Recap: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, Episode 11 – Unleash the Wild! The Beastmaster Plays His Future

Rikuo is on a rooftop practicing when two guys confront him for being so hot and amazing that their girlfriends either left them or used their wedding money on his merch. The two use Sun Vulcan and Zyuohger Rings and henshin.

Rikuo henshins and they battle. But Rikuo is too powerful and he is able to gain control of their Rings. The two guys condemn Rikuo to dance the rest of his life alone.

Unbeknownst to Rikuo, a cowboy watches him from the shadows.

At the café, the guys open a package from Osai-san of nice new Ring holders for them. But the cowboy enters the café and orders a honey milk, heavy on honey.

The man introduces himself as Todoroki Gaia, a wild beast tamer. He disappears from town to town looking for something. He was once here at this café, yet the city around it has changed very much.

He is searching for a beast that stole the most important thing to him.

Hoeru smells and Rikuo hears a disturbance downtown so they hurry up and meet Onigokko No.1, the number one in playing tag. The guys henshin and they begin the tag battle.

Onigokko No.1 is the first one “it” and he shoots at the guys through the forest.

Suddenly, Gaia appears, surprised that the guys had Rings all along. He introduces himself as the number one wild beast tamer. He uses a GaoRed Ring to henshin.

Gaia says he is also number one at playing tag. They all participate in round 2 which will be freeze tag. Once everyone in a team is frozen, the other team wins.

Gaia uses a kalimba to control Hoeru’s body and make him act like a wolf. Gaia explains that for every wild beast, there is an instrument and tone that can counter them. For the wolf, it is this kalimba. And Gaia is able to use the power of the Ring to amplify that power.

Hoeru is able to freeze all the Aryees and turns his attention to the NoWan who just runs away. Hoeru is annoyed at being controlled, but he has no choice. The NoWan hops away.

Meanwhile, Sumino is at a high class executive summit. But she gets controlled by Gaia as well, drawing her up to the rooftop where the NoWan thought he was safe.

The NoWan jumps off the building and Gaia tags him out, meaning they have won. The NoWan wants to do it again. But it is 5pm and time for everyone to return home.

The NoWan says it is an unbreakable rule not to play tag after 5pm. So they’ll do it tomorrow.

Gaia says this battle is all about how to manipulate and control your opponent with skill. He believes Rikuo has the makings of a wild beast tamer. Rikuo appreciates the compliment, but not his presence. Gaia says he will be number one tomorrow and will take all their Rings.

Over at the castle, Fire Candle says Onigokko No.1 is a cool guy. But Bouquet says he is special as he is an experiment for the queen.

Later that evening, Hoeru finds Rikuo on the rooftop strategizing how to win tag tomorrow. Rikuo believes practice makes perfect. But Hoeru says it is not in his nature to overthink things. And he is not forgiving Gaia for making him his dog.

Hoeru says he will show Gaia how to win tag his way.

Gaia is alone playing his ocarina and thinking about a woman, Luna. He vows something to her.

Next day, the Gozyus and Gaia face off against the NoWan once again for the Final Round. While the others run off to chase after Aryees, Hoeru stands his ground. The NoWan thinks this is an easy out. But Hoeru says now that he is tagged, he is it. So he slashes at the NoWan, much to everyone’s surprise.

The NoWan says that’s against the rules. But Hoeru says no one makes rules for him. This is his game of tag.

Gaia uses his kalimba again to control Hoeru and he goes running off like a wolf. But Hoeru again says no one controls him. He slashes open a portal to the other side behind the NoWan.

Rikuo shoots the kalimba out of Gaia’s hand. And they battle. The other Gozyus take on the Aryees.

The NoWan changes the rules again. But Ryugi summons a hammer that smashes the NoWan from his mountain.

Bouquet decides to step in. She hops into Calendius and Sumino hops into Tega Sword Black. They battle.

Back on the ground, Gaia is about to use maracas to control Rikuo. But Rikuo uses Zyuoh Eagle Ring to uphenshin. Kinjiro is happy to see him be a fellow eagle now so they work together to take on Gaia.

Gaia tries to use a quena instrument and that controls them as eagles. Rikuo transforms into Zyuoh Gorilla and Gaia is unsure what instrument to use. That hesitation allows Rikuo to knock him back.

Rikuo says he does not want to bind anyone or be bound himself. He vows to liberate himself and start a new season of Byakuya Rikuo. He uphenshins to Sun Vulcan and knocks Gaia down.

Gaia says he will never back down. He would do anything for her.

Hoeru tags the NoWan and officially wins the game.

But the NoWan suddenly transforms into a different monster. Gaia has a sudden flashback. “I’ve finally found you!” Gaia says as he demands he hand Luna back to him.

Episode Thoughts

A very interesting episode! I am enjoying Sentai getting the two episode-story treatment that used to be a Kamen Rider staple. But it works very well for this season. Especially with guest stars and homages to past seasons.

Gaia is a great character and a familiar type of character too. Fun that the usual “lone wolf” storyline is now on a beast hunter instead. And him doing this for a loved one lost is very much a lone wolf Sentai story.

Looking forward to learning more about Gaia’s relationship with Luna and how it all gets resolved.

Meanwhile, we get a little bit with Rikuo. I am also looking forward to learning more about Rikuo’s pre-Gozyuger/idol life. Of course, he has a bit of mystery about that time. So hearing about him talk about being controlled or holding control over other people, it’s a very interesting approach. Especially when talking about idol culture.

Like I say every week, I enjoy seeing the team just together and hanging out even as they continue their competition and rivalry. It’s an interesting new twist on the team dynamic. And the show can do a lot with it moving forward.

Overall, just a good episode that continues moving the story forward.