Recap: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, Episode 4 – Party Time ☆ Dreaming Old Man

Flashback to seven days ago, 87-year old Takehara Joji found a Ring in his plants and tells Tega Sword that his wish is to be young again so he can enjoy life and party party. Tega Sword turns him younger so he can fight, but to stay this young, he must collect all the Rings.

After Joji feels weak, they take him to the café to serve him some eggs he craves. He scarfs down the plate and he is young again, much to everyone’s shock. Joji says if he lacks egg nutrients, he’ll turn back to his real self.

Rikuo tells Ryugi that they should bring Joji to his father who is a doctor. But Ryugi does not want to even hear a mention of that guy.

Joji says he can’t go anyway because he’ll be starting a new school tomorrow. He is excited to be young and to be able to party. But he walks into the classroom and realizes he is in the same class as his grandson so he has to use a different name: Kinjiro.

Elsewhere, Sumino confronts a prosecutor to ask about her little sister Oto. The prosecutor knows nothing about her, but he does know about the Ring Sumino has on her finger. The man henshins to Universe Ryusoul Red.

Sumino tries to henshin, but the prime minister arrives and tells her to step aside. The prime minister henshins and uses TimeRanger Ring to help defeat the prosecutor, thus making him able to now claim the Ryusoulger Ring.

The prime minister tells Sumino not to do anything rash lest her family lose her too.

Meanwhile, Bouquet is still upset that the blue Tega Sword ripped her photo of Rikuo. Mr. and Mrs. Introduce the Five Brothers to them who will help them retrieve more Rings.

At school, Kinjiro is annoyed that he just passed up his first opportunity to party when he scolds a classmate for breaking the rules. His grandson Futoshi approaches him and wants to be friends since they have the same surname.

The two of them are walking home after school. Kinjiro asks Futoshi how his family life has been. Futoshi says his family is in a bit of chaos after his grandfather suddenly left them. But he is happy because his grandpa always said no to everything he wanted to do. He doesn’t think that’s enjoying life and he doesn’t want to grow up to be anything like his grandpa. That’s why he goes out enjoying himself every night.

Grandpa Kinjiro scolds Futoshi, telling him not to be so spoiled and asks why he isn’t ashamed of causing his parents to worry. What do you know? Futoshi says.

Kinjiro says he knows this is not the kind of guy Futoshi should be. He asks what his dream is. But Futoshi says he doesn’t have one and walks away.

Kinjiro realizes he cannot possibly be a spoiled brat like he dreamed of. He is a stubborn old man at heart and mind. He takes his Ring off and throws it in the water.

Back at school, a NoWan absorbs the kid who invited Kinjiro to skip class on the roof.

At the café, Hoeru chats with Kinjiro who tells him about meeting his grandson and not realizing their family bond was so weak. He says he’s worked and lived a disciplined life all for his family and this is how they repay him. Hoeru says that’s just his ego talking. Kinjiro accepts that. But Hoeru also knows that Kinjiro’s feelings for his family are sincere. So he suggests Kinjiro tell his family before its too late and he never sees them again.

Kinjiro has a memory of his late wife. He hurries out and literally runs into Futoshi.

But the NoWan Party People No.1 appears and engages the guys in a battle to be the No.1 partier.

Kinjiro protects Futoshi from the disco ball beam that dresses everyone else in party clothes. Hoeru, Rikuo and Ryugi cannot henshin while in party mode. The Nowan turns his focus to a frightened Futoshi. But Kinjiro shields him.

Kinjiro takes Futoshi to safety. Futoshi wants to apologize for earlier. Kinjiro apologizes as well, but Futoshi says he was lying. He does have a dream, but he was too embarrassed to admit it since it’s not his style.

Grandpa Kinjiro flashes back to his wife before she passed away, saying she does not want to be a burden for him any longer. She wishes he can live life now the way he wants to.

Kinijro says he wants to be a party people. There’s nothing wrong with following your dreams so long as you become the person you want to be. He tells Futoshi to watch.

