matter or created internal conflict. And the book store owner is just a dick. Like, he didn’t change either, at the end of the episode he’s still a dick.

So story-wise the episode was a waste, it did nothing for me, and neither action nor the comedy were much better either.

Oh well, it was still fun, but not as good as it could’ve been.

Maybe this episode wasn't written by Junko Komura. To be honest, I think Junko Komura is better than this writer.

Yeah I think I missed the moral in this one. The old dude was just being an asshole...the end?

Some people are just jerks and there's nothing you can do to really change that?

But we were supposed to be happy that all the kiddies are coming to see his books and have him read to them.
...After he threw out people who showed interest in his books or had the audacity to be younger than 35 when walking into his store.

There's been "You can't change people" morals before, but they usually don't end with the jerk getting a happy ending...

Considering how there are jerks who will always be jerks and have relatively "happy" lives despite being jerks, I'd say it's still a good moral. Maybe? Kind of a "Life's not fair and assholes can still come out on top?"

Yeah, this sounds confused.

I honestly thought that with the bookstore owner, he had some kind of connection between the bookstore and some dead/distant relative. That he felt that the people coming into his store weren't giving either these specific books or just books in general the respect he thought they deserved and were in some way disrespecting that relative's memory. Or it could've been the fact that he was judging people too quickly. But apparently it was just "I love books too much". Kind of strange.

Well, he said the books were all his personal books, so there was a connection.
If only we expanded on that, but instead, "You dress like a modern day person! You clearly don't respect books! Get out!"

I really liked this episode even if it didn't really show or teach us anything :lol Just a feel good story after the rather serious 2-parter we got. I have a feeling it's the calm before the next storm and I think it fit in well.

While Tusk is the most boring of the Zyuohgers, I still appreciated that he got an episode to himself.

I was entirely unaware you were watching the series :lol

To be honest, I really like this episode! I'm don't understand why some people don't like this one. I was wrong about this writer. I guess I just like Zyuohger more than Go-Busters, Kyoryuger, Ninninger and even ToQger! Keep the great work! Toei! You are doing a wonderful job with Zyuohger! :)

I kindly agree with Bookstore Owner because he say modern kids are NOT interested in book anymore. Most of Kids would go on Internet more than reading book! I'm still read book if I want to! He's might be a jerk but he know the book are really important because without them, most people will don't learn of the language

The highlight of this episode for me is when 4 Zyuohgers who got their language take away by this Deathgalien are playing Charades with Tusk to get him to attack the hat! But he's not very great at it! Luckily Mr. Freeze told Tusk about it.

Did you forget about the part where he kicked people out of his book store?
He says people don't appreciate books, and then refuses to sell people books, kicking them out for petty reasons, like "You're a 20 year old woman! You can't like books" and "You were browsing too long!"
He prevents more people from appreciating books.

It's like Christopher Lloyd in Pagemaster. I think.

Maybe he thought when someone look at the front cover of his book, They will probably go "Short-Nosed Elephant? Lame!"

Because it's pointless, nothing happens and they completely waste the opportunity of giving Tusk some development when the entire episode is focused on him. He's still boring.

Like, the episode where Amu becomes a Moeba had more development for Tusk and that was a freakin' crossover episode with Kamen Rider Ghost. An episode which is entirely dedicated to Tusk should do better than that.

Which is exactly why being a dick to everyone who doesn’t immediately like books as much as you do won’t help the owner changing anything. You need to encourage people to read, not kick them out of your store.

Again, if they are so important then kicking people out of your store instead of actually nurturing their interest in books won’t achieve much.

And sorry for being that guy, especially since my English is far from being flawless too, but you need some books apparently.

Huh? Mr. Freeze? Who? The book store owner? Why is he Mr. Freeze now? But yeah, that was another part I didn’t like because it just wasn’t funny. This show usually does a lot better than that comedy-wise.

Maybe it's because I don't know Japanese words well enough to follow along, but I find the "We are mute so let’s make silly charades"-shtick that happens at least once in every second cartoon or so extremely painful even when I know what they’re trying to say.

