Recap / Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Ep 40 The One Shot Off Chance Dad Rescue Kai

The One-shot Off-chance Dad Rescue-kai!

Original Airdate: December 19, 2021
Written by: Junko Komura
Directed by: Katsuya Watanabe

Summary

"You just wanna see giant monsters fight, don't you?"

Setchan: Previously on… Zenkaiger!
We got to have New Year's early, and even more than once!
Even though it wasn't Christmas yet, and Kaito's birthday party wasn't done...
Also, what the heck is that robot?!

Dai Shōgatsu Wald has fallen, but a kaiju mecha known as HaKaijūOh, piloted by none other than the new and improved Hakaizer, has appeared to inflict mass destruction on the city. The Zenkaigers are left powerless against this monstrosity of a mech and the upgrades Hakaizer has been given, what with the new guy having lost his cheerful personality. Will they be able to find a way to save Isao from the suit's influence?

Tropes

• Beam-O-War: An unusual variant, Kaito and Hakaizer end up in one, but rather than single beam, it's rapid fire shots that collide between them until Kaito manages to win.
• Chekhov's Gun: Stacy gives Zocks and Flint a data chip. The data chip is revealed to have HakaijuOh's data schematics, allowing the team to safely get Hakaizer out so that ZenkaijuOh can destroy the mecha.
• Cliffhanger: While Boccowaus seethes over the loss of Hakaizer, Gege mutters to himself that "it's time".
• Earn Your Happy Ending: The team manage to finally save Isao once and for all, invoking his past memories to allow Kaito to shoot Hakaizer to the point where his battery permanently runs out. The episode ends with Isao reuniting with Yatsude and Kaito, overjoyed to be with his family again.
• "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: The team begin using memories to reach Kaito's father inside Hakaizer, eventually causing him to completely glitch out, leaving him open for Kaito to land the final blow and save him.
• Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: The damage that HakaijuOh did to the city is not Played for Laughs. There is quite a bit of collateral damage throughout and many civilians are shown to be injured.

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