[DreamSword]

Episode 5: Fukuokalibur Really is a Proper Hero



"I'm gonna beat you with the power of friendship and also this gun I made!"

En-chan: I wonder if it infringes on the Ohga Company's rights what with the modification done here. Granted given Ohgaman just pays out of pocket for his hero stuff, I don't think that'll be an issue.

DS: I mean, Yamashiron does also commit slander during this episode, technically, and he is from a different prefecture than the other Dogengers, so maybe he's got diplomatic immunity or something.

So like, question for you, En-chan. How does this show manage to never bottom out on how crazy it can get?

En-chan: It just can't I suppose.

Which is funny when it comes to dealing with relatively low-tiered characters in regards to power levels. Granted, their vibrant and loud personalities make up for that gap so that probably helps out a lot.

DS: It's something I really have to compliment this franchise on, honestly. It's the toku equivalent of a roller coaster ride. It's not just some constant stream of crazy, although there are episodes where it certainly does that too, but knows how to balance said craziness to keep it at its most impactful. And I feel like this episode was a perfect example of that.

Because like, the majority of the episode, despite its kooky beats, is fairly standard... AND THEN THAT FINAL SHOT HITS AND I FRIGGEN LOST IT.

En-chan: Yeah you get some great character moments, some nicely done comedy.

And then BAM, there are two Great-Zs?!

DS: But uh, we're kinda getting ahead of ourselves here. So, this episode is both the climax of the El Brave and KitaQman team up, as well as the episode devoted to Yamashiron and Fukuokalibur's' team up. And on paper that sounds like it'd be tough to juggle, but I think they actually handled it pretty well here.

En-chan: It helps that we already got through a lot of the Kita-El Team stuff in the last episode.

DS: Yeah, and that the scene itself is great, ontop of lending more towards how the momentum of the episode builds towards that final twist.

Like, when the Wolf Boys teleported in, I was at first thinking "Oh, Great-Z finally let them out of the pod." And then once Kita and Brave beam in I was like "Wait a sec." And then, surprise! Both episodes were basically happening simultaneously! It's a really clever idea!

En-chan: Yeah, it really helps things flow a lot better than us having one full episode where KitaQman and El Brave take on Great-Z and then another separate encounter where Yamashiron and Fukuokalibur take on Great-Z on another day.

Speaking of those pods though, Great-Z needs to take better care of those things. That's like the second one that got blown up.

DS: And on the same shoulder too. Those things can't be cheap.

Speaking of Great-Z though, I did love the attention to detail when it came to his stage show. With Great-Z's' suit being a rather simplified version of his normal wear for practicality's' sake. Just like stage shows tend to do in real life.

En-chan: Yeah. I also love how they managed to capture the smaller outdoor stage aspect too. I've seen a few of those floating around on Youtube of either Rider or Sentai, and they definitely nailed the low-budget but fun vibe of them down.

DS: With all the rep stage shows have been getting, I really wanna go to one in person someday.

But Great-Z isn't the only highlight though. We also get El Brave's' backstory, as well as Fukuokalibur's' motivations for heroism. And Yamashiron delivers probably my favorite comedic moment in the season so far too.

Not to mention, the fight at the end between Team Good Boys and the Wolf Boys had some genuinely great choreography. Who knew Fukuoukalibur was so skilled with firearms!?

En-chan: Dude really used the whole hog when it came to his skillset. Mixing in some shooting with his usual swordplay, and even going for a few kicks?

Pretty impressive, though I suppose that makes sense given he's a dual wielder normally.

DS: I do gotta wonder what's going on in the minds of the crowd though. I know if it were me, it'd be along the lines of "I dunno what's going on but man this is hype."

En-chan: Honestly same. It's definitely a "Wow two cakes" kind of situation.

DS: Was there any other big highlights for you on this ride?

En-chan: None off the top of my head.

DS: Then if you'll excuse me, I must now don my disguise and disappear into the masses. Until next time, farewell~

En-chan: See ya?