Recap: Kamen Rider Gavv, Episode 25 – Virtual Happiness, The Taste of Nectar

Shoma is enjoying more ice cream with Sachika since it’s the only thing he can really eat right now. They stumble upon Rakia sleeping on a park bench and they invite him to Hapipare for some ice cream too.

To Shoma’s surprise though, Sachika introduces him to ice cream cake. Shoma is transported to a frozen ice cream cake world, it’s so delicious. And out pops a new Ice Cream Gochizo.

Rakia, however, is not a fan and says ice cream really isn’t for Granutes. Instead, he prefers eating rocks. Or at least what humans would consider rocks and metals, Shoma explains. He and his mother couldn’t eat the rocks, so they just ate weeds. (? lolwut)

Shoma asks Rakia not to eat the rocks while humans are around or they might get frightened. Shoma points out it would be good for Rakia to learn about humans since he’s already been here a while. Rakia says that’s fair, So Sachika suggests he work part time for her. Especially with Umasho still not feeling well, she could use Rakian’s help. And it would be a great opportunity to learn about the peoples.

Rakia says work sounds annoying, but it’s not a bad idea to have some money to buy tastier rocks, Shoma suggests.

Sachika is happy he’s taken her up on her offer. They head out as Shoma stays at Hapipare to work on buttons for the children’s center.

Meanwhile, a Granute posing as livestreamer Helmet Boy Sweets Channel Presses a guest who was just here to try out delicious sweets. He also gets a message from Stomach Inc putting a bounty on Lage9’s head.

On the other side of town, Hanto is with Suga and says his present was awesome, making him feel even stronger than usual. Hanto notices all the pizza boxes and Suga says he just has a young friend over. (Creepy! Lol)

Hanto sees Bitter Gavv is trending on Twitter again so he hurries out instead of calling Sachika to notify Shoma. After Hanto leaves, Suga thinks how great it is that he has become stronger.

A Gochizo also alerts Shoma to Bitter Gavv, so he hurries out too.

Hanto arrives at the dojo and battles Bitter Gavv. But he is able to run away. Hanto dehenshins just as Shoma arrives. Hanto tries to ignore him, but Shoma notices Hanto pause, seemingly in discomfort.

Downtown, Sachika and Rakian help a grandmother move cabinets around her room. Rakian easily carries the big dressers, but he decides it’s time to take a nap. Sachika can’t believe he burns out quickly, so she tries to get him up.

Next job is for Rakia to stand in line at a popular cake shop for someone. He and Sachika then are able to buy a viral cake featured on Helmet Boy’s livestream and deliver it to their client.

Sachika asks Rakian how it’s been so far. He initially thinks she’s asking about the work and money, but she is referring to his human observations. Rakia thinks about a happy couple excited about cake earlier, but he still doesn’t get it. Sachika says that should be okay for now.

They head to their next client, a young boy named Kouji-kun. He would like them to escort him as he is scheduled to meet up with Helmet Boy for a tasting. Sachika shows Rakian and explains who Helmet Boy is and what virtual streamers are.

Kouji says he messaged Helmet Boy, who agreed to meet him. Rakia asks why he needs an escort then. Sachika says of course when meeting a stranger, there could be trouble. Kouji says he wouldn’t need an escort with the “old” Helmet Boy, but things are different now.

Sachika suddenly gets a call and has to go deal with a cancellation. So Rakia must accompany Kouji on his own.

At Hapipare, Shoma thinks about Hanto seemingly not well. Sachika hurries in to deal with the problem, but stops to show Shoma where Rakia is heading to. They watch the livestream and Sachika notices a comment from someone saying their friend has gone missing since visiting Helmet Boy.

On their way to the streamer, Kouji passes by a pudding shop he really wants to try. But he has to save up to visit it. This reminds Rakia of his little brother and the time he wanted to buy some delicious rocks.

Shoma calls Rakia to tell him about Helmet Boy possibly being a Granute. Rakia tells Kouji that they are not going anymore because of potential danger. But Kouji says he’ll just go on his own then. He walks away. But Rakia follows.

Meanwhile, a weak Shoma is notified by a Gochizo of Bitter Gavv nearby. They head over and the Gochizo helps Shoma open his stomach mouth so he can insert the ice cream Gochizo. He henshins and they battle on the ice again.

Shoma’s ice cream melts, forcing him to dehenshin. That gives Bitter Gavv the opportunity to run off. But Hanto finds him. Hanto henshins to Chocold and finishes off this copy of Bitter Gavv.

Hanto suddenly falls to his knees after dehenshin, again feeling pain. He realizes something is wrong.

Meanwhile, Kouji enters the streamer’s ballroom. Helmet Boy notices Kouji seems a bit down. Kouji says it is because he is the one who created the Helmet Boy character and this impostor stole it. Kouji demands to know what this imposter has done with the missing people.

The Granute reveals himself and says Helmet Boy provided him the perfect mask to acquire the perfect Dark Treats ingredients.

The Granute is about to Press Kouji, but Rakia steps in to protect him. He urges Kouji to run for safety.

The Granute recognizes Rakia as the traitor with a bounty on his head. What kind of idiot makes enemies of Stomach Inc, the Granute asks. Rakia says the only idiots are the ones like this Granute going crazy over Dark Treats and allowing themselves to be exploited before being discarded.

The Granute says he is not as foolish as Rakia’s brother. Rakia is taken aback that the Granute knows Comeru. But the Granute says he’s just heard rumors about some idiot part-timer who got cold feet halfway in and tried to run away.

Rakia tells the Granute to shut his mouth and henshins.

Episode Thoughts

Ooo! A nice Rakia-focused episode I think. Not only was the show able to use his story to give us a little bit of detail with the Granutes eating rocks (lol), but also a great way to develop and add depth to his already interesting character.

It was definitely a lot of fun seeing Sachika dragging him around as her assistant all day. Perfect for Sachika being the cheerful, positive and caring person she is to be so friendly with Rakian. But also a great idea about working for Hapipare to get Rakia to learn more about humans.

That of course led us to the perfect situation of Rakia coming to the rescue of a teen who reminds him of his brother Comeru. What perfect way for Rakia to understand humans than being able to relate to Kouji and the innocence of youth and dreams and all that good stuff. Especially as we know Comeru was the world to Rakia. So it only makes sense that he would be able to connect with humans on that level.

Then also tying it in with Rakia/Lage9 basically being a Stomach Inc fugitive is also interesting too. And doesn’t ignore the fact that he did try to secretly work against the Stomachs.

So very nice to see this great focus with Rakia this week and into next week it looks like.

Meanwhile, solid movement with Shoma and Hanto. They’re still in their little LQ/lovers quarrel stage and all that. But in the meantime, they’re also dealing with their own problems.

Shoma still not feeling well. And Hanto increasingly not feeling well too. I wonder if the resolution to them being under the weather will relate to Suga’s big reveal. Perhaps that will be the midseason climax? Or at least a part of it maybe. We’ll see.

We got a bit of a repeat with the ice battle this week. But it was a good way to bring up the clever idea of the ice cream power up having a time limit relating to real ice cream melting.

More teasing and seed planting with Hanto and Suga too.

But this was definitely a Rakia-focus and it was very good! A good example of character-driven story that also takes care of the plot as well. Very much looking forward to next week.