[DreadBringer]

Kamen Rider Gaim watch

The Forbidden Fruit Saga

Episode 33: Beat Riders' Great Gathering

Written by: Gen Urobuchi/Norimitsu Kaiho, Directed by: Hidenori Ishida

Kouta finds a note from Akira that claims she evacuates, urging him to take care of himself. While on her way to the evacuation site, a passerby tells her that they have to evacuate by themselves, no help's coming there. After that, suddenly, a child clings to Akira, looking for his mom. That's not a bright move right there kid, clinging into strangers without much thought, it can be dangerous. Of course the child is lucky that the one he clings is Akira, showing that the tree isn't far from where the apple fell, like Kouta's first scene, Akira decides to help the kid find his mom. This can be likely an indication that Akira tries to set an example for Kouta while raising him, with Kouta taking up from her for his noble traits. This part is also done right after a passerby talks about people not wanting to help (evacuators there), despite that there's unpleasant truth in the world, doesn't mean people should succumb into it, but rather keep doing good things to others, trying to improve the surroundings bit by bit. As there's an Inves nearby, Akira runs away taking the kid with her... but leaving her luggage?

Then the scene cuts into 3 officials, each of different nationality (Chinese, France, and American) discuss about Kureshima's failure and the inactivity of the SDF. They plan to censor the Japanese HQ, but with questionable agreement for the plan to take control. Ryoma appears, and gloats about finding ways for godhood, monologuing about the forbidden fruit as a key for evolution, feels that he doesn't need to hide anymore. The officials deem this as petty and irresponsible. Ryoma is disappointed that they turn down a chance to reach higher. One of the officials threaten to investigate him, as Ryoma claims to be scared with straight expression, showing sarcasm side, and an extension of his escalating arrogance. Ryoma also goes so far to reveal the true nature of Project Ark to the world. The officials object again at the loss for their chance to save humanity (still though the officials are Machiavellians to agree with Project Ark...), with Ryoma boasting that his research is far more valuable. I'd usually think that revealing their true nature would be stupid for villains that rely on good reputation to keep going, but Project Ark was purely Takatora's plan, which Ryoma was never into, so I'd take his move here as a spite to Takatora (and potentially to his vow to not reveal the secret as it can only make people cower in fear). Aside, though my TV's dub would have all of the officials use my local language, for the original, each of them use their native language... and can perfectly understand each other! Bilingual dialogue is applied on several Japanese media... and Gaim is no exception.

In the garage, everyone is watching a news in TV about Yggdrasill's terrorism plans, exposing that their plan would claim most of humanity's life, including several major leaders or police, with the Cabinet resigning. Mai switches the TV channel, revealing similar news in various place about London in panic, New York's stock exchange being shut down, inevitable global economic collapse, but there are no Zawame news which was what she's looking for. So I guess Mai's goal to reveal the truth has been taken care of (and a testament to Micchy's irony about how people will find out the truth on their own despite his secret keeping), or probably she looks for Zawame news to make sure people there know this? As likely they don't for Peko noting there's no phone signal yet, and Mai being unable to contact Micchy. Yoko assumes that Micchy probably has escaped, which Mai objects about that, being someone who's longtime friend who has only seen 1 OOC moment of him. Kouta comes to the garage, reporting that the town is filled with Inves. Jonouchi remarks that there are people who hides in their home and can't escape, with Oren continuing that there are no proper evacuation order. Mai shows concern regarding them and is uneasy about it, but Zack assures that the police or SDF will come soon with Peko agreeing.... due to likely the consequence of Zawame's communication being shut down, as Yoko informs that Yggdrasill takes care of Zawame and SDF will instead contain it from the outside. As Kouta objects to this, Kaito points out to the map of Zawame... which is copied from Gotham, albeit fixed in the home video release. He explains about few exits Zawame has, thus locking it is simple. Others noted that Yggdrasill purposely built Zawame this way, which further enrages Kouta. Yoko remarks that the government and Yggdrasill are trapped, with Oren claiming that SDF is tasked to confine the Inves in the city. As Kaito mocks Kouta's 'blaming people' trait and invite others to get the job done, Yoko hands everyone communicators to work together, while Mai invites everyone to evacuate people in the city to a safe place by themselves, as SDF won't be any help.




