Recap: Mashin Sentai Kiramager, Episode 1 – The Mashin Are Born!

The strange alien lifeform turns on its tap and sludge flows out all across the Tokyo metropolitan area. That sludge turns into Bechats who then proceed to attack the people.

Muryou alerts the Kiramagers to the disturbance. Princess Mabushina is worried that they haven’t found the fifth warrior yet. But the Red Kiramai Stone announces he has found his Kiramental partner

Meanwhile, the high school is evacuating its students. But Juru is so focused on his drawing that he doesn’t realize what’s going on until his classmates Haruhi and Kenta have him snap out of his artistic focus.

Haruhi and Kenta decide to go up close and take photos of the alien form to post online. But Juru has another enlightened moment and begins to draw.

Princess Mabushina approaches Juru and explains the situation, recapping Episode Zero.

Over in Yodonheim, Carantula wants to vomit over the beauty of Earth. But Garuza asks him to show him what he’s got. Carantula says he’s already sent Faucet Hildon to terrorize Japan.

Mabushina says they are looking for people with strong Kiramental, that unmistakable sparkle and talent. Juru says he is definitely not their guy then. But Red Kiramai Stone says he is! He beams both Juru and Mabushina inside and Mabushina continues explaining the season’s backstory.

Mabushina slaps the Kiramai Changer onto Juru’s wrist and Red Kiramai Stone lets them down in the plaza where the others are battling the Bechats.

Juru is amazed by the sparkling heroes and is inspired to draw. He runs over up close to each Kiramager, getting in the way from time to time as they finish taking care of the Bechats.

The Kiramagers dehenshin and Juru is starstruck by Shiguru, Dr. Sayo, Sena and… Well, Juru is not familiar with Tametomo, actually.

Anyway, Juru denies he is their fifth teammate saying they all have a strong Kiramental while he does not. Tametomo agrees Juru is not it. But Red Kiramai Stone is sure Juru is his best match.

Carantula orders Hildon to draw a magic circle of sludge that will open the gate for Yodon to invade. Muryou alerts the Kiramagers to what’s happening. They hurry over and Juru wishes them well, apologizing for getting in their way.

The Kiramagers try to figure out how to counter the huge Hildon. But their basic weapons don’t seem to work.

Mabushina approaches Juru and asks him to return the Kiramai Changer if he is not going to join the team. She accidentally steps on Juru’s sketch book and apologizes. She opens it up and likes Juru’s drawings of the Kiramagers.

He says drawing is the only thing he enjoys.

She is surprised to see his other drawings though, like one of the Kiramai Shot and Kiramai Sword combined. He says he imagined the two would be stronger together.

The next picture is of a giant robo attacking Hildon and Mabushina believes Juru is some kind of divine artist. Juru says he merely thought it would be cool if something like the giant robo could defeat the enemy.

Red Kiramai Stone says this is Juru’s Kiramental. Mabushina says the only person in Crystalia who could draw something into reality was her father. So Juru has the same power as King Oradin.

Red Kiramai Stone tells Juru to be more confident in himself. Juru says he has never been praised like this before and is starting to believe in his own shining sparkle.

Muryou calls and says the others need help fast.

Just then, Juru has another Hirameking and draws Red Kiramai Stone turning into a racecar. Red Kiramai Stone says he can do that and he turns into a car Juru can hop into.

They arrive where the others are battling Hildon and Juru tells them he drew the vehicle. But Juru notices his classmates on the rooftop of a nearby building that Hildon is about to attack.

Juru has a Hirameking and draws a fire truck. Red Kiramai Stone is able to transform into Mashin Fire.

Red Kiramai Stone says he truly believes in Juru and thinks he’s got what it takes. Juru says he is ready to henshin.

Juru does the Kiramai Change and hops into Mashin Fire. They are able to save Juru’s classmates.

Mabushina tells the others that Juru’s Kiramental is the power to imagine and that was able to bring about a miracle. The others are pleasantly surprised, except for Tametomo who isn’t so impressed.

Hildon continues drawing the magic circle.

Dr. Sayo asks Juru if he can make them vehicles too. And with another Hirameking, Juru imagines a medical helicopter Mashin Heliko for Dr. Sayo. Then a jet Mashin Jetta for quick-witted Shiguru, a very fast supercar Mashin Mach for Sena. And for Tametomo, Mashin Sovellow, an excavator shovel.

The Kiramagers hop into their new mecha and work together to take down Hildon, finishing with a Kiramai Stone Bomber.

Episode Thoughts

It definitely helps to have watched Episode Zero lol

I would be a little less enthused watching this premiere if I hadn’t seen Episode Zero. The exposition recapping the “movie” in this episode felt too clunky. And not having the traditional assembling of the team reminded me of Power Rangers Samurai premiering with Episode 3 instead of Episodes 1 and 2. And that’s not a good thing lol

But thankfully, I did get to watch Episode Zero so it really makes a more positive difference.

This episode offered a little more on the emerging dynamics within the team. While Episode Zero really put Princess Mabushina in the spotlight, this episode was all about Juru. And he left a great first impression.

I see we’ll be collecting all of his Hiramekings all season lol But he’s the typical happy, positive, hyper Red. It will be interesting to see if they offer a twist for his character somewhere down the road.

I also hope those two students and even Mizuki from Episode Zero are regular recurring characters. Since the Kiramagers are all from different walks of life and backgrounds, it would be nice to have them return to their “normal” lives from time to time. So for example, it would be nice for Juru to be in class sometimes and juggle his responsibility as a Kiramager with his regular school work and classmates.

Like I said with Episode Zero, the designs and overall visuals of the season so far feel kind of old and not very slick. So I hope that can improve over time.

But overall, a fun and positive TV premiere episode.