Kyoudaikido Soldier Chromacorps

First of all, let me apologize for the lateness of this review. I’ve been very busy this past week, and I will also be busy next weekend. However, the reviews will be up, and we’ll get back on a normal schedule very soon! This is also why there’s no cartoon as of yet. There will be, but I want to get the review up so that everyone can read it! So, without further ado, let’s talk about today’s episode, “Room For One More.”

The team waits around for Antonio to join them at the dojo, and Kevin makes a comment that while he did well in one battle, he’s not a samurai. Jayden talks about how he and Antonio were friends from the day they met, and played all the time, even though Jii wanted Jayden to practice so that he could become a Samurai. The kids are grating, and while it was fine in the previous episode, the flashbacks in this go on for a much longer time, and really show that these kids are having a bit of trouble. I can’t really get too angry though. They are just kids and doing their best, I just wish they weren’t as stiff. Kevin is still not sure about Antonio, because he has no formal training. I’ll address this later, and you might know what I mean. Antonio is busy getting dressed up to head over to the dojo, being somewhat of a narcissist in the process. However, he has a very smooth demeanor, and it helps out his parts a lot. His character, much like Mike, actually feels like a person. He’s not as strong as Mike is, but that may come with time.

Jii asks Mike if the now very late Antonio is bringing the Octozord, explaining that Jayden gave him the Zord when they were young. Jayden explains that he was a kid, and didn’t know any better. Jii also said that Jayden threatened to stop being a Samurai if he tried to get it back. Antonio slides in, with a fishing pole in his hand, and a very practiced speech in his mouth. Mike makes a joke to Jii, saying “And you thought I was cocky.” Once again, Mike doesn’t have much in this episode, but when he gets a line or two, he really nails it. Antonio continues his speech, not knowing that the lure on the end of the fishing pole has caught on his pants. Jii and Jayden have a talk about Antonio, with another flashback, and this one is a lot more stiff. Jii tells Jayden that he’ll handle Antonio, so he doesn’t have to worry about it.

Xandred is angry at Octoroo for not finding out about the sealing character, though Octoroo states that he’s been working on it and that it takes time. Here we’re introduced to Steeleto, the monster of the week. He wants revenge for Volpez, and runs off to hunt down the Rangers.

We cut too another scene with Spike dreaming about the Pink Ranger. Also, to the writer who put in the Star Wars reference, you get some nerd points from me. Also, Fong delivered it with just the right amount of cheese for it to be an obvious lift. Maybe Spike is a Star Wars nut? Maybe instead of ShinkenBrown, we’ll get Spike joining the 501st, and running into battle with Stormtrooper armor? Nah, that would be a bit too much, but I want to draw that now. Bulk wakes him up from his dream, and a smoothie that he was making gets blown into his face. Ok, for once, Spike was funnier than Bulk. I saw the blender joke from a mile away, but I guess it’s a decent throwback to when Bulk had just about every liquid in the show spilled on him at least once. Thing is, he was in a Juice Bar, where the smoothie to person ration is probably a lot higher.

Back to the heroes, Jii questions Antonio about making the Samurai Morpher, and his training. Antonio talks about how he trained hard to be a Samurai, but he didn’t really understand what to do until he was able to send text messages to the Zords. See parents, this is why we need texting on phones. How else are we going to save the day from Master Xandred. As much as the team wants him to join, Jii decides against it, taking his Morpher away from him. Antonio argues with Jii, and he seems very passionate about it in his acting. The Gap Sensor sounds and Jayden and the team run off to fight the Nighlock. Antonio asks to go with them, but Jayden reluctantly agrees with Jii, telling Antonio that they don’t need a sixth ranger. And in this entire scene, I can’t praise Skyler enough. He puts a bit more emotion into his performances and it really shows, and while some parts are awkward, they always feel genuine, and make the viewer feel for the character, especially when he walks off dejected, and while we know he’ll come back, you feel truly sorry for him.

