Tokucasts w/ DS & Friends
 

Hey there! DS here with his first community project since the Memory of Heroez LP!

The idea here is simple. Just like I did with Power Rangers, I just wanna talk about and highlight episodes across various Toku that are my favorite or that I feel are otherwise noteworthy.

The twist? Each review/highlight will be accompanied by a recorded discussion of said episode. While no doubt some episodes will be me solo, I also wanted to include friends of mine in these discussions: Many of whom you all should well know! But yeah, that's why this is going here in the Podcasts forums rather than the standard Toku Discussions one.

As always, everyone else is free to weigh in on the discussion as well, and if this project catches the eye of anyone else to the point that they'd like to be a part of it, send me a PM and maybe we can set something up over Discord. Just, you know, be respectful as usual. And unlike my Anime thread or Die's' usual discussion threads, spoilers are totally allowed to be discussed! People who haven't seen the shows in question getting discussed have been warned!

Just a quick note though: When it comes to the recordings, if you wish to sync them up with the episodes they cover, I start off every recording with a countdown. It's when you hear me say "Go" that you should press play to sync things up as closely as possible.

With all of that out of the way, let's have some fun!

Kamen Rider Blade Episode 1: The Indigo Warrior

Live/audio reaction HERE.

You know, it's been quite an amount of time since I last saw the first episode of Blade.

I picked this as the first episode of this project because not only is it one of the most memorable first episodes in the franchise, but it's also my favorite episode of Blade period.

And heck, going in, I thought this would be really easy to record over. But I ended up finding myself entranced by this episode all over again.

See, Blade's' first episode in infamous for a few things. It's most widely remembered for the memetic moment with Garren towards the end, but also known for being a first episode that not only feels like a second episode, but for being totally crazy in everything that gets thrown at the viewer at once.

And while none of those claims are exactly wrong... I ended up finding myself getting so much more out of this rewatch than what I expected.

I found myself kinda blindsided by just how much this episode has going for it. Yeah there's alot of crazy going on, but there's an equal number of quiet, atmosphere and character building moments too. A sense of mystery and intrigue towards both the characters and the plot is immediately established, and the pacing is surprisingly good!

Not only that, but the cinematography, while not anything revolutionary, did a great job at getting me to really take in the visuals and get absorbed into this world where Kamen Riders are basically a secret service. And there are so many little moments and shots that set foundation for things that would be elaborated upon really well in the episodes to come. There was a method to all of this madness, and I felt it all really paid off!

When I first watched episode 1 of Blade years ago, I was drawn in by all of the crazy happening during the episode. On this rewatch? I appreciate the episode for so much more, and it's undoubtedly one of my favorite first episodes in Kamen Rider as a whole.

Up next: Name and I discuss Power Rangers Dino Charge. Unleash the power!

Power Rangers Dino Charge Episode 13: Sync or Swim

You can listen to a live watch/reaction of the episode HERE.

I already made a detailed post about what makes this episode so good in the general Power Rangers thread, so I'll try and make this brief.

This episode is pretty notable for a few reasons, such as the genuinely funny humor, the surprisingly sensible plot from the villains, and the inventive Megazord action. But the biggest thing that stood out to me was the development of Tyler's' character.

See, before this episode I saw him as very much just a standard heroic Red Ranger, but this episode introduced a new element to him that, while certainly easily to poke fun at, actually adds another dimension to him that I really appreciated. Given his backstory, he absolutely should have self-esteem and abandonment issues, and those are in full swing this episode.

It made for some really good interplay with Ivan, and even if the solution is a bit quick and the the problem is very one-sided, it still made for a nice change of pace in terms of Tyler and was a piece of a very enjoyable episode overall, and as such I come out liking it way more than weighing down on it.

Up next: Niko and I discuss Kamen Rider Hibiki. Don't worry, he's well trained!

Live watch/review can be heard HERE.

It was a bit hard to choose which episode of Hibiki to watch for this thread, honestly, because alot of episodes, especially in the first half, have some really standout stuff that are worth talking about.

Heck, in the first episode alone you have what is no doubt the most unique opening scene of any Kamen Rider show, and just about every episode only ramps up my interests from there on.

Ultimately we decided to go with my favorite episode of the show though, and it's one that I think some people kinda misunderstand? From what little I've gleaned online, some seem to think the ultimate moral of the episode is that it's okay for Hibiki to be hyper-specialized, but not for Todoroki.

And like, while that's technically true, summing it up in that way really removes like, half the entire lesson as well as the context surrounding it. The lesson the episode is attempting to teach is that even if you're extremely skilled or gifted in one specific aspect, relying solely on that one aspect and nothing else isn't going to very effectively carry you through life.

Yes, by training himself in what he's already good at, Hibiki unlocks his new super mode, Crimson Hibiki, which helps to defeat the Summer Makamou, but had this episode taken place in any season other than summer, the tale would've gone much differently. Hibiki's' skillset works here because it's naturally attuned to the situation, which is why Todoroki needs to learn drumming in the first place. It's also shown that Ibuki and Hibiki have undergone training in the other instruments as well, so there's really no hypocrisy here.

To give a bit of a simply comparison, being really good at fixing a car isn't going to directly translate to you being really good at ballroom dancing and vise-versa.

Ontop of that though, the episode carries alot of the stuff that I just really love about the first 29 episodes of Hibiki in general: A warm atmosphere, stylish action, and really charming ad human feeling character interactions. It's got everything, and I really don't think I could ask for any more from it.

Up next: Kamen Rider Die joins me in watching/discussing Kamen Rider Ryuki episode 30, which is inferior to episode 29! I'm sure it'll be the advent to my defeat.

You can download the live watch HERE.

Kamen Rider Die and I are forever fated to collab on Ryuki-related content.

Which is actually kinda funny, given that mine and his tastes on Kamen Rider only lines up every now and then.

I suppose it is fitting though, given that a big theme in the show is about how everyone has their own unique perspective and making efforts in seeing and understanding those perspectives is an important part of life.

So when Die proposed episode 30 for this Tokucast, my initial reaction was "Huh?" because I'll be honest, I barely remembered it, especially given that my all-time favorite episode of Ryuki, 29, was right before it and is something that'll stick in my memory until the day I turn senile.

