[TokuKnight89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Plus, the writing has so much going on, that there's also a very solid monster of the week plot in here with a solid moral about not getting caught up in vanity and all that. Yes, one of the other things that was great about Tarou here was how he never hesitated to tell Sanae she looks like exactly the age she is. It's a plot that further cements the whole "can't tell a lie" character trait established last time, and it's good for that, but there's something I love about how this episode goes on to frame it. He's just kind of above flattery, and that's kind of cool? The sheer innocence with which he speaks the truth. Even when Sanae looks younger, it doesn't change his response, because he sees right through that for what she is. Sanae is a 68 year old woman, and Tarou doesn't see anything wrong with that.

I mean, man, I haven't even touched on the action or anything in this whole post yet. It's fun! Kiji Brother and Inu Brother look bad, I know, but I still swear that's part of the charm. This is a series where anything can happen. Don Momotaro even gets a stock footage version of his festival routine, just so they can have that be a thing whenever they want, which is awesome. If a cartoon dog fights evil in live-action, I just don't see why it matters how high quality the computer effects are at that point? Is believability really what we're looking for here? It's an idea that's new and crazy, regardless of how it turns out, and it's definitely feeling like that mentality is the raw essence of Donbrothers as a series.

I'll admit to Kiji and Inu following the "It's so bad, that it's good!" logic with regards to the CGI, but the issue with Sanae was easily avoidable and shows issues with compulsive honesty cause if you're legitimately too honest, you might end up causing more problems. Granted, there is something to be said about seeing through the illusion and realizing that she's still 68 and that she shouldn't place too much stock in looks, but by constantly saying the same answer with no variation or encouraging words, Tarou was ultimately facilitating Sanae's actions as Resshaki cause every mention of "68" sent her into an even deeper spiral. To be fair, Tarou might not have known that she was going to become Resshaki and even solved matters towards the end by defeating ResshaKing and giving encouraging words to Sanae, but the horrors of the battle could've been mitigated at the least by flexing the response to the age question in the first place!

Going even further with the battle, what's the point of even absorbing people? Resshaki is a train, and trains need people inside? Sanae's distorted mindset believes that other people will make her younger?

I do believe that the various parts are starting to reach more cohesion, though it still suffers from repetitiveness. How can a series have this many cliches in only two episodes!?

Don ZenkaiOh is starting to overstay its welcome. I accept the design, but I'm not seeing any real differences in the battles and they aren't really giving me anything different. Tarou knowing about Zyuran and not questioning his sudden appearances at this stage is fine cause they clearly aren't going to address that quickly if at all.

Also, came across something I'd like some clarification on. The idea that many of the recurring villains are based on Toei Heroes from the '70s: Chojin Barom One (Sonoi), Seigi no Shinboru Condorman (Sononi), The Kagestar (Sonoza).