#please watch liveman its so

[mo-ok]

🐬💙🐬💙🏹💙🐬💙🐬

[furederiko]

Azald is singing to the tune of "True to Your Heart" now... and apparently, so does Yamato! Only on the 45th episode of Zyuohger. And yes, just three episodes left, everyone...

NOTE: A quick reminder, starting last week, I've changed the format of my weekly recap-view. So don't be alarmed if you found this one to be less detailed as well. That's just how it works now... :)

- Very early on in the episode, our Gorilla Zyuman Larry's warning immediately comes into play. Zyuoh Bird loses his strength as soon as he performs his grandiose-looking (and still personal favorite) "Glide Feather Slash" to the Moebas. Making him an easy target for Azald now. - Following Tusk's guide, Mario cooks a specialty dish called "Jungle Rice" for the Zyuman. All because he's curious and wants to learn about the Zyuland culture, fulfulling his new role as Zyuoh Human. This is nothing but another aggravating reason why the show should've let Mario in with the secret much MUCH earlier. It would have been more fun to see him learning the ways of the Zyuland, while the Zyumans are doing the same to Earth's. IMHO, THAT could've been a great approach the show could and should've capitalized very early on. The assimiliation of different cultures from different worlds is a massive potential of exploration on its own. The fact that they are saving it 45 episodes later only succeeds in making me scratch my head. - As if continues to remind us that the finale is near, Lucky / ShishiRed of the upcoming "Uchu Sentai Kyuranger" has been officially shown in the opening. After all, the Versus Movie has already premiered last Saturday, so technically it's no longer a spoiler (at least to those who have seen that movie). Gaaawd, that design looks nice, doesn't it? Especially the 'starry-sky' visor area. The same sequence also hints that Bard appears in the movie. Depending on when this movie takes place (before this episode, or after the series ends), this fact can be considered spoiler. Then again, it's more likely that the event on the movie takes place during the year end-New Year break though, which explains why Misao had those promotional... er, I mean pairing cards last week. - Wow, Azald has the ability to enter Zyuoh King Octopus' not-really-that-crowded cockpit area. Likely due to the Zyuoh Cubes that are trapped inside his body. Similar to Kubar, Azald suddenly gets an increase in ability, which means his time in the show shouldn't be long now. There are only 3 episodes left anyways. LOL. - I was quite curious to know how that piece of blue cube from Azald's body would be explained, and turns out that's where Larry comes to play! Obviously he's the smart elder type who does scientific analysis and research, so it doesn't take long for him to connect the dots and pieces the puzzle together. He deduces that Misao's Zyuoh the World gadgets were created from the same substance! I've completely forgotten that it's an unsolved mystery until now. This means things are all coming together. Hmmm... you know what? Similar to Mario, I think Larry is another character who should've been incorporated more in the show. Imagine what kind of contributions he could provide if he's working as the team's official support! By the way, Misao's fishing chair has a "Nice Day Good Fishing" written on it. Japan and their Engrish never ceases to please me. LOL. - I love surprises. Nope, let me correct that. I love PLEASANT surprises. Especially when it comes to storytelling. Eventhough Zyuohger has managed to give me minor ones several times, it is so unfortunate that Super Sentai is a franchise known to reveal too much too soon, making things almost seems too predictable. A good example of this? The next episode's preview practically spoils the fact that Bard and Yamato's estranged father are familiar with each other. If I'm guessing correctly, rescuing Bard must've been the reason why Mr. Kazakiri arrived late to see his wife on her death bed. The exact fact that made Yamato resented his father so much. That might also be the main reason why Bard is somehow compelled (and perhaps, obligated) to protect Yamato at all cost. Acting as some kind of surrogate-father, considering he's partially responsible for the whole father-son rift. That's my theory for now, let's see next week whether it is sound or not... - Speak of the devil (in red), it's very fitting that Amu's the one who confronts Yamato about his father. After all, she was the one who immediatelly noticed the tension between Yamato and Dr. Kazakiri at the hospital (episode 42). Proven over and over again as the most observant Zyumans of the team, we also need to remember that Amu is the closest one to Yamato in terms of personal feelings. This goes way back from episode 3! Of course, it does feel a little awkward that Amu has risen to be the more mature character than Yamato, especially when it's so late in the game. I guess that's the result of keeping Yamato 'vanilla' too long. Amu calmly reminds Yamato that he and his father 'sound alike' in terms of personalities. Like father, like son. Not to mention, she's able to blatantly give an inspiring advice by relating to her own situation. Feel free to argue, but Amu is definitely the best-written character in this show! - Hmmm... child Yamato somehow reminds me of Youko Usami / YellowBuster of "Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters". I'm not sure why. I mean, they look so alike to be called actual siblings. Speaking of comparison, I've been watching "Mirai Sentai Timeranger" concurrently, and starting to notice several similarities between that 24th season (that comes right before 25th anniversary... "Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger") and Zyuohger. Smart green, rambunctious yellow, cool blue, and mature pink? Swap the future members