In an attempt to summon the Shadowkhan and escape prison, Dalong Wong accidentally awakens their king, Oni Lord Tarakudo. Now, the race to collect nine parasitic Oni masks begins with the Mask of Rairakku
This episode provides examples of:
- Benevolent Boss: Tarakudo is respectful towards the Enforcers and forgives them for their defeat. He did strong arm them into working for him, so his treatment comes off more as Pragmatic Villainy.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Jackie believes the adventure is over once Chow's mask has been removed. Tohru says "One more thing", to indicate there are 9 masks in total.
- Butt-Monkey: Tarakudo needing some henchmen decides to bust the Dark Hand out of prison, but leaves Dalong behind for some reason, either because he didn't take too kindly to Dalong using the Shadowkhan or decides a disenchanted wizard is worthless.
- Continuity Snarl: Despite Shendu's palace being Reduced to Dust following his destruction, it reappears, deserted but intact. It's possible that it was restored with Shendu's resurrection, but it wasn't confirmed.
- Foreshadowing: After chastising Chow for failing, Tarakudo says this is only a minor setback and that there is more work to be done. The next scene has Tohru explain how there were multiple Oni generals and what will happen if they're all released. Tarakudo's laidback response also hints at a Xanatos Gambit that will be revealed when all the masks are found.
- Here We Go Again!: When Tohru points out there are 9 masks they must find, Jade is thrilled about the new adventure, Jackie considerably less so.
- Hope Spot: After the mask is taken off Chow, the others figure it's at least over. Tohru points out the inscriptions revealing there are more masks out there.
- Interchangeable Asian Cultures: Averted. Uncle points out they won't find Japanese steel in Shendu's castle because Shendu was not Japanese.
- Laser-Guided Karma: The minions that Dalong Wong regularly abused are busted out of prison, but Dalong Wong himself is left to rot.
- Manchild: Upon opening the chest, Ratso excitedly says this is just like Christmas.
- Missed the Call: Hak Foo was chosen to put on the mask, but Jackie grabbed it before he could. In all the confusion, it ends up falling on Chow's face.Hak Foo: [disappointed] I wanted that.
- The Night That Never Ends: According to Tohru, the combined power of the nine masks can summon enough Shadowkhan to engulf the world in eternal darkness.
- Outside-Context Villain: Needless to say, Uncle is shocked when Tarakudo reveals he is an Oni, being the first (and only) non-Chinese Arc Villain the Chan Clan deals with.Tarakudo: You have no idea who you are dealing with.
Uncle: Enlighten me.
Tarakudo: Bow before Tarakudo, King of all Shadowkhan, Lord of all Oni!
Uncle: [gasps] So you are Japanese!
Tarakudo: [knocks Uncle down with a telekinetic strike] Consider yourself enlightened. - Pragmatic Villainy: Tarakudo initially tries to convince the Dark Hand to work for him with the promise of rewards, and when they refuse, he threatens to kill them. Nonetheless, he forgives the failure to obtain the first mask. In all, he prefers to keep his minions loyal.
- Previously on…: To Jade's time with the tattoo, Daolon Wong's first attempt to use the Shadowkhan, and the wizard and his minions being de-powered.
- The Reveal: It turns out that the Shadowkhan are actually of Japanese origin; Shendu and Dalong Wong were able to summon them by harnessing the power of an Oni mask. What's more, the Chan Clan have only been fighting one tribe of Shadowkhan this whole time; there are actually eight more.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: The key ingredient to remove the mask from Chow's face is Japanese steel. Jade takes a shuriken tossed by a Shadowkhan because "it doesn't say 'Made in Taiwan'". Uncle questions how she knows it's Japanese steel and Jade responds that she's not sure. Regardless, the spell works.
- Super-Strength: With the mask, Chow can lift Tohru with ease.
- This Is Gonna Suck: The Enforcers when Tarakudo says he will be needing some assistance. They know exactly who he means and immediately try to back away.
- Wham Line: After Dalong Wong refers to the Shadowkhan as his army.Tarakudo: Your army?
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: As someone of Japanese heritage, Tohru is frozen with fear when he sees Tarakudo and Chow wearing the first Oni mask due to folktales he was told as a child.
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Uncle doesn't believe Tarakudo is an Oni because they're Japanese while the previous Shadowkhan controllers were Chinese, referring to Shendu and Dalong Wong.
- "You!" Exclamation: Tarakudo to Jade, immediately recognizing her from her brief tenure as the Queen of the Shadowkhan.
