[XW1n5t0nX]

Another arc done in Gao. It tied up some loose ends and gave us our second big little moment/story...and it was done badly. MASSIVE spoilers ahead.

For the most part, everything I have said before stays the same; stuff happens, can't get excited, blah blah blah. We see a bit of character growth in Red seemingly becoming quiter and more serious, but not by much. Any true development goes of course to Silver, he learning to work with the Gaorangers and accept/overcome what he's done. It like a lot of stuff kinda just happens, and honestly I didn't really think it came off that well. Also, for a senshi who has been regarded in the fan base as cool and bad ass, I don't think he's any of them. Why is he cool? Because he kinda works on his own? Is he a bad ass because he rides a bike? I don't get it.

Story remains the same, the focus this time being on finally defeating the thousand year evil, which grows stronger with every defeat. I do like that idea that the more the Gaorangers beat it the angrier and stronger it gets, it finally merging with Ura to create his ultimate form...which looks retarded. Seriously he looks like a green fish with vegetables attached to him.

But this arc is known for one thing, perhaps the one thing Gaoranger is most known for; everybody but Red and Silver die. But unfortunately what you would assume would be a big moment is really, really, really mishandled. Now to give it some credit, Blue's death is rather sudden and shocking, especially for any of you who have seen it without any knowledge of it beforehand, and certainly for those who watched the show as it aired. The reactions of the team are acted good. But then it goes downhill because Yellow, Black, and White are offed.

Let me level with you, when a Senshi dies it usually leaves an impact (thought Sentai deaths are some of the worst kept secrets). Even if you know it is coming they can be pretty impactful. When one dies in battle or sacrifices themselves it acts as the ultimate heroic moment and for at least, salvation. However it means nothing here because four rangers die...in the middle of the show and are revived an episode later. You know that because of the placement and number killed that they aren't staying dead, which ruins any sort of finality or impact the event has. If it was just Blue, handled the way it was, and he was never revived, it would be a very impactful scene. Hell if they saved them all dying for the final episode and they were revived by the passion and love the people of Earth have for the planet, animals, and human lives with the team saying "You say evil will always be around, but as long as evil exists there will always be good and as long as people love this planet and the life on it there will always be Gaoranger," it would also be a very nice scene. But neither of them happened and what we're left with is an event placed in the wrong time of the show that has no final impact or anything truly touching about it.

It does lead to a new weapon and mecha, but I think that reasoning of it justifying the deaths are stupid. Sure they look cool, but what's even the point? We also get GaoDeers, which should honestly just be Deer, but Engrish I guess. It looks cool and GaoIcarus is very nice looking, probably my third favorite of the show.

This arc seemingly had the potential to lead to some really good character development and a very impactful and shocking scene. But the growth/story is just the usual meh of the show and the death is just wasted. I have to say that this is the first time I'm disappointed with Gaoranger and didn't really like what it offered. All I can say is that I hope the next arc brings something better since we're near the homestretch.