Recap: Kamen Rider Gotchard, Episode 47 – Big Clash! Houtarou vs. Supana

Gaelijah laughs at Supana’s address to the nation saying no one can escape their fate. Meanwhile, Supana is riding on his motorbike when Lachesis stops him in the middle of the street. She says that even though his display was quite pathetic, she would still like to know his goal here.

If he gets rid of the Chemies and the Kamen Riders will lose their powers, then what will be his plan to take down the Meikoku Kings? She knows he is smart enough to know there’s something missing with that scenario.

Supana says she is right. And that is because…

Everything goes silent as a teary-eyed Lachesis is horrified by what Supana tells her. Before Supana punches her in the stomach, he asks Lachesis to take care of Kyoka-san for him.

Houtarou-tachi are all on the rooftop where they are set to meet Supana. When he arrives, he wastes no time in demanding they hand over the Chemies. Houtarou asks why he wants to dispose of them and Supana answers that he will make it so they can never be transmuted ever again. Especially when innocent people are in the crossfire of people with malicious intent on Chemies.

Supana’s alchemists appear and traps Houtarou-tachi in a seal, allowing him to take the Chemies by force as he threatened. He waves his dark hand and is able to collect all the Cards in their possession.

Kyoka-san calls out to Supana before he leaves. She begs him to tell her what he plans to do. Supana just smiles and thanks her for everything. He turns to leave and the alchemists free them all from the seal.

Kyoka-san suddenly realizes what Supana might be thinking and she cannot believe it. Lachesis comes running up to the roof and confirms Kyoka’s worst fears. She says they must stop Supana before he is able to transmute all 101 Chemies onto himself so he can defeat the King on his own.

Everyone is shocked. Minato asks Kyoka if that is even possible with the black flames. Kyoka-san says Supana is one of the few people who can do it with that power the same way Gigist was able to. But a human body would never be able to survive that. Lachesis says Supana does not intend to survive this as he is determined to defeat the king even if it means wiping out the Chemies and himself.

Kyoka realizes that a peaceful world with no Chemies and Kamen Riders is what Supana wants.

Before they all head out to look for Supana, Houtarou gets an urgent call about home.

Meanwhile, Atropos tells Gurion about Supana and she offers to take care of him herself. She quickly finds a location in the quarry where Supana’s alchemists are preparing something. But Clotho grabs her and says Gaelijah does not want Atropos to be in harm’s way.

At Kitchen Ichinose, Houtarou is shocked to find the place has been ransacked. Ma-san and Shima-chan explain that maniacs barged in looking for Houtarou and the Chemies.

Houtarou runs to his mother in the kitchen. As she makes bentos, Mama Ichinose mentions how she’s realized this was the club that Houtarou had been so excited and passionate about. She recalls how happy she was that Houtarou was able to find a place where he belongs. And that’s what Kitchen Ichinose is to her. That’s why she is still working on these orders.

Mama Ichinose heads out to deliver the lunch orders and Ma-san and Shima-chan hurry out to accompany her and make sure she is safe.

Rinne tells Houtarou that his mom is an amazing woman. Houtarou says that’s exactly the reason why he cannot give up.

Sabimaru messages them that they’ve located Supana. As Houtarou and Rinne get ready to leave, the front door begins to rumble. They prepare themselves for the worst, but it’s just Ryo. He’s come to check on them since it’s become too crazy out there.

Houtarou tries to say he is okay, but Asahi-san appears at the door. He had come with Ryo wanting to check in on them as well. Houtarou apologizes for losing Wrestler G. But Asahi-san says that they’ve fought in the ring together as a tag-team so he knows their bond of partners is forever.

Asahi-san knows something is worrying Houtarou and he tells him about. Houtarou does not want Supana to sacrifice himself and he wants to save the Chemies. But Supana chose to put his own life on the line. Houtarou has no idea how to convince someone so determined. Asahi-san says words are nice, but there are other ways to show how you feel. He knows Houtarou has a fortress of dreams and it is up to him to keep it safe. Houtarou finally understands.

At the quarry, Supana prepares his ultimate transmutation. “Forgive me,” Supana says to his Chemy partners as he begins the process.

Suddenly, Rinne, Sabimaru, Renge and Minato arrive on the cliff and subdue Supana’s alchemists. That distracts Supana long enough to allow a furious Houtarou to zoom in and punch him in the face. That stops the transmutation.

“A sucker punch is ballsy,” Supana says as he punches Houtarou back. Houtarou asks why Supana must bear all this on his own. Does he want to just look cool?

Supana says he is not on his own. His parents died so he could be saved. And now he will do the same to save his friends and the world too.

Houtarou says that does not align with his Gotcha. They can work together to figure something else out instead. He refuses to watch Supana kill himself.

That’s what I’ve always hated about you, Supana says. Houtarou wanting them to just go with his idealism and pointless Gotcha. Now is the time for them to make a choice.

Houtarou refuses to lose his friend even for his Gotcha. He declares that talking is not going to do anything. So both of them henshin and engage in a brutal all-out battle.

Supana is able to get Houtarou on his knees, but Houtarou will not give up. He uphenshins to Rainbow and Supana uses his black flames as they continue to counter each other.

Have you figured out how strong I am now, Houtarou asks. Supana says he already known that for a long time. Houtarou pleads Supana to just have faith in him then. “I’m selfish you know,” Houtarou says. “That’s why I want to protect everything that is dear to me!”

