Follow TV Tropes

Live Blogs Rangers, Sentai Warriors, and...Wait, They're Not Them? Rika Liveblogs Vs. Super Sentai Vs. Power Rangers!
arcadiarika2013-05-25 22:06:18

Go To


Part 14: If You Flip Out, That's Alright

Rika: Welcome back.

Previously, we reached the end of the Sun Vulcan "tribute", the good guys continued to curb-stomp the baddies, and more lovey-dovey shit happened.

(Rika sighs)

...if I have any psychic abilities, like...seeing into the future or some shit, I'm going to forsee that the same shit will happen in all other chapters. Why am I liveblogging this again?

(she drinks)

Radiguet: Because you love to torture yourself. Because you wanted to see how worse it'll become.

Rika: ...

(she slams the empty sake bottle on the table)

So let's continue on with...

(click!)

Chapter 14: Gymnastics vs. Jaryuu

The Author's Note for this one states that the chapter's dedicated to the fact that Kimberly left the team to pursue gymnastics, and Katherine replaced her. O...kay. And that he would have done that trade-off in the BFJ arc, but he did not.

...and the note finishes by Akizuki explaining that Amy Jo Johnson was replaced by Catherine Sutherland, due to the former's decision to push for her acting career growth, which, no doubt, is successful to this day. Which, by the way, made him very sad. Which led to the Dear John letter in Zeo.

(Rika takes another long drink from another sake bottle)

Yeah, I'm not going to go over that clusterfuck of a mess. Why? Because I simply don't wish to start a flame war over this. Because life's too precious and more important than debating over shipping.

Anyway...we begin this chapter at the New Skybase, where Bulk and Skull gush over how more awesome Professor Makino is than Professor Phenomenus. Yeah, guys, you do realize that he, too, took part in the "we are the Power Rangers!" thing in "Countdown to Destruction", right?

I mean, granted, yeah, they get to see a lot of cool stuff. Yes, they're in this strange, new world. It's okay to be excited. But...I don't know.

After talking on that end, we get into more lovey-dovey stuff with Tommy. And thinking about the other Sentai Warriors he met, realizing that they're not as easily found. Just get a Twitter account, that solves everything!

Meanwhile, we see our new group for the Goggle V "tribute" mission: Kimberly, Satoru (again!), Gunpei, Rocky (again!!), and Tsubasa. They have breakfast, and Billy praises Ranru for stuff, ending it all with him hoping that she finds a way to break Mikoto's mind control spell soon.

...also, more stuff about Cole and how he's so "unlike human" and shit. This time around, apparentally, his powers are "unstable". Get this, after he morphs into Red Conqueror and demorphs, he becomes hungry. So they create specifically formulated food for him.

Oh, and you want to know also about what happens? Even though he gets hungry, his body burns the fat, creating his...oh, God. His "really firm abs".

(Radiguet shakes his head, trying not to laugh)

And yes, even Tommy notices it. You know, with all the talk about how Cole's a "powerful supporting character", he's just turning this fanfic truly into The Cole Evans Show, Starring Cole Evans and Friends. In fact...I may have to call this fanfic that from now on!

Here's why. You would think that Cole would be in the background, only showing up whenever needed, maybe having his own characterization mini-arc in the background while the main plot occurs. Maybe struggles with the (sighs) "Red Conqueror" powers. Trying to accept his destiny, having to choose between life as Red Conqueror and life as Cole Evans, the man vs. the powers. And yes, maybe some defeats here and there, especially at the beginning, but just...do some sort of character development with that, you know? This is why I think that, with proper planning and storytelling, "Cole as Aka Red's fusee" would have been an interesting premise.

Instead, we have damn near everyone gushing over him, from Sakura to even the higher-ups, him curb-stomping the villains, learning the different forms in such short order...oy. And this is probably one of the other biggest flaws with this fanfic: the focus on some Rangers or Sentai Warriors, never much of an equal share. Then again, whatever focus we do have, pretty much everyone's massively derailed.

(Rika rubs her forehead)

...is being negative all the time just kicking my ass right now? Is that why I'm losing my grip on reality? Or is it this fanfic?

(she buries her face with her hands)


(meanwhile, at the campsite, the group gathers around a fire that was created by Alex)

Rin: So where did you guys come from?

Natsuki: I'm from the Boukengers' world! (smiles) I was Bouken Yellow, the Strong Adventurer.

