Den-O Episode #4: "The Demon is out! I'm serious"

As soon as the Spoiler Warning begins, it's the climax!

We left off with Ryôtarô, now free of Momotaros, and his new buddy Yamakoshi about to get beaten to death. Fortunately, the cops show up, this diverts the attention of the thugs, and our heroes make their escape. Prior to this, Ryôtarô is ready to pay back the people Yamakoshi stole from out of his own pocket. What a guy!

When he learns of his/Momotaros' role in the robbery, Ryôtarô rejects the money Yamakoshi had promised him for "protection", and instead advises him to turn himself in. As Yamakoshi reveals the true desperation of the situation, Ryôtarô notices sand pouring from his pants. Before he can do anything else, the Chameleon Imagin appears and grabs Yamakoshi, going over the edge of the building.



Ryôtarô is ready to transform and go after them, but has second thoughts as he looks down. He collapses in fear, or maybe in pain on account of his still-sore muscles. Whatever, it's basically an excuse to cram in some more plot exposition/character development before we get to the action.

Looking for the main man, Hana meets Airi for the first time at the Milk Dipper, and there's a lot of yakking away about Ryôtarô and coffee. Hana finds Airi's coffee to be a nice change of pace from the usual Den-Liner brand.

Chamelon Imagin takes Yamakoshi back to his apartment and starts dumping stolen money on him, intending to fulfill his end of the deal. He then orders him to stay where he is. Yamakoshi suddenly realizes how serious things really are.



Chamelon Imagin goes on a rampage, stealing more and more money.

On board the Den-Liner, Ryôtarô has met up with Hana, and gives Momotaros a piece of his mind about using his body for crime (hehe!) Unusually firm, Ryôtarô decides he won't call on Momotaros for help any more, surprising the Imagin. Ryôtarô sets off to settle things himself.

The thugs from before show up at Yamakoshi's apartment, but he is now buried in money. Chameleon Imagin "takes care" of them, and then announces that Yamakoshi's wish has been granted. The contract is complete.

Pulling the man out of the pile of cash, Chameleon Imagin enters his body like it were split in half, and goes into Yamakoshi's past just as Ryôtarô and Hana dash in.



Hana holds a Rider Ticket up to Yamakoshi, and reveals that the Chameleon Imagin went back to March 15th, 2006- the day Yamakoshi was supposed to go for a big audition with his band. He explains that he came across a lost girl on the way, and took her to the police. As a result, he was late for the audition, the band broke up, and and Yamakoshi went into debt making CDs to sell himself as a solo artist.

Back in the past, Chameleon Imagin has taken control of Yamakoshi, and uses him to raise hell, destroying cars, buildings, etc. with massive blasts of fire.

Ryôtarô transforms into Plat Form, and takes the Den Liner back into the past. (I love the way Den-O leans around on the motorcycle in this scene, as if doing it somehow makes Ryôtarô feel more cool.)



Back in the past, the possessed Yamakoshi blasts a truck full of wood, preventing a house in the future from ever having been built (a cool idea.) As this all happens, the mystery man from episode #2 with the watch surveys the destruction and smiles.



The destruction spree ends as the Den-Liner arrives. Den-O, still in Plat Form, steps out. Hana is concerned that Ryôtarô, on his own, will be no match against the Imagin. But the Rider tells her to just take care of things with Yamakoshi, who the Chameleon Imagin leaves in order to fight Den-O. Hana rouses him and tells him to go to his audition, while she takes care of the lost girl.



Ryôtarô is no match against the Chameleon Imagin, and takes a severe beating. Hana calls for Ryôtarô to merge with Momotaros, and even Momotaros calls for Ryôtarô to do the same. But Ryôtarô fights on, by himself. Realizing that he could very well get himself killed, Momotaros promises that he won't engage in any more criminal activities, and, after prompting from Ryôtarô (in what was easily the funniest scene in the episode), apologizes. Ryôtarô presses the red button on his belt, and Momotaros appears to merge with him, turning Den-O Plat Form into Den-O Sword Form.



Now Den-O is more than a match for Chamelon Imagin, and destroys the Kaijin with a variation on his usual finisher.

On board the Den-Liner, the assembled heroes celebrate, but the Den-Liner Owner reveals that in spite of their changing history, Yamakoshi's past has not changed. The audition ended in failure, the band broke up, and he is still trying to go it solo. The Owner states that their small change in history does not effect the greater outcome, but Yamakoshi is changed in that he now seeks to obtain his dream through his own power, and not with money.

He leaves the good guys all royally confused. But whatever the case, Ryôtarô and Momotaros make amends. At least, as much as they are able to.



As the Den-Liner speeds through the World Between Time, a new Imagin arises from the sand, and watches the vanishing train...

To Be Continued...