[DreamSword]

Hey there! DS here with his first community project since the Memory of Heroez LP!

The idea here is simple. Just like I did with Power Rangers, I just wanna talk about and highlight episodes across various Toku that are my favorite or that I feel are otherwise noteworthy.

The twist? Each review/highlight will be accompanied by a recorded discussion of said episode. While no doubt some episodes will be me solo, I also wanted to include friends of mine in these discussions: Many of whom you all should well know! But yeah, that's why this is going here in the Podcasts forums rather than the standard Toku Discussions one.

As always, everyone else is free to weigh in on the discussion as well, and if this project catches the eye of anyone else to the point that they'd like to be a part of it, send me a PM and maybe we can set something up over Discord. Just, you know, be respectful as usual. And unlike my Anime thread or Die's' usual discussion threads, spoilers are totally allowed to be discussed! People who haven't seen the shows in question getting discussed have been warned!

Just a quick note though: When it comes to the recordings, if you wish to sync them up with the episodes they cover, I start off every recording with a countdown. It's when you hear me say "Go" that you should press play to sync things up as closely as possible.

With all of that out of the way, let's have some fun!

[DreamSword]

Kamen Rider Blade Episode 1: The Indigo Warrior

Live/audio reaction HERE.

You know, it's been quite an amount of time since I last saw the first episode of Blade.

I picked this as the first episode of this project because not only is it one of the most memorable first episodes in the franchise, but it's also my favorite episode of Blade period.

And heck, going in, I thought this would be really easy to record over. But I ended up finding myself entranced by this episode all over again.

See, Blade's' first episode in infamous for a few things. It's most widely remembered for the memetic moment with Garren towards the end, but also known for being a first episode that not only feels like a second episode, but for being totally crazy in everything that gets thrown at the viewer at once.

And while none of those claims are exactly wrong... I ended up finding myself getting so much more out of this rewatch than what I expected.

I found myself kinda blindsided by just how much this episode has going for it. Yeah there's alot of crazy going on, but there's an equal number of quiet, atmosphere and character building moments too. A sense of mystery and intrigue towards both the characters and the plot is immediately established, and the pacing is surprisingly good!

Not only that, but the cinematography, while not anything revolutionary, did a great job at getting me to really take in the visuals and get absorbed into this world where Kamen Riders are basically a secret service. And there are so many little moments and shots that set foundation for things that would be elaborated upon really well in the episodes to come. There was a method to all of this madness, and I felt it all really paid off!

When I first watched episode 1 of Blade years ago, I was drawn in by all of the crazy happening during the episode. On this rewatch? I appreciate the episode for so much more, and it's undoubtedly one of my favorite first episodes in Kamen Rider as a whole.

Up next: Name and I discuss Power Rangers Dino Charge. Unleash the power!

[DreamSword]

Power Rangers Dino Charge Episode 13: Sync or Swim

You can listen to a live watch/reaction of the episode HERE.

I already made a detailed post about what makes this episode so good in the general Power Rangers thread, so I'll try and make this brief.

This episode is pretty notable for a few reasons, such as the genuinely funny humor, the surprisingly sensible plot from the villains, and the inventive Megazord action. But the biggest thing that stood out to me was the development of Tyler's' character.

See, before this episode I saw him as very much just a standard heroic Red Ranger, but this episode introduced a new element to him that, while certainly easily to poke fun at, actually adds another dimension to him that I really appreciated. Given his backstory, he absolutely should have self-esteem and abandonment issues, and those are in full swing this episode.

It made for some really good interplay with Ivan, and even if the solution is a bit quick and the the problem is very one-sided, it still made for a nice change of pace in terms of Tyler and was a piece of a very enjoyable episode overall, and as such I come out liking it way more than weighing down on it.

Up next: Niko and I discuss Kamen Rider Hibiki. Don't worry, he's well trained!

[DreamSword]

Kamen Rider Hibiki Episode 24: Burning Crimson

Live watch/review can be heard HERE.

It was a bit hard to choose which episode of Hibiki to watch for this thread, honestly, because alot of episodes, especially in the first half, have some really standout stuff that are worth talking about.

Heck, in the first episode alone you have what is no doubt the most unique opening scene of any Kamen Rider show, and just about every episode only ramps up my interests from there on.

Ultimately we decided to go with my favorite episode of the show though, and it's one that I think some people kinda misunderstand? From what little I've gleaned online, some seem to think the ultimate moral of the episode is that it's okay for Hibiki to be hyper-specialized, but not for Todoroki.

And like, while that's technically true, summing it up in that way really removes like, half the entire lesson as well as the context surrounding it. The lesson the episode is attempting to teach is that even if you're extremely skilled or gifted in one specific aspect, relying solely on that one aspect and nothing else isn't going to very effectively carry you through life.