Dan/Christopher: Earth.

Xander: Briarwood.

Tori: Blue Bay Harbor.

Saya: The Gingaman world, or Ginga Forest. (she nods)

Brittany: That's awesome! But...how were you kidnapped?

Natsuki: It all started when I was called to investigate any possible Precious! But then I saw a man, and that's all I can remember...

Tori: Yeah, me too, only I had to scout for any other evil!

Saya: I didn't have to scout. I was just...taken. Like that.

Xander: Me, I saw a really nice girl. I tried to charm her, but—

Tori: Let me guess, it failed spectacularly? (smirks)

Xander: Oh, no, I thought it worked! Then it failed spectacularly when the woman revealed herself to be a strange monster.

(everyone's trying to hold in their laughter)

Dan: I was with my wife, and...(he shakes his head) I can't quite remember what happened. I was just knocked out.

Christopher: As for me? I was working on another page of a comic book, trying to develop ideas. Then my friend stopped by for a visit, or what I thought was my friend! Turns out that this Radiguet fucker was posing as Sean, I tried to fight him...but he was so strong.

Sean: He did what?! (he's rather incensed)

Christopher: He posed as you, man...I don't know how or why he had the idea of doing that.

Ryota: Sounds like...whoever revived him, it gave him some new arsenal of powers. Or strengthened his older ones, I don't know.

Sean: ...you've gotta be kidding me. (he facepalms)

Jason: That's why it's important that we have to plan from now on. Because, as we've seen here, who knows what Radiguet has up his sleeve?

Rin: Right, and not only that, we need to do some training of our own!

Mao: Maybe some scout work, too.

Dan: Why scout work?

Mao: To actually survey the area, making sure there aren't any traps.

Dan: Ah.

Ryota: Yes, those are both good ideas! Tomorrow, we'll start training and scouting, and then, during those next few days, we'll create a plan to save Rika.

(everyone nod, and Sean turns to Christopher)

Sean: Trickery aside, I'm really glad to have you back with us.

Christopher: Damn straight, man!

(the two do a handshake, their friendship rekindled)


(at the base, Rika recovers)

Rika: Okay, now that I've gotten back from the brink of insanity, back to bullshit.

Rocky's team talk to one another for a bit, just...irrelevant stuff. And Satoru mentions about what we already know about Adam and the Treasure Force thing—

Satoru: "And then he told me about the boring Operation Overdrive team."

...oh sweet merciful crap. (drinks) Okay, I think it's time to set the record straight. No, I am not an Overdrive fan. Never was, never will be, okay? Yes, I know that one of the cast members stole a banner that was supposed to be auctioned off for charity, and that's just straight-up fucked up. But...

I know that the Overdrive Rangers are probably the most...unlikely people to see as heroes. But most of the actors? They're decent fucking people. I mean, hell, Rhoda Montemayor, Rose's actress, does care for her fans. And remember when Mack's actor, James Maclurcan, actually met the Go-Onger cast? That was a rare sight back then!

All I'm saying is...if you hate something, why bash it in the open, and why do it without constructive criticism? As in...why, exactly, would you hate it?

...and I know it all sounds hugely hypocritical, coming from me.

Anyway, the only other important thing to take from this scene is this. Just...this.

Tommy: "I could be wrong but why do I somewhat see the possibility he could desire one of our women to be his new queen in the place of Astronema?"

Yes. Tommy thinks that RINO will lust over Kimberly. No kidding.

Radiguet: What?! I never...over a Ranger?!

(he's showing some anger, and he's also just baffled)

Rika: Yyyyyyyeah.

...this makes me feel so uncomfortable for a number of reasons. Just...I don't know where to start.

Anyway, after the talk, we head to the U.A.O.E, where RINO is making his next move. I swear to God, with all the hissyfits he throws, it's tempting to replace the dialogue with "bitch bitch-bitch bitch bitch"...over and over and over again. Tranza offers RINO to send Ryuuwon, Pope Hat, Yaiba, and Shizuka over. Yeah, because that team-up will work oh-so-well.

(Rika facepalms)

Are everyone in the Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers universe fucking morons?

Ryuuwon suggests that, since Deathdark creates monsters from animal genes, he'll have them extract his blood. Just so they can create a powerful monster. RINO accepts. NEXT!

