Recap: Kamen Rider Gavv, Episode 38 – The Other Side of Hatred

Hanto acknowledges Shoma and Rakia changed his opinion of Granutes, but he won’t just let anything slide. And that includes Kenji-san for what he did to his mother, despite the possibility of him changing since. Shoma understands and says he wants to make sure of things as well.

Meanwhile, Jiip transforms to Siita again to tell her about Nyelv offering to modify him with a stomach just like AkaGavv. Though Jiip is initially offended by the idea of stooping to AkaGavv’s very dirt low level, Nyelv points out that Jiip will never be strong enough to defeat him then.

Jiip asks Siita if it is worth degrading himself to become as low as AkaGavv. Liselle pops in to say that even if he does change his stomach mouth, he’ll still be as cute as he is now. She encourages him to be brave now, for Siita’s sake.

Rakia visits Uncle Dente to ask if he can fix his Driver and gives him some treats to give him the energy to work. Uncle Dente gets to it and says he is happy to see Rakia trusts him enough to help even if he might hold a grudge still. Rakia says he’s not innocent himself, that’s all.

Next day, Shoma, Sachika, and Hanto head to the wagashi shop. Mrs. Ando thanks them for saving Hiroto, but they say it was the Kamen Riders. Mrs. Ando calls Kenji-san who is working with Hiroto on their new treats in the kitchen.

Kenji-san excuses himself so he can speak with Hanto. Sachika keeps Mrs. Ando and Hiroto busy back in the shop.

Shoma, Hanto, and Kenji-san head to a nearby temple. He tells them that he used to run a sweets shop in the Granute world. But when he had to close it down, he began dabbling in Dark Treats which led him to work for the Stomachs to get his fix.

Hanto grabs Kenji-san by the collar. Kenji-san says what he did was unforgivable and apologizes. He originally began working for the Andos as part of his plans, but working with Mr. Ando reminded him of his original dreams of wanting people to enjoy his sweet treats.

Kenji-san falls to his knees, knowing he could never make up for taking someone from Hanto. That’s why he will pay for that with his life. But he asks to give him some time to at least complete the new wagashi so he can also repay the Ando family for their kindness to him.

Hanto allows him that time. A grateful Kenji-san hurries back to finish his work.

Shoma says Kenji-san sincerely regrets what he has done. Hanto says that even he knows that.

Back in town, Glotta is evaluating the work of their underachieving part-timers. She gives some of them a second chance, but agrees with the Agent that they need to make an example out of one of their poor performers.

Meanwhile, Nyelv has completed Jiip’s modification surgery. Jiip wakes up, happy to see his KuroGavv and looking forward to defeat AkaGavv. Nyelv gives him the Gochizo and says the surgery was successful. So the rest is up to Jiip. Liselle cheers him on.

That evening, Hanto returns to the spot where his mother was taken. He thinks of Kenji-san’s offer and agrees to take him up on it. He wonders if that’s what his mother would want.

Next day, Rakia brings home his fixed Driver when Shoma comes in to talk to him about Hanto’s situation. Shoma asks what he would do. Rakia says he’d still kill him. If a part-timer wanted to turn over a new leaf and leave Stomach Inc, Rakia would turn a blind eye like Shoma did for him.

But he wouldn’t be able to do the same to Comeru’s killer. Finding that culprit is the only reason he is still here, Rakia says.

Shoma asks if Rakia is pushing himself and says it looks like he was actually trying to convince himself of all that just now.

Rakia stands and says they should go check on Hanto.

At the wagashi shop, Hanto sees Kenji-san and Hiroto working on the new treats. Hiroto comes out to greet him and Sachika.

Hanto asks if Hiroto really likes Kenji-san. Hiroto says Kenji-san was the one who encouraged Mrs. Ando to keep the shop open after Mr. Ando passed away. Hiroto also hopes to learn from him and work alongside him one day. Hiroto understands.

Kenji-san and Hiroto present their new creations for them to try. Sachika and Mrs. Ando taste them and think they are delicious. Sachika is sure the shop will really take off with these offerings.

Hanto looks on as Hiroto excitedly hugs and thanks Kenji-san.

