GOTCHA! Another week, another new episode of Kamen Rider Gotchard. Join Ethan as we check it out the latest happenings, featuring nightmares, hope, UFOs and Super Gotchard!
Summary
This week’s episode opens with a nightmare sequence of Kamen Rider Dread attacking the school and threatening Kajiki’s life. Nightmare Hotaro strikes down Sabi with the Exgotchalibur and he turns to dust. This awakens our hero from his nightmare, screaming “Sabimaru, no!” before realizing his in class. As a concerned Rinne looks on, we go into the opening.
We rejoin the episode with Mr. Minato’s meeting with the higher ups at alchemy association, who all look like they are trying to be as evil and cryptic as possible. All of them reject Minato’s request for help, instead telling him to focus on catching Chemies. Leaving the meeting, Spanner talks to Mr. Minato and tells him he will handle Dread, who wiped the floor with him effortlessly what must have been, at most, a few days ago.
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Next, we cut to Rinne in the alchemy classroom, worrying about Atropos’ words to her; how all of this is her fault. Just then, Hotaro walks in with the Exgotchalibur, explains his nightmare and how UFO-X gave the sword to him. He’s pretty sure that there’s another way to use the sword to access the form he saw in his vision. We then get a scene of Renge in the park, still holding Sabi’s AI pad, talking with it.
We then turn to the three sisters talking about how Sabi will probably die the next time he turns into Dread and that they don’t care, they will just use Sabi to get as much data as possible. The next day, at the family restaurant, Hotaro is in a funk and the customers pick up on it. His mom gives him some words of advice before he takes off to get his ‘gotcha’ and save Sabi. On his way out, he bumps into Kajiki who tells him about all the recent UFO sightings, leading Hotaro to a realisation.
Hotaro then explains to the rest of the Gotchard gang that, when they tried to summon UFO-X, they succeeded so, if they do it again, he can just ask the Level X Chemy how to access the new form he saw in his vision.
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Just as the gang agree to Hotaro’s plan, the Three Abyssal Sisters attack with dread in tow.
Hotaro freezes and doesn’t jump into the fight, due to the nightmares. Spanner arrives and along with Mr. Minato starts to buy the group time. As the gang make their way to the rooftop of the school, aided by Kajiki, they all stand in a circle and call to UFO-X. The fighting moves to the rooftop and Kajiki is knocked out. UFO-X arrives, instantly beaming Hotaro up and taking him to the Ouroboros Realm from episode one. Here he shows him how to transform using the Exgotchalibur and willingly goes into a Chemy Card for Hotaro, who the Level X Chemy considers a friend.
Reappearing on the rooftop, Hotaro assumes his new form, Kamen Rider Super Gotchard Cross UFO-X, much to the shock of everyone. Then, with a finisher, Hotaro releases Sabi from the Kamen Rider Dread suit before finishing it off with a new form exclusive Rider Kick.
The Sisters pick up the Dread Driver and leave. Mr. Minato says to Rinne he believes Hotaro really can become a big shot alchemist while Spanner considers the concept of hope. The Gotchard gang have a tearful reunion with Sabi agreeing to go look for more Chemies again in the future, bringing this episode and three part saga to a close.
My Take
Wow, what an episode! Firstly, let’s talk about the new form. I love Super Gotchard Cross UFO-X. It’s such a unique looking design and the details, like the little alien in the helmet, are an amazing touch that’s just fun. As for the episode itself, no notes, it’s just good.
Very solid touching base with everyone, establishing how they are all feeling and how deeply affected they are by Dread’s debut last week. Worth noting that I love that Hotaro right away opened up to Rinne about his nightmare and didn’t hide it. So many times heroes have nightmares like this they hide it and it’s kinda refreshing to see Hotaro open up right away about it. All of this was then followed by a form I really like being cool and kicking butt. Fun times all around.
Looking forward to seeing what the next chapter holds!
What did you think of Super Gotchard Cross UFO-X? Did you like the episode, in general? Did you also laugh when Spanner said he would handle Dread? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! As always, I’ve been Ethan: writer, reviewer and hope haver for The Toku Source and I’ll see you next time.
