Shishioh is drinking, remembering when Grandpa asked him to silently obey him as the Last Ninja. But Shishioh wants to rampage and says the Otomo Nin are not just pawns.

Shishioh asks Tetsunosuke why he fixed the Ninningers things and he says it’s his right.

The Ninningers arrive and Shishioh leaves. They ask Tetsunosuke about the Otomo Nin, but he says it was father who worked with the Last Ninja to create them.

He explains that his father and the Last Ninja also built Shishioh for the final battle against Kibaoni. But he gave Tetsunosuke 21 trouble because he didn’t get along with Grandpa. Shishioh must feel sorry for that and decided to watch over Tetsunosuke 22 until he becomes a full-fledged engineer.

Tetsunosuke says it’s no use trying to tame Shishioh. Takaharu asks why. Tetsunosuke asks him to take out his Ichibantou to find out.

Tetsunosuke grabs the Ichibantou just as an upgraded Nue arrives with Jukkarage.

The others hurry off. Takaharu asks for his Ichibantou back, but Tetsunosuke tosses shurikens at him. Takaharu manages to escape them.

Tetsunosuke says Takaharu’s strength and energy are more like wild instinct than a trained shinobi. An “animal instinct” perhaps. Takaharu admits that while he’s been at this ninja thing longer than the others, he’s not as smart as them.

Tetsunosuke asks Takaharu what he would do if he tamed Lion Ha-oh. Takaharu repeats that he would become the Last Ninja and defeat Kibaoni. Tetsunosuke says that’s exactly the answer Shishioh does not want to hear.

Tetsunosuke asks Takaharu what he can do for his comrades. Takaharu’s not sure. Tetsunosuke bops him on the head with the sword.

The others, meanwhile, face off against Nue and the Jukkarages. Shishioh watches.

Takaharu chases Tetsunosuke to a cliff overlooking where the others are fighting. Tetsunosuke stops Takaharu from going to help and tells him to calm down and first observe his comrades.

Takaharu sees Yakumo and Kasumi are being reckless, Kinji isn’t being a team player and Fuuka and Nagi aren’t acting flighty enough. Tetsunosuke reminds him that those were the same observations Shishioh had.

Takaharu sees it now. Yakumo and Kasumi are smart, Fuuka and Nagi are fast and Kinji is strong. That all allows Takaharu to freely rampage. And when they’re a team, they can rampage together and be stronger for it!

Tetsunosuke asks again, what can Takaharu do for his comrades? Takaharu says he can bring out the best in them, but they must work as a team. That includes Shishioh who will allow them all to be stronger if he can rampage as well.

If Shishioh can draw out their strengths, they can draw out his best too.

Tetsunosuke likes that answer. He tosses Takaharu his Ichibantou. And just in time too as Nue has just about pinned the others on their backs.

As the Ninningers work together, Tetsunosuke tells Shishioh that there is finally someone who can master using him. Tetsunosuke knows Shishioh has been waiting for someone to allow him to rampage. Well, he’s here.

Tetsunosuke pulls out his first creation. He says his job is to improve upon his predecessor’s masterpieces. So now it’s time Shishioh managed to do that.

Shishioh jumps into the gadget and Tetsunosuke tosses it to Takaharu.

Shishoh talks to Takaharu and asks what he would do if he could tame him. Takaharu says instead of taming him, they can rampage together.

Shishioh activates himself and Takaharu transcendentally powers up to Chozetsu. He is now able to throw Nue around. The others do what they can to help as well.

Takaharu finally unleashes a Transcendental Shooting Star Slash to finish off Nue’s first life.

Kyuuemon quickly embiggens Nue. Takaharu summons Lion Ha-Oh Castle which turns into Lion Ha-Oh, Shishioh’s true form.

Takaharu and Lion Ha-Oh easily take care of Nue.

The Ninningers head home. They realize Nue had two Shurikens in him which is why he was so strong.

Tetsunosuke is with Grandpa, telling him that both he and Lion Ha-Oh can rampage as much as they want. Now what to do with the kids? Grandpa says that’s a whole other problem.

But Tetsunosuke says it’s not like the Last Ninja to be so bothered by his failure with Iyazoi Kyuuemon. Isn’t there a saying that if you love your grandchildren, you’ll let them go? Grandpa points out the saying refers to one’s own child. But Tetsunosuke knows he gets the point.

Grandpa approaches his grandchildren and tells them that he acknowledges they’ve surpassed him, just a little. He now sees they have potential that he does not.

With that, he will now allow Kinji to be his student apprentice.

Meanwhile, Kyuuemon says she has to act now, even if it’s ahead of schedule.

Episode Thoughts

This was a solid episode. A good build-up to Chozetsu, including last week.

It was basically another episode though reaffirming that they need to work as a team. Or really, reminding Takaharu that they need to work as a team. We’ve already had several of the same episodes. But now I’m hoping that they’re driving home the point that it won’t be one, singular Last Ninja that will save the world, but them together as a team will. (I hope!)

My favorite part though was the unmorphed fight of the five against the Jukkarages. That was awesome! I always love seeing the actors themselves in fight scenes. And it was some great choreography.

Takaharu and Tetsunosuke were great fun as well.

Grandpa has officially welcomed Kinji as an apprentice student and he decides to be their teacher for today. He tells them the Ninpou they’ve used so far has been just the basics and that they’ll need to learn more advanced techniques now. But since Kinji is not up to their level yet, they must all review the basics.

While Kyuuemon has revived Lady Ariake no Kata, the Ninningers try helping Kinji along. But he says he will learn the basics on his own instead.

Kinji heads to the park. He sees a little boy is working hard at training as well (pitching, in his case) and that motivates him. But Kinji still has trouble.

The cousins follow him to the park. They know Kinji taught himself thunder and wind techniques, which are much more advanced, thus making it a little hard for him to try the simpler ones.

The Ninningers see two boys teasing the little pitcher, but he says it doesn’t bother him since his dream is to be a pro player some day. He tells Kinji they should both do their best.

A sealing shuriken has attached to a woman’s purse to create Youkai Baku who eats up people’s dreams.

Baku heads to the park where he attempts to eat the little boy’s dream of becoming a pro. Takaharu tries to block the attack, but instead both he and the boy’s dreams get eaten. For Takaharu, it is his dream of becoming Last Ninja.

Takaharu tosses his Ichibantou and dehenges, no longer interested in being a ninja. The little boy also tosses his glove, ball and cap, no longer interested in baseball.

Ariake no Kata introduces herself as Kibaoni Gengetsu’s wife before ordering Baku to gather more fear.

In the meantime, the Ninningers have brought Takaharu and the little boy back to the dojomanse. Takaharu is in just his boxers and tells everyone he’s looking for a new job.

Kinji tries to encourage the little boy who insists he doesn’t care about baseball anymore.

Takaharu says he’s found the perfect job in the paper: no experience needed for guys who are muscular and don’t think.

But Kinji is determined to stop the Youkai from taking people’s dreams. He won’t stand for it. The others follow him with Nagi and Fuuka dragging Takaharu along.

They find Baku and henge. Except Takharu who says he doesn’t have to henge to fight.

Baku decides to use Takaharu’s dream to give the Jukkarage some ninja powers. They fight and easily take care of the Jukkarages.

Kinji has an idea. Seeing as how Baku uses the eaten dreams to battle, they get the Youkai to challenge them to baseball instead. Kinji hopes they can retrieve the boy’s baseball dream this way too.

Baku takes them to a baseball stadium.

Takaharu is excited about baseball. Yakumo waves his wand and gives him a uniform.

They start the game and it is clear early on that anything goes as Baku uses Youkai tricks to score. The Ninningers decide to fight fire with fire and use Ninjutsu as well.

But at the top of the 9th, Kibaoni Army is up 5 to 2. Full count. Bases loaded. Kinji, who has been pitching all game, decides to have the boy, Kitabeppu, take the mound instead.

Kinji persuades Kitabeppu to just give it a try and maybe his dream will return. Kinji says people with dreams are the strongest. Kitabeppu heads to the mound and manages to strike out Baku.

It’s the Ninningers’ turn. Bottom of the 9th. Bases loaded once again.

Takaharu is at the plate and the others tell him to henge and finish this.

Takaharu manages to hit a grand slam and everyone is zapped back to reality. Takaharu and Kitabeppu start feeling a little better.

Takaharu goes Chozetsu and the Ninningers quickly finish off Baku. That returns the dreams to Takaharu and Kitabeppu.

Ariake no Kata can’t believe this absurdity. She orders Masakage to do something so he signals Kyuuemon to embiggen Baku.

The Ninningers hop into ShurikenJin and Bison King.

Baku uses his dream-eating beam to take all the Ninningers’ dreams this time. Kinji attacks Baku and the dreams fly out of him and into balls which land at Kitabeppu’s feet. He pitches the red ball back to the Ninningers and Takaharu snaps out of it to summon Lion Ha-Oh Castle.

Takaharu jumps into Lion Ha-Oh and manages to block the dream-eating beam and deflect it back to Baku. That allows him to use a Lion Transcendental Slash to finish Baku off.

Everyone is back to normal.

Kinji and Kitabeppu motivate each other to follow their dreams.

Takaharu says they fight for their dreams, but also fight to protect everyone else’s too.

Episode Thoughts

A solid episode. Maybe filler, but it was fun enough. The baseball game was fun. And it was interesting to see Kinji still not be as ready to be in a team as one might expect. It’s good to point out and remind us that he’s taught himself everything he knows. So he may be a good fighter, but rough around the edges and not classically trained.

Ariake no Kata gives off a typical “wife” villain vibe. I hope there’s more to her, but I won’t be holding my breath.

Overall solid episode which I enjoyed.

Everyone’s at home. Fuuka has just given her oniichan a haircut when Father comes in with a package from Tetsunosuke.

He greets them and asks how Lion Ha-Oh is doing. He hopes they can handle him well. For their summer gift, he’s created a new Combine Nin Shuriken for them. It must be to allow Lion Ha-Oh to combine with their other mecha.

They quickly try it out as they fight a Gashadokuro. But nothing happens.

Ariake no Kata is upset her plan did not work and grabs Kyuuemon’s gourd from her to use for her wrinkles. Masakage tells her just summoning Gashadokuro is plain reckless. But she says she needs to remain beautiful to prepare for Kibaoni’s arrival. She orders Kyuuemon to gather 10x more fear.

The Ninningers wonder why they failed to combine. Grandpa says it’s Yakumo and Kinji’s fault. They must learn how to control Lion Ha-Oh the way Takaharu has.

They head out to the forest to try it out. But neither Kinji nor Yakumo can Chouzetsu. Lion Ha-Oh refuses. He instead wants to play with Kasumi who bats him away.

Lion Ha-Oh decides to attach himself to Fuuka.

Yakumo tells Lion Ha-Oh to stop messing around. But Lion Ha-Oh says he’s still stronger than them even when messing around.

Yakumo and Kinji try grabbing Lion Ha-Oh from Fuuka. Nagi points out that Yakumo always calls Kinji “Star.”

Kyuuemon attaches a Sealing Shuriken to a railroad crossing to create Youkai Nurikabe.

Nurikabe goes around creating literal walls to box people in using the “walls” they must overcome in their lives like getting good grades or getting parents’ approval for marriage.

The Ninningers arrive and fight off the Jukkarages. Yakumo and Kinji take on Nurikabe.

Ariake no Kata reintroduces herself before Nurikabe traps Yakumo and Kinji in a railroad crossing. The Youkai then walls them in. And their wall to overcome? Takaharu.

Yakumo tries to use a Vine Technique to lift him up over the wall, but “Takaharu” protrudes out of the wall to block him. Kinji uses Fire Technique, but the fires just bounces off the walls.

The others are still fighting Ariake no Kata and the Jukkarages. Takaharu wants to go Chouzetsu, but Yakumo still has it.

Yakumo and Kinji try anything they can to get out of the wall, but it’s no use. Lion Ha-Oh chimes in and calls them boring. Yakumo tells him to go hang out with Takaharu if he wants.

Lion Ha-Oh says fine, they are fast thinkers, but are too stiff.

That clues them in. Yakumo uses Puddle Technique and Kinji uses Wind Technique to soften the walls. Instead of overcoming the wall, all they need to do is go through it.

In other words, when the mess around, they are stronger! Lion Ha-Oh is having fun now.

Ariake no Kata has no problem fighting the Ninningers, but suddenly, Yakumo and Kinji pop out of the ground.

Ariake no Kata decides to leave. Lion Ha-Oh tells Yakumo and Kinji to use him now, but Yakumo says Takaharu should use him. They can use Lion Ha-Oh when they’ve properly surpassed Takaharu.

Takaharu goes Chozetsu as Yakumo and Kinji henge.

Yakumo and Kinji tell Takaharu to use them to finish off Nurikabe.

Takaharu uses Yakumo and Kinji as human shurikens before sending a transcendental slash.

Nurikabe embiggens. Takaharu hops into Lion Ha-Oh with the others in ShurikenJin and Bison King. Takaharu uses the new Change Nin Shuriken again, but just like earlier, nothing happens.

Yakumo and Kinji decide to spin Lion Ha-Oh’s body and that initiates the combination.

The Ninningers have now combined into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin.

With their huge new power, they are able to finish off Nurikabe for good.

Yakumo and Kinji say they still have a long way to go to be able to control Lion Ha-Oh, but they will certainly catch up to Takaharu, no prob.

Nagi points out that Yakumo has finally called Kinji by his name. Kasumi says this is another step in the right direction for their British-American alliance.

“Let’s do our best Yakki!” Kinji says. The others think “Yakki” is a great nickname. Yakumo doesn’t think so.

Episode Thoughts

It was an alright episode. Yakumo and Kinji’s “trial” to get the combination to work didn’t really make sense. It wasn’t even really necessary since apparently all they had to do was spin Lion Ha-Oh around to get the combination to work.

It also didn’t really do anything for Yakumo and Kinji’s relationship since it’s not like they refuse to work together or anything. They merely argue over how to pronounce “easy.” So Grandpa’s “It’s your fault” at the beginning of the episode made no sense.

It would’ve been much better if this was an episode that helped set up the others also being able to use Lion Ha-Oh and go Chozetsu. But there’s apparently no requirements to be able to do so. Only that Takaharu is better than everyone.

Hmm… okay.

Anyway, Nurikabe’s design is fascinating. So random and weird, which is the best kind of design. Ariaka no Kata also has an interesting personality. It’s a little mix of Canderilla and Poisandra. I do like that Masakage and Kyuuemon have a common pain in the butt now, it appears.

So, okay episode. Nothing too special, but not horrible even with some nonsensical plot points.

Takaharu is on fire.

Not in the usual sense though as it is actually hot out. Fuuka tells her oniichan to calm down because his fire screaming is only making things worse. That gives Kasumi an idea. She uses Water and Gold Technique together in a Joukyuu Shuriken Ninpou mix.

Takaharu is transported to the North Pole. But actually, Kasumi just tested out some advanced Ninpou she’s been studying. She just needs to figure out the timing.

Nagi asks Kasumi to teach him when she’s got it down. But Kasumi says Nagi shouldn’t rely on others all the time and that he must challenge himself to grow.

Nagi tells Kasumi-chan that he’ll make her eat those words someday.

Across town, Ariake no Kata is lounging at the park trying to cool off while Jukkarage are scaring children for some fear collection. The Ninningers arrive and fight them off.

Kasumi uses Yakumo’s head to launch her toward Ariake no Kata to whom she uses a mirror to heat her up even more and try to catch her off guard.

Kasumi tells Ariake no Kata to retreat if she thinks it’s too hot since the UV rays are bad for old ladies. Ariake no Kata says she will scare Kasumi until her hair stands on end and leaves.

