Recap: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Episode 40 – Rescue My Father, One Chance!

The newly arrived robo begins attacking the city, wreaking havoc and putting everyone in danger. The Zenkaigers try to take it on, but are quickly forced to eject from their mecha.

Ijirude appears and explains that the robo is Hakaiju-Oh which he was able to develop by modifying Hakaizer with Bokkowaus’ power. Ijirude orders Hakaizer to attack the Zenkaigers who realize this is not the Hakaizer they’ve come to know. Kaito unsuccessfully tries to reach out to his father.

Zox arrives and uses a Dairanger Gear to create a distraction long enough for him to whisk the other to safety.

At the palace, Bokkowaus takes credit for the idea of powering up Hakaizer in this little experiment. Ijirude says with a few more tweaks, they’ll be able to use nuHakaizer to take over the world and eliminate the Zenkaigers.

Stacey asks Hakaizer if he is okay with getting these modifications especially since he was originally a human, unlike him. Hakaizer says he is a weapon created by Ijirude and for Stacey to mind his own business.

After Hakaizer leaves, Stacey slams the console of Ijirude’s computer and is shocked by what he sees.

Back in the city, the Zenkaigers help people and Kikainoids trapped under the rubble of Hakaizer’s attacks. Kaito rushes to help Mr. Tako remove the concrete slab that has buried his takoyaki cart. Kaito apologizes for allowing this to happen. But Mr. Tako says nonsense. If it wasn’t for the Zenkaigers, things would be far worse.

Kaito apologizes again. He looks at the ground and finds a smashed Christmas tree under some rubble.

Back at the shop, Mr. Su is helping bandage up some of their neighbors.

Zyuran tells Grandma Yacchan about her son being the new robo.

Up on the ship, Zox is frustrated about the situation. Especially when he warned Kaito that something like this might happen if they didn’t hurry.

The Goldtsuikers head down to the shop after Kaito calls them. He gathers everyone to say that the next battle with Hakaizer must be the last one. This is their last chance to save Papa Goshikida. But if they are unable to, they must stow Hakaizer away in the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Or in a space between worlds.

Zox realizes that Kaito is counting on him to do the latter. Grandma Yacchan bows to Zox and says they are thankful for his help. Zox understands.

Zyuran refuses to believe it will ever come to that. The other Kikai4 agree, saying that they will never give up and are disappointed that Kaito, Grandma Yacchan and Secchan would decide this course of action on their own.

They believe that if this is really their last chance, then they will just have to ensure that it will be a success. They are a team, after all. Kaito takes their sentiment to heart. Grandma Yacchan and Secchan thank them for their positivity,

As the Goldtsuikers leave for the ship, Stacey appears and gives them a data chip, suggesting they study it.

Next day, the Zenkaigers head downtown as Hakaiju-Oh begins to rampage once again. They quickly hop into Zenryoku Zenkai-Oh and Magine activates Miracle Power to transport them out of the city and into the forest.

Zox arrives and hops onto Hakaiju-Oh, telling the others that based on the blueprints they got from Stacey, Hakaizer is in the rigging of the robo’s leviathan head. Zox hops in to try and drag him out.

Kaito thanks both Zox and Stacey and tells the others they will attack the robo and avoid the head. They activate Machine Power to start.

Zox has to take care of Kudakks before he is able to free Hakaizer from the robo. He lays him on the ground.

Kaito tells the others to proceed with phase two of their plan without him. He and Zox combine to Zenkaiju-Oh and battle the robo.

The Kikai4 head down to face Hakaizer and show him photos of his childhood as well as describe memories to him to help jog his memory and get him to snap out of his robotic possession.

Ijirude is panicking and calls for Stacey. But Stacey is not responding. He sends in Kudakks and Kudaiters, but Flint swoops in and blocks them from helping Hakaizer.

Flint tells Zox it’s time to use the Crocodai Bazooka. The ship turns into a weapon and they are able to destroy the robo.

Meanwhile, the Kikai4 seem to be making huge progress with Papa Goshikida. Kaito joins them and calls to his father as he henshins.

The others watch as Kaito and Hakaizer shoot at each other. Kaito believes in the power created by his father and one final finisher seems to release Papa Goshikida from Hakaizer.

Kaito runs to his father who awakens and recognizes his son immediately. They share an emotional reunion.

Bokkowaus is livid. Gege says to himself that it is almost time.

Kaito brings his father back home and Papa Goshikida shares an emotional reunion with Grandma Yacchan. Kaito is happy to have this very best birthday present.

Episode Thoughts

The episode was going well all the way until the moment Papa Goshikida reunited with Grandma Yacchan. Then I lost it. MaGMCM for sure. I cried! lol

Though I’m not a complete fan of how this plot thread developed and was resolved, I can look past all of it just thanks to this moment with the mother and son reunion. Like, I didn’t even feel as emotional for any of the Kaito-Papa Goshikida moments. But when Grandma Yacchan sees her son for the first time, phew, that was wonderful.

The way the Kikai4 gave Hakaizer the rundown on Papa Goshikida memories was also cute. And it’s great to see Mr. Su and Mr. Tako pop up again.

But I don’t know what it is with Zenkaiger. Like, I have enjoyed the season. But I’m not that excited to watch every week. You know? I don’t feel strongly either way. That is, I don’t love it. But there’s nothing about it that I particularly dislike. Which is something that I can’t say about certain other Sentai seasons.

So with that, knowing how the search for Kaito’s parents is one of the season’s biggest plot threads, it hasn’t really had a big effect on me. Like, I haven’t really felt strongly about the story itself. I wish I was wowed by it. But I think the way the season unfurled the story, it wasn’t in the most exciting or engaging way, I guess?

This is obviously a climactic episode for that story. But it really only feels like a regular episode. Or at least, slightly above average in terms of plot.

I don’t know. It’s just my overall feeling of the season, to be honest. It’s good. It’s fun. The characters are nice. But am I wowed? Am I excited? Not so much. And I feel a little bad about that.

Anyway, overall, I enjoyed this episode. It was a great episode. But it really made me realize how I wish I was more enthusiastic about Zenkaiger. I guess I’m just thankful I don’t hate it. lol