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Kamen Rider Gaim watch

The Forbidden Fruit Saga

Episode 36: Brothers' End! Zangetsu vs. Zangetsu Shin!

Written by: Gen Urobuchi, Directed by: Takayuki Shibasaki

As Gaim fights Micchy as Zangetsu Shin in his Orange Arms, trying to reason with him first, he lost and de-henshined into Kouta. While Micchy tries to shoot an arrow to him, Takatora reveals himself, putting himself between Micchy and Kouta, surprising both that Takatora is still alive (to Micchy) and Takatora is his former best friend's big brother (to Kouta). Takatora never realized that Micchy would stoop so low, becoming someone more cold and evil than his brother ever was, including him carrying the Project Ark and donning a suit. Micchy blames others again, to Takatora, although this one has a point, where Takatora only ordered him around without seeing the big picture. Micchy rants about how he does all of this as only way to protect what he cares (and leaving what he doesn't care to rot) by himself because Takatora left him. While Takatora may be at fault for rising Micchy, doesn't mean Micchy is blameless and that he can pin all his wrongdoings to Takatora to blame. Kaito arrives, but Redyue also arrives, attacking him in his human form, and even causing a significant cut on his arm. Redyue teleports Micchy away by jumping and covering him with green mist as he's still useful to her. Kaito tries to get the fact straight to Kouta that it's real proof that Micchy is working with Overlords, while Takatora is at disbelief of what happened to his brother.

The Beat Riders at the garage hears that Micchy is the Yggdrasill overseer's little brother as well, realizing that he's a liter, but Kouta still had something to defend Micchy, that he lies to stay with them, with Mai continuing that his love for dance is true. Jonouchi is appropriately enraged that they may justify his other lies, but Kouta does acknowledge that Micchy has faults. Kouta did back up that keeping lies and secrets is the most hurtful part. It's proven as Kouta's someone who has kept secrets like Yuuya's death before, and he felt burdened about it before he tells others, while Micchy has done a number to his sanity by keeping those secrets until now, Micchy's an example about how keeping secrets, despite his claim of keeping others happy, isn't working well, as his friends knowing about everything that's going on is better for them in the long run, as well as making him bitter with everyone, since he's convinced that he's doing what's best for them and is angry that they're not going along with what he wants. Kouta would try to investigate Micchy further, thinking of him as a victim to Overlords. Kaito, who tries to cover his wound, understandably from what he sees on the surface, thinks Kouta's no longer naive, but insane now, as there's none of who Kouta fight can be reasoned so far while being enraged and grabbing Kouta's collar, and doubts about Kouta being willing to fight him if there's nothing good about Micchy. To Kouta's credit here, Kaito also thought Takatora betrayed Kouta, while he didn't, and it was Micchy's machinations, and he's basing it off from his own experience of keeping truth too, as for a while it did keep his friends from a distance a bit.

Takatora talks with Yoko outside of the garage, with Yoko reporting about how Ryoma dismantled Yggdrasill, and Ryoma's backstabbing nature to use everyone and everything for his research, using Takatora and her as example. I guess Ryoma's betrayal did teach a harsh lesson to Yoko, about how Takatora would feel when she betrayed him, and she gets a taste of that as well from Ryoma, likely making them able to reconcile here, with Yoko also asking if he hates her for that. Takatora's however serious, insisting to focus on fighting against Overlords instead of fighting each other or holding past grudges. Now Takatora claims to fight Overlords, even when he got Roshuo to talk with. So that means Kouta's plan is a failure in Takatora's eyes now and that Takatora can no longer rely on him? Or he also vows for one of them to get the forbidden fruit (by force from Roshuo) to save the world? As Yoko also ask about those who help the Overlords, likely refering to Micchy, Takatora declares them as enemies. The scene cuts right to Micchy, who asks Redyue if Femushinmu have family. Disturbingly, Redyue declared that she had parents and siblings... but she murdered them, for fun and satisfaction. Redyue's really utterly batshit insane, the killing whole family thing reminds me of Ouja from Ryuki. Urobutcher himself did compare Zangetsu to Ouja, but for what happens later in the series, fan theories suggest that he may refer to Micchy as Ouja, instead of Takatora, and Micchy's Overlord counterpart is Redyue. She even eggs for Micchy to experience that, claiming that it'd be more fun if a toy breaks and he'd be on her level by that. Micchy claims he can handle that.