We now arrive at the Goggle V world, where we see...a blond woman? Actually, that's Katherine Hillard. You see, before she dropped by, she was in London, keeping touch with Tommy as friends.

...also, she, like everyone else, is speaking Japanese. You've gotta be fucking kidding me.

(Rika takes a long drink, then she tosses the empty sake bottle to a wall)

Radiguet: Why did you do that?

Rika: Because this is the anti-logic fanfiction!

Anyway, she meets Satoru's team, and she and Kimberly talk for a bit. Also, another thing about this Kat? She's a scriptwriter now, and she's also having suitors.

(Rika groans loudly)

After the reunion, we finally, finally see the Goggle V team: Ken'ichi Akama (Goggle Red), Kanpei Kuroda (Goggle Black), Saburou Aoyama (Goggle Blue), Futoshi Kijima (Goggle Yellow), and Miki Momozono (Goggle Pink). They do what the other past Sentai Warriors love to do best: patrolling. Then U.A.O.E show up, they morph and fight...yeesh.

And then Satoru's team shows up, fights, defeats mooks...and Satoru sees Ryuuwon, wondering what he was doing when he was still a human. Turns out he was a pickpocketer. Yeah, uh...

(she shakes her head, and Radiguet is slowly starting to suffer...if it isn't the fanfic that's driving him nuts, it's Rika's antics)

So the group fight and retreat after Satoru uses the Drill Crusher. When they arrive at a safe place, Satoru's team introduces themselves to the Goggle V team, and they explain what's going on. The team starts to believe them, but Kimberly has other thoughts in mind—namely, that Miki's a gymnast.

(Rika taps her fingers) Nah, not gonna say it.

At the Deathdark headquarters, the villains there discuss about the new team until Ryuuwon's team arrives. They introduce themselves as well, and they strike a deal on how to defeat the Goggle V team. Then Ryuuwon bleeds himself...

(Rika makes a disgusted face)

Ewwwwwww.

...and then, with the blood, the Madaraman pours it into the monster-making machine, revealing a dragon-esque creature. This is the Monster of the Arc, Jaryuu Mozoo, and despite the stupid-ass name, he actually proves to be completely damn powerful.

How powerful, you may ask? Well...he curb-stomps the heroes. No amount of power, nor moves like the Goggle Victory Flash, nor equipment like the Drill Crusher can stop it. The heroes retreat by using the Time Train after Tsubasa creates a distraction.

...also, did Ryuuwon just say "hee hee"?

(Rika headdesks)

Okay. I know that "hee hee" is basically Akizuki's laughing verbal tic. But did he have to have his characters seriously say that? It makes them look absolutely flippin' ridiculous.

Anyway, with the heroes retreating, the villains then decide to have Mt. Fuji erupt. But there's a problem. Namely, with all the power, Jaryuu is exhausted. They decide to have the monster rest before they execute their next move.

Meanwhile, when we see the Goggle V and Satoru's team, they also think of their next move. They think they should have the dragon cool down, but the question is, how in the hell are they going to achieve that? Well, they think they should have Billy and Ranru figure this one out, mainly.

...and yes. They do repeat over and over. You know what this kind of reminds me of?

"We should do something!" "Should we do something?" "We should do something!" "Should we do something?"

...good God, just...think of a single, solitary, good plan, guys!

And so, the chapter ends with Deathdark talking to Ryuuwon's team, explaining what's going on. Fuehrer Taboo is excited to have Mt. Fuji erupt, and Ryuuwon assures him that it will be soon as soon as Jaryuu is recharged. And as speculations go on, we get the usual "will (so and so) do (action)?", and we're told to find out the exciting conclusion next chapter.

Calling it now: Jaryuu will be curb-stomped. So find out next chapter if I'm right.

Will Rika be right? Will she drive her captors insane? And will the All-Stars succeed in their mission?

Emergency Signal; Now, Forward! To the next liveblogging of Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers!!

Comments

ChrisX Since: Dec, 1969
May 26th 2013 at 1:07:09 AM
Well if you would have to notice, Akizuki has... aside of his Cole fetish, also has a Boukenger fetish. So I think that's why you see Satoru, Sakura, the Negative Syndicate members a lot, that 'Bulk and Skull gushing over Makino' scene and especially the most concentrated bash on Operation Overdrive. But most especially, he also has hots on ladies he refer as 'hot' and 'beautiful'. Like... Kimberly/Amy Jo Johnson, Sakura/Haruka Suenaga, Jasmine/Ayumi Kinoshita and Mako/Rin Takanashi. And possibly Nanami/Nao Nagasawa (Weird that of the PR gals, only Kim makes the pass!?). It REALLY gets problematic.

