[DreadBringer]

Kamen Rider Gaim watch

The Forbidden Fruit Saga

Episode 38: The Return of the Professor

Written by: Gen Urobuchi/Jin Haganeya, Directed by: Kyohei Yamaguchi

Kouta reaches the place where Kureshima brothers had their fight...and is too late. He finds Takatora's broken Sengoku Driver and Melon Lockseed, as Ryoma, with his infamous shorts attire watches him. In Micchy's office, Redyue asks him about his feelings after committing a fratricide, she assumes that he had pain doing it, but Micchy laughs, treating her as stupid to think so as Micchy finally surprassed him and is free from his brother's shadow for now, or so he thought. He got interrupted by Takatora nearby, claiming that he won't ever escape him, claiming that he made Micchy the way he is now and never earned anything, mocking Micchy's sheer amount of pride that in reality he only utilizes Takatora's hard work, like literally taking his Genesis Driver and Melon Energy Lockseed to become Zangetsu Shin. Of course this would be just bruise Micchy's ego, and he yells around to shut Takatora up, being sick of his lecture. Micchy hurls Takatora's words back that he's the one that can't do anything, likely refering to how Takatora is used as a pawn by others. It's revealed however, by Redyue's question... Micchy's only talking to himself, so the "Takatora" he's speaking to was only his hallucinations. Micchy's insanity only has increased further that he's now lashing out and rampaging at basically nothing, even fucking Redyue asks if he's broken.

Mai is taking trash bag out of the garage, as Kouta approaches her, handing Takatora's Sengoku Driver and Melon Lockseed, mourning to the fact that he can't stop Micchy. Mai takes a hint that Takatora may have been finished off, asking what's the matter with Micchy. Kouta vows to snap out Micchy of his path, but explains the reason to not give up on him is because Micchy would have no one left (and probably can continue his crime unprovoked). Ryoma then comes, teasing them about bonds of friendship, and taunting them with the reaction to Takatora's death, pretending to be sad but then laughing about it. Kouta is enraged and attacks him, but Ryoma claims he's here to not fight (well, what is provoking them just now?) and dodges Kouta's attacks, including tripping him to the trash. This probably shows that Ryoma doesn't really need a bodyguard, despite hiring Yoko as one. But to collect data, Ryoma agrees to fight for a while as he henshins into Duke, while Kouta henshins into Gaim, with neat perspective of Orange Arms' entrance being shot at Helheim. I wonder if Riders can also move to Helheim by just henshin, not using Lock Vehicles? Jump into Helheim crack above them. As they fight, Zack comes out of the garage, joining the fight as Knuckle. Duke gains upper hand on both Riders, so Gaim finally upgrades into Jimber Lemon Arms, and keeps up with Duke better. Gaim and Duke.. dukes it out with their finisher attacks, canceling each other out. Baron also appears with Lemon Energy Arms, ready to shoot him from behind, with Knuckle getting back up into the fight. Outnumbered, Duke returns into Ryoma, putting his hands up, and claims that he wants to make an arrangement.

Ryoma knows that they attempt to save Overlord's captured people in Yggdrasill tower, but claims they can't get into the tower right now. Ryoma has rightfully earned the hatred from everyone, starting with even Kouta being livid at his presence before, and then Kaito having little patience to his words. Ryoma proposes to make benefical agreement between everyone involved there to lead them into the tower, as Ryoma is also in disadvantageous position himself. The hatred continues to Yoko who claims he's lying as every way into the tower is blocked, but Ryoma claims he has a secret entrance, outside of Zawame. Zack is next to show his hatred by deeming Ryoma as untrustworthy. Ryoma acknowledges that, but points out that they have no other option, asking them to think how long the victims will last in the tower, while displaying a lack of personal space by getting really close to Kouta, provoking him again while he claims he'll be back later. This highlights Ryoma's lack of social skills and creepiness, especially about how close physical proximity and physical contact are really inappropriate in Japanese customs, and he has openly displayed his trolling attitude, constantly provoking and taunting others to rile them up, while treating the others as not being gentlemanly or patient, displaying big hammy and over the top demeanor for the audience. Like how Micchy joins Yggdrasill to further his own agendas, here Ryoma "joins" the Beat Riders to further his agendas, the Beat Riders have to inevitably help Ryoma too while they go on their objective...

