[Xtreme RX]

A good episode, still a little fast, but it's obvious that they want to get everything introduced as fast as possible.

I do like that Banba still hasn't come around and is contemplating killing the host to end the Minasaur threat immediately. This burdens him as Towa has changed his outlook and is begging for his brother not to kill his friend despite having his life on the line as well. I think it makes for great development on Banba's part and it will undoubtedly feel more natural than what we got for Towa, which seemed kind of sudden.

I also like what they were going for with Kou wanting revenge on TankJoe for killing his Master, but the resolution to that character motivation was lackluster at best. The debut for KishiRyuOh Milneedle was beautiful with fantastic cinematography and the coveted sunset miniature backdrop, and I love how it's stance is that of a sumo wrestler.

I kind of expected TankJoe to kick the bucket fast like the first commander in Kyuranger due to his lack of presence in the opening and to the first cluster mech, no less. But holy. This must be the fastest debut for such a combination - in the first 6 episodes? This definitely sets a new record. I'm surprised they are debuting FiveKnights before Triken and Ankyloze, despite them being present in the next episode preview as projections that appear before FiveKnights.

We'll have to wait for next episode to see for sure, but I do like how the end of this episode seemingly subverted the whole trope that killing the monster eliminates sicknesses and damage they have inflicted. Even though the Minasaur perished, Towa remained sick and eventually succumbed to his infection. How they go about reversing this has me intrigued.

I like a lot of stuff that the show is doing - the mechanics of the monsters, the lore, the victim of the week format, the atmosphere - but it simply moves too fast for it to sink in. For example, I loved that Green and Black operated separately from the main team but that lasted for a total of three episodes. I fear by the point the show slows down, there won't be any actual substance to focus on. It'll be like Lupin vs Pato pacing all over again. I really hope that doesn't happen.