Recap: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, Episode 3 – The Don of Japan! I’m the Prime Minister!

Hoeru gets fired from another job for smelling customers. Rikuo tells him that his abilities are to be used, not abused. Those who form a contract with a Ring possess special powers. For Ryugi, it’s superhuman strength. And for Rikuo it’s super hearing. For Hoeru, it must be super smell.

Hoeru smells a peach and he does not like it.

They head to the crowd nearby where Atami Tokonatsu, the youngest prime minister in history, is thanking his supporters. His “Happy Sunshine” slogan has resulted in a 5000% approval rating. Not only that, but he has a Ring and can henshin to Don Momotaro.

The shopowner that fired Hoeru wishes he was as popular as the prime minister. And that opens him up to getting absorbed by NoWan Popular No.1. He interrupts the prime minister’s rally. But Prime Minister Momotaro drives him away, much to the delight of his supporters.

Hoeru, Rikuo and Ryugi are the café thinking about taking the prime minister’s Ring. But a young woman at a table says that is not a good idea because PM Tokonatsu’s skill is unmatched and is surrounded by the best security.

The woman comments on the expensive parfait before asking how the three guys get along when they all have Rings. Ryugi explains that they will be collecting all the Rings first before they go all out for them.

The woman (Sumino) hurries out when she gets a message about a party in the Hills. Ryugi yells after her wanting to know what is a reasonable price for the parfait.

The NoWan rampages by forcing people to like and support him. Hoeru gives it a try, but instead scares people away. Rikuo says to watch and see how it’s done. He does an impromptu idol-worthy performance and is able to attract some of the NoWan’s controlled people.

Bouquet walks around Tokyo, surprised about how behind this world is with technology. But when she stumbles upon Rikuo’s performance, she immediately falls for his idol charms.

The NoWan challenges Rikuo to gain more popularity for a vote. Hoeru says being popular is what he’s worst at. But in comes flying PM Tokonatsu who offers to teach him how to be popular.

The prime minister gives Hoeru a rundown of the tips including having a nice greeting and helping those in need. The suggestions make Hoeru itch. But the prime minister tells Hoeru to believe in himself.

Hoeru runs away until he hears a scream from a laundromat from someone who is upset that his laundry has exploded and mixed up between washed and unwashed. Hoeru is able to smell which is which and helps the guy sort his laundry.

PM Tokonatsu congratulations Hoeru for being in service of the people. The guy, who was actually the owner of the laundromat, thanks Hoeru so much. The prime minister says Hoeru can become number one with that kind of initiative.

The NoWan, Hoeru and Rikuo gather to reveal the results of the popularity vote. The Aii count the votes and whisper to the NoWon that he has not received a single vote. Prime Minister Tokonatsu ends up with the most votes.

Tokonatsu arrives and says that he will not allow anyone else to be number one most popular in this country. He says the NoWan’s brainwashing is no match for the people’s strong feelings for him. This was his plan all along. His enthusiasm is enough to garner the support of the peoples.

Hoeru reminds Tokonatsu that he said he could be number one. Tokonatsu says only if he is gone from this world. Hoeru and Tokonatsu henshin and they enter the ring.

They battle each other with the NoWan joining too. Rikuo henshins and joins in as well while Ryugi arrives when the Aiis approach.

Just then, Bouquet arrives in her robo which is now outfitted with Rikuo fan items. Rikuo approaches and says he will be her opponent today. He hops into TegaSword Blue and they battle as well.

Rikuo shoots at her and her robo falls over, ripping Rikuo’s photo from her wall. She grows angry and starts to go crazy against Rikuo. Rikuo delivers a TegaSword Flash Lion Meteor Storm Gatling Burst finisher to take care of Bouquet who vows to return.

The prime minister uses a Jetman power-up. But Ryugi uphenshins to OhRed to summon a trap for the prime minister.

With Tega Sword’s help, Hoeru saves his former boss from the NoWan and then delivers a Finish Finger finisher to take care of the NoWan for good.

About the popularity contest, the prime minister ends up winning. Just then, a green Gozyuger comes shooting from the sky before flying away.

Sumino arrives and the prime minister introduces her as a private investigator and his right-hand lady. She also has a Ring.

Rikuo tosses Hoeru a vote from the shop owner who thanks him.

Hoeru thanks his former boss as well. And he vows to take on the prime minister.

The green Gozyuger hops down to face the three guys and he dehensins to introduce himself as Takehara Jouji. He looks forward to working them all moving forward.

Episode Thoughts

Another okay episode. I’m not wowed by the season yet so far. The first episode was amazing. These last two have just been okay. And that’s… well… okay! It’s only episode three, after all.

The season is moving along just fine. We meet more new characters. I don’t know that we got too much more from everyone else except for the special powers each Gozyuger has.

This episode also had more of Bouquet on her own, crushing over Rikuo and showing that she is just as capable as her fellow No Ones, relatively speaking.

Calmed down dynamic between Hoeru, Rikuo and Ryugi. But a solid introduction to Sumino. And interesting that the prime minister retains possession of Don Momotaro’s Ring.

Fun scene with Rikuo being an idol too.

But overall, honestly, it was just okay. Not much for me to rave about. But also nothing to complain about either.