Kenji-san nods at Hanto.

As Shoma and Rakia head to the shop, they run into Jiip who shows them his stomach. He says he has given everything up so he can kill him.

Jiip locks the Gochizo in and henshins to Bakibaki Stick form of Bitter Gavv. Shoma and Rakia also henshin.

Jiip forces Rakia to dehenshin, saying he has no business with him.

Meanwhile, Hanto and Kenji-san head underneath a bridge. Hiroto and Mrs. Ando read Kenji-san’s goodbye letter thanking them for everything.

Kenji-san says he can die without any regrets now. He knows the human form might make things more difficult for Hanto so he transforms into his Granute form. The sight of it enrages Hanto. Hanto punches Kenji-san and then henshins.

Hanto sends a Chocodon finisher toward Kenji-san, but intentionally misses him, much to Kenji-san’s shock.

Hanto dehenshins and says Kenji-san’s Granute form died here today. If Kenji-san were ever to commit evil again, he will end him. He makes clear that he has not forgiven Kenji-san. But he understands how he cannot possibly take him away from Hiroto-kun now.

Hanto leaves. Kenji-san cries.

Hanto takes the drawing of the Granute he had kept since he was a kid and rips it up.

“I did the right thing, right mom?”

Meanwhile, Shoma uphenshins to Master and delivers an Over Smash finisher at his older brother. Jiip somehow manages to stumble away from the flames.

Back at Hapipare, Sachika reports that the shop is blowing up on social media. She and Shoma are excited to go buy some wagashi. But Hanto arrives with some complimentary treats they had given him for the article he wrote.

Hanto confirms to Shoma that Kenji-san was able to make it safely back to the shop.

But later that evening, Glotta confronts low performing Kenji-san and chooses him as the example for all part-timers. She slashes at him and he dies.

Glotta experiences an incessant pain in her head.

Episode Thoughts

Well damn! So first of all, why does Jiip all of a sudden get a pass while Siita and Lango die so easily. I was ready for him to go bye bye, to be honest. lol No more crazy sister-obsessed brother, you know? Lol

I guess it’s either Nyelv’s did something to the mouth to partly shield Jiip from any potential attack. Or more likely it’s Liselle’s doing. And just more reason to not like her. lolol

Speaking of, we already had plenty of reason to be satisfied by Glotta’s eventual demise. But her killing Kenji-san after the emotional moments of these two episodes, particularly Hanto’s difficult decision definitely erase any tiny, tiny bit of goodwill that was left (if there was any in the first place lol) toward her.

Like, come one sis. I mean, we already know you’re a crazy murderer. But you didn’t have to add to your list of evil. Lol

The final scene and of course the preview obviously confirms the big revelation about Comeru’s death. So at this point, I’m all ready for Rakia to not be as forgiving or soft-hearted as Hanto and finish Glotta off for good next week! lol

I don’t care if she’s close with Uncle Dente or needs a father figure or has self-esteem issues or whatever. lol It’s just her time to go. I’ll just be a little annoyed that Liselle and Jiip will outlive her lol

Anyway, as the title of the episode refers to, this was a great way to show the two sides of revenge. I don’t think anything about Hanto or Jiip’s quests for revenge came as a surprise. But the episode did a very good job telling their stories.

It was a MaGMCM for me when Kenji-san begged Hanto to kill him to pay for his sins. It’s the most striking moment yet showing a “reformed” drug addict/Stomach Inc lackey.

And Kenji and the Ando family was a perfect way to tell that story. Of course Hanto would not take Kenji’s life-for-a-life offer. Of course his mother would not want him to take another’s life. And that is very much an example of Hanto’s own growth as a character too. He even specifically mentions that at the beginning of the episodes about Shoma and Rakia.

It is the complete opposite for Jiip who is just simply a crazy wacko who likes being in his sister’s body. Eek. Lol

And it will be different for Rakia next week too. But we’ll wait and see how that all plays out.

Overall for this episode, a strong and emotional story that properly wraps up a major thread for Hanto while also helping to further the themes and grander narrative of the season too. Excellent!