Recap / Mashin Sentai Kiramager Ep 39 The Emperor Is A Sniper

The Emperor is a Sniper

Original Airdate: January 17, 2021
Written by: Kaori Kaneko
Directed by: Noboru Takemoto

Summary:

Mabushina's Kishijinze gets interrupted by Yodon hunter Shadon! Now on the run, the Kiramagers have to figure out a plan to dodge his attacks. The problem is, he can hide in the shadows, allowing him to take out of the Kiramagers one-by-one!

Tropes:

• Batman Gambit: Tametomo's plan to take out Shadon. He first blocks Shadon's bullet, quickly replacing himself with Takamichi's mud ball. He then called the Mashins to be on standby so that when he gave the sign; Mabushina's light would heal them, thus allowing them to come to Mabushina's need and flood Shadon with light. With no shadows, Tametomo can take Shadon out with ease.
• Chekhov's Gun: Mabushina's power of light that was used in the beginning allows Tametomo to quickly create a plan to take down Shadon using the Mashins' light.
• Dwindling Party: Shadon gradually takes out the team one-by-one, eventually leaving only Juru and Mabushina alive... that is until Tametomo gives the sign to Mabushina.
• Family-Friendly Firearms: Of course Shadon's bullets don't actually kill you, they just turn you into a mudball.
• Fanservice: Sena's ass gets another moment in the spotlight, this time with a rotating pan around her while she's kneeling.
• It's All My Fault: Mabushina blames everything on herself, specifically for being weak. The team automatically refutes this, saying that they were protecting her because they care.
• Mythology Gag: The episode's plot heavily alludes to Magiranger's Stage 38, right down to the final shoot-out between Tametomo and Shadon.
  • For that matter it also heavily references Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger Episode 15. Right down to a sniper enemy taking out the team one by one until only one is left, before it's revealed that the Yellow member actually only made it look like they were hit and it was a plan to catch them off guard.
• Pop-Culture Pun Episode Title: The episode title is one to the 2004 film My Lover is a Sniper.
• Taking the Bullet: Shadon makes use of this by purposely targetting Mabushina, knowing that the Kiramagers will take the hit to protect her, guaranteeing that his shots will always land on them Just as Planned.