[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

In fact, during the Showa era, many shows touched on such topics, albeit with the naivety characteristic of the era. The poisoned fish on the shelves in Battle Fever immediately comes to mind, but if you dig around, there are a lot of examples.

I can't speak for anything Showa other than the handful of Showa Kamen Rider shows I've seen, but I don't recall any plot like this in those. Still, if it was a common thing of the era, well, hey, that's actually rather interesting especially in comparison to media here in the US from the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I'm kind of curious how Parallel World's economy even works though, since Rasputin called money primitive. Like, what's the alternative, how are VUDO actually resourcing their operations?

Clearly it's all powered by SSOUULLLS!!!

If only they'd invested in eco-technology. Then maybe this whole disaster could've been averted

[DreamSword]

Episode 7

This episode was really stupid, but in like the best way.

Turns out the boss of the national bank wants everything back online despite Spider-Manster threatening and making good on killing them if they interfere, but it's ultimately a moot point because Freddy(the fraudster from last episode) can't combat the advanced viruses that the monster put in the system. As such, he needs Bima to cut off one of Spider-Manster's' fingers so he can analyze it, because after all, the monster used his finger the infect the system in the first place. Also gold makes Rasputin stronger somehow. Don't question it.

It's the type of nonsense that I just absolutely love in the Tokusatsu medium, especially when some genuine heart comes out of it via the characters involved.

While simple, Freddy's' arc of wanting to do right by his dad, which is what ends up working towards redemption and becoming a hero was something I actually found myself enjoying. Yeah, him and his dad could've made off with the bank's' money and no one would've been any wiser, but his father's' strong integrity meant not taking from others, even if they themselves would have to suffer for it. And it's the dad's' belief in his son that ultimately saves the economy.

Integrity seemed to be the sort of central theme of this two-parter, actually. Especially given how this episode starts off with Ray telling Mikhail that, a trap by Rasputin or not, he's not about to do anything that he feels would risk Randy's' life. I guess there was no risk in chopping off the spider's' hand...? Whatever, it's the sentiment that counts.

So, yeah, the plot is kinda dumb in terms of pure logistics, but the emotional core of it all left me overall very satisfied with how it played out. And the super over the top action scenes certainly didn't hurt anything either.

[DreamSword]

Episode 8

This show uh... it took a turn.

Like, look, I get that the whole "not blood siblings!" justification is a thing in fiction, and if it's your thing, fine, but like, I'd rather just Not, ya know?

Does this new detail, of Rena having a crush on Ray, her adopted brother, ruin the show for me? No. One of my favorite anime of all time as a similar detail in it, after all, but it is something I sure could've went without.

With that out of the way, this episode was very focused on furthering character arcs, to the point that the new monster, of whom I'll call Octopardo, is almost like a background detail in comparison, with having basically no major factor into the plot other than it leading the recent attacks on import/export ships.

George is getting closer to figuring out who Bima is and getting his story, Randy is moving to find out the truth behind the family's' past(and even brings up Ray's' brother, Reza), and Ray himself is still trying to get answers out of Mikhail with little avail, all while his self-esteem is really starting to feel the pressure when it comes to heroism.

I found that last aspect to be rather compelling, actually. Ray feels as if he's ultimately not doing much good, given that, sure, he can blow up the Kombatmen and the monsters every week, but that doesn't just undo all of the damage that they've done. Indonesia is still suffering regardless, with the latest plot being a massive food shortage. Mikhail of course does he best to reassure Ray, but that only goes so far.

It's an episode where not alot happens per say, but I was still overall invested due to the personal stakes at play from all sides. As well, assuming Reza wasn't killed, I have my own personal theory as to what might've happened with him, but I'll save that for a future episode.

But yeah, this was very much a setup episode. If not for the overarching plot then most certainly the episode immediately following. See you then.

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 8

This show uh... it took a turn.

Like, look, I get that the whole "not blood siblings!" justification is a thing in fiction, and if it's your thing, fine, but like, I'd rather just Not, ya know?

Does this new detail, of Rena having a crush on Ray, her adopted brother, ruin the show for me? No. One of my favorite anime of all time as a similar detail in it, after all, but it is something I sure could've went without.

I think it's a little disappointing how Belinda is introduced as a potential love interest for Ray, only so the show can bring Rena's vague romantic feelings to the surface. Belinda is generally a cool new character, but sadly she doesn't seem to have much purpose beyond that love triangle.

