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Kamen Rider Gaim watch

The Beat Riders Saga

Episode 11: The Truth Behind the Christmas Game

Written by: Gen Urobuchi/Nobuhiro Mouri, Directed by: Shojiro Nakazawa

The last episode of the Beat Riders Saga, before continuing to the Yggdrasill Saga, and it really shows in the transition of the dance team battle (either dancing or Inves Game) to exploring the true nature behind the Inves and Helheim Forest, the game they've been playing this whole time, chiefly fabricated by Yggdrasill.

The game goes awry as each of the Riders had different take of the game; Baron, someone who is honorable, hates cheating/underhanded methods, and keeps his words, plays the game in straightforward way to collect the Lockseeds, and reminding other players for that. Kurokage, who favors short cuts and will cheap-shot to gain the upper hand, attacks Baron, likely to incapacitate him so he'd too weak to move around collecting Lockseeds. However, Kurokage's hot-blooded personality also gets in the way as he whispers too loud while sneaking on Baron, leaving his plan exposed. Bravo, who is a homicidal soldier and isn't a part of Beat Riders, just uses the game as an excuse to fight multiple gathered Riders. Baron however submits to Bravo to take revenge from his previous loss. Even if the game doesn't go as smoothly as planned, Kouta is ok with this as the game is only announced to draw out Zangetsu, and therefore Bravo isn't a hindrance to the plan. Takatora begins his task to expel the Armored Riders away from the Helheim Forest, but he can't afford to lose any Sengoku Drivers.

Background events involve Team Gaim practicing their dance and reminding themselves to rely on themselves without Kouta and Micchy, and Ryoma being excited at the gathering of all Sengoku Drivers and Takatora's abilities. In the Baron vs Bravo fight, Bravo shows his likely flamboyantly gay (and creepy, as this is a Rider battle which shows his evil traits) side to plan to peel his Banana armor off so that Baron can work for him as Baron tells Bravo to go back to work (Baron likely allows non-Beat Riders to leave their fight as it won't influence the standings). Bravo had the upper hand as he blocks Baron's Banana Au Lait, an attack that drops a giant banana projection into the opponent, and counters with Duriasshe, an Au Lait Bravo attack, which is launcing energy spheres in durian shape, 4 times, counting the attack numbers with French language in 'un, deux, trois' but ends with 'voila' instead of '4' in France. Baron switches to his Mango Arms, and fares better in the fight, apparently proving that Mango Arms is stronger than Banana Arms, at least according to Bravo.

Kurokage and Gridon are hiding behind a tree, with Gridon teasing Kurokage as getting stomped by them, with Kurokage woving to not end up as a mook, which will be an important quote soon, and Gridon as expected, only waiting for both Riders to weaken each other as both are out of their league, suggesting for Kurokage to beat Ryugen. Gridon again, laments as he had idiots surrounding him, as he realizes as the other Riders are busy, this is actually a golden chance for Team Invitto to win as the game is collecting Lockseeds, though Gridon is focused on good Lockseeds, I wonder if he knows that the Lockseeds are meant to be given to Sid after the game. Though even with other Riders busy fighting, that doesn't mean the lone one isn't busy as there are 2 Inves on his way, and Gridon, hanging on a tree, tries to sneak one of them using his Au Lait finisher Gridon Impact, which is a really bland downwards strike with his Donkachi, only enhanced by a small brown flash. The attack is even ineffective to just a fodder Inves. Though I'm someone who had high standards for Rider finishers, this one's I'd perfectly accept for a bland finisher as the Rider is meant to be a joke character. Not long after Gridon gets ambushed by Zangetsu, though he'd obviously lose, likely shows his increased bravery as he doesn't back down this time, keeping himself in the fight. Zangetsu orders for Yggdrasill's researchers to throw him out of the crack (I guess I've to switch into the proper term) but just leave them.

Kouta, who observes this moment, jumps down from a high tree (!!) and finally discovers the Yggdrasill base, masquerading as one of the workers (likely by knocking out one of the workers, I dunno), claiming to be a new member to a scientist questioning him, and getting to know as the scientists refer to the Armored Riders (as they show a footage of Baron vs Bravo) as guinea pigs. This part seems to employ the braindead, out-of-the-logic guilable employers type in infiltration stories, the scientists seem to have book smart, but is not that observant to the surroundings. The fight is interrupted by Zangetsu, who knocks Baron out, which, as someone who adores strength, made Bravo fell in love with Zangetsu, complete with love bubbles to emphasize his love. And despite Takatora protesting that trained soldiers are too dangerous for Sengoku Driver, he's revealed to be able to put him down, who asks him his name. While this scene is meant to show off Zangetsu's power, I wonder if this is a vaild one, though both Kaito and Oren remarks how strong he is, Zangetsu ambushes them after they fight for some time, which would weaken them as Gridon claimed. Sid reveals his true reasons of giving the kids Lockseeds, narrating about the immature nature the kids have, that they're irresponsible and power hungry, constantly seeking for the Lockseeds, unlike adults who know enough for the dangers, with the scientist in the base revealing that Inves Game are just set up, and all the Armored Riders are only pawns for Yggdrasill's plans, that kids are easy target to take Sengoku Drivers. This enrages Kouta and he doesn't even try to hide it while in infiltration. While this is a horrific moment, this can be likely a lesson for the audience, admittedly harsh one, to think things through before being rash on seeking more power.