Redyue talks with Micchy about Demushu's death, dismissing him as a fool. This'd show that the Overlords aren't in good terms with each other. As Micchy remarks Redyue takes over Yggdrasill tower in no time to be used as the Overlord lair, Redyue seems offended that she's compared with Demushu that she'd be fool, but Micchy admits that Redyue is different, an intelligent one. Redyue moves her focus to the Fruit of Knowledge, offering Micchy's help. As Redyue tries to adapt into human technology, Micchy remarks that she won't destroy humanity, which Redyue explains as it's boring ruling a ruin, therefore the partnership between them is Micchy as controller and Redyue as player. Micchy offers to eliminate their greatest threat Kouta, while Redyue offers Duduonshu, another Overlord, but MOTW-type, whose name translates to Suzaku, one of the four gods, to assist Micchy, though Micchy deems him as merely watcher and thus annoying. I guess Micchy's the one that successfully makes a deal with Overlord, and that's due to him being practically a monster in human's body. Although already depraved before, Micchy making a deal with genocidal creatures marks himself descending further to the darkness.

Baron is fighting Inves with Lemon Energy Arms, and after that, he reports to Mai that the area he's in is secured, which she marked on the G̶o̶t̶h̶a̶m̶ Zawame map. Mai has taken a role of the mission control here, coordinating the Riders who patrol the city via long-distance communication. After reporting the area's emptiness, Kaito had a concern about Mai who is silent, she says that she thought Zawame can change, but it won't happen, but her bigger concern now is that it won't be a city anymore if it's empty, instead it's a.. ruin; already one before Helheim takes over (only Yggdrasill tower). Kaito offers genuine encouragement for her, reminding her that he's still there, along with the rest of the group, suggesting her to treat it as freedom. In inverse to their interaction before, Mai actually views herself as not that strong. However, Kaito encourages her to dance, as it's her strength, complete with Kaito "standing" in front of her in garage. Mai points out that there are no one to see her now, but Kaito points out that others can come back. As Mai hopes for that, Kaito points out if they do, it's a sign of Mai's strength, the ability to gather people around her, her efforts to make others happy means it's moral center and keeps the team from falling apart. However, Mai also credits the ensemble to Kaito, who is the cause of Team Gaim, Baron, and even Yggdrasill fighting together for now. This is the irony of Kaito's character, where despite that Kaito's character is a shonen rival-type, he's a charismatic type that can draw people around him to gather for similar cause, as usually rivals are loners (and Kaito does have that trait sometimes). Otherwise, this is a clear evolution of their bond, with Mai finally breaking through Kaito's cold shell, and Kaito acknowledging Mai's traits as strength, and as Kaito treats the strong ones better, his demeanor to Mai is softened too here. However their conversation is cut short as a crack appears, and Kouta arrives at the garage.

Mai treats Kouta into Drupers, as she assumes he's hungry. I don't know if this is abandoning their mission, or that this is also part of the mission to check on the people on the city, as Kouta asks if Bando doesn't evacuate. Though despite current condition, Bando vows to keep his restaurant open, partly to keep Kouta and Mai's jobs. He also argues that he supplies food for them while they save the city. As Mai is concerned about Zawame City's state, Kouta brings up Fruit of Knowledge again as his solution, but for now he vows to protect with the help of another Armored Riders. But Kouta didn't finish his dish, arguing that he's full using his belt (should refuse Mai's request before then). Other than that, Kouta thinks Bando's food is bland now, to Bando's disbelief. I guess they're still on mission then as Mai answers Yoko's call, reporting that she met a weird Inves, which Kouta assumes as Overlord, thus he leaves to go on that site.

