Recap: Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger, Episode 9 – Gira on the Run

While the rest of Shugoddam cheer their king and the death of the traitor Gira, Kogane and Boone go cry in the corner. At the castle, Racules orders his mens to retrieve Gira’s dead body.

While hiding somewhere in the mountains, the other kings explain to Gira that he must stay “dead” for now and not make any moves unless they say so. Himeno says Gira is being uncharacteristically obedient and asks if it’s because he’s lost all his confidence after the loss to Racules.

But Gira can’t stop thinking about how Racules seemed to intentionally avoid fatally wounding him. He flashes back to the moment Racules just misses piercing his heart. Yanma says that’s impossible, so Gira decides he must go defeat Racules immediately and that now is the perfect time. But Rita puts a quick stop to that by punching him in the stomach.

Down in the tunnels, Desnarak believes that with all three spirits having exposed themselves, this is the best time to attack The Five Kingdoms. Kamejim cackles at the surface now becoming quite dirty. Desnarak blames the humans and apologizes to Chikyuu for their defiling of the planet. He vows to kill the humans as punishment.

The four kings leave the caves. Yanma is excited to now have KingOhger under his control with Gira in hiding here. Himeno says that’s only if they can keep Gira hidden from Racules. Kaguragi says the success of this plan lies in their unity.

They put their hands in and Rita lets out a terrifying scream. The others quietly echo and they go their separate ways. However, each of the kings immediately speak with their right hands to order each of them to take Gira for themselves, thus giving them the ability to control KingOhger.

Suddenly, the Bugnarak begin attacking each of the kingdoms. The kings must leap into action, leaving the task of securing Gira to their right hands.

Yanma’s Shiokara, Himeno’s Sebastian and Kaguragi’s kuroko Kuroda all run into each other as they approach Gira who has just regained consciousness still down in the caves. Sebastian first says Gira should come to Ishabana to treat his injuries. Kuroda steps forward and says to “Hold it!”

The others pause before Gira complements Kuroda on his nice voice. Kuroda says thanks, but points out there is a Bugnarak infestation currently ravaging the world. Shiokara says Ishabana’s land of flowers and medicine couldn’t possibly protect anything.

Sebastian explains that their country’s medical team provides the support that allows their king Himeno to do her thing to protect their land. Suddenly, Desnarak appears in front of Himeno and they battle. She quickly calls Sebastian that Ishabana is unable to take in any new patients at this moment.

With Ishabana out of the picture, Shiokara suggests they go to N’Kosopa instead. The four of them get into disguise, but Douga and his men are at the gates of the capital. Yanma tells Shiokara to let the others at the castle safely guide them in. But the gamers begin arguing over which is the best path and then decide to do a hacking battle.

Douga spots the four of them before he and his men leave. He suddenly recognizes and believes Gira to be the famous teenage genius Kiito. Douga excitedly greets him and says he wishes to have a son as intelligent as him someday. Shiokara hurries them away, even though Douga would like an autograph.

The runaways hurry to Toufu. Already at the castle meeting with Kaguragi is Racules who asks about potentially hiding the dead body of Gira. Kaguragi denies any such thing and changes the subject.

Having seen it with his own eyes, Kaguragi asks Racules if the “rumors” are true about him having another ShuGod. Racules smiles a sinister smile and warns Kaguragi to watch his step if he believes such rumors.

Just then, the Bugnarak have arrived just outside of the castle, Kaguragi hurries out to help the kuroko. But Desnarak appears before him as well. They battle with Kaguragi refusing to let Desnarak lay waste to his country’s bounty.

The runaways watch the battle from afar with Gira concluding that they may have to head to Shugoddam after all. Shiokara tries to stop Gira and lets slip that he was told to take Gira. Sebastian and Kuroda confront Shiokara and the three of them begin arguing over who will take Gira home.