But man, it's impressive that I managed to forget it because this episode is out there. Like, especially in the kind of story that Ryuki is.

It still very much has alot of the same themes and character quirks that the show had up to that point, but it does it in an incredibly outlandish, Inoue way that, if not handled properly, would've felt like something out of a totally different show. But I gotta say, he nailed it. Despite just how outlandish Megumi as a character is, the great cinematography of Ishida really helps to make this episode feel right at home in the world of Ryuki.

In a meta sense, both this episode and 29 also serve as a way to give the viewers a bit of breathing room before getting back into the dire stakes of the main story, and both episodes being legitimately funny really helps in bringing that atmosphere and not coming across as obnoxious. In lesser hands, these episodes would be downright annoying to watch. For me atleast.

Die certainly had a ton to say about this episode, so I highly recommend atleast listening to the episode we recorded rather than just reading me kinda casually go over it in this post. While 29 is still my favorite, I will say that on this rewatch, I did find a good chunk more respect for episode 30, and hopefully as time passes I won't just forget like 80% of it again. It's a fun time!

Up next: A new face to these sorts of projects arrives as GrandComplete joins me in watching episode 6 of Power Rangers Super Mega Force! It's sure to be a Super Mega Win!

Power Rangers Super Mega Force Episode 6: Spirit of the Tiger

Live watch/review is HERE.

Be sure to welcome someone brand new to these sorts of projects: GrandComplete! The guy who introduced us all to Legend Heroes!

But to my surprise, he did not approach me about doing an episode on Legend Heroes, no. Rather, it's an episode of a show that's noted to not like very much. The logic being he wanted to show positivity towards a show he dislikes.

And hey, I'm all down for that. I myself have noted that Super Mega Force, despite being a weaker season of Power Rangers, has good stuff in it. And this episode is one of those examples! It serves as a tribute episode to Jungle Fury, and is even written by Casey's' actor, Jason Smith.

The setup, that Jake and Emma feel that they're falling behind the group and need some guidance in order to get back on their feet, is a good one, and even ties into Azim Rizk's' own headcanon about Jake in that Jake has low self-esteem. It also ties into Jungle Fury's' own themes of self-improvement and insecurities, showing that Jason Smith knew the show he was in.

There's some solid cinematography here too with things like the gradual face reveal of Casey and the well choreographed training session between Jake and Emma. And on that note, the martial arts styles Casey trains the two in being directly tied to their Mega Force animals is a great touch, and even ties into the Animal Spirits of Jungle Fury rather nicely. As a tribute episode, this hits all the marks!

Casey himself is interesting here too. Being alot more grounded and straightforward than what he was in his own show. While I do miss some of that fiery energy he had from Jungle Fury proper, I suppose his characterization here is to show that he's gorwn older, wiser, and more mature, and I'm all around fine with that. Though I am super confused about his sudden disappearance towards the end of the episode like... was he a ghost the whole time!? It's so weird!

Regardless, this is a pretty solid episode all around and I hope you enjoy listen to GrandComplete's' own thoughts about both the episode and the season as a whole like I did!

Next time: A friend of mine who you've all never met or heard of joins me in talking about Toei Spider-Man episode 39! WOW!

Live watch/reaction can be downloaded HERE.

Detective Tachibana is hands down the coolest character in this version of Spider-Man.

Dude is played by the same actor who played Kamen Rider V3, his backstory is a really engaging and sympathetic one, and he's a literal Cowboy Cop with a machine gun guitar! There's a reason he's one of the few side characters to show up twice.

39 is the second episode that Tachibana takes part in, and it's every bit as fun as the first. And yeah, Tachibana is a big part of that, but like most episodes of Toei Spider-Man, there's so much that goes into this that just makes for a great time watching it. Given the title, the most obvious being the really fun action scenes during the tournament.

But the thing that stands out to me most, just like many an episode of the show, is the surprisingly human element that goes into the entire story. The character intrigue with Tachibana and his son, Takuya's' dedication to keeping the lives of families together after what he's been through, and the active attempts at breaking the mind control placed by the Iron Cross Army rather than just simply beating up Samurai Cop.

Oh, yeah, should probably mention that too. In this universe, if you're an Ace Cop, you get your own unique motif that makes you like 30 times more badass. Cowboy Cop, Samurai Cop, you name it! It's the sort of silly element that only serves to enhance just how fun this show is to watch in general alongside all of the more dramatic elements in play, and man do I love every second of it. Add on stuff like the Nazi Spider and Spider-Man declaring he's the best martial artist in the world despite him losing, and this is just a fun time all around.

Supaidahman is so much more than just the meme GIFs circulating the internet, and I love watching it every time.

Up next: I plan to get into the holiday spirit with one of my favorite Christmas specials! It's the sort of Toku Christmas one can only dream of.

Listen to me, Androzani, and En-chan watch the episode live HERE.

This is another episode that I've written up a detailed breakdown on, and as such you already know this is one of my favorite episodes.

And to sum it all up as to why, well, not only is it one of the few Christmas Specials, heck, one of the few episodes of Power Rangers in general to be composed of entirely original footage, but I also consider it the most wholesome episode in the entire franchise.

The episode perfectly embodies everything I love not only about the average PR episode, but also just about everything I love in Christmas episodes/movies. So you get an episode that is not only fun to watch, but one that just leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy in the end too. And really, I think everyone could use something like that during the holidays.

By the way, something to note that I forgot to when typing up my original post: The same Santa featured in this episode also appears in both Masked Rider as well as VR Troopers. That's actually some nice bit of continuity to have across Saban's' various Toku shows. Shout out to Androzani for reminding me of that tidbit.

But... yeah. This is just a really feel good experience all around, and it remains my favorite episode of the season that it's in.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Up next: A friend who really opened my eyes to how great Lightspeed Rescue is and I watch, well, what else? Lightspeed! Rescue!

Podcast episode is HERE.

Another episode that I've done a post on before! And in that post I mention a specific friend of mine that I rewatched the show with.

So who better to have with me for reviewing my favorite episode of Lightspeed Rescue with? And as it turns out, it's actually his favorite episode too, and part of that is all thanks to one line that stands out: "He's my son."

