Red Ranger Isekai Episode 8 Recap and Thoughts
On their last adventure, the four adventurers travelled to the Sun Forest to investigate reports of fighting between ancient elves and nearby settlements. Confronting them were the elves, led by Raniya, who believed they intended to invade the forest. When Togo realized why the elves attacked them, he stopped the fight between Lowji and Raniya with the help of the Maximum Kizuna Kaiser. Raniya and the elves profusely apologized to Togo, who looked like the man from the prophecy.
Cold Open Recap
As the adventurers explored the village inside the Sun Forest, they learned how the elves use Seal-Engraving Spells. These spells assist them in their daily lives, such as making heavier objects weigh less. They could also aid in combat by making their needles fly father when shot by a bow.
Meanwhile, Togo had a conversation with Raniya as she was watching the elves and Togo’s friends get along together. He noticed she was sad when she remembered a human she was close to. He knew instantly it was Azir; her sadness at the elves’ anger gave it away.
Raniya told Togo how she and Azir talked all the time when she visited Kukja with her father. Although Azir was occasionally too carefree, they formed a bond as future leaders in their communities. However, as he became an enemy of their forest, she’s determined to stop him once and for all as Amen. As she expressed her determination, her tone changed from a soft-spoken girl to a leader determined to defeat Sun Forest’s enemies.
Togo comforted Raniya, saying she and Azir could reconcile after their fight. He also encourages her to stay strong so that they would make up.
Though encouraged, Raniya remained sad and worried about Azir’s betrayal and their damaged friendship. Togo agreed with her, as it reminded him of someone whom he grew up with but became an enemy. Despite this, they reconciled after they fought one another and understood each other’s feelings.
To Raniya’s amazement, Togo’s absurd and naïve words were enough to give her reassurance.
After learning about how elves use Seal-Engraving Spells, Teltina remarked how their way of living is close to Yhidra’s ideal world. Meanwhile, the three noticed how Togo got missing while they learned about seals. Lowji informed Teltina and Yhidra that Togo was speaking with Raniya. Yhidra got extremely jealous seeing this, as the guy she liked was talking to another girl.
Meanwhile, Togo told Raniya the story about a conflict with his adoptive brother. It all started when his parents died when he was young. Shindo Daigo, his father’s friend, offered to take him in.
Kizuna Five Opening?!
I did not expect that we get a special opening for this episode! To be honest, the opening looks unique despite the Sentai theme as it is tailored to the animé experience. The song is also cheerful, as if it’s a slice-of-life animé. Overall, it’s a great opening.
Main Episode Recap
Upon arriving home, Shindo introduced his children, Kiyohiro and Sumika, to Togo. The young Togo was initially hesitant to think of them as his new family, given the recent loss of his parents. Despite this, Shindo commemorated the occasion by planting an olive seedling. The seedling is a symbol of how Togo would eventually be a part of their family.
Eventually, Togo and Kiyohiro became best friends. Whenever Togo gets bullied, Kiyohiro always goes to save him. Kiyohiro resolved fights through peaceful means, as he dislikes violence.
Meanwhile, Yhidra’s jealousy of Raniya grew as she chatted with Togo.
Despite their closeness, Togo and Kiyohiro sometimes fight, as brothers do. For instance, Kiyohiro gets annoyed when Togo eats his food without asking first. He also gets frustrated when Togo had a hard time understanding lessons.
As time passed, the olive tree grows steadily as well. Eventually, the adoptive siblings reached high school, still continuing to support one another. Togo even endorsed Kiyohiro as he ran for president of the student body. Kiyohiro eventually won as president, thanks to Togo’s help.
However, when Togo talked to his friends about Kiyohiro’s win, they criticized Kiyohiro for being overly strict and boring. They also jokingly suggested that Togo should have run in the student body.
Intrigued by Togo’s tale, Teltina moved closer to hear better. Yhidra also followed suit to ease her jealousy.
Togo continued to reminisce about an encounter with a Relationship Ender, Miffy Mouse. This was the first time Togo transformed into Kizuna Red. While he performed his role as Kizuna Red, his relationship with his brother stayed the same. He even supported his brother when he entered a piano competition.