Mai is practicing dancing alone, as Kaito walks by, asking the reason to practice. Mai claims that there's nothing she can do right now, so she has to move her body. Kaito tries the same thing he did to Kouta against Mai, to convince her that Micchy is their enemy without thinking much of it. Mai disagrees, but due to viewing giving up on friends as weakness, and notes that she and Kaito can have mutual agreement on that, and it's a first as well for Kaito to think of Mai as the right one. Mai keeping her grip to hope here, for Micchy, finally makes Kaito admit that she's strong in her own way. This shows a broader aspect of Kaito's social darwinist mentality, that he believes true strength lies in the moral and emotional, rather than influence to the surroundings, he uses his mindset to rally against the idea that people in positions of power are inherently superior to the powerless as well, indicating that he didn't really follow the philosophy, which is a reference to Kyoko Sakura from Madoka, another Urobutcher character with a selfish philosophy that she doesn't actually seem to follow. Though for Mai thinking of giving up as weakness that can't be forgiven... I guess that's not entirely true? Giving up also can mean that you're strong enough to let go and move on.

Kouta is at Drupers, with Bando again reminding him to eat or else he'll collapse, as Takatora comes. Both talk outside, as Takatora notices Kouta's lack of appetite, he gave him tips to keep him full by wearing Sengoku Driver and absorbing Lockseed's nutrients. Shows how far they've come from their first meeting, even if Kouta already knew about Sengoku Driver's function there. Takatora recounts about how he raised Micchy alone, as their parents were often overseas. Another similarity between them is that Kouta reveals he's raised by an older sister alone too, which Takatora remarks that Akira must be an amazing woman, as he thinks Kouta has been raised well, for someone Takatora looks up to now. Takatora talks about how he tried to be a role model for Micchy, but Micchy instead applies Takatora's poor aspect, like taking the part of Takatora being guilible pawn, which means he had to learn to be never as stupid as Takatora, regardless of moral, turning him into a ruthless, two-faced villain that focuses on using and influencing others. Kouta makes an assumption about Micchy struggling from all the lies he's told, blinding him to see which is the right decision or what he wants, giving him the hardest to overcome. Well it's good to discuss about the likely root of Micchy's problems, as understanding someone is needed to deal with them, though Kouta puts him in higher light and that he knows he can't do anything for him, but whatever goal Micchy currently had in his mind, he'll cross any line to see it through. Takatora admits that, if Micchy's big sibling is like Akira, Micchy wouldn't turn out like this, feeling responsible for Micchy's actions, as he recounts the time where he forces Micchy to cast aside distractions for his education, vowing to finish this as he prepares his old Sengoku Driver and Mango Lockseed, sending a message to Micchy in his office. While Micchy has turned into someone worse than Takatora ever was and his actions can't be excused by blaming Takatora, Takatora did have problems in raising Micchy. Shows that having best intention doesn't mean you're a good or righteous person (before now) that everything they did can be excused due to having good motivation. Not only his Project Ark before, but also Takatora's method in raising Micchy, with how he forces him to be at top in his education and viewing everything as distractions, which is a notorious type of education in Asia and can give bad consequences such as giving hard pressure from the expectation that develops mental or emotional issues, as well as Takatora's elitism to try passing his views on Micchy that looks down on Beat Riders as street trash, which is likely applied on Micchy on places like school to be condescending to others, and it won't make Micchy people's person (like what Takatora wanted) with that mentality. Takatora really needs to learn how to not be extreme in pursuing his goals.

In the garage, Mai and Zack checks out the Zawame map, noting that they've evacuated everyone that is needed, with flashback of Mai and Zack leading their respective group of people into safety, which means all that's left is the people on Yggdrasill Tower, making plans to rescue them too. All while Yoko is sitting around emotionlessly, likely highlighting her different approach to the Rider alliance compared to those 2. Kouta comes and asks where Takatora is, which Mai answers as not around here. Yoko suddently gets up and leaves the garage, which Kouta follows to ask about Takatora's whereabouts too. Yoko however insists for Kouta to stay out from this as this is familial matter. Her approach for the alliance is further showed here that she delays Kouta because of her thoughts about family matters, which'd kickstart Micchy's schemes as detailed later and the following episodes, setting up a stage for battle of the Golden Fruit, which is her goal to ally with the Riders above saving city.