My buddy notes that it's a line that really stuck with him all throughout his memories of the show, and I agree that it's a very impactful one in terms of the overall narrative. But even besides that, there's alot going on in this episode that really makes it stand out.

What most people will likely remember it for is the introduction of the Titanium Ranger; The first US original Power Ranger. And yeah, that in itself is cool, but everything both surrounding and involving said intro is done incredibly well. From the build up, to the atmosphere, to the wonderful fight choreography once the suit is all in, it makes for one heck of a first impression.

The advancing of both the plot and a few character arcs(including kicking off Ryan's') is a great plus too. There's really nothing bad I can think to say about this one. It's just an engrossing time all around, and sets the stage for more greatness to come from PRLR. I really gotta thank my friend for showing me just how much good stuff this season had to offer. It's a great time from start to finish.

Up next: I have no idea! It'll surprise me just as much as it does you I'm sure.

Listen to the audio podcast version HERE.

Another episode that I've posted about my love for. So once again, I'll try to keep this short.

Episode five of GARO is directed by Kengo Kaji, who was also one of the writers on the show and by god did he do an incredible job with this one. That opening sequence was when I knew I was fully invested in everything that GARO had to offer.

As stellar as the opening is, it's not even just that, as the entire episode works to balance both the more action oriented side of the typical GARO episode with this unique feeling plot that plays out like a murder mystery horror film.

The amount of information that's able to be portrayed with every character involved in such a short timeframe is impressive too, with very little of the dialogue feeling unnatural or forced. Heck, this episode marks the point where Kaoru puts in more of an effort to try and understand Koga, though unfortunately, Koga doesn't quite feel the same just yet.

And with all of that, the action is still good and the performances, especially on Koga, are very solid, meaning that the cinematography, while putting in great work, isn't doing all of the carrying here. It's just a wonderfully engrossing package all around.

Is it a perfect episode? No, but it's one that grabbed me and never let go, and that makes it very special to me.

Saber + Zenkaiger: Superhero Chronicles

Audio podcast is HERE.

I haven't seen much from either Kamen Rider Saber or Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.

But despite that, I came out of this movie liking it a whole lot, and it might actually be my favorite Kamen Rider crossover film?

It has alot of the same appeal to me that Samurai Flamenco does, mainly in how what at first just seems like a simplistic hero story full of high energy antics soon turns into a postmodern look at superhero stories themselves.

And it's not even just Toku hero stories either, but folktales such as Journey to the West and The Eight Dogs get thrown in, and all under the banner of not only honoring the legacy of the stories themselves, but also highlighting how such things can just as equally be fun as they can be important.

Sure, Shotaro Ishinomori's' works are often defined by their morally gray characters and/or scenarios, or their larger than life lessons they had to teach children, but just as often part of the appeal was just the simplistic enjoyment factor of seeing colorful heroes with larger than life personalities win the day for the everyone's' future.

The movie does a great job at showcasing how the reason these stories over the past 50 years haven't been just because of any one aspect, but due to so many varying elements coming together into a truly unique experience that's really hard to find in other mediums. Yes, it is possible to have high energy action alongside deeper meanings, just as much as you can balance drama with comedy. "Capturing humanity itself" as the movie puts it.

It doesn't just talk about stories in relation to the audience though, but also touching upon the view and struggles of the creators of said stories, and it really surprised me that such a high concept as a writer being equated to an almighty Godlike being was being presented to the target audience of kids. But even if they fail to fully grasp that, kids can always be sure to latch onto the more straightforward message of going forward in life while keeping in mind the lessons and experiences that stories have granted you. It's nice!

The directing is top notch too, and I don't just mean the cinematography either. The way the movie is able to seamlessly move from comedic action, to intense character drama, to a psychological sequence you might find in a thriller or mystery film was incredibly impressive. The atmosphere it top notch all throughout, most especially coming to a head during the time when Touma ends up in the "real world" as well as when Takeshi Hongo breaks character to talk to Shotaro Ishinomori. It all really does come together feeling like an adventure that encapsulates alot of what people love about toku.

There's alot of layers to this film, and I really do think it could easily appeal to any toku fan, unless they just have a total distaste for alot of what Kamen Rider and Super Sentai are about. The directing is great, the action is great, the character interactions are great, the background details are great...

I just overall really love this movie.

Original post is HERE.

Podcast audio can be downloaded HERE.

There's alot to like about this episode.

And because I myself have already shared my thoughts on it pretty extensively, I decided to call on my friends Name and Troy to give their insight.

Name pretty much echoed what I had to say, but Troy offered some unique insight that I myself would have never considered: Just how well this episode, along with Flynn himself, represent people of Scottish descent.

Troy himself is part Scottish, and thus found himself naturally drawn to Flynn not just due to the memetic line this episode offers, but just Flynn himself as a character and how he proudly carries on and displays his heritage. It's a really cool extra dimension to Flynn that I hadn't considered before.

But yeah, if you weren't already aware, this episode has it all: Top notch comedy, great character development for Ranger Blue, story set up for future developments, and fun action to go along with it all. There's a reason that this episode is a fan favorite, and is a personal favorite among the three of us who watched it together as well.

Podcast watch is HERE.

Magical girls can be toku!

This time, En-chan joins me in talking about this episode of Heart Catch Precure, which is probably my favorite one in the show?

As the title would suggest, most of it has to do with Grandma Godai's' first meeting with her deceased husband, which not only furthers the mystery of who exactly the Tuxedo Mask-esque guy who's been saving the crew is, but also established that Granny is a trained martial artist.

There's also the B-plot of Tsubomi's' childhood friend Mitsuru, who very obviously has a crush on her and yet she doesn't see it. The two plots interconnect well enough, but the Grandma plot is definitely much stronger.

But, in general, there's alot of solid character work and interactions all throughout, and that's definitely the big reason as to why this episode stands out to me so much(outside of establishing more backstory for one of my favorite characters of the season). The action takes a bit of a backseat as a result, but really, I think it's a worthwhile trade off.

And... that's kinda it, really? Sure, on paper it's dead simple, but in execution it does what it does very well, and in turn that makes the episode itself a really enjoyable sit, especially with how it manages to balance out the transitions between comedy, action, and melancholy. It's a solidly touching episode about waiting for love to reach you, and really, it didn't even need to attempt to be anything more than that.

