Tsubasa is on a rooftop, still confused as to why Natsumi did not recognize him. Whether she has amnesia or is just a doppleganger, he is sure to find out today as it is one year since she disappeared. He apparently promised not to tell anyone about the incident for one year in the hopes that he’d see his love once again.
But before he can ponder some more, he spots a young man making his way over the railing on the side of the roof. Believing the worst is about to happen, Tsubasa quickly henshins, jumps through a virtual door and kicks him back to safety.
Sononi, who had been watching the entire thing, appears and shoots an arrow at Tsubasa. Both are surprised to learn of each other’s true identity. But Sononi is more interested in having just found out love can lead to excessive greed which can then lead to hatred and conflict.
She asks Tsubasa if that is a correct assessment. Tsubasa says for him, love is a guiding light that people need to move forward.
As the young man, Tanabe Makoto, begins to wake up and utter the name “Kana-chan,” Sononi takes a peek at his forehead door and sees a Hitotsuki lurking about. Saying that Makoto is about to become a Hitotsuki because of love, Sononi proposes a deal with Tsubasa for him turn this darkness into light.
Tsubasa takes on the challenge.
When Makoto comes to, he tells Tsubasa all about his situation. His girlfriend Kanako dumped him and now he doesn’t have the will to live. Though Tsubasa is more concerned with finding Natsumi, he also knows that if she were here, she would want him to help Makoto.
Tsubasa says he’s had his own share of heartbreak too. Makoto doesn’t believe it since he thinks Tsubasa is so cool. A flattered Tsubasa has a suggestion on how to get over a heartbreak: good food.
They head to Makoto’s apartment and Tsubasa makes him some spaghetti alle vongole in bianco and pork loin with apple sauce. While enjoying the good food, Makoto continues to tell his story. A Hitotsuki had attacked him and Kanako, but Makoto ran away and left her behind. Since then, Kana-chan has been cold to him and has even found someone else she likes now.
Tsubasa believes Makoto needs to redeem himself in a similar situation and he has the perfect idea.
Makoto has Kanako meet him downtown. The plan is for Tsubasa to have his friend who does theatrical makeup dress him up as a monster. Tsubasa would then “attack” them and Makoto can protect her better.
But as Tsubasa prepares to pop out of the bushes, Jirou arrives and thinks this weirdo looks very suspicious. Tsubasa recognizes him as the guy who fed him dog food and says this is none of his business. But Jirou grabs Tsubasa and flips him on his back.
Makoto sees Tsubasa lying on the ground and he runs over to check on him. Kana-chan thinks he’s ditching her again.
Tsubasa apologizes for the plan going awry. But Makoto apologizes, saying he feels bad having Tsubasa go through this just for him. Tsubasa thinks Makoto should just give up on Kana-chan and find another girl.
Makoto says he could never find another girl like Kana-chan. But when Miho comes walking past, Makoto thinks she’s just the kind of woman that could come close. When Tsubasa turns around and sees his Natsumi, he quickly chases after her.
Meanwhile, Tsuyoshi admires Kanako when she walks by him. She’s pretty, but not as pretty as his Miho-chan.
Tsubasa ends up running into Tsuyoshi who points him in the direction of “pretty girl” Kanako.
Miho comes out of the flower shop and apologizes for making Tsuyoshi wait before they leave together.
Tsubasa scares a few bystanders as he crazily runs around looking for Natsumi. He begins to be delirious, seeing Natsumi’s face on every woman he comes across. But he ends up frozen in the middle of the street. As a truck is about to hit him, Tsuyoshi arrives to grab him just in time.
Makoto comes running up as well and says Tsubasa really doesn’t have to do all this for him. Tsubasa says this isn’t for Makoto and decides to explain to him and Tsuyoshi the truth about Natsumi.
Tsubasa says he and Natsumi were part of a small theatre troupe. After a performance, they went on a trip together. But while everyone was asleep, Tsubasa caught strange paper cranes crawling onto everyone’s mouths.
