Koyomi tries to bring Haruto to the cave where she found the magic stone, but he realizes someone is keeping them from finding it. Wiseman watches them from above.
Phoenix doesn’t understand what the big deal is about Christmas and offers to blow this city up, but Medusa says to instead drive this brand new Gate to despair. He is excited, but Medusa reminds him no to act reckless.
Downtown, Rinko is the only one dressed in a Santa outfit while her colleagues are in their blues. Her Chief comes by to tell her it’s because she doesn’t take her work seriously. But Department Zero (of Kizaki) told him to allow Rinko to continue hunting Phantoms.
Sure, but why on Christmas Eve, Rinko asks. The Chief says it doesn’t matter anyway since she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Two of Rinko’s colleagues come take Chief by the arms saying that was sexual harassment as they take him away.
Serves him right, Rinko thinks and she turns around to see Haruto and Koyomi staring at her.
They all stare at each other before Haruto and Koyomi ask what in the world she’s doing dressed like that. Haruto can’t help but laugh, but Garuda comes to alert them of a Phantom.
They run to find Ghouls attacking a man. He tries to fight back, but Haruto arrives just in time to help. He henshins to finish off the Ghouls.
They bring the guy, Tatsuro, back to the shop. He thinks what they’re telling him is absurd, especially hearing it from a cosplayer (referring to a dressed up Rinko).
She takes offense, but Haruto and Shunpei can’t help but laugh.
Tatsuro’s had enough of this nonsense and gets up to leave. Haruto tries to stop him, but he says he has to go as this is his day of hope.
Haruto, Rinko and Shunpei follow Tatsuro as he goes to his several part-time jobs. Rinko’s Chief drags her away as Haruto and Shunpei continue to follow Tatsuro.
This time they see Tatsuro looking into an orphanage/school after making a delivery nearby. He’s about to kick Haruto’s ass for following him, but an older gentleman recognizes him.
Tatsuro shoves Shunpei onto Haruto and drives off.
The man introduces himself as the principal of the school and explains to Haruto that Tatsuro had been a student there after he lost his parents as a kid. Tatsuro can be a bit rowdy and cause problems, which is why he left 3 years ago and hasn’t been back since.
The kids come up to the Principal and ask if it’ll come again this year. He explains to Haruto and Shunpei that last year, someone left a bunch of presents for the children.
Tatsuro gets his pay for the delivery and goes shopping for a bunch of presents. Haruto realizes it is him who left the presents for the children last year and will be doing the same tonight.
Tatsuro explains these presents are also his hope. For kids with no families, Christmas presents give them hope. And like when he was a kid, he wanted to do the same for others when he grew up. Now, especially after causing problems for the Principal and school, he can at least help give hope to others. That is his hope.
Haruto offers to help, but Phoenix jumps down from a rooftop and attacks. He says he merely wants to play with Haruto again and drive a Gate to despair right before Haruto’s eyes. Haruto henshins goes into Fire Dragon mode, but Phoenix easily pushes back.
Tatsuro tries to collect all the presents that have fallen on the ground, but Phoenix sets all of them on fire, causing his Underworld to start cracking through.
Haruto goes Water Dragon and uses Blizzard and Water Slash Strike and Very Nice Special to destroy Phoenix.
Haruto turns to Tatsuro, places the Engage ring on his finger and enters his Underworld. The Phantom breaks free and Haruto calls on Dragon to help defeat it.
Suddenly, Haruto turns to see Santa Claus who happily hands him a small box. He jumps back into our world where Phoenix resurrects and leaves.
Tatsuro wakes up, but is still upset the presents have been destroyed. The box Santa gave Haruto begins to glow and he opens it to find a magic ring. He puts it on. It’s a Merry Christmas ring.
And with a Merry Christmas Please, all the destroyed presents are back to normal. Haruto thinks it was the real Santa.
Tatsuro brings the presents to the orphanage and leaves them on the doorstep, but the Principal comes out and tops Tatsuro from leaving. Forget about the past and come home, the Principal tells Tatsuro. He is now the children’s hope.
Tatsuro accepts the invitation and goes in.
Haruto, Shunpei and Rinko watch happily. Maybe being able to return here was his hope, Rinko says.
Shunpei says they should head back so as not to keep Wajima and Koyomi waiting. It begins to snow as they playfully walk home.
Episode Thoughts
Well that was definitely not a Go-Busters Christmas episode. Hehe.
A much lighter, fun and traditional Christmas episode. Sweet and heartwarming of course, but some great action.
The Underworld battle was amazing. Some stunning shots and great special effects and CGI. And it was nice to have a one-episode, self-contained story too.
Overall, it was fun and very-Christmas-y. A nice episode to enjoy this week.