Recap / Kamen Rider Gotchard Ep 23 Zukyun Always In My Heart

Zukyun Always in My Heart

Original Airdate: February 18, 2024
Written by: Akiko Inoue
Directed by: Kyohei Yamaguchi

Summary

It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy

Clotho is now a hybrid Malgam, still intending to exact her revenge on Houtaro while also dragging Supana/Valvarad into the mix. Meanwhile, Zyukumpire is confronted by Houtaro's team who bring in one of his many followers to talk him out of his plans. Devastated by the chaos he caused, something terrible happens to the Chemy, with Clotho deciding to use it to inflict her wrath on everyone and force Gotchard and Valvarad to bear the brunt of it.

Tropes

• Bystander Syndrome: While Supana learns about the events surrounding Zukyumpire, he chooses to not get involved and tells the team to solve it on their own.
• Continuity Nod: Yua's ex-boyfriend is the same editor Yuzuru was talking to from Episode 14.
• Distressed Dude: Zukyunpire is chained up by Clotho and forced to continue creating his Zukyun heart, aiming to use its energy to become the ultimate Malgam.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: Buoyed by Zukyunpire's advice, Yua decides to refuse her abusive ex's offer to rekindle their relationship, choosing to find her own happiness on her own.
• Et Tu, Brute?: Played for Laughs: Houtaro is dismayed that Hopper1 is smitten by Zukyunpire to the point it acts like their friendship is less important.
• Good All Along: Zukyumpire's intentions were just to make everyone happy; he just had no idea that it took the life-force of others.
• Grew a Spine: Recalling Zukyumpire's advice, Yua gets the courage to reject her abusive ex after the latter asks to hook up once more.
• Heel Realization: Zukyunpire realizes his methods are hurting people after Houtaro calls him out on it and he sees Yua on death's door, having been brought to it by absorbing too much of her Life Energy. He doesn't take it well.
• Obliviously Evil: The preview reveals that Zukyun didn't know he was doing wrong when he unleashed his Zukyun nuke. In his words, he wants to make everyone happy.
• Ship Tease: After Renge expresses relief at no longer being smitten by Zukyunpire, Sabimaru expresses relief that she's now back... before quickly correcting himself and saying he's glad that it's all over now.
• Wham Shot: A replica of Unicon is made and presented alongside the Dreadriver by Atropos to Minato.

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Titular Chemy: Zukyumpire

Cards used:

Gotchard: Tricera + Catchula = TriCatcher

Chemies recovered:

Gotchard: Zukyumpire, Kamantis
Majade: Sabeliger