[Kamen Rider Die]

TOKUMEI SENTAI GO-BUSTERS MISSION 44 - “SILENT NIGHT - IT’S TIME FOR BUSTER”



Of the series finales we’ve had so far, this is maybe the best one, but I want to hold my final judgment until the third and final series finale next week.

Even if this isn't the best of several series finales, it’s still an exceptionally good episode of Go-Busters. I love how it clarifies the gift the Go-Busters were given thirteen years ago – not a vendetta or a mission, but the chance to live and be the best versions of themselves. It was never about creating soldiers that could eventually save the world (although that’s definitely a good thing, as a citizen of the world), it was about these three kids just getting the chance to grow up.

It’s a nice message, that your ability to change the world for the better exists as a consequence of your life, not as the direct result of sacrifice or training or having a giant transforming lion motorcycle. Hiromu wasn’t saved so he could throw his life away, he was saved so that he could decide to help his friends save the world. The Go-Busters stop Messiah’s rampage, but they also helped a little girl love Christmas thirteen years ago, and she’s been paying it forward ever since. The Go-Busters are heroes through their belief in humanity and their desire for people to be safe and happy, not just because they have cool costumes and a giant fire-breathing robot lion.

It makes the team less a collection of Very Special Boys And Girls, like a lot of superhero teams, and more a collection of motivated individuals who want the best for everyone. There’s a sweetness to that message that’s perfect for a holiday episode. It’s celebrating community and kindness, rather than just heroic declarations of awesomeness and steering wheels that turn into laser cannons. (Seriously, Li-Oh is a pretty crucial member of the team!)

I don’t want to make this all sound like it didn’t work on a Toku Finale level for action, because the show absolutely didn’t skimp on that end of things. (Every single Megazord type! Except Enter’s!) But the core message of your life being the gift you give -- not through sacrifice, but through showing up and being there for people? I love that. Best message for one of this show’s multiple series finales to have.



IT’S TIME FOR Enetan?!?!

Much like Yoko, I lost my shit when Enetan ended up being Jin’s secret weapon. Enetan didn’t really end up doing a lot as a character (I genuinely would not be surprised to learn that all her dialogue was recycled from the movie), but there’s something special about even one-off movie characters rallying with the cast to deny Messiah his kingdom. I missed that weird frog!