Original post is HERE.

Podcast episode is HERE.

This episode is pure genius.

From second one, this episode knew exactly how to get me hooked and keep my attention all the way through.

It's paced like a drive-by of absolute crazy. Like someone comes by and chucks you right into a rollercoaster without any sort of warning. And I loved it all the way through!

Nothing in its short, 18-minute time frame is wasted here. So much goes on, and yet every event wonderfully flows into the next all while highlighting the larger than life personalities of everyone involved without ever becoming too much to handle.

The comedy is on point from the word go too. Going from a cold open that might make one think we're watching something more akin to Batman, only to then immediately hit you with the wonderfully crazy world that Dogengers actually is. All while still having a great emotional core with our main character, Jiro.

It's hands down one of my favorite first episodes in any show that I've seen, and I really couldn't think of any way to make it better. Love it.

Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations

Audio podcast is HERE.

If there's one thing Kamen Rider is known for, it's terrible parents. Fathers especially.

Which is why it was so refreshing for me that a movie came along to actually face the issue of terrible parenting head on.

Rynosuke and Hideo make the leads of the movie as Kamen Rider Century, and their very bad relationship forms both the emotional core as well as the biggest talking point in the entire movie. And I felt it was pulled off rather well!

The key that makes it all work out is the actual acknowledgement of just how bad of a father Rynosuke has actually been, and how he's making a genuine effort to make amends for his past actions both as a father and as a member of SHOCKER. He's not instantly forgiven nor does he downplay any of his deeds.

It's worked into one of the bigger ideas/lessons of the film too. The moral being about how neglectful parenting only leads to more neglectful parenting, and that active effort is needed to break the cycle somewhere. Hideo's' lack of self-awareness leads to him neglecting his own son, and it's only corrected via the lesson he got from the most unexpected of places.

In terms of a movie made to celebrate 50 years of Kamen Rider, making these two the center focus while make the casts of Saber and Revice supporting characters was a very smart move, I think. It works especially well in terms of Revice, given that show's' overall center focus on families. Outside of Century, Ikki is very much the front man in terms of the rest of the cast.

Overall I just found the entire thing to be a great movie in terms of both character development and meta commentary. Combine that with the usual fun that comes with Rider movies such as bombastic action and fun character interactions, and I had a great time all throughout.

BIMA Episode 24

Audio podcast is HERE.

23 and 24 are what I consider the perfect pair of BIMA episodes.

The emotional core of the entire story comes to a head here, with the theme of family being able to pull you through anything showed off fantastically.

The episode focuses almost entirely on Mikhail and Uncle, which is not only a unique dynamic the show had never had up to now, but showcases great development for both characters.

Uncle getting more of a backstory on what happened to his wife and child, and how he continues to pull through in honor of their memory is not only powerful, but is what ultimately steels Mikhail's' wavering resolve after his own experience of great loss. Even better given Uncle was helping someone he saw as a stranger.

Mikhail meanwhile learns what I feel is the ultimate lesson of practically every Showa era Kamen Rider show and, heck, a lesson life has in general. And that is the idea that life is often cruel and unfair, but even so it is an incredibly precious thing and the reason you should keep moving forward; At the very least for those you love if not yourself.

It really helps that everything else is on point here too. The action being fueled by compelling character drama such as Azazel impaling himself just to prove a point, the music score being top notch in utilization, and some surprisingly good cinematography all come together in creating an atmosphere that I find myself getting lost in quite easily. The Double Garuda Crusher at the end is very well earned, all things considered!

These two episodes easily make up the emotional climax of BIMA as a whole, and I wouldn't have them any other way.

This is being cross-posted from Kamen Rider Die's' Revice Thread for archival purposes.


Hey there!

So, this thread made for a big milestone in terms of both Watch Threads and Die himself, so I decided to do a little something to celebrate.

Die, Androzani, GrandComplete, En-chan, and myself all got together to talk about Die's' threads, our experience with Kamen Rider as a whole, fun memories around the boards, and... Kamen Rider Butts??

It was a fun time, and if you wanna listen in on the conversation that we recorded, you can download a copy of the podcast by clicking HERE. It's a little over an hour long.

As for myself, while I'm certain that I serve as little more than the annoying "rival" of the guy who popularized Watch Threads around the board, even I won't deny how big of an impact they had in terms of getting people to look back on these older entries in Kamen Rider, as well as the absolutely fun time I had with most of the threads that I participated in.

Sure there were some bumps here and there, but overall it made for one heck of a ride over these past four years, and only contributed to me liking and sticking with this little community that I joined a few years back. Hopefully when the revisits happen at the start of next year, I can think of fun ways to contribute to most of those planned threads, especially whatever Power Rangers show Die decides that he wants to check out.

Listen to the live watch HERE.

I'll admit, when I think of PR Samurai, this isn't the first episode that comes to mind.

So color me surprised when Androzani hit me up saying that this is the specific episode of the season that he wanted to have spotlighted.

And looking back, yeah, I can see why this one could be considered a highlight, as it has a surprisingly solid amount of stuff going for it. And that's despite the weird common tokusatsu plot of "faking a wedding to nab a monster."

First, this one of the few times where the villain's' scheme isn't by a monster of the week, but rather one of the generals(Dayu, for this episode specifically). Which in turn sets up for and ties into said character's' arc further down the line. Not to mention introducing arguably the most popular character(Decker).

The episode also has a surprisingly solid amount of character humor throughout it. Not just the typical antics from Bulk and Spike, but stuff like Kevin tearing up at the fake wedding, Mike's' fake experience with monster tracking, and of course, Jayden doing his best to stone-face everything despite all of the antics going on around him.

As such, the episode serves as a pretty interesting hybrid of a "typical" standalone episode while also being plot important, and is just a fun ride all the way through. The stuff that makes Samurai an enjoyable watch is all here, and with some extra bits too.

Hear my full on rambling HERE.

Changerion is definitely not gonna be a show for everyone.

But you know who it is for? Me. Despite its major low points, I can confidently say that I had alot of fun with this show and I do not regret watching it.

