Turboranger Episode 42

"I won't give up... Not until the final second... As long as there's any hope...I won't give up!" Riki The Man Honoo

This is Kunio Fujii's last script for the series and he delivers. His scripts always nicely complement what main writer Hirohisa Soda does with his shows, and Fujii will often even go further with an idea or further define a plot or character. This episode is a nice companion piece to the movie, but this episode actually manages to be more of a nonstop thrill-ride, with a tense race against the clock. This episode's one of my favorite Turboranger episodes, again making a case for why Riki rules and remembering that Shiron is important and unique. When I first saw this episode, I was like "Why didn't they include this one on the official VHS release? This one's actually important and deals with our main characters, but please include that one with the jewel thief, dummies."

The latest Bouma-Beast, Devil Bouma, sends off-shoot minions to find and capture the world's last fairy. The off-shoots successfully break into the Turbo Builder and kidnap Shiron just as everyone's celebrating her birthday. Devil Bouma wants to ingest her and absorb her aura, which will make him immortal. The Turboranger race the clock -- they only have an hour -- to save Shiron. And they can't hurt or kill the Bouma-Beast, because that would kill Shiron.

The episode places most of the focus on Riki, who's really the one who saves the day. It would have been nice to give the others something to do, but in a way it nicely ties back into episode 26, when Riki pushed himself beyond the limits to save his friends. So, here we again see his determination and the ways he pushes himself in order to save his special friend. Riki might not end up looking as bloody and battered as in 26, but he takes a beating just the same. (My favorite bit? When the monster is making his escape on the Dragras, Red Turbo grabs onto the Dragras' leg, not wanting to let the Bouma-Beast escape. He manages to hang on while flying through the city, until an attack from the monster knocks him down. The scene's unfortunately accomplished by some less-than-stellar back-screen projection, but it's a neat idea. It's easy to imagine what it is they were going for, like the crazy and awesome helicopter sequence from Darkman.)

Constantly reminded of the time that remains, Riki keeps pushing himself. And no matter how many times he's knocked down (and knocked out of his Turbo suit), he keeps going, chasing down Devil Bouma, tracking him by Shiron's cries for help. (We also get an awesome rooftop battle between Red Turbo and the Bouma-Beast, that's a good old fashioned fight scene between two skilled suit actors; no SFX required.) He even just knocks Kirika down a flight of stairs like she's nothing, making his way to the top of the skyscraper for the aforementioned showdown. At the last possible minute, Red Turbo strikes the victorious blow...

For all of the focus on Riki/Red, the episode nicely lets Team Turbo share the victory symbolically. The key to saving the day rests in the birthday present they all gave Shiron; a jewel necklace. They wanted to give her topaz, her birthstone, but couldn't afford it, so they instead gave her a necklace with a jewel made from tourmaline. Ever the scientist, Dazai spouts some of the electrical properties the crystal is able to effect. (Slightly demonstrated by the static electricity which causes Haruna's hair to go crazy.) Riki remembers this when time is running out and he's feeling bad for how happy Shiron seemed such a short time ago, realizing the jewel is the answer. (So, not only the gift that the team all pitched in to buy, but Dazai's knowledge saving the day, hence they all had a hand in rescuing Shiron.)

Riki takes the Bouma-Beast head-on, powering up the GT Sword and stabbing the monster, the jewel on Shiron's necklace interacting with the energy of the GT Sword until there's a massive explosion which ends up freeing her. Red Turbo tells the others to get Shiron to safety while he finishes the Bouma-Beast on his own, with a two-sword GT Crash. This alone kills it! They don't even need to use the V-Turbo Bazooka, it's straight to giant time.

The episode ends on a sweet note, a rejuvenated Shiron shining in the dark, thanking the five for saving her. When Riki apologizes for the destruction of her gift, she waves it off, telling him that being able to be with everyone is the best gift. Shiron's character song, "Fairy Tale," is used for the first time here. (It's a whimsical song which really suits her and the fantasy side of the series, sung sweetly by a singer who's obviously using a pseudonym, so you can't find anything out about her. Not even the CD liner notes talks about her, just that the song's composed by "hit-maker Akiko Kosaka." Maybe the answer behind the singer's identity lies there.) A joyous Shiron soars above the Turboranger, skywriting a heart in gold light.

Not only some great action in this episode, but a palpable threat and tension in the targeting of a character who's so kindhearted and such a treasured ally to our heroes and an important symbol for the series. With the way Turboranger has liked offing regulars, it wouldn't have been out of the question for Shiron to have been written off, so there was concern there. Ohmura does a great job conveying the fear and pain Shiron's in, while Toei once again whips up a crazy and imaginative depiction of the belly of a beast. (Reminiscent of Gozma Star's innards from Changeman.) And I like that the tourmaline-based necklace, which saves the day, is actually something real -- so many times in toku, they'll just make up something to wiggle around science and/or logic to solve the day's dilemma, but not here, and it helps.

Riki Honoo -- Kenta Sato -- should really be considered as legendary as someone like Kotaro Minami and Tetsuo Kurata. One could argue Riki is better than Kotaro, because he's capable of kicking so much ass and ISN'T a cyborg. Sato's as dedicated and good of a performer (a better performer, IMO) as Kurata. He should really be placed high up there, but nooooooo, ignore him because some of you silly bastards can't get over "OMG what do fairies have to do with cars?!?!" He's a great character, a memorable Red, Kenta Sato still has enthusiasm for the series and role AND he made several kick-ass contributions to the soundtrack. Riki Honoo's the man, and Kenta Sato's a great fit, deserving recognition and better treatment by fans and Toei. (Gokaiger mishandled many '80s heroes, but the way they treated Turboranger still pisses me off.)