[XW1n5t0nX]

Another arc is complete, so it's time for another write up.

Rouki/Shirogane is the main focus of this arc and his story plays out fairly well. Certainly this is the first true story development for the show, as the Shuten arc was just "Go find this animal and make Org go boom." Now we have a legit story and threat/s. The mystery of who and what Rouki is, his ability to steal the GaoJewels, controlling them and having GaoHunter, all of this makes for a nice little story. But there is a fault with it; the reasoning for Rouki. Shirogane, feeling that the only way to beat an Org was to have the power of one decides to use that power with the risk of turning into one. First of all, why would the Warriors even have this mask laying around in the open if they know it'll corrupt somebody? This is the first case in which I believe Wild Force did something better. The mask wasn't this evil entity persay, it simply granted power. Merrick didn't know the risk he was taking, and it was only when he gained the power that it slowly took over. Shirogane knew the risk involved yet still did it. I find that completely dumb. The story also moves at the leisurely pace as the first arc. True the twists are paced out sort of nicely (we see Rouki having a spasm in his first full episode, that is unneeded), but it just sort of happens. There's no excitement.

Ura is a true step up though. Unlike Shuten he has a character and personality that makes him standout. He also has a long term goal other than "Kill Gaorangers." This all ties into the Rouki story pretty well, just at the pace I've come to expect. He did go down like a little bitch though. Shuten at least fought back when attacked, and until Ura showed up to take his energy he was more than ready to keep going. Ura pretty much just got his ass handed to him by Shirogane and didn't even try to fight back. I understand surprise and what not, but he saw the guy coming at him. Seriously man, how is it that you offer more as a character than Shuten, but go out in a worse way?

We also get new Power Animals in GaoRhinos and Gaomadillo. But they're arrival is just terribly presented. Whereas the SoulBird was presented as this huge deal but amounted to nothing, GaoRhinos and GaoMadillo come practically out of nowhere, have no hype around the, but prove to be what ends up saving the day and allowing the Gaorangers to make GaoKing again. You would think this would be a big deal, having to go out and find these new Power Animals. But nope. They just roll in unannounced.

It seems in general the story just happens. I'd argue that it is because I've seen Wild Force and know a lot of the key points, but that wouldn't be right. I've seen Lost Galaxy countless times, but the story is always exciting to watch and when I finally watched Gingaman I was even more excited just to see this story I already loved, but to see it done in a different way. That's because the story made me care enough about the characters involved and the events that happen. Gaoranger has me investing in time, but I don't really find myself caring for these characters to where I get excited when stuff happens. I enjoy watching Yabaiba and TsueTsue, but only from a comedic standpoint. I could care less if they, or anybody else died. At this point I'm simply watching just to finish it. I want to get excited for the characters and story, but the show really isn't giving me a reason to engage it enough to do so. And considering I already know the next big event coming soon, Gaoranger really needs to get its game together to make me even care about the characters.