Recap / Kamen Rider Gotchard Ep 8 Great Bond

Great Bond

Original Airdate: October 22, 2023
Written by: Hiroki Uchida
Directed by: Takayuki Shibasaki

Summary

"Here's a question: I'll fight you, "O" or "X"?
The right answer is "O"!
And now, it's quiz time!!"

Narrator: Previously on… Kamen Rider Gotchard!
Houtarou Ichinose is a young man who believes in friendship between humans and Chemies, "Gotchanko-ing" to meet with a boy named Riku and the cactus Chemy Saboneedle!
Gotchard took the form of NeedleHawk during a fight, only for Saboneedle to escape from his Driver, undoing his transformation mid-flight!
Just what will happen to Houtarou...?!

Saboneedle suddenly flees, and Houtaro is on a frenzy to find him. If he wants to find the Chemy and figure why the Malgam is after Riku, Houtaro has to find out the little boy's story.

Meanwhile, Rinne is approached by Atropos, leader of the Dark Sisters. What business does she have with the alchemist?

Tropes

• An Aesop: Working and studying are important, but it's also important to keep a healthy work-life balance.
• Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Riku's father berates his son over how he's been distracted, his grades are slipping, and that his fingers are covered in bandages recently.
• Beam-O-War: Gotchard and the Dragonfly Malgam send their respective projectiles into one against each other; Gotchard's wins out.
• Bittersweet Ending: Another case of a Chemy and human relationship being separated, but Houtarou promises there will be a day where Saboneedle and Riku can always play together.
• Bookends: The two-part arc begins and ends with Riku giving Saboneedle to Hotaro and having the Chemy captured.
• Crocodile Tears: Atropos fakes crying to get people to pay attention to Rinne ostensibly bullying her and uses her powers to seize control of them immediately afterward.
• Goomba Stomp: NeedleHawk's finisher takes this form after Houtarou hits the Dragonfly Malgam with a Rider Kick from above.
• Internal Reveal: Atropos claims Rinne's father is still alive.
• Plot Hole: The reason why Saboneedle jumped out of the driver and ran away at the cliffhanger in the last episode is never directly addressed.
• The Reveal: The Malgam is Riku's father, and he's after him because Riku's time with Saboneedle is making him neglect his studies.

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Titular Chemy: Greatonbo

Cards used:

Gotchard: Gutsshovel + Dokkirimajin = DokkiriShovel, Hawkstar + Saboneedle = NeedleHawk, Hopper1 + Steamliner = SteamHopper

Chemies recovered:

Gotchard: Greatonbo