[DreamSword]

Episode 14: Jiro Meets Ichiro

With a title as direct as that, you know we're in for something interesting.

There is a LOT to unpack this episode, and not in the typical way either. Expect alot of screenshots.



We open to a giant claydoll laying waste to an unknown city. I always knew Kamen Rider W was a giant ripoff of Kikaider. I mean, just look at HeatTrigger! CLEARLY a giant ripoff!

The mecha doll however goes haywire and explodes, with a shadowy figure proclaiming they need to capture a boy named Akira.

Don't let the slower-paced and somewhat artsy opening fool you though, because we're thrown directly into a scene that's ACTION-PACKED!



First off, that's not Mitsuko and Masaru. That's Rieko and Akira. This episode taking place some time after the previous one, Jiro seems to have met and begun protecting the both of them.

As you might also tell from the above screenshot, Jiro seems to have made some upgrades to the Side Machine. This includes that giant blade which makes no sense but is awesome, a smokescreen that disable robots, and the ability to have it remote follow Jiro wherever he goes with a tap of his belt.

This whole sequence is friggen awesome. Being an OVA, you can tell that they really wanted to flex the bigger budget they got. The animation is smooth, choreography is great, and you know what just assume I say that about every action scene in these next few episodes going forward.

During one of the few times this episode lets its characters rest, Rieko drops a rather big bombshell; Gill had a son, and that son is Akira. All the reason for the new and mysterious SHADOW organization to wanna kidnap him.

It's then that they're attacked by a horde of giant enemy crabs, and Kikaider proceeds to attack their weakpoints for massive damage.



Were you craving a Rider Kick? Because this is the closest you're gonna get.

Afterward, Jiro's' senses something in a nearby temple(literally, his internal sensors go off about something specific), so he decides to check it out. Inside is a big statue.



And inside that statue is...



Another Kikaider?

This is Kikaider-01(zero-one... why does that sound familiar?), AKA Ichiro. He's voiced by Derek Stephen Prince, who is no stranger to voicing cocky guys are in way over their heads. Most notably for me is Impmon from Digimon Tamers, another of my favorite anime.

It's quickly revealed that Kikaider-01 is a prototype of Kikaider, designed to protect Jiro should he ever awaken. He has a programmed personality(which is all too apparent), but no true Gemini Circuit to speak of. I find it interesting(and really funny) that Kohmyoji designed a battle-hungry and uppity teenage robot and then proceeded to name it after his first son.

In terms of design, one quick looks tells you that Ichiro is in every way a prototype. More bits of glass cover his framework, the "01" on his belt, and most prominently, his red and blue are inverted from Kikaider. He even has guns! I'M ONTO YOU W!

Once the action starts again, it's also made very clear about a big difference between Jiro and Ichiro.



Just like with Saburo, I love how Ichiro serves as a foil to Jiro. Whereas Jiro has learned to value lives and strives to be the best he can be as a person. Ichiro? His only concern is himself and his younger brother. It's a great twist; Having the younger brother be the one with more life experience, and that will only get highlighted more in the coming episodes.

Oh and before I forget, here's Ichiro's' transformation sequence.

https://i.imgur.com/iKPxcjz.gifv

I also really had to screencap Kikaider-01 getting punched in the head, because it made me laugh out loud.



The last bombshell of the episode comes in the form of...



Hakaider. Who is somehow not only still alive, but has a Red, Blue, and Silver Hakaider teaming along with him! The group proves to be too much for the Kikaider Brothers, causing them to flee.

WHEW that was alot. This episode really kicks things into turbo speed with the action, pacing, and plot twists. Buckle up guys, because from here on we're in for a wild ride.