Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger brings the heat as episodes 20 and 21 revisit a storyline feature before debuting the first powerup mode. From Mira’s scorned fiancé to BunRed’s expected dream, the latest instalment add fire to the latest releases for the second lap.
The 48th Sentai series has given a U-turn to Mira’s backstory as her fiancé is compelled to get her back. This character focused story is followed by the amazing new 119 mode as Taiga unleashes a new type of power that captivates the audience. The summer episodes both bring the heat as each features memorable moments for Sentai fans.
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger continues its second lap with a team of six now featured in the 48th series of the franchise. Bandai has revealed that a new powerup mode will feature for BunRed, including a firefighter theme and a new weapon. This also includes a new lion styled, fire engine Boonboom Car that will join the lineup, which is set to debut this summer. The Sentai has now surpassed 20 episodes, with teasers for new releases shared for bigger additions coming later in the year.
Boonboomger #20 Brings a Blast From Mira’s Past
The 20th instalment of the 48th Sentai Series place a spotlight on Mira, followed by the grand debut of a new power. This includes the return of Yukinori Okada as a guest in episode 20 and BunRed obtaining the first powerup mode in the series. Both feature heated emotions as BunPink’s fiancé is warped into capturing her and a fantastic mystery into unexplained fires and Taiga’s childhood dream.
The episode features Norio Orino (Yukinori Okada) as he makes his return to take back Mira. The instalment takes fans on a U-Turn as BunPink is targeted by unfinished business. Mixing in Hashiryan interference, the first human controlled Kurumajyu is featured as Owan Grumer traps the hero in a soup filled bowl. A test of willpower allows for a clash between drivers, with determination providing light to Mira’s full throttle approach.
The episode’s conclusion makes a clear highlight that Norio believes the Boonboomger stole his partner, allowing the Hashiryan to take advantage. This was a brilliant way to change the usual format in the series, while also providing a new type of foe. Cannonborg granting power to a human also added a slice of excitement for the possible new route for the series.
The episode perfectly outlined Mira’s overwhelmed workload, which has been featured in almost every episode as a new job. Diving into Mira’s willingness to help anyone was a brilliant way to feed into Okada’s drive to “steal her back”. Her recovery after a new request, and resistance while captured, gave the audience a great show of how Mira is driven more than anyone else. The show of compulsive determination also pushes Okada into realising his mistake, which was a good way to resolve the plot.
Comedy, Action and Concern Featured in Wilful Clash
The capture of Mira heightened the action of the episode as her distraction led to an amusing instance. Seeing Mira relaxing in the soup was a funny effect and a pause for her overexertion caused a sense of suspense and relief for viewers. It was a delightful side effect to see the character relax after pushing hard relentlessly. The action quickly elevated during Mira’s release as she charges at the Kurumajyu for capturing her. The contested finisher also creates a new piece of friction between BunViolet and BunPink as Mira even refers to it as “stealing her kill”.
Taiga also continued to feature as a connector to characters as he approaches Okada. His concern for the ex-fiancé’s outlook on his past job highlighted his dedication to delivering satisfaction for his clients. The series doesn’t seem to feature a standard mentor in the series so Haruhi Iuchi seems to have filled that void. The send off with Taiga taking Okada to the airport also added a sense of serenity to the episode, with the scene ending beautifully highlighting the parting between the couple.
Characters Getting Into Gear
There were a lot of great instances for characters in the episode, which started with Sakito and Byun D. Seeing them advertise their new business on the streets demonstrated their fall to a startup company, while also having Ishiro’s bath exit as an amusing witness. The transformation also featured a Carranger themed callback, adding another piece of Sentai nostalgia.
The encounter with the Owan Grumer also added some delightful moments for the character. This included Taiga noticing the controller signals and Sakito discovering the chaotic turn of events when he sees the new Hashiryan invention in Okada’s hands. However, the Owan soup opening challenge with Jou also granted a piece of refined Japanese culture to feature.
The struggle to open followed by Ishiro’s reveal to the trick was a nice gimmick to the episode that was informative and humorous. The Robo battle was a rushed feature of the episode, but Mira piloting the Boonboomger Robo Building was fitting to the route of the episode. Mira smashing her way through the bowl attack felt like a great reminiscence to Ryusoul Pink, and it was great to see her highlighted in the driver’s seat instead of BunRed for the episode.
Boonboomger #21’s Burning Introduction to 119 Mode Sparks Mystery
The latest episode of Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger grants fans the first powerup of the 48th Sentai as Taiga becomes BunRed 119. With the summer in full swing, the instalment places a focus on fiery keywords, as Bundorio discovers his partner’s childhood dream. The Zoonzoom Fire Blaster features in the episode as the new weapon to counter the extinguisher based Kurumajyu, Shokaki Grumer. However, a mysterious mystery of unexplained fires kick Jou and Genba into an investigation.
Sherlock Shenanigans With Jou and Genba
Saiba asking for Jou to investigate gave Ryu Saito a serious tone, which is often replaced with comic relief. It was great to see a mysterious lead into a new Kurumajyu encounter, especially as the Sanseaters fed into the discovery. However, the best feature of the episode was seeing Saito team up directly with Satoru Soma.
The Candy Detective featured the detective trope fantastically as the duo investigated, giving vibes similar to features in Ressha Sentai Tokkyuger and Kamen Rider W. The keyword activation also added to that nostalgia relating to the Kamen Rider series and it was highly entertaining to see unfold before the new mode debut.
Childhood Dream Creates First Powerup
The debut of BunRed 119 was given a satisfactory backstory as Bundorio discovers a childhood drawing created by Taiga. The firefighter art also led to some tension between partners as Bundorio becomes obsessed with this unexpected discovery. Sakito and Byun D intervening was the perfect way to drive Bundorio into creating the Zoonzoom Fire Blaster. It was brilliant to see such a sudden creation mustered by references to experience and the need to see Taiga’s dream come true.
The debut of the 119 mode was also given a great amount of gravitas as the team struggled against the ironic, fire breathing monster. The action effects of the mode managed to give the water based weapon a powerful appearance that matched firepower. The hose impact and POV combat were such impactful scenes, but the Zoomzoom overdrive merging red energy with waterpower was an awe beyond visual expectations. It will be interesting to see how these effects will continue to feature as the mode is used in later episodes.
Robo Battle Gives BoonBoom Monster Wings
Although the episode didn’t include a new Boonboom Car with the 119 Mode yet, the episode at least gave fans a great new debut. This included the return of the Boonboomger Robo Monster mode as it fights against the giant Shokaki Grumer. Thanks to Byunbyun Mach Robo, the monstrous formation was given a boost with wings as it created a new custom formation. The Wing Boonboomger Robo Monster had some great effects for the fight and gave the episode a satisfying mecha battle without needing a matching powerup mode debut.
For giving closure to Mira’s original start line, we give Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger a total score of 8 out of 10.
For an explosive burst of captivating moments and a new powerup, we give Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger a total score of 10 out of 10.
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Episode 22 will air on Sunday July 28th, 2024, exclusively in Japan. The 48th Sentai series will debut the Boonboom Leo Rescue in the next upcoming instalment.
For more Boonboomger, keep an eye on the next Sentai Summary review. For more Super Sentai, keep an eye on social media and keep following The Toku Source for more news and announcements.
