Recap: Kamen Rider Gotchard, Episode 23 – Zukyun Always in My Heart

After Clotho sends Houtarou flying back, Supana and Rinne charge toward her and grab her. That gives Houtarou time to uphenshin to SteamHopper and then deliver a Burning Fever attack that drives her away.

Rinne says they must turn their attention back to Zukyumpire. Houtarou knows a Chemy wouldn’t intentionally do anything to harm people. Sabimaru and Renge arrive with the female fan Yua who explains everything.

Supana leaves it for the rest of them to take care of. And now understanding Zukyumpire’s motivation, Houtarou, Rinne and Sabimaru hurry over to the rooftop where Zukyumpire is fueling the Zukyun skyheart.

Zukyumpire asks why they must prevent him from showering his Zukyun across the world. Once the heart is full, his Zukyun will be able to bring about world peace and he can make everyone happy.

However, they break the news to him that whenever he Zukyuns someone, he is actually sucking their life energy. Zukyumpire doesn’t believe that. But Renge arrives with Yua who immediately apologizes to him.

Yua recalls the first time they met. Zukyumpire had just found himself in his human body when he stumbled upon a crying Yua. He approached her to ask what was wrong. Yua explains that her boyfriend left her after saying he no longer needs her.

Zukyumpire said Yua does not deserve to ever feel hurt again because she was born to be happy.

Zukyumpire gave her a Zukyun and she immediately felt much better. Zukyumpire said he also gains power from her smile. Yua believed he is the kind of person who can save the world.

But now because Yua had absorbed the most of Zukyumpire’s Zukyun, she is almost drained of all her life energy. Zukyumpire cannot believe it. Yua says she didn’t want to tell him and ruin his dreams.

Realizing what he has done, Zukyumpire begins to fall to despair. Yua tries to assure him that it is not his fault. But Zukyumpire’s skyheart begins to break. Houtarou asks for help from Tricera and Catchula and he is able to shield them from the falling fragments.

Houtarou tries to get Zukyumpire to snap out of it. But Clotho arrives and chains him up. She tries to send him further toward despair and forcibly feeds the skyheart with more of his energy.

Clotho laughs and says she will absorb Zukyumpire’s power once he becomes the ultimate Chemy. Rinne will not stand for Clotho distorting Zukyumpire’s sincere wish of bringing smiles to people.

Rinne henshins to Mooncerberus and they battle. Houtarou goes X-Rex and tries to break Zukyumpire free of Clotho’s chains. Clotho is able to drive Houtarou back. But Houtarou continues reaching out to Zukyumpire and encourages him to not give up. He says Zukyumpire can still find a way to bring people happiness.

Zukyumpire remembers all the smiles of the people and that powers him up to break free of Clotho’s chains. He says Houtarou has his faith and offers his powers to him. Houtarou Gotchas Zukyumpire and locks in his Card to deliver a Zukyumpire Xlash at Clotho.

The Zukyuns are able to eliminate the malice in Sabeliger and Kamantis. And with Clotho now powerless, Rinne delivers a Nova kick to tee her up for Houtarou who finishes her off with a Burning Fever finisher.

Back to normal, Clotho vows to return this humiliation to them in the future.

Later, Zukyumpire blows the skyheart away and that returns everyone’s life energy. Houtarou asks if Zukyumpire will fight alongside him from now on. Zukyumpire says of course, takes Houtarou’s hand and calls him a friend.

Yua asks if this is goodbye and Zukyumpire says his heart will always be with her. They remind him not to be giving out Zukyuns again, so he instead says Thank you to Yua.

Back at the Academy, Gurion is about to chide Clotho for her failures. But he says it’s alright because he now knows the key is to slowly, but surely infect Chemies. He declares their next experiment will take everything away from Houtarou and the gang.

Gurion nods to Atropos who hands Minato the Dread Driver and a replica Unicon Card. Minato thanks Gurion and both he and Lachesis smirk.

Over at Kitchen Ichinose, Hopper1 is also enamored by Zukyumpire which makes Houtarou very jealous.

Sabimaru says to himself that he’s kinda glad Renge’s crush was for a Chemy, but passes it off as saying he’s happy she’s back to normal.

Resolved to find his own path, Zukyumpire hopes Yua will be able to do the same.

On the other side of town, Yua is surprised when her ex-boyfriend approaches her saying that he wants her back. But Yua, reminded of Zukyumpire’s words to her, stands up for herself and says no thanks.

Episode Thoughts

Another wonderful episode. I think the biggest takeaway is how we get another example of how Chemies are really inherently good until they get corrupted. Possibly like humans as well. A bad or evil influence could turn even the best of intentions negative. And it’s interesting as this is exactly Gurion’s next plan. So this episode was a good way to set the stage for what’s ahead.

Meanwhile on its own, the episode had two nice Lessons of the Week. First, how it’s great to want to support others, but also being mindful of how you go about it. Zukyumpire sincerely wanted to bring smiles to people, but was unable to see the potentially negative effects of his efforts. Perhaps that might even be something Houtarou will have to learn in the future as well with his efforts to befriend Chemies.

Also, a nice little story about finding the strength to stand up for yourself. With some support from others of course. But it was pleasant surprise to see the final scene be of Yua being able to do that to her ex-boyfriend. And again, circling back to the idea that everyone can find their happiness in many different ways.

Another pleasant surprise was hearing what I thought was a new Zukyun theme song. And indeed, Zukyumpire has his own character song!

And performed by Jyutaro Yamanaka himself! It’s a great song and he really did a great job as Zukyumpire. I hope this means that we see more of him in the future!

Meanwhile, a nice tease of what’s to come from Gurion and the Gang. Seeing those smirks, I’d love to see Minato and Lachesis work together somehow. Kind of like an enemy of my enemy is my friend kind of deal. They can of course go back to fighting later on. But first, take care of their common enemy. I don’t think Gurion is an endgame villain, to be honest. But he’s been great in really upping the threat and danger that our heroes face. And that’s always important so as to give our heroes’ even more of a reason to fight.

Elsewhere, I guess I have to stop thinking of Sabimaru and Renge as twins now if they’re going to have Sabi harboring feelings for her! lolol

Anyway, a great pair of episodes. Perfect for Valentine’s week. But also great in continuing to further the story. Again, every episode so far has been able to add something to the big picture. It doesn’t always have to be a big revelation or twist. But the seed planting and foundation building has been so great this season. Helping to maintain the steady pace and making the big moments as impactful as they can be.

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