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alchemicinkThis week: prison! (Zeztz trying to escape from one while the Gozyugers send someone there)
But also: siblings cause trouble in Hana Kimi, Ultraman Omega rescues a friend, and I decided to add Punks Triangle to these reviews 😅
The title quote comes from Zeztz this time. Spoilers, as always, below:
Zeztz (episode 6)
A new mission for Baku has started, and it's connected to Nem this time. More specifically, to Nem's talent agent (who is also the agency's president) who thinks of her like a daughter apparently. The Nightmare has them trapped in a prison, so I'm very interested in seeing what is revealed in the next episode. I think this episode did pretty good at laying the groundwork for next week. (I'm enjoying these missions being spread out between two episodes, but it does make the first episode of the pair harder to review lol)
As for the rest of the episode, it was fun again to see the Paranormal Affairs duo. They continue breaking into Baku's house 😂 And we got a glimpse of where Minami works (I'm not quite sure what she does tho.) I hope she eventually finds out what's going on with Baku, because I think she'd be real helpful in future cases too.
Nox continues to be an enigma. I like him so far. I kinda hope it's revealed that he and Nem are siblings, because it'd be a nice parallel to Baku and his sister too. But who knows at this point?
Gozyuger (episode 34)
Well, we have finally wrapped up the storyline with Rei (and Bellum, the Calamity's general).
I didn't hate the episode but it also wasn't my favorite either. Just a sort of okay episode. My main complaint with this series is that they continue to cram too much into one episode. At this point, I feel like character development keeps getting lost in all the plot.
Like Sumino, for example. The storyline was all about Rikuo's broken relationship with Rei (which I did enjoy) but it should have also been about Sumino dealing with Rei kidnapping her sister. Sure, there's a bit of character growth when she steps in to stop Rikuo from making the final blow (as compared to pre-canon Sumino who was so angry about everything that she lost her job as a cop.) But... I certainly didn't see this change onscreen before this episode. So that was disappointing.
But, in the end, Rei goes to prison for his crimes and Sumino gets Oto back. So it's a happy(ish) ending to this arc. And I honestly prefer this over Rei being killed. Not that I'm against characters dying in children's shows, but I feel like it would be out of character for any of the Gozyugers to do it.
Anyway, more importantly about this episode: that was Rikuo's house?! I can suspend my disbelief about a lot of absurd things in Gozyuger, but that house?? I refuse to believe it 😂 (also I loved the dinner scene and wish it had lasted longer)
Hana Kimi (episode 3)
Ashiya's brother arrives in this episode, determined to bring her back home to America. This is not one of my favorite episodes frankly because I find the brother annoying. He refuses to listen to Ashiya, but in the end, listens to Sano instead. Sigh.
In keeping with the siblings theme, this episode is the first mention of Sano's younger brother. This would have been a nice opportunity for the show to make some sort of point about sibling relationships, but alas, it does not. We do, however, get some insight into Sano's motivations (he quit high jumping because he was crumbling under the weight of expectations) and Ashiya's motivations (she's wracked with guilt over Sano's injury). I appreciate the show giving both of those perspectives focus, because it makes their interactions make more sense.
Meanwhile, in the b-plot, the dorm members are searching for a panty thief. It was a bit cringey at times, but also occasionally funny too. Very over the top as usual.
I should also note, as a bit of a warning, that there's quite a bit of homophobia in this episode. (Not surprising for this time period, I suppose.) I don't mind watching Nakatsu struggle through his queer awakening, but the other students are mean about it! I seem to remember this is toned down as the series continues. I hope I'm remembering that right...
Punks Triangle (episodes 1 & 2)
So I enjoyed these first two episodes enough that I figured I'd add this show into the reviews too. (It's only gonna be 8 episodes)
The series is about Sumiura Chiaki, an aspiring punk fashion designer who really likes a model named AE (pronounced Ai). In his design school, there's a competition where the winner's clothes will be modeled by AE himself. The only problem? Chiaki is paired up with Enaga Ayumu, a frumpy-looking quiet classmate he doesn't really like.