However, Togo and Kiyohiro’s relationship started to strain during the time their family celebrated Kiyohiro’s win in the competition. Togo managed to arrive in time to celebrate, but immediately fainted because of exhaustion. Since Togo received his family’s attention due to being ill, Kiyohiro felt envious, as he was overlooked at the party.
Then, a new Break-up Fiend arrived, causing people to release their negative emotions with his Killer Noise. When Togo noticed people argued and insult one another, he went in the city to investigate. He then saw Bond Killer, the new Break-up Fiend, causing the commotion. Seeing the emergency, he immediately ordered an Emergency Kizuna Warp to summon his teammates.
The five rangers then transformed into their Kizuna Five forms. The Kizuna Five dealt with the mooks rather quickly. Meawhile, Bond Killer traded blows with Kizuna Red. The two traded powerful punches that ended up in a massive explosion.
After the battle, Kiyohiro met a wounded Togo and offered to help him fix his wounds. However, it turns out that Kiyohiro is also Bond Killer. Uragiris, a member of the Relationship Enders, also showed up to spectate Bond Killer’s performance.
Kiyohiro, transformed into Bond Killer, challenged Togo in a fight. A burning jealousy consumed Kiyohiro as he watched Togo’s adoptive family shower their adopted son with love and attention while ignoring him. Kiyohiro also expressed how he should not have befriended Togo.
Togo could not believe his adoptive brother and best friend said those things to him. That their friendship was a lie.
Bond Killer unleashed a powerful Killer Kick, knocking Togo out of his transformation.
As Togo’s Bond Power is now collapsing, Uragiris tried to take the chance by transforming Togo into a Break-up Fiend. However, it did not work as Togo broke free from its evil clutches. He transformed back into Kizuna Red, fighting Kiyohiro while expressing how he’s grateful for their friendship.
Seeing that Kizuna Red is taking control of the fight, Uragiris used the negativity released by Bond Killer to transform Kiyohiro into his mecha form. As he transformed, Kiyohiro called out Togo’s name, seemingly asking for help.
Togo tried to fight the mech alone, but he was stopped by Nagare Banjōji (Kizuna Blue) who advised him not to fight the mech on his own. The rest of the members offered their help in defeating the rampaging robot.
Together, the Kizuna Five summoned the Maximum Kizuna Kaiser to fight Bond Killer. Initially, the giant mech had a hard time dealing damage to Bond Killer, whose attacks forced the mech to play defensively. However, another mech hand had come and interrupted the attack.
Aquarion, who came from another universe, saved Maximum Kizuna Kaiser from further damage. This allowed the heroic mech to launch a Maximum Kizuna Blaster to defeat Bond Killer and save the day.
After the fight, Kiyohiro apologized for betraying his adopted brother. Togo, as friendly as he is, offered to reforge their bond of friendship.
However, this was not the end of Bond Killer. Kiyohiro still fought as Bond Killer for a total of 13 times before returning to normal. The transformation was because of the residual hatred and envy left inside of him.
The moment Togo’s story finished, everyone in the Sun Forest turned into cards, except for Togo and Raniya.
Final Thoughts
First off, I really love this animé original episode, as it was filled to the brim with Sentai, tokusatsu and other animé references. These include Sasword’s Yaiver and Zecter, Denji Sentai Megaranger, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, Battle Fever J, Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Choujin Sentai Jetman, Choukou Senshi Changerion, Kamen Rider Agito, Kamen Rider 555, Kamen Rider Kiva, Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Choujin Barom 1, Earth Maiden Arjuna. A major highlight of the episode is the mech from Genesis of Aquarion, and even writer Toshiki Inoue himself with Don Momotaro’s fan.
I also loved how Togo’s story was written in this episode. It explained the reason he’s so friendly. It also allowed Togo to connect to Raniya, who was troubled by the thought of fighting her former friend.
The episode following a typical Sentai formula adds a nice touch to the appeal. I got so hyped watching this, trying to find as many easter eggs as I can. However, I only learned some of them while writing this recap. It goes to show how much love was put into writing this episode, considering that Toshiki Inoue wrote this episode.
It’s also cute how Yhidra got so envious in this episode. Guess who’s falling in love now?
Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. It’s one of the best episodes in the season so far, making me smile while seeing the Sentai charm to this episode.