[DreamSword]

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Originally Posted by Enchilada645

I do like that even though he got a new form, Ray still wants to train to use it properly. I also like that since Helios is sentient, it basically gets to be his training partner. It's also interesting to see we're not getting everything about a form right away, given we just now got a new weapon and finisher a couple of episodes after its debut.

Yeah, that was a nice touch for sure. Although it basically cements that Ray has certainly had a shift since his early heroing days. Given that this training session amount to "I need to keep getting stabbed until I learn better!"

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I think my only little miff is that I think Iron Mask's new arm cannon is a tad dinky looking for how much power it packs.

Like many redesigns in BIMA-X, I think Iron Mask's' new looks is inferior to his original design. However, I do rather like it for what it is, so I'm not that broken up about it.

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

While I was also a little confused about the minimalistic form changes at first, I eventually started to like them. Ray has the strongest synchronization with Power Stone Merah, so I think it kind of makes sense that most of the suit stays the same. This design concept may have been ahead of its time, since a year later we got a Rider whose form changes were just wearing different jackets. I think Bima-X does it better than Agito anyway, since Bima-X at least changes the head.

Oh yeah, the design philosophy is certainly there: The other stones being augments slapped ontop of a pre-existing core. Just like, in terms of pure aesthetics it clashes, ya know?

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Like that short instrumental track that plays when Bima-X assumes Storm Mode. Each form has its own variation and I love how it sets the mood for the new form.

Oh yeah, that jingle is good stuff and I await more of 'em.

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Another sign of the franchise's improvement in Tokusatsu quality, as this ghost ship setting feels climactic, like something you'd typically expect to see much later. The staff are seriously showing off and it's awesome! Totally a strong first impression from Kihara Daisuke, the writer for this 2-parter and also the next one.

I'd be surprised if it turned out that BIMA-X somehow didn't have a bump in budget compared to its predecessor, given just how much shiny new stuff we've been seeing at such a rapid pace.

[Sunred]

Welp, sorta off topic, but I just remembered Bandai did the action figures for this series.

I think they used the same template they use for their non-figuarts Ultraman action figures, or a variation of it maybe. Just wanted to share this with y'all while the Bima hype is strong over here.

[DreamSword]

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Originally Posted by Sunred

Welp, sorta off topic, but I just remembered Bandai did the action figures for this series.

I think they used the same template they use for their non-figuarts Ultraman action figures, or a variation of it maybe. Just wanted to share this with y'all while the Bima hype is strong over here.

Oh man, I might have to hunt those down unless one day the stars align and we get BIMA SHFs.

[DreamSword]

Episode 7: A Hungry Monster Craving for Prey

Episode 8: Fight On, Flame-Powered Cook!

This... was almost Ryukendo levels of shitpost.

And I mean that in the most endearing way possible, mind you. I seriously was not expecting these two episodes to be as laugh out loud funny as they were!

It's like the minds behind this show saw the Pudgey Pig episode of Power Rangers and decided to just run as long as far with that idea as they possibly could. And really, bless them for it.

Possibly even more surprising is that the episodes actually managed to have a theme about legacy. The cookbook made by Rena's' mom plays an important part in all of this, and tying into that is the mysterious portal device that's left to Rena and Randy in a nice callback to the old show.

It really has been impressing me just how much BIMA-X is following up on when it comes to BIMA. Some might see it as a bit of detriment, as you basically have to have seen the first show to get the full effect, but given that this is a direct sequel, I am here for it and really digging it so far. Really hoping the show is able to keep up this momentum.

Anyway, yeah, this was just a really fun two episodes all around. No complaints.

[Enchilada645]

Okay yeah, this was a fun set of episodes. The comedy was on point and we got some amusing action scenes as a result. My favorite bit is Ray confronting the monster in the grocery store, cue the opening credits, and then when we come back we find they're now in the forest with the monster still having the cart he was shopping with.

We also get some minor plot/callback stuff with Rena and Randy's parents, but it's nice to just have a normal set of episodes that isn't either setting up the status quo or obtaining a new form.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

My favorite bit is Ray confronting the monster in the grocery store, cue the opening credits, and then when we come back we find they're now in the forest with the monster still having the cart he was shopping with.

Didn't even return it to the holding area. Truly, he was a monster.

[DreamSword]

Episode 9: The Sleepless Hero

Episode 10: Uncovering Ricca's Mystery!

Technically a two-parter, but also not?

The two episodes aren't directly connected, but the second episode does come about as a result of the first, if that makes any sense.

In the first, Zacros is at work giving everyone nightmares, and it's a fun episode that has a nice bit of callbacks to the stuff he did in the first show. I did so enjoy the newspaper coming back. They knew how iconic that was.

And for the second, Ricca's' actions in the first episode result in Iron Mask wanting to uncover just who the heck Ricca is and who she's working for, given that's helped Bima-X out twice now while clearly knowing alot more than any normal person would.

Both episodes excel in different areas, with episode 9 doing great in terms of comedy and some insight into the psychology of the core cast with their nightmares. Whereas episode 10 is much more action oriented. Both do feature some fun fight choreography though, and episode 10 is another episode that has a great musical score to it.

And speaking of great music, given the dream-like nature of the song itself, I suppose now would be as good a time as any to highlight BIMA-X's' ending credits theme, "Let Tomorrow Be" by flumpool. Just like I think of "Seperti Bintang" whenever I think of BIMA, I feel the same goes for this song and BIMA-X. It absolutely blew me away when it first played during the end credits of The Beginning, and its overall melody and atmosphere are just wonderful to experience. Big fan of songs like this.

Anyway, yeah, these were solid enough episodes. And while the show for sure wants us to be just as invested in Ricca as Iron Mask is, what with her healing pod and secret organization ties, I feel as though there is currently a much bigger mystery at hand that I demand an answer to.