And... hah. That RINO lusting over Kimberly 'arc'. Brace yourself because it's just going to make you need a new shade of red for your wall. And you know what? RINO is not alone. Someone else will have such thing. And it's not pretty. I'll let ya guess who's who later.

And yes, just like him being salty over Jetman!Gai dying, he's also pretty salty over Kim's Dear John Letter and the implications that she ended up with Skull. Since you're more a PR person, I'd like to ask how you personally felt about the Dear John Letter, and the Kim-Skull implication. What says you?

And speaking of Bulk and Skull... I think you better brace yourself when Spike (Skull's son who appears in Samurai) makes his appearance. His actions were like... wow, it's got to be seen to be believed, and a Sentai character suffer for it too. Again, better brace your mentalities.

Well enough about that, I'd like to say one thing in particular. As much as it often gets looked aside, I frickin' love Goggle V. It's my first Sentai I watched, the plot's pretty simple and decent for its age (and it introduced Hirohisa Soda who'd make the Ur-Writing Formula of Sentai of the age, or whatever), and the weapons are pretty unique. Akizuki is just following the bandwagon of mistaking the team as a gymnastic team, but as even he could point out, the only gymnast in the team is Miki, they're pretty much simple "Group of people summoned by a science team to fight evil organization for the better future."

That's about it, thanks for listening, and keep this up!
arcadiarika Since: Dec, 1969
May 26th 2013 at 7:22:42 AM
...so he likes Boukenger a lot? Not going to lie, I haven't noticed it. Which actually makes that "Operation Suicide" chapter a lot more disturbing. If I have to guess as to why he wrote it, aside from it being a gigantic middle finger to everything Kalish (yes, he isn't perfect, but at least he tried), I would have to guess that, since Overdrive is an adaptation of Boukenger, it's a way of him saying, "how dare you, trying to ruin one of my favorite series!"

But I'm just speculating.

And yes, I did notice his likings for female actresses. I've never understood the idea of only liking actors, be they famous or Z-list, Power Rangers or Super Sentai, based on their looks. Myself, whenever I like an actor or actress, it isn't based on looks, it's more based on the talent of the person and how they act behind the scenes.

About that "Kim/RINO arc"...honestly, this is one of those times where I don't need a shade of red on a wall, but rather gallons and gallons of Brain Bleach. What I didn't say in the liveblog is that the entire thing reminded me so much of yet another horrible fanfic, Agony in Pink. (And no, I am not going to liveblog it ever.) And I did take a glance at the future chapters, and...ugh. I just don't know.

How I personally feel about the "Dear John" letter? Well, as someone who doesn't ship all that often, while it can be interesting that Kim did eventually marry Skull (in fact, if memory serves me right, they did consider making that canon), the letter...could have been handled differently, I think. It was just out of the blue. Or, better yet, have it offscreen, or not mention it at all. Then again, I could be wrong, since it's been ages since I've watched Zeo.

But with the whole Tommy/Katherine and Kim/Skull thing? I have no problems with it. I'd like to think that Skull, even behind his bullying in his early years, does have a heart of gold, and isn't a flunkie. Saying that he was an adult when he fell in love with her? Uh...what? Why would you do that?

Oh, right, because it's a way of Akizuki trying to make things "better".

And ah, yes, I remember the whole Spike ordeal, a bit. I'll definitely cover that one when we get to that path.

I've seen the trope page of Goggle V, and it does sound really fascinating. The one thing I like about the team is the jewels, how it corresponds to some sort of ancient civilization for each team—that just sounds wicked cool! And with Miki being a gymnast, when I looked at that bit of Kimberly thinking about her, me tapping my fingers, and saying that I wouldn't mention it, well...I would have made a comment about Miki in the Toku Base Pantheon, and there are some blurbs about her and Kimberly as well.

And thank you for not only the help, but also pointing out some stuff that's worth mentioning or I forgot. :)
Psyga315 Since: Dec, 1969
May 26th 2013 at 8:47:19 AM
Now I imagine Ryuuwon as Michal Jackson.
Top