The guys marvel at Kasumi being so awesome. Fuuka asks Kasumi if there’s anything she’s afraid of.

Kasumi whispers to Fuuka that she is afraid of ghosts. Nagi hears and gets an idea.

He tells the guys about putting together a Ninja Test of Bravery in which they’ll scare Kasumi. The guys are definitely interested in knocking Kasumi down a peg. Except Yakumo who himself is afraid of Kasumi-chan.

Yakumo says he’s not afraid. He’s in.

They all head to an abandoned high school on the pretense that there have been reports of a ghost and they must investigate to see if it may actually be a Youkai. Nagi says they should split to cover more ground.

Kasumi and Fuuka stick together while the guys dress up in scary costumes. A Jukkarage overhears and reports back to Ariake no Kata.

First up is Yakumo as a dead warrior who scares Fuuka and Kasumi up the stairs.

The ladies try to hide in a library where they meet Nagi as a ghost.

They run out and down the hall, but are met by cloned Kinji as zombies.

They turn and run the other way where they completely run past Takaharu dressed as a big red pepper.

The guys reveal themselves to Fuuka outside. Kinji asks which ghost was the scariest and she says the lady ghost was the most realistic.

Huh? None of them were lady ghosts.

Fuuka says she’s sure she saw it. Right Kasumi?

Kasumi is not with them. They wonder if there really was a lady ghost. None of them are willing to go in to look except for Takaharu.

Takaharu’s been gone for a long time. Kinji and a reluctant Yakumo head in next.

After a while, Nagi and Fuuka head screams so they head inside. They find a frozen Kasumi as well as frozen Takaharu, Yakumo and Kinji.

Nagi blames himself for this since it was all his idea. He begs for forgiveness, but Fuuka sees the real ghost is here. Fuuka pushes Nagi out of the way, but she gets hit on the shoulder with ice.

The lady ghost introduces herself as Youkai Yukionna. Ariake no Kata created her from a kakigori cart and ordered to scare the Ninningers, particularly the pink one.

Nagi and Fuuka henshin and take their fight with Yukionna to the gym.

Yukionna forces Fuuka to dehenge and freezes her. Nagi tries attacking with fire, but Yukionna just swats it away. She mocks him for his young naivety. Nagi remembers Kasumi telling him to not rely on others so he can grow.

Nagi uses a Fire and Earth Ninpou mix for a Desert no Jutsu.

Yukionna struggles in the desert setting as Nagi teases her with some kakigori. But Nagi slips on the sand and Yukionna stuffs the kakigori into her mouth. They’re back in the gym.

Nagi is frustrated that it didn’t work. Kasumi says he at least tried, so that’s a small victory.

Kasumi?! She pops up and says she actually used Substitution Technique and thanks Nagi for helping with some Youkai Bait Technique. This was all part of Kasumi’s plan after hearing Ariake no Kata’s threat to make her hair stand on end.

Nagi and Kasumi use a Flame Technique double mix to unfreeze the others and they all head outside.

They henshin and take on Yukionna and the just arrived Jukkarages. Takaharu goes Chozetsu and together, the Ninningers deliver a Super Flame Technique attack before Nagi uses a Flame, Gold and Wood Technique mix for a BBQ attack.

Takaharu, Nagi and Kasumi then deliver a Summer Slash to take care of small Yukionna.

Ariake no Kata orders Kyuuemon to embiggen Yukionna and the Ninningers hop into Lion Ha-Oh, ShurikenJin Drago and Bison King.

Yukionna blows ice at them and freezes them. Nagi says they should just relax and let it happen.

They all get trapped inside a cute summer snowman. Yukionna happily laughs, but it turns out the Ninningers have combined into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin Snowman!

They roll forward and finish off Yukionna for good while breaking out of the snowman.

Ariake no Kata is upset at how incompetent Japanese Youkai are. That’s why she must summon some from Europe.

Back at home, Kasumi explains her entire plan to Nagi and apologizes for getting Fuuka caught in the middle. As for the three boys, they’re being punished appropriately.

Father asks Kasumi if she’s really afraid of ghosts. Actually, she loves them!

Meanwhile, three hooded figures arrive at the airport.

Episode Thoughts

This was a fun summer filler episode. I thought it would be a Nagi-focus, but it really was a Nagi and Kasumi-focus. And that’s great because it continues to develop their bonds with each other and establish their relationships as family.

I am enjoying Kasumi being the brains of the operation. And the fact that they try to contrast it with commenting in the past about her being a little flighty or unaware is great.

The Youkai of the Week was another nice design. I sure would be scared if I saw her randomly in an abandoned building. lol And Ariake no Kata has been fun so far. Last week I was reminded of Poisandra, but this week I was reminded a little of Madame Noire. I hope they continue to develop the Youkai and give them each distinct, full personalities before Kibaoni arrives.

The different costumes were great fun too, especially Takaharu’s absurd pepper costume. lol

It appears next week is another summer filler episode. I definitely welcome that I think because the overall plot has been a little weak and uninteresting, but I’m actually in no hurry for it to move forward. I just want to see more fun ninja action. (This is in complete contrast to how I feel Drive has been lacking story development.)

We’ll see how Ninninger continues to move forward though.

Ariake no Kata introduces the foreign Youkai to Masakage and Kyuuemon: Dracula, Ookami Otoko and Franken. But they each have a request before getting to work. Franken wants to go sightseeing. Kyuuemon offers to take him around.

Meanwhile, Father wants to treat the kids to a day off from training. Especially Fuuka who has concentrated on training and schoolwork.

Father offers to take them to a ninja museum, which excites Takaharu and Kinji. But Fuuka says she doesn’t want to spend even her day off thinking about ninja stuff. She says they can all go ahead and she’ll just stay home to finish her homework.

Nagi tells Uncle that he won’t be able to get Fuuka excited about ninja things. He suggests Uncle mention an amusement park.

As soon as Uncle does, Fuuka excitedly jumps to her feet.

Next day, the family heads to the amusement park. Father wants to go to the haunted house while Takaharu wants to go on a roller coaster. Fuuka wants neither and pulls Kasumi along with her.

Nagi explains to Takaharu what Father is trying to do and hands Father a guidebook he’s marked up with things Fuuka might enjoy. Father thanks him and he runs over to Fuuka to show her one of the suggestions. She likes it! Father, Fuuka and Kasumi hurry over to the ride.

Nagi and the guys agree they should all help Father with his mission for the day. They hop around the park to see which rides have short lines and relay the info to Father and Fuuka. Nagi tells Takaharu and Kasumi to buy some ice cream for them.

But while the guys play paparazzi for Father and Fuuka on the merry-go-round, a Jukkarage watches.

Kyuuemon continues the aerial tour of the city for Franken before they have some sushi. After some shopping, the Jukkarage relays the intel to Kyuuemon and they head to the amusement park.

Father asks Fuuka what she wants to do next, but she says she’s a little bored now and hungry and would like to hang out with the others a little.

Father sees Nagi has left him a suggestion to take Fuuka out for yakiniku if she gets bored. Fuuka loves yakiniku.

Kyuuemon and Franken arrive at the park and Franken is angry that these mechanical things are scaring more people than him. He decides to stop the things mid-ride which scare people even more. Kyuuemon happily collects the fear.

The Ninningers, minus Fuuka, hurry over to save the people trapped on the rides. Fuuka calls them over for lunch, but with Franken continuing to stop rides, Takaharu just tells her they’ll be over soon.

Kinji recognizes the Youkai from his studies.

They decide not to allow this to ruin Father and Fuuka’s fun time. Takaharu tells Kasumi to keep them out of the loop while the guys take care of Franken.

Kasumi heads to the restaurant and tells Fuuka and Father that the guys are in line for the roller coaster and they can start without them.

Ariake no Kata is a little upset these Western Youkai are acting just like the incompetent Japanese Youkai. Kyuuemon suggests drawing out the Otomo Nin will help fire up Franken.

Kyuuemon summons a Gashadokuro and Kinji and Yakkie hop into Bison King Drago.

Kasumi tries to distract Father and Fuuka from the strange noises and booms coming from outside.

Franken can’t believe there are more machines taking away his scary spotlight. He decides to freeze Bison King Drago as well and Kinji and Yakumo are unable to do anything but absorb the Gashadokuro’s attacks.

Ariake no Kata wants Kyuuemon to give her the collected fear from today so she can get a facial, but Kyuuemon refuses. They argue.

The commotion is getting louder and both Father and Fuuka are becoming more suspicious. Kasumi tells Fuuka to just order whatever else she wants while she goes to check on the others at the roller coaster.

Franken continues knocking the guys around as Kasumi arrives. Takaharu says he’ll hop into Shinobimaru so they can finish this quick before Fuuka and Father realize what’s going on.

Takaharu summons Surfermaru and then uses Hurricane no Jutsu to take care of the Gashadokuro.

But Franken just freezes Shinobimaru too.

Takaharu jumps down and goes Chozetsu. Franken tries to freeze him too, but Takaharu manages to hold on. He yells over to Nagi who uses Water Technique to reflect the stop beam back to Franken.

Takaharu, Nagi and Kasumi work together to finish off Franken’s first life.

Ariake no Kata tells Kyuuemon to embiggen and the Ninningers hop into ShurikenJin which they can do thanks to Kasumi swiping Fuuka’s Nin Shuriken without her knowing.

They combine into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin and before finishing off Franken for good, do a roll call in the cockpit with Kasumi filling in for Fuuka.

Fuuka and Father head home where everyone else is lounging about in the living room.

Fuuka thanks her Father for the great, fun day they had today.

Father thanks Nagi for the help and Takaharu compliments him for his planning today.

Meanwhile, the remaining two Western Youkai vow to do better than Franken.

Episode Thoughts

This was another fun episode. I am enjoying these “filler” episodes maybe a lot more than the more plot-driven episodes. In this one, we have a nice main plot of Father wanting to spend time with Fuuka. It was a good episode, especially when in the past, we’ve seen Fuuka absolutely (and inexplicably) disgusted by her Father.

The cousins working together to allow the father and daughter to have a special day also help flesh out the great relationship they have (which we haven’t seen as much as I would’ve expected by now).

I really hope moving forward, Ninninger can do a little bit more on the relationship side of the story. Watching this episode after watching ToQger Returns a few hours before, the lack of development between the Ninningers’ relationships is very evident. I really expected and hoped that the family angle would allow for another season of strong bonds and relationships, but we haven’t really seen that much.

The few times we have seen a focus on their relationships have been the best the show has been. So I really hope that they can step it up in that sense moving forward.

Also, I hope the others get to go Chozetsu too.

Next week, Cross Gene’s Shin Wonho!

Fuuka is at the mall with her friends when a James Satou, a producer from Kyoei Movies scouts her and asks her to come audition for the lead role in a new movie. Her friends are excited for her because they are huge fans of the movie’s lead actor, Silver.

When she gets home to tell everyone, they seem to be shocked and surprised. Their doubtful reactions only motivate her to audition even more.

They wish her luck as she leaves. But Kasumi grows suspicious as she studies the audition poster. Seeing the movie is about Dracula, she remembers Kinji mentioning the three Western Youkai when they met Franken. She asks what the other two Youkai’s names are.

Satou is with Silver as they look over the hopefuls. Someone is flashing Dracula fangs as Silver is especially smitten with Fuuka.

Fuuka gets to the camp where the auditions will be held, determined to show the others how wrong they were.

But Fuuka is surprised when she sees Kasumi is there to audition as well.

They walk in and Fuuka recognizes Yakumo and Nagi… only, they are dressed as women.

Kasumi ushers her out only for them to run into Takaharu trying to get into the auditions and Kinji disguising as security.

They decide to come clean with Fuuka and explain that this whole audition might be related to the Dracula Western Youkai. Anyway, they’re here just in case and Fuuka can focus on the audition.

Silver appears and is very pleased to see “cute” Fuuka in person. He is convinced she can be his “white rose” and his leading lady.

Silver gets on his knee and kisses Fuuka’s hand.

Yakumo and Nagi are jealous. Silver leaves as the wheels begin turning in Kasumi’s head.

Meanwhile, Ariake no Kata tells Western Youkai Dracula to hurry up with the fear gathering. He sweet talks her before getting to work.

Fuuka has some of the lunch Kinji prepared for her and wonders if she really wants to be doing this. That’s when she hears a scream. Dracula has just bitten one of the women.

Fuuka and Kasumi hurry down to find a bunch of women unconscious and having nightmares. Even Yakumo and Nagi.

Silver can’t believe this is happening. He runs to get help and Kasumi follows him upstairs.

Kasumi loses him, but she walks toward an open door only to get bit by Dracula. Fuuka hurries upstairs and henshins when Dracula tries to attack her.

Dracula tosses her out the window and they fight in the woods. But Dracula manages to force Fuuka to dehenshin. He says he is excited to taste her too.

But he seems to stop himself from biting her neck which allows Takaharu and Kinji to jump in and help Fuuka.

They run after Dracula who heads back into the mansion. The first person they see is Silver.

Satou tells Silver that he tried to call for help, but the lines have been cut.

Anyway, Satou says they’ll have to cancel the audition. But Silver says it’s fine as long as he has Fuuka whom he will protect. Takaharu demands Silver show his true form and admit he is Dracula. Silver says he is indeed Dracula… in the movie.

Kinji explains to Fuuka that unlike the old blood-drinking Dracula, the modern one sucks up life energy, putting people to sleep and inducing nightmares to collect fear. So they’ll just have to defeat Dracula and everyone can wake up. But Kinji says they must reveal his identity first.

Fuuka remembers Dracula pulling back from sucking her earlier. Kinji asks if she ate the bentou he made for her. That gives him an idea.

While waiting, Fuuka asks Takaharu what he thinks about her becoming an actress. When the Youkai made Takaharu forget his dream of becoming Last Ninja, it made Fuuka think about her own dreams. When this audition came up, she wondered if becoming an actress was it.

Takaharu says she should do what she likes. Especially if she gets a WHOOOA feeling inside. And when she decides what that dream is, he will support her 100%.

She thanks her Oniichan just as Kinji comes in to tell them dinner is ready.

Fuuka and Takaharu sit at the dinner table with Silver and Satou as Kinji serves them a huge platter of gyoza. Takaharu and Fuuka dig in, but Silver is not interesting in foods with strong smells.

Fuuka insists and decides to feed him one. He eats it. And loves it!

He removes his fake vampire teeth and eats some more.

So if it isn’t Silver, then…

Silver feeds Satou a gyoza and he suddenly recoils before turning into Dracula. Turns out Kinji’s gyoza is made of garlic.

Fuuka, Takaharu and Kinji henge. Fuuka tells Silver to hide in his room.

As they fight, Silver marvels at “excellent” Fuuka. Just then, the coffin opens and out pops the real Satou all tied up.

Dracula says he has no business with the men. But Kinji uses Wind Technique to waft the smell of garlic gyoza toward him. That gives Takaharu time to go Chozetsu. And together, they finish off his first life and all the women wake up.

Kyuuemon embiggens Dracula and Takaharu hops into Lion Ha-Oh. But Dracula sucks up Lion Ha-Oh’s energy.

That’s when Yakumo, Kasumi and Nagi arrive to help and allow Takaharu to deliver a Big Shuriken Crush to finish off Dracula for good.

Silver is still smitten with Fuuka and says her cuteness shines even more when she fights. That’s why he proposes to turn the movie into Dracula vs Ninja: the Serenade of Love.

Fuuka thanks him, but she has to turn him down. The others say this is a great opportunity for her, but she says for now, she must focus on being a ninja.

Silver understands, but says if she ever does decide to become an actress, she can come to him and he’ll help her.