Gira sees this opportunity to try and sneak away, but Morfonia arrives and handcuffs Gira to take him to Gokkan. The others follow to the ice country as Morfonia sits on the judge’s throne to “sentence” Gira into staying there.

The other right hands begin arguing with Morfonia about their positions relative to their kings. Morfonia considers herself a trusted advisor and doesn’t understand the idea of merely pledging loyalty to the king.

Gira laughs maniacally and says both approaches are foolish. He explains that standing on your own and being arrogant go hand in hand. Through his time with the childrens, he thought that he alone was protecting them. But he has also learned that the kiddos also helped protect him as well. Others protecting you when you think you’re the protector while also supporting you when you think you’re alone; that’s what it’s all about.

Morfonia says that sounds quite fanciful. But Gira asks if Morfonia ever asked Rita if other people’s help is a bother. She has not, but says she can just tell by her mood.

Just then, the castle is rocked when embiggened Sanagims appear outside. Morfonia removes Gira’s handcuffs and hands him his Calibur. Gira henshins and hops into KingOhger.

God Hopper, which Gira calls Batta, comes rampaging in demanding to know where their “beloved” Sasorin is. Gira realizes there’s some question of feelings there. But feelings don’t always have to be expressed in words. They can be expressed through actions as well. God Hopper is able to combine with KingOhger and they finish off the last Sanagim.

Gira wishes God Hopper good luck with his feelings as he hops away. Gira asks Batta to send his regards to Kabutan and Sasorin.

Later, Morfonia finds an unconscious Rita lying in the snow. Gira heads back to the Gokkan castle to find Desnarak has also knocked the right hands out. Himeno and Yanma lie unconscious in the rubble of their kingdoms. Kaguragi regains consciousness as the four remaining cocoons spring up from the ground in each of the remaining kingdoms.

Desnarak knocks Gira’s sword of his hands and proclaims that the Bugnarak are immortal and immaculate and will not stop until the abyss engulfs this land.

Episode Thoughts

An interesting episode. It’s the interesting contrasts and similarities between the kings. They’re all selfish… for their countries. But there’s also value in working together and supporting each other.

I enjoy seeing the “selfish” kings. Not selfish in the Himeno way. Lol But just their own self-serving goals in the name of their peoples. Or maybe they are just power-hungry leaders. Who knows. It’s only Episode 9 lol But the scene of them putting all their hands in right before they scurry off to their right hands was great. It’s a good thing that the show isn’t quick to have everyone play nice. And in contrast to Donbrothers, again, I think the conflict between the kings will serve the story much better rather than be regretfully frustrating.

I honestly had the same reaction to Gira as Morfonia did. Lol But it was very much in line with what they seem to be doing for Gira’s character. And also showing that the peoples themselves have a lot to offer to their kings too. We saw how the N’Kosopians and Ishabanians worked together, but didn’t tell their prideful kings. So it will be nice to see how the kings grow and learn through the season.

I enjoyed seeing the right hands get some focus this episode too. And I would like to see them play a big part in helping their kings with their character development.

While that part of the story is moving along well, I don’t know about the Bugnarak making their moves this early. I mean, I know there’s the possibility of other villain factions popping up later. But I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more with the inter-kingdom conflict before the big cocoons started popping up.

Still, it’s always great to have exciting action. And a more proactive villain is much better than one that just sits in their lair all season suffering one dead general after another lol

I think my only criticism after this episode was that there’s so many different plot threads moving along that the show hasn’t really done the most seamless job of weaving them together in the best way. Like, they jump from story to story so it feels like momentum breakers when they move from one thing to another. I dunno.

Anyway, maybe it’s a refreshing thing too. Gives the season a full, but not overwhelming feel. No fillers so far yet. The story is moving along with purpose. So that’s great.

Also, it was fun to hear a familiar voice. I know the Rainbow Line President’s voice anywhere! That little moment where Gira compliments Kohsuke Toriumi’s voice was a fun moment.

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