Recap: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Episode 23 – Three Great Combos, The Biggest Battle on Earth!

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

The battle between Kaito/Zox and a more powerful Stacey rages on through the night. Kaito asks for a timeout and proposes that they continue the battle tomorrow at noon. Stacey agrees to the proposal.

The Zenkaigers bring Gaon to the hospital to get his wounds bandaged up. While waiting, the others ask Kaito why he paused the battle. He says he thought how Stacey is a much different person when he’s Satoshi with Grandma Yacchan. That makes Kaito think they could possibly be friends.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Zyuran, Vroom and Magine are curious as to why Stacey seems so drawn to his enemy’s grandmother while also not attacking the shop knowing that’s their base.

Kaito remembers his first encounter with Stacey when they talked about their families.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Over at the palace, Bokkowaus is upset that Stacey would pull back when the Zenkaigers were about to be defeated. Stacey reasons to Bokkowaus and Ijirude that it would’ve just been a war of attrition at that point, so it was best to regroup.

Barashitara walks in and asks Stacey if he’s lost his nerve. “Of course not!” Stacey says.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Up on the ship, Flint says she’s got everything tuned up for tomorrow’s battle. But Zox says he’s not joining as it is Kaito’s battle. Flint is confused, but Zox says he doesn’t feel like fighting alongside Kaito right now anyway. He has noticed how Kaito has hesitated against Stacey and he is not interested in joining if Kaito isn’t fighting to win.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

At the shop, Grandma Yacchan is surprised to see Kaito still awake as he looks at their family photo. She tells him to get some rest after the long day. But she’s been wondering if something’s happened with Satoshi. She tells Kaito about him saying it would be the last time he’d visit.

Kaito says he thinks Satoshi sees a lot of his own mother in Grandma Yacchan. She is taken aback, but Kaito doesn’t repeat what he says. He excuses himself to go for a late night walk.

Secchan and Zyuran have been listening to their convo.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Zyuran finds Kaito sitting outside and suggests they go for some late night eats. Zyuran says if he’s so curious, why not ask Stacey for answers. Stacey defeating Kaito would make Grandma Yacchan sad and put her through what he went through.

Kaito says he couldn’t do that as he feels it would just make Stacey mad and feel like cheating. Plus, Kaito believes Stacey knows what he’s doing and knows and accepts what the outcome of their battle will be.

The Zenkaigers accompany Kaito to the mountains at noon as Kaito and Stacey meet for their battle.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Kaito thanks Stacey for giving him time to talk to Grandma Yacchan and says he’s ready to give it his non-stop, full power.

“That’s what I hate about you.”

The two of them henshin. The others cheer Kaito on as the battle begins.

Stacey summons Ohranger clones for a 6-on-1 fight. The others can’t help themselves and decide to henshin and jump in and help, saying they are here to be weapons for Kaito so he can focus solely on Stacey.

Stacey then summons Shinkenger clones and that’s Zox’s cue to enter the scene. Seeing that Kaito has made up his mind about ending this battle today, Zox is willing to help as well.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

In that case, Stacey decides to hop into Battle Caesar. Kaito goes Super so he can embiggen and they continue their battle. Ijirude watches the battle from his lab.

Gaon wants to help and says he and Zyuran should embiggen. Zyuran is not sure they should, but Gaon’s injuries act up anyway. Zyuran instead suggests he and Kaito combine into Super Zenkai-Oh Zyuran.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Zox combines with his brothers and together with Vroom, Magine and Gaon, use the Ohranger and Shinkenger Gears to finish off the clones. Ijirude sends in a Kudaitest, much to Stacey’s annoyance.

Zox goes Super, embiggens and combines with his bros to form Super Twokai-Oh. They deal with the Kudaitest so Kaito can focus solely on Stacey.

Stacey is able to force Zyuran to separate from Kaito. Zox separates from his brothers so he can combine with Kaito into Zenkaiju-Oh. With a Kaiju Max Blaster attack, Kaito is able to send Stacey flying back into an explosion.

“I suppose that’s all he’s capable of,” Ijirude concludes.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Kaito reunites with the others and makes sure they’re okay. They head home with Zox smiling as they walk away. Kaito hops onto Vroom’s back and can’t help but think about Stacey.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Gege flies over to a bloody Stacey lying by the river. He brings Stacey back to the palace and asks Ijirude to fix him up. Ijirude says Stacey has served his purpose, so why go through the trouble.

Ijirude asks if this was an order from Bokkowaus, but Gege just giggles and leaves.

Ijirude says Stacey not being a normal Kikainoid complicates things. But it’s alright. He pushes a button on his console, showing the images of Papa and Mama Goshikida. He wonders which one he should “use” and decides on Mama Goshikida.

Pushing another button, the floor opens up and a capsule holding Mama Goshikida emerges.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Episode 23 Recap

Episode Thoughts

Ooooo! What an interesting episode. I have no idea what the hell is happening at the end there, but it’s very interesting at least.

First of all, my favorite parts of the episode were all the night scenes with Kaito and Grandma Yacchan in the shop and then Kaito and Zyuran going for some ramen. The late night ramen run especially was wonderful. It’s definitely something I hope to get a chance to do in the future.

But more importantly, it was a wonderful setting for Zyuran and Kaito’s little conversation. (Plus, we get to see a hardworking Kikainoid as well.)

Both moments though also provide the opportunity for a more serious and introspective Kaito which is always very refreshing to see. Kaito is a nice guy of course. Sometimes too nice. But I’m much more interested in his search for his parents and of course his relationship with his grandmother. The family dynamic is something we don’t often see on Sentai and I think that is one of this season’s stronger aspects.

As for Stacey, we don’t know what went into his decision to challenge Kaito like that. He prepared for his “death” by saying goodbye to Grandma Yacchan. But I honestly don’t think he would just give up like that. So there’s definitely something there. Especially as Ijirude has the power, or knowledge, to essentially resurrect him. Stacey’s been planning something for a while now. And we did see him looking through Ijirude’s computer. So we’ll see.

Infusing him with Papa or Mama Goshikida data or something? That’s very curious. Not sure where they could be going there. I’m just hoping it won’t dilute any sort of shocking revelation regarding Stacey’s true connection to the Goshikidas. Like, merely installing memories or emotions into him doesn’t really hit as hard as, for example, Stacey actually being one of the parents or something similar. But you never know.

Then there’s Gege who we know is the real boss behind the Tojitendo operation. He too has some secrets hidden as well. Is he a Goshikida himself? Anything’s possible! lol

Anyway, I think they did a good job with taking a step forward with that storyline without revealing too much. Overall, I think this is one of the most enjoyable episodes of the season for me.

2 thoughts on “Recap: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Episode 23 – Three Great Combos, The Biggest Battle on Earth!

  1. I like how episode are divided into two segments, where first half cover initial battle with Stacey with newly modified Battle Caesar Robo II and characters shares their moments, while second half covers main battle between Zenkaiger and Stacey, which was well balanced and paced.

    ZenKaijuOh managed to share their power, where Zenkaizer with Juran (THE RED!) while TwoKaizer with TwokaiRicky, which I admit is very innovative combination.

    Despite Battle Caesar Robo II is destroy, Stacey managed to survived/unconscious, and turns out Ijirude kept Kaito’s parents all this time! ZOMG!

    While I didn’t expect Stacey to die, due to the fact his character is still shrouded with mystery, I like how the episode set up for potential upcoming story arc. I was also shocked that Ijirude kept Kaito’s parents, which makes me wonder how Zenkaiger going to rescue them.
    It’s about time show started to become really interesting.

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