Episode Thoughts

Another fun summer episode! Even better that we again got some great character moments from everyone. There was some great brother-sister moments between Fuuka and Takaharu. Kasumi was her usual observant self. Kinji showed that he too can think on the fly. And Nagi and Yakumo secretly want to be pretty movie actresses. Lots of fun all around!

I’ve definitely been a fan of CROSS GENE and their music and also of Shin Wonho since first seeing him on KBS’s Big. He was pretty good here, definitely playing up that “movie star”/”idol” personality of Silver very well. I wouldn’t mind starting to ship Fuuka and Silver. Hee.

The three Western Youkai are turning out to be duds. I kinda expected they’d be a little more fearsome and badass, but they’ve turned out to be regular monsters of the week. Sorry Ariake no Kata. lol

Masakage welcomes Youkai Nekomata Mataneko. Much to Masakage and Ariake no Kata’s bewilderment, Mataneko cannot turn back time and the stopwatch on his chest is just a regular ol’ stopwatch. That was his “brother” who raised him and taught him all he knows.

While Kyuuemon is searching for something, Mataneko follows his brother’s scent to the dojomanse.

The Ninningers have just arrived home from a movie to see Grandpa has been waiting for them. He wants to have a Last Ninja progress report to see who’s closest to obtaining the title so far.

Grandpa has a list and reveals the rankings, leaving the top and bottom ones for last to keep the suspense.

At #5 is Katou “Cloud” Yakumo with 40 points. Grandpa explains that Kasumi always talks circles around him.

At #4 is Kinji Takigawa with 50 points. “What?!” Kinji protests that he was also working as a Youkai Hunter at the same time. But Grandpa says he only wants to take selfies with them.

At #3 is Nagi Momochi Kasumi with 70 points. Fuuka is surprised since Kasumi has always been the most clutch out of any of them. But Grandpa says it’s because he doesn’t like hanpen:

At #2 is Matsuo Nagi with 90 points. But Nagi doesn’t even think he’s done that much to deserve the rank. Grandpa says he’s done plenty at important times and the others can learn from him.

That leaves only the siblings. Fuuka knows Takaharu will surely get the #1 spot after defeating Gabi Raizou and going Chouzetsu.

But Grandpa reveals the #1 cousin and that is…

Igasaki Fuuka! With 100 points.

That means Takaharu is last with 0 points. Grandpa points out how all he does is yell “I’m on fire!!!” or “That’s hot!”

Grandpa explains that Fuuka is #1 because she’s so kawaii.

It’s a mix of shock and annoyance from the cousins, but it turns out something is very off with Grandpa. He’s Mataneko! And he’s secretly trying to get the Ninningers to turn on each other without them knowing anything’s up.

Takaharu pops up and says Grandpa just wants him to get back to basics. He’s now fired up to train even harder. The others agree.

Oops. Grandpaneko decides to switch things up with a quiz. Kasumi senses something is off.

Father comes in to help with the cushion points.

Nagi is excited because he loves and does very well on tests.

Yakumo is first to ask a question: How many times has he said “easy?” He thinks none of them will get it, but Nagi does: 48. Father gives Nagi another cushion.

Nagi goes next and decides to give them a silhouette quiz. Yakumo tries guessing, but he gets both shurikens wrong. Kasumi hears Grandpaneko’s “nya.”

Fuuka goes next and quizzes everyone on the intros of the Otomo Nin. Takaharu and Kinji each get one right.

Kasumi decides to go next and poofs out of the room before returning with the real Grandpa. She asks the others if they can tell which is the real one, but none of them know.

Kasumi tosses some catnip on the floor and Mataneko reveals himself by going after it.

The Ninningers chase Mataneko outside and henge.

Mataneko stumbles upon Kyuuemon’s mallet and taps a Chouzetsu’d Takaharu’s head only to make him embiggen. Mataneko decides to embiggen himself as well.

With Shinobimaru’s help, Takaharu takes care of Mataneko who says more catty lookalikes will pop up in the future.

Kyuuemon finally finds her mallet and heads home.

The Ninningers head home too for some watermelon. Nagi asks Grandpa what his real rankings would be. But he says they all still lack training are on the same level.

The Ninningers decide to go train.

But Grandpa says one of them is still at the starting line. Kinji comes out of the house, realizing the last Western Youkai is the same one that killed his family.

Episode Thoughts

So what was this episode though? The usual end of season recap being done earlier instead? Or are we getting another recap at Episode 44?

It was a very strange, out of place episode. There were some fun parts, like everyone’s reactions to their ranking or the “Easy” Yakumo recap. But the Nekomata joke and the incessant flashbacks were very odd.

The biggest thing to come out of this episode though was reinforcing that Kasumi is awesome and probably deserves the #1 ranking, if ever, the most.

This was definitely not the kind of episode I would ever expect this early. I wonder why they did it. I get it really is the halfway point of the season, but a recap? Hmm…

Anyway, hopefully next episode is back to normal.

Western Youkai Ookami Otoko is rampaging downtown when the Ninningers arrive. Kinji arrives a little late and the others allow him to take the Youkai that killed his father and brother himself.

Kinji takes on Ookami Otoko while the others take care of the Jukkarage. When it seems like Kinji’s done the job, Ookami Otoko just laughs at his guitar and mocks his family.

Takaharu calls over to Kinji not to act recklessly. Ookami Otoko initiates a bloody moon attack and forces Kinji to dehenge and collapse.

The others run to Kinji and Kasumi whisks them away on Byunmaru.

While unconscious, Kinji has a nightmare about that day Ookami Otoko killed his brother and father. He wakes up and remembers how he would rarely see his father and brother as they were always out hunting. The photo he keeps with him is the only time they all ever took a trip together.

Kinji gets up and thanks a sleeping Nagi and Fuuka who had been watching him. As he leaves, Grandpa appears and says how pathetic it is he lost to the Western Youkai. Kinji apologizes and says that will not happen again.

Kinji goes to leave, but Grandpa says he should walk the night alone. Kinji insists this is his fight since Ookami Otoko killed his family.

Grandpa asks if Kinji only wanted to become a pupil to enact revenge. Kinji denies that, but Grandpa says maybe he should only be a Youkai Hunter and not a shinobi. Until Kinji realizes that, he is banned.

Ariake no Kata complains at how useless the Western Youkai are. Ookami Otoko refuses to collect fear or finish off the shinobi until he takes care of all the Youkai hunters first.

The next morning, the Ninningers decide to go look for Kinji.

Kyuuemon is the first one to find him though. Kinji henges, but Kyuuemon just wants to talk. He says he is basically his elder since they both have the same mentor.

Back at the dojomanse, Grandpa says Kinji is banned because he does not allow pupils fighting for personal reasons. Takaharu says they should just let Kinji get his revenge, but Grandpa says ninja powers are not to be used for personal gain. Imagine what you would do if certain people got them angry.

Takaharu, Fuuka and Nagi see his point. But Grandpa says Kinji is dangerous right now as he is not in the right state of mind to deal with his powers. He is similar to Kyuuemon in the past.

Kyuuemon says Kinji is like Last Ninja in the past in how impatient he is. Kyuuemon tells him humans do not have the power to defeat Ookami Otoko, but he can help by giving him the same power as him.

Ookami Otoko appears nearby. Kinji pauses and Kyuuemon takes that to mean he accepts his offer. She uses the mallet to initiate a Youkai Fusion Technique to give Kinji some of her power.

Grandpa says allowing Kinji to fight for personal reasons will led him to be weak and indecisive which in turn leads to worry, fear and contempt. Grandpa regrets now taking Kinji on as a pupil.

Takaharu, Fuuka and Nagi disagree. Takaharu thinks Grandpa is saying all these things, but is really the most worried about Kinji. Grandpa tries denying it and poofs away.

Yakumo and Kasumi find Ookami Otoko and they henge. The others arrive as Kyuuemon is anxious to finish the Youkai power transfer.

Ookami Otoko does another blood moon attack, but the Ninningers are resolved to hold steady until Kinji arrives. Ookami Otoko laughs that Kinji isn’t here because he’s just weak and pitiful. But Takaharu stands up for Kinji and believes he will defeat Ookami Otoko.

The Ninningers believe they need Kinji to fight alongside them.

Kyuuemon says he and Kinji are the same and are fated to join forces as there is a darkness in their hearts. Kinji refuses the comparison and uses Thunder Technique to break free of the transfer.

Kinji no longer wants to be the naive fool and is finally opening his eyes. He runs off to help his friends just as Ookami Otoko is about finish them off.

Takaharu tells Kinji to go and prove Grandpa wrong, but Kinji says Grandpa wasn’t wrong. He admits that in addition to wanting revenge, he also wanted to obtain the Finishing Shuriken of the End to revive his father and brother. But now he sees that the real reason he should Grandpa’s pupil is to become a ninja that protects people.

Ookami Otoko again insults Kinji’s father and brother, but Kinji says he will now fight as a ninja who will protect the people of the world.

Kinji henges and they all try to fight Ookami Otoko who reminds them that human swords won’t do a thing to him.

In that case, Takaharu hands Kinji the Chozetsu Changer and he uphenges to Chozetsu.

Yakumo tosses Kinji his sword to use and now Ookami Otoko isn’t as invincible as he was earlier.

Kasumi suggests they lend him an extra hand so they help set up the finisher that Kinji uses to finish off Ookami Otoko’s first life.

Kyuuemon embiggens Ookami Otoko and the Ninningers hop into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin.

With one Appare Buster, Ookami Otoko is gone for good. Yeehaw!

Back home, Kinji tries to apologize to Grandpa for his true intentions. But Grandpa stops him and says his grandchildren hit him in a sensitive spot earlier. He has learned to start believing in his pupils a little more.

So starting tomorrow, Kinji will no longer be an apprentice, but a full-fledged student.

Meanwhile, Ariake no Kata cannot believe how pointless the Western Youkai were. Kyuuemon offers to take the lead.

Episode Thoughts

Well, this episode was definitely better than the recap last week of course.

It was a good Kinji focus I think. Him wanting the Finishing Shuriken of the End is a little random, especially since the father and brother plotline only appeared in that one hallucination episode. It would’ve been great to have a little more detail sprinkled in throughout the episodes that would lead you to be a little more suspicious of Kinji’s other intentions. It would’ve added a lot more to his character and brought about a lot of nice story and drama.

Still, this episode was good. The flashback scenes of Kinji and his father and brother were effective and used well.

It was especially nice to see Grandpa soften up a little and see another side of him other than him just popping in and out being stubbornly vague about everything.

I hope everyone gets a chance to go Chozetsu.

I have to agree with Ariake no Kata. The Western Youkai were pointless! lol Just normal monsters of the week. You’d think they’d at least give the Ninningers a little more trouble. But oh well. Hehe.

Anyway, this was a good, solid episode and nice little focus for Kinji. And some great action as well.

And yes, I guess Kyuuemon is now officially male.

Kyuuemon gives life to Ninja Hayabusa whom he wants to fight as an Izayoi Style Ninja to gather fear from children.

At the dojomanse, Takaharu feels good waking up early today and helps Kasumi and Fuuka sweep out front. Fuuka greets Hiroshi, a little boy that’s just moved into the neighborhood. But he isn’t too friendly to them because he thinks ninjas are lame.

Hiroshi gets onto the school bus and sticks his tongue out at Takaharu before leaving.

Hiroshi’s mom apologizes. He used to love ninjas, but stopped when other kids teased him for it. The mom realizes she forgot to give Hiroshi his lunch, so Takaharu and Kasumi offer to bring it to him.

But when they get to the school, they find some kind of strange barrier. They henge and try to break through, but their ninja techniques don’t work.

That’s when Hayabusa introduces himself and challenges them to break his ninpou.

The Ninningers meet up to figure out how to get into the school since it appears adults are blocked. Yakumo has an idea. He will turn them all into toys. Fuuka becomes a dog. Nagi is a dump truck. Kinji is a guitar. Kasumi is a doll. Takaharu is an Akaninger action figure. And Yakumo makes himself a dragon.

Since they’re not adults anymore, they are able to pass through the force field. They hop to the playground, but Kasumi warns them not to get too close to the kids.

Oops. Since they have to wait for the spell to wear off, they have now become the kids’ targets. They go crazy for the dog, dump truck, doll and guitar. But it is Hiroshi who takes Takaharu while Dragon Yakumo is left behind.

Hiroshi writes his name on Takaharu’s back and stuffs him into his backpack.

Fuuka, Nagi, Kasumi and Kinji are able to escape and make their way through the playground before they are back to their normal selves. That’s when they find the teachers are actually Jukkarage. They henge and fight them off.

But Hayabusa appears and summons Izayoi kitsune-looking Supparage!

Kasumi blocks an Izayoi fire technique from him and tells Nagi and Fuuka to evacuate the children.

They see the school bus and decide to pose as PE teachers to get the kids in without scaring them.

The bus drives safely out of the school.

Fuuka and Nagi rejoin Kasumi and Kinji and they take care of the Supparage. But Kasumi feels something is off. Indeed. Hayabusa explains that the real plan was to gather fear from the kids by getting them into a bus and scaring them. The bus driver is actually Supparage who begins to swerve the bus dangerously on the road. The force field was just to lure the Ninningers to the school.

On the bus, the spell has worn off Takaharu and he falls out of Hiroshi’s bag. Realizing what is going on, Takaharu knocks the Supparage out. But the brakes on the bus don’t work!

Kasumi asks Hayabusa how to stop the bus. Like he’d just come out and tell them.

Kasumi leaves it to Yakumo whose spell has just worn off. He casts a new truth spell that forces Hayabusa to explain a shuriken on the bus’ accelerator is controlling it.

Yakumo henges and hops into Dragomaru to catch the bus. He tells Takaharu to take the shuriken out and the bus immediately comes to a stop.

The kids see Hiroshi’s name on Takaharu’s back and they think that’s so cool.

But the shuriken attaches to Takaharu’s helmet, causing him to uncontrollably speed off this time. Yakumo follows and protects him from hurting himself.

The others have trouble dealing with Hayabusa. Kasumi hears something approaching. She leads Hayabusa into position just as Takaharu comes speeding at him from behind.

The shuriken becomes attached to Hayabusa and the Ninningers chase after him while doing a roll call.

Takaharu goes Chozetsu and together they manage to finish off Hayabusa’s first life.

Kyuuemon arrives and compliments on them becoming stronger since their last meeting. He just chuckles and says this is the beginning of the battle between the Igasaki style and Izayoi style of ninjutsu.

Kyuuemon embiggens Hayabusa and the Ninningers hop into Lion Ha-Oh and King ShurikenJin. Hayabusa is ready to die to complete his mission, just as a ninja does.

But the Ninningers easily finish Hayabusa off for good.

Hiroshi wants to become a ninja student, but Takaharu says only when he becomes the Last Ninja.

They head inside the dojomanse and Grandpa says Takaharu still has a long way to go to even consider taking on a student. This situation is very familiar to him. It is just like when he took Kyuuemon on as his own student.

He too was as innocent as Hiroshi. But now, he’s a villain stained with darkness. And because of his failure as a teacher, Kyuuemon is now challenging them. For that, he apologizes. But the Ninningers say it’s okay because they are definitely not going to lose against him.

Grandpa then drops the bomb that the source of the Izayoi style of shinobi power is the Igasaki style of nintality. To be more specific, it is the power he stole from Father.

Episode Thoughts

An interesting episode. It was a little all over the place. The whole Toy Story adventure was amusing at first, but felt more like filler at the end of it. Kyuuemon now summoning monster ninjas is kinda random. And I thought it was oddly funny that the kids stopped crying and stayed not even calm, but just stoic while Takaharu took the wheel of the bus.

But I guess the most interesting and more important part is Grandpa’s revelation that Kyuuemon stole Father’s nintality. I’ve been annoyed by Grandpa always keeping things secret until something happens that forces him to come clean. But I still enjoy that we’re learning more about Father and their family, especially when it relates to the overall plot. That is, Kyuuemon’s origin and how he turned to the dark side.

