Review by Corey

April 1, 2005

Having transformed from the Zonder core into a small, humanoid Zonder, EI-04 jumps off and escapes through a sewer line that was on the edge of the repression field as the GGG team watches in shock. Entouji and Swan try to track it, but find that it lets off an electromagnetic field that hides it from scanning. Mikoto informs Guy that the repression field is collapsing, so GaoGaiGar returns to base as it closes. Despite the positive outlook from the successful use of the Dividing Driver, Leo and Taiga see that Mamoru is silent at the front of the room. A large search across the city begins, and Hyuuma brings Mamoru out to met with Guy on the GunDober motorcycle. They discuss Mamoru's powers, and Hyuuma asks if Guy is feeling ok. He says he's just fine, and Hyuuma thinks it's because of the G-Stone in his arm. When they turn around, Mamoru is gone; he wandered off, sensing the Zonder and following the feeling into an empty building. He tries to peacefully have the Zonder come out, and in short time it does. Mamoru attempts to purify it, but it sends out an electrical shock and knocks him out. Guy appears on the scene, drawing the Will Knife from his arm and causing the Zonder to retreat. Guy wakes Mamoru, who latches onto him when he realizes what happened. Back at the base, a doctor informs Swan and Leo that he only received a bruise to the head. Mamoru tells Leo that he had sensed where the Zonder was, but can't feel anything now. Guy brings Mamoru out on the GunDober, and they talk about Mamoru's powers on the trip back to his house. Mamoru asks Guy if he'll ever tell his parents, and Guy assures it him won't be an issue. He gives Mamoru a pager, so he can alert the team of any Zonders he senses. A week later, Taiga's assistant, Sakura, informs him that there should be no problems with the shuttle launch scheduled. He wonders where the Zonder could be, and goes down to see Mamoru's father. Taiga tells him that he saw his family picture on his desk, and asks him what kind of child Mamoru is. His father says that he's a fun-loving grade schooler, and Taiga suggests that he may become very important one day. Hyuuma and Leo watch a wrestling match, and discuss how the Zonder changed his personality completely after the incident. Mamoru helps his mother prepare supper, and his father comes in to get clothes for an all-nighter. He mentions that Taiga spoke of Mamoru very well. At the shuttle, Pizza lands on a nearby building, the Zonder in hand.

Pizza tells the Zonder about the power and majesty of the space shuttle, and warns him it'll be different from the trains he's used to. Mamoru senses the Zonder in bed, and alerts Guy. An extensive search begins at the launch site, which continues even into the time before the launch. Mikoto suggests they abort the launch, but Leo advises against it. Hyuuma suggests that Mamoru may have made a mistake, since he's just a boy. Taiga and Sakura watch from afar as the astronaut boards the shuttle. Mamoru's class is brought to the shuttle launch on a field trip, but Mamoru looks depressed amongst his classmates. The Zonder forms in the dashboard before the astronaut, and takes control of the shuttle. Mamoru wonders what will happen if it enters space. The Zonder attacks the astronaut with it's tendrils, snapping the helmet. The astronaut is none other than Guy, who sheds the suit and goes into Equip Mode. Guy slices at the Zonder with the Will Knife, giving him time to detach the boosters. The Zonder absorbs the shuttle as it enters the upper atmosphere, and Galeon meets up with Guy to become GaiGar. Grabbing onto the shuttle, GaiGar sees that EI-05 is barreling back to the launch site. He cuts the fuel line to the thruster, saying that he learned as an astronaut that you can't get anywhere without fuel. As the smoke clears, everyone but a single blue haired student is on the ground crying. Taiga approves Final Fusion, and GaiGar jumps off EI-05 to become GaoGaiGar. GaoGaiGar pursues EI-05 over the ocean, knocking it out of the sky with the Broken Magnum. Taiga has the Dividing Driver launched, and GaoGaiGar makes a repression field in the water where EI-05 crashed. EI-05 attempts to use its thrusters on GaoGaiGar, but it uses Protect Shade and launches the attack right back. Amidst the flames, GaoGaiGar leaps at EI-05, tearing it apart with its bare hands and the drill knee. It removes the core just as Mamoru gets to the battle, who comes down to purify the Zonder. Guy tells Mamoru that they need his power, and Mamoru says he's beginning to understand.

Not nearly as action-packed as the last episode, this time you get a lot more character study, since there was little the team could do while the Zonder was hiding for most of the episode. The introduction isn't even a background story as the other two were, but instead an information file on the Dividing Driver. More characters are introduced, including Taiga's sultry assistant and Mamoru's unnamed classmate. It seems sort of funny how the classmate stands out; you'd know he's important just from his hair color and fashion sense, never mind being the cool kid not freaking out at the Zonder attack. Pizza makes an appearance, and definitely seems different from the other two Machine Kings that have had an episode. It's also worth mentioning that Pizza's design is a tribute to 002 from Cyborg 009; not only do they have the same appearance and trademark nose, but Pizza shares the same ideas about flight. The fight here was mediocre at best; it was of some surprise that Guy was the astronaut, but the Zonder does nothing until its vain attempt to scorch GaoGaiGar that led to its own downfall. It's pretty sad when the star robot doesn't even use its token super attack to kill you off. Each Machine King has gotten an appearance except Primarda, so I'm sure we'll be seeing her next.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars



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