Kinjiro pits his hand in the sky and the Ring appears. He henshins to Gozyu Eagle and decides to perform a party folk song.

The Nowan thinks this is totally party worthy and starts dancing. Kinjiro takes this opportunity to shoot the disco ball and release all the forced partiers. That includes Hoeru, Rikuo and Ryugi who are now able to henshin.

While the three guys take care of the Aiis, Kinjiro battles the NoWan. The Five Brothers arrive and Hoeru hops into Tega Sword. Rikuo and Ryugi join in as well. But Hoeru finishes them off himself.

Kinjiro is able to release his classmate before finishing off the NoWan. Kinjiro is declared the winner and Futoshi cheers him on.

Futoshi returns home and shows his father a sketch he did of their family. He wants to go to art school, but because he loves his family and knowing they would not approve, he did not want to rock the boat. But his father actually approves and wants him to pursue his dream.

Kinjiro is happy to see the scene. He pretends a postcard falls out of their mailbox and brings it over to them. It’s actually from the real him, Grandpa Joji, telling the family not to worry and he’s fine.

Futoshi says he wants to apologize to his grandfather when he returns. Even if he’s stubborn and they always argue, he’s the kindest person he knows.

A touched Kinjiro hugs his son and grandson and cheers them on.

As Kinjiro walks away, Futoshi is shocked when he realizes who he actually is. He smiles, thinking about his grandfather being able to enjoy his life.

Hoeru also watches nearby and he takes a photo of his own family out of his pocket.

Sumino, meanwhile, looks at a photo of her little sister and wishes to return her family.

Episode Thoughts

Okay! This is more my speed! Easily my favorite episode so far. You can’t go wrong with a simple tugging of the heartstrings like this one did. And it was a perfect introduction to Grandpa Kinjiro as a character. Definitely much more impactful than how we met Hoeru, Rikuo and Ryugi. Though we didn’t learn as much about them as we did with Joji/Kinjiro. And certainly, the Miss Granny-like grandpa-to-young man story is very different from the other guys too. lol

Still, I am a sucker for MaGMCMs. And that last scene with Futoshi realizing who Kinjiro actually was just did it for me. So good and it just added to the overall positive vibes of that final scene with three generations of Takeharas there.

It would’ve been fun to see Kinjiro and his grandson interacting a lot at school though.

Perhaps an even more emotional scene was Grandpa Joji’s final moments with his wife and her wanting him to live and enjoy his life too. It’s of course a difficult and painful feeling. But there’s also a hopeful meaning as well. And Grandpa Joji-turned-Kinjiro will be able to enjoy life for himself knowing his wife is at peace and would be happy for him as well as knowing his children and grandchildren are on the right path.

Very touching story. But I feel like it’s already over for Kinjiro. Like, unlike Sumino and her dead(?) sister or Hoeru and his missing/lost(?) family, Kinjiro’s story is already neatly wrapped up in just one episode. Lol His dream is to party (or really, again, live life to the fullest). And he certainly doesn’t really need Tega Sword for that. I guess, he needs it to stay young. But that makes me think about how at the end of the season, he’s probably going to go back to his actual age anyway.

And that makes me think about everyone else’s dream and how they’ll be able to achieve them even without Gotta Catching ‘Em All. Like, the Rings are endgame, but also not. If that makes sense.

Well, anyway, it’s only episode 4 after all. Lol

Speaking of family, it seems to be a theme for our Gozyus. Aside from Hoeru’s and Sumino’s family troubles, seems like Ryugi also has some tension with his father? Interesting! We’ll see how the season might tie that all together as well as a theme.

The No Ones’ movements so far are still formulaic. Of course, as we’re still getting to know the Gozyus first. But I’m sure we’ll get even more from them and their dynamic soon enough.

Overall, a really great episode. My favorite so far. Just an excellent use of good ol’, tried and true emotional, touching, heartwarming story.