This is probably the writer Hayase Masato's bias, but since I lack knowledge about Indonesian cultural taboos, maybe I'm not exactly in a position to judge (although Hayase is Japanese). Either way, I agree with you, Rena's subplot here is something I'm not particularly invested in, but it doesn't ruin the show for me or anything like that. I much prefer the sibling dynamic she has with Ray and Randy, without complicating it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

It's an episode where not alot happens per say, but I was still overall invested due to the personal stakes at play from all sides. As well, assuming Reza wasn't killed, I have my own personal theory as to what might've happened with him, but I'll save that for a future episode.

Hmm, I'm curious to eventually find out your theory about Reza.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episode 7

While simple, Freddy's' arc of wanting to do right by his dad, which is what ends up working towards redemption and becoming a hero was something I actually found myself enjoying. Yeah, him and his dad could've made off with the bank's' money and no one would've been any wiser, but his father's' strong integrity meant not taking from others, even if they themselves would have to suffer for it. And it's the dad's' belief in his son that ultimately saves the economy.

Integrity seemed to be the sort of central theme of this two-parter, actually. Especially given how this episode starts off with Ray telling Mikhail that, a trap by Rasputin or not, he's not about to do anything that he feels would risk Randy's' life. I guess there was no risk in chopping off the spider's' hand...? Whatever, it's the sentiment that counts.

"Tokusatsu medium" so even outside of Japan, there are those acknowledged as a toku, of which some call Bima Satria Garuda a "soap opera" like many of Indonesian TV shows... Previously too, Mikhail was someone who has powers even in human form to deflect the Spider-Manster's energy ball and save Bima. Chopping off the spider's hand seems to be just a stage to defeating it, given that he'd destroy it at the end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 8

Like, look, I get that the whole "not blood siblings!" justification is a thing in fiction, and if it's your thing, fine, but like, I'd rather just Not, ya know?

Does this new detail, of Rena having a crush on Ray, her adopted brother, ruin the show for me? No. One of my favorite anime of all time as a similar detail in it, after all, but it is something I sure could've went without.

Oh actually yeah, Rena having a crush on Ray was.... something that was described about her in the show's preview.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

I found that last aspect to be rather compelling, actually. Ray feels as if he's ultimately not doing much good, given that, sure, he can blow up the Kombatmen and the monsters every week, but that doesn't just undo all of the damage that they've done. Indonesia is still suffering regardless, with the latest plot being a massive food shortage. Mikhail of course does he best to reassure Ray, but that only goes so far.

And Indonesia remains a developing country, not developed... He may not be able to do perfect good, there're still the damages as Bima isn't all-powerful. Doesn't mean that aside from the self-loathing, they deserve contempt for those failures, or have the damages being twisted as them ignoring it.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I think it's a little disappointing how Belinda is introduced as a potential love interest for Ray, only so the show can bring Rena's vague romantic feelings to the surface. Belinda is generally a cool new character, but sadly she doesn't seem to have much purpose beyond that love triangle.

Oh, is that the biker lady's' name? Yeah she just kinda like showed up for one scene and then vanished. Obvious setup sure, but kinda weird in terms of the narrative flow of the episode.

Quote:

Hmm, I'm curious to eventually find out your theory about Reza.

In due time...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

"Tokusatsu medium" so even outside of Japan, there are those acknowledged as a toku, of which some call Bima Satria Garuda a "soap opera" like many of Indonesian TV shows.

Hmm, combining a soap opera and superheroics? That's a rather interesting concept that I think the US just might be able to pull off. Obviously they shouldn't have it be another bird themed superhero though. Maybe spider themed? That could work.

Quote:

Chopping off the spider's hand seems to be just a stage to defeating it, given that he'd destroy it at the end.

Yeah, but he only blows up the monster after separating it from its host, with the implication that not doing it would kill said host. So chopping off the hand without a second thought seems kinda reckless.

[DreamSword]

Episode 9

This is an episode that was very close to being perfect for me.

Like last episode, this one furthers the personal arcs of nearly every major character, with some left hanging in a way that almost suggests a 3-parter.

The plots are starting to converge too, with George now tailing Randy as a lead on Bima, and Randy in turn dragging Uncle into an investigation on what exactly went on with the missing parents.