His actor also play Roidmude 001 AKA Freeze Roidmude. That's why I called Mr. Freeze because you guys love to call Bird Man "Kaixabird" due of his actor also play Kamen Rider Kaixa

Okay that one actually makes sense, didn’t realize it was the same actor.

I thought it was a cute episode. But i'm agree, the whole "Who cares about the Birdman, i want to learn more about this world" was meh. It fit Tusk's personality and it make sense after episode 11 But it was weird considering he was the one who wanted to found the birdman.

As for Tusk... I can't say people who found him boring are wrong because opinion and blablabla, but i wouldn't say he is boring. He is just the only serious and shy character in this show and the actor is meh (He improved since episode 1, though). If everyone was all dokidoki, it would be boring. You need all types of personalities in a show. Personally, i think they did a good job with him so far. All of his scenes/episodes fits his personality, he got some good focus episodes/Development and unlike Nagi/Hikari/Souji, i remember he is in the show each week, not just when he have a focus episode XD That's one of the thing i love with Zyuohger. The characters are differents so we all have our favorites, but so far, none of the characters are in the background IMO. I'm agree that we didn't learn anything about him and that he didn't get any development in this episode, but it's not like he didn't get any development since the start of the show so a simple cute story isn't a bad thing... Except if all his future focus episodes are like that since it's only the 12th episode.

I still think it was nice to see a Ranger defeating a monster alone and the flashback was cute. I'm pretty sure he'll get more backstory later. It's only the 12th episode, after all. And sincerly, i thought Leo second episode was just as "pointless" as this one.

I think people find Tusk boring because he doesn't seem to have a personality or any particular traits. He's serious and straight laced, and a little shy, but what do we know about him?
Every comedy needs a straight man, I agree, but Tusk's reactions (Which, keep in mind, for a straight man, are supposed to still be comedic) are just dry looks or stating matter of fact replies. Sela is a much better straight man.
As a foil to Amu and Leo, Yamato and Sela are much better because they have the appropriate reactions to keep comedic flow. His genius is so rarely brought up that the only reason I remember he's the smart one is because he has nothing else to do (Which isn't helped by them showing off that Sela is constantly just as smart as he is). His purpose in the series, as of yet, is kind of overshadowed by Sela.

So far, he's only been notable in episode 1 (When he refused to take Yamato's help), and the Ghost crossover against Meboid Amu. Otherwise, he's just kind of been a tagalong to the rest of the gang, unfortunately.
[Not to say I don't like Tusk. I really enjoy him. But it's easy to make sense why people find him so boring]

Shy, serious, smart, have a big heart even if he don't want to show it, is probably the most devoted to his mission, want to know more about the humans to understand them... Considering it's only the 12 th episode so i think they have all the time to do more with him and give him more backstory.

And let's be fair. So far, i can't say i know a lot of things about Leo or Amu. Leo is fun, have a loud voice and can be lazy. Amu is... cute ? And she... likes to go shopping.

I think the problem is the actor, not the character or how is written. Personally, i found his comedic scenes hilarious (To be fair, Zyuohger never fail to make me laugh) As for Sela, besides when she found Leo annoying, i wouldn't say she play the "straight man" a lot.

Being a genius and being smart/wise are two differents things. Tusk is not the type of character who build new weapons or know everything. He is down to earth, serious about his mission and he think before he act. They actually show that several times in the show:

- In episode 1, he was the one who explained how the Link Cubes works and was the one who wanted to know how Yamato got his Symbol. He was also the only one who wasn't surprised when they realized they coudn't go back to Zyuland
- In episode 2, he wondered if he could trust Yamato and why he could use a Zyuman power even if he is a human.
- In episode 3, Leo found him annoying because he feel the need to remind him again why he must be serious while searching for the cube.
- In episode 6, he noticed that Larry was lying and knew why he became old so quickly. He also said that, even if he a Zyuman, he could understand why the humans were scared.
- In episode 7, he was angry because Amu didn't do her chores and she mentionned that each time he does something, it's perfect.
- In episode 8, he was the one who explained the plan to block the monster sound attack and told to Leo that he should be more serious.
- His love of books were mentionned in episode 11 and 12. (I think it was mentionned before, but i'm not 100% sure)

It's just a list of the moments that show he is wise/smart, of course. (And i'm pretty sure i forgot some things because... Well, i forgot everything XD) It look like small details details, but that's what make the show so great IMO. Just like i love that, even if they are in the background, Sela cover her ears each time Leo speak.