Even just talking about this episode in and of itself, it has alot of aspects to it that really do just appeal to me, made even better by how I do think, lucky shot or not, it does fit into the overall essence of the show proper.

The expanded look into Akira's' psychosis via the reveal of the entirety of the show we know it possibly all being a fantasy makes for some really fun stuff to think about, especially in hindsight. He's a guy who does his best to keep his life as simple as possible, despite or maybe because he's rather complex himself.

Sure, you can read the ending as either a hopeful one or a dour one, and maybe I'm just a depressing guy, but I feel like the more downer interpretation fits in with the show's' narrative alot better, despite the some shift in tone. Remember, as crazy as Changerion could get, it still did have its fair share of drama throughout its run regardless.

Still, whatever the case, given how the show was cancelled, I don't know if Changerion could've asked for a better ending. It's Inoue absolutely swinging for the fences and in my eyes, he nailed it. Sure, seeing the rest of the story proper play out would've been great and I am curious what other plans there might have been, but as things stand, I really don't feel like I can complain. It's a fun ride, just like the show itself was.

Listen to me, En-chan, and Androzani watch and talk about the movie HERE.

I'll admit, I am the exact sucker that this anniversary special is aiming to please.

It's got alot of things that make me take a shine to it pretty much immediately; The return of one of my all time favorite characters in Zack being the biggest one.

Even besides Zack and his amazing hip-hop kido though, I can't help but smile at the return of all these old characters and locations(the Juice Bar!) who I literally grew up with coming back, ontop of all the great callbacks and lampshades.

Heck, a very big part of the movie in general is honoring the legacy of the franchise as a whole, and especially that of Thui Trang, whom the cast always remembered fondly, and you can tell they really wanted to showcase their love for her all throughout the film.

And that is perhaps the thing that impressed me most about this movie too. None of the nostalgic bits feel like pandering, and working Trini's' death and the rise of her daughter Minh never once came across as tasteless. It's a movie all about moving forward and birthing something new while still remembering where we all began.

Minh herself has a very strong character arc too. She's not just "the new Trini" she has her set of motivations, growth, and personality traits that really sell her as her own unique person. Going from a teenager full of vengeance and hatred to someone who understands the self-sacrifice of being a hero, Minh really does grow into her while never once coming across as annoying or undeserving of the mantle of Yellow Ranger.

The overall tone and writing of the film handles this all wonderfully too. Managing to go back and forth from serious to silly while never once coming off a pretentious or being ashamed of the original show. It helps that there are some genuinely funny lines and moments throughout the film's' run time! Sure, some of it is referential humor("Thanks, I hate it"), but even then it's pulled off in such a way that I couldn't help but laugh along rather than groan in annoyance like alot of other media that tries to pull it off make me do.

Sure, I could do a point for point breakdown of everything I love about this movie, just as I have various episodes of Power Rangers proper, but really, if you at all consider yourself a fan of the franchise, then you owe it to yourself to check it out. I don't know if I'd call it my favorite movie in the franchise, but if it's not, then it's second only to the 1995 movie, and coming from me that is very high praise. It's a great ride from start to finish, and I highly recommend it. Here's to hoping more seasons can get reunion movies even half as good as this one. I give this special a very strong 5/6. I think the only way it could've been any better is if they'd managed to get literally the whole cast back, Bulk and Skull included.

Gonna keep this post short. I got together with Name, Enchilada645, and Androzani84 to discuss the entirety of what could possibly be the final season of Power Rangers. I feel as though the recording itself says everything I could think to type up and more, and that overall it was a really good discussion between people who have a genuine love for this franchise. So please, do give it a listen. It's a little bit over an hour and a half long.

You can download/listen to our discussion HERE.

Listen to the Tokucast HERE.

This movie being one of my first real exposures to a more traditional Ultra Series entry has grown very interesting over time.

It's a film that, when I first saw it, I was somewhat iffy on, but as I grow more in tune with the Ultra Series as a whole, and also with repeat viewings, it's a movie that I grow to like and appreciate more and more.

At the time of this writing, I still haven't seen the original Ultraman, but even so, there's alot going on here in terms of showcasing just what the heart of the franchise is, as well as doing things to stand on its own feet as a superhero movie.

Sure, the pacing can take some getting used to, especially if you aren't expecting what is essentially a chaptered movie minus the chapter markers, but really, I feel like that's part of the fun, especially with how every section of the movie manages to tie itself together as the film goes on. The superb dubbing for the English helps alot too.

The effects are great, the action is fun, and many of the characters, Mefilas especially, are very likable even if they are basic.

And in the end, the movie is just an all around fun ride. And that's what's most important, I think.

Listen to me talk about one of the more disliked arcs of Decade HERE!

Hi, I'm DreamSword, and if you didn't already know, Kamen Rider Decade is a show that I absolutely could not stand watching. Merry Christmas!

But you know, at the time of this writing, I recently finished watching Kamen Rider Amazon for the first time, and wouldn't you know it, I rather liked that show. I also liked this two-parter of Decade the first time I saw it. Surprising, right?

It's one of the few bits of Decade that I felt worked well enough on its own merits, and now having seen Amazon, while I wouldn't call the tribute aspects perfect, I feel as though they're alot better handled than in most of the other "tributes" that Decade tended to go with. Most of which felt like they were written by people who actively hated the source material.

Many point at AR Amazon's' actor and call his acting terrible at best and a betrayal of the original Amazon's' at worst, but me? I think it overall checks out. And I feel as though the directing on him was absolutely intentional.

Because here's the thing, anyone who's under the impression that the actor for Showa's' Amazon was 1000% different from the delivery brought upon by his AR version? Well, I feel as though they should actually like, watch the original Amazon. The early episodes especially. Because his delivery, especially on the iconic "AM-A-ZON!" line, was equally flat. And while it did get better as the show went on, it never reached any sort of super passionate heights.

And in context of Decade's' story in and of itself, it makes total sense why Amazon acts the way that he does. He's a stranger in a land where he has had no friends, no real human interaction, and is fighting for the lives of the people who actively hate him every day. Emotionally, he's battered and drained. And his general demeanor reflects that. But despite those difficulties, he continues on the path he feels is right, and tries his best to be a light in the darkness. That embodies not just Amazon, but Showa Kamen Rider in general.