It sounds like it'll be a love triangle, but the first episode reveals that AE and Enaga are the same person! I'm already enjoying the identity shenanigans so far. How long is it going to take Chiaki to find out?
I really liked these two episodes for several reasons (aesthetics and soundtrack being two of them), but the main thing is the focus on "human connection." That's the theme for their fashion competition, but it's also clearly something Chiaki is going to have to learn along the way too. He's very standoffish at first, but his interactions with AE and Enaga both show glimpses of him breaking out of his shell. I'm definitely interested to see how this story plays out. (I haven't read the manga it's based on)
Last thought: is the forehead the key to facial recognition? 😂 As Enaga, it's covered up by his hat and wig, and as AE, it's not. This makes me laugh a lot
Ultraman Omega (episode 15)
This episode concludes the conflict with Zovaras that started last week. We get a few glimpses at Sorato's forgotten past. He has, perhaps, been watching over Earth for a long time. I'm interested to see what else is revealed as the story continues forward.
But the main focus of this episode was stopping Zovaras and rescuing Valgeness, our new kaiju friend. Personally, I like the Valgeness design the best out of the meteokaiju, so I'm happy with this new addition. It was great to see Kosei get a moment to shine in the battle, but I appreciated how the whole team got to help out along the way too.
Speaking of teams, I'm excited for our main trio to join an investigative team with Sayuki starting next week. I think that's gonna be fun! (I'm kinda mad Sorato is gonna be wearing a jacket though because it covers up his really nice arms ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚)
But also: siblings cause trouble in Hana Kimi, Ultraman Omega rescues a friend, and I decided to add Punks Triangle to these reviews 😅
The title quote comes from Zeztz this time. Spoilers, as always, below:
Zeztz (episode 6)
A new mission for Baku has started, and it's connected to Nem this time. More specifically, to Nem's talent agent (who is also the agency's president) who thinks of her like a daughter apparently. The Nightmare has them trapped in a prison, so I'm very interested in seeing what is revealed in the next episode. I think this episode did pretty good at laying the groundwork for next week. (I'm enjoying these missions being spread out between two episodes, but it does make the first episode of the pair harder to review lol)
As for the rest of the episode, it was fun again to see the Paranormal Affairs duo. They continue breaking into Baku's house 😂 And we got a glimpse of where Minami works (I'm not quite sure what she does tho.) I hope she eventually finds out what's going on with Baku, because I think she'd be real helpful in future cases too.
Nox continues to be an enigma. I like him so far. I kinda hope it's revealed that he and Nem are siblings, because it'd be a nice parallel to Baku and his sister too. But who knows at this point?
Gozyuger (episode 34)
Well, we have finally wrapped up the storyline with Rei (and Bellum, the Calamity's general).
I didn't hate the episode but it also wasn't my favorite either. Just a sort of okay episode. My main complaint with this series is that they continue to cram too much into one episode. At this point, I feel like character development keeps getting lost in all the plot.
Like Sumino, for example. The storyline was all about Rikuo's broken relationship with Rei (which I did enjoy) but it should have also been about Sumino dealing with Rei kidnapping her sister. Sure, there's a bit of character growth when she steps in to stop Rikuo from making the final blow (as compared to pre-canon Sumino who was so angry about everything that she lost her job as a cop.) But... I certainly didn't see this change onscreen before this episode. So that was disappointing.
But, in the end, Rei goes to prison for his crimes and Sumino gets Oto back. So it's a happy(ish) ending to this arc. And I honestly prefer this over Rei being killed. Not that I'm against characters dying in children's shows, but I feel like it would be out of character for any of the Gozyugers to do it.