Everything else in the episode was typical Ninninger. But I hope that we get some big story and plot development in the coming episodes.

Grandpa tells the kids that Kyuuemon stole all of Father’s Nintality and all his memories of training. That is why Tsumuji can’t use Ninjutsu and can’t remember why.

Grandpa asks them not to tell Father about any of this. Of course, Fuuka says. They could never.

Meanwhile, Kyuuemon summons Ninja Ikkakusai and orders him to collect some fear from children. Ikkakusai heads downtown and lures kids into a lifesize Ninja Board Game.

Back at the dojomanse, Father asks Fuuka if she’d like to go grocery shopping with him, but she’s studying. Yakumo is also reading up on magic and Father commends him on working to achieve his dream of becoming a ninja wizard. Yakumo says his Mommy had given him a wand and he has pursued the interest since.

Father says he understands. He remembers Grandpa complimenting him the first time he threw a shuriken. That’s when Father decided to become a ninja.

Fuuka is surprised he remembers that. Of course, Father says. He also remembers getting in trouble with Grandpa for using Ninpou in PE.

Fuuka asks if he remembers how he lost his ability to use Ninjustsu. But Father says he just forgot for some reason. “I fell down and hit my head in the bathroom, perhaps?” Father jokes.

Yakumo asks what he would do if he found out the reason. But Father says maybe it’s better if he doesn’t know.

The others suddenly call Yakumo and Fuuka to come downtown as they fight off a group of Supparage. More kids are being lured into the board game.

Ikkakusai introduces himself to the six Ninningers and explains the board game. If they want to save the kids, they must also go in and play.

They head inside and decide to split up as players just in case they get trapped. Takaharu, Nagi and Kinji roll the dice first.

Takaharu easily takes care of the first challenge: Receive a compliment for hitting the bull’s-eye with your first shuriken. A Supparage with a Grandpa mask pops out to fulfill the task.

They move forward six spots and end up at a school where they see a group of Supparage bullying another Supparage with glasses. Takaharu headbutts the lead guy and the three Ninningers fight them off.

They complete the next challenge, receive gratitude from a friend you’ve saved from bullies.

They move forward again and end up in a dark room where they find the kids curled up and crying. This challenge: Lose your power, dream in ruins, fall into despair.

Meanwhile, Yakumo, Kasumi and Fuuka roll the dice and they end up at a gym where they use Ninpou to jump over a HUGE pommel horse. Their Supparage “classmates” cheer them on. But another Grandpa-masked Supparage scolds them. They’ve completed the challenge, but must return six spots.

Yakumo and Fuuka realize this board game is based on Father’s life using his stolen memories! Yakumo thinks they can get through it if the bring Tsumuji here.

Fuuka thinks it would be cruel to put her father through recovering his memories. But Yakumo doesn’t agree. He doesn’t believe his Uncle is that weak.

To get out of the board game, they return the six spots they were told to earlier. They are immediately met by Ikkakusai, but Kasumi and Fuuka henge to hold him off and allow Yakumo to head home.

Yakumo explains the situation to Father and he is more than willing to come help.

They hurry back and quickly run into the game.

They are immediately placed into the dojomanse. Supparage Grandpa introduces them to a new pupil, Kyuuemon. Kyuuemon greets “young master” Tsumuji and Grandpa tells both of them to train hard.

This moment: “A rival ninja genius appears.”

They move forward and the next memory is of Kyuuemon saving Tsumuji from an enemy who caught him off guard.

Grandpa scolds Tsumuji for being too soft. “Ninjas with soft hearts destroy themselves and leave chaos in the world. You are not suited to be a ninja.”

Tsumuji understands. But later at the dojomanse, Grandpa comes across Kyuuemon stealing Tsumuji’s Nintality.

“What have you done?!”

Kyuuemon says it was Grandpa himself who said Tsumuji was unfit to be a ninja, so he took his powers.

That is what happened to Tsumuji: Lose your power, dream in ruins, fall into despair. Lose turn… forever.

This darkness that they’ve ended up in with the kids is the darkness one feels when their dream is taken away from them.

Fuuka is upset with Yakumo and says she knew this was a bad idea.

But Father says no. He did say that he didn’t need to know the truth. But now that he does, he understands. When a talented young ninja appeared and his father told him he wasn’t fit to become a ninja, he had just given up.

None of that should’ve mattered, however, and he should have never given up. He should have fought back. Father says he doesn’t want his children, niece and nephews to make the same mistake.

Father says dreams always start in the dark. Which is why you must light your own path to it.

Father turns to Yakumo. He asks if he knows how to become a magic ninja. Yakumo says no, but he doesn’t plan on giving up. Exactly, Father says. So what will Yakumo do?

Yakumo uses his magic wand and literally lights a path to an exit. The others use Gold Technique to amplify the path with some rainbow power and they all run out of the game.

Father says he’ll take care of the kids. The Ninningers henge. Ikkakusai uses his die to multiply the effect of his attacks. But the Ninningers use Cloning Technique to multiply their own attacks. Takaharu goes Chozetsu to finish Ikkakusai’s first life.

Kyuuemon embiggens him and the Ninningers quickly hop into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin.

Ikkakusai begins relating the history of board games. Yakumo tells Takaharu to get to it and the Ninningers quickly take care of Ikkakusai.

Back home, Grandpa meets Father as he arrives home with the chicken for tonight’s dinner.

Grandpa takes this opportunity to apologize to his son.

“I might as well have killed your dream myself. I’m sorry.”

Father says it’s alright. Even while his dream didn’t come true, Takaharu and Fuuka are carrying it on. And that’s all thanks to Grandpa.

Grandpa hugs Father and says he’s looking forward to the fried chicken dinner.

The Ninningers come in and are happy all is finally well between Grandpa and Father. Fuuka thanks Yakumo. Yakumo asks Takaharu what he’ll be doing now.

Takaharu says he’ll settle things with Kyuuemon and take back Father’s powers.

Fuuka stops Takaharu from yelling, so Takaharu runs out and screams his hotness in the park instead.

But a pretty young lady, who appears to know him, watches from behind a tree.

Episode Thoughts

Yess!!! This was a great episode. Maybe one of the best of the season.

I’ve always expressed how the family stories are my favorite part of this season. So I loved seeing more of the family backstory, especially some nice clarity on the tension between Father and Grandpa. Finally! Some answers!

Seeing little Kyuuemon was great too. I hope we see more flashbacks like that to fill out his character. Finally, things will get interesting. I think there is a lot of potential in that part of the story.

Another great story would be to see a whole arc with Tsumuji vs Kyuuemon. That would be another interesting story to watch. Teens growing up training as ninjas, in a more serious way, not like the Ninningers. It actually almost reminds me of Warrior Baek Dong Soo. Maybe a movie plot!

It might also be interesting if Father and Kyuuemon ever face off again in the future.

I was a little unsure at the start of the episode what this would be about, but it really picked up and the flashbacks and revelations were handled very well. It was nice involving Yakumo and his ninja wizardness as well as Fuuka caring for her father.

One of my favorite episodes of the season.

Kyuuemon brings to life Ninja Kuroari to make use of his unique ability.

Meanwhile, Takaharu is out for a run when the young lady from last episode pops up and attacks. They spar for a second before she poofs away. Takaharu calls for her. Kikyo is her name. It’s apparently been a long time since they’ve seen each other and are actually good friends.

He brings her back to the dojomanse and tells her about Grandpa actually being alive.

The cousins are peeping through the wall wondering about whether she is Takaharu’s girlfriend. Yakumo thinks she’s pretty. But they all agree they can’t let Fuuka know otherwise she’ll really give her the once over.

But Fuuka sees them and they all come bursting out of the wall.

Takaharu explains that he stayed at Kikyo’s dojo while he was on his training travels. Kikyo was his training partner.

Fuuka asks what she is doing here and Kikyo tells them that her old master Ryuji Ise Kiroku has opened a new Ninja School and asked her to be a teacher.

Takaharu joins Kikyo to help out with one of the classes. The kids think he’s just a weird creeper at first, but are soon amazed by his skills when he easily takes care of the obstacle course.

Kiroku arrives and he and Takaharu introduce themselves. Takaharu thinks Kiroku is cool. But later, he notices the kids aren’t all that fired up for ninja stuff. Kikyo takes that as an insult and tells him to just leave if he’s here to nitpick.

Meanwhile, Kasumi, Yakumo and Kinji are checking out the school, suspicious it might be Kyuuemon’s doing again. But so far, everything seems clean.

Kiyoku, however, listens to their entire conversation. He heads into a nearby cave and enters a secret passage to an underground waterfall. Here he meets Kyuuemon and tells him that it was a mistake to pick-up Kikyo as she’s related to the Igasakis. It will be difficult to train the kids to become part of the Kibaoni Army.

But Masakage says this is a good opportunity to combine Ninjutsu and Youjutsu to take advantage of Kikyo’s feelings.

Kasumi, Yakumo and Kinji go to follow Kiroku, but Masakage meets them. They henge and fight. But Masakage retreats when Kinji goes after Kiroku.

Turns out, this is part of the plan.

Takaharu returns to the dojomanse and the others fill him in on what’s going on. They tell Takaharu that he needs to let Kikyo know about Kiroku’s true allegiance without causing a stir.

Takharu talks to Kikyo, but she doesn’t want to hear it.

“Takaharu, you’ve changed. Before, you would have just supported me. Don’t talk to me anymore.”

Kiroku approaches and Takaharu henges. He demands Kiroku show his true identity, but Kikyo tries to stop him.

Kiroku tells Kikyo to hold Takaharu steady. As Kiroku approaches with his sword, Kikyo remembers Takaharu telling her earlier that he’d never lie to her. Realizing Takaharu is telling the truth, she lets him go.

Turns out Kuroari had been using Parasite technique to posses Kiroku. Kuroari readies an attack to kill Kiroku for good, but Takaharu blocks the attack and is forced to dehenge.

The other Ninningers arrive and say the kids have been safely evacuated thanks to Takaharu drawing the Kuroari’s attention here.

As Kikyo takes Kiroku to safety, Takaharu rehenges.

The Ninningers and Kikyo fight off Supparage. Takaharu and Kikyo decide to team up like they’ve done before to fight off Kuroari. Takaharu goes Chozetsu to finish off Kuroari’s first life.

Kyuuemon embiggens Kuroari and the Ninningers hop into Lion Ha-Oh and King ShurikenJin.

Kuroari puts quicksand under the robos, but they still manage to fly out of it. They deliver final strikes and finish off Kuroari for good.

Masakage tells Kyuuemon that he’s failed again. But he says Kuroari did his part. Kyuuemon takes out three core medals shuriken: Falcon, Rhino and Ant.

Back at the Ninja School, Kiroku apologizes for the trouble he’s caused. But Takaharu says it wasn’t their fault.

Kikyo starts to ask Takaharu something about the next time they meet, but instead just asks when that next time could be. Takaharu says it’ll be when he becomes Last Ninja. They shake on it.

The cousins tease an oblivious Takaharu about his not-girlfriend.

Episode Thoughts

Ryuji?! What are you doing here?! Hehe. It was great see Ryoma Baba again, even if it’s a brand new character. (I miss Go-Busters!) Being a ninja definitely suits him.

Takaharu and Kikyo were cute. Since the team this year is all family, I guess a little romance angle like this is alright. I forgot Takaharu had been wandering about before the season began and he arrived home. I hope they focus on those travels maybe in one or two more episodes. Focus on people he’s met along the way.

That actually sounds like a good idea for an entire season. (oops, that’s actually ToQger hehe. Which I love of course!)

Kyuuemon continues whatever plan he’s got. But this episode was more about Takaharu and Kikyo’s relationship and the MOTW. And in that sense, it was a pretty good episode that I fully enjoyed. Some nice fun sprinkled throughout.

The Ninningers are training at the dojomanse by sparring with each other. Nagi decides to use Advanced Ninpou and tries a Hot Bath technique against the others. But it only plops them into a relaxing bathhouse.

Yakumo, Fuuka and Kinji work together on an Advanced Ninpou Hot Pot Technique which plops Nagi into the soup.

Meanwhile, Kyuuemon brings Ninja Mujina to life to help him with his plan.

Kasumi watches Nagi training alone in the forest and says he must have taken a hit to his ego earlier. Nagi says he must have become too complacent after being the first one to get the hang of Advanced Ninpou. Anyway, catching up to the others is one of his best qualities, so he’s not worried.

Kasumi says that it’s fine to play catch up, but it’s also good to be a step ahead, especially in the Last Ninja race.

Nagi welcomes Kasumi’s suggestion to train together. But Mujina appears and wants to play.

Nagi and Kasumi henge. Mujina tosses them around and is about to use a Specialty Steal Technique on Nagi. But Kasumi pushes him out of the way the technique is used on her instead.

The others arrive and while Mujina wants to play some more, Kyuuemon stops him and they leave.

Kasumi has dehenged and the others ask if she’s okay. But much to their surprise, she happily says she has no clue.

Ariake no Kata has just returned from the spa, but is upset when Kyuuemon says they don’t have much fear. Mujina, however, explains what he took from Kasumi: her specialty or individuality.

Back at the dojomanse, Nagi explains what happened and the Ninningers realize Kasumi is not her usual analytical self.

They meet with Mujina who suggests they play Ninja Keep Away. If they are able to take the ball, Kasumi’s specialty, they win. But if they lose, then he’ll take their specialties as well.

The Ninningers henge and the game begins. Mujina hands the bag with Kasumi’s specialty to a Supparage who runs off.

Yakumo and Kinji run after the Supparage. But Kasumi, who has just fallen into one of her own pitfall, calls Yakumo to come help.

Yakumo hurries over and finds Kasumi who seems perfectly fine. She runs over and gets on top of him. Turns out this is actually Mujina who now takes Yakumo’s specialty.

Kasumi and Yakumo are put in a cage. Yakumo tries to use his magic, but it doesn’t work. It appears magic is Yakumo’s specialty.

Takaharu thinks he has cornered the Supparage with the bag, but Mujina pops in and takes his specialty. Takaharu joins the cage pair and is now longer his hot self.

Mujina announces Yakumo and Takaharu have been captured, so Kinji, Nagi and Fuuka come up with a plan. Kinji disguises as a Supparage and manages to get the real one to toss the bag to him.

They head back and fight off the Supparage guarding the cage. Mujina stops Kinji and takes his specialty.

Fuuka tosses Kasumi’s specialty in the air for Nagi to hit towards her in the cage. But Kasumi bends down and her specialty instead goes to Takaharu.

Takaharu gets out of the cage while Kasumi points out Kinji’s specialty is his weird Japanese.

Takaharu poofs him, Nagi and Fuuka away to figure out another plan. Nagi and Fuuka marvel at Takaharu with Kasumi’s brains. But Nagi remembers Kasumi’s words earlier and they come up with an idea.

Mujina chases Fuuka to the lake. Takaharu is waiting inside a boat already on the water and Mujina runs over to him. He takes the specialty and Takaharu returns to the cage. But Fuuka is there as well and takes the key from the Supparage.

Nagi, meanwhile, surprises Mujina as he’s been in the boat the entire time by using Advanced Ninpou to combine with it. Nagi is able to take the pouch with everyone’s specialty.

The others arrive and Nagi tosses them their specialty back.

They all henge and take on Mujina.

A Chozetsu Takaharu and Nagi team up to deliver a Double Shuriken Slash to finish off Mujina’s first life.

Kyuuemon is fine with it since this seems to be all part of his plan. He embiggens Mujina and the Ninningers hop into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin. And with it, they are able to quickly finish off Mujina for good.