A big aspect to Amazon's' story was communication and camaraderie, which this two-parter decides to showcase by showing what happens when those aspects of human society are corrupted and abused by those in power. And it's easy to see as an even more deliberate decision by acknowledging that Mole Beastman doesn't exist in this world, and the Alternate Reality version of Masahiko being Amazon's' enemy rather than his best friend. It's the sort of what-if scenario that I feel anyone who's familiar with the original Amazon would atleast find some sort of appreciation in.

But therein lies the rub, doesn't it? One of my biggest critiques of Decade as a whole is that it is not at all written with newcomers in mind, and it also does not make it at all clear that the worlds its presenting are corruptions(in more ways than one) of the shows that it's paying "tribute" to up until the very end of the show's' run. This arc isn't any different in those regards, but at the very least this one works well enough within its own context, as well as the greater context of Decade's' "plot" as a whole, unlike most other arcs within. Atleast, if you ask me, anyway. Like, yeah, it's by no means perfect, but I was more satisfied with what it did than what it didn't.

Take Tsukasa for example. Now, it's no secret that he's a character of whom I absolutely cannot stand, but I liked the way he was utilized here: His more abrasive aspects being used to the advantage of the team for once rather than to their active detriment, as well as him taking a backseat for once and letting Amazon take the lead. That's the sort of story that Decade as a whole wants the viewer to believe it is, but this was the first(and only) arc wherein those ideas were actually followed through on(unless one counts the Kamen Rider Wizard two-parter years alter). For once, Tsukasa is infact as fellow Rider who is "just passing through" rather than taking center stage and making the story be all about him.

Is this arc perfect? No. But it's a noticeable step up from the average, and was alot more in line with my own personal tastes as well as delivering upon what the show tried to(falsely) advertise from the start. And in those regards, I still enjoy it for what it is, even after having seen the original work it's attempting to pay tribute to.

Never say I never gave Decade any sort of compliment. Merry Christmas.

Original post is HERE.

Podcast episode is HERE.

This episode was surprisingly real.

Probably one of the last things I expected to be depicted in Dogengers is the very real consequences of improper medication handling.

It makes sense though. Ohgaman, and by extension, Ohga Pharmacy's' entire mission statement is about helping families to take better care of themselves and taking their medication properly.

So, showcasing some of the very real side effects of improper medical care ontop of a diabetic condition hits very hard and makes for a very real lesson for kids. If you don't take proper care of yourself, then be prepared to face some very scary consequences. It's not a fun time!

Ontop of that is the reveal of Great-Z's' backstory, and how the things we go through during our childhood has an impact that lasts our entire lives. It's a very sadly relatable tale that hits close for alot of people, myself included. But it also shows that despite what suffering we might go through, finding a light at the end isn't impossible.

And I think that's what makes this such a special episode, overall. It's not afraid to talk to its audience straight, but yet makes the journey and struggle worth it to reach that warm light at the end. Of course you can still love heroes, love to draw, and keep your hobbies throughout your whole life, and anyone who tries to say otherwise is likely just trying to pass on their own misery. Stand tall, stand proud, and surround yourself with those who understand.

It's an emotional swing of an episode, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Listen to me, Name, and En-chan talk about these two episodes HERE.

This is my favorite two-parter in W.

It has alot going for(alot of which En-chan beat me to mentioning), but the crux of it is this: It's just a ton of fun from start to finish.

The scenario, the character humor, the action, all of it is incredibly on point and so full of energy that it makes the less savory parts really not even matter, let alone at all stick in my brain.

It's also a prime example of what I personally love about the show. Because yes, for all the critiques I've been giving throughout the thread, I do legit like this show and feel that its positives far outweigh its negatives. And that in turn, surprisingly, mainly comes from Akiko.

Does W always handle its characters the best? As seen with Wakana, obviously not, but when the shows nails something, oh man does it ever. Here we have Akiko, a character that I used to hate, not only being incredibly likable all throughout both episodes, but delivering what might be my favorite scene in the entire show? Her speech telling both Kawai and Wakana to get over themselves was fantastic. Such a shame Wakana doesn't take it at all to heart. I would've even forgiven the sudden turn to the dark side if she had.

And then there's Terui, who is the one responsible for why I would never ever forget these episodes. And that's him running away fro the kissing scene, getting tied to a tree later, and then laying one on Shotaro later.

The primary reason that Akiko and Terui getting together later never sat right with me was that, in my mind, Terui was very much an ace-coded character all throughout the show. If anyone wants to claim I'm projecting, sure, fair enough, but it honestly seemed to me like the dude never had any sort of interest in romance or sex, let alone seeing Akiko in that light. And the kiss jokes in this one really only further cemented that in my eyes.

The episodes are just a fun ride from start to finish, and it's the sort of thing that I always think back on when I think of Kamen Rider W.

Podcast watch is HERE.

This show's' range and use of tone is pretty great.

And that is showcased fantastically in the one and only two parter across the entire season.

This is the mid season finale, and it hits like a ton of bricks. After a season of relatively happy go lucky adventures, our heroes are faced with an incredibly dire and dramatic situation that takes an extreme emotional toll on our lead.

It's part of why these episodes stand out and work so well. They're immediately set apart from everything that came before, and does alot of things not seen before. A human infected by Underg Energy, a serious threat of death, and a new, somber ending song that doesn't ruin the tone at all.

There's also a wonderful amount of character work done with Sora in this, as everything she held true to in terms of her heroism is put to the ultimate test. Can she truly call herself a hero if she's unable to make the tough decisions? Does being a hero mean that you have to sacrifice those you love? And just far should one go when fighting for what they believe in?

Given that the show is aimed at young girls, the show of course opts for the most optimistic of messages in terms of everything these episodes do, but still, by that same token, it raises some rather deep questions for the target demographic. Such as how much suffering is worth pursuing your dreams, and what do you do when your dreams turn out to not quite be what you were hoping for?

Wonderful character drama combined with everything else that makes the show great makes for a wonderful set of episodes, and I couldn't be happier with them.

Listen to me, Androzani, GrandComplete, and En-chan watch and discuss the film HERE.

Look at that screenshot. This movie is totally a tokusatsu film!

