Proof of a Leader
- Original Airdate: March 15, 2020
Written by: Naruhisa Arakawa
Directed by: Kyohei Yamaguchi
Summary
Mabushiina tours Juru around the Coconut Tower bringing him to CARAT base. Muryo then casual appoints him as the leader, as those who resonate with red Kiramai Stones tends to lead the best. Sena then excuses herself as she has training.(...)
After failing to defeat Rugby Jamenshi, Sena and Juru got into an escalating argument over her not making it to the fight. Juru explains that the team has to fight together, but Sena does not buy his argument, pointing out that he is just parroting words from someone else. Because of that, Sena does not regard Juru as the leader of the team. While keeping check on Juru on keeping the team committed, Tametomo states that a person cannot be in two places at once. Juru thinks for a while...and has an Insparkleration.
At the CARAT headquarts, Juru asks whether there are other resources that can make use of his imagination. Muryo answers blue diamonds, Kiramai Stones which are in fact used by King Oradin to create Kiramai Sword and Kiramai Shot. To create some, Muryo has Mabushiina read manga. Feeling sad by its main character, she cries and her tears form the exact material needed. Juru then open up his sketchbook revealing two Senas in different clothing. The pile of blue diamonds then form into Gemini, a miniature doll that transforms into a copy of the rangers should they be called while still being needed at their jobs. Juru brings Gemini to Sena, while the rest of the team head out to fight Rugby Jamenshi, round 2.
Juru and Sena meet up with the remaining team and transform into their ranger forms. Unfortunately, Kiramai Green is unable to outrun Rugby Jamenshi...until the real Sena shows up. The duplicate transfers the transformation to Sena. Kiramai Green wrestles the ball off Rugby Jamenshi and throws it right in his face, destroying him.
After the battle, Tametomo calls Juru out for not keeping the team together, but Juru argued that Sena can't shine this way; while the original plan was to have the Gemini doll run the field in her place while Sena fights in battle, Juru personally disagrees with compromising one's own interest in favor for their commitment. Sena recognizes Juru as the leader for helping her reach out to her potential.
Sayo and Shiguru then have to leave for their own commitments. The Yadohelm may have lost, but Crantula has gained enough dark energy from Rugby Jamenshi to summon Lager Ligany into the city. This is indicated with the sky darkening. With three rangers available, they call forth their Mashins.
Kiramai Green comments that Juru drew a giant robot to fight against the gigantic beast earlier, and Mach informs her that Jetto and Helico had combined into one similar. Shovello suggests all three present to do the same, and they combine into Land Mage. In the process, they knocked the ball off Lager Ligany and finally, Land Mage shoot it off to safety.
As a combined mecha, Land Mage can temporally change Mach into Makka to unleash a fire attack, block a tail swipe with its crane arm alone and have Mach detach itself from the formation to drive on the ladder and ram into the enemy. Its finisher is a consecutive strike with its shovel arm.
With Lager Ligany defeated, the sky clear up again. This episode closes with Sena, Juru and Tametomo heading outside and enjoying the scenery.
Tropes specific to this episode
- Body to Jewel: As a Crystalian, Mabushiina can cry out tears that solidify into blue diamond Kiramai Stones that can be used as material, like with the Kiramai Swords and Kiramai Shoot guns. For this case, the team needs them to craft the Gemini, miniature doll that transform into a ranger's double should they be needed at the wrong time.
- Combining Mecha: This episode debuts the Mashin combinations: Jetter and Helico into Sky Mage and Mach, Shovello and Fire into Land Mage.
- Graceful Loser: At the end of Rugby Jamenshi's fight, with Sena accepting Juru as her leader, Tametomo admits being voted out 1-3.
- Happy Fun Ball: Rugby Jamenshi's balls look like ordinary rugby balls, but they can explode, taking out nearby surroundings.
- I Just Want to Be Normal: The main conflict of the episode, as Sena is unwilling to give up her career and personal commitments for her commitment as a Kiramager. Juru decides in the end that the members should be allowed to continue pursuing their careers whenever they need to, in order to boost their morales and allow them to be at their best when fighting.
- The Lancer: This episode establishes Tametomo's role in the team, challenging Juru's designation as the leader while holding him accountable to his role.
- Mythology Gag: The manga ordered by Muryo, Good Three, is made by Shiho Ichinose, who is, in fact, the best friend and the main motivator of Umika Hayami / Lupin Yellow.
- Call-Back: The manga itself appeared in Ryusoulger vs Lupinranger vs Patranger.
- Pop-Culture Pun Episode Title: The episode title is a reference to the Japanese movies Never Give Up note and Proof of a Man note , which were directed by Junya Sato and produced by Haruki Kadokawa. note
- Playing with Fire: The Mach part of Land Mage can temporally transform into Makka to attack with flames.
