Recap: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, Episode 43 – Powerful Handle

The Boonboomgers are enjoying the New Year’s holiday. Jou begins them a nice seafood box from his grandfather in Hokkaido. BunBun is excited to whip something delicious up with the scallops.

Over at the ISA, Maimi reports to Shirabe who had asked her to look into the actions of the higher ups at the ISA. Maimi says she found everything to be on the up and up. Shirabe asks if there is a possibility that the documents have been altered. But Maimi says Shirabe is just overthinking everything. She should just have faith in the ISA, especially as it is ensuring Earth’s future.

Meanwhile, Grantu warns Spindo that the ISA director is sketchy and might be scheming something. Spindo says it doesn’t matter because it’s the same on every planet. These people in charge won’t know what hit them when they realize Spindo pulls all the strings. Spindo suggests they hop on to the director’s little show.

Back at the Garage, BunBun serves up his treasure ship curry using the scallops Jou brought. Mira points out that it also looks like a kaizoku ship. Anyway, they all enjoy the curry.

But a serious Sakito and Byundi arrive with information. First, they’ve learned that the Hashiryan control the outcomes of every BBG race which has become the biggest source of Gasholin.

Not only that, but the Hashiryan control every aspect of planetary government and law. That is why Genba’s father has been charged with even more crimes despite already sitting in jail. They believe it is retaliation for the Boonbooms defeating Disrace.

If they tried to find a way to prove Genba’s father’s innocence, the Hashiryan would easily be able to crush such an effort. That’s why, BunBun says, the only solution is to defeat Spindo.

Sakito asks Shirabe if she’s found anything at the ISA. She is silent for a moment before saying that collecting info is Shashiro’s job.

Taiya says he hasn’t heard from Shashiro in days. But just then, Shashiro calls to alert them to a Kurumaju.

In reality, Shashiro is with Director Tokoyari.

On the other side of town, the Sanseaters are enjoying their own New Year’s celebration when a Kurumaju suddenly falls onto their table and gobbles up their gifts to each other. The Kurumaju is collecting treasures from people, which in turn produces lots of Gassholin.

The Boonbooms appear on the rooftop where the treasure chest Kurumaju, Takarabako Guruma is. They think he’s a scallop, but he insists he is a treasure chest. The Boonbooms henshin and they battle all while a mysterious man watches them.

The Kurumaju is able to overpower the Boonbooms, forcing them to dehenshin. He demands they hand over their treasure.

But suddenly, Shashiro steps forward and holds up his Changer, saying he has the treasure right here. Shashiro tosses the Charger to the Kurumaju to gobble up, shocking everyone.

Shashiro says it is all going according to keikaku. Maimi watches from the side, pleased by what Shashiro is showing. Earlier in the car, the director had asked Shashiro to show proof that he has left the Boonboomger and joined the ISA. After the director told Shashiro about the Kurumaju taking treasures, Shashiro said that is in such poor taste. But the director said Shashiro is no hero when he chose him. Shashiro is forever to live in the shadows.

Spindo, watching this whole thing, says the betrayal send chills down his spine.

Shashiro turns and points his gun at the Boonbooms. The ISA and Hashiryan are linked, he says. They both rule the Earth and any opposition to them is futile. The Boonboomger are chasing a dream that is finished.

Jou asks if Shashiro is betraying them. Mira cannot believe it and says Shashiro must have something planned.

But Shashiro says from this point forward, the Boonboomgers are enemies to the world. He demands Taiya disband the team as he wouldn’t want him to become an enemy of the world.

I misjudged you, Sakito says as he charges at Shashiro. But Shashiro shoots at Sakito’s feet before pointing his gun at Taiya.

Enemy to the world, huh? Taiya says. “That sounds the most bakuage!”

Shashiro seems to be taken aback by Taiya’s words.

Taiya adds that even if he were to become an enemy to the world, he will at least be in the driver’s seat. And that is what the Boonboomger is all about. He will continue to race down the road he believes in.

The Kurumaju calls on Nejiretta and they battle the Boonbooms. Shashiro walks away as the Boonbooms again henshin.

Just then, the mysterious man appears and whips out a key. It is Joe Gibken! And he henshins! BunBun and Byundi tell Shirabe about the legendary space pirates, the Gokaigers, but they wonder what he’s doing here.

It feels like I’ve met you before, Taiya says. Joe says no, this is the first time.

Joe slashes at the Kurumaju and releases all the treasured items including Shashiro’s Changer. The Changer turns into a BunBlue Key.

“The one you want to have your back… is him,” he says, holding up Shashiro’s Key.

Joe Gokai Changes into BunBlue and he borrows Jou and Genba’s swords to finish off the Nejiretta by himself.

Joe invites the Boonbooms to join him in a Bakuage Final Wave finisher, causing the Kurumaju to explode.

Joe tosses the key to Taiya and says to use sit to seize his dreams. The key turns back into a Changer. Who are you, Taiya asks. But before they can discuss, Yaruka embiggens the Kurumaju after taking his present back.

We’ll talk later, Joe says as the Boonbooms hop into their Robos. Joe watches as they battle and decides to give the purple one a showy gift. Joe calls on Gokai Cross and it allows for Sakito and Byundi to transform into Gokai Custom.