Yes, by training himself in what he's already good at, Hibiki unlocks his new super mode, Crimson Hibiki, which helps to defeat the Summer Makamou, but had this episode taken place in any season other than summer, the tale would've gone much differently. Hibiki's' skillset works here because it's naturally attuned to the situation, which is why Todoroki needs to learn drumming in the first place. It's also shown that Ibuki and Hibiki have undergone training in the other instruments as well, so there's really no hypocrisy here.

To give a bit of a simply comparison, being really good at fixing a car isn't going to directly translate to you being really good at ballroom dancing and vise-versa.

Ontop of that though, the episode carries alot of the stuff that I just really love about the first 29 episodes of Hibiki in general: A warm atmosphere, stylish action, and really charming ad human feeling character interactions. It's got everything, and I really don't think I could ask for any more from it.

Up next: Kamen Rider Die joins me in watching/discussing Kamen Rider Ryuki episode 30, which is inferior to episode 29! I'm sure it'll be the advent to my defeat.

[DreamSword]

Kamen Rider Ryuki Episode 30: Zolda's Lover

You can download the live watch HERE.

Kamen Rider Die and I are forever fated to collab on Ryuki-related content.

Which is actually kinda funny, given that mine and his tastes on Kamen Rider only lines up every now and then.

I suppose it is fitting though, given that a big theme in the show is about how everyone has their own unique perspective and making efforts in seeing and understanding those perspectives is an important part of life.

So when Die proposed episode 30 for this Tokucast, my initial reaction was "Huh?" because I'll be honest, I barely remembered it, especially given that my all-time favorite episode of Ryuki, 29, was right before it and is something that'll stick in my memory until the day I turn senile.

But man, it's impressive that I managed to forget it because this episode is out there. Like, especially in the kind of story that Ryuki is.

It still very much has alot of the same themes and character quirks that the show had up to that point, but it does it in an incredibly outlandish, Inoue way that, if not handled properly, would've felt like something out of a totally different show. But I gotta say, he nailed it. Despite just how outlandish Megumi as a character is, the great cinematography of Ishida really helps to make this episode feel right at home in the world of Ryuki.

In a meta sense, both this episode and 29 also serve as a way to give the viewers a bit of breathing room before getting back into the dire stakes of the main story, and both episodes being legitimately funny really helps in bringing that atmosphere and not coming across as obnoxious. In lesser hands, these episodes would be downright annoying to watch. For me atleast.

Die certainly had a ton to say about this episode, so I highly recommend atleast listening to the episode we recorded rather than just reading me kinda casually go over it in this post. While 29 is still my favorite, I will say that on this rewatch, I did find a good chunk more respect for episode 30, and hopefully as time passes I won't just forget like 80% of it again. It's a fun time!

Up next: A new face to these sorts of projects arrives as GrandComplete joins me in watching episode 6 of Power Rangers Super Mega Force! It's sure to be a Super Mega Win!

[DreamSword]

Power Rangers Super Mega Force Episode 6: Spirit of the Tiger

Live watch/review is HERE.

Be sure to welcome someone brand new to these sorts of projects: GrandComplete! The guy who introduced us all to Legend Heroes!

But to my surprise, he did not approach me about doing an episode on Legend Heroes, no. Rather, it's an episode of a show that's noted to not like very much. The logic being he wanted to show positivity towards a show he dislikes.

And hey, I'm all down for that. I myself have noted that Super Mega Force, despite being a weaker season of Power Rangers, has good stuff in it. And this episode is one of those examples! It serves as a tribute episode to Jungle Fury, and is even written by Casey's' actor, Jason Smith.

The setup, that Jake and Emma feel that they're falling behind the group and need some guidance in order to get back on their feet, is a good one, and even ties into Azim Rizk's' own headcanon about Jake in that Jake has low self-esteem. It also ties into Jungle Fury's' own themes of self-improvement and insecurities, showing that Jason Smith knew the show he was in.

There's some solid cinematography here too with things like the gradual face reveal of Casey and the well choreographed training session between Jake and Emma. And on that note, the martial arts styles Casey trains the two in being directly tied to their Mega Force animals is a great touch, and even ties into the Animal Spirits of Jungle Fury rather nicely. As a tribute episode, this hits all the marks!

Casey himself is interesting here too. Being alot more grounded and straightforward than what he was in his own show. While I do miss some of that fiery energy he had from Jungle Fury proper, I suppose his characterization here is to show that he's gorwn older, wiser, and more mature, and I'm all around fine with that. Though I am super confused about his sudden disappearance towards the end of the episode like... was he a ghost the whole time!? It's so weird!

Regardless, this is a pretty solid episode all around and I hope you enjoy listen to GrandComplete's' own thoughts about both the episode and the season as a whole like I did!

Next time: A friend of mine who you've all never met or heard of joins me in talking about Toei Spider-Man episode 39! WOW!

[DreamSword]

Toei Spider-Man Episode 39: The World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament

Live watch/reaction can be downloaded HERE.

Detective Tachibana is hands down the coolest character in this version of Spider-Man.