Sure, the fandom joke that Blue Beetle is a toku in disguise is partly what inspired this episode, but at the same time, this movie is just all around great.

There's so much to love about it right from the outset: The cinematography is very clear and nice to look at, the action scenes, while relatively simple, are choreographed well, and the Blue Beetle suit is an actual suit and not CGI!

And speaking on a somewhat more personal note, the Mexican representation all throughout the movie is top notch. Featuring a wonderful soundtrack, relatable scenarios, and a stellar cast who all bring such wonderful life and energy to their performances. Yes, even George Lopez.

But most important of all is the characters. Sure, it's a superhero movie so there's the usual fantastical science going about, but everyone in the cast feels like a real person you could actually run into; with all of them also having incredibly likable personalities to match. One of the villains even manages to capture a great deal of sympathy despite their backstory only coming in at the end.

The emotional core of the film is present and on point all throughout, with the tone never once wavering, feeling forced, or being condescending towards the audience. I always get fully invested from minute one, and stay all the way through. And that's even with the romance that I felt fell a bit flat and is the only real deterrent. But hey, that's a very minor footnote in what I overall found to be a very fun experience.

Blue Beetle is the best superhero film I've seen in years, and I really hope to see this rendition of Jaime Reyes again someday.

Me, GC, Name, En-chan, and Androzani all got together to watch this masterclass episode HERE.

If there was one thing that impressed me about Ultraman Blazar, it was its ability to take premises that sound like total nonsense and just gun for them.

Because really, when it comes to kids entertainment, an episode centering around an insurance salesman and an old lady he makes friends with doesn't exactly sound like top quality TV, you know?

And yet it works so well! In the span of a single episode, both characters are well developed and extremely likable, with some quality writing to match. Dialogue that feels natural, great performances from the actors(dub and sub), some great action, and of course, just a wonderful charm and atmosphere all around.

The episode even features the return of some fan favorite Kaiju, and seeing them for the first time myself, I totally get why they became favorites. Red King especially has a larger than life personality that's great to see play out. Heck, the fight that breaks out even results in one of the few wins that Earth Garon gets(technically)!

It's just a heart filled, fun episode all around. And I had a great time with it.

Read the original post HERE.

Listen to me and En-chan review the episode live HERE.

Quite possibly the most unique episode in the entire franchise.

Now, with a setup like that, many are probably expecting something totally wild, right? But actually, given what franchise this, it's the exact opposite.

Rather, "Secret" is probably the most relaxed, whimsical, and down-to-earth episode of GARO there is; Wherein the entire episode can be summed up as "Leo and Kaoru walk around town and talk."

And despite such a simple premise, it does alot for the season as a whole. Alot of world building in terms of the spiritual side of the setting, alot of character development for Leo and Kaoru, and also sets up for a really great pay off come the season finale.

It's such a unique pairing that many probably wouldn't expect either: Leo and Kaoru. And yet, the two have a surprising amount to connect over; Including their love of brushes. Kaoru's' keen eye and empathy really does alot to bring out the softer side of Leo, and allows the audience to get to know him as more than simply Koga's' ally.

It's just a wonderful experience all around, and I really dig it.

Read the original review post HERE.

Listen to the podcast rewatch with Me, Name, and En-chan HERE.

I already did that big old breakdown post, so I'll try to keep it brief.

Kelson Henderson is one of the best things to happen to the Power Rangers franchise, without question.

No matter what character he plays: Boom, Mick, Norg, they're always just such a delight to watch for one reason or another. And it makes me very happy that he made it a point to come back with every season since his debut.

And in terms of the episode in and of itself, this was one of the few in Dino Fury where it felt like they had all their ducks in a row, and it makes for a very fun, very smooth watch. The characterization is on point, the stock footage is utilized well(mostly), and there are no double standards to be found.

It just makes for a great overall package that, despite how many issues I have with DF and its production, reminds me that there was still alot of good to be had here, like with any proper season of Rangers. It also helps that this is the episode where the plot with Void Knight begins to take a very interesting turn, even if said turns ends up being handled in a way I didn't care for later on.

It's just a solid, fun episode all around.

Read the original review post HERE.

Listen to me and Name have fun with this episode HERE.

This episode manages to balance alot of things that makes Power Rangers great.

It's got good directing, a solid focus, neat touches of characterization, some seriously stylish action, and most importantly, it's just a ton of fun, man!

For an episode that's primary focus is on responsibility and the consequences of your actions, it still manages to deliver upon that overarching theme will still just being alot of fun to experience.

Steel is of course a big part of this; Being a character who's always the life of the party whenever he shows up, ontop of being my favorite of the season. But it's not like the other characters are entirely left out either. Ben, Betty, Devin; pretty much everyone has something to contribute here.

It's an episode that shows just how good Beast Morphers could be whenever he had a very clear focus, and it's such a shame how badly Hasbro was messing things up behind the scenes. But hey, atleast they provided a solid budget unlike Disney, so there's that atleast.

Really, this is just a great episode to come back to, and makes it so I can never be fully disappointed in the season regardless of anything.

The original review is HERE.

Androzani and I can be heard rewatching the episode HERE.

I've noticed that when it comes to acting, especially in Power Rangers, facial expressions are often underrated or taken for granted.

Believe it or not, mastering those is actually pretty hard. Especially for someone like me, who tends not to show his emotions on his face very much. A facial expression can convey so many words very quickly and with ease.

It does alot for this episode too; Allowing alot of different moods that the characters go through to be portrayed very swiftly, as well as indicating the mind state that they're in despite all of the action-y monster stuff going on. Brody especially shines here because of it.

That's not to say that's all the episode has going for it or anything, I did do a pretty detailed review of it already, afterall. But it's an aspect that I feel is often overlooked, and is yet another thing I can point to when people try to claim that Ninja Steel was a zero-effort, nothing season. I think it says something that the acting stood out to me in some way, you know?

But to give the short version of why this is my favorite episode in this particular season of Power Rangers: It basically just has everything I love about the show in it. Good comedy, slick action, and heart warming character development. The last quarter of this episode still hits me right in the feels even to this day, showing just how invested I was in these characters and the story they were creating. I have so much fun with Ninja Steel!