Together, the Boonbooms finish off the Kurumaju for good. Taiya looks over to the empty seat next to him.

Back on the ground, Taiya meets with Joe to ask why he saved them. Joe says he did it because he figures his captain would do the same thing.

Even if you become an enemy to the world, you’ll follow your own path, right? Joe asks. Taiya smiles.

Joe hands Taiya a necklace as a delivery for the Boonboomgers from a princess who has also taken control of her own wheel.

My work is done here, Joe says as he tips his nonexistent hat and walks away.

Back in the car, Director Tokoyari tells Shashiro that he has proven he has left the Boonboomger. And now he will accept Shashiro’s proposal. He tells him to get to work right away.

After Shashiro leaves, the director tells Maimi not to take her eyes off of him.

Just then, the director gets a call from someone who says they’re good there. The director gives them the go signal to get started.

Back at the Garage, the Boonbooms recognize the necklace as Nicola’s pendant. They think she’s trying to tell them something. But Sakito says they have no time for that after Shashiro has betrayed them.

I’m concerned about what he said about being an “enemy to the world”, Shirabe says.

Suddenly, BunBun alerts Taiya that his fortune is being given to other people. All the names are changing and it turns out this is the work of Lightning Tech, Mr. Naito’s company.

Episode Thoughts

We’re really in the Final Lap now!

So, first of all, I absolutely had no way to not be spoiled about Yuki Yamada popping up this week because the algorithms on both Twitter and Instagram put all the posts of Mr. Joe Gibken appearing on Boonboomger right up top. As soon as I opened either app, it would be the first post.

I am always annoyed when I am spoiled (whether it’s my own fault or not lol) about future stories or plots or castings. I don’t follow toy magazine scans and all that. Heck, I stopped watching the pre-season trailers and just go into the season premiere cold. I like to just experience the story as it happens and be excited by every twist and turn without having to know of something coming up and then looking out for it or expecting it every episode.

I just want to be a passenger princess and enjoy and experience the journey and let the show just take over the handle/wheel, you know? =)

So I was definitely more annoyed that I was spoiled a few hours ahead of time about Joe than I was annoyed that I didn’t watch the summer move before they ended up referencing it here in this episode. Lol

I have no idea who that princess is or what that necklace is about. And that flashback clip did not help me either lololol

So I’m like Sakito and I don’t really care nor think we have time to deal with that right now. We gotta focus on getting our Shashiro back! hehe

Speaking about consuming non-Sunday morning content for the season, I’m glad I was able to read the manga before this episode. Because I believe and trust the Shashiro we met in that manga. The same Shashiro who cares about Taiya and is grateful to him for showing him a world out of the shadows.

So obviously it’s a predictable outcome if Shashiro’s got something up his well-tailored sleeves. But it’s an outcome I want! Mira spoke for all of us when she pointed out that Shashiro’s probably got some kind of plan. Lol

On a lesser season, I would be annoyed and critical of doing this with Shashiro when they already did a similar plot thread with Genba earlier. But the seeds for this development have been planted. Especially as it involves Mr. Naito too who has been in cahoots with the director all this time.

Now that Taiya knows he’s been used by Mr. Naito, the idea of betrayal will take center stage and all the pieces will surely come together. That includes whatever Shashiro is doing.

Again, I trust the Shashiro in the manga. He lov… I mean, he believes in Taiya and Taiya most definitely believes in him. They promised to drive into the sunset together!

I mean, look at him here:

He knows Taiya continuing to drive down the road, completely bakuage will put him and the others in danger. He’s worried for them. huhu

So needless to say, I’m excited to see what happens next. But there’s definitely a lot more aside from Shashiro’s heel turn to be excited about of course. Spindo is making his move. So they’re really stepping on the gas now.

Elsewhere, it was a good moment at the beginning when Sakito and Byundi informed Genba about his father being mistreated. I don’t know if we have time to give Genba good closure either. But perhaps it will play a big part in the endgame and the battle against Spindo.

With Shirabe, I hope her demeanor this episode was because she realizes even more that the ISA she’s working for and the people she thought were her friends are not who she thought they were. Speaking of betrayal of course. I’m ready for Shirabe to help take down the corrupt people at the ISA and end up director in the end! That would be awesome!

Lol at Sakito’s bubble covering Shashiro in part of the ending dance lolol

And finally, it really was awesome to see Yuki Yamada return as Joe. So great to see him back on Sentai. And like I mentioned in my thoughts about Gavv this week, it’s extra special when the returning vet is an actor and/or character from a season I actually like and enjoy appearing on a current season I like and enjoy.

Also, such an awesome sequence when Joe was fighting as BunBlue. Amazing direction and choreo for that scene! Very cool and badass. Obviously very fitting for the Joe Gibken.

But wait a minute. I just realized. Marvy and Joe? Taiya and Shashiro? Red and blue bros to the end? I see what you did there Mr. Toei! lolol

Overall, a really great and exciting episode that truly kicks off this Final Lap! It’s only going to get even more bakuage from here!

Oh, I also just realized, we had two Jou/Joes this week. Why did the show pass up on having a funny moment pointing that out. Though I guess the episode was a bit too serious to include such a thing hehe

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