Redyue talks to Roshuo about the humans she collected being enough to revive the Queen, but Roshuo talks about how the Femushinmu are close to the extinction, with previous Overlords being killed. Redyue points out that the deaths are his own doing that he gave humanity a piece of Golden Fruit in form of Kiwami Arms, questioning Roshuo's decision to do that. Roshuo doesn't view humanity as enemy as they're like Femushinmu in his eyes, doomed to extinct, and claims he's hastening their demise, albeit he'll change his perspective if there's a human that can lead them into different path of future. Though Roshuo is saddened by fellow Overlord's death, Roshuo has become a full-blown misantrophe that he hates his own species for being malicious whenever weak due to being cowardly backstabbers or strong due to being vicious bullies, and thus he doesn't hold it on the humans for killing the Overlords, but he'll just let either remaining Overlords or humanity reap what they've sowed for their misdeeds, being so nihilistic that he views none of lifes are able to be saved, and won't bother creating another life with the Golden Fruit's powers. Redyue accuses of Roshuo being a lost cause due to a snake, but Roshuo is enraged and sends her flying for being insolent, reminding her that their final duty is this as their race is heading towards extinction. Micchy realizes that there are those who think like that too among Overlords.

In the garage, Yoko reminds that Ryoma will betray anyone without hesitation. Like his view against Sagara before, Kouta begrudgingly thinks they should take the offer as there are no option left before the victims are drained completely. Oren insists for him to cool his head, but surprisingly, Kaito's on board with taking the offer too as this is the only opportunity for them to strike back, regardless of Ryoma's plan, and cowering in fear of Ryoma isn't sensible either. The discussion leads to nowhere, so Kouta and Kaito continues about this in a park, of which Kouta claims they may be right that trusting Ryoma is too reckless, but Kaito will let themselves get used, they'll use Ryoma back (which is what Ryoma proposed... mutual benefit). Mai spotted them, and joins their conversation, asking if Kaito wears his belt all the time, as he had to prepare himself for any attack. This is like an aspect of humans to have a fight and flight responses to negative things, and Kaito does have cynical properties, albeit it makes sense for him to wear belt all the time and it does harm to no one. Kouta does that too, while absorbing nutrients from Lockseeds. However Mai warns him that he still needs to eat real food, with Bando worrying about him too. Mai suggests to throw a party at Drupers after their fight is over, with loads of yummy stuff to eat, while this is an attempt to be positive or raise morale, this is also likely an attempt to get Kouta to eat real food too by tempting him with yummy stuffs.

Kaito then asks Kouta that he still doesn't give up on Micchy, with Mai answering that they won't, likely abandon him as Kaito cuts her off, acknowledging that trait has her strength. Kouta claims that he's like Mai regarding that, but Kaito objects, as a social expert he knows how to differentiate them that not giving up on Micchy is Mai's strength because she faces her own future, while for Kouta, it's about him caring about everyone but himself, thus he won't even think of clear future for him. This is similar to Yoko's question to Kouta before in ep. 33 about his future. Hero complex is a flaw, and can be self-destructive. The important thing is, if someone wants to make everyone happy, well, "everyone" should include themselves as well. This also still goes on growing up theme that each of Gaim's arc have as well, which currently is about Kouta undergoing mid-life crisis, with the episode numbers that kickstarted the new arc being based on the age which started the development stage of someone as well, where before ep. 1-11 is about Kouta being an irresponsible child (which also stops at age 11), continuting to ep. 12-29 about Kouta experiencing the puberty harshness (puberty happens at age 12-19), then ep. 20-23 about Kouta taking first steps as responsible adult (age 20 is the time to live the life of an adult), then ep. 24-32 about Kouta changing to a new man and facing many new problems (24 is the age to kickstart a responsible adult), with age 33 continuing adult's journey into mid life, and the number of episode that starts The Forbidden Fruit Saga as well. Mai makes Kouta promise to tell her his future after the fight is over, but of course without the bickering in early part. Mai asks for them to head back, with Kaito looking over his Helheim wound.

Later, Mai is buying supplies from a convenience store, and again, pays for what she took. Peko accompanies her and asks if the supply is enough. I'd want to know what others like Peko there think about Mai paying an empty store, though still, it's either story coincidence or stupidity for 2 non-Riders (Peko becomes one, Kurokage Shin, but in special) of the Rider alliance to roam the town without anyone to protect them, as of course, as they plan to get medicines, Micchy greets Mai, trying to get her to come with him with a big smile, as Mai requests for Micchy to stop what he's doing as well. Being a narcissist, Micchy ignores her feelings, and sees himself in the right, dismissing Mai as only confused and doesn't know better, again pinning the blame to others. Even worse, he doesn't even get mad or make any effort to convince her; he just claims that she'll eventually see that Micchy's in the right, attacking her self-esteem and self-worth. The Beat Riders have come a long way from Peko shooting a rock to Mai's hand, to a mutual friendship, with Peko standing up for Mai, but this is how different Micchy's behavior towards what he considers his friends or not, like Peko for the latter, treating him as a scum, and sics another Overlord, Shinmugurun on Peko, beating him relentlessly. Shinmugurun is based on Genbu, completing the Four Gods theme. Micchy forces Mai to come with him, ignoring her concern for Peko and her pleas to make Micchy stop beating him up, further showing how how he doesn't actually view Mai as person. Micchy's blackmail here disturbingly resembles what real emotional abusers do to break down their targets. With Peko going to die, Mai has no choice but to comply to Micchy's needs, following her, with Shinmugurun pulling Mai away preventing her to check on Peko, who tries to reach his communicator to inform Kouta and Kaito that Micchy took Mai, which had Kouta speeding off, leaving Kaito who's still checking on Peko. While this situation is a damsel-in-distress type, ironically right before that, it's a dude-in-distress with Peko being assaulted by an Overlord, even more obvious with Peko being tangled in his tendrils helplessly.

