[DreadBringer]

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

There are some minor bits worth talking about here before I get into the meat of the plot. Sakurako gives Yuusuke the lowdown on the Linto writing system, which is the first time both that name and the Grongi's are confirmed in the series, and in doing so gives more inquisitive viewers enough information to figure out that the three characters that close out every episode are actually just a Linto version of つづく, the "to be continued" message anyone who's watched enough Japanese television is probably familiar with. So that's neat. We also start rounding out the ever-expanding recurring cast with the introductions of Sasayama and her not at all subtle crush on Ichijou, as well as Enokida, another massively helpful member of the team, who makes a strong first impression repeatedly swatting Yuusuke's hand away when he tries to touch things without asking.

So that's the meaning of the three letters in episode closings.... Sasayama is so bubbly... or it's just her talking with her crush. I wonder if Enokida doesn't let Yuusuke touch because the needle is a dangerous stuff. Oh well Yuusuke can be mischievous sometimes for a goody-two-shoes, and carelessly touching something is something that parents usually teach to kids not to do.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

The actual plot, it's partially about Ichijou investigating Me-Badjisu-Ba's murders, which is a particularly fun set of scenes.

With a flaw of going in a predictable pattern, allowing Ichijou to save the Mazda Demio (the red car) driver and her child. I wonder the time Badjisu targets Mika, he still goes in his pattern or changed formation.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

The other part of the plot is about Mika Natsume, the daughter of the professor who was killed when the Grongi first woke up.

So she appeared more here and given a significantly more significant role here. I wonder why Yuusuke didn't approach her earlier in ep. 2. And not only Yuusuke in the Jounan University, the others are also accepting of her and mom. Probably not to the extent of Yuusuke, but do you think that the others there are also shocked with Mika being sad and storming out? Including... Jean, who damn you for the first time showing some of his negative qualities of wanting to make himself famous with the stone.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Still, he's got his duties as Kuuga, and naturally ends up in a fight with Badjisu.

If Kuuga gains Dragon Form because he needs to catch up to Badzuu who can jump up, what's his determination for Badjisu? Him having long range? Well I think that Badjisu's long range trait aren't really showcased that time, and instead that he can reach to unreachable places like Badzuu with flying. Or flying is the one trait Kuuga needs for Pegasus Form with long range weapons? But Yuusuke for the hardships you put it upon yourself, others especially Sakurako already warned that.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Right. Not great! The whole sensory overload sequence has some more great direction. My favorite touch being how it uses a sped-up shot of clouds rolling by to give the impression of the sort of raging river of information Yuusuke is trying to process. It then pays it off when he reverts back to Growing Form, and we see that shot again, this time snapping back to normal speed, the huge contrast doing a great job expressing the relief, and maybe even exhaustion, that he must be feeling at that moment.

Tsubaki informs Yuusuke he won't be able to transform again for at least two hours thanks to all the stress put on his body, but that turns out not to be much of an issue for him. As soon as he's informed that Mika has run off, leaving a phone call suggesting she might kill herself, Yuusuke kinda has something he'd rather be doing anyway.

So Growing Form is something you go to when the form's capabilities reaches its limit... And that also makes you unable to henshin too. Multibalance form (Pegasus) is the one with drawbacks? For some reason with Mika suggesting suicide, I thought that she willingly walks herself into the train.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

His actions speak just as loudly as his words here. Moments like him stopping by at the university for literally no other reason than assuring Mika's mother he'll make she sure's okay.

So the shells aren't just a decoration, but is an actual hint to find Mika. I thought that Yuusuke's going to use Pegasus Form's super senses to help him find Mika.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

I'm extremely ignorant when it comes to matters of mental health, so please forgive me if I'm way off base here, but as far as I know, the way Yuusuke talks to Mika is an almost textbook example of how to handle a situation like that, too.

Like I said before, I'm glad that Yuusuke doesn't veer to toxic positivity in how he deals with people, unlike many people that appears positive on the outside. Also regarding the fight, I have to laugh a bit for those who claims that Kuuga's forms aren't complete turnovers.... because in this episode Pegasus Form just one shots Badjisu! I wonder what happened to objects that Kuuga turns into his personal weapons after fight, especially when he reverts back to human form. If the object stays the way they are, Kuuga's power should be exploited more to mass produce either Dragon Rod (in Dragon form), or Pegasus Bowgun (in Pegasus form).