It's an episode that's all about giving the cast, especially Brody, a big win in the fight against Galvanax, and I couldn't think of a better way to do it.

Read the original review post HERE.

Listen to the podcast on it HERE.

This episode is named after its B-plot, and that should tell you something.

Because really, while there is enjoyment to be had in all the bombastic action going on in this one, Robo Knight's' bonding with Todd is the real highlight.

It's funny, it's wholesome, and it furthers Robo Knight's' character arc in learning about emotions and humanity. Is it simplistic in its approach? Absolutely, but there's nothing wrong with that; especially when it hits all the right notes.

I already went into detail about the rest of the episode in the previous review, so I'm not about to start repeating myself all over again. But just know what whenever I think of Mega Force, I think of this episode, and just how well it handles characterization ontop of just being fun.

Original review post is HERE.

Podcast with me and GC is HERE.

Jarrod was such a breath of fresh air when it came to Power Rangers villains.

He was a bit of a jerk, sure, but he wasn't out and out evil. He grew up with fears, values, and love just like everyone else.

But, the unfortunate circumstance he found himself in due to Master Mao and Dai-Shi leads him down a dark road. And despite everything, he never fully gives in nor gives up for the entirety of the show's' run.

And those who raise and teach us are incredibly important in these aspects, with this episode showcasing how much of an impact guidance really has. In an interesting mirror, Jarrod started off good but became more hardened over time, whereas the kid starts off selfish, but turns around by the end thanks to Casey.

The ultimate lesson of this episode though; That one can always choose to do good and to turn their life around, is one that is highly respectable and presented in a rather grounded way for the most part as well. Jungle Fury always managed to surprise and draw me in with just how emotionally charged the whole thing was, despite or perhaps because of the very strong kung-fu themes it had going.

This is just an extremely strong episode all around, and cemented Jarrod as one of my favorite PR villains, even if he wasn't my favorite character in the season he comes from specifically. Top notch stuff.

Original review is HERE.

Podcast watch with En-chan is HERE.

There's not too much else I can say about this one that I haven't already, so I'll keep this short.

Honestly, almost everything that makes a good episode of Ryukendo is in this.

You get character drama, intrigue, some good gags, stylish action, and music and atmosphere that carry the mood perfectly. This episode manages to balance all of this with the backdrop of the magic of Christmas so well it's crazy.

Jack Moon and Kenji are of course the big stars here, but Ren is no slouch either, as we get one final look at her backstory with her brother, which comes as very welcome surprise as such a big gap between the previous look and now. This episode is all about letting things rest and embracing the future, and I love it.

Old review is HERE.

Androzani and I's' podcast on the episode is HERE.

I honestly can't think of anything to say about this episode that I didn't in the old review I did.

So instead, I'll just say that I think everyone should take a look back at Operation Overdrive, as it's a show that I feel has alot more going for it than what many give it credit for.

This episode is one that I honestly feel is proof of that. It's got goof action, surprisingly solid acting across the board, a wonderful piece of character drama, one of the coolest Battlizers in the franchise, and serves as the intro to my favorite character arc in the show.

Wonderful episode all around, and proves that when PROO works, it really works.

Old review is HERE.

The live watch is HERE.

While the old review does a good job in covering everything I loved about these two episodes, there are a few small bits on rewatch that I picked up on.

It's primarily in terms of visuals. For example, the lights at DJ Fly's' concert imitating bug eyes, or the nice map painting used as backdrops for certain scenes. There was some legit effort put into the directing here.

That being said, yeah, the old review for sure covers how much I love these two episodes, and stands as the primary reason why Chip and Vi are still some of my favorite Rangers to this very day. Their friendship is great, and I hope to forever look back at it fondly.

Original post is HERE.

Podcast episode is HERE.

MAMA takes the stage.

That alone makes this a very unique episode amongst tokusatsu in general, let alone Dogengers.

But the episode has alot more going for it than just that, and it's a fun ride all the way through as a result. I mean that in more ways than just the episode feeling like three different scripts stapled together yet somehow working.

You have Mako taking a backseat for an episode. Kireko bonding with characters on his own. Koujin Ex getting just as much spotlight as Miko. And multiple morals of the day that are all equally important. It's impressive how jam packed the episode is while retaining such tight writing to make it all flow so well.

But possibly most important is that all throughout, the episode is just plain fun to watch. Sure, on a technical level it's nothing super incredible. But the big thing here(and arguably for the entire franchise) is the character interaction, which is all top notch, which in turns makes the action and comedy hit all the harder. I was invested right from the start and never swayed.

It's not my favorite episode in High School, but it's for sure a great one.

Original review is HERE.

Live watch episode is HERE.

To be honest, there's nothing I can really type here that wasn't already said in the text review, so please be sure to read that. My guests, En-chan and Androzani, had similar sentiments. It's just a great episode of tokusatsu all around, and I highly enjoy it.

Listen to the podcast HERE.

As has been noted many times before, Smile is a very simple season.

Case in point, this is an episode that could've easily become something incredibly dark incredibly fast.

There could easily exist another version of this story where the misguided prank that Yayoi attempts to pull spirals out of control, and results in everyone distancing themselves from her.

But that's not this show, and really, I find the ground that Smile holds; that it's a show made to in the end make kids feel good about themselves and world around them, to be its greatest strength and most admirable trait. Everything in this episode ends in the most positive outcome it can, and that's just swell.

Not to mention just the sheer novelty of there being an April Fool's Day themed episode for a show like this in general. It's not something I've often seen and how exactly the holiday was weaved into the episode was interesting to witness. Unlike, say, alot of "Christmas" episodes, April Fools is very much one of the driving forces behind the plot.

Not to mention no one feels out of character here either. Sure, the whole situation could've been resolved in about five minutes had Yayoi asserted herself in what she's trying to say for nearly the whole episode, but that's not in her character, and the group talking over her is a mistake on their part that they come to learn from by the end. Lies and be hurtful, and telling the truth is often hard, but it's important to be clear on these things for many reasons. People's' feelings being one of them.

It's not my favorite episode of Smile Precure, and definitely not my favorite episode focused on Yayoi, but it's a very fun time overall, and was a big steeping stone into why Yayoi became my favorite character for the season.