with Zyumans, and basically you have the same set. Complete with a 6th member who started out as antagonist and struggles with friendship. It even has an episode with an MotW polluting the sea (Timeranger's episode 27). The one that made me took notice however, is how Yamato shares a very similar father issue to Tatsuya Asami / TimeRed. Interesting, isn't it? - It's the 2nd time in just one episode that a death flag is shadowing Bard. Just like Kyoryuger's Torin/ Kyoryu Silver, it seems his time as a Sentai hero might be shortlived. Really, the only thing that will surprise me if this show ends with Bard being left unscathed. Also, the interruption bits have already gone tired by now. Every time a character wants to tell something important, the Dethgaliens alert ruins the moment. In this episode, it's when Amu wants to say important advice to Yamato, and when Larry wants to tell Tusk, Sela, Leo, and Misao about Bard's condition. As for the latter, why can't Larry just shout it as fast as he can before the gang heads out to battle? I don't think it'll waste much time just to say one effing line of "Look after for Bard, he might not be able to hold out his power as Zyuoh Bird". At least, that's how I would write it. - Mario has a fun meeting with Larry, but to be honest, his reaction is a little exaggerated. He should've been okay with Zyumans after knowing the secret, right? Then why does he has to look a bit wary when approaching Larry? As if he's some kind of wild beast. And that banana thing feels a bit unnecessary. Is it because, he's a gorilla? Certainly not because he's black, right? Hmmm.... - It only takes 45 episodes for us to finally see a 7-members transformation and roll call. A little late, but nice... I guess? Afer all, high chance we might not see it again in the next episodes. Better get used to big roll calls too, since we're going to have a fully active 9-members team starting next month! LOL. Need to point out one thing though: at least Zyuohger's penchant for balance in group pose is praiseworthy. Unlike Ninninger with its odd assymetrical group pose, Zyuohger always gets it right. This 7-members version in particular, looks really good due to Yamato being positioned in the center. Yes, it would look much nicer had Bard has a different design, and not just recolor, of course. I guess that's probably the reason why Yamato utilizes his Zyuoh Gorilla form right away. - This might be a wrong reaction, but I actually laugh when the 4 trapped Zyuoh Cubes returns to the four core Zyumans' hands instead of Zyuoh Bird. In a convenient color-appropriate manner too! Bard was the one who spent his time to locate those, right? LOL. Also, I initially thought Zyuoh Bird is going to transform into an orange Zyuoh Whale. Apparently that's not the case. No point on making a completely new suit for the occasion, right? He just used up the last of his energy to fire that "Zyuoh Final Deep Lock" blast. A futile attempt to seal Azald. - Yep, Azald's true form becomes full circle with the Zyuman history, as the blast only jogs his hidden inner memory. He's none other than that terrifying enemy that Cetas, the original Zyuoh Whale, had to sacrificed his own life to seal (episode 28). I must say, I really appreciate this direction, because as "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." always used to say, "It's all connected". A long game that I didn't even see coming! Then again, Azald's Voice Actor Jouji Nakata has played Great Professor Bias, the big bad of "Choujuu Sentai Liveman" before. So it makes perfect sense that he's playing someone important here. What an amazing nod too (Nakata also started out as secondary villain before he portrayed Bias). Just look at the true Azald, in just a single demonstration of power, every Zyuohgers are knocked out cold! Even Naria looks genuinely scared. - Unfortunately... judging from the looks of things (as in, the preview, what else?), it seems this powerhouse Immortal Azald is going to bite the dust in the next episode. And well... that might be another misstep. Why? Obviously because despite the underwhelming attempts to showcase his threat-level, I don't feel Genis is up for the task to be the final big bad. Way too predictable, I must add. Right now, I would've liked it better if it's an ancient God of Destruction who becomes the last threat for the show. Of course, that idea can still play out, so it's still uncertain for now. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what really happens next....

Overall: Intense, might be the best word to describe this episode. Not just physically, but also emotionally. For Yamato at least. Was it a great episode though? Not quite, as I have pointed out some flaws that prevented it from getting higher score. The good thing though, because the seeds have all been too-patiently planted throughout the course of the show, it's time to reap one payoffs after another. I do honestly enjoyed seeing things coming together, eventhough there are some plot points (like the discrimination between humans and Zyumans) that might seemingly be tossed aside for convenience sake. Still, looking at it from a positive perspective, if the final three episodes can keep it up at least on par with this one, looks like we're in for a proper finale. Next week: Immortal Azald & Genis. Bard & the stoic Doctor. It's Yamato's daddy issue Part Trois (and Final?)...

Episode 45 Score: 7,7 out of 10

All images are screencaptured from the series, provided by the FanSubber Over-Time. "Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger" is produced by TOEI, and airs every Sunday on TV-Asahi. Credits and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

[mo-ok]

Absolutely obsessed with how these mecha move tbh

Land Lion - Choujuu Sentai Liveman

God Logan - Ninja Sentai Kakuranger

Won Tiger - Gosei Sentai Dairanger