[Androzani84]

Scroll 45: Refuge and Spring Cleaning

Here we are, at the last episode of 2002 and the penultimate contribution by Maekawa. Not much else to say, other than on with the review.

We open with Sandaaru contemplating the appearance of Madame Gozen and theorising she might know where the Nageki no Yumi is. He then summons Cursed Fan Beast Madogi (who is unique in that a) she’s a she and b) she’s human sized) to find out what their next move is.



We then cut to Yosuke, Nanami and Kouta coming to a temple in the hills, where they are put to work cleaning by the temple’s caretaker, Retsudo (played by Kenji Ohba, better known as Shiro Akebono/Battle Kenya in Battle Fever J, Daigoro Oume in Denshi Sentai Denziman and Retsu Ichijouji/Space Sheriff Gavan in his eponymous show), who sets them to work cleaning the temple.



While doing this, all three grumble about how they’re too good to be doing this, while clips of their previous battles play, reminding us of their various techniques (Did I mention this was a recap episode?). In the woods, the Kasumi Bros, also looking for the temple, discover a force field protecting it (which isn’t that far fetched, if you remember the first episode).



They deactivate the force field long enough to get through, unaware that Madogi has smuggled herself in using Isshu’s shadow. Back with the Hurricanegers, the conversation turns to Shurikenger, his various disguises (so far, he’s been MegaRed, GoRed, MegaBlue, FiveRed, Kouta twice, Yosuke, Blue Racer, Red Racer, Ikkou, TimeYellow, ShishiRanger and OhRed) and his habit of speaking English (and in the spirit of the recap episode, I’m going to put some of my favourite Shurikenger English quotes for the next few lines).

Baby, I’m coming.

Hey boy

I am Ninja of Ninja.

I’m just an ordinary detective. Don’t you believe me?

Cowboy, go home.

Hold up.

Hello. What?

Hi, my honey.

No, no. You don’t understand.

Eh? What’s so exciting about an ondo, Dolphin Girl?

Oh, I see.

Sorry, my lunchtime.

Jesus.

Retsudo gets nervous and excuses himself with a “See you later.” (How do they not catch on to this?). Ikkou and Isshu arrive shortly afterwards and Ikkou points out that the guy is obviously Shurikenger, because who else could it be? (Correct).



Everyone then discusses the Jakanja and their multiple attempts to corrode the Earth (for some reason, episode 12’s monster is part of this montage) followed by the prophecies to obtain “that”: “When the brave defeats the brave at the end of the world, Ninja’s final secret will be revealed. The brave will be defeated by one born from the same parents.” and “When the human beasts roam the city, the door to the Final Secret will be unlocked. And when the three headed beast rules the land, the Final Secret will appear.”, both of which were averted. Madame Gozen then appears, telling them of the third prophecy that they’re currently trying to avert.





Yosuke then brigs up that they have to protect the Nageki no Yumi Medal in Madame Gozen’s head. Which Sandaaru takes as his cue to have Madogi attack. But, following a brief struggle, Shurikenger appears, still in his disguise, and fights Madogi off long enough for everyone else to get Gozen to safety. Halfway through the fight, he reverts to normal (and if you’re still not convinced he’s Kenji Ohba, he does the Gavan “Jouchaku” pose).



Shurikenger tries defeating Madogi with his Miracle Senban Knock, but Madogi brushes this off, before Sandaaru withdraws her. Back at Ninja Base, Hamster Headmaster scolds our main trip for allowing Madogi into the temple (no, that was Ikkou and Isshu. These guys did bugger all this episode), only for a surprising presence to come to their defence.



As they wonder why Gozen is here, Oboro explains.



The episode then ends with the trio being forced to clean Gozen’s home (start as you mean to go, I guess). And because this review is running short, I’m going to add in the Uchuu Ninja Files for the last 45 episodes, with the rest of them coming with their associated episodes.

Barrier Ninja Kekkaibo: He specialises in shield-breaking Ninpo.

Magnet Ninja Jishakumo: A puppet ninja that can magnetise anything.

Copy Ninja Kurisottsubo: Be careful! Whoever you’re sitting next to could be an impostor, too.

Excavation Ninja Mogudrago: Looks like someone else will have to dig those Jakanja subway tunnels.