This triggers a memory in Supana of him telling his parents his resolve to become an A-ranked alchemist so he can protect the whole world and bring about a world where all living things can be happy.

Houtarou says the exact same thing. “And Supana! That world includes you! That’s my Gotcha!”

Supana says that is ridiculous and the two of them continue to trade punches until they hit each other in the face. Houtarou smashes Supana’s facemask as explosions go of around them.

They then rev up their finishers and land their kicks on each other as the others watch.

Supana’s Driver releases the black flames before it shatters. He falls to the ground. “I win,” Houtarou says.

“C’mon let’s head on back,” Houtarou says. Supana replies that they are on two different paths that can never meet. “So you need to follow your own.”

Supana turns and walks away.

Later that night, Lachesis is standing guard at Kyoka-san’s home. Kyoka sits with tears in her eyes, lamenting Supana’s actions today.

Back at the Academy, Sabimaru and Isaac have added extra security to the Chemies so they won’t be so easy to take anymore. With Hopper1 by his side, Nijigon asks if Supana will ever come back to them. Houtarou says of course he will since they are working toward similar Gotchas.

Elsewhere, Clotho questions why Gaelijah has tied up Atropos. Gaelijah calls Atropos her “adorable doll” who has not come into her full power yet. And to make that happen, Gaelijah explains that strength from the human being she was modeled after must be drained and then siphoned into her.

At that point, the human will die and Atropos can transform into the supreme artificial lifeform that will be devoted to Gaelijah alone.

And Atropos’ human model is… Kudoh Rinne!

As Gaelijah begins the ritual, Rinne collapses in pain back at the Academy.

Episode Thoughts

Wowowow! A very dramatic and exciting episode that certainly rises to the occasion and fits this point of the series.

As we’ve seen with the recent episodes, the show has really done such an unexpectedly great job at delivering satisfying climaxes for our core characters. And of course with Spanner being the tertiary Rider for the season, he definitely deserves an even more epic climax. I think the show was able to deliver that here.

I don’t think it’s a surprise that Supaner would want to take on all the burden himself. But that speaks to who he is and who he has grown to become. From his trauma of watching his parents dying to protect him (twice!) to finding a new family and friends who are also putting their lives on the line, it is very logical to see him take this drastic action as to sacrifice himself for those he cares about.

He wants to protect his friends and comrades. But he also doesn’t want his parents’ death to be in vain. Especially when it was his dream that they too wanted to protect as well. Again, another plot thread from a supporting character that helps to support and/or mirror Houtarou’s own path toward his climax too.

That talk of divergent paths for Houtarou and Supanar is also something that works well with the familiar teamwork and bond theme that I am sure will play a huge part in the endgame. The show wouldn’t have so perfectly developed the bond and dynamic between Houtarou and our Alchemist Academy friends all season to not have that be a catalyst for whatever will happen in the end.

And as much as this episode was a Supanaur-focus, again, we get to see more from Houtarou. His character’s growth and development is directly connected to the learning from his experiences with his new friends. And vice versa.

That’s why all the scenes and moments in this episode can work so well. Like take the scene at Kitchen Ichinose. Not only having Ryo come to check on them, but Asahi-san too. I started tearing up when he walked in. He is a perfect example of how Houtarou has been able to help and touch so many people in ways maybe even he does not realize.

And the foundation that’s been laid for both the characters and the story made that confrontation between Houtarou and Spana so literally and narratively explosive.

The moment at the start of the episode too with Supanna and Lachesis was so great too. Their relationship, whatever level it may be now, was used perfectly here. And really, she was the perfect character to share that moment of shock with. Certainly not with any of Houtarou-tachi. And Kyoka-san was best saved for her horrified realization about what Supana was aiming to do later.

Similarly, I absolutely loved Houtarou punching Supana in the face when he first arrived. Like Rinne-tachi, I didn’t think Houtarou was capable of that! lol But this shows the dire situation is only getting worse and more dangerous.

The confrontation and ensuing battle also suits their personalities and once again speaks to their bond as well. These difficult choices have to be made at this tumultuous juncture. And these two heroes are willing to do everything they can, including sacrificing themselves, for each other and the world.

The epic direction and choreography of the entire sequence in the quarry was so worthy of this moment in the season. Heightened the drama and excitement both narratively and visually. Sweeping drone shots. Scoreless silence. Moody close-ups. It was so amazing.

Supana still walking away in the end is a fitting end to the episode. Especially since we know he’s obviously not going to just fade into the darkness at this point.

Elsewhere, it was so wonderful to see Mama Ichinose. It feels like it’s been a while since she was last on. But I also appreciate the sweet and inspiring moment between her and Houtarou especially after I had to sit through the Gotchard/Geats crossover movie where Houtarou was the biggest asshole to her for no reason.

Finally, the revelation about Atropos being modeled after Rinne, it’ll be interesting to see the backstory to why that is the case. But arriving at this moment, it’s not hard to recall all the seeds that had been planted for this unsurprising reveal. Unlike other seasons where it so obviously feels like they’ve pulled something out of thin air, Gotchard continues to pull from that strong foundation they’ve set to deliver what has been one satisfying episode after another.

This one is definitely another one and again, effectively setting the stage for the finale, piece by piece.

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