Anyway, more importantly about this episode: that was Rikuo's house?! I can suspend my disbelief about a lot of absurd things in Gozyuger, but that house?? I refuse to believe it 😂 (also I loved the dinner scene and wish it had lasted longer)
Hana Kimi (episode 3)
Ashiya's brother arrives in this episode, determined to bring her back home to America. This is not one of my favorite episodes frankly because I find the brother annoying. He refuses to listen to Ashiya, but in the end, listens to Sano instead. Sigh.
In keeping with the siblings theme, this episode is the first mention of Sano's younger brother. This would have been a nice opportunity for the show to make some sort of point about sibling relationships, but alas, it does not. We do, however, get some insight into Sano's motivations (he quit high jumping because he was crumbling under the weight of expectations) and Ashiya's motivations (she's wracked with guilt over Sano's injury). I appreciate the show giving both of those perspectives focus, because it makes their interactions make more sense.
Meanwhile, in the b-plot, the dorm members are searching for a panty thief. It was a bit cringey at times, but also occasionally funny too. Very over the top as usual.
I should also note, as a bit of a warning, that there's quite a bit of homophobia in this episode. (Not surprising for this time period, I suppose.) I don't mind watching Nakatsu struggle through his queer awakening, but the other students are mean about it! I seem to remember this is toned down as the series continues. I hope I'm remembering that right...
Punks Triangle (episodes 1 & 2)
So I enjoyed these first two episodes enough that I figured I'd add this show into the reviews too. (It's only gonna be 8 episodes)
The series is about Sumiura Chiaki, an aspiring punk fashion designer who really likes a model named AE (pronounced Ai). In his design school, there's a competition where the winner's clothes will be modeled by AE himself. The only problem? Chiaki is paired up with Enaga Ayumu, a frumpy-looking quiet classmate he doesn't really like.
It sounds like it'll be a love triangle, but the first episode reveals that AE and Enaga are the same person! I'm already enjoying the identity shenanigans so far. How long is it going to take Chiaki to find out?
I really liked these two episodes for several reasons (aesthetics and soundtrack being two of them), but the main thing is the focus on "human connection." That's the theme for their fashion competition, but it's also clearly something Chiaki is going to have to learn along the way too. He's very standoffish at first, but his interactions with AE and Enaga both show glimpses of him breaking out of his shell. I'm definitely interested to see how this story plays out. (I haven't read the manga it's based on)
Last thought: is the forehead the key to facial recognition? 😂 As Enaga, it's covered up by his hat and wig, and as AE, it's not. This makes me laugh a lot
Ultraman Omega (episode 15)
This episode concludes the conflict with Zovaras that started last week. We get a few glimpses at Sorato's forgotten past. He has, perhaps, been watching over Earth for a long time. I'm interested to see what else is revealed as the story continues forward.
But the main focus of this episode was stopping Zovaras and rescuing Valgeness, our new kaiju friend. Personally, I like the Valgeness design the best out of the meteokaiju, so I'm happy with this new addition. It was great to see Kosei get a moment to shine in the battle, but I appreciated how the whole team got to help out along the way too.
Speaking of teams, I'm excited for our main trio to join an investigative team with Sayuki starting next week. I think that's gonna be fun! (I'm kinda mad Sorato is gonna be wearing a jacket though because it covers up his really nice arms ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚)
no subject
Date: 2025-11-02 07:31 pm (UTC)I’ve forgotten a lot about hanakimi over the years; wonder what I’d think at this point 🤔 I think I’ll enjoy reading your recaps more 🎉
Identity shenanigans! Sounds like so much fun ♡ I’m laughing about the forehead though - just imagining it.
Costume designers should think more of the audience!
no subject
Date: 2025-11-03 01:57 am (UTC)Hana Kimi has been a wild ride so far. The plot is kinda thin, but the comedy bits are still really funny to me. I hope you'll continue to enjoy the reviews!
You should definitely look up the character if you have a chance and see the forehead covered and uncovered 😂