Who the heck is Chris Ruslan? For those who don't know who I'm talking about, he's the news reporter who's shown up in almost every episode so far, and notably, he's one of the few people unaffected by Zacros' sleep spell this time around. I'm starting to think that the dude is secretly Rexor in disguise or something, what with his constantly wearing sunglasses and all.

Oh, and I guess knowing what Randy's' nightmare was would've been nice too, even if ignoring it did make for a funny bit.

[Enchilada645]

Yeah, these two episodes were fairly separate from each other in regards to the plots. Though they are connected so I suppose it works in covering them together.

Zacros continues to be fairly entertaining and considering the bit at the end with his staff I can only assume he's not as done as Bima-X thinks he is. I also loved the bit at the start of 9 where Ray is just so tired he can barely transform and fight. Even though it's part of his plan, even Iron Mask can't help but groan at how pathetic that whole sequences is lol. Though in regards to him, yeah, he just needs to keep his cloak on the whole time. I feel like it just completes his look way too well so when he took it off in his debut, he looked really weird.

Speaking of villains though I was surprised to see that our trio of dinosaur masked Vudo Generals do indeed have full monster costumes. I was curious ever since it looked like Lady Mossa was about to get serious against Azellot. But not only do we get to see Draconer's we even get a little glimpse at Rexor's too. Very cool.

That said, yeah while Ricca is intriguing you do bring up a good point about Chris Ruslan. While I wouldn't say he's entirely suspicious it is odd that a reoccurring character like him is actually alright, especially when his crew is also falling asleep on the job.

Also that sky battle at the end of Episode 10 was insane.

[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by Enchilada645

Okay yeah, this was a fun set of episodes. The comedy was on point and we got some amusing action scenes as a result. My favorite bit is Ray confronting the monster in the grocery store, cue the opening credits, and then when we come back we find they're now in the forest with the monster still having the cart he was shopping with.

I recall Zoik was popular as a meme at the time, due to his comedic selfish personality and how he can hold up a sign for any situation. Even though he's also kind of a creep to Rena, I welcome isopod representation in Tokusatsu. Seems that Indonesia has more respect than Japan for this underrated species, as it took another 8 years to see one in King-Ohger.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episode 9: The Sleepless Hero

Episode 10: Uncovering Ricca's Mystery!

Technically a two-parter, but also not?

The two episodes aren't directly connected, but the second episode does come about as a result of the first, if that makes any sense.

In the first, Zacros is at work giving everyone nightmares, and it's a fun episode that has a nice bit of callbacks to the stuff he did in the first show. I did so enjoy the newspaper coming back. They knew how iconic that was.

That explains why I don't remember too much about this pair, similar to 16-17 of Bima. I totally remember that cool Zacros moment though and Ray trying his best to Berubah while fighting his drowsiness.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Who the heck is Chris Ruslan? For those who don't know who I'm talking about, he's the news reporter who's shown up in almost every episode so far, and notably, he's one of the few people unaffected by Zacros' sleep spell this time around. I'm starting to think that the dude is secretly Rexor in disguise or something, what with his constantly wearing sunglasses and all.

Well, the last reporter George got brutally murdered by Valcus in Bima Episode 11, so Chris should be careful not to suffer the same occupational hazard of journalism. He's pretty good at showing up whenever the action starts though. Hmm....

[DreadBringer]

So you combined the thread for Bima-X too.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Sure, I could see some people calling it a retcon that Rasputin was only a small piece of the Vudo Empire, but not only am I used to other shows having similar hooks(Voltron, for example), but given the sequel hook at the end of the first show I really didn't feel like it at all came out of nowhere.

Topeng Besi already mentioned Black Priest in Bima's final episode anyway. And I do get grateful that Reino Barack made the sequel, as he'd only make the sequel if the reception is good enough, and I doubt if the Indonesian folks would give this a good reception, as they're easy to label anything as a ripoff (tbf, Indonesia does have a lot of blatant ripoff cases), like calling this a Power Rangers ripoff.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

If I had to give one notable gripe, and it's not even a major one, I'm sad to say that it's the Bima-X suit itself. Now, it and of itself, it's not a bad suit. But when compared to what came before it? It doesn't even hold a candle. And I get it, it's really tough competition, because the Bima and Azazel suits are basically perfect suits all around, but even so, this is a direct sequel, and as such the comparison must be made. And as such, it falls short. Thankfully though it's made up for by having a way better transformation sequence. Wings of fire might be considered a cliche at this point, but it's one I'll never not love.

Different tastes, but I like the Bima-X suit better than Bima's previous suit.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episode 1: The Return of the Garuda Satrias

Episode 2: Hurry! Save Earth from the Eruption!

The second part meanwhile, while still heavy on the action, does lay some ground work for an ongoing plot, and even features the roles for Ray, Reza, and a new character who seems oddly interested in the Power Stones, while also working for a mysterious benefactor. There's little bits of comedy in both episodes, but it's mostly action all around.

Ricca too, was portrayed by another JKT48 member, Thalia.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Last but not least, I'm also glad they brought Ungu back for the opening song. But just like when comparing the Bima-X suit to Bima, while the new song is nice... man, it just doesn't compare to Seperti Bintang. Again, it's really tough competition, almost unfairly so, but still, it must be said.

Of course, the local involvement must continue, as the Indonesian folks tend to have an inlander mentality and mock anything about their country compared to the developed countries. Though the Indonesian opening song and Japanese ending song may balance those that want only one of them, the Indonesian stuff must stand on equal ground with the Japanese stuff. The writer for this show is the current Kamen Rider, Gavv's writer, Junko Komura. This time I do feel that Seperti Bintang is better than Kembali Bertahan.