Kyuuemon now has four Ninja Core Gears which he uses to power his own OtomoNin: Karakuri Kyubi.

Masakage is impressed.

The Ninningers attack, but they have no effect. Lion Ha-Oh is just as shocked.

Kyuuemon initiates a Kogitsune Ranbu attack of little fox pods which forces Ha-Oh ShurikenJin to separate. Neither ShurikenJin nor Bison King can even leave a scratch on Karakuri Kyubi. Kyuuemon slashes at them and they all uncombine.

Takaharu takes Lion Ha-Oh and tries to attack, but it’s no use. Kyuuemon initiates another Kogitsune Ranbu and Lion Ha-Oh falls.

Episode Thoughts

Exciting! Pretty good episode. I enjoyed the fun of taking their specialties and really their specific and unique character traits. It would’ve been a lot more fun if they had a whole segment where each of them got someone else’s specialty for a little bit like Takaharu did with Kasumi’s.

That reminds me of ToQger‘s switch last year with the guys which was a lot of fun. And having characters acting as someone or something else is a Sentai staple I think. So it would’ve been a lot of fun if they went all-out with it here.

But I guess the episode was more focused on setting up Kyuuemon’s new toy. And since I don’t read any of the spoilers or toy announcements and such, I had no idea what those gear things were going to be for and that Kyuuemon would get his own OtomoNin. So that was a nice twist for me, even though it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise for another ninja like Kyuuemon to have an OtomoNin, yes?

The preview teases a climactic battle with Kyuuemon. But I hope that doesn’t mean Kyuuemon is dead after next episode. I really want to see them delve into the backstory a lot more. Plus, it would make sense for him to be the ultimate Big Bad of the season anyway. Which certainly fits with the whole Last Ninja stuff. I certainly don’t want the final villain to be Kibaoni who just pops up in the last couple of episodes. (Hello Banno!)

So overall, a good, exciting and fun episode.

The others run to Takaharu who is thrown into the river after Lion Ha-Oh falls. Shishioh is not responding as Kyuuemon’s foxy pods fly over and attack them.

Kyuuemon arrives to gloat, but Grandpa appears to face him. Grandpa continues to deny he has the Finishing Shuriken of the End, but Kyuuemon does not believe him.

Grandpa and Kyuuemon battle.

Grandpa criticizes Kyuuemon’s so-called Izayoi-style of fighting which involves sacrificing his comrades as pawns. He thought Kyuuemon was smarter than to give in to a weak heart.

But Kyuuemon turns it around and says he learned it from Grandpa who created Lion Ha-Oh as a pawn to serve him and recruited Kyuuemon just to help train Father. So they are the same.

Grandpa says Kyuuemon’s mind has become even more narrow now.

They unleash advanced Ninpou at each other with Grandpa getting thrown back in the water. That allows Kyuuemon to unleash a Crossfire Technique.

But Grandpa has no choice but to use some kind of bright ninpou to get him and his grandchildren outta here.

Kyuuemon recognizes that power.

They’re back at the dojomanse and have called Tetsunosuke over. He says Shishioh is not dead, but it will take him a while before he can fix the changer.

As they let Grandpa rest, the Ninningers hope to find a way to defeat Kyuuemon and his karakuri to end this once and for all. But their OtomoNin are out of commission right now.

Kasumi has an idea. She asks Tetsunosuke if they can make their own OtomoNin and he says they should try.

The Ninningers each design their own OtomoNin as Tetsunosuke explains they are merely vessels which will be filled with souls using their ninjutsu.

But when the Ninningers attempt to do so, it doesn’t work.

Kyuuemon realizes the bright power Grandpa used earlier was of the Finishing Shuriken of the End. So he does indeed have it.

Mujina pops up, still alive. Masakage is not happy with Kyuuemon using the royal guards as mere pawns. Ariake no Kata interrupts the conversation because they’re out of fear and she needs to keep the wrinkles away.

Mujina offers to gather fear and take care of the Igasaki clan at the same time. Ariake no Kata tells Kyuuemon to let Mujina borrow his mallet.

The Ninningers are back at home and wonder why their OtomoNins can’t hold souls. They must be doing something differently from what Grandpa had done.

Takaharu wonders if they really can do this like Grandpa did. The others say they have to to help Grandpa.

Mujina summons two Gashadokuro and the Gamagama-jus alert the Ninningers.

Takaharu gets ready to run out, but the others say they still don’t have any OtomoNins. He says they can’t just ignore the threat. But at the same time, doesn’t it feel weird that they’re still weaker than Grandpa, but are using his ways which Kyuuemon was able to beat?

Anyway, Takaharu will do anything he can in the meantime. He runs out. Nagi and Kinji follow.

Yakumo is frustrated that they always run out without thinking.

“He’s simple, isn’t he?” Tetsunosuke says.
Fuuka apologizes for her brother being dumb.
“But, I didn’t say he was wrong,” Tetsunosuke smiles.

Takaharu and Nagi try to fight Mujina while Kinji hops onto Rodeomaru to take on the Gashadokuros.

Tetsunosuke believes Takaharu meant that while Grandpa has his methods, they should also have their own. And with that, all Takaharu knows to do is to plunge ahead. Yakumo, Kasumi and Fuuka marvel at Tetsunosuke being able to understand Takaharu.

Grandpa watches them as Yakumo, Kasumi and Fuuka understand. They hurry out to join Takaharu and Nagi.

Takaharu and Nagi are surprised they’re here with the OtomoNin still unfinished. But they explain how they shouldn’t be limited by Grandpa’s methods and instead should just push forward. That’s their method.

The Ninningers fight Mujina and together deliver a Ninja Flash finisher. Mujina is still standing and decides to use Kyuuemon’s mallet to embiggen himself.

Kasumi says all they can do is plunge in. But Takaharu has a better idea. He says he’ll use Nagi’s Possession Fusion Technique and combines a Gattai and Henge no Jutsu.

That allows Takaharu to fuse into his OtomoNin to become the phoenix-like Hououmaru. Grandpa watches as Takaharu flies around, attacking Mujina and the Gashadokuro. He is pleased by what they have accomplished.

Kinji gets thrown off Rodeomaru and joins the others. They all use the technique to fuse themselves into their own OtomoNin.

Yakumo is dragon-styled Seiryuumaru, Nagi is a tortoise-styled Genbumaru, Fuuka is a white tiger-styled Byakomaru, Kasumi is a panda-styled Pandamaru and Kinji is a black carp-styled Magoimaru.

The Ninningers fire at and destroy the Gashadokuro in one go.

They then decide to combine into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh.

Kasumi notes this is the first six-part combination evah! Kinji thinks that’s cool. But Takaharu says the more appropriate description is “It’s hot!”

Each of Ninningers take out a Sealing Shuriken which turns into brand new Hot Shuriken for them to use.

Just as the Ninningers get even more fired up, Kyuuemon stabs Mujina in the back. Literally!

Mujina explodes and Kyuuemon dosen’t care. He decides he needs to destroy the Ninningers and their brand new OtomoNin now while he has the chance.

They battle. Grandpa laments his mistakes and shortcomings in teaching Kyuuemon. But to make up for it, he sees his grandchildren forging a clear path to become the Last Ninja and eventually surpass even his power.

Kyuuemon tries another one of his fox pod attacks, but it’s no use. The Ninningers use all their new tricks to pin Kyuuemon back. He can’t believe it.

The Ninningers use a Gekiatsu Dai Fever attack in which they themselves get shot out of the chest cannon to deliver the final strike.

The Ninningers land back on the ground as Kyuuemon’s karakuri falls, presumably with him in it.

Back at the dojomanse, Tetsunosuke agrees the Ninningers’ own methods are hella hot. But he won’t let them beat him. He’ll be sure to fix Lion Ha-Oh as soon as possible.

Takaharu comes up with a strange saying and the Ninningers try to get Tetsunosuke to translate. But he has no idea what he’s talking about.

Episode Thoughts

I thought this was a great episode. Definitely much more enjoyable than the typical toy introduction episode.

I don’t think we’ve gotten much on the idea that the cousins and Kinji would ever surpass Grandpa or are a new generation of ninja. In the sense that, they’re talented and special in their own right and don’t always need to be trained by Grandpa or anyone else. They can forge their own path and have the power and the talent to do so.

That gives much more basis for the idea that the new Last Ninja won’t necessarily be just one person, but an effort made by all six Ninningers. That would be the best ending I think.

I really enjoyed Grandpa and Kyuuemon’s battle. That was done really well and it was great to finally see Grandpa actually fighting. I really hope to see more of them facing off as well as touching more on their backstory. There’s got to be more to Grandpa bringing Kyuuemon on and what pushed Kyuuemon to go bad. But I definitely liked Kyuuemon pointing out Grandpa’s not been on the up and up all the time either. Goes well with the revelation of Grandpa’s true feelings about Father.

The morphed fight of the Ninningers and Mujina was also well done.

The scenes of the Ninningers, as OtomoNin, flying around was definitely fun and awesome. I like the idea of them becoming the mecha. It’s been a while since Mystic Force (or Magiranger, but I watched Mystic Force only. =D) I also think it’s great since apparently this is the first time a base mecha combination includes the 6th Ranger! That’s pretty awesome.

One great thing that I enjoy about the mecha this season is the increased mobility of them. Of course, we have Shinobimaru and Rodeomaru hopping and flipping around all over the place. But Gekiatsu Dai-Oh was also able to more freely move. That’s a nice chance from the big, blocky mechas that have been the norm (but also equally awesome of course). It’s a refreshing twist.

The music felt and sounded different this episode. Not sure if its new music, maybe for Gekiatsu Dai-Oh. Or if they just used the existing pieces of music in different ways. But it definitely sounded a little more exciting and epic.

It was definitely great to see Tetsunosuke again too.

Overall, a great episode. Hope Ninninger continues with the great momentum.

Ariake no Kata can’t believe that kitsune “Kyuutaro” was defeated by the Ninningers. But Masakage isn’t so sure he is really dead.

Anyway, Masakage brings to life the last of the Kibaoni Personal Guards: Ninja Suzumebachi.

Over at the dojomanse, Takaharu and Yakumo are sparring with both using their own techniques. Yakumo tries mixing Ninpou and magic and it’s alright, but he feels he has to continuing training since Takaharu is still better in battle.

Takaharu reminds Yakumo to just go go go and not hesitate.

The Ninningers hurry downtown to fight off a group of Karakuris. But Suzumebachi hits him with a stinger. He dehenges and breaks into a cold sweat. Suzumebachi explains that anyone hit with her venom will die in 18 hours unless they get the antidote.

Suzumebachi declares she wants to ensure the Kibaoni school will defeat the Igasaki school of ninja.

She continues shooting stingers, but Yakumo blocks all of them and knocks his cousins out of the way.

Suzumebachi asks why Yakumo is risking his life to save his comrades. He replies that it is only natural to do so. But Suzumebachi says it is natural for ninjas to sacrifice their comrades and do anything to achieve their goals.

Suzumebachi adds that ninjas live for their clan and die for their clan. But Yakumo gets on top of her and says for him, ninjas should live and protect those dear to them.

The others shoot at Suzumebachi who flies into the air. The idea of protecting those you love, that hits her right in the feels. Suddenly, Yakumo is looking pretty dreamy to her right now.

Suzumebachi finds that she has no more stingers, so she decides to retreat. But Yakumo grabs her arm.

“Don’t run! I’m not going to let go of you!”

Suzumebachi gets the tingles as Yakumo takes both her arms, but she ultimately runs off, blushing.

Back at the dojomanse, Yakumo tries removing the venom from Takaharu with magic but it doesn’t work. The only way is with the antidote, but how can they get it.

Nagi says he noticed something off with the way Suzumebachi reacted to Yakumo as she ran away.

Kasumi comes into the room to say UFOmaru has found Suzumebachi’s location. The Ninningers hurry.

Suzumebachi is in a cave with a wall full of sexy Aoninger photos. Masakage walks in on her, but he just thinks Aoninger is her next target. Suzumebachi snaps out of her lovesickness and heads outside when the Ninningers approach.

Yakumo tells the others that he will act as bait so they can attack.

Yakumo runs ahead and Suzumebachi pops out. He says he’s been looking for her and she takes that to mean he is in love with her too.

Suzumebachi begins to interpret everything Yakumo says as a proclamation of love even though they are from different ninja clans. Yakumo is confused, but he charges toward her with the intention of taking the antidote by force.

But Suzumebachi says he doesn’t need to force her because she will let him do whatever he wants to her body.

She hugs him just as the cousins arrive. Nagi realizes Suzumebachi has feelings for Yakumo. She says he admitted it, but Yakumo denies any such thing.

Kasumi says Suzumebachi is blinded by love, but Suzumebachi thinks Kasumi just wants Yakumo for herself. She stings Kasumi and also falls from the venom.

Yakumo henges and takes on Suzumebachi. Kinji jumps in to help and Suzumebachi thinks he wants Yakumo for himself too so she stings him.

Nagi tells Yakumo they should retreat, so the cousins poof away.

Believing Yakumo is sincere in his feelings for her, Suzumebachi says she will wait for him tonight.

Back at the dojomanse, Yakumo has an idea and asks Nagi and Fuuka for help. He shows them a copy of Romeo & Juliet.

The rain starts falling and Suzumebachi is on her balcony thinking about being in love with a ninja of a rival house.

Yakumo appears and says he renounces his Igasaki bloodline because of his love for Suzumebachi. He asks her to leave the Kibaoni clan as well so they can run away together and live happily ever after.

Suzumebachi excitedly jumps down. Yakumo grabs her hand and they run.

But Nagi and Fuuka arrive. They cannot believe Yakumo would betray them especially after Suzumebachi killed Takaharu, Kasumi and Kinji. Yakumo apologizes and says he has met the woman of his dreams.

Nagi and Fuuka can’t believe it. But if a ninja leaves their school, they must die. That’s the law.

The three of them henge and fight. Suzumebachi wants to help, but Yakumo says this is his battle. Nagi and Fuuka have Yakumo on the ground and are ready to finish him off.

But Suzumebachi sends two stingers toward Nagi and Fuuka. Suddenly, Yakumo jumps and pushes them aside with him taking the stingers instead.

Yakumo dehenges. Suzumebachi runs over to her love.

Yakumo tells Suzumebachi it is alright. If he has to die, at least it was by the hands of the woman he loves. But Suzumebachi won’t let him die. She pulls the antidote from her shoulder and injects Yakumo with it.

He’ll be fine now, she says happily. But Yakumo pops up, grabs the antidote from her and tosses it to Nagi and Fuuka.

Suzumebachi just puts her hands up and asks Yakumo to explain. He says it was just an act knowing she would give him the antidote.

“You call yourself a man?!”
“I am not a man. I am a ninja.”

Yakumo reminds Suzumebachi that it was her who said ninjas will do anything to achieve their goal. As long as he is a ninja, risking his life is an easy decision.

Yakumo henges as Suzumebachi’s anger grows. They take their fight outside and Yakumo uses a Substitution Technique to avoid Suzumebachi’s stinger again.

That allows him to attack from behind. Suzumebachi asks why he didn’t just use this technique earlier. Yakumo says he wasn’t sure if it would fool her. And since Suzumebachi was sincere in her feelings for him, he knew he had to risk his life.

“How naive. But that’s the man I fell in love with!”

Yakumo delivers a slash and before Suzumebachi explodes, he says she should not fall in love with a shinobi in her next life.

“I didn’t fall in love with a shinobi. The man I fell in love with… was a shinobi.”

Suzumebachi blows up and Masakage embiggens her using Kyuuemon’s mallet.

The others arrive in the Gekiatsu OtomoNin and Yakumo jumps into his. They combine into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh.