I wouldn't say he have nothing to do in this show. It's just that people usually notice more a fun character than a shy and serious character... Except if the character is the Red or is a girl XD.

For Sela, do you have any examples ? The only one that comes to my mind is in episode 9 when she noticed that they were in a dream but they explained why Tusk was more affected than the others and that scene didn't really make Sela look smart IMO.

So you didn't pick up on Amu breaking down their plans on finding the cube, noticing how handing out flyers won't actually help, and choosing to shop because she would prefer to get accustomed to her new home rather than desperately cling to their old one?
Because the episode where she did it (I don't recall the number) made it pretty damn clear.
I'm not going to break down each and every episode to find traits, I'm looking at the characters as a whole. Amu is extremely observant and clever, and can be down right manipulating, but if you only see "Vapid shopper" in her, then I'm surprised you caught anything in Tusk.

We know Tusk's personality traits, but we don't know Tusk at all. He stands around quietly, acting stoic. Shame Sela did it better and with better reasoning (Her family that she can no longer see). He's observant. Great quality. So are Yamato, Amu, and Sela. He rarely comes up with plans to attack or counter enemies (He only really follows the others' lead), and he's clever, which doesn't serve his character since he's never been in a situation where it would pay off (He didn't figure out a way to save Amu as she already had a plan, and he didn't figure out to attack the hat until spelled out for him).

I'm sorry, but Tusk just doesn't add anything to the team in my eyes. In terms of wit and intelligence, he's probably the smartest, but he's never been in a scenario where he needs to use his wits to defeat a foe or solve a problem. In terms of humor, Sela plays a better straight man to Leo, while Yamato plays it to Amu. He just stands in a corner shaking his head. In terms of ability and battle, Leo is shown to be nearly as strong, but twice as mobile, while he has no particular abilities to help beyond his earthquake stomps, and he just so rarely comes up with battle strategies.

I like Tusk, I really do, but in the big picture, he's easily outdone by his whole team since he rarely gets the chance to shine and his days in the limelight don't play to his favor.

Episode 3. And sorry, but Amu is nothing more than the cute cheerleader of the group IMO. That episode was basically "Meh, i resolved my problem off-screen so now shopping !". It would have been far more interisting for her character if they actually show us that on screen. Since that episode, she helped Yamato/the others to understand *insert her the name of the character* two times and did cute things.

Sela's backstory was revealed in episode 9. They don't have to give you his backstory right away. I don't think we saw a flashback of him and his father in front of the Link Cube for nothing. And all the Zyuohger miss their families, so if "other characters do too" can be used against Tusk, it should be the same for Sela. And "stands around quietly" ? Maybe we didn't watch the same show because, in the Zyuohger i watched, everyone gets some focus even when the episode is not about them.

Maybe because he is more than "clever" ? His first episode show he was serious about his mission and didn't want to trust Yamato (Wich lead to more development during the Zyuoh Gorilla). The second one showed the 2nd part of the description we got in the press conference and episode 12 was about his love for books and his shyness. Yes, he's smarter than the others, doesn't mean he is a genius or that he need to show that in every focus episodes. The showed several times that he was wise and smart and i'm sure he'll get an episode focusing on that later just like i'm sure Leo will get more backstory later.

I guess it's a matter of opinion but i respectfully disagree.

Dragged my feet on watching this one because I've been busy and the previews looked less than stellar (the characters wearing animal costumes and obvious Tusk focus both being big red flags). I actually liked it a lot more than I expected to. It was a comedic episode, but far less goofy than I'd feared it would be. I actually found the charades scene to be pretty funny. This kind of reminds me of the giant baby episode of Dekaranger, which is another case where something that looked cringe-inducing ended up being pretty decent.

Also, Haruka Tateishi looked distractingly cute in that tiger onesie. Just sayin'.