As well, Ray's' hardships as a hero continue to worsen as, in a bout of desperation, many civilians are now beginning to actually work for Octopardo, as the monster essentially makes a monopoly on food. It's to the point that they can be easily convinced to attack Bima on sight.

And this raises an interesting moral dilemma: Is it okay for Bima to fight back against these regular people? Do the ends of defending Indonesia from Vudo justify the means of going through the very people Bima has sworn to protect? Unfortunately, this quandary is never actually addressed as outside of the initial beating from the townsfolk, such a scenario never happens again.

Instead the climax more just plays like the typical climax of your stand episode of BIMA, which, while in and of itself is not exactly bad, it does leave alot to be desired in terms of character development. It's an overall happy ending due to Bima saving the lives of the people who attacked him prior, thus winning their trust again, albeit one that sort of dodges the initial question, ya know? Such a great hook, but one that's a bit wasted.

So... yeah. I did enjoy it due to all the personal stakes at play, and it's not a bad episode by any means; I just wish they'd gone a bit further with it.

[DreamSword]

Episode 10

You ever see someone get beaten to death with a traffic cone?

The Valcus Monster is the main threat this time around, and I think it's got my favorite design of the monster so far; Looking like a monstrous Sasword.

Vudo's' main method of attack this time is one that actually ties into what is probably their primary objective of stealing Earth's' natural resources, with Valcus draining the planet of its electricity.

Speaking of Vudo though, one thing I consistently forget to mention, despite how I appreciate it, is how often BIMA mixes up the opening message of each episode. This one actually featured Rasputin himself talking to the audience, and in past episodes we've had stuff from Bima, Ray, and even Rena.

With that out of the way, this episode was rather straightforward, with it being almost entirely about the monster plot. If nothing else, the power plant made for a cool set to film at, although I dunno if it was the camera they used, or some odd greenscreening or what, but a good handful of the footage appeared to have this sort of out of place comic book-y filter over it.

But yeah. While I'm totally fine with this being a straightforward monster plot, it does leave me with a bit less to talk about. Maybe the second part will give me a bit more than just George and Randy briefly talking like how this one did.

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Oh, is that the biker lady's' name? Yeah she just kinda like showed up for one scene and then vanished. Obvious setup sure, but kinda weird in terms of the narrative flow of the episode.

That's her. Brief scene, but a memorable one for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 9

The plots are starting to converge too, with George now tailing Randy as a lead on Bima, with Randy in turn dragging Uncle into an investigation on what exactly went on with the missing parents.

Good to see Uncle actually helping with the investigation now. I like how Randy takes initiative on this, since Ray has to put his responsibility as Bima first and Rena's still out of the loop. Randy also knew his parents the longest compared to his little sister and adoptive brother, so it makes sense that he would have a strong motivation to solve the mystery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

And this raises an interesting moral dilemma: Is it okay for Bima to fight back against these regular people? Do the ends of defending Indonesia from Vudo justify the means of going through the very people Bima has sworn to protect? Unfortunately, this quandary is never actually addressed as outside of the initial beating from the townsfolk, such a scenario never happens again.

I think it's okay for Bima to defend himself from the manipulated civilians, as long as he doesn't use severe force against them. It's an escalation of Ray's feeling of inadequacy, as now he has to worry about saving people who are actively preventing him from saving them, out of fear that resistance will only make their situation worse. Fortunately, despite not really addressing the problem, the outcome is sufficient enough to restore some of Ray's confidence in his heroism. Especially since one of the people he helped last episode is Belinda, as those two are starting to get close.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Good to see Uncle actually helping with the investigation now. I like how Randy takes initiative on this, since Ray has to put his responsibility as Bima first and Rena's still out of the loop. Randy also knew his parents the longest compared to his little sister and adoptive brother, so it makes sense that he would have a strong motivation to solve the mystery.

It also shows that Randy is doing what he can to help, but knows his limitations. There's no way he can fight the Vudo Empire directly, but he can help work to give Ray some peace of him.

Quote:

Fortunately, despite not really addressing the problem, the outcome is sufficient enough to restore some of Ray's confidence in his heroism. Especially since one of the people he helped last episode is Belinda, as those two are starting to get close.

Yeah, I guess the end result is that Ray staying true to himself pays off with the best outcome. It's not a direct answer to the question, but atleast it works out in the end.