Kouta confronts Micchy, with Mai being held by and Redyue wondering who she is. Micchy commands Shinmugurun to "keep Mai safe", another aspect to invalidate his deeds of practically kidnapping. Micchy then brings up about his Project Ark plan to Kouta, treating Mai as chosen one, but blatantly devalues the ones he not choose, like Kouta as not deserving to be near her as he henshins into Zangetsu Shin. Kouta hasn't done a henshin yet, trying to get Micchy to open his eyes about the consequences for what he has done, but he eventually does into Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms. But to his surprise, Micchy as Zangetsu Shin actually overwhelms Gaim in direct combat, with Gaim left to wonder if he's the same Micchy. Gaim upgrades into Kachidoki Arms and gain better upper hand, but unexpectedly, Kachidoki is knocked down too by Zangetsu Shin. This impresses Redyue as apart from entertainment, she may have met someone who may surprass her in craziness, despite of him being human. But as Zangetsu Shin walks to Gaim, hallucinations of Takatora appears again, warning him about how Mai will be likely someone Micchy attacked too, from how he lashed out at everything close to him", which enrages Micchy. Ironically, despite Takatora being cited as the reason for Micchy's current behavior, the hallucinations of him is actually his conscience, trying to keep a hold of him into what's left of his common sense, despite "Takatora" doing it in a condescending way.

Baron joins the battle too right after, with Zangetsu Shin grounding him but saved by Kachidoki Arms rejoining the fight. Kachidoki had the position to shoot Zangetsu Shin, but hesitates, which gets him shoved away by Baron to continue attacking Zangetsu Shin, warning Gaim that he'll get killed if he's holding back. Power is something that makes a villain dangerous, so Baron's advice can be applied here, but less brutal of what Baron thinks, if someone wants to give a chance, they have to put said person in a position where they can't harm anyone, such as making sure Micchy's not in Rider form. Nevertheless, Gaim upgrades into Kiwami Arms, using both of Baron's base weapon to fight, Bana Spear and Mango Punisher. At first Gaim and Baron gain upper hand again on Zangetsu Shin, but he bounces back, knocking both Riders down with a Melon Energy Squash, and even swats away a finisher from Kiwami Arms (with Mango Punisher) and Baron Lemon Energy Arms! Zangetsu Shin retaliates, using his finisher, as Takatora's hallucination walks in front of him. Zangetsu Shin declares that he decides his own future, vowing to take control of his life, shoots through "Takatora" and both Riders, knocking them down. Baron even thinks they have to retreat, with Gaim insisting to save Mai, but Baron notes that Zangetsu Shin's unbeatable at this stage. Zangetsu Shin however lets them go for some reason. After they return to human form, Kouta protests that he stopped him, but Kaito explains about Micchy's huge increase in fighting performance as a show of someone who has cast aside all his doubts and hesitation, symbolized by him shooting through the Takatora hallucination, which means Micchy as Zangetsu Shin turns strong enough to beat both Baron Lemon Energy Arms (another Genesis Driver Rider) and even freaking Kiwami Arms (a final form) at once. I don't know about this, while there have been those who rag on heroic side for winning through "determination/willpower somehow increases power beyond all logics", this is basically villain's version of that, Micchy becomes even more committed to his goals and thus is determined enough to achieve that, going through all odds and somehow surprassing Kiwami Arms and 1 other Rider for that despite Micchy being the worse fighter compared to those 2 before. Like when it happened on heroic side, I don't buy Zangetsu Shin suddenly growing up to be that strong, even if one turns off their doubts, despite villains getting this seem to be given more free pass due to likely valuing more of their pragmatic traits (It'd be double standard view tbh to rag only on heroic side). There are arguments about Kouta holding back, but even then, at least he should turn into tank for that due to Kachidoki Arms' and to a lesser extent Kiwami Arms' durability. I feel that it's better to show Micchy's upgrade by something that is revealed later in this part (I refer to Ryugen Yomi).