Ryugen comes across Zangetsu, who, still unsure that Zangetsu is Takatora, only fights defensively to prevent hurting him, as Zangetsu teases his marksmanship, thinking of him as having Stormtrooper's one. He also reminds Ryugen to really fight him head-on as he'll get no mercy, as Ryugen gets to know what Kouta has gone through. Kouta attempts to reach out to Micchy, but suddenly there's Inves swarm on the base, which Kouta henshins to Gaim. Gaim's heroism also shines here as he still tries to get the mad scientists away from the swarm. Ryugen remarks that he can't win, though it's unknown for either Zangetsu's strength, or the fact that it's his brother. Zangetsu notices that Ryugen observes him instead of fighting him, showing his smarts alongside his power. Ryugen tries to run away... but it turns out that Zangetsu is able to throw his shield like boomerang, failing the attempts of Ryugen. Overall, this is one of the fights I like better in the series so far, as both of their characters are emphasized in this fight.

Zangetsu attempts to attack Ryugen further and uncover the truth, but is interrupted by the call that the Inves swarmed the base, but he got interrupted by Kurokage, who wants to test an Armored Rider he has never seen before. As Gaim fights the swarms, the situation turned back into the scientists as they are reduced to begging Gaim to save them. Gaim takes the opportunity to chew them off as hypocrites to beg help from their guinea pigs, but nonetheless gets him away to safety. This, again, portrays Kouta's righteousness really well, in both aspects as he still helps people who are under attack, even if they're piece of shits, but especially that Kouta doesn't forget about their wrongdoings, and call them out of their deeds. Everyone deserve protection, but doesn't mean their mistakes can't be overlooked, but also that you cannot give excessive punishments to those, like those people who are just lackeys may can be guided to see the light, especially for later scenes here. Gaim uses Ichigo Arms, and makes great use of his Kunai Burst finisher as it can be spammed, and he uses it repeatedly to destroy the swarms. Kurokage holds his own pretty well against Zangetsu, using his finisher Kage Nui Tsuki Sparking version which is him drilling into the opponent with Kagematsu (his spear) which for sure leaves more impact than Gridon's, and is resilient of keep coming back to Zangetsu who prioritizes the base first. After knocking him out, Takatora reports to the base, but isn't answered, which leads him to shout his name, confirming Ryugen's suspicion that Zangetsu is Takatora.

Though the base is in danger, the Yggdrasill base seems to be protected by its own defense system, which forms an electric fench that destroys any Inves that comes through. Really shows how advanced Yggdrasill is...its defense system which is simple electroute is as potent as the Rider's finishers to destroy Inves quickly, at least the fodders. But doesn't mean it's completely impenetrable, as enough numbers of Inves can get through it. Ryoma shows his pragmatic nature by resorting to draw the Inves above the tower, which, confirms that the lackeys aren't irredeemable, that he remarks that the citizens will panic, but Ryoma had plans for that with airspace camourflage. Gaim switches into Suika Arms, goes through the Yggdrasill base crack atop its tower with Gyro Mode for flight purposes... which is only used here. Yggdrasill lays a hand by employing its defense system which is numerous turrets on top of the tower, helping Gaim Suika Arms take down all Yggdrasill. This part shows that, villains also can do good deeds if that's to benefit them or protecting themselves and their plans, "working together" with Gaim (complete with Takatora complaining the trash punk saved his men), but doesn't mean this can be hailed as admirable deed, or even redeeming qualities, as this is just another part to advance their plans, just so that it happens to benefit the heroes.

It's revealed that even if Team Gaim creates the game for their own purposes, they're still able to win the game as DJ Sagara announced, mainly from how Ryugen finding a box of Lockseed in Yggdrasill's base, making the game a total win-win situation for them; getting to know the real nature of Inves Game and finding many Lockseeds in the process. As part of the deal, Kouta and Micchy gives the collected Lockseeds to Sid, and Sid compliments the deal but Kouta is now angered, and declares that they won't be his pawns. The episode ends with a Christmas Gaim dance, along with Kouta recounting about their journey in this arc so far, reaffirming the set in stone fate the series establish at the first episode, and learning the hard way that growing up can't be wished, like trying to use power to achieve that, but the situation will force the growing up when they can't be a child anymore, and that the upcoming war will be the real event for that.