This time Suzumebachi is very much turned on by Gekiatsu Dai-Oh. She jumps and hugs the big robo, but the Ninningers quickly finish her off.

“I am a shinobi… and love is hell!”

The cousins tease Yakumo on their way home.

Episode Thoughts

I thought this was a really fun episode! The Romeo & Juliet scenes were hilarious. They played those scenes perfectly and as overdramatic as possible. It was great.

Nice little callback to Yakumo being in love with the lawn mower before. And of course, the whole Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet stuff fits with him wanting to be British. (As Nagi and Fuuka regularly point out. lol)

Suzumebachi was also amusing. My favorite moment was after Yakumo tosses the antidote to Nagi and Fuuka and she just puts her hands up with an “Ugh, I give up. Explain.” expression. That was funny as well.

It was a nice twist on the usual “monster falls in love with a Ranger” story that usually happens.

With Gekiatsu Dai-Oh, I like how the Ninningers end up outside when they defeat the embiggened monster. It’s a fresh take on the usual mecha battle I think. Similar to Go-Busters which had some of them not needing to be in the mecha for the embiggened monster to be defeated.

Filler episodes are alright as long as they are enjoyable and fun. And this episode very enjoyable and very fun.

Ariake no Kata has some Supparage attacking Koda and other locals to help with her skin care treatments. Ariake no Kata reintroduces herself before they drive her away.

Suddenly, the Ninningers are attacked by a mysterious ninja… Jiraiya!

Jiraiya jumps down and fights the Ninningers. Takaharu, Yakumo and Kinji take Jiraiya on as he laments how these evil ninja have taken over while he was gone. Nagi, Fuuka and Kasumi realize there must be some misunderstanding so they use Gold Technique to drop some basins on their heads and stop the fighting.

Jiraiya recognizes this as an Igasaki-style Ninpou and apologizes for mistaking them as Iyazoi-style ninjas.

Jiraiya dehenges and explains that he heard of the Iyazoi ninjas. Jiraiya introduces himself as Yamaji Toha of the Togakure school. Kasumi looks him up online and finds scenes from the original Showa Era series.

Masakage talks to Kibaoni to get permission to summon Advanced Youkai. Kibaoni lends his power and reminds Ariake no Kata to not give Masakage a hard time while he’s away.

The Ninningers head home with Toha where two men from a committee to preserve ninja honor in light of the Iyazoi ninjas talk to Father about the need for all ninjas to follow a new set of rules. Rules that the Ninningers haven’t really been adhering to as they are ninjas that do not hide.

The rulebook shows that the Chairman of the committee is Jiraiya. Turns out the men really want Jiraiya to be their chairman and Toha has been trying to avoid them. He asks Takaharu to help him escape.

The two men chase after them, but Takaharu and Toha are too fast.

Toha explains that he’s not the type to manage other people. Instead, he’s more keen on being on the frontlines to fight.

Across town, Masakage uses dumbbells to bring Advanced Youkai Konaki Jijii to life.

Konaki Jijii begins attacking downtown by making older people, literally, heavy burdens for the younger folks. Takaharu and Toha hurry over and both henge.

Konaki Jijii uses his power to get Toha onto Takaharu’s back just as the Ninningers arrive to help and drive Konaki Jijii away.

Back home, the two committee members ban the Ninningers from using Ninjutsu for a month after seeing them violating pretty much ever rule just now. They don’t care that a Youkai is on the loose.

Kinji gets an alert about Konaki Jijii so they head out while Tsumuji says he’ll trying talking to the committee again.

The Ninningers find Konaki Jijii, but can’t henge as they see the two men watching nearby.

The cousins not being able to henge allows Konaki Jijii to attack them with his ninpou. Fuuka carries Kasumi and Nagi carries both Kinji and Yakumo, but they fall to the ground.

Konaki Jijii also shoots at the two committee members as Takaharu and Toha arrive. They work together to outsmart Konaki Jijii’s attacks and destroy his dumbbell hands which unloads the heavy burdens off everyone.

After being down about his age all day, Toha says even if he can’t rampage like he used to, he’ll do what he can to help the younger ninjas. He says the Ninningers can use Ninjutsu all they want. He will accept the Chairman position and take responsibility for them.

A Shuriken burns Takaharu’s butt and it turns into a new Ji Shuriken. Takaharu attaches it to his Ichibantou and it summons Jiraiyu’s Jiko Shinkuken old sword.

They all henge and wear Konaki Jijii down. They prepare for a Final Strike when suddenly, Shishi-Oh appears on Takaharu’s wrist. He’s back!

Takaharu goes Chozetsu and Toha lets him borrow his sword. Konaki Jijii’s first life is done and Masakage embiggens him.

The Ninningers hop into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh to finish off Konaki Jijii for good.

Back at the dojomanse, Toha tells the Ninningers that his new role is to help protect the young ninja so they can continue his work. And to start, he gets rid of the dumb rulebook and tells them to rampage well.

He reminds them that Ninpou is tempered through the heart and body as a martial art that exists to protect justice. They cannot ever let their Ninpou give in to feelings of negligence or pride. And they must never give in to fear.

Episode Thoughts

A fun little episode. I don’t really know much of the Metal Hero Series other than the glimpses of nuGavan in Go-Busters and Super Hero Taisen Z. Also that Shaider was huge in the Philippines which spawned GMA’s unfortunate Zaido soap opera toku. And of course VR Troopers.

So this was a nice little intro to Jiraiya as I had no idea the Metal Hero Series also had a ninja.

The unmorphed fight was great and it would’ve been awesome to see that scene be longer. Same with them carrying each other on their backs as a sight gag.

No plot developments this episode, but I did enjoy the little crossover and it was just light, fluffy fun. And of course, Hello Yoshi Sudarso! Living the fanboy dream! =)

The others are watching as Nagi and Kinji face off. Nagi unleashes a new Work in Progress attack, but Kinji manages to deflect. They dehenshin and the others approach.

Takaharu and Kasumi ask Kinji if he’s alright since he was moving a little funny, but Kinji says he’s alright. Yakumo walks over to Nagi who is reading a Ninjutsu manual he found at home. He hopes to find something that can help him develop a new technique that will take them all by surprise.

To win the Last Ninja race, Nagi feels he should use a curveball. Kinji says he understands, but maybe Nagi should just stick to straight pitches. He says Nagi is careful about being aware of his surroundings and others, which might keep him from taking a good look at himself.

“I think you could believe in yourself more.”

Nagi says Kin-san just doesn’t understand being the youngest.

Elsewhere in the forest, a hooded Kyuuemon with a new scar on his face stumbles through.

Later that night, Kinji has a nightmare about turning into a Youkai. He wakes up and he looks at his arm which glows purple at three scratch marks.

In the living room, Nagi looks for a scroll that tells him more about the Demon Sword Urasame which he read about in the book. The sword devours Youkai power and uses it for itself. Nagi wonders if it can be used for Ninjutsu.

He hears someone coming and jumps up to the rafters. He sees Kinji quietly leaving, so he follows.

Ariake no Kata wants Masakage to gather fear for her. It turns out Kyuuemon was pretty useful. But Masakage is not sure he’s really dead anyway.

Kyuuemon is pleased to run into Kinji in the forest. He knows about strange things happening to Kinji’s body and proceeds to explain: Kinji will soon become a Youkai. Kyuuemon was interrupted while filling him with Youkai power. But after that, Ookami Otoko’s Youkai power entered his body. And Ookami Otoko has the power to turn people he hurts into Youkai.

It wasn’t Lion Ha-Oh’s power that defeated Ookami Otoko, it was the Youkai power within Kinji that is now overflowing.

Kinji says he could never tell the Igasakis about this. But Kyuuemon has a way to help him. He tells Kinji to follow. Nagi is also in the forest, wondering where Kin-san could be. Masakage watches Kyuuemon.

The Gamagama-jus alert the cousins back home and they head out.

Kyuuemon and Kinji arrive at a building downtown. But Kinji wants to know what Kyuuemon wants in return for this help.

They are suddenly attacked. Kinji henges.

Masakage’s just-brought to life Advanced Youkai Oomukade appears and says he will be taking in Kyuuemon.

Kyuuemon is defiant and tells Kinji to protect him in exchange for the help. Kyuuemon is not confident without the mallet.

Nagi watches, confused at the situation as Kinji and Kyuuemon run into the building. Oomukade follows.

The others arrive and the five of them henge before heading inside as well. Nagi does not tell them what he saw.

On the roof, Masakage decides to create a maze of indecision inside the building to trap them all.

Kyuuemon tells Kinji about the Demon Sword Urasame, which is right here in this building.

The cousins take on Oomukade who is more concerned with finding Kyuuemon. Nagi is still unsure of letting the others know of what he saw. But they all pursue anyway, though it is a little more difficult with Masakage’s indecision obstacles.

Kyuuemon recognizes the trick. The more one hesitates, the more obstacles and false paths there will be. Kyuuemon tells Kinji not to have second thoughts. Kinji understands and fully follows Kyuuemon. That allows for only one path to appear.

The Ninningers find Oomukade again. They demand to know why Kinji is with Kyuuemon, but Oomukade has no idea either. Takaharu, Yakumo and Fuuka fight Oomukade. Kasumi asks Nagi to spill what he knows.

Nagi hesitates and falls through a hole in the floor, causing him to dehenge.

In the basement, he spots Ookami Otoko. But actually, it’s just Kinji.

Kyuuemon comes and tells Kinji to hurry. But Kinji says for him to go on ahead and he’ll catch up. Kyuuemon leaves.

Kinji tells Nagi that he is looking for the Demon Sword Urasame, but that he’ll explain more after everything’s taken care of. He asks Nagi to trust him.

“But [Kyuuemon] betrayed Grandpa and stole Uncle Tsumuji’s power!”

Kinji says he knows, but… “I have no time! Nagi, am I not worthy of your trust?”

Nagi says of course he trusts Kinji. Kinji tips his hat and runs after Kyuuemon.

The others fall down too and Nagi tells them about Kinji asking them to trust him. They say Nagi shouldn’t have let him go, but Nagi says he didn’t because he believes in Kin-san.

Takaharu understands. If Nagi believes in Kinji, then they should too. He asks them to believe in him too and they do.

Oomukade again pops in and they henge.

Kyuuemon finds the Demon Sword Urasame and hands it to Kinji so it can suck up the Youkai power. Kinji hesitates, but Kyuuemon assures him that it’ll be fine. He can even take it and go back to his friends.

Kinji runs off as Masakage pops up with Kyuuemon.

The cousins do a roll call as they kick Oomukade out of the building and take the fight to the plaza below.

Nagi asks to borrow the Chozetsu brace and he uphenshins to take on Oomukade.

The cousins marvel as their once little Nagi now all grown up and sticking it right to Oomukade. He and Shishioh deliver a Transcendent Yellow Nin Slash Perfect Edition to finish Oomukade off.

Masakage embiggens Oomukade.

Kinji arrives and apologizes for worrying them. But he says he’s fine now.

They hop into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh and take care of Oomukade.

Masakage confronts Kyuuemon about using Kibaoni’s persona Youkai to create karakuri and for conspiring with the enemy. Is Kyuuemon planning to take over the Kibaoni Clan?

Kyuuemon tells Masakage that this is all a scheme, a game like Masakage enjoys. He points below as the Ninningers walk home.

Kinji look at the sword and Kyuuemon motions. The sword flies out of its sheath and Kinji grabs it. The rust falls off and the Youkai power suddenly engulfs Kinji.

The cousins watch as Kinji turns into a Youkai right before their eyes!

Episode Thoughts

Oooo! Okay. Okay, I liked that!

I thought it was a great episode. Kyuuemon is alive! Woohoo! I think Kyuuemon’s been pretty good as that mysterious villain. We still don’t know what he’s all about, and I really hope finding that out and fleshing out his motivations will be what drives Ninninger to the finale. I’m expecting a big twist related to the Igasakis.

Kinji turning into a Youkai is a nice little twist, though the preview pretty much spoils that it will be very short lived and that this is all to give Kinji a new poncho. Still, it’s fun and adds some drama even if for a little bit.

At the very least it helps build on the bond that the Ninningers have with each other. That’s always an important aspect to develop and strengthen on superhero shows that involve teams.

I loved Nagi going Chozetsu. I hope they all get a chance to do it as well.

The fights were also really good this episode, from Nagi and Kinji to the Ninningers vs Oomukade.

Overall, a good, fun episode.

Youkai-fied Kinji attacks the cousins who try to get him under control. He eventually reverts to his human form and falls unconscious.

Kyuuemon poofs himself away from Masakage who decides to use the mallet to summon a group of Gashadokuro which he then combines into Advanced Youkai Oboroguruma, automatically embiggened.

Takaharu tells Nagi to take care of Kinji while the rest of them jump into ShurikenJin.

Oboroguruma uses his big roller to flatten them, literally!

The Ninningers are able to get out of ShurikenJin alright, but Oboroguruma is not done yet. He starts rolling towards them and Masakage himself is in the roller’s path.

Masakage orders Oboroguruma to debiggen and decides to take care of the Ninningers himself. Takaharu goes Chozetsu.

Nagi brings Kinji home and Grandpa examines him. He knows Ookami Otoko’s power and the Youkai power inside Kinji is only growing.

Kinji meets Ookami Otoko inside his head who says he’ll be swallowed up and turn into a full Youkai soon. Kyuuemon then pops up, gloating about his successful trap.

Kinji wakes up and hears Grandpa telling Nagi about the Demon Sword Urasame in the living room. The katana devours Youkai power and turns it into a strong power for its owner, but that person will eventually lose himself and turn into a bloodthirsty monster like an Advanced Youkai.

Grandpa explains that Youkai power is the fear, worry and scorn in one’s heart. Kinji is in a better place now, but back then he had a lot of worries and fears. Grandpa is not sure if there is any way to stop it, but what they can do for sure is keep the sword away from Kinji. Grandpa takes it and leaves.

Kinji comes out of the bedroom and tells Nagi that they should go rejoin the others and help. It’s should be okay as long as the sword is away from him.

Yakumo, Fuuka and Kasumi are fighting Oboroguruma while Takaharu takes on Masakage. But they aren’t able to even leave a dent in either one.

Masakage just laughs off Takaharu and Shishi-Oh’s slashes and sends a huge green skull their way which forces them to dehenge.

Kinji and Nagi arrive and they both henge.

Meanwhile, Grandpa meets with Kyuuemon who proposes a deal: Kyuuemon saves Kinji in exchange for the Finishing Shuriken of the End. Grandpa can’t believe how far his former pupil has fallen.

Nagi gets thrown to the ground and dehenges. That gives Masakage an opening to finish the Ninningers off for good. But Kinji jumps down to block the skull attack.

The Demon Sword Urasame flies out of its sheath, which Grandpa is holding. Kyuuemon is excited to see the sword has chosen its master and floats off to watch the fun times.

“Kinji… I have no choice!” Grandpa poofs himself away as well.

Kinji is giving it his all to block Masakage’s skull. The Demon Sword Urasame arrives before him.

Nagi calls out to Kinji, but he says he’ll be fine. He takes the sword and charges toward Masakage. But the Youkai power overwhelms Kinji. The Ninningers get up and all henge to help their friend, but the Youkai power blows them all away as it takes over Kinji’s body.

Kinji goes Youkai and tells the others to kill him.

Kinji is back inside his head. Kyuuemon appears and he takes his mask off to reveal…

KINJI?!?!?!

All the Youkai that have been defeated this season pop up, but all of them have Kinji’s face. Kinjiemon says this shows that Kinji has bonded with the Youkai power. With this, he can forget all the fear and pain in his heart.

Forget? Kinji remembers his five friends and all their support of him.

He realizes forgetting is not the way to go. His heart was weak and that’s why he was able to make it this far with the others.