Steeleto rushes in and starts attacking air and paper bags. Seriously, can we please, PLEASE put people in actual danger? You don’t have to show blood, but you can show people being hit or cut. Kids can take it, as long as they’ve watched any Disney movies. Come to think of it, when Disney owned the property, they did the same thing. What happened, guys? Anyways, the Rangers take on the monster, and we can clearly see that he’s too fast for them. Luckily we have a guy on the team who’s super speedy when attac…oh. Alright, carry on! The team puts up a good fight, but they can’t take him down. Here’s something in the episodes that I haven’t addressed yet. The music in this scene is awesome. The hard rock tracks get me pumped and amp the fight up more. It’s something that has been a Power Rangers staple, and I’m glad it’s back. The monster is about to take down Jayden, but runs out of water, and has to go back to the Sanzu River to rest.

Mike and Emily go talk to Antonio, and he once again does a good job in this scene. Seeing Mike and Antonio play off of each other is really great. I feel like they’re real people, and definitely Rangers. Mia and Jayden talk as well, mostly about how Mia thinks that Antonio is a great Gold Ranger and that Jayden should let him join. This scene isn’t as well done, and much like previous episodes, is a bit stiff. It’s nothing like the short bit with Antonio and Mike where it feels natural. Jayden and Mia have a quick sparring match, which Mia quickly wins. Antonio comes in, along with the others, to convince Jayden to reconsider. Then, Kevin comes in.

Now, throughout the entire episode, it’s been “He doesn’t have the training,” or “He’s not a real Samurai,” and while he’s been tolerant, he was always wary of Antonio. This is a complete 180 of his character and really doesn’t work, especially if you saw the preview of the next episode where they don’t get along. It’s supposed to hammer home the idea that everyone is supportive and will change Jayden’s mind, but perhaps having Kevin be reluctant, while still letting Jayden decide, would make the next episode that much stronger. How about:

Kevin: Jayden, you’re seriously considering letting him on the team? He’s not properly trained in being a Samurai.
Jayden: He might not have the training, but we could use the help with the stronger Nighlocks that Xandred’s been sending.
Kevin: Well…
Jayden: Kevin, you know he’s a strong fighter.
Kevin: That’s true. I guess he could be helpful.

That way, Jayden vouches for his friend, something they talked about at the beginning of the episode, and Kevin still has to be shown that Antonio can fight. The Gap Sensor goes off again, Jayden hands him the Samurai Morpher, and they run off to fight the Nighlock.

Oh man, we actually see some Moogers attacking humans like monsters. Well I’ll be. I guess Steeleto just hates paper bags then. The rangers rush in, and in a funny scene, Antonio looks for his place in the line up. He eventually tells the others to scoot down a bit. Still not having enough space, he tosses some cans to the side and stands in the line. The Rangers morph and fight off the Moogers, and Jayden and Antonio attack Steeleto. They cut through his attacks to deal a crushing strike to him, and finish him off with a combined attack.

The team forms the Samurai Megazord, and they can’t shake the attack by themselves. Antonio summons Octozord, and transforms into his Megamode. Mia thinks that because the Octozord was originally Jayden’s, they can combine it with the Megazord. They combine them together to form the Octospear Megazord, taking out Steeleto’s blades, freezing him, and then finishing him off with a Samurai Strike. After the battle, Jii and Jayden have a discussion about the team, and how he was wrong about Antonio. Antonio makes a fish dinner for the team, and they all sit down and eat.

This episode was great for a good chunk, but then took a few missteps. It wasn’t enough to ruin the episode for me, but it was awkward in parts. However, Antonio is really strong in his role. What’s especially good about him is that even with his somewhat silly nature, he’s nothing like Genta from Shinkenger. I love Genta, but it really does feel like he’s trying to be different from the original, which I respect a whole lot. Skyler really made his case for being on the show, and I can’t wait to see more. What’s also great about this episode is that Kevin is also very strong, something I haven’t seen from him in previous episodes. I hope that it continues into the next episode where he and Antonio have to work together! I’d give this episode a 7/10. It’s good, but some things could have been tighter and explained a bit better. The cast continues to get better, and they’re starting to come into their roles a bit more. This is good, because I know my Shinkenger, and there’s a lot of drama coming up if they are following the show.