Recap: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, Episode 5 – The Police Will Not Falter

Officer Jou salutes and checks in for his first day on the job as Boonboom liaison. But he has one request: he wants to become a Boonboomger as well. He has always dreamed of becoming a hero since he was little and wants to protect others like them.

They turn to Taiya who, to Shashiro and Mira’s shock, says absolutely not. At least, not as Officer Jou is now.

Meanwhile, the three generals are annoyed that they haven’t got much mention in the press so far. Dekotorade and Yaruka tease Ittasha and she inserts a key into a dartboard to bring about Darts Guruma.

Back at the base, Taiya shows Shashiro and Mira two new Cars he’s been working on. But the two are still wondering why Taiya turned down Officer Jou’s request.

Officer Jou sadly walks by the river and wonders if he really is not good enough or cut out to be a hero. Just then, he hears screams nearby and runs over.

Darts Guruma, accompanied by Nejirettas, are attacking people by forcing them to play darts. If one fails to hit a bullseye, they are subjected to punishments like rubber hammer bops to the head or standing on acupressure mats. The pain releases plenty of ghasolin from the people.

Officer Jou immediately calls the others. Taiya says they’ll be right there and advises him to get to safety too.

Officer Jou feels down, but immediately jumps into action when a woman cries for help. He offers to play darts in her place. Darts Guruma obliges and Officer Jou throws the dart at his face. That gives him enough time to get the people to safety and lure Darts Guruma and the Nejiretta away from other potential victims.

They end up in an abandoned warehouse where Officer Jou gets tossed around by Darts Guruma.

Taiya, Shashiro and Mira arrive and henshin. Darts Guruma convinces Mira to play and she misses the bullseye. Her punishment is metal basins to the head. Shashiro shoots at the darts board, but he also misses the bullseye. His punishment is exploding pies.

Darts Guruma says the game will stop once they hit the bullseye. Taiya is next up and hits a bullseye. But his prize is the electric chair. Officer Jou helplessly watches as Darts Guruma says they need to use their heads in this game.

The Boonbooms endure huge explosions, but they refuse to give up. Officer Jou is inspired once again and he charges toward Darts Guruma before he can send a Darts Bomber attack at the others.

Officer Jou says he’s always wanted to be a hero even when he didn’t know exactly what that entailed. While Darts Guruma kicks and beats him, Officer Jou says he will never give up. He may just be an ordinary police officer, but he takes his responsibility to protect the peoples seriously. And that includes protecting the Boonboomgers too.

Darts Guruma sends another explosion Officer Jou’s way. But Taiya now understands Officer Jou’s resolve. He gives Genba the go-signal.

Genba tosses Officer Jou the Boonboom Change Axe and Taiya gives him the right to use it.

Officer Jou activates the Changer and henshins to Bun Black.

Shashiro says Officer Jou is a reckless guy. Mira says it is so cool to have a police officer protecting the Boonbooms. And Taiya thinks Officer Jou’s police spirit has won him over. Genba smiles and says he will leave the rest to his youthful comrades.

After their first four-member roll call, the Boonbooms first take on the Nejiretta.

Officer Jou is able to finish off Darts Guruma. And Yaruka quickly swoops in to take him onto the Highway.

Taiya gives Officer Jou his own Car. Shashrio and Mira want some payback for the punishments earlier. So Taiya gives them a new Car as well.

BunBun joins them on the Highway as Officer Jou hops into Boonboom PatoCar 1 and Shashrio and Mira hop into Boonboom PatoCar 2.

Together, they are able to drive Yaruka out of the Highway. And to deal with an embiggened Darts Guruma, the Boonbooms combine into Boonboomger Robo Police.

Officer Jou takes the lead and uses his policeman spirit to finish off Darts Guruma for good.

Back at the base, Investigator Shirabe is surprised that Officer Jour has become a Boonboom. Taiya is happy about Investigator Shirabe having delivered a new Boonboomger to them. Mira is excited about having Officer Jou as a kohai. And Shashiro acknowledges that Officer Jou’s earnestness is something that’s been missing in the Boonbooms so far.

BunBun announces that the curry is ready for their welcome party for Officer jou.

Both Officer Jou and Investigator Shirabe excitedly cheer for the curry, much to everyone’s surprise.

Episode Thoughts

Another great episode! Definitely a great welcome to Officer Jou into the Boonboom team. I think it’s very nice how these five episodes so far have really emphasized and highlighted the team’s resolve to protect the peoples. We got our traditional good ol’ heroes and it really is a fun and refreshing return to form for Sentai.

Again, nothing wrong with the unique approaches of the last few seasons. But it’s great to get back to basics too. I think what’s very clear is that Sentai continues to be fresh and creative. And there’s still plenty of life in the franchise after years of doom and gloom amongst the (western?) fandom.

Anyway, this episode was definitely more action-heavy than the first four. But I think paired with last episode and the set-up for Officer Jou becoming a Boonboom, it works well. It feels like a two-parter. And I think the forward movement for the story warrants it too.

Like Shashiro mentions in the end, the team may have lacked Officer Jou’s earnestness. So his resolve and conviction as a dutiful police officer wanting to help protect people should positively impact the others as well. Officer Jou is the perfect character to help further the heroic ideals of the team.

We also got to see more of Taiya’s personality and what goes into his decisions, especially one as big as who to welcome into the team. Him being a different type of Red from the last couple really adds a lot to the season’s overall story so far. And it really bodes well for later.

More fun moments with our three Hashiryan generals. And the 10 minutes of straight, good ol’ action was very exciting.

The final scene of Investigator Shirabe cheering for curry with Officer Jou was an unexpected, but wonderful treat! It really goes along with the bright, positive vibes of the season so far.

And definitely a great way to leave this week with even more feelgood moments.

Overall, another great and enjoyable Boonboom episode!