“My weakness is a part of me,” Kinji says. “Just like my worries and fears are also a part of me!”

Kinjiemon sees the power of fear is disappearing in Kinji. Kinji says he is no longer afraid. He begins to glow and Grandpa’s voice tells him to slash all the Youkai around him.

Kinji breaks free of the Youkai form and is back as Starninger. The cousins watch as Kinji continues to glow until…

Kinji now has a “hella hot” poncho and the Demon Sword Urasame is now a good guy katana. He activates Gekiatsu on the katana and easily takes care of Oboroguruma with a Gekiatsu Winning Superstar finisher.

Kinji introduces himself as Super Starninger and proceeds to take on Masakage. The others join in.

Kinji initiates a Gekiatsu Lighting SuperStar to finish off Masakage for good. Kyuuemon is livid.

But Masakage is not done yet. He embiggens Oboroguruma and jumps inside of him.

The Ninningers hop into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh. But Oboroguruma threatens to flatten them again. Kinji has an idea; for now, they kick a bunch of shipping containers to block the roller. This gives them time to summon Lion Ha-Oh and Rodeomaru. Kinji suggests they combine Gekiatsu Dai-Oh, Lion Ha-Oh and Bison King.

This combination results in Ha-Oh Gekiatsu Dai-Oh.

They easily take care of Oboroguruma and Masakage gets thrown into space.

The Ninningers head home. Kinji apologizes to them for causing trouble again. But the cousins say it’s alright and he shouldn’t let any of that get to him. Plus, he’s got a Super power-up.

Kinji wonders how. Grandpa pops in from the wall and says because Kinji accepted his weakness, the Youkai power in him disappeared. So without the “You-,” Kinji was just left with “Power.”

Kinji tells Grandpa about hearing his voice when he was about to lose himself. But Grandpa feigns ignorance. Anyway, he wants Kinji to continue doing his best as his “super” pupil.

The cousins have fun teasing Super Kinji.

Episode Thoughts

This was a good conclusion to the last episode. A simple power-up poncho, but another great episode that reinforced the group’s bonds. A strong team is a good team.

I wonder what Grandpa was doing inside Kinji’s head. I wonder if that will play a part in the future as some kind of twist. I am betting on Grandpa still hiding one big secret.

Hideya Tawada was awesome this episode. We’ve seen him do more emotional, dramatic stuff this season in contrast to his fun, goofy side. But it was great seeing him play evil and sinister as Kyuuenjin/Kinjiemon. Great job.

When did ShurikenJin get fixed? I must have forgotten seeing the Ninningers get word from Tetsunosuke that the OtomoNin were alright. But then, they returned only to immediately get flattened. Oops! Hehe.

Ha-Oh Gekiatsu Dai-Oh is fine. I’ve enjoyed the increased mobility of the mecha this season. So seeing Ha-Oh Gekiatsu Dai-Oh look so blocky, but move like a sports car is very fun.

The theme song for Kinji/SuperStarNinger is amazing! Is it available yet?

Pretty clever getting Masakage to fly into space to allow him to return in the future. (Versus movie perhaps?)

And there seems to be a lot of Nagi focus in the last few episodes and next episode is a Nagi episode too. Nag is cool, so I have no problem with that. But I do hope the others get at least one more focus each as we head into the final stretch

Overall, a good, enjoyable episode.

Actually: Recap: Shuriken Sentai Ninninger, Episode 38 – “The Little Witch Loves Yakumo?”

Fuuka, Nagi and Takaharu join Kasumi in the living room as she’s looking through a catalog showing clothes for Ninja Coming of Age Ceremonies which ninjas go through on their 20th birthday. Today though, it’s basically an opportunity for families to take pictures.

Takaharu shows them his photo since he’s already gone through it.

Kasumi says Yakumo will go though the ceremony at the same time as her.

Yakumo is walking home, also looking through the catalog, wondering which outfit is best for a magic ninja.

He suddenly hears screams and thinks it’s the Kibaoni. But actually it’s a little witch on a broomstick. Whom he knows!

Yakumo undoes her spell in which she has two guys flying up in the air for stepping on flowers. This little girl is Elena and she runs over to hug Cloud.

He tells her magic shouldn’t be used to prank people. But more importantly, why is she in Japan? She says he hasn’t been back in a long time, so she came to visit him. And she hopes to meet his Mahou Sentai teammates whom he’s written to her about.

Cloud quickly runs home and waves his wand to change the dojomanse into a magic mansion, much to the surprise of the cuzzos. He says he’ll explain later and welcomes Elena in.

He introduces her to them. Elena is the daughter of his magic academy headmaster.

Elena tells the cousins they look pretty boring for wizards. The cuzzos have no idea what’s going on, so they drag Cloud out of the living room.

He says this is “not easy” and to just play along as wizards while Elena is in Japan.

Father walks in and Elena makes him fly through the air. She says she’s excited to see what the cousins can do too.

They head outside. Takaharu, Kasumi, Nagi and Fuuka are dressed in black robes. Takaharu goes first and pretends to cast a spell while Kasumi is behind a tree and uses Ninpou to fulfill the fake incantation.

Kinji walks out of the bushes, dressed in his normal training outfit, excited to join in the training. He is about to use Ninpou, but Takaharu and Nagi stop him.

Fuuka and Kasumi try to redirect Elena’s attention. She says she’d like to go shopping and Cloud offers to take her.

Meanwhile, Ariake no Kata continues to be very weak and needs much fear energy. A Hyakkarage whispers to Masakage who is shocked and says this is an emergency. They need to collect fear right this minute.

Back downtown, Cloud and Elena have fun shopping and enjoying treats together. It’s very… romantic?!

They pass by a wedding and Elena says she hopes she’ll be a bride very soon. Cloud says she’s too young.

They head to nearby benches and Cloud offers to buy her some drinks. While Cloud is gone, she notices the ninja catalog in Yakumo’s bag.

When Yakumo returns with the drinks, Elena asks when he’ll return to England to continue schooling. Not for a while, he says as the Gamagama-jus perk up. Swiss Army knife Yokai Amikiri is ramping at the wedding chapel from earlier, snipping at things precious to different people including a little boy’s toy car and the bride’s pearl necklace.

Masakage leaves to quickly bring the fear to Ariake no Kata. Cloud and the others arrive to face Amikiri.

They are about to henge, but Elena comes running. They can’t go ninja, so Cloud says they go magical. Time for a Mahou Henge.

Cloud waves his wand as they henge and they become ninjas with capes! Mahou Sentai Magimagiger!

Cloud uses his magic. But Amikiri just snips at his wand and forces him to dehenge. Takaharu tries, but Amikiri cuts his Ichibantou in half and also forces him to dehenge.

Elena runs over to Cloud. Kasumi says they have no choice but to use Ninjutsu. Kinji agrees. Together, they use Cloning Technique and Chain Technique.

Elena asks about Cloud’s status as a wizard and calls him a liar when he tries to explain. She runs off. Just then Amikiri breaks free of the chains and jumps over to grab Elena.

Elena drops her wand. Amikiri sees Elena means something to Cloud and is about to cut her in half. But Masakage arrives and says they can use Elena to their advantage. He asks Cloud to hand over their Nin Shurikens at dawn to save Elena. They disappear.

Cloud picks up Elena’s wand. Back at the dojomanse later that night, Yakumo spends time alone thinking about the moments with Elena. He is about to run into battle, but his cousins stop him. This is not like Cloud to act so rash.

Kasumi says none of this would’ve happened if Cloud told Elena he was a ninja from the very beginning. Why did he do it anyway?

Cloud explains. When he was at the academy, Elena gave him a love letter in which she declares they will get married once he becomes a full-fledged wizard. Kasumi says this is just something little girls do.

“But as an honorable English gentleman, I cannot merely ignore a lady’s proposal.”

“But Yakkun’s… not British.”

Cloud says he can’t ruin Elena’s dream. Fuuka says wanting to protect a girl’s dream is amazing and she excitedly wants to support him. Kasumi, Nagi and Kinji hesitantly nod in agreement.

But Takaharu reminds Cloud of the time he said they should always all work together as a team.

The cuzzos hand Cloud their Shurikens.

At dawn, Cloud goes to meet Masakage and Amikiri. He is wearing white and pink gloves, a red scarf, a yellow bandana and a Western badge. Masakage commends him for being honest and coming alone.

Cloud tosses the bag of Shurikens to Masakage and demands to return Elena. But Masakage says of course he’s not going to keep the end of the deal. Jukkarage surround Cloud. But Cloud tosses all his accessories into the air.

Turns out the accessories were just the cuzzos in magical form. They take out the Jukkarage.

Cloud takes Takaharu’s Gamagama-ju and his own and shoots at Masakage to get the bag of Nin Shurikens back. He then high kicks Amikiri and saves Elena, taking her to the top of the cliff.

Cloud asks Elena if he can borrow her wand just a little longer. “But I thought you were a ninja now.”

Cloud says he may be a ninja, but he’s still a wizard. He’s a magic ninja.

Cloud hands the Nin Shurikens to his cuzzos and tells Elena to get to safety. They henge and Kinji hands Takaheru his Gekiatsuto to use for now since his Ichibantou is still halved.

Amikiri calls some Jukkarage over and the Ninningers fight them.

Back on the cliff, Elena is startled when Jin Masato is back from the dead! her Tsubasa-sensei appears. He’d been tasked with looking for her. But it’s okay. He is looking forward to seeing his pupil Cloud in action.

Tsubasa tells Cloud to show him just what a magic ninja can really do! Cloud uses Mahou Ninpou to deliver a big blow to Amikiri. That excites Shishi-Oh who pops up to Cloud’s wrist and allows him to go Chozetsu.

With a magical lion-dragon combi, Cloud finishes off Amikiri’s first life.

A Hyakkarage whispers some huge news to Masakage who says he must hurry back immediately. He embiggens Amikiri and leaves.

The Ninningers quickly hop into Ha-Oh Gekiatsu Dai-Oh and take care of Amikiri. Too easy.

Back at the dojomanse, Tsubasa fixes Cloud’s wand and Takaharu’s Ichibantou.

Cloud explains that Tsubasa-sensei taught him as a special lecturer. Tsubasa says that he just taught Cloud that courage is important.

Elena asks when Cloud will return to England. But Cloud has something he wants to clear up with her first. He shows her the love note. She is flattered he still has it, but she has a boyfriend now and can’t marry her.

The others giggle at Cloud getting dumped. But Elena says she thinks Cloud is even cooler as a ninja too. She kisses him on the cheek and the others giggle even more.

Tsubasa henshins and summons his Sky Hokie broom to take Elena home.

Anyway, Kasumi asks Yakumo if he’s chosen an outfit for their ceremony. Shishi-Oh says he just the right outfit. He pops on to Yakumo’s wrists and makes him go Chozetsu. At least, without the Ninninger suit on.

Meanwhile, Masakage watches as Ariake no Kata rises behind a screen.

“It’s the birth of the young lord!”

Episode Thoughts

Ariake no Kata was pregnant?!?! Wow! lol

So, how do Yokai pregnancies work? Who’s the father?! We know Kibaoni Gengetsu isn’t around. Some soap opera intrigue there maybe lol.

But really, this was an awkward episode even without the need for a Yokai Family Life lesson. A fun episode I guess, but still a little odd.

I mean, that montage of what was basically a date between Yakumo Cloud and Elena was sweet and romantic. But NO! It’s not supposed to be romantic!!! He’s a 20 year old and she’s a little girl! lol

I guess they took care of the creepiness a little with her admitting she has a boyfriend. (Who we hope is HER age!)

But there were definitely fun bits. Like Nagi and Fuuka’s magic wands having a leaf still attached to them:

Nice detail.

It was fun to see Matsumoto Hiroya. But since I only know him as Jin from Go-Busters and not Tsubasa, this guest starring stint wasn’t as fanwanky to me as maybe it was for others who did watch Magiranger. But it was cool nontheless.

The “He’s not British” running gag with Nagi and Fuuka is very amusing. Maybe it’s also a nod (teasing?) to people who pretend they’re Korean to be like their K-pop idols or Japanese like toku and anime fans. For example, those people who like throwing in random foreign words when they speak English. Or writing stuff like “henshin” and “henge” instead of “transform” in recaps. (Hahaha!)

But the biggest thing that bothered me this episode was the Ninningers’ ages.

I thought Kasumi was the oldest, or at least the same age as Takaharu. But now she’s turning 20 the same time as Yakumo who calls her Neechan? (And also uses “Taka-nii” often.) Hmm… that actually really bothers me. Why change it when they made the age order pretty clear and obvious in the past.

It’s also strange Fuuka didn’t know Takaharu already had his ceremony. Yes, he’s been away from home for a while. But she doesn’t know when he turns 20? Very odd.

Since family is the biggest theme of this season, stuff like this, which are all really just minor details, really get to me. It feels off since their ages established the hierarchy of the cousins and plays a big part of each of their characters. Kasumi = Takaharu (with a little edge to Kasumi because she’s a “secret boss”) > Yakumo > Fuuka > Nagi.

We can assume the Ninja Coming of Age Ceremony is not set in stone and supposed to only be in their birth month or something, but Yakumo was at least a year younger than Kasumi. Them doing the ceremony in the same month while Takaharu already “did” his last year, at the latest just doesn’t sit well with me.

Anyway! Minor quibbles. But overall a fun filler episode.

A Youkai is terrorizing kids on his “snack hunt,” stealing all their snacks for the day. The Ninningers confront the Youkai as he is being carried by Hyakkarage.

Once Takaharu tells the guy who they are, he appears to be very scared to the point that he falls off the Hyakkarage. Ariake no Kata appears and makes sure the Youkai is alright. Masakage appears and they introduce who this guy is.

Turns out this guy is Kibaoni Mangetsu, Ariake no Kata and Kibaoni’s newborn son!

The Ninningers are confused by Mangetsu’s childish behavior. Kasumi calls him a “bakatono.”

Mangetsu will make them pay for their mocking him and tells the Hyakkarage to stay back. He’ll do this himself. He charges forward as the Ninningers henge.

Takaharu takes the first slash. And Mangetsu immediately falls to the ground. He crawls backwards. Masakage orders the Hyakkarage to protect the young master as Ariake no Kata and Masakage whisk Mangetsu to safety.

Mangetsu scolds Masakage for not coming to his rescue sooner. Masakage tries to explain that Mangetsu specifically told them to stay back, but Mangetsu denies it. He tells Masakage to consider his words on the same level as his father’s.

Mangetsu then takes a seat to enjoy the snacks he stole from the children.

Back at the dojomanse, the cousins fill Kinji in on what happened. They laugh at how much of a dummy this Mangetsu seemed to be and how easy it will be to take him down.

But Kasumi says they should remember their ninja creed: A ninja must never fear, worry or underestimate. So they definitely need a proper plan to destroy Mangetsu for sure.

And Kasumi has just the plan: The Grand Tea Party Operation.

Kasumi explains. Grandpa watches from behind the wall and says she’s still got a ways to go.

The plan begins by Kasumi and Fuuka pretending to have a tea party to lure Mangetsu for his snack hunt. They henge and just as expected, Mangetsu orders the Hyakkarage to fight them instead. That’s when the guys will pop out of the ground.

And that should leave Kasumi and Fuuka free to take care of the scaredy cat Mangetsu.

Everything’s going according to plan so far. Kasumi has wrapped vines around Mangetsu. But he suddenly lets out a deep, evil laugh which takes the girls by surprise.

Mangetsu easily breaks free of the vines and speeds through with a quick slash at Kasumi and Fuuka. He then proceeds with bigger attacks and focuses on a brutal beating of Fuuka while explaining he has been watching from inside his mom’s body. So he knows exactly how to fool them and has been playing dumb this entire time.

