[DreamSword]

Episode 5: That Guy's the Rival!

This is now the second Tokusatsu episode I've seen this year that features an old couple staring at a moon of ill-intent.

Thankfully this one didn't end up nearly as tragic.

We surprisingly get an episode that's alot more focused on the overarching plot this episode, with the reveal of who the Ghost Lady that only Kenji can see is, as well as the identity of Evil Kamen Rider Knight. They're known as Komachi and Jack Moon, respectively.

And in terms of character arcs, this episode is about Kenji needing to learn that this isn't a conflict that he can win all by himself, and that while he might be getting alot of new toys, he's far from invincible.

It's overall a fun episode, and the way it flows reminded me alot of GARO(that and well, the evil moon thing); if GARO had like half its budget, given all the CGI set pieces featured in the episode. Which, sure, especially nowadays it's nothing impressive to look at, but it does make for a really cool setting for the climax to take place in.

Jack Moon himself makes for a fun rival character too. He's the the honor thing of Koragg from Power Rangers Mystic Force, and also like Koragg, you can tell that this guy means business when he fights. He even interrupts the transformation sequence! Twice!

I'm just sad that the Ghost Lady bit is gonna be going away for awhile. It made for some really good gags in the past few episodes.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Jack Moon

Or as I like to call him Kamen Rider Makai Knight.

[Enchilada645]

This was a pretty fun episode, very much a wake-up call for Kenji. I'm glad we get a bit more clarity on Komachi and her whole deal, kind of. We know she's a spirit and someone notable from the city but only Kenji can see her, so I'm curious as to why this is.

That said Jack Moon really stole the show for me. Dude shows up to try and figure out the deal with SHOT, gets his fights in and decides to back off when he realizes that Kenji can provide a better challenge in the future. Now that's what I call a cool villain general.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

Or as I like to call him Kamen Rider Makai Knight.

That is his general fit, yeah.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

That said Jack Moon really stole the show for me. Dude shows up to try and figure out the deal with SHOT, gets his fights in and decides to back off when he realizes that Kenji can provide a better challenge in the future. Now that's what I call a cool villain general.

And he can turn into the moon! Nothing rough about that!

[DreamSword]

Episode 6: One-Hit Finisher: Dragon Cannon

DeviantArt joke.

Fudo gets to be the hero this time around, as the newest Key unlocks a new finishing move for Ryugunoh.

And, man, I really relate to his plight in this one, with everyone calling him old even though he's still young. I actually had a similar experience, wherein a friend would tease me by calling me "Old Man" alot. With similar results.

That aside, this episode was... alright. Despite being the one who gets to be the hero in the end, the episode doesn't focus nearly as much on Fudo as I'd like; With about 70% of it still very much focusing on Kenji. Whenever it's not focused on BalloonGunner, atleast.

The gags and action are also pretty basic. I did get a decent chuckle out of the scene where the policegirl dup whip out shotguns though. And BalloonGunner needed to tether itself to a tower in the center of town so it doesn't float off was a nice touch.

Outside of that, this one was just a very okay time.

[Sunred]

Seeing your reviews, DreamSword, and especially your current sig, has me thinking Kenji's sukajan (his satin embroidered souvenir jacket, for those not familiar with the term) is one of my favorite wardrobe choices in tokusatsu. I believe the next hero to wear a sukajan was Chiaki/Shinken Green in Shinkenger. And those jackets are quite pricy according to what I googled, at least the authentic ones are.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

Seeing your reviews, DreamSword, and especially your current sig, has me thinking Kenji's sukajan (his satin embroidered souvenir jacket, for those not familiar with the term) is one of my favorite wardrobe choices in tokusatsu. I believe the next hero to wear a sukajan was Chiaki/Shinken Green in Shinkenger. And those jackets are quite pricy according to what I googled, at least the authentic ones are.

In this case, given that Gentaro only appeared in Fourze wearing such a jacket once, he (in the show) and the Toei wardrobe staff (in real life) borrowed it temporarily.

[Enchilada645]

Yeah this was a pretty alright episode.

It's neat to have Ryugunoh take point though the leadup to that is just a training sequence we kinda see but it seems like it only amounts to Fudo practicing the finisher again and again until he can properly brace.

Also it's amusing how in the SHOT Information segment they say Dragon Cannon "instantly reduces anything to atoms" since that did not happen at all lol. Kenji had to do a finisher on a large bit of BalloonGunner to actually finish it off and get the key in the end.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

Seeing your reviews, DreamSword, and especially your current sig, has me thinking Kenji's sukajan (his satin embroidered souvenir jacket, for those not familiar with the term) is one of my favorite wardrobe choices in tokusatsu. I believe the next hero to wear a sukajan was Chiaki/Shinken Green in Shinkenger. And those jackets are quite pricy according to what I googled, at least the authentic ones are.

I imagine it's also very practical when filming during the colder months!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

It's neat to have Ryugunoh take point though the leadup to that is just a training sequence we kinda see but it seems like it only amounts to Fudo practicing the finisher again and again until he can properly brace.

Him flying through the window did give me a chuckle, I will say.

[DreamSword]

Episode 7: I Summon You! Gorilla Beast King!

I was rather jiving with this one at first, only to end up with mixed feelings by the end.

A major part of the plot is an old man's' relationship with his son, who rather than taking up the family business, it focusing on a musical career.

And a plot like that, in a show like this, kinda writes itself, right? The father and son see value in eachother's' paths in life, and learn to compromise and love one another despite their difference.

Except... no. By the end, it's all but flat out stated that the dad was right in that his son was only wasting his time and that a life of heavy metal was never a serious thing, nor should it ever be taken seriously. Traditional work is the only thing that qualifies as real work.

It just left a really bad taste in my mouth. Especially after the episode itself had been doing such a great job at using these two as a vehicle to do some more excellent world building when it comes to Akebono City(well, them and the police). It'd be like if you were enjoying a really good pizza, only for the final bite of it to be suddenly filled with coleslaw.

The other aspect of the plot is a continuation of the gag that Kenji can't ever get along with the Beast Kings that he acquires. This time it's Fire Kong, of whom he tries to find various ways to tame but to no avail until he learns from the father and son from beforehand. In that regard, both plots are tied together alot better than the two plots of episode 2 were. And they were almost equally enjoyable too. Which is a rather nice step up.

In the end, I don't out and out dislike the episode, as it still has alot of the stuff I enjoy about Ryukendo as a whole, but man, what a letdown of an ending.