Recap: Deboss’s awakening draws closer, causing his monsters to become supercharged. Fortunately, help is at hand from new arrival Kyoryu Grey!…or is it?

Dragonzigg‘s Thoughts: If there’s one thing that has surprised me over the past few episodes, it’s how gracefully Kyoryuger seems to be transitioning to actual, semi serious story stuff. I figured the show might show some weakness when plot had to take place, but it’s managed to incorporate the storyline material well, losing some of the knockabout comedy but not the ballsy freewheeling pace it has. This episode is another great example of that, cramming a lot of material into 22 minutes and yet never feeling too rushed or skipping over too much.

I immediately like Tessai – his straight talking asshole tendencies are a delightful contrast to everyone else and his forceful manner means shit gets done at an alarming rate. The script keeps him just on the right side of bully, but close enough to the line that he’s not necessarily that likable. I have to imagine this is a setup for a ‘proved you wrong’ moment next episode, but I can live with that. His serious nature also means the moments where he succumbs to wackiness are the much funnier, like his absurd headgear in the dream world.

Given Tessai dominates so much we don’t get too much from the others aside from generic ‘we’re awesome’ realisations but I do like how we get to see them be strong and kick ass, and it makes their beatdown montage at the end that much more satisfying. Of course, what’s WAY more satisfying and downright hilarious is the subsequent subversion, which took me completely by surprise and was a really good way to take what looked like a one episode potboiler and spin it out into a compelling story. Tessai forcefully demoting Daigo is a really great setup that’s ripe with juicy drama and though it’ll probably play out predictably, it gives us a chance to throw the cast off-balance and see some interaction from unusual positions. I’m already relishing the chance to see Utchy in charge, and knocking Daigo off his perfect perch should give the chance to round out his character a bit. If there’s a weakness here it’s Tessai’s ‘you’re perfect so you can’t get better!’ reasoning, which sort of makes sense but is also sort of dumb and is very funny but perhaps not intentionally.

The action is also excellent in this one, with Bunpachy’s entrance being the absolute highlight. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned my love of weaponized headgear before (if not, watch Samurai Sentai Shinkenger) and Bunpachy’s ridiculously stupid mace hat is up there with the best of them. How perfect is that hard hat he’s wearing under it as well? All the terrible CGI in the world can’t hide how awesome that fight is. The on the ground stuff is pretty great too, with Daigo being superkicked through tons of concrete piles a particularly good bit (with a deliciously bad special effect).

Overall, it’s another excellent episode for Kyoryuger. I’m very encouraged by the way the series is building the team, challenging them and endearing them to us while making sure everything stays fun and fresh. Can’t wait for next week.

Random Observations

• Gimme a hell yes for another Ramirez cameo.
• Alas this appears to be the year Super Sentai adopts Kamen Rider’s immensely annoying habit of plugging movies in the opening credits. 
• Another killer monster costume. I’m really digging them this year.
• Cutting the music dead just makes Daigo’s failed attack even funnier
• Nossan does the Tombstone Piledriver on a Paramonster!
• Dancing hero of the week – COOL DAD.
• Honourable mention – All girl dress-up team at the end. Dishonourable mention – kid in parachute pants.