Recap: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, Episode 14 – The Sacred Servant, the Legend of TegaSword!

The Gozyus head back to the café and Mama Saori points them to the breaking news of Shoko as Red Racer rampaging around town. Suddenly, Mama Saori speaks in a low toned voice explaining that the power of the Carranger Ring is driving recklessly and causing Shoko to lose herself.

Ryugi recognizes the voice as Tega Sword’s.

Later, Ryugi explains to the others that Shoko is here to bring him back to his parents who merely see him as the heir to their family. He feels like he is a puppet in that home. And ever since he had been searching for some kind of light. Until he found a book about Tega Sword in which his presence is able to bring about a world free of sadness.

That’s when Ryugi decided to devote himself to Tega Sword and wish for that world.

Rikuo senses Shoko is close by and Ryugi leaves to take care of this once and for all.

Ryugi faces Shoko who demands he hand over the Ring. He is surprised when the others arrive behind him. Kinjiro suggests they lure her away to keep the growing crowd safe.

Shoko chases after them as they run. They encounter banana peels and bike riders along the way.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sweet Cake is sad about them losing the only Ring they had. But she also appears to be falling for the princely Kuon. Kuon arrives and flirts with her, calling her princess, which of course upsets Mr. Shining Knife.

What the hell are you doing? Fire Candle asks, saying it’s time for them to get to work.

The Gozyus are able to lure Shoko to the mountains. She freezes the other four, but Ryugi steps forward and tells her to stop or he’ll get angry.

This triggers a memory for Shoko to when she and Ryugi were little. He found her crying when his father scolded her for breaking a plate. He cheered her up with some flowers.

Those same flowers she had pressed and saved. Shoko says Ryugi had provided a safe space for her. That’s why now it’s her chance to keep him safe.

Ryugi says back then, all the two of them did was cry. But now since he has met Tega Sword, he has become stronger. He believes the faith in the hearts is what brings that strength, And he will prove that power to her right now.

Ryugi henshins.

They battle. Ryugi wants to show Shoko how trust and belief in someone can be a strength and power. He counters her attack after calling on Tega Sword. His understanding of her feelings allows him to break her free from the negative hold of the Ring.

Just then, Kuon, Fire Candle and Mr. and Mrs. KnifeCandle arrive to face the Gozuygers.

Ryugi tells Shoko to get herself to safety. She refuses as she wants to keep him safe. But Ryugi says he trusts in his comrades as well.

Fire Candle uses his Liveman and Hurricaneger Rings. He and Kuon join them to battle the Gozyugers.

Fire Candle battles Hoeru. Kuon wants some of him too, but Sumino uses her Gingaman Ring to take him on instead. Kuon uses Red Falcon as a shield even when he was on his side. He leaves the rest to Mrs. Sweet Cake.

Kinjiro and Rikuo swoop in, but Kuon uses Mr. and Mrs. KnifeCake as shields as well, allowing him to get away. Mrs. Sweet Cake can’t believe he is that kind of guy and admits Mr. Shining Knife is the only guy for her. She apologizes for her wandering eyes. He apologizes for causing her to look elsewhere.

Them making up allows them to embiggen. Ryugi hops into TegaSword, taking Shoko along for the ride. He wants to show her just how his faith and belief can be strong enough for a battle like this.

Mr. and Mrs. Sweet Cake embiggen some more. They try to step on TegaSword, but Ryugi does not give up. Shoko is reminded of Ryugi’s strength since they were little and cheers him on.

Just then, Tega Sword pops in and offers to fight alongside Ryugi, much to his excitement. Together, they are able to deliver a Tyranno Hammer Crash finisher at Mr. and Mrs. KnifeCake, bringing them back down to size.

Ryugi declares himself No.1 of having faith in his heart and it is all for Tega Sword-sama.

Later, Shoko says Ryugi does not need to be protected anymore. She hands him the Ring and says she will try believing in him more from now on. And she will tell his father herself. Ryugi thanks her and asks her to take care of herself too.

Shoko turns, emotional as she walks away. Ryugi as well, but he understands his responsibilities now.

Back at the café, the others watch Ryugi making a shrine for Tega Sword.

Episode Thoughts

What a nice episode! It was a very good story for Ryugi. And the show did it again with being able to balance the more serious side of the story with the lighthearted comedy and slapstick.

To the more serious side, Ryugi growing up in a cold, dark household and trying to find some kind of light is an emotional story of course. I think one thing I would probably tweak about the episode is having a bit more emphasis on Ryugi finding some comfort and light in Shoko aside from Tega Sword.

I think it’s obvious and implied, but I would’ve liked to have seen maybe a bit more direct emphasis. Though I think the final scene of them walking away from each other is the best way to sort of depict the dynamic of their relationship and the meaning they have for each other.

It was almost a MaGMCM. I will admit I started getting the sniffles. hehe

No matter how goofy Ryugi might get with his devotion to Tega Sword, we perhaps see the “real” him in those moments with Shoko. Both now and when they were children.

Also, I never thought Shoko worked as a maid/nanny for Ryugi being a child herself! Lol When she said she had been working decades for the family, I thought she was like some ageless person or something like that. Lol

This reveal definitely changes things! And here we go again with my hopeless romantic self. I hope they end up together in the end lolol

But seriously, it’s a very emotional story having two children being kindred spirits, connecting with one another and providing a safe space of light for each other. I loved that whole sequence when Ryugi henshined. Quick cutting to the scene of them as kids was great. Again, it would’ve been nice to see more of that dynamic more overtly. But what we did get was good.

Elsewhere in the episode, I was sideeying Mrs. Sweet Cake about to cheat on Mr. Shining Knife with Kuon. Lol but I was glad Kuon was basically a jerk so that ended right there lol I think all of that was really more to show what Kuon can and would do to benefit himself. So it was a peek into his character as well.

Now I’m sure that entire chase sequence is reminiscent of something you’d see on Carranger. But I would have no idea not having seen the season lol It was fun though, even for someone uncultured like me lol

Overall, a fun and sometimes emotional episode. Very nice to finally learn more about Ryugi.