As Kouta meets up with Yoko, he asks why she betrays Yggdrasill, but Kouta claims that he's glad that she's on their side, albeit not trustworthy without knowing the reasons. She explains that they left her to die, so she returned the favor. But despite Yoko being on their side, she had ulterior motives for doing so, as the reason she didn't escape is due to Kaito staying in the city, declaring her interest to him to Kouta, watching how far he goes. Micchy spies on them, revealing that Duduonshu is used to bait them both there, and directs Duduonshu to take down Yoko and lure Kouta. As Duduonshu doubts with Kouta being Micchy's ally, Micchy has completely sworn him off, declaring that his allies are those who obey him. Kouta notes that Yoko only cares about someone being powerful or not, but she also explains that she wants for them to use their powers right, and turns the question into Kouta about how he uses power. Kouta claims that it's to protect everyone, but Yoko asks after their battle is done, which puts Kouta at loss of words. This is Kouta's problem that he never figures his own personal happiness, despite trying to make others happy. By this Yoko mocks Kouta as lacking guts, as words are easy to say, and thus he'll lose to Kaito. As Kouta objects to the idea of fighting him, Yoko chastises him as naive, reminding him that there's only 1 Fruit of Knowledge. Meta wise, this also emphasizes the start of Forbidden Fruit Saga. So Yoko cares less about saving the city, but more about seeing what happens when someone gets the Forbidden Fruit, which makes her an unpleasant person who happens to tag along with the new Rider alliance, opposite of Takatora compared to his Yggdrasill peers who is sole better person (and he's still anti-villainous that time). Like Kaito, Yoko's a social darwinist who puts power above morality.

Duduonshu appears before them, with Yoko fighting him a bit in human form using her heels, before both henshin into Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms and Marika. Duduonshu can catch arrows fired by both Riders using his sword, spiraling them back at the Riders. The Overlord then knocks Marika out of her transformation, but submits to Micchy's plan to bait Gaim, as he instead jumps on a nearby building. Yoko urges Gaim to chase after Overlord, practically setting Micchy's plan into motion. Duduonshu then uses another ability to sink Gaim into ground with vines, petrifying him. I guess not all Overlords are in bad terms, Duduonshu's motive is to avenge Demushu, uncaring about human's lives as Gaim pointed out he tried to destroy their city. Gaim changes to Kachidoki Arms, but Zangetsu Shin appears, with Gaim pleading for Takatora to not fight him. As Zangetsu Shin beats Gaim up, Bravo arrives. And his crush to Zangetsu is finally used for something plot relevant, Bravo knows that this Zangetsu (Micchy) is fake, based on his lack of elegance in his fighting style. Bravo's soldier expertise proves to be important with him as an ally, that's likely how he can observe Rider's fighting styles, deducing that Takatora isn't using Zangetsu now. Realizing that the Zangetsu is fake, Gaim finally breaks loose, switches to Kiwami Arms, to Micchy's outrage, kicking the ass of both Zangetsu Shin and Duduonshu, using Mango Punisher, Kagematsu, and Sonic Arrow. Then this one's especially flashy, he summons Melon Defender to shield him from Duduonshu's fireball, then summons Donkachi as Kiwami Arms kicked the weapon to the Overlord, knocking him flat. Kiwami Arms then finishes Zangetsu Shin off with a slash from Naginata Daidaimaru, and using DJ Gun's Ichigo Charge, which shoots an energy ball, but with projection of multiple (small) fruits. My wish for fruit basket finisher before can be applied to the shooting part of DJ Gun too. However Zangetsu Shin uses the Overlord as Inves Shield, getting away from the attack. Zangetsu Shin reverts into Micchy after getting away, trying to keep his confidence that although Kouta has grown stronger, his stupidity still remains, confident that he can strike back, while laughing maniacally. This time, Micchy has a laugh of a madman, those who's utterly drunk on his own power, continuing from his descend before to let humanity be enslaved simply because of his feelings towards one girl, while also treating his former best friend as his worst enemy for now.