[DreamSword]

FINAL THOUGHTS ON BIMA: THE GARUDA KNIGHT

BIMA isn't the great tokusatsu show ever made by any stretch.

The sound design is pretty bad, alot of the two-parters could've easily been one-off episodes, and there are a handful of arcs that just go nowhere.

But at the same time, it genuinely improves in every aspect as it goes on, the stuff it excels at remain highly enjoyable, and most importantly, it's got alot of heart to it that makes it hard to think everyone involved wasn't giving an honest effort.

As I continued to go through this relatively unknown toku show made in Indonesia, I more and more continued to think of it as a friend. Not just because the past month has been a bit rocky for me personally, but in the genuine warmth and growth I got to experience when watching it.

It's the sort of thing not many shows in general have to them. The sort of experience one has with a friend they know is by no means perfect, but continue to witness and cheer them on as as they continue to move forward in their life. And even if there are bumps in the road, at the end of the day, when you think of that person, you can't help but give atleast a little smile.

For me it's easy to say that BIMA's' biggest strength is its atmosphere, no matter which half of the show you're talking about. I've read people comparing the show to Kamen Rider Black, and while I can see some vague similarities, I'd be quicker to compare the show to Kuuga, which also has an atmosphere that I cite as its biggest strength. It takes the basics of the Showa Era and inserts the atmosphere and drama of early Heisei.

Is the overarching plot or the characters involved super deep and complex? No, but that's not at all required. While simple, the storytelling is handled with some surprisingly mature subject matter. And although none of the characters go through any super big changes, they're all played by actors who insert some wonderful charisma into their performances, and do their best with what they're given. Big highlights in the show such as the reuniting of the family would not work even half as well without everyone in the cast being so likable.

Even if it's not the best at any one particular aspect of itself, everything ends up coming together really well, and I'd highly recommend it to any Toku fan who thinks that any one of the Big Three are getting stale for them. Good action, good music, good characterization, and an especially good atmosphere make for an overall good time. I guess the short of it is that BIMA's' big heart is also its biggest asset, just like that one friend you know who isn't especially smart, or funny, or perhaps not even all that capable, but you know is always there to make you feel good, and really, what else could you ask for?

Overall, I rate BIMA: Satira Garuda a 4/6. Not the most incredible work ever, but a very fun and fulfilling one.