Poison Flower Ninja Hanasakkadoushi: He runs a flower arranging class on Saturdays.

Severing Ninja Shiransu: Uses scissors to cut relationships into eights.

Dimension Ninja Futabutabu: Its like a jack in the box with a different dimension inside.

Water-Absorbing Ninja Gamajakushi: So, “that” can’t be born without water?

Propagation Ninja Kurukkuhoshi: He’s gonna fill the world with cicadas until it’s too noisy.

Fifth Spear, Sargain: is, as everyone knows, the commander of the mecha ninja army. He makes the puppets.

Nightmare Ninja Yumebakushi: You can dream about anything your heart desires.

Metal Ninja Tekkotsumoeba: Someone who likes to plan things in secret.

Dancing Ninja Higenamezukin: His main technique is the Uchuu Ninpo: Namazu Hige. Shall we dance?

Back-to Ninja Octonyudo: Candy of experience. No sweetness, only bitterness.

Karakuri Giant Megatagame: Now matter how you read it, it’s Megatagame.

Mist Spitting Ninja Kirikirimaishi: His father will show up in the next episode.

Island Ninja Girigirigaishi: What’s going to happen to KabutoRaiger after that dose of Girigiri Gas?

Third Spear, Manmarva: A prophet who’s never wrong. Something is happening to his body.

Second Spear, Chuzoobo: He got high marks on his last battle.

Disaster Ninja Kangaroulette: Earthquakes, lightning, fire or an old man, none of them are fun.

Mirage Ninja Jin-Giron: Don’t get frightened or you’ll turn into an exclamation mark.

Sixth Spear, Satarakura: The newest member of Jakanja. He likes making puns.

Perfume Ninja Kira-Cologne: If you turned into a perfume, what kind of smell would you be?

Lightning Ninja Unadaigo: He was made by copying, er researching the Gouraigers.

Revival Ninja Vamp-Iyan: There are many ways to say “stop it”.

Candidate for the Second Spear, Chubozoo: He’s a bit of a cocky rookie.

Love-Arrow Ninja Choopid: Getting hit by a love arrow results in love at first sight.

Gravity Ninja Omo-Karo: He’s really good at foot massages.

Karakuri Giant Megatagame Mk II: The patent for a Hurrier system that doesn’t time out is still pending.

Lingering Summer Heat Ninja Bero-Tan: Email is convenient, but snail mail is more personal.

Pretty Ninja Furabijennu: The ultimate biggest best Earth corrosion plan in space - what exactly is it?

Ninja Wolf Beasts Fangarou: They’re the evil space wolves. Not suitable as pets.

Giant Beast Fangerus: It’s the fusion of the three Fangarou. It will rampage in the next episode.

Third Spear, Manmarva: The prophecies are always true. But…

Brainwashing Ninja Jukinoko: His favourite woman is the Upper Ninja. It’s a story of unrequited love.

Gliding Ninja Musasabistaru: Its not equipped with AI, because Sargain wanted to pilot it himself.

Fourth Spear, Wendinu: On the centipede, she’s a sexy Jakanja upper ninja.

Third Spear, Manmarva: Berserk Form: His stomach is a strange place with digestive acid rain.

Balloon Ninja Gomubi-Ron: In short, he lives in a faraway place in space.

Corrosion Ninja Fushokuruga: Keeps on corroding and keeps on reviving.

Misfortune Fan Beast Badogi: Fan-beasts are Ninja Beasts that Sandaaru keeps inside a metal fan.

Manzai Ninja Tsukko-Mina: He has major doubts about today’s young comedians.

Karakuri Giant Megatagame Mk III: It’s got a 10 in defence, but a 1 in offence.

Karakuri Giant Gaingain: Farewell, great inventor Sargain.

Disaster Fan Beast Dezargi: Its a giant space crow that will lead Jakanja to victory.

Curse Fan Beast Madogi: What do you think of a woman dressed like a cat?

Next time: Gozen sends Nanami mixed signals on her cooking. This and more in “Scroll 46: New Years Meal and Three Giants”.

All: We’ll arrive with a whoosh in the new year.

Final thoughts: All in all, a very decent self-contained plot, that does a surprisingly good job advancing the myth arc, if only slightly. This will basically be my justification for clip shows existing.