Tsubasa tried to wake Natsumi up, but a strange figure appeared, saying she was perfectly compatible. The figure sucks Natsumi into a strange portal and tells Tsubasa to keep this to himself for a year. If he is able to do that, he will be able to see Natsumi again.
The rest of their theatre troupe had slept through the whole thing and have still not awakened to this day. Tsuyoshi realizes this is why Tsubasa became a fugitive and wonders if the Noto have something to do with it.
Tsubasa says all he wants is to see Natsumi. Tsuyoshi suddenly has the urge to see his Miho as well so he excuses himself and runs to her.
Sononi appears, having heard Tsubasa’s story as well. She warns that if Tsubasa’s story is true, then his love is going to a painful one. Sononi refuses to explain further and leaves. But Makoto is enamored by the pretty Sononi and invites her for some coffee.
Worried for Makoto, Tsubasa sneaks into the restaurant to spy on them. Sononi sees the Hitotsuki still prancing around in Mokoto’s head and asks him to tell her about love.
Makoto tries to bring himself to admit he likes her, but he just can’t stop thinking about Kana-chan and believes she’s the only one for him. He apologizes and leaves to meet with Kana again.
Kana tells Makoto to get to the point this time. He admits that he can’t get over her and believes they are meant to be.
Tsubasa watches from around the corner as Kana explains that she has fallen for the man who showed up after Makoto left her for dead. The dashing hero who came to her rescue turns out to be Tsubasa!
Tsubasa can’t believe it.
Kana tells Makoto that she recently found out who the handsome man was. She shows Tsubasa’s Wanted poster to Makoto who is shocked. She believes Tsubasa is innocent and has since become obsessed with him, papering her bedroom walls with the wanted poster and even printing out a blanket and body pillow with his face on it.
Sonoza pops up and asks Tsubasa to teach him how to cry. Tsubasa thinks he’s a weirdo. But Sonoza’s mood changes when Sononi appears and tells him that Tsubasa is part of Don Momotaro’s crew.
Sonoza transforms and attacks Tsubasa who quickly henshins. Kana is excited at first, but is shocked and confused to see he is a dog. Her despair allows the Hitotsuki to take over her body.
“Now that’s what you call a twist!”
The Hitotsuki is desperate for some loving.
Tarou arrives on Shinichi and Haruka’s shoulders before they henshin. Sononi joins in the fun and takes on Haruka as Tsuyoshi arrives from the sky. He tries to battle Kana in the air, but she swats him down before she begins pooping bombs at Tarou and Tsubasa.
Jirou arrives to give the Donbros a hand using Ninninger Alter. Sonoza asks to hear Jirou’s cry. But Jirou uphenshins to DragonRanger to take on Sonoza.
Tarou assembles his otomotachi to go Robotaro and deliver a finisher at the Hitotsuki. When it embiggens, they form Don Onitaijin to finish her off for good.
Tsubasa sees Makoto and Kana now happily reunited and in matching couple shirts. He’s happy for them and wishes them well.
Meanwhile in the virtual art gallery, a strange figure named “Murasame” is being awakened.
Episode Thoughts
Ryusoulger’s season-long discussion on mental health. I don’t actually know hot to feel about how easily they just brushed past the fact that Makoto was about to kill himself over a girl by jumping off a building. But so goes Sunday morning Toei toku I guess.
Looking back at that opening scene, it kinda makes the madness that was that battle with the Hitotsuki even more crazy. What with the poop bombs and all. Lol
Overall, another full and enjoyable episode of the soap opera known as Donbrothers. 😊 I’m just having a lot of fun with the season and everything is moving at a steady pace that isn’t too fast or too slow.
Non-CGI Donbro of the Week
Another quick pop in from the physical Inu Brother suit:
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6 thoughts on “Recap: Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, Episode 17 – Light and Tsubasa”
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This season is wild lol Lots of fun.
Definitely a fun show.
A great episode. I agree about the good pacing. Never a dull moment.
Always something to enjoy.
I hope Donbrothers can maintain this fun quality and pace all season. Really great.
🤞