[DreamSword]

Episode 11: Touch

DS: So uh, Jisariz canonically takes place after Nice Buddy, huh?

En-chan: Either that or High School since that did also air before Jisariz.

DS: Ah.

Yeah, that transformation took me a bit by surprise. Not just in context of the episode itself, but also because I saw Jisariz before this and I just figured Yabai's' suit there was original to Jisariz. Turns out it was not.

Anyway, this episode was pretty straight-forward all things considered. Basically just the prelude to the final battle, with some solid comedic beats and a couple character bits for Riku sewn in. I liked it.

En-chan: Very much our setup before the big final battle.

Which is rather relaxed all things considered, but I can't help but admire that. The main conflict of the show has basically been resolved, so now it's time to get back to what these guys do best.

DS: It's been interesting really, seeing how the relationship between the Dogengers and the SSoD has evolved. Heroics here are treated as equal parts, well, heroism, and equal parts business. Which makes sense, given the whole Local Heroes deal and all. It's just fascinating how this show plays this trope for straight-forward fun rather than any sort of deconstruction or critique like, say, Tiger & Bunny. There are heroes, there are villains, and like it or not they both need eachother and sponsors in order to survive.

En-chan: It's a very down to earth interpretation which is fitting.

DS: Which is even funnier given all of wacky hijinks that go on in this franchise. Heck, even in this very episode. That Scooby-Doo style chase towards the end of the episode had me rolling!

En-chan: There's something hilarious about hiding by laying down on steps actually working in a real life environment.

Also everyone patiently waiting on the escalators like normal people and not climbing up and down to move faster.

DS: It was also really hype to see that it wasn't just Maid Butler and Yabai Kamen who got upgrades, but everyone. Shuraomaru even turns out to be alive! And a vampire! But my absolute favorite is the bunny, whose suit actor just gets swapped out for one with more muscle. I couldn't help but smile at that.

En-chan: It's simple yet effective, which works well for those two.

But yeah, it was nice to see the SSoD all get their own new looks.

DS: But we can't get too distracted by how awesome they are. How'd you like the stuff going on with Riku in this episode?

En-chan: I rather enjoyed him finally stepping in to take action alongside his discussion with his father.

It's nice to see it's not an immediate change either, but he's definitely getting started on his own path to being a hero.

DS: I felt the same. Him taking on the mantle is a nice moment, and I also did like how even he wasn't exactly sure what the "proper" things to say or do were, but he knows what he wants and he's determined to take charge of it. Which even Yabai Kamen respects despite clowning on him.

Riku's' also down to his last drone, which makes me wonder how exactly it'll be utilized in the upcoming fight. Though it really does throw off the look of his suit some.

En-chan: Yeah, it's definitely going to be interesting to see Riku fighting as Great-Z since his father's been doing all the fighting up to this point, and those drones have been doing a lot of heavy lifting.

DS: But yeah that's about all I got. Like I said, I found this one to be rather simple and to the point. Which isn't a bad thing, mind you. I still enjoyed it a bunch.

En-chan: Of course.

Got to have a bit of some winding down after last episode's big emotional climax.

DS: Was there anything else you wanted to note? How comfy Jiro's' pajamas look, perhaps?

En-chan: Just that the biggest twist when I first watched this is that Riku's dad was Seiji Takaiwa. Definitely wasn't expecting him to show up here.

DS: Oh right, yeah. I mean, I 1000% remember every single name in Toku, but for the uh, less informed folks at home, why not tell them who that is? You know, for their sake. Not mine.

En-chan: Of course, I'd be glad to.

Though if you've watched most Kamen Riders you'll know him for sure as he is Mr. Kamen Rider. He was the main suit actor for most of the Primary Heisei Riders (sans Kuuga and Hibiki I believe) with his last suit acting role in Rider being that of Horobi from Kamen Rider Zero-One.

DS: I was wondering when we were gonna get our obligatory Rider cameo this season. Glad it was him.

En-chan: It's also very fitting and symbolic to see him give the Great-Z suit to Riku, sort of a passing on the suit to the next generation as this did air after Zero-One ended.

DS: Very true. And I gotta say, the stunt folks in toku have continued to do a wonderful job.

Well, with that, tune in next time for the final battle. Will Riku become a true hero? Will Jiro ever be the main character again? Will En-chan ever finish Futari wa Pretty Cure? Find out on the next episode of DOGENGERS NICE BUDDY!!!

En-chan: The answer to that third question is maybe one daayyy!