[barnstenchfartface]

Hot friggin damn. Hiiro has been on point since the second arc started, but this was just his episode. A truly triumphant return after spending the last couple of episodes without being able to transform. The show continues to be great and do great things with its characters. I only hope Taiga's turn next episode can match up.

Was slightly hoping Hiiro would turn into Ex-Aid for a bit, but oh well I guess. Now that I think about it he could have also used Bakusou Bike, since there's a perfectly available Rider Gashat, but...considering he had no particular relation to Kiriya, perhaps it wouldn't be worth opening up those old wounds.

And it looks like the Gear Dual Beta places considerable strain on the body. Kuroto didn't intend for it to be used, so perhaps it's got the same high-power/body-ruining properties the Proto Gashats have...which could be, well, worrying in the case of Hiiro, but downright alarming in the case of Taiga. Especially in light of his one line in the preview..."I've got nothing to lose," is it? I'm pretty sure using Proto Bang Bang Shooting five years ago already did a number on his body, thus the white hair. This level 50 thing, which is giving the perfectly healthy Hiiro problems? Dude's gonna kick that bucket so hard. You know, maybe, eventually (i'm gonna place a bet here: before we know it, the two of them to are going become friends, or something, taiga's going to die, and hiiro will mazaru up with the beta in his honor or something. which would be like, exactly like chaser mach, i guess. still, i can totally see it happen....and then the strain of being level 99 would kill hiiro too, maybe, i dunno. these guys killed kiriya on christmas, i wouldn't put it past them. anyway, i'm betting 50 cents this will happen)

The situation with M is more confusing now though...contrary to what appeared to be the case, it looks like now they're going for M being the Bugster? I don't even know anymore. His scan is all weird though, and the fact that the Bugster didn't actually break out...well, adds fuel to my theory that when he first got Mighty Brothers he was permanently turned into a human/Bugster hybrid. If that turns out to be the case the question will turn out to be somewhat irrelevant, but still, man...this really didn't paint M in a positive light at all. Nothing compared even to how M has acted thus far...may or may not be troubling.

Lastly, Bugsterssssss. So we're up from 5 to 30, and now instead of being able to break out immediately the Bugsters have the ability to not have to break out. That could be...bad? I mean, nothing really happened to the lady so I don't see what it really changes. Guess it means they don't have to keep cutting back to the CR when things happen, which is...something. And at least it makes for some good humor when the Bugster is in control.

Excited at the prospect of eventually getting to see a Shakariki Sports Bugster though. We have gotten nothing for that game. Hopefully we do. And we need a leveled up DKHZ so....come back to us, Graphite! You can even be the one to kill Taiga if you want, for that thing I mentioned up there. That could actually be half appropriate.

Anyway, the really worrying part about all this is...they've been going in order with the leveled up Bugsters. Salty, Aranbura, Revol, Motorz, Gatton, and next episode...Jet Combat? Sooooo....looks like we're missing a DoReMiFa Beat Bugster....in....deeeeed.....hm.

Again: worrying.

We know she's going to survive at least until May, and you know, one hopes, beyond that, but still. There's no way of knowing what could happen to her in the interim. If Kuroto needs her defeated to get her data to complete KRC, and he does eventually do that, then...

Then.

Then we'll worry about that, I guess.

In any case, great ep. Please keep being good, Ex-Aid.