[Fish Sandwich]

This show is just too fun. I mean, the whole premise of everyone going around boxing the snot out of each other because of the monster of the week is peak Sentai. I could easily imagine this being an episode of Kakuranger... or Magiranger... or Zyuohger... you get the idea. It's in that perfect zone of being a threat to the world while also being completely silly. Not that every Super Sentai show was or is without more straightforwardly menacing villains and plots, but this very specific kind of whimsy is something that still defines the franchise to me. This kind of nonsense and these sorts of stakes are right at home here, and immediately, on that level, this episode is a huge success. The simple image of a bride and groom duking it out is maybe the funniest gag in the entire series so far, and it's only a couple minutes into the episode.

Which isn't to say it's all downhill from there or something! Because the reason this episode truly succeeds is that it's a completely fantastic introduction to Vroom. I mean, dang, if Magine weren't objectively the best Zenkaiger (Indisputable fact! Don't even try and argue!), I'd be tempted to say this might even be the best debut of the whole team. It's a real close call, as despite the previous tongue-in-cheek parenthetical remark, I honestly do think Magine's was great too, and probably has more relevance in the long run when it comes to what the show is about, but this episode still did an excellent job all the same.

I guess the crux of why I feel strongly about this one is that, unlike Magine, I didn't really have any strong feelings towards Vroom going in, which meant I ended up way more impressed when I had them coming out. It's pretty much a perfect little arc for the guy. One of the first things that happens with him is being shocked when Kaito asks his name as though it's the first time anyone's ever payed him any mind, and then what does he make a point to do when deciding to become a Zenkaiger? Proudly declare his name to the bad guy who's been treating him like junk all this time. Like, there ya' go, that's a story right there! And in-between all that, his exceptional curiosity is constantly being depicted in entertaining ways. Naturally, a ton of that is drawn from having him question all the usual tropes, a running gag I'm happy to see continuing.

He's only got the one note right now, sure, but the script knows how to play that note. It's all very endearing, and Vroom's earnest appreciation for the new world he finds himself in is, funnily enough, maybe what I was expecting from Gaon this whole time. The fun Gaon has with his pet humans is balanced out by his utter apathy for all these dumb robots spoiling his good time, but Vroom truly just seems genuinely happy to be somewhere that doesn't involve sweeping the same hallways day in and day out. He's cool and I like him a lot already.

(Oh, and I don't have anywhere else to fit this in, but I can't help but notice that Magine seems to get particularly excited during the giant battle, which is also consistent with last week. I know it's mean to steal the spotlight from Vroom at the last second, but now that it's apparent this going to be a recurring thing, I really wanted to point out how much I like the contrast with her usual demeanor. Like with her flipping out on Gaon for belittling her hobby, it's a nice added layer to her character to have certain things get her so fired up she sorta forgets she's supposed to be the nervous quiet one.)

Anyway, it's been great watching the team come together the past month, and I'm sure things will only get more interesting from here. I'm especially curious to see if the show seriously intends to do an exciting cliffhanger at the end of every episode, because as neat a way as that is to keep up the momentum that's at the show's core, it also seems like something that would be a bit of a hassle for the staff, especially once multiple writers start being involved.