Takatora faces Micchy, who claims that he's reviving Project Ark that instead saves half of humanity and claims that it's worth praise, but Takatora didn't budge and realizes that it's what Micchy "learns" from his example. I guess Takatora's really over the project now, as he tries to stop Micchy regardless, whenever Micchy is lying for the project here as he claims here to save half of humanity when to his friends he claims to save only his friends alone. Micchy's main motivation is based on how he feels that he lives under his brother shadow, and wants to break free from that to live freely, and here Takatora directly claims that Micchy is his shadow, but based on how he represents every mistakes Takatora did. The brothers both want to save people, but Takatora is the nobler side, trying to save as many as he can, despite the hard choices and sacrifices he takes to keep them alive. Micchy is the more selfish side, only wanting to save those who are close to him, leaving the rest of humanity to rot. Micchy being refered as shadow here refers to how he walks down the dark path, while Takatora maintains his noble traits and get better. Micchy comes to the conclusion that he has to kill his brother to step out from his shadow. Micchy henshins to Zangetsu Shin, while Takatora returns into base Zangetsu. It's clear why Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms was able to beat down Zangetsu Shin while Micchy's using it, and can't when Takatora's using it. Takatora's skill in fighting is on league of his own compared to Micchy that he can fight Micchy as Zangetsu Shin on equal terms even when using Sengoku Driver, as Micchy is grounded, Takatora calls him out for following his dark path, and not improving himself to be better than Takatora, as Micchy complains Takatora always pushes expectations to him. Then Micchy brings up about noblesse oblige, and complains about Takatora making himself be used by others instead putting his credibility into question, and uses the philosophy as an excuse to sacrifice Takatora as he's the most gifted. After an even fight, Takatora's skill allows him to put himself in position to finish Mitsuzane! However, Takatora's nobler traits compared to the 2 as he genuinely loved Micchy despite Takatora's misguided ways stopped him from delivering the blow, remembering their childhood when both of them are without fucked up problems. Micchy however has turned so much worse to not hesitate killing his brother off, using Melon Energy Squash to crack his helmet and knock him into nearby water, in similar fashion as Garren's fight with Kanai in Blade's end. Micchy has added another list of his crime, fratricide, without even feeling remorse for what he had done here.

Kouta tries to approach the Kureshima brothers, but is blocked by Redyue, who tells him to not spoil the fun. Kouta calls out Redyue's cruelty of being similar to Demushu, and henshins into Kachidoki Arms. His performance earns Redyue's "respect" that she views Gaim as fun too. Gaim questions Redyue about what she wants from Micchy, but like how she likes to betray who trusted her and watching their reactions, she's doing the same to Micchy, watching him pursuing his goals until he breaks under his own power, therefore Redyue don't have to interfere. Micchy is smart, but he tends to overestimate himself and sees himself as being able to control everything, neglecting the steep learning curve involved in manipulation, which'd cost him here as Redyue's one of those that can use him for her own needs instead, being more experienced manipulator. Though Gaim is enraged, Redyue points out that Micchy is his enemy now, but still only earns her a punch from Kachidoki Arms that knocks her down. Gaim upgrades into Kiwami Arms, enraged for Redyue using Micchy. But actually even without Redyue egging him to elevate himself on her level, Redyue himself admits that Micchy's so messed up himself, he's the one driving himself nuts. Kiwami Arms uses the weapons Ryugen had for the opening attack to "avenge", Budou Ryuhou (which shapes the energy balls in grape formation) and then Kiwi Gekirin. Redyue is surprised by Gaim possessing Fruit of Knowledge's power. Kiwami Arms then uses Kagematsu, of which Redyue manages to gain a little upper hand by shooting green orbs. This shows a scale between the 3 main Overlords, that Demushu as the lowest level one is effortlessly defeated by Kiwami Arms, but Redyue can fight evenly with him. Kiwami Arms then uses Bana Spear, and puts a nice usage of the weapon to form a banana projectile, but it latches on Redyue, throwing her around into a nearby building. Still I wish there's them utilizing banana in peeling its skin or banana skin's slippery traits though. Redyue tries to control Helheim plants, but it didn't do anything against Kiwami Arms. Kiwami Arms tries to finish her off using DJ Gun's Fruit Basket Charge, Orange Charge variant, but Redyue escapes by using controlling plants to shield herself using a nearby Toyota Hiace, exploding it instead. Though surprised, Redyue has another plan, she vows to make Gaim learn the meaning of gaining the power of Fruit of Knowledge. Kouta tries to approach the Kureshima brothers' fight, hoping to not be late...