Recap: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Episode 4 – The Curious Meddler is Vroom Vroom!

Ijirude has brought Boxing World to life and he sets off to wreak some havoc. Vroon approaches Ijirude to ask him about why worlds trapped in Tojiru Gears are being freed. He wonders if Bokkowaus has changed his policy.

Ijirude seems to have an idea about what’s happening. He asks Vroon who confirms he hasn’t told anyone else. Ijirude says that means Vroon is the only one he has to get rid of then.

At the candy shop, they welcome in Mr. Su who orders a sundae. But a boxing bell rings out of nowhere, gloves pop up on Mr. Su’s hands and he begins trying to fight everyone in the store. The same happens across the city as people begin boxing at the sound of a mysterious bell.

Mr. Su even tries to punch Grandma Yacchan in the face, but Kaito steps in front and absorbs the punch instead.

The Zenkaigers hurry outside where they find boxers all over the city knocking people out. Boxing World appears and introduces himself, saying this world will abide by Boxingtopia rules.

The Zenkaigers’ henshin is interrupted when Kudakks come in chasing Vroon around. The Zenkaigers begin fighting off the Kudakks, but a very curious Vroon wants to know who they are, what they’re fighting for and how they got Gears similar to those used by Ijirude. He asks if they are also trapping worlds in Gears.

Boxing World grabs Vroon thinking if Kudakks are chasing after him then he must be wanted by Ijirude. As he gets dragged away, Vroon begs the Zenkaigers to help him. Kaito realizes Vroon must have escaped the Tojitendo.

Magine is able to toss a magic banana peel making Boxing World slip. The guys grab Vroon and they hurry away.

Ijirude appears to give Boxing World new orders. And that is to destroy Vroon for good. Ijirude sends out an announcement to all the amateur boxers that have popped up in the city. If any of them want a shot at the Tojitendo Championship belt, they must fight and defeat Vroon.

Safely away from the Tojitendo, Vroon thanks them for his safety. Kaito asks for his name and Vroon introduces himself. Both Zyuran and Gaon are a little suspicious of Vroon seemingly being familiar with Ijirude. Vroon says all he ever did was clean, so he can’t necessarily be called a Tojitendo goon.

Vroon’s attention is then drawn to the balloon animals, fish net stockings and Earth food. But before they continue interrogating him, Mr. Su appears and charges at Vroon per Boxing World’s announcement. Other boxers show up as well and the Zenkaigers take refuge in a library.

Vroon explains that he has an unending curiosity and is very interested in knowledge. He entered Tojitendo Palace in order to learn things that he couldn’t as a mere commoner. Kaito explains that they are currently in a library where you can come and read any book you like.

Just then, the boxers pop up again and continue to chase after them.

They end up in the basement and Vroon explains how Tojiru Gears were created to conquer worlds without any military action. Bokkowaus’ goal was to have every parallel world in his hands. This was the last world needing to be captured, but a malfunction caused it to merge with Kikaitopia instead.

When Vroon mentions that Mushroomtopia and Icetopia have already been liberated from the Gears, they realize that once a Tojiru Gear is destroyed, the world that was imprisoned inside it is freed.

The boxers find them and they have to run. But they run into Ijirude and Boxing World outside.

Kaito tells Vroon to get to safety. Vroon is unsure, but Kaito promises he will defeat the Tojitendo. He will not allow them to lock up and use worlds however they want.

The four Zenkaigers prepare to henshin, but Vroon has something to say. He says Ijirude never taught him a single thing. But he was able to learn a lot today with his new friends. The biggest thing being how tiny the world he was living in truly was. Now that he has gained knowledge, his world has grown exponentially.

Vroon says before he quits, he wants to teach Ijirude one thing: his name.

Vroon asks Kaito if he may join their team and fight alongside them. He would like to stay on this world and learn with them. Kaito says of course and he hands him a Geartlinger.

They show Vroon how to use it and proceed to henshin as a complete team for the first time.

Magine summons some trainers to keep the boxers busy while the others take care of the Kudakks. Vroon learns a little about his Boukenger-infused power and is able to knock Boxing World’s mouthpiece right out. Ijirude locks in a Dairanger Gear for them to use their rods power.

The Zenkaigers then deliver a Super Zenkai Time Zenkai Finish Buster to finish off Boxing World. That releases all the amateur boxers from their stupor.

Ijirude summons a Kudaitest and Boxing World goes Great.

Kaito, Zyuran and Gaon hop into Zenkai-Oh ZyuraGaon and take Great Boxing World on. Vroon also flips his Gear to transform into Vroon Dump in order to destroy the ring the others are fighting in.

Great Boxing World calls in another Kudaitest. Magine transforms into Magine Dragon and Kaito activates the combination of Vroon and Magine into Zenkai-Oh VrooMagine.

After taking on the Kudaitests separately, the Zenkaigers switch off into Zenkai-Oh ZyuraMagine and Zenkai-Oh VrooGaon. They first take care of the regular Kudaitest before switching back and then delivering a Super Zenkai Time Vroon Pick Accel Smash to finish off Boxing World for good.

The Boxing Gear is destroyed and Boxingtopia is freed.

Back at the shop, Vroon helps out by cleaning after the mess caused by the boxers earlier. He tells Grandma Yacchan to ask him for help anytime she needs.

Before they celebrate, Vroon wants to make sure the Sentai Gears they use don’t have worlds trapped in them. Secchan confirms that the Gears only use Super Sentai as inspiration. Kaito’s missing parents would never do something like using trapping worlds.

The names of Kaito’s parents sound familiar to Vroon and he remembers that people with those names had been in Ijirude’s lab in the past.

Episode Thoughts

A nice introduction to Vroon. I like his personality. Wanting to learn and gain knowledge is certainly a great message for the kiddos. But in general, it’s also a nice, positive personality to have. They did a better job of Vroon being interested in the human world than they did with Gaon’s awkward obsession.

But now that the team is complete and everything’s essentially been set up, we can get into the meat of the story.

There’s definitely something with Kaito’s parents. I’m sure they’re involved in the Tojitendo somehow. Maybe they were kidnapped or possessed or corrupted. There’s some great potential there for future story if there ever comes a time Kaito must confront them in some way. Having Grandma Yacchan also involved would be awesome.

I liked seeing Ijirude may have his own agenda separate from Bokkowaus. Having tension and drama amongst the villains is always great for possible story. And it also helps to build the villains up as actual threats. Unlike other shows out there. (*cough*Saber*cough*)

The action was great this episode. And I loved the insert song that played during the mecha battle.

Overall, another solid episode. Zenkaiger is definitely good vibes all around. But I’m betting on things getting much more serious and dramatic later on. Establishing our heroes first in these fun terms will make that possible shift even more impactful.