[DreamSword]

Episode 2: In Charge of Planning

DS: My boy is back! And he still has the Buddy Blaster from season 2!

En-chan: I'm honestly glad he kept it as a sidearm because it's so cool.

Androzani: I mean, he seems cool. But given I'm not familiar with the other series, I can't invest much in this guy.

DS: All you need to know is that he's the best. And that's despite the fact that the wardrobe department decided to make him wear a hoodie that makes him look sweaty in half the shots of this episode.

Speaking of being sweaty though, this episode is about Mako getting her start as a hero. And in a series of events that reminded me alot of certain early episodes of Legend Heroes and Gaim, actually.

Androzani: And we have a name for the talking sheath now: Kireko.

En-chan: I'm unfamiliar with Legend Heroes, but I did get heavy early Gaim vibes for sure.

Because let's be real, if you got to transform into a cool looking hero? You'd probably do the same.

DS: Listen.

Anyways, I was actually surprised that Jiro/Rookie came in this early, given how he was handled in Nice Buddy. But since it seems like he's being used as a vehicle to get Mako introduced to the other Dogengers, I suppose it makes sense.

En-chan: Considering his role as protagonist in the prior series, it does make sense he's the first to meet the new girl.

And it's also adorable how he realizes "Oh I'm the Senpai now" when getting to know her.

DS: And yet he's still called Rookie. Hilarious.

Androzani: Gotta preserve that branding.

DS: But yeah, turns out that the Ghost Samurai is Kireko, and he doesn't remember anything else about himself. As such, most of the episode is more about how Mako's' character arc isn't anywhere near over yet, and we get a better idea of the supporting cast too. I like the angle they took with everything, all things considered.

Androzani: We also get the OP and ED introduced in this episode. The former being very "teenage girl" coded in terms of lyrics, and the latter following the modern standard of it being a dancing theme.

DS: Both sequences really made me want a crossover with Gotchard. And I haven't even seen that show yet.

En-chan: They do give similar vibes, so I can see why.

DS: That said, the songs themselves didn't really nab me as much as previous ones did. But I'm sure they'll grow on me over time.

En-chan: I do appreciate the intentional references to the various characters in the ED though.

Androzani: I don't have much reference for Dogengers' traditional fare, so... I do like them as songs.

DS: But how did you guys feel about the angle with Mako in this one? I thought that them pointing out that "average" is relative was pretty smart. And it definitely tied into Mako's' own insecurities pretty well. You can tell that Yabai Kamen really hit her in the soul without even trying when the two fought.

Androzani: It seemed like an interesting angle to take.

En-chan: I did like how they ended up going about it.

She changed yeah, but she's still really fresh in a bigger brand new world. And said world isn't pulling any punches given Yabai Kamen was on his A-Game during their first scuffle.

DS: Oh yeah. It was so nice to see Yabai Kamen as a legit threat again after his showing in season 2.

Androzani: I have a joke related to that I stole from someone else, but I can't share it until the endgame.

DS: Speaking of character dynamics compared to the previous season though. It was pretty fun to see that Great-2 now just kinda pals around with everyone else.

En-chan: Dude has a spot at the dinner table now... even if he's more concerned about trying to figure out poses.

DS: Listen, it's arguably the most important part of being a toku hero.

En-chan: So true.

DS: The only other thing that stood out to me on this one was a certain bit when Mako was practicing her powers. Wherein she lets out an energy wave that slices up a nearly radio antennae. Could be a one off gag, sure, but hey, maybe it'll lead somewhere.

Androzani84: As for me, I wonder how she figured out how to transform back between defeating her starter villain and coming home.

DS: Well, I mean, apparently all you gotta do is wave the sheath, so it wouldn't be too difficult to figure out, I imagine.

Actually, I slightly take back what I said earlier. One other thing: Daisuke, the dude she has a crush on. It's a very quick scene, but I liked that they showed how MAKO's' words actually had an effect on him. Mako probably doesn't realize it yet, but she's already started becoming a hero in her own right, transformation aside. And it was nice to see.

Androzani: Though we are doing the "loves my alter ego" thing as a trade off (Though without the "likes Clark Kent, Hates Superman" part that's become more prominent lately).

DS: I'm sure it'll work out.

En-chan: Knowing Dogengers, it probably will.

DS: Was there any other bits that stood out to you guys?

Androzani84: Can't say there are any in this episode.

En-chan: I did like towards the end where it's pretty much all but said that we'll be using the cultural festival plotline as a way to introduce Mako to the rest of our past heroes.

Androzani84: And it's not a high school show unless there's a culture fesitval episode

DS: And if SSSS.Gridman is anything to go by, there's sure to be crossdressing involved.

Androzani: Wait, that's not what I--

DS: But there you have it. A rather straightforward episode that kicks us off into the main plot while be a fun ride in its own right. See you next time!