Recap: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Episode 30 – Is the Machine Next Door Persimmon-Eating Destruction?!

Before the Zenkaigers can henshin to take on Persimmon World, a mysterious fellow introducing himself as Kikai Power Hakaizer suddenly appears. Hakaizer says he is a machine soldier created by Ijirude to protect the worlds.

The Zenkaigers henshin and take both Hakaizer and Persimmon World on. But Hakaizer is able to knock all six Zenkaigers down with just one swat. He whips out his Hakai Gun which surprisingly features all the Sentai teams on it.

For his first attack, Hakaizer summons clones of Ninja Yellow, Hurricane Yellow, Shinken Yellow and Ki Ninger to battle the Zenkaigers and easily knock them down with Chanbara Power. Persimmon World hits his bell to deliver one more painful vibration to the already hurting Zenkaigers before he and Hakaizer leave.

Secchan thinks Hakaizer’s design and weapons look very familiar.

Ijirude introduces Hakaizer to Bokkowaus and says he built him from scratch like he did Stacaesar. Gege is a bit suspicious of the “from scratch” part, but Bokkowaus is impressed that Hakaizer seems to be a bit more successful than Stacaesar has been.

The Zenkaigers return to the shop and are very thirsty. But Secchan frantically tells them of the information he’s found. Hakaizer and his weapons are made from Papa and Mama Goshikida’s blueprints. After some digging, Secchan has found all their data including the blueprint for the Full Power Zenkai Cannon. All this was a prototype for Zenkaiger.

They conclude that the Tojitendo has been stealing all of the Goshikidas’ work, which the Goldtsuikers in turn stole from the Tojitendo.

Just then, they notice Grandma Yacchan drinking straight out of the spout of the kettle, saying she’s been very thirsty.

Zox is also thirsty and has been drinking nonstop. All the people around the city who heard Persimmon World’s bell are also scrambling for something to drink. But others are running out of liquids and are becoming dehydrated.

Turns out Persimmon World is actually Dried Persimmon World and hearing his bell will dehydrate you just like himself.

The Zenkaigers henshin, but they are also becoming dehydrated. Dried Persimmon World laughs that their dehydration will lead to death. But the Goldtsuikers have set up a drinking station for them to rehydrate.

Zox keeps Dried Persimmon World busy while the others drink. And vice versa.

But while they start gaining the upper hand on the Tojitendo, Hakaizer appears and summons clones of Denji Blue, Dyna Blue, Blue Three and Time Blue. The Zenkaigers grow weaker thanks to being dehydrated and the fierce Blue Science attacks.

Kaito tries to keep Hakaizer busy while the others deal with Dried Persimmon World. Hakaizer begins to mock Kaito, but Kaito refuses to let his parents’ work be used in this evil way.

After some quick hands in battle, Kaito is able to gain control of the Full Power Zenkai Cannon. Secchan urges Kaito to immediately use it on Dried Persimmon World.

The others keep Hakaizer busy while Kaito uses the power of all the Sentai teams to deliver a Finale Buster to finish off Dried Persimmon World. All the affected people are no longer thirsty.

Hakaizer wants to finish them off, but he is running out of energy and leaves.

Dai Dried Persimmon World appears so the Zenkaigers hop into ZyuraGaon, VroomMagine and Twokai-Oh Cutanner. After Dai Dried Persimmon World puts them in a flower arrangement, Kaito and Zox form Zenkai-ju Oh and finish the Tojitendo off for good.

Ijirude can’t believe they’ve already lost the cannon, but at least Hakaizer returned unharmed. He continues his research, but the system shows him there is new information. He brings up Papa Goshikida to extract it.

Back at the shop, the Zenkaigers raise a toast for a job well done today. Grandma Yacchan is happy to have her son and daughter-in-law’s work back in the right place and thanks the Zenkaigers for bringing it home.

Episode Thoughts

Well, it was mostly a filler episode. But at least it was a fun, enjoyable one. One of the stronger fillers I think this season.

For the story developments, the episode showed some of how Ijirude has been extracting and using data and information from Mr. and Mrs. Goshikida’s minds in order to create soldiers and tech for their cause. This helps to add some pieces to the greater puzzle of the mystery of the Goshikidas’ whereabouts and what Ijirude has been doing with them all this time.

Using that story development to debut a new toy by way of a new general was creative and I think done in a fun way. And the sort-of-new tribute gimmick (we’ve certainly had clone legends already this season) is also enjoyable to watch.

The MOTW was also fun. Persimmon World revealing himself to be Dried Persimmon World was amusing and a lighthearted surprise. It’s a nice contrast too to what he was capable of. Causing dehydration in people and Kikainoids until they die. That’s one of the darker MOTW plots, for sure. But the episode presented it in a lighter way that I do think worked well. Going a more serious route would’ve also had some nice possibilities too.

So other than some little foundation building, this episode was a standalone filler. But it was a fun and enjoyable one to watch.