Mangetsu’s plan was to trap them and gather their fear.

Kasumi is frozen in shock and in tears as she watches Fuuka being absolutely brutalized before she is forced to dehenge. Kasumi runs over to her cousin and covers her.

But the fear in Kasumi is evident and it gets collected in the gourd. Mangetsu deliciously drinks it.

The guys arrive before Mangetsu can deliver a final blow. He blasts them to the ground and mocks the Last Ninja.

Takaharu goes Chozetsu, but Mangetsu just swats their attack away. Kinji suggests they retreat for now and he whisks them back home.

That night, Mangetsu drinks more fear as Masakage apologizes for his earlier rudeness. Mangetsu vows to gather enough fear to revive his father.

Grandpa approaches Kasumi in the living room. She says her naiveté put Fuuka in danger. Despite her reminding others about the ninja creed, she herself went against it. She underestimated the enemy and gave in to her fear.

Grandpa says that just shows she’s still growing. The others listen as Grandpa reminds her that even the most skilled ninjas can easily underestimate, fear and worry. That’s why a ninja never stops learning and training.

Grandpa poofs away as the cousins enter the living room.

Fuuka tells Kasumi not to worry as she’s fine. But Kasumi bows and apologizes to her anyway.

The cousins try comforting Kasumi and tell her just how important she’s been to them.

They tell Kasumi their faith in her will never change.

So now, Kinji says, they should think of a plan together. “Three minds are equivalent to Manjushri’s wisdom.”

Kasumi thanks them.

Next day, Mangetsu attacks Toei Stadium to draw out the Ninningers.

But only Kasumi comes running. She demands Mangetsu face her instead of terrorizing innocent people. But he asks if she can beat him on her own.

Kasumi says even if may not be able to, a ninja must erase her dishonor by herself. She charges toward Mangetsu who again tells the Hyakkarage to stand back.

Kasumi gives Mangetsu everything she’s got, but he manages to knock her around.

Kasumi sees her cousins and thinks about the plan Kinji presented. Kasumi would act as bait to let Mangetsu’s guard down. Fuuka thought that was dangerous, but Kinji says since Mangetsu’s goal is to collect ninja fear, he won’t finish Kasumi off right away.

When Mangetsu is open, Takaharu and Kinji will attack. Fuuka was still not sure about the plan, but Kasumi says she trusts them. Fuuka says she’ll provide support to Takaharu and Kinji then.

And so far, everything’s going according to plan. Takaharu, Kinji, Fuuka and Kasumi disappear.

Mangetsu tells the Hyakkarage to find the Ninningers. But two Hyakkarage attack Mangetsu from behind. Yakumo used magic to make him and Nagi Hyakkarage. They duck out of the way as Mangetsu destroys all the other Hyakkarage guarding him.

Kasumi reappears with the others.

Kasumi henges and the cousins work together to take on Mangetsu.

Takaharu decides to go Chozetsu, but Kasumi asks to borrow it. Shishi-Oh is excited to attach to Kasumi, but she says no since he clashes with her fashion sense. Instead, she will borrow his power as well as Kinji’s Gekiatsuto.

Kasumi charges toward Mangetsu and delivers Transcendental Hot Wild Slashes. That knocks Mangetsu over and the cousins work together to deliver a big Ninja Slash.

That appears to finish off Mangetsu’s first life, but he decides to embiggen himself.

The Ninningers hop into Gekiatsu Dai-Oh. But Kasumi’s missing?

Kasumi stealthily borrowed their Otomo Nin Shurikens and hopped into ShurikenJin instead.

Suddenly, four Gashadokuro appear, sent by Ariake no Kata to allow her beloved son to escape. Mangetsu does not appreciate his mother’s actions at all, but he decides to leave anyway while vowing to pay the Ninningers back later.

Kasumi tries to catch Mangetsu before he goes, but the four Gashadokuro block her. Fine then. With a little help from the others, Kasumi uses Paonmaru, UFOmaru and Surfermaru to lay waste to the four Gashadokuro herself.

“Maybe Kasumi was actually… really angry?”
“Perhaps…”

They head back home, relieved that their plan was a success. But they know now that Mangetsu is truly strong and they will need to prepare even more for next time. Takaharu says it’s alright. He’s sure they’ll come up with something.

The cousins laugh at Takaharu’s go-go-go spirit. But something’s still off with Kasumi.

Episode Thoughts

Kasumi is awesome. Period. Dot. The End. Her focus episodes have always been great, many times some of the best of the season. And this one was no exception.

It developed very well and in a shocking way too. I wasn’t sure the scenes of the tea party and the Ninningers fighting Mangetsu were actually happening or just Kasumi still describing her plan. I thought Fuuka being brutally beaten (that was insane!) was just Kasumi seeing the fault in her plan. But no, it was actually happening!

Damn, that was a big shock for me. Very unexpected, but that’s what made those scenes particularly excellent. Seeing Kasumi actually cry and be so down about not only being wrong, but putting her younger cousin in danger was one of the best character moments I’ve seen on any toku, Japanese or American, in a long time. It was very strong and the contrast from Ninninger‘s overall lightheartedness emphasized how powerful those scenes were.

Mangetsu just pretending to be a bakatono shouldn’t be a big surprise. He appears not to respect his mother at all and of course not Masakage either. That’s a very interesting personality to watch play out especially if the big Kibaoni pops up. But the obvious twist in Mangetsu’s playing dumb merely helped propel the story around the cousins.

Kasumi has arguably been the most skilled, mentally and physically, of the Ninningers and in best position to be Last Ninja. I’ve definitely been rooting for her the most. And that little look of worry or hesitation to close the episode looks very interesting. It’s good to see character stories carry over past a single episode.

But when are we going to address Kinji’s similar episode-closing expression too?

Back to the beatdown of Fuuka. Damn, that really was brutal. I don’t remember what episode it was (or maybe it was ToQger with Mio or Kagura) where Fuuka was again brutally beaten by a monster. So horrible! I felt for her.

On the flipside, Kasumi facing Mangetsu on her own was so awesome. It was great seeing her hold her own and give it everything she’s got. While I kinda wish she was able to fight Mangetsu without the others coming in to help, that aspect however continues the reinforcement of the Ninningers’ bond. And again, establishing a strong bond within a team like this helps with the overall story and the viewer’s connection with the heroes.

In other fun things about the episode, Kasumi and Fuuka looked great with those wigs. Fuuka especially was very pretty with long hair.

Overall, one of my favorite episodes I think of Ninninger. These are the kinds of episodes I want to see as we head into the home stretch of the season.

Takaharu is out for a run and realizes it’s almost Christmas. He sees the perfect gifts for his sister and cousins.

Quick cut to Kibaoni Mangetsu calling his mother an old bitch and proceeding to assault her by kicking her back and stepping on her head. WTF?!

Masakage gets Mangetsu to stop. The asshole leaves, but Ariake no Kata tells Masakage it’s alright to tolerate a little “naughtiness” from her son since Mangetsu is “wild just like his father.” She likes that.

Takaharu arrives home, trying to hide the presents he’s bought from Nagi and Fuuka, but they know exactly where he’s been. They say Takaharu is really bad at hiding things.

Anyway, he wonders why they’re studying in the hallway instead of in the living room. Before Nagi and Fuuka can stop him, he opens the door to find three Kasumis working on new inventions: a Karakuri Nin Youkai Call, Karakuri Nin Remote Control and a Karakuri Nin Lie Detector.

Ah! Takaharu remembers Kasumi was pretty fooled by Mangetsu…

But before Takaharu can continue, Yakumo pulls him out of the living room and the cousins leave Kasumi alone.

“Mangetsu,” “loss” and “slump” are all banned words around Kasumi. She seems to be overcompensating after her first ever loss, that’s why she’s working so hard on the new inventions. They tell Takaharu to make sure not to let Kasumi know they’re worried about her.

The Gamagamu-jus ribbit and the Ninningers head downtown. But all they find is Santa-san giving out presents to the kiddies. No Youkai in sight. After Fuuka randomly notices Kinji’s been acting weird lately, Kasumi suggests they use her new invention to call the Youkai.

Instead, the device just calls unsuspecting Jukkarage who wonder what’s going on. And a small number of Jukkarage only too.

Takaharu really thinks Kasumi is in a “slu…”

Yakumo punches Takaharu and tells Kasumi they should go take care of the Jukkarage.

Fuuka grabs her oniichan by the collar and reminds him not to say anything to Kasumi about her slump. She and Nagi run off to take care of the Jukkarage.

Takaharu believes it’s best to be straightforward though.

Meanwhile, Santa-san goes all creeper status by giving people in the plaza rings that promise them wealth.

Masakage explains to Mangetsu that Santa-san is actually Advanced Youkai Binbougami. Mangetsu doesn’t care about any of that so long as the Youkai gets results. He leaves to check out something that smells unpleasant.

Over in the forest, Kinji finds Kyuuemon and attacks. Kyuuemon reminds Kinji that it was he who helped prevent Kinji from becoming a Youkai and now he’s here blasting him.

Kinji says he hasn’t forgotten, but he is never at peace whenever he’s around the Igasakis. Kyuuemon understands he feels guilty.

Kinji adds that at the very least, he should retrieve Father’s Nintality which Kyuuemon stole. He henges straight to SuperStar and fights Kyuuemon who gets a taste of Kinji’s new power for the first time.

But they are suddenly both attacked… by Mangetsu.

Back in the plaza, Santa-san wraps up his ring giving while Takaharu takes care of his last Jukkarage. He notices one of Binbougami’s rings on the ground and picks it up.

Back in the forest, Kinji fills Kyuuemon in on the newborn Mangetsu. He decides to introduce himself as Gengetsu’s page. Mangetsu calls him his retainer and Kyuuemon obliges. But Mangetsu still smells something fishy here.

Mangetsu tells Kyuuemon to kill Kinji, but Kinji manages to get away. Kyuuemon excuses himself to go after Kinji.

Mangetsu isn’t sure why, but he doesn’t like Kyuuemon one bit.

Back downtown, Kasumi tries using her new remote control to manipulate the Jukkarage, but she instead shoots it at Yakumo. She apologizes, but Kinji arrives just in time to help.

The Ninningers head back to Takaharu who has been waiting in the plaza. Nagi asks Kinji where he’s been, but he just says he had sudden business to take care.

Binbougami decides to flip the switch and the rings suddenly turn the wearers’ nice clothes into rags. The Ninningers try asking them what’s happened, but they all remember Santa-san warning them not to tell anyone about him.

Turns out Takaharu put the ring on as well and his clothes turn into rags too. Kinji recognizes this modus as that of Binbougami. They realize it must be the ring everyone is wearing. Yakumo tries using magic to remove it from a man, but it doesn’t work.

Binbougami enacts the next step of the plan and the rings further gets the people naked. Including Takaharu.

Takaharu definitely does not feel hot right now.

Masakage is pleased so far.

The Ninningers give the victims some blankets since it’s freezing. But they can’t do anything since no one will tell them anything.

Kasumi decides to use her brand new lie detector. But it merely confirms what they already knew, that they were lying about knowing anything.

Ah. Kasumi admits she hadn’t thought about what to do after confirming the lies.

Takaharu speaks up. He says Kasumi would have usually figured something out by now. She really is in a slump.

Yakumo, Fuuka and Nagi freak out and try to say nothing’s wrong with Kasumi. But the lie detector, which actually does work, confirms that the three of them are actually lying.

Kasumi knows they were just thinking of her feelings, but she admits she’s in a slump. Losing to Mangetsu really sucked.

Yakumo, Fuuka and Nagi apologize. Takaharu says it’s never good to hide things and that goes for all of them.

That makes Kinji admit his secret as well, that he has been fighting Kyuuemon on his own to get Tsumuji’s powers back.

They don’t really seem to care and Takaharu tells Kasumi to be open about her feelings and ask for help if she’s feeling down. Kasumi agrees and asks Yakumo to cast a spell on her lie detector for a nice magic, technology and Ninjutsu collab.

The lie detector is now a Truth Teller. Kasumi points it at the people and they all point at Santa-san.

Kasumi points the Truth Teller at Santa-san and Binbougami reverts to his true form.

The Ninningers run after Binbougami and henge.

The Ninningers work together to fight Binbougami. But Takaharu’s still “poor,” so his usual Ninjutsu doesn’t work.

Kasumi suggests Takaharu gets fancy and luxurious so he goes Chozetsu. That helps a lot, but Kinji hands Takaheru the Gekiatsuto to get even more sosyal.

Takaharu delivers a very glamorous final strike and defeats Binbougami’s first life. The rings all disappear and everyone is back to normal.

Mangetsu suddenly pops up and attacks Kasumi specifically to take her Lie Detector-turned-Truth Teller. He’ll leave them alone today in exchange for it.

Kasumi is definitely upset at being taken advantage of again. But no time to slump. The Ninningers hop into Ha-Oh ShurikenJin.

Binbougami forces them to separate. So the Ninningers decide to get fancy with numbers. They summon Surfermaru, UFOmaru and Paonmaru to come help.

And the OtomoNin All-Stars defeat Binbougami.

Back home, Takaharu wants to sneak out and buy a Christmas tree, but the cousins know exactly where he’s going. He decides to take Nagi and Fuuka along.

Yakumo comments on Takaharu really being bad at hiding things. But Kasumi says thanks to Takaharu-kun, she was able to admit her frustration. Kinji says Takaharu’s natural honesty must be what makes him strongest.

Takaharu says they should all come too. Kasumi says they’ll be right there.

“I will not lose, Takaharu-kun!”

Meanwhile, Mangetsu is attacking Kyuuemon, demanding to know who he is. Mangetsu activates the Truth Teller and Kyuuemon says…

“I am neither a page nor a shinobi… I am actually… Kibaoni…”

Kyuuemon manages to break free of the Truth Teller’s power and escapes.

Mangetsu vows to grab the kitsune by the tail.

Episode Thoughts

Hmm… this was an interesting episode.

First off, we start with a nice little scene of Takaharu deciding to buy Christmas presents for his sister and cousins. Then we see Mangetsu assaulting his mother. WTF?!?!?!?!

The “old hag” comments from last episode didn’t seem like much. But now we see Mangetsu is a violent asshole who beats his mother who he probably calls a “bitch” now and then too. Add the fact that Ariake no Kata went from being light and fun to being a battered mother. And likely a battered wife since she says Mangetsu is just like his father. So he was an abusive husband now? DOUBLE WTF?!?!?!?!

If this is to give Kyuuemon some kind of redemption arc for the finale, then hopefully Mangetsu gets what he deserves. If not, then Mangetsu is an unfortunate, twisted character. And not in a good way.

The final scene twist/mystery would’ve been very nice and much more shocking had Toei not spoiled it in the bumper during the first commercial break. Come on now Toei.

I definitely hope Kyuuemon’s “real identity” is something huge.

Continuing Kasumi’s story into this episode was great for her character as we see her deal with failure. That’s a nice character moment and we saw how the cousins tried to support her, in their own way.

But they basically ignored Kinji and his “big” secret. They merely threw it in here even though they’ve been hinting at it the last couple of episodes. Kinji feeling guilty and wanting to repay the Igasakis for accepting him and taking him in deserves at least its own episode. But we just got him admitting what he was doing and the cousins’ non-reaction. Huh?!

There were some fun moments in the episode though.

I liked the couple pointing at Takaharu when he asked if they’ve seen any weirdos around.

The scene of Fuuka holding Takaharu by the collar was hilariously awesome and Kasumi’s inventions were fun too.

Kasumi’s lie detector revealing her cousins’ true feelings also could’ve filled their own episode as well.

But there were just some really twisted, strange things this episode. And it feels even more odd after last week’s excellent episode. =(