Jiiya said this: Spoiler Warning!
After the surprise twist that ended last episode, EVIL! Tendô, having returned to this world once more, stumbles along ranting that "I will this world...everything in it". He is confronted by the identical Nogi's. Yes, Nogi has revived yet again, and now has split into two. In case it wasn't before, this episode makes it very clear: there has only been one Nogi all along, and he is somehow capable of recombining his molecules together even after being destroyed. Every time he revives, he becomes more powerful and his human appearance becomes more haphazard, perhaps to symbolize his growing rage at the Riders.
In any event, Nogi (who, despite being two beings, still acts like one, finishing his own sentences and such) tells EVIL! Tendô that "Armageddon is beginning soon" and proposes an alliance. The Tendô rip-off responds be transforming into Dark Kabuto and briefly fights the Nogi doubles, only to be beaten back. Nogi muses that Dark Kabuto still doesn't understand just what he is, and that they will need each other's power eventually.
The real Tendô and Kagami find the fallen Hiyori, and take her to the hospital (watch as Tendô nearly dumps the injured Kagami to rush to Hiyori's side.) The now wheelchair-bound Hiyori is reluctant to tell Tendô what happened, and just blames herself for being selfish.
Tsurugi, also hospital-bound, is recovering from his injuries. Misaki talks with him, as she has now become more accepting of him for protecting her. Before she leaves, she asks how old he is (20) and smiles mischevously. Jiiya then appears for what seems like the first time in ages (seriously, where's he been?)
The Worms attack a bus, and Kagami rushes to the scene, transforming into Gatack to engage in them in battle.
At ZECT HQ, Riku & Mishima meet with a Native named Negishi, who appears wearing a hooded robe. However, underneath he is an overly optimistic & giddy guy who refuses the deep respect they offer him. He inquires about meeting Tendô, and sure enough, the main man appears, ticking off Mishima. Riku introduces Negishi as "our friend", exactly as how he adressed the robed guys back in episode #42. So, as I theorized, they were most likely the Native Elders/Superiors, who seem to be even higher-ranking than Riku and thus why they were consulted before ZECT went along with that whole give-up-the-AMB plot. Negishi asks Tendô if he will help the Natives, and is amused by his finger-pointing response, asking "May I be your fan?" to which Tendô replies "Do as you like."
Worms continue to attack, and Tendô is summoned to fight them. Pay attention the monitor screen here, it looks like someone at ZECT goofed up.
Elsewhere, Gatack is also fighting, and Kageyama wishes to go help him. Yaguruma, cold as ever, reveals that he is wearing a strengthening vest with metal coils and chains, and states that he is going to "regain his darkness", impressing Kageyama.
Tsurugi, having awoken, has his meal set out for him by Jiiya, and mentions that Christmas is almost upon them. Jiiya asks what sort of present he would like (saying "I'll pass along the request to Santa") and Tsurugi speaks of last year's Christmas, when his sister was still alive and they shared a Christmas Cake. Cue Flashback!
Misaki appears and Tsurugi's will is emboldened. Tendô also arrives and asks Tsurugi to join ZECT once more to help them fight. Later, at the Bistro, Tendô suffers some more of Renge's cooking (involving "Kuri", chestnuts, and "Masu", trout), and Kagami freaks out about Tsurugi joining the battle again. He almost lets slip Tsurugi's other identity, but quickly shuts up.
Tsurugi is given his own squad of Zectroopers to lead, and informs them that their primary objectives are 1) destroy all Worms and 2) protect Misaki at all costs. This is followed by a very funny scene in which they go so far as to catch her from tripping and return a video rental for her.
Kabuto, Gatack and even Drake engage in battle with the Worms. When Misaki is attacked, Tsurugi and his men rush to her rescue. After defeating the Worms, Tsurugi and the troops search the nearby river for one of Misaki's shoes, which went flying before the fight.
Tendô and Kagami go to recruit the Hoppers to the cause of defeating the Worms, who are now appearing randomly everywhere in great numbers. They are turned away, as Kageyama has joined Yaguruma in his darkness-regaining tactics. Kagami is reluctant to let them go so easily, but Tendô feels they're just wasting their time in the first place.
Back at the river, Tsurugi finds Misaki's shoe even after all his men have given up and quit looking. Perplexed by his behavior, but at the same time touched, Misaki agrees to go on a date with him. He sets about constructing her present, a scarf, which Jiiya ends up finishing after he passes out.
Elsewhere, Kagami is still freaking out about Misaki getting close to Tsurugi, as he knows the truth. But he can only object, and his inability to give a good reason fails to convince Misaki to change her plans. As she buys him a present the next day, Kagami observes from afar.
The day of the date, Tsurugi wakes up late and starts spazzing out. The heavy traffic does nothing to help matters, so he exits his limo and runs to the designated meeting place. On the way, he is attacked by Nogi, who is now starting to sport a goatee.
"This is my most important day" Tsurugi growls, transforming into Sasword to do battle against the newly-upgraded Cassisworm Clipeus. Elsewhere, Tendô attacks the Worms and meets the other Nogi. Tendô, shocked that he is still alive, is told "I am immortal!" before the other Nogi transforms. Tendô also changes to become Kabuto.
Cassisworm Clipeus proves to be too powerful and knocks Sasword back into human form with a powerful slash. A light engulfs Tsurugi, and even Nogi is surprised.
Hyper Kabuto destroys the grunt Worms, but Cassisworm escapes. Kagami catches up to Misaki, only to be a witness along with her at Tsurugi's transformation into Scorpioworm!
Scorpioworm rushes towards Misaki!
To be continued...
Wonderful review again. :D This will be your last before you leave to Japan?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I feel so sad for Tsurugi, finally finding Misakinu and then about to lose her to his WARM.
ReplyDeletei noticed the WARM thingy too, but they may have meant WARM as in their body temperature (about to molt)
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty good theory, but my gut feeling is that it's probably a flub, but it's easy to see how that would happen with "Worm" being "Waamu" and all. They have it as "WORM" elsewhere though, so maybe you're right after all.
ReplyDeleteI *think* I'll be able to review #46 next episode before I go, but next week is going to be CRAZY so no promises.