[Enchilada645]

The second to last Gotcha!

I might've stopped posting in threads because I just got busy and fell behind on Gotchard because of many different reasons. So instead of digging through a bunch I'll share my thoughts briefly on the final stretch of episodes.


42-43 (Kamedoon Episodes): Can't remember if I ever talked about them but I'll mention briefly that I thought it was a good Sabimaru focus. The dude actually got to confront his trauma head on and managed to break through it thanks to brotherly love. Real good shit. These episodes did not sell me on Geryons' return at all btw.

Dude's strong at moving characters into different positions and helping their arcs, and the actor's giving it his all, but Geryon himself is missing something that makes me consider him a great villain.

44-45 (Kajiki Episodes): While I know officially we start the endgame in the next set, these two do a good job at setting up a lot of stuff that'll be present for it. Focusing on the idea of memories returning and those suppressed memories being bad by way of Kajiki was a smart play. Something I'll also praise about the endgame in general is bringing back characters from earlier in the show to make scenes hit way harder, so them doing a sequel to the Kyoto stuff was genuinely fun to witness.

Also with this episode and 49's kitbash at the end, UFO-X stocks went up greatly. I always believed in you my funky super form!

46-47 (Spanner vs. Houtaro Episodes): While I wasn't sure of Gaelijah at first, these episodes and the next cemented me as one of my favorite villains of the lot we've gotten. There's something more sadistic to her methods than Gigist, Germain, or even Geryon. The idea she basically stacks plans on top of each other and basically decides "Well you want Chemy and Humans to co-exist? Let's try that right now full force" as her main plan is very underhanded. She basically forces the situation to its worst possible conclusion by rushing it out of the gate.

Meanwhile in regards to Riders who usually end up having some kind of big duel against the Primary fairly late in the game, Spanner's one that works. Helps that he isn't really fully going full villain, rather more suicidal martyr, but Houtaro's having none of that. And I love how that's reflected in their fight.

48 (Majade Twilight Debut): I'll admit, while I could still care less for how weird of a presence/character Fuga is I've come around a bit on Geryon because I do think starting with 44 we got some interesting aspects to him. There's some fascinating stuff about how he's a doll that envied another's daughter, made his own in his image but mainly to have his rival despair when the time is right. It's twisted and I think that gives some good depth.

I can kinda see why they held off on Twilight Majade for so long, because it's basically the form brought out by the conclusion of Rinne's and Atropos' relationship. And it'd probably be a bit weird to have that happen way earlier. That said they could've given Majade like... Black Bahamut, like just retool Wind for her (He really didn't need to exist imo and he really didn't need to last this long only to appear twice).

49 (Valvarad Kurogane): I really dig the idea behind Spanner basically evolving his Black Flames into a new form and using that to manifest a new Driver. I've warmed up on Mr. Worldwide Kitbash, though I'm not entirely sold on the design still. That said, between the Iron Man Repulsors and the Sword Impulse Gundam backpack/dual wielding, it makes for a pretty fun debut fight.

Here is also where I say I wish Gigist was just the final boss because I think he'd work perfectly. But also I just... really like the ending they gave him? In comparison to Germain and Gaelijah who went out kicking and screaming, Gigist legit realizes Spanner evolved the Black Flames further than he could, then congratulates and marks Spanner as his successor before he dies. There's something to be said for a villain who is done with everyone (he yeeted Clotho to a beach just to get her out of the way) but will in turn, give respect and props where they are due if the situation arises.

Also them making unique and additional OST for both the Majade and Valvarad new form debuts really helped make them special.

And so we only have one last Gotchard left. While I have my issues (Geryon being the last boss, Fuga in general, some oddities here and there) I've been enjoying the ride thus far and I can't wait to see how we wrap this all up.