Dude is played by the same actor who played Kamen Rider V3, his backstory is a really engaging and sympathetic one, and he's a literal Cowboy Cop with a machine gun guitar! There's a reason he's one of the few side characters to show up twice.

39 is the second episode that Tachibana takes part in, and it's every bit as fun as the first. And yeah, Tachibana is a big part of that, but like most episodes of Toei Spider-Man, there's so much that goes into this that just makes for a great time watching it. Given the title, the most obvious being the really fun action scenes during the tournament.

But the thing that stands out to me most, just like many an episode of the show, is the surprisingly human element that goes into the entire story. The character intrigue with Tachibana and his son, Takuya's' dedication to keeping the lives of families together after what he's been through, and the active attempts at breaking the mind control placed by the Iron Cross Army rather than just simply beating up Samurai Cop.

Oh, yeah, should probably mention that too. In this universe, if you're an Ace Cop, you get your own unique motif that makes you like 30 times more badass. Cowboy Cop, Samurai Cop, you name it! It's the sort of silly element that only serves to enhance just how fun this show is to watch in general alongside all of the more dramatic elements in play, and man do I love every second of it. Add on stuff like the Nazi Spider and Spider-Man declaring he's the best martial artist in the world despite him losing, and this is just a fun time all around.

Supaidahman is so much more than just the meme GIFs circulating the internet, and I love watching it every time.

Up next: I plan to get into the holiday spirit with one of my favorite Christmas specials! It's the sort of Toku Christmas one can only dream of.

[DreamSword]

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Season 3 Episode 16: I'm Dreaming of a White Ranger

Listen to me, Androzani, and En-chan watch the episode live HERE.

This is another episode that I've written up a detailed breakdown on, and as such you already know this is one of my favorite episodes.

And to sum it all up as to why, well, not only is it one of the few Christmas Specials, heck, one of the few episodes of Power Rangers in general to be composed of entirely original footage, but I also consider it the most wholesome episode in the entire franchise.

The episode perfectly embodies everything I love not only about the average PR episode, but also just about everything I love in Christmas episodes/movies. So you get an episode that is not only fun to watch, but one that just leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy in the end too. And really, I think everyone could use something like that during the holidays.

By the way, something to note that I forgot to when typing up my original post: The same Santa featured in this episode also appears in both Masked Rider as well as VR Troopers. That's actually some nice bit of continuity to have across Saban's' various Toku shows. Shout out to Androzani for reminding me of that tidbit.

But... yeah. This is just a really feel good experience all around, and it remains my favorite episode of the season that it's in.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Up next: A friend who really opened my eyes to how great Lightspeed Rescue is and I watch, well, what else? Lightspeed! Rescue!

[DreamSword]

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue Episode 11: From Deep in the Shadows

Podcast episode is HERE.

Another episode that I've done a post on before! And in that post I mention a specific friend of mine that I rewatched the show with.

So who better to have with me for reviewing my favorite episode of Lightspeed Rescue with? And as it turns out, it's actually his favorite episode too, and part of that is all thanks to one line that stands out: "He's my son."

My buddy notes that it's a line that really stuck with him all throughout his memories of the show, and I agree that it's a very impactful one in terms of the overall narrative. But even besides that, there's alot going on in this episode that really makes it stand out.

What most people will likely remember it for is the introduction of the Titanium Ranger; The first US original Power Ranger. And yeah, that in itself is cool, but everything both surrounding and involving said intro is done incredibly well. From the build up, to the atmosphere, to the wonderful fight choreography once the suit is all in, it makes for one heck of a first impression.

The advancing of both the plot and a few character arcs(including kicking off Ryan's') is a great plus too. There's really nothing bad I can think to say about this one. It's just an engrossing time all around, and sets the stage for more greatness to come from PRLR. I really gotta thank my friend for showing me just how much good stuff this season had to offer. It's a great time from start to finish.

Up next: I have no idea! It'll surprise me just as much as it does you I'm sure.

[DreamSword]

GARO Episode 5: Moonlight

Listen to the audio podcast version HERE.

Another episode that I've posted about my love for. So once again, I'll try to keep this short.

Episode five of GARO is directed by Kengo Kaji, who was also one of the writers on the show and by god did he do an incredible job with this one. That opening sequence was when I knew I was fully invested in everything that GARO had to offer.

As stellar as the opening is, it's not even just that, as the entire episode works to balance both the more action oriented side of the typical GARO episode with this unique feeling plot that plays out like a murder mystery horror film.

The amount of information that's able to be portrayed with every character involved in such a short timeframe is impressive too, with very little of the dialogue feeling unnatural or forced. Heck, this episode marks the point where Kaoru puts in more of an effort to try and understand Koga, though unfortunately, Koga doesn't quite feel the same just yet.

And with all of that, the action is still good and the performances, especially on Koga, are very solid, meaning that the cinematography, while putting in great work, isn't doing all of the carrying here. It's just a wonderfully engrossing package all around.

Is it a perfect episode? No, but it's one that grabbed me and never let go, and that makes it very special to me.