Den-O Episode #9: "You Cried 'Cuz of My Strength"

And another episode Den-O has come and gone. As I understand it, the TV-Nihon subtitled releases are coming out pretty fast, and the plot has so far been fairly straightforward (comparatively, at least), so I'll probably start spending less time on the actual summary of the reviews and just going over major points of interest, until the story starts to get complicated and the masses cry for out for answers. But anyway, as soon as I get started, it's a Spoiler Warning!

Following a recap of the series thus far, Ryôtarô runs into the latest Imagin, who has possessed some guy named Honjô, another unique person like Ryôtarô. Yes, it's Kintaros, although he hasn't been given that name yet.

Even MomoRyôtarô is no match for Kintaros/Honjô's considerable strength, but he doesn't seem to necessarily be a bad guy. He simply wants a good fight, and is constantly searching for someone of greater strength. He also doesn't know the extent of his own strength, and several times throughout the episode breaks something unintentionally, only to scramble to fix it. He also speaks in Kansai-Ben, which automatically makes him the best character ever. And he's voiced by Terasoma "Shadow Moon" Masaki!



On board the Den-Liner, hana questions Ryôtarô about his encounter last night. Momotaros & Urataros are up to their usual hijinks (that is, hitting and insulting each other.) As the train goes through a tunnel, the lights go out, and Ryôtarô is surprised by the Owner, who does his usual eating routine (this time it's dessert) and yammers on cryptically about Ryôtarô's actions in the past and their impact in the grand scheme of things. When the train exits the tunnel, Hana seems to be moved by his words, and insists on getting to work. Ryôtarô notes that Hana truly seems to hate the Imagin...

At the Milk Dipper, Airi makes Ryôtarô drink some icky-sounding concoction (Sesame Juice) while Miura meets Hana for the first time. I need to point out that I don't know what's up exactly with Hana's wardrobe in this episode, but I like it.



Ozaki drops in and tells our heroes about a series of recent attacks on competitors in an upcoming Karate tournament. As it turns out, a profile of Honjô is among his documents, alarming Ryôtarô. It seems the other man was a highly-skilled Karate prodigy, but retired following his collapse at a tournament last year due to illness.
Considering they're pretty much fulfilling the role of "clueless side characters", I have to say I like Ozaki & Miura, and their antics have been getting genuinely funnier with each episode.



Honjô hits a Karate school, literally; he challenges everyone to a fight and beats the stuffing out of him. Watch for a famous Rider cameo in this scene, although you may not recognize him since we usually see him masked!



Using Ozaki's information, Hana & Ryôtarô go to a school led by a man named Kikuchi, last year's champion. All the others who have been attacked scored highly in last year's competition, and the good guys fear Kikuchi (who was up against Honjô when the latter collapsed) may be next. However the other dojo members, suspicious of our heroes, believe that they are the ones responsible for the recent attacks. Kikuchi, a bit unsettled at their appearance, quickly leaves.

The rest of the dojo challenges Ryôtarô to a fight. Hana attempts to contact Momotaros, but as the Den-Liner is going through another tunnel (plus the big, red one is asleep anyway) she can't get through. Ryôtarô's pretty much screwed, although he does manage to throw one guy hella far all one his own, which means:

1. Ryôtarô is going to eventually be revealed to have some sort of super secret Imagin in him that nobody knows about, including him.

or that

2. Ryôtarô is actually a Kaizô-Ningen.



But our hero is soon overwhelmed, and it's up to Hana to bail him out. After they escape, Hana explains her desire to protect Ryôtarô so he can in turn protect others, and time itself.

They see Honjô passing by, who is unimpressed by Ryôtarô until he sees that he is Den-O. Momotaros jumps into Ryôtarô's body to challenge the other Imagin, and transforms into Den-O Sword Form while Kintaros leaves Honjô's body.

Meanwhile, Kikuchi recalls his contract with the Rhino Imagin, and sees the very same attacking another competitor. "Your wish will be fulfilled" he is told.



Den-O & Kintaros fight. They are both evenly matched, and end up KO'ing each other (Kintaros uses a big axe, which is pretty cool.) Momotaros is knocked right out of Den-O, who reverts to Plat Form.




Hana runs to protect him, and Kintaros is perplexed, but impressed. As Den-O summons Urataros and becomes Rod Form, Honjô also stumbles onto the scene. The Rhino Imagin shows up to attack him, but Kintaros takes the blow, surprising everyone. Upset by this interference, Rhino Imagin attempts to escape. Rod Form gives chase, but loses him.

Upon reverting back to human, Ryôtarô collapses. Hana sees Kintaros carrying the unconcious Honjô away...

To Be Continued...

Pretty good episode this week, I like the idea of having one of the "main" Imagin possess someone else first, to shake things up a bit. And the Karate school fight was like a mini version of the one from Super-1 #2, although not quite as insanely awesome, but still pretty good.