[GoldenXtreme]

I'm glad to hear you liked Rescue Fire, I also enjoyed it a lot! I agree with your comment that is is definitely a show for kids, without much consideration for an older viewers, but it is a lovely experience if you are willing to accept what the show is aiming for. While it never delves into overly serious drama, the characters still have good arcs and the episodes are usually well written, with thoughtful lessons. It is also being packed full of the most awesomely hotblooded rescue and giant mecha action you could hope for! It was also a huge improvement over Rescue Force, which was charming but felt very amateur at times. After I was done I definitely found myself feeling sad that Takara Tomy never really tried to make a tokusatsu again, because I think they made something that had a unique appeal compared to other tokusatsu series out there.

Still haven't seen Ryukendo, but I plan to at some point of course. Rescue Fire might be a bit tough to beat though!

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

Speaking of Metal Hero shows and their eternal aspiration to leave me with no strong opinions, I watched Shaider. It... It was just Sharivan but worse, what am I even supposed to say?! To be fair, it did have a few things that stood out. Annie is a much more impactful heroine than Lily was in Sharivan and the visuals try to play up the surrealness factor. And is that... a male actor who spends the entire show dressed in glamorous women's clothes? Pretty wild for the 80s. But overall the show is just not particularly compelling, with very standard episodes for the genre, to the point I could barely maintain my focus on it as I watched. Meh stuff!

It also has one of the all-time greatest tokusatsu Christmas episodes.

[GoldenXtreme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

It also has one of the all-time greatest tokusatsu Christmas episodes.

Okay I will admit, the demonic ritual with the invested crucifix with a santa doll tied to it was some incredible imagery.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

After I was done I definitely found myself feeling sad that Takara Tomy never really tried to make a tokusatsu again, because I think they made something that had a unique appeal compared to other tokusatsu series out there.

Well, in 2020 Takara Tomy released a mecha anime, which is also good. I still hope they return to tokusatsu someday, because their shows were really very good and heartfelt, and also unique in their lack own way.

[GuardianAngel87]

I am now down to the final four episodes of B-Fighter Kabuto. I might actually be done with the show either tonight or tomorrow and that it will be the sixth Metal Heroes series I was able to finish as of this year along with Jiban, Janperson, Blue SWAT, Juspion, and Juukou B-Fighter. This also means that Jiraiya and the Rescue Police Trilogy will be the only shows that still remained unaccounted for in the overall franchise.

[GoldenXtreme]

I really enjoyed the first Zeiram film, so I tried the second one too! It felt like a more limited film, but it was still pretty fun and it was nice to see the cast again. The original film has a ton of really indulgent special effect scenes, while this movie is lighter on them. Zeiram takes on a radically different form in this movie too, being a more robotic, fox-like version. The more disgusting and biological design from the first film wins for me easily, especially given the overwhelming sense of menace it has as a foe that simply would not die. Still, if you crave more Zeiram actions its worth a watch!

[GuardianAngel87]

I managed to finish B-Fighter Kabuto as of yesterday and with that, I have watched both B-Fighter shows that are used as source material for Beetleborgs. I think I am going to rewatch Spielban and then Metalder before jumping into Jiraiya.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

I watched Tomica Hero Rescue Fire. I liked that it was like a crossover of the ideas of Rescue Force (the concept of a rescue team, the general style, the emphasis on cool vehicles, and in general it is a direct sequel with the appearance of characters from there) and Ryukendo (swords, dragons and demons as antagonists instead of cars from Rescue Force).

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

I'm glad to hear you liked Rescue Fire, I also enjoyed it a lot!

Best part of the show? Gaia Leon.
I seriously hope Takaratomy releases a high-end action figure of it now that they have their T-Spark and Toyrise stuff going for them.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

Best part of the show? Gaia Leon.

And what a song he has! Definitely a hit.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

And what a song he has! Definitely a hit.

Indeed. Props to Masaaki Endoh for that, the man who gifted us a song for a show about a robot with a lion's head on its chest way back in 1997.